Chapter 62

I'm sorry. I said I would come next week or the week after, but it's been a month.

Chapter 3 begins, and the first episode has become mysteriously long. The story will really start moving from next time...

"Remun, the God of Darkness. Wake up, my priestess."

"You've got the wrong person."

In a completely black space, a black-haired boy is smiling in a friendly way.

He seems to be mistaking me for a priestess. Well, I guess it's not too surprising, considering we share a pure image.

"No, no, you don't seem like a priestess at all."

What? I do have a bit of sacredness, you know. When I unified the continent, I even wanted to add 'sacred' to the country's name.

"The Sacred Dorkness Empire... huh?"

I wake up in my familiar bed, having blurted out a mysterious country name. Even if I concede the empire, where did 'sacred' come from?

Hmm, I feel like I had a strange dream. It was a conversation with someone important... No good. The more I try to remember, the more my memory gets foggy.

I wake up a little earlier than usual, finish getting ready on my own, and take a walk around the mansion.

It's not unusual to have a dream that I can almost remember but can't quite recall. But for some reason, I couldn't stop thinking about the content of the dream.

"I feel like it was someone important, even more important than a king. An emperor? That's why it was an empire?"

I don't really understand the difference between a kingdom and an empire. I don't know the rank of importance between a king and an emperor.

Since the image is so vivid, it must have been a much more important existence than the leader of a country.

"Maybe only a god comes to mind."

Receiving a divine message from a god. That's impossible.

I'm not that devout to receive divine revelation, and I don't even believe in the existence of gods. So, it was just a strange dream, after all.

Besides, saying you heard the voice of a god is a death flag. Most people who say that end up being crucified and executed.

Since there's still time before breakfast, I'm thinking about finishing the work I didn't complete yesterday when Elenora comes walking down the corridor. It's unusual for her, who usually sleeps in, to be up at this time.

When Elenora spots me, she runs over and says excitedly,

"Yumiera! I heard the voice of a god!"

A death flag has been raised for the fallen noble lady.

The coup plan of the Duke of Hillrose has been exposed, and the duke's family has been abolished. She is no longer a noble.

Elenora, who was acting cheerful, might have been damaged inside. Stressed to the limit, she sought salvation in the voice of a non-existent god.

If I had been more considerate of her... I shouldn't have brushed off her words as nonsense. It was her SOS.

To cheer her up, I said in a bright voice,

"Would you like to go on a trip to the capital, Lady Elenora? I'll buy you dresses, jewels, anything you want!"

"Wow! Yumiera suddenly became so nice! The gods can't be relied on, it seems."

"What do you mean?"

"The gods told me to be careful of Yumiera!"

Is the god wary of me? Does her subconscious dislike me?

Oh well, there's no point in analyzing Elenora's hallucinations. I should think about how to make her happy.

"Right, since we're going to the capital, let's meet Prince Edwin. I'm sure he's worried about you, Lady Elenora."

"Edwin..."

"That's right. Your beloved Prince Edwin!"

Elenora used to be a goner whenever I mentioned Prince Edwin's name. So I casually brought it up. A fallen noble lady and the second prince, a relationship that would never be.

Elenora's expression darkens slightly as she speaks calmly.

"That's not possible. I'm no longer a noble, and Edwin is a royal. If I confess my feelings, it will only cause Edwin trouble."

"...Lady Elenora..."

"But it's okay! I have Yumiera and Patrick, and my current life is enjoyable!"

Elenora smiles bravely.

Oh no, I'm about to cry. It's so painful to see Elenora being so selfless and letting go of her love.

Should I do everything in my power to bring her and Prince Edwin together?

I picture the prince's face in my mind... No way, I won't give my Elenora to you! You don't deserve to be called her father!

"I will take care of Lady Elenora for the rest of my life! I'll get married instead!"

"Huh? Your partner is Patrick, isn't it?"

"Then I'll break up with Patrick. It's a popular engagement break-up."

"What! What are you saying!?"

I'll break up with Patrick for my Elenora. It can't be helped.

Elenora, who was covering her mouth in surprise, suddenly clutches her head and groans, then looks around.

"...What?"

"What's wrong?"

"Did you not hear that voice just now?"

