My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!, Volume 4

by Satoru Yamaguchi

  “Could I have this bed over here?” I asked hesitantly. The others agreed, and I immediately dove onto it. I wouldn’t be able to do anything like this under normal circumstances, since Anne would get upset at me. But the excitement of feeling like I was on a school trip made me forget about that.

  Maria seemed surprised upon witnessing my bed-dive, but Larna smiled and said, “Seems like you’re having fun!” The bear, which was standing next to her, however... gave me that snort again, complete with a mocking expression. I really couldn’t bring myself to like this bear.

  With our room planning done, we headed toward the dining area for a meal. Dishes I had never seen before were laid out before me, and soon I was happily having my meal with everyone else. In my excitement...

  “Ah, this looks delicious too! That over there as well! Ah... but this one...!”

  ...It seemed that I had a little too much to eat. Although Jeord did give me a somewhat half-hearted warning of “Katarina. Eating too much will give you a stomachache, yes?”, my excitement stopped me from heeding his advice.

  If Keith were here, he would say, “Surely you have had enough to eat, Big Sister.” And with that, he would confiscate the dishes laid out before me... But Keith wasn’t here now. As a result, my stomach was terribly full when we finally returned to our rooms, to the point where it was a little difficult to move around.

  Jeord gave me his usual exasperated expression, since he’d warned me before. But the bear shot me an ice-cold stare, as if it were saying “Hmph. You fool.”

  I guess I should be more careful next time. Although I somehow managed to return to my room, it was difficult to stay standing — all I could do was lie down on my bed and wait for my stomach to finish digesting my dinner.

  Honestly, I should have been engaging in an enjoyable girl-talk session with Maria right now... but my stomach hurt far too much. I couldn’t possibly talk in this state. Ah, how sad.

  As I lay there with my hands on my uncomfortably full belly, Larna suddenly spoke up. “I have some matters to attend to, and so I’ll be stepping out for a while.” And with that, she was gone. Night-time sightseeing tours, perhaps...?

  Although I hugged my belly and complained for a while, I eventually fell asleep. When I opened my eyes again, the room was already dark, lit only by the faint light of the oil lamp in the room. Larna was still out, it would seem. Even Maria was resting in her bed.

  Maria had already changed into her sleep clothes, a loose nightgown. In the lamp’s dim glow, her golden-blonde hair seemed wispier than usual. She somehow looked different — she was exuding an air of sensuality that I couldn’t explain.

  Before I knew it, I was entranced by the sight of her. It didn’t take Maria long to notice my gaze, and she soon turned around to face me.

  “I see you are awake, Lady Katarina? Is your stomach feeling better?” Maria asked, with the expression of an angel.

  I blushed in spite of myself. “Yes, I’m fine! Totally! No issues whatsoever!” I replied, almost bolting out of bed as I did so.

  “I’m relieved,” Maria replied with a faint smile.

  As I stared at her smiling face, I became increasingly convinced of the fact that Maria was the most charming woman in the world. I had felt that way about her lovable nature when I first met her at the academy. I was surprised then. But being so close to Maria now... I felt the pull of her charm increasing.

  At first, I’d thought that this was a given for the protagonist for an otome game. Of course she would be born with the best specs, I thought... but that wasn’t quite it. Maria worked hard for what she had. She wasn’t born with everything just because she was the protagonist. When I had noticed that, I saw her in a renewed light — she was even more amazing than before.

  She was gentle, considerate, caring and hardworking... I really did like her. If I were a man, I would take Maria as my bride without question. With that in mind... how did the game end with that friendship ending, of all things? It was a mystery even to me. How could it be that no one showed any interest in her, as impressive and amazing as she was? Given her nature, a reverse harem ending wouldn’t come across as strange to me at all.

  Were the men around me really so blind to Maria’s splendor? Or was it because they didn’t know how to approach her, and were just hanging back as a result? If that were the case, I’d be happy to discuss it with them and even provide advice. Although I had zero experience with love in my previous life, I had read many manga and played many otome games. Combined with all the romance novels I had read in this life, I was sure that I had plenty of valuable advice to offer.

