The villain's ending is only death Chapter 33
I thought I was definitely going to die.
The terror and fear of the moment when my favorability plummeted without any chance to react.
This game world, where danger strikes without a moment's respite, was terrifying.
I hid my trembling hands behind my back, still reeling from the shock of the favorability drop.
"…I didn't know this was a secret room. I apologize for the intrusion."
Despite the fear creeping up my throat, I had to force my chin up.
I had to act like a stubborn and arrogant noble girl, pretending I knew no fear. It was terrifying.
Bunter seemed a bit surprised by my unexpectedly gentle voice and bold attitude.
"…Please come this way. This is not a place for consultations."
He tried to guide me with polite gestures.
His words were an invitation, but it seemed he wanted to get me out of this secret place as quickly as possible.
I moved as slowly as possible, checking if the system window would pop up.
I had entered the "suspicious and secret room" as the quest required, but the success window didn't appear.
Judging by the favorability drop, it seemed the hidden quest was to enter and leave without being noticed.
And I had failed spectacularly.
Was it normal for hidden quests in hard mode to not provide any information?
'What a crazy game. I won't accept any more quests.'
I made this vow several times as I dragged my feet to reach Bunter.
He turned and moved down the corridor as soon as I approached.
'Am I some kind of monster that hurts children?'
A sudden wave of injustice surged within me.
Of course, it was wrong to sneak in, but I had played with the children in a fun and educational way. Why did I have to be treated like this?
"Auntie noble! Have a good day!"
"Let's play again next time, Auntie!"
Turning around at the sudden voices, I saw five young animals gathered, waving at me.
The lion-masked child who had first embraced me put a finger to his lips and winked.
I felt grateful for their support but was embarrassed to be chased out like this.
I waved back. Although my smile was hidden behind the mask, I smiled widely.
Then I stopped and quickly walked over to the rabbit-masked child who was staring at me intently.
The entire time we walked back down the corridor, which Bunter and I had entered alone, not a single word was exchanged.
'How did I end up in this situation…'
I glared at the [Favorability 3%] on the screen.
If the children hadn't lied to cover for me, I would have been hit by whatever spell or laser he cast and died.
Forget insurance, I was now in a position where I should be grateful that my favorability didn't drop further.
I sighed deeply to myself.
The return corridor seemed much shorter. Bunter stood aside by the open door, waiting for me to go out first.
I passed him, pretending to be calm despite trembling inside.
Bunter followed and, standing with his back to me, tapped his cane at the open door.
Click— The door closed.
I stared blankly at the spot that had transformed back into a wall.
Even the rectangular lines that indicated the door had completely disappeared. I doubted I could find the secret passage next time.
Bunter didn't seem to mind me seeing his magic.
He tapped his cane several times, locking the door multiple times, then finally lowered his hand and turned to me.
"Thank you for taking care of the children."
"But it's too late to accept a commission today. Please come back another time."
Honestly, I expected him to question how I got in.
But he didn't, and instead politely dismissed me.
I glanced at the window beside the door.
The sky outside was already filled with a warm sunset. I had lost track of time while focusing.
Emily must have noticed I wasn't in the room by now.
'The meeting with the duke is confirmed…'
I thought, suppressing the tears that threatened to spill.
Since it had come to this, I decided to be brazen.
"I didn't come to accept a commission. I came to hear the response to the message sent by the white rabbit."
"I waited for quite a while because no one was around. I could have left immediately, but I'm not that idle to visit again."
In reality, I had plenty of time, but I pretended to be too busy to come back.
"Then the children came out and asked for help."
Understand? This isn't my fault, it's because you were late.
I pointed at the wall I had just exited, maintaining my brazen attitude until the end.
Bunter was clearly taken aback when he heard the word 'white rabbit.'
Even a wizard couldn't have guessed that the intruder who had invaded his secret space was the customer he had contacted today.
He bowed his head in sincere apology.
"I apologize. Clients usually visit one or two days after receiving a message, so I didn't expect you to come so soon. It was my mistake."
My face flushed. Fortunately, it was hidden by the mask.
'What, there's a custom like that?'
How was I supposed to know that nobles visit one or two days after receiving a message?
I had impatiently rushed over as soon as I received the message to hear the response.
And the content of the commission.
'I was desperately looking for a man I saw at a ball…'
Perhaps Bunter realized immediately that the person I was looking for was him.
He might have intended this from the moment he gave me the 'handkerchief' as a hint.
The thought made me unable to look at him.
"Let's consider there was no commission. The rudeness of making me wait is compensated by my entering that room."
I blurted out anything to cover my embarrassment and turned around.
I didn't care about the plan or additional commissions. I just wanted to get out of here.
Just as I was about to rush out the door.
An urgent voice stopped my hurried steps.
I couldn't run away and reluctantly turned to look at the rabbit mask.
His navy eyes looked straight at me and said,
"I can't let you go after making you wait and treating you rudely for helping the children."
A question mark appeared in my mind.
'You were trying to get rid of me just now, so why now?'
I denied his exaggerated words with a reluctant voice.
"It's fine. I'm not a savior…"
"Please give me a chance to make up for the trust I failed to keep, Lady."
But Bunter cut me off and pleaded again.
I was about to refuse, saying we could make it up next time.
I needed to get back to the duke's mansion before the news of my departure spread.
I also needed to reorganize my plans, which had been disrupted by the hidden quest.
But then his head flashed.
I immediately changed my mind.
"…Then let's hear the answer to the commission."
I replied haughtily and moved to sit on the guest sofa.
A moment later, Bunter also took a seat opposite me.
He gestured in the air as if calling something.
Suddenly, a teacup and teapot flew over.
I watched with interest as steaming hot tea poured itself into the cup that gently landed in front of me.
No one would know I was seeing magic for the first time, thanks to the mask.
As he lowered his hand, the teapot also landed lightly on the table.
I lifted the cup and took a sip of the perfectly brewed tea.
"…Lady, you may not know, but the fact that this place is run by a wizard is known to only a few."
'I know you're a viscount too.'
I muttered smugly to myself but nodded silently.
"Moreover, no one who has seen that room has ever left on their own."
The next words almost made me spit out my tea.
Putting down the cup hurriedly, I asked in a cold voice,
"Are you saying you're going to kill me?"
"…What? No, that would be a crime."
Bunter replied, sounding bewildered.
"The magic to erase memories is very strenuous and puts the person into a deep sleep, so they can't walk out on their own."
I cleared my throat, feeling embarrassed.
"Originally, I should have erased Lady's memory as well…"