I didn't hear anything. My hearing is better, so it's likely her hallucination. She must be under a lot of mental stress.

According to her, she heard a voice saying, "I don't recognize it, I'm coming right now." Someone opposing our marriage... Ah, that overprotective father.

"We need to go see someone who looks just like Lady Elenora's father."

"Yay! I can go see Father!"

It's just someone who looks like him. The Duke of Hillrose is already dead. He is hated by many, so it would be troublesome if his survival became public.

If he's coming... No, I'll go to him. My precious daughter is mine. Hahaha.

I carry Elenora and run out of the mansion, heading for where Ryu is sleeping in the garden.

"Let's go."

"Kyaa! I can walk on my own! Put me down!"

◆ ◆ ◆

An hour later, we arrive at a village that was built just a few months ago.

The hour breakdown is: 55 minutes to wake up Ryu, and 5 minutes to fly here. In hindsight, running would have been faster.

The chilly autumn morning has now warmed up as the sun rises.

We walk to a house I've visited a few times, and I knock on the door roughly.

"Come out, it's the lord's appearance."

"Shut up! Why do you always do things I dislike... Elenora! Good to see you, come in. I'll make some tea."

"Father!"

Elenora's father, who looked unhappy, changes his expression instantly when he sees his daughter. They embrace and hold hands, entering the house. She's already 19, isn't she? Isn't it a bit too much?

I try to follow them into the house, but he turns his head and glares at me.

"You're not needed. Go home quickly."

"I came to report our marriage."

"Marriage? You and the son of the border baron? I already know and don't intend to congratulate you."

"No, it's between me and Lady Elenora."

"What! What's going on!? Elenora is getting married!? Who is the guy? Where is he from!?"

He yells at me, hiding Elenora behind him. Ah, he thinks I've taken a man. I want him to relax; the man is me.

"It's me."

"Huh?"

"I said, my marriage with Lady Elenora."

"N... No way! I won't recognize it!"

My stepfather trembles and says.

He doesn't intend to recognize it. Elenora's hallucination might have been a result of his strong thoughts.

But we don't need his recognition. No one can interfere with our true love in this village where he can't leave easily.

"It's fine if you don't recognize it. We'll do it on our own."

"You're not suitable for Elenora and will have a bad influence! I'll separate you from her!"

He picks up a hoe leaning by the door and gets into a fighting stance. Is he going to fight me? Fine, I'll take the bride by force.

Just as we are about to fight, Elenora speaks up timidly.

"Um... Father, Yumiera? I won't marry Yumiera."

What! We stop our fighting stance and focus on her.

"I like Yumiera, but not in that way."

"Is that true, Elenora! Has that hateful person seduced you!?"

"No, he hasn't!"

Elenora denies it, blushing. Maybe... she rejected me?

The former Duke of Hillrose smiles with pleasure and looks at me. It's frustrating.

"Haha, what a pitiful sight, my lord."

"Grr... Lady Elenora, would you like to go on a trip? Let's go to a seaside resort. It's autumn, but we won't swim, so it's fine."

"Yay! I've only been to the sea twice!"

Elenora runs to me. I look at the former Duke of Hillrose with a smug smile.

He can't leave this village easily. He's probably imagining us enjoying seafood.

His face twists with hatred, but he quickly returns to a gentle expression.

"Elenora, stay here tonight."

"Yay! A sleepover!"

I lost. Elenora leaves me and goes to the opponent. He has a card I don't have because they live together.

But I have a similar card. Draw!

"Lady Elenora, would you like to have a pajama party?"

"Yay! We can talk until late at night!"

"Elenora, let's make dinner together. I've improved since coming here."

"Yay! I'll cook with Father!"

Elenora goes back and forth between me and her father.

It's turning into a持久战. We have limited cards to play, but we can't be stingy with them. We need to keep choosing the strongest card in our hand.

"Lady Elenora, would you like to have a potato stew party?"

"Yay... What is a potato stew party?"

"We'll make a not-so-delicious pot dish outdoors."

"...I don't want to go."

I lost. I should have suggested a barbecue. It's just miso soup.

Elenora, who went to her father's place, is excited about the sleepover. Is the game already decided?

Elenora's favorite things...

"Is that so, you're staying out tonight. That's fine, I'll be alone with Patrick, feeding each other and all."