  Though no one ever approached me with regard to love — not in my previous life, and not in my current one either. Even if I asked direct questions during our girl-talk sessions, all my friends would say, “We like you, Lady Katarina.” With that, they would deflect the question. I suppose I really wasn’t destined to experience love in the third dimension.

  But today, of all days, was a sleepover! I made up my mind. Today would be the day I had a serious, no-holds-barred girl-talk session with Maria! All right, let’s do this, Katarina Claes!

  “Um, Maria... eh? Maria, what are you doing?” Just as I had steeled my resolve and prepared myself for the long-awaited girl-talk... I turned to Maria, only to find her busy at work.

  “Ah, yes... just some touch-ups for this little one here...” Maria pointed at the Ugly Bear, which was currently sprawled out across her knees. It would seem that she had been busy giving the bear a good clean. It was grinning widely, as if it were enjoying itself. The more Maria cleaned it up, the more its expression became one of utter satisfaction.

  “It’s really cute, isn’t it?” Maria said, continuously stroking the bear’s surface, almost lovingly. Although the bear’s face was ugly, the way it behaved (around others, at least) was somewhat cute. Apparently Maria was absolutely taken with the thing.

  The bear seemed incredibly pleased as Maria continued stroking it as it laid on her knees, curling up against her hand this way and that. It was acting cute. I found this really annoying, for some reason... And then, the bear’s eyes and mine met.

  “Heh. Envious, aren’t you?” the bear’s expression seemed to say.

  ...Oh, yes. Very annoying. What was with this thing anyway, ever since the first time it met me?! It was cute and lovable to everyone else! Why did it act this way toward me and only me? The difference was way too stark!

  I glared at the bear with all my might. But Maria seemed to misunderstand my intense stare.

  “Ah, I suppose you’d like to touch it as well, Lady Katarina. Here you go,” she said, offering the bear to me.

  No, Maria. I do not want this thing. Although I was happy that she was being so considerate, I could not see this bear as cute — not in the slightest. But I couldn’t say that to Maria, not with her arms outstretched and that smile on her face. I accepted the bear, for now.

  Once it was at an angle where Maria couldn’t see its face, the bear shot me an indignant glare. Hmph. You lousy bear. Even I don’t want to be doing this. But the bear decided to play along, and was now sitting quietly on my knee.

  Maria left for the washroom a while later. As soon as she was out of sight, the bear leapt off me, before frantically brushing its behind with its stubby arms, as if it had been sitting on something foul.

  This thing’s attitude is the worst. Not to be defeated, I also rapidly brushed off where the bear had been sitting with my hand. With that, the bear regarded me with an expression of pity, before seemingly sighing as it slumped its arms.

  “Wh-What is it with you?! What’s with your attitude?!” I shouted in spite of myself. The bear, however, merely intensified its condescending gaze. It seemed very different from the lovable, cute plush toy that had been wriggling on Maria’s knees earlier.

  The bear and I then entered into a staring match — although I was the only one really staring. The bear merely looked in my general direction with that irritatin
g, condescending gaze. This went on for a while, until Maria finally returned to the room.

  Seeing that the bear had distanced itself from me and was now on my bed, she asked innocently, “Hmm? Lady Katarina, are you already done with the bear?”

  “Yes, I’ve had quite enough.”

  And with that, the bear returned to Maria. “Well then, perhaps I should hug this little one to sleep tonight...” Maria hugged it tight, and the bear responded with a happy, pleased expression.

  The speed it changed its attitude was frightening... to think that it had been looking down on me mere moments ago! It didn’t seem like anything but some cute mascot character right now. It’s really good at that innocent front, huh... what are you, a cat? No... it was a bear. A lousy bear.

  In the end, Maria slipped into bed while hugging the bear. I changed into my pajamas too and burrowed back into my bed.

