I Raised the Villain's Daughter Too Well-Chapter 54: Didn’t Know! -
The academy’s walkway, though lit by mana-lamps, was still dark — it was the middle of the night, after all.
Most shops were closed, and occasionally, a cadet still training late would run past—
‘...Come to think of it, isn’t this kind of dangerous...?’
Leah glanced at Virdem, who was walking ahead of her, the thought occurring to her out of nowhere.
“Is there something you’d like to say?”
“Ah, n-no, it’s nothing.”
He was walking with the same silent expression as before.
Leah trailed behind him, gauging his mood cautiously.
His footsteps were refined. He had his ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) back turned, but he’d react to most ambushes. But if it were her...
‘...No, that’s not the point...’
Leah shook her head.
It was a bad habit. One she needed to fix — but it wasn’t going away easily.
Anyway, what she really needed to worry about was something else entirely.
‘Is this... seriously... seriously a confession???’
She’d joked about it at first.
A dark night.
A request at the party — “Shall we go out together?”
And then some rushed excuse he’d made up just to take her with him.
All the circumstances pointed in one direction.
Leah fought to calm her face, which kept threatening to flush red, and threw out a final, decisive question.
“U-um, so where are you supposed to meet this person?”
“Dueling grounds, next to the main gate. We’re almost there.”
“...Hic.”
“Is something wrong?”
“N-nooo...”
“?”
This—this was undeniable.
‘It’s 100%, absolutely a confession...!!’
The dueling grounds were the academy’s third-most popular confession spot for the fourth year running, right behind the fountain and the dormitory beds. (Source: her private collection of romance novels.)
She’d reconsidered countless times — if he turned out not to like her and just said “no,” then the only thing left would be suicide, truly.
But now she was certain. There was no way this wasn’t what she thought it was.
‘Wait—why? When? Where did I earn this??’
She was utterly confused. Wasn’t this only their third time meeting?
Of course—plenty of romance stories had characters kiss on their very first meeting. Back then she thought, I guess that could happen.
But now that it was happening to her, all she had were question marks. There hadn’t even been much contact between them—what could’ve made him like her?
If she were a guy, she would’ve been turned off by how she acted.
‘So it is the looks...?’
Leah pondered, fiddling with her hair.
Divine blessing bestowed upon the bloodline that once saved the world. Her golden hair was so beautiful, people had actually said things like that.
And though she wasn’t trying to brag... okay, maybe she was bragging a little—her looks weren’t bad.
She wasn’t on Firnea’s level — that eco-system-destroying legend destined for the history books — but she could definitely beat most noble daughters.
Naturally, Leah turned her eyes toward Virdem’s face.
“Why are you suddenly walking beside me?”
“No reason.”
“Hmm. Okay.”
Virdem looked straight ahead, a trace of doubt and discomfort on his face—
“Hm...”
“...Seriously, what is it?”
—not bad.
His features were sharp, but the butler uniform softened them just a little.
Not main male lead tier, but maybe a second lead. Childhood friend, the kind who realizes the heroine fits better with the real male lead, lets her go, and cries secretly behind the scenes.
There’d probably be five romance routes in fanfics where he ends up with the heroine, but more than that would ruin the appeal.
He passed. That was enough.
‘What do I do...’
Leah focused harder than she had when she trained by leaping off cliffs blindfolded and trying to catch passing tree branches by sound alone.
‘Accept it? Or not?’
She’d already decided — this was a confession.
What she had to choose was whether to accept or reject it.
Honestly, her emotions were too all-over-the-place. She needed more time.
She used to get frustrated reading novels when characters asked for time instead of just answering on the spot. But now she understood. It was really necessary.
She didn’t think this was love.
But it wasn’t like she disliked him either.
Staying friends felt like it’d be nice...
But if she turned him down, that probably wouldn’t be possible.
“Haaa...”
“We’ve arrived.”
Just as she let out a long sigh, torn between answers, they arrived at the academy’s dueling grounds, where the lights were on.
