The Villain's Ending is Only Death Chapter 54
After confirming from the butler that there would be no evening training, I waited for the sun to set while reading a book.
‘Sigh… Transferring into a game, and now I have to practice shooting a crossbow, something I’ve never done before.’
It was annoying and felt unfair, but there was nothing I could do.
Having received a threatening letter from the Crown Prince, I now had to learn how to defend myself for my own life.
‘At least I managed to obtain a decent item.’
I wouldn’t be punishing women who defy the duke, but I would use the crossbow to knock out the male leads who try to kill me.
Especially the Crown Prince, who is the most dangerous and the hardest to deal with!
If I mess up with him, I’ll be accused of regicide and end up with a dead ending.
But fortunately, the steel beads explode on impact, leaving no evidence and even erasing the memory of being hit.
I clapped my hands in delight, imagining the Crown Prince foaming at the mouth and fainting.
‘This is purely for self-defense.’
It’s not mixed with any personal feelings. I tried to rationalize it to myself.
A while later, the sunset began to settle outside the window.
I changed into hunting attire and prepared to go out.
Since noblewomen in the Inca Empire rarely hunted, there was no specific hunting outfit.
So I wore thick tights and knee breeches, typically worn by boys.
After putting on a leather vest and a tie, I stood in front of the mirror.
I thought I would look ridiculous in men’s clothing, but when I saw my reflection, that thought vanished.
“…Wow, this really suits me.”
Indeed, a crazy appearance isn’t determined by mere clothing.
When I tied my hair up in a bun, I looked like a seasoned huntress, much like the goddess Artemis.
I smiled and took out the crossbow to complete the look.
It felt heavier than it looked, but thanks to the lightness enchantment, it was surprisingly light.
Penelope used it frequently a year ago, and it felt familiar in my hands.
After the final check, I took a bundle of arrows and left the room.
Today, every servant I met gasped and averted their eyes.
Usually, I received sharp, unfriendly glances as I walked down the corridors.
Holding the crossbow and arrows made me look particularly menacing.
‘I should carry it around more often to intimidate people.’
Thanks to this, I was able to leave the mansion without any interference.
The path to the training ground was quiet and desolate.
I had deliberately chosen a time when all the knights would be gone.
However, my thoughts were interrupted by a figure walking towards me.
The pink hair, illuminated by the sunset, appeared a deeper shade of red.
Almost the same color as my hair.
But before I could focus on the hair color, I noticed the [Affection 17%] above his head and quickly tried to turn away.
However, our eyes met at that moment.
The guy stopped in his tracks.
I sighed deeply, finding myself in an awkward situation where we were facing each other.
Of all people, why did I have to run into my top avoidant, Renald? How could I be so unlucky?
It was ridiculous to greet Renald warmly after we had just fought a few days ago.
But turning away after making eye contact would also be awkward.
So I decided to brazenly push through.
‘What can he do? If he has any decency, he’ll ignore me.’
However, Renald had much less decency than I thought.
“You look like a country bumpkin going out to hunt for the first time.”
Just as I was about to pass by, he sneered.
“Embarrassing, aren’t you trying to go to the training ground in that getup?”
I quickly scanned my surroundings.
Fortunately, there were no rocks that could make me trip and hit my head.
So I tried to ignore him and keep walking.
“Are you going to ignore me now?”
He quickly blocked my path, preventing me from moving forward.
“Do you have something to say?”
Renald looked at me as if he had a lot to say.
‘Fine. Let’s see what kind of nonsense he has this time.’
I waited for him to speak.
But he just stared at me without saying a word.
“If you have nothing to say, don’t bother me.”
I tried to pass by him again.
Finally, Renald spoke urgently.
“…Your training isn’t over yet. You’ll run into the knights if you go now because they’ve been having additional training sessions lately.”
I didn’t want to talk to him, but if what he said was true, it would be a problem.
I realized the news of my fight with the knights had already reached his ears.
‘So what? If they want to avoid me, they should be the ones to do it.’
“It doesn’t matter. I can handle a few knights.”
“If you’re done, I’m leaving.”
Just as I was about to pass by him,
“…If you want to go to the attic, go ahead.”
His unexpected words stopped me in my tracks.
“I won’t care if you go or not.”
I listened quietly, and a hollow laugh escaped me.
‘He sounds like he’s doing me a favor.’
Penelope might have had an attachment to that attic, but I didn’t.
How could I know if I’d be questioned about making wishes or something after going up there?
I answered without hesitation.
“Because I don’t want to see you.”
His blue eyes widened, and the white text above his head flickered.
I watched the process expressionlessly.
A drop of 1 or 2% wouldn’t make much of a difference.
I focused more on the unfinished training he mentioned.
Since my plan to boost Eclis’s affection during the hunting competition failed, I should try to raise it before I go.
At that moment, Renald’s lips finally parted after hesitating.
“Back then… I… said some things.”
I had missed what he said, being lost in thought.
When I asked him to repeat, he moved his lips.
I still couldn’t understand what he was saying because his voice was so low.
But I instinctively knew what he was trying to say.
‘If he’s going to apologize, he should do it like a man.’
I clicked my tongue and asked again.
“I can’t hear you at all.”
Seeing him embarrassed, I couldn’t help but tease him.
I knew my attitude was mean, but I couldn’t stop thinking about all the times he had wronged me.
“Ah, I’m sorry for what I said back then. It was too harsh—!”
Renald suddenly lifted his head and shouted.
Rustle— A bird flew away from the bushes.
‘Did he eat a train engine or something?’
I rubbed my ringing ears and frowned.
He grumbled with a red face.
“You usually come to me first and talk, but why are you so stubborn this time? Girls are just….”
Even though it was just a complaint, it felt like I could see the whole history of his relationship with Penelope.
If this were a normal game route, how would it have progressed here?
‘I should accept Renald’s apology and thank him for apologizing first.’
Why did I always have to say thank you for something I didn’t feel?
He glared at me and replied gruffly.
“I accept your apology. I didn’t do anything right either.”
“I’m glad you understand.”
His puffed-up face immediately straightened, as if accepting my apology was the natural thing to do.
“By the way, do you know something?”
“This is the first apology I’ve ever received from you.”
I wouldn’t thank him for this apology, which I accepted as a favor.
“You’ve verbally attacked me countless times, and I’ve forgiven you countless times without your apology. So….”
“I’ll forgive you this time too.”
I forced myself to smile brightly to make him think that I was just accepting him, not him apologizing.
The sunset, which had been behind him, now shone on my face.
The wind blew my bangs around. When I tucked them behind my ear and looked up, I noticed something.
Renald’s face looked strange.
His eyes were glazed over, and a blush spread from under his eyes when our eyes met.
He stammered with a beet-red face.
“I don’t need your forgiveness or anything.”
“I’m done talking, so I’m leaving.”
And before I could respond, he turned and disappeared quickly.
“…What? Why is he acting like that?”
I frowned, watching his retreating back.
At that moment, the text above his head flashed.
I had to check several times to make sure I was seeing it correctly as the white text gradually disappeared.