  “Heehee...”

  “What is it, Maria?” A while after I had gotten into bed, Maria’s adorable laughter crept into my ears.

  “I’m just happy, Lady Katarina...” she replied.

  “Happy?” Why? Is it the bear? Is it because she went to bed hugging it? Why does Maria like that lousy bear so much?! That terrible, innocence-feigning, rotten-on-the-inside bear...

  “Yes. I had no friends ever since my magic manifested itself, so I’ve never slept in the same room as someone else before, except for family. So I’m just... happy.”

  Ah, so it’s that? I found my intense dislike for the bear burning hot in my chest before I had even heard her out.

  “...Ah. My apologies... I should not be saying such inconsiderate things during this tenuous time, with Master Keith missing...” Maria said apologetically.

  “I think it’s fun too,” I admitted, and that was enough for Maria to start laughing softly again. I was happy that Maria and I felt the same way.

  “Hey, this doesn’t have to be the only time! We should go on a trip again together. Next time we’ll invite Mary and Sophia too.”

  Maria immediately responded with a “yes.” But after a while, she spoke up again. “...Lady Katarina. I... before I met you at the academy, I always got into bed at night feeling incredibly lonely. But.. things are really fun now. I cannot help but be happy.”

  Although Maria had made many friends and was enjoying her life now, she had a hard time before she entered the academy, considering her social standing and everything. It was a really good thing that she was happy now. All’s well that ends well.

  “And so... the fact that I can be like this right now... it’s all thanks to you, Lady Katarina.”

  “!” Eh? Thanks to me? But why? Is she sleep-talking? Is she already half-asleep after slipping into her sheets? “Wh-What are you talking about, Maria? How could that be? You are where you are because of your own hard work! I didn’t do anything!” I responded in a panic to Maria’s sleep-talk.

  In the dimly lit room, Maria’s cheeks seemed slightly reddened. For some reason, her eyes seemed to be glistening too. Hm? It is because she yawned? What about her red cheeks, though?

  “...Lady Katarina. Please... stay by my side forever,” Maria said, staring straight at me with her soft, glistening eyes. It was almost like a confession of love — I felt my own cheeks getting hot.

  “...Yes. Of course,” I replied, my voice slightly quivering. Maria’s charm was impressive indeed. If I continued talking with her like this while looking deep into her eyes, I had a feeling that I would really set foot into a forbidden world.

  I laid back down and closed my eyes. As soon as I did so, the excitement of the day and the tiredness I had been holding at bay hit me all at once, and before I knew it, I was fast asleep. In the end, I had no idea when Larna finally returned.

  On another note, it was only when I awoke the next morning that I realized that I had forgotten about my plan for a girl-talk session.

  ★★★★★★

  I, Larna Smith, also known as Susanna Randall, had made my way up to the roof of a building a little removed from the inn we were staying over at tonight.

  The roof of this building was easily the tallest point in the surrounding areas. Of course, I got permission from the homeowner to go up here. While I could climb up regardless of permissions, behavior like that could cause issues down the road.

  The reason I was currently in such a tall place to begin with was because of the nature of the magical tool I was about to use. I withdrew it from my bag and held it up to the sky. It didn’t take long before it started vibrating. “Good.” This meant that it was working correctly.

  I turned to it and started to speak. “Hello? This is Larna Smith. Are you receiving, Raphael Wolt?”

  “Ah, yes. I hear you clearly, Lady Larna.” The somewhat displeased voice of my subordinate rang out from the tool.

  “A success, I see.” I grinned. This tool allowed us to speak over long distances. I had tested it and re-crafted it many times, and at long last, it was functional. Since the tool utilized Wing Magic, there were a few conditions that limited its use. Namely, I had to be outside and at a relatively high spot, which could be a challenge.

  With more improvements, I may be able to put this tool into production... I suppose I’ll have to make more modifications when I return.

  “Lady Larna? Lady Larna, can you hear me?”

