I Became Close to the Villain - Chapter 31

“I never treated you with any hidden meaning, Vianne.”

Then he replied cleverly. It was a pretty good answer to my abrupt question.

“…Hey, have your wit improved?”

“You want to give me a convincing reason for my actions right? That’s why I answer like this.”

His words pierced me. I wrinkled my expression.

How did he know? This fellow has become more brazen.

“Are you saying you don’t want to tell me why you treat me like this?”

“I’m not doing it, I’ll be embarassed.”

“Is that the reason? Would it be embarrassing if I heard it?”

“Vianne.”

Idris called me quietly as if he wanted me to stop questioning him.

However, if it continues like this, I will live without knowing his true intentions again.

‘Is it possible that he likes me?’

I was frustrated at the thought of being oblivious and that thought came to me.

Although it’s an absurd idea, I could not easily erase that from my mind. I’m in a difficult situation because Idris keeps bothering me these days, how should I treat him?

A sigh came out. What if my thoughts are the answer? I’m not a person who’s familiar with those feelings.

“……Let’s take it slow, Vianne.”

I’m scared, so I hope you tell me something soon, even though I knew Idris wouldn’t tell me easily.

“You’re really… what am I supposed to do? Why are you taking so much time? You make me nervous.”

“I know how you’ll react so I’m thinking about it.”

He made excuses.

I think I won’t hear the truth from his mouth today.

He seemed to know that I might run away depending on what he said.

I hit him and said playfully.

“If you were going to do that, you should have shut your mouth. I feel nervous for no reason.”

“If I did, you would have do anything to get a word out from me.”

‘Hmm, I got caught.’

“I would have suffered instead if I chose to say nothing. Vianne, it’s just….”

He cut his monologue ans start speaking again softly.

“It’s just the way it is.”

He had a smile but it felt forced.

He was looking at me earnestly.

“……How about you.”

Then after hesitating, he opened his mouth again.

“What do you really think of me?”

It was an unexpected question. I was counterattacked.

“…….”

What do I think of him?

‘Idris is the villain in the novel, my friend, and…’

He didn’t forget me for a long time, protected me, and was even nice to me.

It would be a lie if I said I wasn’t swayed by such a person.

Still, I couldn’t answer any of his questions.

I just smiled awkwardly and walked away.

I was afraid that if I said something here, everything would turn into something else.

***

That afternoon, the criminal who tried to kill me was kneeling in front of me. I said I wanted to meet him, and this is what happened.

They say the criminal tried to attack me again on the evening of the incident and was caught right away.

However, I met him a few days later because they need to investigate him first.

I moved to the building where the criminal was at. It was possible because Idris and Eustave came with me.

“This building is spacious. Is it a party hall?”

I ignored the criminal who looked like he was going to die and said that as I looked around.

“That’s right. I also use it for meetings.”

Idris replied softly.

The ceiling here was high and it was fancy. It was like the imperial palace.

“Sometimes it is also used as an execution site.”

“Are you going to kill this person?”

“Yes.”

He answered immediately.

“I see.”

I spoke to the criminal.

“Tell me why you tried to kill me and die.”

The criminal suddenly raised his head. Then, he shouted urgently.

“Tha- that…  …  !  It’s not what I meant to do! Ahh!”

Something seemed odd. I turned to Idris, and he explained softly.

“He have been brainwashed. He can’t confess and we can’t read his mind. Even now, if I let him go, he’ll attack you regardless of his will.”

“Is there any mages who can do brainwashing magic here?”

“There are currently no mages that can do it.”

“……So how did this happen?”

“It’s an ancient relic. It is certain that the spell itself is not modern. It’s an object that’s been passed through many hands, so it can’t be tracked naturally.”

“So you are going to kill him. Is it an unsolvable spell?”

Idris nodded.

“But isn’t it a little unfair? Isn’t this man himself innocent?”

“Do whatever you want. If you want to save him, I’ll keep him as far away as I can and lock him up for life.”

“Isn’t that the same as being dead…”

Uhm. I’m worried.

In my past life, those who aimed for me were unconditionally executed. But it was because I was a living barrier.

Oh how about I ask him?

“How about that? Which do you think is better?”

“…….”

I asked him, but there was no way a proper answer would come back. 

Hmm, what to do?

“The magic that attacked me at that time was powerful. Isn’t he also a pretty good mage?”

“He’s one of the upperups at the third faction Axen. I’m sure he had skills.”

Eustave answered.

“How can he be in this state…?”

In the end, there was only one way. I had no choice but to live.

“Idris.”

I reached out to him. He looked at me. On the other hand, Eustave seemed to have understood what I was about to do.

“You want to do it yourself?”

He looked at me and asked.

“Why would I say I want to meet the criminal?”

I should be the one who handles it since it’s my business. I’m also familar with it because of my past life.

Eustave shut his mouth, and Idris quietly give a white sword to me.

“You have the right to decide.”

I accepted the sword. It was a sword made of mana, but it looked like an ordinary sword. That reminded me again that I was close to a mage.

“It’s been a long time since I saw this again.”

It was the first time I saw a sword since I was reincarnated in the world of a novel.

I held the weightless sword in one hand, swung it a couple of times, and pointed it at the criminal’s neck.

Then the criminal laughed.

It was a creepy smile that made me, Idris and Eustave nervous for a moment.

“You hide the light for a long time.”

A strange voice flowed from the criminal’s mouth. 

“She was still alive and breathing.”

……This was not what the criminal was saying. The person who brainwashed him was talking.

“She who holds mana.”

Who else knows who I am?

Only Idris, Eustave, Camellia, and Liliel know that I have a lot of mana.

I hold my breath at the fear rising from the depth of my heart.

“What about the tracking?”

I quickly turned my head and asked Idris. He replied,

“It’s no use.”

As soon as I heard that, I moved my sword.

Blood splattered from the sword that I swung.

When I heard him fall on the floor, I released my breath and stayed in the same spot.

Those words made me nervous.

A strong mage behind the criminal spoke as if they knew me.

Who is it…

“Vianne.”

I came out of my stupor because of the hand that wiped my cheek.

It was Idris. His hands wiped the blood on my cheeks.

“Relax.”

He whispered in a gentle tone.

“Before they get you, I’ll stop them.”

I looked up at him. When I made eye contact with him, my fear of being abandoned alone disappeared.

“Don’t be swayed by things like that.”

He smiled kindly.

His calmness worked wonders. I nodded and give back the sword to him.

Idris retrieved the sword.

“Eustave. Take care of it.”

“I’ll take care of it, so go back to your room.”

Eustave accepted Idris’ orders without murmuring for some reason today.

Me and Idris left the hall.

I felt like I was not suffocated any longer when I breathed in the air outside. The uncomfortable feeling did not completely fade, but the wind made me feel at ease.