Chapter 05

Chapter 2. Hey, You Villain from the Original Story

It was the third day of traveling with the villain’s group.

Lillian was still making the best of a dangerous situation.

A self-employed person knows how to keep their customers under any circumstances.

The Shadows had been hesitant at first, but one by one they began bringing her their precious artifacts.

“Um… could you repair this for me as well?”

“Of course.”

They must have handled them pretty roughly, because there were countless minor malfunctions.

‘They must’ve known it’d be a disaster if they tried fixing them themselves, so they just left them alone.’

So even repairs that amounted to little more than simple patchwork made an immediate difference.

“Wow, it looks brand new.”

“I thought my ability wasn’t coming out as well as before. So this was why!”

“The circuit was about to snap, but you saved it!”

The people who had only watched her warily at first now hesitated before bowing their heads politely.

‘Just as I thought, people need practical skills.’

Not just in her previous life—this world, too, would surely become an age where craftsmanship reigned.

Incidentally, repairing artifacts wasn’t all she was selling.

Lillian was selling out her entire family with all her heart.

Specifically, to Elias Balthazar, who had been the villain’s right-hand man in the original story.

“There’s a hidden shortcut to the mine over here. You don’t have to go around the valley—it’s a straight path.”

“…How do you know about a route like that…?”

“Because I’m a Tillard.”

In truth, Iris was the one who had discovered it.

“Besides the Aeterna region, more control stone veins are scheduled to be developed. Derby in the south, Lencal in the west…”

“…How could you possibly know that…?”

“Hehe. It’s one of the Tillard family’s latest secrets.”

Compared to staying alive, a family secret meant very little.

Elias looked at Lillian with deep suspicion.

“…Don’t expect us to clean up the consequences after you’ve leaked confidential information from the Tillard family.”

“Oh my, of course not.”

It was better to think of it as the price of guaranteeing her life and forget about it.

After dying in a hospital in her previous life, she had learned that lesson all too well.

Lillian gazed wistfully toward the northern mountain range.

Once I cross those mountains, I’ll be free.

Goodbye in advance, you hopeless Empire.

“It’s alright. This will be my last journey anyway…”

“…”

“It’s better to leave with as little baggage as possible.”

After giving her family one final kick in the teeth, she’d feel much lighter.

Returning to her tent, Lillian pulled a sketchbook from her bag.

She intended to record designs she could sell in the Kingdom.

But the moment she reached for her pencil, a lazy voice came from across the tent.

“What are you doing, Lady Tillard?”

Lillian hurriedly shut the sketchbook.

The villain stood over her, his face hidden in the backlight.

“So you enjoy drawing.”

“Yes. Inspiration tends to arrive together with running away from home.”

“Hmm.”

He merely smiled as though he had no real interest.

As expected of one of the male leads of this world, he was breathtakingly handsome.

Yet a chill ran down Lillian’s spine.

Why?

Is he looking for an excuse to kill me?

She wondered if the man even realized the state he was in.

There’s a mark beneath his left eye…!

It resembled a translucent crimson spiderweb.

Without thinking, she recalled a passage from the original story.

“…It was a spell left behind by the First Empress.

If her son ever intended to harm another person, the mark would appear upon his skin.

She had hoped that anyone who saw it would realize the danger and stay away…

But the mark appeared only on the rarest occasions.

Only when the urge to destroy became truly overwhelming.”

‘Why is that thing showing up because of me?’

I’d already shown him the shortcut to the mine.

I’d repaired his subordinates’ artifacts!

Maybe it wasn’t a world-changing contribution, but wasn’t it enough?

To be honest, she felt less frightened than wronged and irritated.

Still, the early bird catches the worm.

Perhaps that was exactly why a mad dog had to be diligent about being mad.

In any case, there was only one way to suppress that destructive impulse.

‘I need some jerky to throw to the mad dog!’

Without making a sound, Lillian swiftly slipped a hand into her bag.

Interesting.

Evren stared at Lillian without blinking.

His ability was practically going wild.

This scent is driving me insane.

I like it so much I could die.

I like it so much I want to break it right now.

What a complete mess.

Reacting to a powerless person?

Had the monster core ruined his senses?