Virdem closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
A classic sign of someone nervous.
‘...Well of course he’d be nervous.’
Leah was tense too, but Virdem had to be even more anxious.
“Lady Leah, please prepare yourself.”
“Okay!”
Leah quickly played out how the situation would unfold in her mind.
[What the, you said I’m escorting but there’s no one here?]
[Actually... it was just an excuse to call you out here, Lady Leah.]
[Huh, and what do you plan to do after calling me out?]
[From the first moment I saw you, my heart has never stopped rac—]
Her imagination was cut off by Virdem’s cool, piercing gaze.
“I-I should... get into combat stance a little...”
“Ah, right. You are on escort duty.”
Getting caught up in the little details now, huh.
Leah rested a hand lazily on her sword and stepped into the dueling ground.
For some reason, the lights were already on. Virdem must have prepared it ahead of time.
There was, of course, no one else there. As Virdem silently walked toward the center, Leah realized the moment had come.
As naturally as possible — without trembling — she recited the line she’d rehearsed (to herself):
“...H-hmph, what is this? You said I was escorting, but there’s no o—”
“You’re right on time.”
“?”
There was someone on the opposite side of the dueling ground.
A neutral voice echoed through the space.
A strange person, body completely covered in a white mask, black robe, and a ridiculously wide-brimmed hat.
“???”
Leah froze, mouth hanging open.
She was stunned to learn there really was a cadet they were meeting—
“But to bring someone else along? That’s just, well... rude, don’t you think?”
“...?”
“??”
“???”
And then.
The masked figure and Leah exchanged glances — both frozen stiff.
There was no way she wouldn’t know.
Even with the voice and appearance hidden, she’d spent her whole life with this person.
From the gait, the posture, the presence — she knew who it was instantly.
“Arme—?”
“A-hem! But well, I guess it’s fine if someone else is here. That’s, that’s perfectly fine!”
Armeria coughed loudly, cutting Leah off.
“Vi—”
Leah turned to speak to Virdem, but this time he interrupted her, frowning and stepping forward.
“To hide your identity from the very first meeting — am I to take that as an act of hostility?”
“N-no, not at all. There’s really no need for us to fight, I mean, right?”
“Is that so? Then what’s this threat letter supposed to be?”
Virdem pulled out the letter and waved it in the air.
“I didn’t write anything threatening though...”
“Requesting a meeting without disclosing details is generally considered a threat. Didn’t you learn that somewhere?”
Virdem’s tone was icy as he shot back, then turned to Leah with a puzzled expression.
“But why did you bring me here? Do you know who this person is?”
“That, uh...”
A completely new set of choices had appeared.
That creepy freak who dared to threaten Seriratus’s butler is actually... my sister.
Kill my sister.
Obviously, the answer was already set in stone.
“Shall we jump straight into combat!?”
“...Excuse me?”
“Leave it to me! I’ll shred her face so badly no one will be able to recognize who she is!”
“That... would be a problem, actually...”
Virdem looked at Leah with a puzzled expression as she suddenly erupted into bloodlust.
The confession had long since vanished from her mind.
****
“No, really, scum like that— I mean, bastards like that, should be torn to pieces right now! Just... just turn away and close your eyes for a minute. I’ll grind her into meat paste and toss the remains somewhere by the river!”
“N-no, it’s fine. I’ll try talking first...” frёewebηovel.cѳm
...What the hell’s gotten into her?
I held back Leah, who was suddenly brimming with murderous intent, and looked toward the masked figure.
The fashion was a disaster, but if the goal was to hide their identity, then... success. I had no clue who it could be.
Their build seemed female... but it didn’t matter. I stepped forward and gripped the hilt of my sword.
“Well, even if you don’t reveal who you are, I already know.”
“Hyiiieeek?!”
“W-what?!”
Both of them gasped at once.
“...Why are you surprised, Lady Leah?”
