My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!, Volume 1

by Satoru Yamaguchi

  W-What is this? I had no clue what was going on. I looked pointedly at my father for an explanation — only for him to glance back absentmindedly, as if he didn’t know what was happening either.

  Keith, of course, knew little of what was going on — if anything, seemed to be just standing around in a pointlessly large room.

  Finally seeing fit to disrupt the strange atmosphere, my mother started speaking.

  “My dear husband, Katarina, Keith... I have an important declaration to make,” my mother said, an expression of deep sorrow coloring her features.

  “What is this all of a sudden, Millidiana?” My father’s expression hardened as he gazed upon my mother’s pained face.

  My mother, in turn, lowered her head in the general direction of his gaze. Then she said, “Please divorce me, my dear husband, and live happily ever after.”

  “...”

  Complete silence filled the room in the wake of this sudden statement — my father, I myself, Keith, and even the servants collectively held our breaths.

  My mother continued, disregarding our shocked faces. “To take an unwanted woman such as myself as your bride was one thing... But look! Even the single daughter born of my body has turned out to be such a terrible child! To think that she would even have injured your precious son, Keith... I deeply apologize for her actions. I will take this hopeless daughter back with me to the Adiss manor... I only pray that you, my dear husband, will live a happy life with Keith and his mother.”

  Having finally said those words, tears streamed down my mother’s face. In other words, my mother wished to be divorced from my father... so he may live happily ever after with Keith’s mother, this supposed, non-existent lover.

  She did not know that, of course. Even so... for my very own mother to call me hopeless in front of such a crowd... Hmm. My parents in my previous life seemed to always be saying the exact same thing.

  The atmosphere in the room was now completely frozen, with everyone in it seemingly petrified by a cold wind. For a while, no one spoke.

  The first one to break that silence was my father. “What are you saying, my dear Millidiana? To begin with, who is this... mother of Keith, that you keep speaking of?”

  “You don’t have to hide it! I know that he is the child of you and your mistress. This... wife that you took in the name of a political marriage will disappear with her hopeless daughter. I only pray that you live a long, happy life with your new lover... So there you have it, Katarina. Pack your things.”

  My mother wailed, tears continuing to fall from her bloodshot eyes. It almost seemed like she was ready to fly out of the house at the slightest provocation... And she would even take her “hopeless daughter” along too!

  While I did understand how my mother was feeling, I never knew that she was this desperate. It seemed like the “I fell from a tree and landed on Keith!” incident had caused a certain floodgate within my unfortunate mother’s mind to burst open.

  Will they really divorce each other just like that? Yet another collective silence fell over the room. All the servants and I could do was watch on.

  My father, having moved to my mother’s side at some point in time, slowly put a hand on her quivering shoulder. He, too, had a sorrowful expression on his face — as if he was ready to start crying any moment as well.

  But of course he would react in this way — he had just been accused of adultery, and was now almost about to be divorced. If anything, it would be strange if he had reacted in any other way.

  “...My dear...” My mother looked up at him, her eyes seemingly ready to melt from the sheer amount of tears that had been shed.

  “Oh, Millidiana... When we were engaged, I could see in your eyes that there was something dividing us. I had assumed that it was because we had gotten married without your permission and blessing — that you have never found it in your heart to forgive me.”

  “...Well, no... that was because you had many other brides to pick from, my dear husband. The only reason you chose me was to improve the relations between our families, was it not? Because of your obligations towards Duke Adiss? You had no choice in the matter, and I had always... regretted, that...”

  My father, however, suddenly hugged my mother tight at the end of her monologue.

  Eh...? What was this sudden development? The entire room, as confused and surprised as I was, still watched on silently.

  “Oh, my dear Millidiana... So that was what you had thought all along? I am so sorry... to not have made clear my true feelings. Because of that... I have caused you so much pain. Millidiana... allow me to say it again. I love you.”

  “...M-My dear...”

  “When Duke Adiss first introduced me to you, I fell for you there and then... When I heard that the Duke had not decided on a potential engagement for you, I was elated! Beside myself! I decided that I had to make you mine under any circumstances... And so I rushed the entire affair. After that, you always avoided me... I thought that you hated me for what I had done, for forcing you to marry me!”

  “...No... In fact, I, too, fell for you the moment I saw you... But I thought that you were just taking me for political reasons, and that you actually disliked me...”

  “Oh, Millidiana... It would seem that we have both misunderstood each other.”

  “My dear husband...!”

  And with that, the carnage of divorce was averted, instead replaced by a dramatic scene of true love. My parents now only had eyes for each other — at least, if the smitten expressions on their faces were anything to go by.

  Keith, I, and the servants, who had been watching all this time, could only look on with stunned expressions as my parent’s touching scene of rekindled love played before our very eyes.

  “Young miss, young master. It is almost bedtime. Let us return to your rooms...” one of our loyal servants said before shepherding us out of my mother’s chambers.

  The other servants left as well — and I was very sure that the world within those closed doors was now strictly reserved for the Claes couple. For a while, we stood outside the room as the servants filed out, before eventually being led back to our rooms.

