The villain's ending is only death, Chapter 37
After walking for a while, he turned into a deserted side street from the main street.
As I passed by the buildings that were sparsely scattered, a slope suddenly appeared. Beyond it, lush trees and shrubs were visible.
However, it didn't seem like an ordinary street, as delicate small lamps were lighting the way here and there, looking as beautiful as fireflies.
Looking closely at the trees and shrubs illuminated by the lights, they appeared well-maintained, like a neatly kept garden.
I noticed a sign that read 'East Hill' at the entrance and felt puzzled.
'Why did I come here all of a sudden?'
It was a place I vaguely knew. This was a walking path carved out of a hill owned by the Duke's mansion.
It was also the main dating spot for the female and male leads in Normal Mode.
Of course, I had never been here before, as I had no reason to date any of those male leads.
Access to this path was strictly controlled due to its luxury. It was a place that commoners couldn't use.
'Could it be, he wants to stab me to death in this deserted place?'
I suddenly stopped in my tracks, struck by this thought as I passed the sign.
Derek turned to look at me coldly.
“Why are we climbing up here?”
“You said you wanted to be punished, didn't you? Follow me quietly.”
He turned around and started walking again, quickly ascending the slope.
Since I had said it first, I couldn't resist. I also couldn't predict his reaction if I refused to go.
Thus, I reluctantly followed him, but the fake noble's body was already out of breath after walking just a short distance.
Moreover, to keep up with the brute who was walking at an incredibly fast pace, I had to almost run.
Panting heavily inside the mask, I thought to myself.
'Could this punishment be making me climb a mountain?'
If so, he was truly a cruel kid.
I was dragged along by the brute, who walked without looking back, showing no consideration for a lady.
Unable to keep up with his pace, I finally stopped again.
This time, Derek grumbled irritably without even stopping.
I was frightened, but I couldn't just be dragged along like this. My robe was already getting dirty from being dragged.
“...It's hard to keep up if you walk so fast.”
I protested in a timid voice.
Honestly, I expected him to ignore me or, as usual, shoot back some unpleasant remarks.
However, surprisingly, his pace gradually slowed down.
And at some point, a consistent distance was maintained between us, matching my stride.
I kept glancing at the top of his head. Even in the darkness, his [Affection 13%] shone brightly like a beacon.
How long did we walk in silence?
A beautiful gazebo came into view. We had finally reached the top of the hill.
I hurriedly looked inside and frowned.
'What, this is supposed to be a dating spot?'
In the game, it was clearly described as a place for secret meetings between men and women, but now that I was here, it was completely empty.
'I'm scared to be alone with him...'
Feeling deeply disappointed, I shuffled towards the bench.
I was completely drained from climbing up here. I desperately needed a rest.
But before I could take a step, Derek dragged me along again.
His pace finally stopped when we reached the edge of the hill.
I complied half-heartedly. Then,
My eyes widened at the scene before me.
The slope might seem gentle, but underestimating it could lead to a big mistake.
The bustling capital, in the midst of a festival, was visible below.
The night streets were adorned with colorful lanterns, and numerous people surged through the gaps between the ancient buildings like waves.
The festival wasn't included in Normal Mode. In Hard Mode, I hadn't even seen the first letter of 'festival'.
Therefore, the scene before me was a breathtaking view I had never seen in the game.
I stared at the capital below, lost in thought.
I had never realized how beautiful the world was when I was walking through it myself.
I had never had the chance to feel it. I was always on high alert, ready for any unexpected situation.
It was the same in my real life. I never had the leisure to look around.
But standing back and looking at the world like this...
'Why does it feel so real?'
I felt very strange, my heart pounding.
'It's just a scene in a game...'
Just then, Derek suddenly pointed to a spot.
“Look over there, Penelope.”
I snapped out of my reverie and carefully looked at where he was pointing.
It wasn't far from the hill. A large street where many people were walking.
Two knights in silver armor were chasing after someone at high speed through the crowd.
A man was frantically running to escape the knights chasing him.
But it was only a matter of time. He couldn't run as skillfully through the crowd as the knights, and was eventually caught and subdued.
He looked like a common pickpocket who often appeared in crowded places.
'Whether in reality or in the game, human places are all the same.'
Just as I was thinking this, Derek suddenly spoke, looking at the same spot.
“Those petty thieves are nothing. During the festival, all sorts of crimes surge in the capital.”
“Worse things are happening in places you can't see. Yesterday, a murder occurred at a tavern on Hamilton Street. You wouldn't know, being cooped up in your room.”
'Is he trying to scare me?'
I looked up at Derek with a puzzled expression. I didn't understand why he was suddenly saying these things to me.
“If such things can happen in the Duke's jurisdiction, what do you think happens in the Merchant District, where lowlifes and mercenaries frequently come and go?”
But as he continued, I realized this was an extension of our earlier conversation at the alley entrance.
'So, is this a lecture or a taunt?'
Now, I just needed to figure out his purpose for bringing me here.
“Do you plan to mingle with such lowly scoundrels now?”
The answer came immediately. It was a taunt.
'Sigh. That's just like him.'
I sighed once and, after a brief pause, spoke.
“...I swear, I have never done anything to disgrace the family.”
“Reputation is not something you decide; it follows every action you take.”
“That's why I wore a mask.”
I shrugged. Derek glared at me with a chilling gaze.
“What if someone recognizes you like I did? Or, before that, what if the riffraff notice you're a woman and still let you wear your mask?”
“I'm not a child, Young Duke.”
I firmly cut off his assumptions.
“It's true that I've acted out of character until now, but I'm not foolish enough to walk into dangerous places on my own.”
I was scared of how he would react to such words, but it was something I had to face eventually.
Until now, I had mostly dealt with the Duke and hadn't really confronted Derek properly.
So, like Renald, I needed to draw a clear line now.
“Not a fool, but a noble lady who crawled out of a dog hole?”
“The reason I went out secretly today without telling anyone...”
I trailed off and quickly thought of a response.
Something not too exaggerated but reasonable enough to convince Derek, who was even harder to deal with than the Duke.
“...I told you I would live quietly like a mouse to avoid troubling you. I thought you wanted that too.”
“So I just went out quietly and came back without causing a commotion.”
Yes, I went out quietly like a mouse and came back.
It was a good excuse, but Derek's blue eyes froze even more, seemingly displeased with my response.
“...What was your purpose in going to the Merchant District?”
He didn't stop interrogating me. I suddenly felt deeply exhausted.
“Do I have to report everything?”
“It would be wise to answer.”
“I had to find someone based on some information.”
I knew that talking about a lady's secret would only work with Bauter.
I swallowed my sigh and mixed a bit of truth with a lie, as I often did in front of Derek.
“I had to apologize to someone who helped me at the palace. I lost the item they gave me.”
As soon as I finished speaking, Derek, who had been questioning me, suddenly shut his mouth.
I felt a sense of triumph at his reaction.
It was about the handkerchief he had told me to throw away.