“Ah, well... I-I was just shocked that you knew who that unknown person was! That’s all! Yes!”
“Hm.”
So she does have a guess.
Well, I’d ask later. For now, I said the name.
“Even with your voice and appearance hidden, I can tell. You left behind enough of a trace... Senfenesia Olvesia.”
“Eh?”
The masked figure tilted their head and waved a hand.
“Nope. Not her.”
“Don’t lie.”
“I’m really not.”
“Then prove it.”
“Facts. Senfenesia’s a family of blood-crazed lunatics. No sense of proportion — bite anyone without reason.”
“...”
I was at a loss for words and swallowed hard.
You’d never hear language that raw in noble society.
...If this really was Olvesia, which seemed unlikely — well, at this point, I’d have no choice but to pretend I was fooled. If she’s going this far.
“T-then why are you hiding your identity?”
“Because you scare the living shit out of me.”
“What?”
The masked figure straightened up and declared it without the slightest hint of shame.
“What are you? Why are you here at the academy if you already know? I have no idea what your goal is. Your behavior’s too weird. Like you’re trying to drag us all down with you.”
“...?”
As I tilted my head, she continued.
“What did you do to Firnea? I definitely saw her near Arin the last time that witch nonsense happened. But she didn’t do anything to Arin. That’s absurd. And dangerous. Some future I don’t know about is coming. That means I lose my advantage as a reincarnator. And yours will disappear too. Why are you doing this?”
“...Hold on.”
“If Firnea were a reincarnator, okay, I’d get it — maybe she just wants to survive. But you’re saying someone else went out of their way to change Firnea? I don’t get it. What are you trying to do?”
“You...”
I scratched my head and replied.
“I have absolutely no idea what the hell you’re talking about.”
“Yeah? What a coincidence. I don’t get you either.”
“U-um.”
Leah looked at me with a confused expression.
“What are you two talking about??”
The masked figure had started speaking Korean halfway through, so she clearly couldn’t follow.
“My apologies. That’s our native language. Please bear with us a moment.”
“O-okay...?”
She looked unsure but didn’t lower her sword.
...I didn’t think she’d go this far. I’ll definitely have to repay her later.
“Seems like we’ve got a bit of a disconnect between us.”
“Then could you explain things one by one? I’m not telling you who I am until I’m convinced.”
“Let me start with just one. How did you know I was a reincarnator?”
“First: Maclain doesn’t follow Firnea around. That felt off, but I figured maybe it was a minor change. Second: Micellini, who was supposed to enroll with Arin, isn’t here. You are instead. Third: Firnea doesn’t hate Arin. Fourth: Firnea has changed, but she’s not a reincarnator. Fifth... I’ll save that for later. There were too many clues. I just didn’t realize you were hiding it.”
After hearing her explanation, I was convinced.
I sighed and ran a hand through my hair.
“I kept thinking, ‘No way, no way’... but it really was true.”
“...What?”
“This place— it’s not just another world. It’s from a novel. Or a game. Or something like that, right?”
“?”
The masked figure tilted her head, clearly confused.
“No, no, no... don’t you try that shit. I’m not buying it.”
“Try what?”
“You’re saying you weren’t some SSS-rank player who got sent here? Is that what you’re trying to claim?”
“I don’t even know what that is.”
“Liar! Then why...”
Suddenly, the masked figure went quiet.
She stood there for about five minutes, muttering weird things and stroking her chin.
“Wait. Then... hmm... is this... Ah. That’s what it is...”
“What is?”
“...I get it now.”
The masked figure slowly nodded.
“Right... you chose Firnea because you didn’t know anything. You changed her because you didn’t know anything. You made Arin win because you didn’t know anything. It’s not that you hate the world — you just don’t know. Aha. That makes everything make sense.”
“Um... so you do understand now?”
“Yup. I understand.”
She answered brightly.
“It’s not really your fault, you know? But at this rate, we’re all going to die.”
“?”