  Before I returned, I wished Keith goodnight, thanking him for his patience throughout the entire affair. Keith responded in kind, albeit with a somewhat troubled expression on his face.

  “Goodnight, Big Sister,” Keith said as he retreated to his room.

  Hmm. Yes, I suppose he really was tired.

  Now that I think back on it, my father often praises my villainess-like face as angelic. To be precise, he often called me “His angel, cutest in the world!” I, of course, took after my mother — so he truly must have found this face we share to be beautiful. In contrast, my father was just flat-out handsome in the most classic sense of the word, but to each their own.

  With this, the misunderstandings surrounding Keith were over, and my mother would no longer think of him as an illegitimate child. She would no longer bully him, either — the entire situation was wrapped up, without any more unpleasant surprises.

  With that, the sun finally set on one of the most pointlessly long days of my life.

  A few weeks had passed since the “Katarina fell out of a tree and nearly flattened her adopted brother” and “The Claes couple’s divorce crisis” incidents.

  Since then, there had been nothing but peaceful days. I had finally been assigned a magical tutor, and I was slated to begin seriously training my magical skills soon. Keith, my adopted brother, had gradually become used to the household, and had grown much closer to me.

  If I had to describe a recent problem I had been having, it would be that of the black-hearted Prince Jeord showing up at the manor on a regular basis after our engagement. He had apparently heard of my tree misadventure from an unknown source, and turned up to ensure that I was well. I was not injured to a point where I needed visitors, so I calmly explained to Jeord that Keith had cushioned my fall, and I was, for all intents and purposes, fine.
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  How shameful, given that I had the moniker of “wild monkey” in my past life! In what world do monkeys fall from trees? At the very least, I had only fallen because I was careless — and soon I found myself passionately describing the chain of events to the prince.

  For some reason, however, Jeord’s shoulders started shaking as I got to the good part, and I couldn’t tell if he was actually listening to me or not.

  On another note, my parents, having overcome the trauma of the “The Claes couple’s divorce crisis” incident, had become impossibly lovey-dovey, much to the embarrassment of their daughter. Often times, I felt like the two should just up and make a whole new world for themselves — at this rate, I was in store for one more brother or sister. Honestly, I would really like for them to calm down soon.

  In fact, my mother, who had been so cold and cruel to Keith in the game, had now changed her entire demeanor. Perhaps it was due to her newfound love with my father. All she had to say about Keith was how he would be, “beautiful and dashing when he grows up, just like your father!” In fact, she spoiled him on a regular basis, leaving me, her actual daughter, unattended...

  Even my father’s catch phrase changed! He now says “Katarina, you are exactly like Millidiana! The cutest in the world!” on a regular basis.

  And with this, the originally fractured and sorrowful Claes family, as per the game’s settings, had now evolved into a warm and loving one.

  One day after finishing our swordplay practice, Keith and I visited the fields in the garden. In addition to his overall lovability and gentle disposition, my cute adopted brother had quite the talent with the sword, and was praised by our tutor today as well.

  I felt very proud of him, as any good big sister should. I was praised on my constantly improving swordplay too, although there was still something to be said about my footwork.

  As expected, the crops were growing well, and seemed bigger day after day.

  “I never asked, Big Sister, but why did you make these fields in the first place?” Keith asked, staring at a sprouting cucumber plant.

  “Oh, right. I guess I never did tell you about it, Keith.”

  I told Keith about the entire process — namely, how I had originally intended to communicate with the origin of my magic, the earth. I had long since forgotten my original intent, and was instead raising the crops as a hobby of sorts.

  “...Tilling the earth and working the fields to... communicate with one’s point of origin and improve one’s magic? Something about that... is off...” That was what Keith said as he heard my response, muttering to himself constantly as he gasped and gaped.

  Hmm. Haven’t I seen this somewhere before? Perhaps I was just misremembering things.

  “Come to think of it... Keith. You have strong magical aptitude, yes? What exactly can you do?”

  Keith was, after all, adopted into the Claes family in part due to his magical abilities. At the very least, he would be capable of spells and feats more impressive than my Earth Raiser.

  Although I had turned to Keith with a beaming, expectant expression, I was surprised to find that he looked somewhat apprehensive, his features hardening.

  “...? Keith? What’s wrong?”

  “It’s nothing,” Keith said, slowly shaking his head.

  “Oh? Well see... I can’t do anything other than this!” With that, I showed Keith my secret hidden technique: Katarina Claes’ Earth Raiser.

  A smile returned to Keith’s face. “It’s... tiny.”

  “Yes, you see! It is tiny! Honestly! I wish I could make a wall of earth, or maybe an Earth Golem and move it around...” I hung my head, somewhat saddened by my own abilities.

  Keith, however, simply stood in place, repeating a single phrase. “Earth... Golem?”

  “Yes! I’d like to try controlling an Earth Golem!”

  If memory served, Keith did indeed have the ability to control golems made of earth, and he used this power to help the protagonist at various points in the story.

  Remembering that particular scene, an idea crossed my mind. If I could control an Earth Golem myself... I would be able to make it do my bidding. A golem doesn’t need any pay or salary — I’d make a good amount of coin! In fact, if I had this ability, I could easily survive outside of the kingdom even if I were to be exiled! I just had to command my golem to build up my own little empire of riches.