‘And she’s a woman from the Tillard family.’

Just then, Lillian lightly cupped one cheek and smiled brightly.

“Your Highness, I fear my thanks for allowing me to accompany you have come rather late, but please allow me to express them now.”

“Hmm? A hypocritical member of House Tillard thanking me? Is it some sort of holiday?”

“Oh my, what a joke.”

Lillian took a brooch out of her bag.

Resting in her pale, delicate hand, it emitted a gentle glow.

“Do you happen to recognize it? It’s a brooch-type artifact that helps an ability user recover.”

“I remember it. You bought that at an auction five years ago.”

“That’s right. I’m honored that you remem—”

“After spreading false rumors beforehand that another auction item had recovery effects, you stood in front of everyone trying to buy this one and kept raising the bids by ten gold at a time just to provoke them.”

“…”

“It was impressive. I got goosebumps watching you.”

“Hohoho. Our family budget was rather tight.”

“Hmm. Strange how the illustrious House Tillard became so modest only at that particular time.”

Evren narrowed his eyes with a smile.

His instincts kept whispering in his ear.

Can I break her now?

Wait just a little longer.

I also want to see that smooth smiling face cry.

“If you possess a jewel meant for ability users, even a Controller can supposedly increase their own abilities.”

“…”

“Wasn’t that superstition the reason you bought it? Since you’re powerless.”

He waited for Lillian’s reaction.

‘If she gets scared or starts crying…’

…Just imagining it made his interest evaporate.

If she gave him such an ordinary response, perhaps he’d learn what he needed and throw her away afterward.

But instead, Lillian smiled wistfully.

“That’s right. There was originally someone else who should have owned it, but I let my greed get the better of me.”

“…?”

“I won’t make that mistake again. I’ll live within my means from now on.”

She continued holding out the brooch.

“And since it’s completely useless in my hands, please accept it.”

The silence lasted longer than expected.

Evren slowly turned his back.

“Put it away.”

“Pardon?”

“It’s already nothing more than a meaningless stone.”

Leaving only those cold words behind, Evren walked away.

It was already far too late for an item like that to make any difference.

‘More importantly… why does this leave such a bad taste in my mouth?’

She had offered it of her own accord.

Yet somehow, it felt like she was telling him to take it and get lost.

Besides, wasn’t she the woman who had desperately fought over auction items every single time?

Had she never realized everyone was laughing behind her back?

“How vulgar.”

“To cling to an auction like a common merchant…”

“She’s nothing like Lady Iris.”

He addressed the aide approaching him.

“Elias. When someone suddenly starts acting completely out of character, what does it usually mean?”

“…?”

After thinking for a moment, Elias answered,

“Well… the first thing that comes to mind is… they’re planning to die.”

“Hmm? Even if that person is Lillian Tillard?”

“Huh? Ah…!”

Elias looked even more troubled.

“To be honest, I’ve also found Lady Tillard rather strange.”

“Why?”

“I’ve confirmed that every piece of information she’s given us is accurate. If that’s the case… this won’t end with her simply running away from home.”

“Probably not.”

“She also said this would be her last journey… That may have been a metaphor for intending to die.”

At that moment, Evren frowned.

For some reason…

Hearing those words made his mood even worse.

Only after watching the villain head toward his subordinate did Lillian finally smile in relief.

“Heh…”

“I survived…!”

She silently thanked her past self for reading the original story so thoroughly.

And for bringing along those jewels with the intention of selling them.

‘Be useful, but never let your greed show. At the same time, don’t be too humble.’

It was a strategy as contradictory as a hot iced Americano.

But then again, what could she do?

That was simply the kind of man he was.

‘Good. I’ll just keep throwing him a piece of jerky every now and then.’

Whenever the villain showed signs of that destructive impulse, she’d throw him another offering.

‘Even if war breaks out, just don’t go completely berserk and overturn everything like a madman.’

The struggles of those in power affected neighboring countries as well.

‘I want to live an easy life from now on.’

She wasn’t trying to become someone everyone loved.

She wanted to be discarded instead, because that would make life much easier.

But after talking with the prince…

“Hmm…”

A feverish chill slowly crept over her body.

She needed to cross the border as soon as possible