  Just as I was about to sink deeper into my thoughts, Raphael’s displeased voice dragged me back to reality.

  “Ah, my apologies. I hear you, Raphael. Well? What of it? The situation back home.”

  “Don’t ‘what of it’ me, Lady Larna... You can’t just suddenly declare that you’d like to leave on a trip and push all your work to me. Please give me a break...”

  Ah, the pathetic voice of my subordinate. “But it won’t be a problem for you, will it? Weren’t you the top of your class back at the academy?” I said.

  “But that...” He stopped short, seemingly embarrassed.

  This wasn’t just some excuse that I came up with; it was a true fact. Because of a certain incident last year, Raphael was in the protective custody of the Ministry. But due to the circumstances, not many in the Ministry were interested in taking him under their wing.

  But I was interested in his yet-undiscovered potential, so I took him in. Since then, I’ve realized that he is a very capable person and that his abilities are quite useful. He is truly a valuable employee. So... it’s totally fine to leave all my work at the Ministry to him, for now.

  So I changed the subject, instead asking about a request I’d made. “Has there been any progress with regard to the investigation?”

  Raphael eventually answered, albeit with a barely audible sigh. “...Yes. I have... managed some progress.”

  “As expected. Well then, what are we looking at?”

  At my question, Raphael’s voice took on a more serious tone. “Yes... well. Although Duke Claes himself has made quite a few moves, it would seem that there has yet to be any significant breakthroughs. No progress has been made by those in the Duke’s employ... nor the Ministry at this point, really.”

  “I see. But to pull such a fast one on Duke Claes... This is no ordinary enemy. And what about the rumors that there was a Wielder of Darkness involved? Have we heard anything else?”

  “That would be a more definitive thing to answer, Lady Larna. After all, there was an eyewitness who saw the magic itself being cast, so...”

  “I see. So that much has been confirmed...”

  It was a few weeks ago that rumors of another Wielder of Darkness had started to make the rounds. Honestly I was quite irritated at the news, since it meant that classified information had been leaked again. And then...

  “Well then, are there any links between this Wielder of Darkness, and the disappearance of Keith Claes?”

  “On that, we still do not know.”

  “I see...” When those two reports had landed on my desk, I couldn’t help but feel that the two incidents were connected somehow. The sudden
disappearance of Katarina’s adopted brother, Keith, and the emergence of yet another Wielder of Darkness. They had to be connected. It was with this hunch that I had Raphael investigate.

  “Ah, right. Do send a request under my name to Prince Jeffery. I would like him to issue some investigative warrants and the like.”

  “Prince... Jeffery, Lady Larna?” Raphael asked, confused.

  “Yes. He owes me a few favors, you see, and I’m calling them in. Also, if the prince refuses to cooperate, then let him know that he won’t be receiving a certain magical tool. Tell him that.”

  “...Right. Of course.” Although Raphael seemed somewhat hesitant, he soon agreed without asking too many questions. For a while there was silence, and then he spoke once more. “If I may... how is Katarina doing?” he asked, the worry evident in his voice. Come to think of it, he was one of the many people who had a deep affection for Katarina Claes.

  “Should I tell you not to worry, or should I let you worry regardless? Katarina seems to think that Keith’s disappearance is the result of him running away from home. She also believes that all she has to do is find him, apologize, and he’ll come back. After coming to terms with the situation in that way, she cheered up again, and now she’s acting just like usual.”

  “Is that so... It is good that Katarina is doing well, then.”

  “Maria seems to believe in the runaway theory too. We should fear the pure souls of those girls. Sora and Prince Jeord, however... the two of them have surely already noticed that something is wrong, though neither has said anything directly.”

  “I see... However, if it would seem like someone is close to telling her outright... would an explanation not be better, then?”

  “I suppose. If that happens, then I’ll make sure everything is explained. But everything until now has played out like I thought it would. I’ll be investigating on my end, so make sure you look into what we discussed as well.”

  “I understand.”