Because She Had A Time Limit, She Became The Villain’s Daughter-in-law - Chapter 61

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

9. Kail Dart Labonis
Evan returned to the Capital with hollow eyes.
“Why do you look so unwell?”
As I brushed his hair with concern, he sighed.
“I haven’t been sleeping well.”
“Why can’t you sleep?”
“Just because.”
He blinked slowly and spoke in a low voice.
“It feels like it’ll be several months before I see you again.”
“Well, that’s true. But I’ll be heading to the Capital soon.”
No matter how much distance we maintained, family was family—I needed to see him regularly. Evan’s birthday was coming up soon. I naturally planned to go to the Capital for that occasion.
“Give my regards to Father.”
“I will.”
After the banquet ended, Evan wasn’t the only one who returned to the Capital. Sven, who maintained his headquarters there, also left Borotna. However, Serena stayed behind and worked earnestly to convince me.
“Please don’t feel burdened.”
Serena spoke while reading my expression.
“But I hope you’ll focus on the positive aspects. Black magic is a power that can manipulate the hidden side of the world, after all.”
Her voice carried an earnest plea.
“Since you’ve already been born, why not overturn this world once?”
“Why would I overturn a perfectly fine world?”
“You’d become even greater than Princess Elani who rules over the Empire. You could reign as the Queen of the Underworld and do whatever you wish!”
“You said not to feel burdened, so why do you keep trying to convince me?”
I answered flatly.
“That’s like saying ‘run at full speed slowly’—what’s the difference?”
“Ha, I suppose you’re right.”
Serena laughed awkwardly and sighed.
“But truly….”
She fidgeted with her long red hair tied high as she murmured.
“You’re already such an excellent patron, even without joining our cause.”
Indeed, the Bestian Guild would rake in considerable profits from this Madeline incident.
“And the fact that you’re an invaluable benefactor to Sven doesn’t change either.”
“Let me think about it. I didn’t have time to hear everything properly back then anyway.”
I was genuinely suspending all decisions. In fact, I was more shocked by Duke Icard’s plan than by the prospect of becoming a Black Mage or Queen of the Underworld.
“But does black magic really exist? It’s not just in ancient records, is it?”
“You’ve seen Neo and still don’t believe?”
Serena smiled knowingly.
“The existence of demons in this world means someone contracted with a demon and used black magic. Demons create rifts in this world through black magic as a medium.”
“Neo? Why does that demon’s incarnation stay with Sven?”
“Because he found the person who would serve him best.”
“Well, Sven does revere demons.”
“It’s more that….”
Serena tilted her head as she spoke.
“He provides boxes and toys of various kinds, regularly refreshes the sand, and meticulously installs shelves in all sorts of high places….”
Ah. That demon simply found himself a good butler. How wise.
“Then where is the one who made a contract with Neo?”
“I’m not entirely sure of the details myself. But if someone summoned a demon and made a contract, they must have paid some price, so they wouldn’t be in a sound state.”
Not in a sound state—what a dreadful thing to say.
I quickly shook my head.
“Let me make this clear in advance—I’m absolutely not summoning demons. I’m going to live soundly and die soundly. Besides, I’ve been baptized.”
“If you truly are a Black Mage, you don’t need to summon demons.”
Serena grasped my hand, her eyes sparkling as she spoke.
“The demon’s incarnation finds you approachable. You clearly have the qualities to become a Black Mage.”
Thinking of how that pitch-black cat had sat on my lap so naturally, I found it rather remarkable myself.
“So there are many things you can do without summoning demons.”
And Serena began to list the things that could be done with black magic.
“Simple hypnosis or brainwashing, or perhaps cruel torture or soul destruction?”
“…That sounds like a crime somehow.”
“Hmm, what if we call it deception? If that doesn’t suit you, there’s always mind control or memory manipulation….”
“Wait.”
I stopped Serena and asked what I’d been curious about all along.
“How do you revive the dead?”
I sincerely hoped corpses wouldn’t suddenly spring to their feet, and that the genre wouldn’t shift from romance to zombie fiction. I waited for Serena’s answer.
“I’ve heard you turn back time.”
“Really?”
“By doing so, you change the causality so they don’t die.”
So Matilda wouldn’t come back to life as a zombie.
“But in the process, cracks form, and depending on how the causality is altered, there are always distortions that occur.”
“That sounds rather frightening?”
“Sven said that was beautiful.”
Of course a black magic enthusiast would find that beautiful—creating cracks and turning back time….
“If all my plans come to fruition, everything that went wrong will return to its proper place.”
I properly understood Duke Icard’s words once more. In a world where Matilda lived and didn’t die, Evan would have no reason to be disheartened.
“…If I were to go back as well, I’d want to be a very good father to Evan from the beginning.”
So he had no intention of actively mending Evan’s current wounds and suffering.
‘After all, those days will disappear once time is turned back.’
So Duke Icard spent each day busily preparing to return to the past where his wife existed, rather than comforting his son.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————