The Villain's Ending is Only Death Chapter 65
Someone called out to me.
For some reason, I wasn't particularly surprised, as I had expected this kind of plot development.
I slowly turned around. The pre-festival that started at dusk had now turned into deep darkness.
The light from a few surviving lamps, amidst the destruction caused by the monsters, faintly illuminated the face of the person who called me.
However, I could easily distinguish the male leads even in the darkness.
It felt strange to address Bunter this way, as it was the first time I did so.
‘Until recently, I was speaking to him casually and arrogantly...’
Now that the masquerade ball was over, it would be a big problem if I continued to do so.
While I was practicing the unfamiliar "Your Grace" in my mind, Bunter quickly walked up to me.
Despite the unfamiliar title, his eye color was not unfamiliar.
"Thank you very much for your help today."
‘Well, I kind of expected this much.’
Now that I had developed a bit of a hard mode mindset, I replied nonchalantly.
"I didn't come to help you specifically. There's no need to thank me."
Surprisingly, the smooth honorifics came out, despite feeling awkward.
"You went out of your way to save people, didn't you? Including me."
He lifted his head and glanced at my hands, which were resting calmly.
Following his gaze, I lowered my head and my eyes widened slowly.
I finally noticed that my hands were trembling intermittently.
‘That's right. I pushed myself too hard with this low-stamina body.’
I wasn't good at using the crossbow, lacking the arm strength.
But my trembling wasn't just because I had pushed myself too hard.
I had tried to act calm, but in truth, I was more terrified of the situation than anyone else.
The shadow of the giant chicken foot raised to stomp on me, and the countless monsters that charged at me alone.
The uncontrollable movements of my body and hands, which had gone berserk beyond my control.
As these chilling scenes flashed back, I involuntarily squeezed my eyes shut.
But I tried not to show it and hid my trembling hands behind my back.
"Anyone else would have done the same. Don't worry about it..."
Bunter contradicted me, despite my desperate attempt to act nonchalant.
"No one could have been as brave as you. Even though the monsters were so easily disposed of..."
He suddenly stopped speaking and frowned, as if he was in pain.
‘...Is he feeling guilty for not revealing himself as a mage and not doing anything?’
I didn't quite understand Bunter's dilemma.
What's wrong with being selfish for my own safety?
Besides, he had done what he could.
Just like I had relied on the system to save my life and, in turn, saved the extras arranged by the game.
"Everyone did their best in their own way, and that's enough."
I shrugged and replied casually.
"I would have been chased by the monsters if I didn't have the crossbow."
"I also tried my best to save the children within my limits. I couldn't do that in front of the Crown Prince, I was too scared."
Even as I said it, I found it amusing how true it was.
If Bunter hadn't taken the initiative and killed the monsters, I wouldn't have been able to defy the Crown Prince's orders like I did earlier.
His navy blue pupils, which had been calmly observing me as I chuckled, suddenly wavered.
4%. I was surprised by the significant increase.
‘...Even if he's just going to turn back when he meets the heroine, there's no point in constantly clashing with him.’
The smile on my face gradually faded.
"Thank you for your praise. I'll be going now."
I hurried to end the conversation.
In truth, I was in a state of extreme fatigue and couldn't bear it any longer.
‘Now that I think about it, Bunter is the only one who thanked me for saving him.’
He seemed to be the only normal male lead, so I felt a bit reluctant, even though I knew better.
After a brief bow, just as I was about to turn away.
A hot palm urgently grabbed my arm.
I turned my head in surprise to see Bunter looking at me with an unreadable expression.
"The thanks you sent... I received it well."
His lips, which had been trembling slightly, parted, and he whispered softly, just for me to hear.
"Can I... also give you a token of my gratitude for helping me today?"
Someone called out to me from the side with a stiff voice.
Due to the dark surroundings, I saw the goodwill level before I could make out his appearance.
But I immediately recognized the voice, which was filled with displeasure.
"What are you doing with my sister?"
