I'm a Villainess, Can I Die?-Chapter 101

I soon returned my head to its original position.

I wasn't a turtle, after all. I couldn't just keep sticking my neck out forever. Muttering to myself as if responding to Aiden's words, I fumbled my fingers aimlessly.

"A wizard, huh..."

When I had asked Aiden about magic related to memory in the past, he had shaken his head, saying he knew nothing about it.

But maybe... high-level wizards might know something.

After all, in novels, there are often secret books circulating only among important people, right?

No matter how genius Aiden might be, his experience still made him a mere rookie.

Even the most capable new employee wouldn't have access to everything in the company.

There needs to be time and trust before that.

Well, my trust in Aiden was certainly higher than the trust I had in the noblewoman who used to be a villain in the past. But still, I'd have to confront him.

"Why didn't I think of that earlier?"

"Huh?"

"Ah, never mind. I should go in first. I'll see you later."

Without waiting for an answer, I turned my back.

I heard my name being called from behind, but I had no intention of looking back.

I continued forward with what was probably the most determined step of my life—well, not the most, but definitely one of the top ten most determined steps. I walked toward my destination.

I was headed to my brother's office.

The tightly shut door. The wooden door that always made it look like someone important was doing something important behind it—unchanged, as always.

I stopped in front of the door and took a deep breath. Even I could tell that I was in an unstable state, and facing my family while pretending to be fine wasn't an easy task.

After hesitating several times in front of the door, I swallowed again and knocked.

"Who's there?"

A slightly sharp voice came from inside.

Ah, he must be terribly tired. Lately, I hadn't been sleeping either, and my dark circles had become worse. If anyone saw us, they'd probably laugh at how both siblings were exhausted.

Well, I had covered my dark circles with makeup, so maybe it wouldn't show.

"It's me, Selina."

I said, continuing my pointless thoughts before speaking up.

After a moment, I heard various noises from the room—chairs scraping, footsteps that seemed a bit too fast—and then the sound of the door opening.

My brother greeted me with a bright smile. He looked just like he always did, just as unchanged as the wooden door.

After leading me to the sofa in his office, he took a tea cup from a small cabinet and brought it to me.

It seemed like everyone, including mother, kept extra cups of tea in their rooms.

Did I have one in my room too?

My brother poured tea into the cup he had prepared for me and began speaking.

"Selina, what's going on? Are you not sleeping well? You look tired."

When I go back to my room later, I’ll break all the makeup. How can makeup not even cover dark circles?

Thanks to that, my brother must have noticed my dark circles.

Well, right now, it wasn't necessarily a bad situation.

What I mean is, to achieve the purpose for which I had come to this room, I needed a bit of... persuasion.

So, being caught with dark circles might actually work to my advantage.

"Yeah, a bit. I guess it's because the time is getting closer, and I'm worried."

When I expressed my worry just enough to avoid hiding it, my brother pressed his lips together.

A hint of guilt flickered in his eyes, but... that was all. I couldn’t back down now.

Was this just for me? No, it wasn't.

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

I absolutely had to speak with the wizards today.

Once today passes, there will only be six days left. After that, the people involved in the war will be so busy, they won't have a moment to spare. They already were, but I could still faintly hear the sounds of shouting from the training grounds in the distance.

Anyway, because of all that, today was probably the only opportunity I would have to ask the wizards personal questions.

The questions I had were absurd for someone like me, a noblewoman without trust, to ask busy people.

I glanced at my brother and then continued.

"So, about that... could I join the meeting with the wizards today?"

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My brother's eyes widened. Along with the confusion of how I knew the wizards were coming today, his eyes held a slight unease.

Right, it would be awkward.

I too, when reading novels, often think, "Why are you here?" The feeling my brother had would be exactly that.

Why are you here?

Well, technically, I could wait outside and stop a wizard who was about to leave and ask them then.

But if I did that, the other person would most likely become wary.

I had said it myself—I'm a noblewoman with no trust.

But if I attended the meeting with him?

If a noblewoman was attending the meeting, she might appear a little more trustworthy.

"Selina... today we're discussing the hunt..."