"Ah! I'll cancel the sleepover. I'll go home. I won't get in the way, so please feed each other with Patrick. I won't peek, I promise."

I won. She loves romantic events. When she sees Patrick and me together, she hides behind pillars or walls, sending sparkling glances.

As usual, Elenora is the most excited today.

"Elenora, I'll feed you at dinner."

The one who can't admit defeat suggests this. What's the demand for a father feeding his daughter? I've prepared the best bait, the love story of my best friend, so she won't turn to the other side...

"Yay! Father will feed me at dinner!"

My best friend turned to the father's side. I can't understand her values.

Now, the next strategy is...

...After a series of battles for Elenora, we ultimately decided to have a duel.

I don't remember how we ended up in a duel. War is like that. The trigger is often a trivial matter, but by then, it's too late to turn back.

Reflecting on it, the duel might have been decided the moment we arrived. No matter how many times we start over, this fate can't be changed.

"Are you ready?"

"Hmph, if you sit in a high position, you'll meet a terrible end."

We will clash our strengths, and the winner will get Elenora. Simple and good. All the previous arguments seem meaningless and fruitless.

In front of the house, I stand unarmed, and he holds a sword.

Elenora said she was bored and went for a walk in the village.

The distance between us is about ten steps. With my physical abilities, closing the gap will take a moment, and I'm ready to deliver the world's strongest attack at the start of the battle.

"Then, when this stone hits the ground."

"Yeah, that will be your end."

I throw a palm-sized stone high into the sky.

"Lady Elenora is my friend."

"Elenora is my daughter."

We don't look at the stone, only at each other, our mortal enemies.

"When the sound of the stone hitting the ground is heard, I will win."

"Hmph, bark as much as you want while you can."

It's about time. The time it takes for the stone to fall feels very long. The start of the battle is just a few seconds away.

"......It's not falling."

"......That's strange."

We look up at the sky, but the stone is nowhere to be seen. What? I'm sure I threw it.

Deciding to start over, I look for another stone when I hear a voice from behind. I turn around to see Patrick.

"What? Why is Patrick here?"

"Haa... What are you up to this time?"

"I'm... going to have a duel with him."

Why? Patrick, who looks puzzled, needs an explanation from the beginning. It started with...

"Well... I wanted to marry Lady Elenora. Oh, I decided to break off my engagement with Patrick."

"You broke off the engagement without telling me."

"But Lady Elenora rejected me. So I thought if I kept quiet, the engagement break could be undone."

"You got back together without telling me."

"After that, the battle for Lady Elenora began, and we decided to have a duel because we couldn't reach a conclusion."

Lady Elenora is currently walking around the village. Even as I say it, I realize how absurd the situation is.

But how did Patrick know where we were? I wonder if he has a tracking device. As I think this, he explains.

"Ryu came to me a while ago. He probably judged that Yumiera alone couldn't handle the situation."

Behind Patrick, Ryu looks a bit tired from traveling back and forth between the mansion and the village. Ryu is such a good boy. It's true that if Patrick hadn't come, it might have turned into a real fight.

The former Duke of Hillrose lowers his sword and says with a sneer.

"Hmph, a dragon is more rational than you?"

"Don't flatter me. He's still a handful."

Ryu is praised for being a good boy. It's always nice to hear, no matter who says it.

He glares at Patrick with a vein popping on his forehead.

"You're the one responsible for managing this. Couldn't you have watched more carefully?"

"Well, you're right. I'm sorry."

Patrick looks apologetic. You don't need to apologize. The one at fault is mostly me, right?

Then, for a while, I was scolded for having a bad influence on Elenora, worrying about her, and making her pitiful.

I was freed from the creepy duke in the afternoon.

We returned home, rested for a while, and then had lunch.

Elenora watches me as I feed Patrick hot soup, with sparkling eyes.

"It's hot! It's too hot! Stop it!"

I want to sleep well today. Let's postpone the pajama party to tomorrow or later.

The book version of Volume 2 will be released next month, on November 9, 2019.

"Villainess Level 99 Part 2 ~I'm a Secret Boss, But Not a Demon King~"

Details about the revision and the reason for naming it "Part 2" instead of "2" will be shared in my activity report as the release date approaches...