A World Where You All Are The Villains - Chapter 34.1
“Ha… Does this even make sense?”
It was so absurd that a hollow laugh slipped out.
No matter how much I’d said things were different from the novel, for the female lead to be kidnapped and disappear—
That might happen in another story, but in <How to Save a Forsaken World>, it was impossible.
With the exception of disposable extra villains, Edith was as good as the final boss of this novel.
It was Edith who orchestrated the female lead’s kidnapping and led her to the site of a Gate, putting her in danger.
That’s why she met such a miserable and wretched end, abandoned by those she once cared about.
‘Oh. There’s one more.’
Suddenly, I remembered there was one more person besides Edith who kidnapped the female lead, and I laughed helplessly.
It was none other than Male Lead #4.
「 After dramatically encountering Llewellyn at the imperial banquet, Serge stays in the capital for a while to continue meeting her.
However, there were many others who yearned for Llewellyn.
Gradually, as he watched her purify those men one after another, Serge began to feel obsession and possessiveness towards her.
Then one day, after seeing Llewellyn return from spending two nights at Ethan’s villa, he became enraged and kidnapped her, taking her to his own territory.
And then… 」
“…Crazy.”
Recalling the contents of the novel, I scowled in disgust.
What I wanted to know was not what happened to the kidnapped female lead at night…!
‘Who? When? Why?’
I calmly considered who might have kidnapped the female lead and for what motive.
Then, I suddenly thought of what happened in Tollen.
― I didn’t think the former Purifier would come back, so I ran away with my younger sibling.
― Ah, you came at the perfect time. Since you’re here, could you look at my son as well? I’ve almost completely dissolved him!
The female lead had left Tollen without purifying it, and Ethan had frozen the miasma-infected ones.
While waiting for the Purifier, was there really no one who secretly thought like Eston?
I briefly considered the possibility that the residents of Tollen or other people who hadn’t been purified by the female lead harbored resentment and kidnapped her.
But I quickly shook my head.
‘There’s no way people who aren’t Awakeners could break through the Imperial Palace’s security.’
Even if they were Awakeners, unless they were monsters like Male Lead #4, there’s no way they could avoid detection by the magic stones.
‘Then who on earth…’
That’s when it happened.
Step, step—
I heard faint footsteps in the distance.
“……!”
Startled, I immediately held my breath and focused all my senses on listening.
‘The female lead? Or maybe a noble staying in another room? Ah, come to think of it…’
As I anxiously racked my brain, another possibility that I had overlooked suddenly flashed through my mind.
‘Right, a thief!’
Why did I jump to the conclusion that it was a kidnapping?
With so many nobles staying over for the banquet, it was the perfect time for petty thieves to move around!
‘I should check the dressing room, too.’
The thought that it might not be a kidnapping after all gave me a glimmer of hope.
So, with a much calmer heart, I waited for the footsteps to pass by.
But.
Step, step, step.
For some reason, the footsteps didn’t stop.
On the contrary, they kept getting closer and closer!
‘…Don’t tell me they’re coming this way?’
The hope that had just risen was quickly dashed, and my heart began to pound with anxiety.
Unless they were staying in the room next door, the footsteps should have stopped by now.
With trembling eyes, I stared intently at the door.
‘What if it’s the female lead?’
At this moment, nothing would be worse than being caught by the owner of the room.
Not only had I snuck in, but the room was also a total mess!
On top of all the rumors about me trying to harm the Purifier, if I got caught sneaking into her room like a thief, the Duke and Ethan would try to kill me for sure.
Step, step.
Meanwhile, the footsteps steadily drew nearer.
It sounded so close that I thought the person must have reached the room right next door.
‘This won’t do. I need to hide!’
Whoosh!
I hurriedly blew out the candle I was holding.
Then, I carelessly set it down on the nearest table and dashed over to the side of the bed.
Given the room’s layout, with the lights on, the only place to hide was the dressing room.
Careful not to make a sound, I slowly opened the door.
Fortunately, it only contained spare blankets and pillows. If I curled up tightly enough, there was just enough space to hide.
Without hesitation, I squeezed myself inside.
Click—
At the same moment I desperately shut the dressing room’s door, the footsteps abruptly stopped.
And then.
Clunk.
I heard the doorknob turn, followed by a deep, heavy voice.
“…Y-Your Highness the Grand Duke. The door is open.”
At the man’s voice from outside the door, I barely managed to stifle my trembling body.
‘The Grand Duke…?’
There was only one Grand Duke in this novel.
The same one who had gone on a rampage at the banquet earlier, tossing around monster corpses like a madman.
“That’s strange. Why would the door be open if the owner isn’t here?”
Male Lead #4, Serge Belnac.
Along with the familiar voice—
Creeeeaak……
A chilling sound of the door opening echoed in the room.
“……!”
I froze, stiff as a board, holding my breath.
Awakeners had physical abilities several times that of ordinary people.
And Male Lead #4 could control his abilities to the point that even magic stones wouldn’t react. He was a monster with that kind of presence.
If I made even the slightest sound, it would be nothing for him to realize someone was inside.
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