  “I tried to make one before, but I don’t really know how. That’s right! You can do it, can’t you Keith?” I would be surprised if he couldn’t — it was the very same magic he used in the game.

  “...Well... I suppose. But...”

  “Please, Keith! A little bit is fine! Show me! Show me!”

  Although Keith seemed hesitant, I continued begging him, asking him to just show me a tiny bit of his magic.

  “...All right then, but only a little...” Keith nodded.

  “Yay! Thank you very much, Keith!”

  YES!! I’VE DONE IT! With this, I will earn tons of coin with my magic! I’ll avoid the Catastrophic Bad End! Yes, yes. I might even establish the Katarina Corporation!

  I was so happy that I did a little jig on the spot.

  Apparently, Keith had played with dolls made of earth when living at his previous home. After his abilities had awakened, his magic crept into these dolls, in turn making them move.

  For the purposes of this demonstration, Keith crafted a small golem from the garden’s soil, about ten centimeters tall. As expected of my adopted brother; he was truly capable.

  After the golem was adequately set up, Keith placed his hands on his creation and slowly closed his eyes. After a while, he opened them — and the golem started walking about, in small but steady steps.

  “Th-That’s amazing, Keith!! It’s moving! The golem is moving!!”

  “If I infuse some of my magic into the Earth Golem, I can make it move as I desire...” Keith explained as I continued celebrating noisily.

  “Hey, Keith! Are they all of this size?” The golem that had carried the protagonist around in the game I had played was much, much bigger.

  “If I infuse even more magic into the golem, it’ll become bigger... Would you like to see?”

  Keith had a somewhat conflicted expression as I looked on, my sparkling eyes filled with expectation. I nodded vigorously. After all, what could a ten-centimeter golem do? I would need a much, much bigger golem to expand the scope of my business.

  Keith’s expression darkened somewhat, but, perhaps not wanting to betray my eager look of expectation, he once again placed his hands on the golem. Almost immediately, the previously ten-centimeter golem erupted in size, and was now standing at almost three meters tall.

  I gave a loud, spirited cheer. “Really! That’s really impressive, Keith! You’re a genius! Hey, hey Keith! Can you move this golem around like the small one just now?” I asked, still cheering wildly.

  “...Yes, it can move in a similar way.”

  “Please! Move it! Move it!”

  “...Well, just a little...”

  And with that, the three-meter tall Earth Golem started moving, its steps resounding in loud thuds.

  This is it! I finally felt like I was in a kingdom blessed with magic. Honestly speaking, I had not seen any other kind of magic, barring my unfortunately plain Earth Raiser. Though due to Earth Raiser being what it was, even calling it “magic” at all was a little sad.

  Magic was a thing that didn’t exist in the previous world that I had lived in, so I couldn’t help but have an idealistic view of it. In fact, many a time I had wondered if things would be different if I were able to use magic.

  And now... this is real magic, before my very eyes. I wanted to touch it, to feel that walking, magic-powered golem with these hands. With those thoughts in mind, I slowly approached the walking golem.

  Keith, who had been controlling the golem from somewhere behind where I was standing, seemed to have muttered something. I was having too much fun to listen, however. I approached
the golem slowly, stretching out my hand. Unfortunately, that was when the three-meter tall golem’s arm began to move.

  Maybe the golem’s arm would just lightly make contact with my chest — or at least, that was what I thought. In truth, the impact was much, much stronger. My small body was launched up and away, soaring through the air, before coming to an abrupt landing head-first on the cold, hard ground.

  How unlucky have I been lately? All my experiences have been like this!

  From the depths of my rapidly-fading consciousness, I could hear Keith’s voice, repeatedly calling out to me.

  Ah, there’s my cute adopted brother, worrying about me again... I’m sorry, Keith.

  And with that, my vision and thoughts faded to black.

  When I awakened, I was on a familiar surface — the bed in my room. Before me was a middle-aged man, his face full of snot and tears. Ah, the equally familiar face of my father.

  “KATARINA!! You... You’re AWAKE!” my father exclaimed, hugging me tight.

  The force of his paternal gesture sent a dull, throbbing ache through my body. Dear father... quite a lot of your snot has stuck to me, you know. Please. Not the face... Just not on my face. If he kept this up, I would have to wrestle my father’s snot-covered face off my own.

  “Katarina... now that you are awake, how do you feel?” This time, it was a question from my mother.

  “How do I... feel?”

  “Do you not remember? You were launched into the air by the golem that Keith made, and then hit your head on the ground. You were unconscious.”

  “...AH! THAT’S RIGHT!” My attempts to dodge my father’s snot had all but caused me to forget why I was in bed in the first place.

  Even my mother, who had been mostly fussing over Keith lately, seemed genuinely worried. “Well? How do you feel? We had a doctor come by and look at your head, but other than a swollen bump and a bit of swelling on your back, you are mostly fine.”

  “Hmm... My head does hurt a little. Ah... There really is a bump...” I said, feeling the injury on my head with my fingers. There was also a slight, throbbing pain in my back.