Indeed, it seemed to be a day for the male leads to gather, as Leornado appeared this time.
‘I thought he had left already...’
He was the type who would leave me coldly when he grabbed my sleeve, but now he had shown up at the most awkward moment.
Leornado glared at me and Bunter with his eyes narrowed.
Leornado called me, eyeing Bunter warily, who was still holding my arm.
However, Bunter didn't let go of my arm. Seeing this, Leornado's demeanor turned vicious.
‘Why does this feel so familiar...’
Suddenly, I remembered the incident at the training ground.
I hesitated, caught between the two, and then gently shook the arm Bunter was holding.
Unlike the other male leads, Bunter's grip wasn't particularly strong.
I could have pulled away with all my strength, as I did with Derrick and Eclis.
But I didn't want to be so rough with the only male lead who treated me with respect.
Despite this, Bunter remained unmoved.
I looked up at him with wide eyes. Leornado's voice grew more irritable.
"She said to let her go."
"Hey! You're not letting go?"
Finally, the hot-tempered Leornado gritted his teeth and approached to pull me away.
At that moment, the arm that was being held slipped free. It was a weak, resigned touch.
As soon as Bunter's grip loosened, Leornado grabbed me as if he had been waiting for this moment.
He pushed me forcefully behind his back, as if trying to hide me.
Now that he had no qualms, he twisted his lips into a mocking smile and taunted Bunter.
"Your Grace, you're trying to do something with an innocent, naive girl, aren't you? Think about your age, okay?"
I was shocked by his rude words and instinctively punched his shoulder.
"Are you crazy? That's not what's happening!"
"You be quiet! A girl like you, fearlessly...!"
Leornado shouted at my reaction.
I was seething with anger.
"If you're going to say that, let me go. I'll go by myself."
After muttering coldly, I twisted my hand, and the guy, seemingly flustered, quickly shouted.
"Anyway, don't even come near her from now on! Got it?"
"Ah, let's go, let's go! Ugh, your temper... "
Leornado grumbled as if he had been planning to leave all along, leading the way.
‘Who are you to say that?!’
I was so taken aback by his comments about my temper that I almost swore, but I held back.
I could still feel the burning gaze on the back of my head.
Plodding along, half-dragged by Leornado, I glanced back.
Bunter, still standing in the same spot, looked at me and moved his lips.
"Miss, I will wait for your reply."
I was surprised by his unexpectedly persistent side.
As I looked at him with wide eyes,
Suddenly, he stopped walking, and a grating voice came from ahead.
"Ah, don't waste your time! There won't be any reply...!"
I hastily interrupted Leornado and replied.
"I told the messenger not to expect a reply about the token of gratitude."
I smiled, repeating what I had told him before, a smile I hadn't managed to give when I was wearing the mask.
Looking at his navy blue pupils, which wavered again, I thought.
It was unexpected that his goodwill increased even after a firm rejection.
As Leornado dragged me out of the outdoor banquet hall,
Emily and the Duke, who had been standing anxiously near the entrance, ran over to me with relief.
"Are you hurt anywhere? Huh?"
They took turns checking my body.
I replied with a bewildered expression, surprised by their unexpected hospitality.
"I'm fine. I'm not hurt."
"Don't worry. I guess they didn't see you wiping out all the monsters..."
Leornado, who was about to sneer, immediately shut his mouth when he saw the Duke's eyes widen in shock.
The guy's displeased expression was quite amusing.
I turned my head and looked at the Duke again.
"Is Father hurt anywhere? And Emily?"
"I managed to avoid the chaos by leaving the hall to visit the tavern in the middle."
"I'm fine too, thanks to running errands for you!"
"Good. What about the eldest brother?"
"He went to interrogate the culprits with His Highness the Crown Prince."
I didn't really care where the guy had gone, but I asked out of politeness.
"I'm relieved to hear you're not hurt. When I heard the news, I was so worried."
The Duke, who seemed genuinely worried, looked at me with concern and answered promptly.
"Thank you, Father. I'm glad you're safe too."