"Please, brother. I won't do anything. Just let me hear the truth from the side. It's... too horrible to just spend time doing nothing, {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} knowing nothing."

I interrupted my brother and made an emotional appeal. While emotional, my words were sincere.

Doing nothing, knowing nothing, and just wasting time—it was unbearable.

Although my voice sounded just as usual, fortunately, my brother’s expression began to change.

The unease disappeared, replaced by surprise, worry, and, finally... guilt.

How foolish of him—why was he feeling guilty? I had caused all this, and he knew nothing.

"Please, brother."

My last words came out more sincerely than I intended. The sight of my brother feeling guilty was so foolish, and yet... so foolish.

I bit my lip, unable to voice the rest of what was in my mind.

So please, let me help end this. If someone gets hurt or dies... I’ll suffocate and die with them.

"Aiden, long time no see."

"Yes, Master. Welcome."

Aiden and his master, Alrojen, exchanged a brief hug. Alrojen was a middle-aged man with a long beard.

He was of average height, with wrinkles around his eyes, but there was a sturdy feeling about him—he looked exactly like a wizard.

Anyone passing by would think, maybe he’s a wizard...

The wizards, including Alrojen, exchanged greetings with the Duke's household and soon began discussing matters in earnest.

"Actually, the reason I came here today is to discuss our Magic Tower and the red orb."

Alrojen’s deep voice filled the reception room. His heavy tone forced everyone to focus.

Alrojen was not actually a wizard heading to the hunt.

He had simply come to meet the Duke and discuss matters related to the hunt, contacting him beforehand.

"Is there anything new about the red orb?"

Aaron asked, and Alrojen nodded slowly.

At that, everyone let out a collective breath. If secrets about the red orb were revealed before the hunt, it would be of immeasurable benefit.

"Not fully, but we’ve discovered something. The red orb contains magical power. But, it isn’t just one person's magic."

The atmosphere in the office became instantly heavy. Everyone fell silent at this shocking revelation.

In the thick silence, only Alrojen and the wizards from the Magic Tower moved their eyes, gauging the mood.

"So... does this mean the mastermind isn't just one person?"

The first to recover from the shock was Aiden.

A brief flicker of pride crossed Alrojen’s face at Aiden’s calm question.

"Ah. No, it’s not that. To explain further, please everyone, take a look at this."

Alrojen reached into his robes and pulled out an old, black book. The cover was worn, and on it, the words "Black Magic" were written.

Everyone’s eyes widened at the name. Black magic was, after all, strictly forbidden.

Moreover, these books had been thought to have been burned long ago...

"This book was kept deep within the Magic Tower. There were originally two copies, but fifteen years ago, one was stolen. This is the other one."

After a brief explanation, he placed the book on the table. All eyes followed his hand as it held the mysterious black book.

"Does this mean the mastermind controlling the monsters is using... black magic?" Aaron asked.

Alrojen nodded, flipping open the book to the first page.

The rustling sound of paper being turned was heard as everyone returned their attention to the book.

Rustle, rustle, rustle.

Alrojen slowly flipped the pages. As he did, Selina and the others read the names of spells written on the pages.

"Offering, Black Flower, ..., Red Orb."

When Alrojen’s hand stopped, it was on the "Red Orb" page. The words "Red Orb" stood out, and everyone’s eyes widened in surprise.

It was the first time Selina had ever heard about the "Red Orb," and she couldn't help but wonder... what it was.

"When we investigated the orb, we found that many people’s magical power had been condensed into it. This led us to suspect it might be black magic... so we checked this forbidden book. And yes, it is indeed black magic."

Alrojen paused to catch his breath.

"Couldn't it be possible to store multiple people’s magic into the orb without it being black magic?"

Aiden asked as Alrojen caught his breath. Alrojen nodded lightly, stroking his beard.

"Good question. Yes, as Aiden said, storing multiple people’s magic into the orb is easy. But this is different. Let me explain it simply—when making magical tools, wizards inscribe small magic circles to infuse them with magical power. It’s not about pouring your own magic into it, but creating a magic circle that uses the power itself."