I Don't Know The Playthroughs Of The Returned Villainesses - Chapter 11

Vivian Carulla. As I explained earlier, she was pure evil, akin to a child who disregarded all moral and ethical considerations unless something piqued her interest. So why was she standing before me? With all my limbs bound by chains, no less.

“…Aron? Aren’t you going to answer?”

Wow. Those words were terrifying. Hearing Vivian speak like that while I was restrained made me feel like a lab rat… Wait. Wasn’t that exactly my situation?

“I’m not a fun experiment!”

The words tumbled out before I could even think.

‘I don’t want to be dissected!’

As a reminder, this woman actually dissected people. This was not a joke.

“…Hmm.”

What did that mean? It sounded like the noise she made when she found something interesting.

“I really don’t have anything.”

I was telling the truth.

“…I haven’t done anything. Why are you doing this?”

Perhaps because of my continuous overreactions, Vivian wore a puzzled expression.

“Uh… I apologize. The rumors I heard…”

“What rumors?”

“Ah.”

Damn it. I had cornered myself.

“Uh…well…”

What was I supposed to say? Anything I said would be dangerous.

“Hee hee.”

‘?’

What was so funny?

“It was just a joke. Why are you so tense over a few words?”

I’m tense because those “few words” came from someone who has actually killed people. I couldn’t say that, so I just nodded.

“W…Vivian Carull…”

“Vivian.”

“What?”

“Call me Vivian.”

“Uh… Okay. Vivian…”

“Vivian.”

“Yes, Vivian.”

“Good.”

What was with her? This was a side of Vivian I had never seen before, and it felt unsettling.

“Um…Vivian. I have a question…”

“What is it?”

“Why are you here?”

I couldn’t bring myself to speak informally. But I had to ask. I remembered coughing up blood. So the person who came to check on me should have been one of my classmates, not Vivian.

“Uh…I saw Aron collapse.”

“I collapsed in the main hall.”

Except for Gwen’s class, only my class was present in the main hall. How could Vivian, from a different class, have seen me?

“Uh… I was watching with magic.”

“Watching what?”

“You…guys?”

Why was she drawing out her words?

“Us?”

Was there any reason to watch us? Someone of her status, the Magic Tower Master’s apprentice, must have seen far more impressive things. Why would she watch students fighting?

“Well… There were two Dukes using swords in the hall.”

“That makes sense, but…”

It was true that with two Dukes present, it was a valid reason to watch and gather information. It made sense, but… Why was she dragging out her words?

“Well, let’s just leave that aside. So, why are you here?”

I understood she watched us, but that wasn’t a reason for her to be here.

“Curious?”

…Huh? That line, she only used it when…

‘When Vivian was about to dissect her experimental subjects…’

As soon as that thought crossed my mind, I knew there was only one answer.

‘No.’

“No.”

It’s best to just say no. This was scary.

“That’s a relief.”

What was so relieving about that? It’s best not to question it.

“First, to explain the situation, this is the infirmary. You were receiving treatment, but you moved around too much, so you’re restrained.”

“I see.”

Usually, they wouldn’t restrain all four limbs with chains just because a patient moved around during treatment.

“I helped with your treatment.”

“Yes…”

Vivian walked closer, until she was right in front of me.

“Well, I’m glad you woke up.”

Poke, poke

She started poking me with her finger, as if I were a toy.

“Hmm…”

“Um…Vivian?”

“What?”

“What is this…?”

“Just trying it out.”

‘…’

I seemed to have become Vivian’s new plaything. A lab rat.

“Vivian! Didn’t I say we have to go?!”

Someone’s voice called from outside just as Vivian’s face drew closer to mine.

“…Should I incinerate them?”

‘Please calm down…’

If anyone else had said that, I would have laughed and taken it as a joke. But coming from Vivian, it was no laughing matter. Because Vivian would actually incinerate them.

“Vivian! That’s not right!”

Seeing Vivian’s mana fluctuating dangerously, I quickly grabbed her hand and diverted her attention.

“You can’t just incinerate people!”

Why was I stating the obvious?

Fade

The fluctuating mana subsided instantly.

‘I saved your life.’

I had saved someone’s life, though I didn’t know who.

“If Aron asks, well…”

Stand

Vivian stood up.

“Then, see you later.”

Wave

“Uh…yes.”

I didn’t want to see her again.

Poof

She vanished from my sight in an instant. That must have been teleportation.

‘Why would such a genius be interested in me…?’

The Academy was overflowing with interesting things, at least for now.

Swoosh

The cloth closed again, and then opened to reveal an elf dressed in white.

“Student Aron, are you done talking with Vivian?”

“…Yes.”

Now it was this person? Why was everyone acting like this towards me?

“It seems your body has mostly recovered.”

“Yes.”

This elderly-looking elf before me.

“To be targeted by Vivian from the very first day of the entrance ceremony, you won’t live long.”

“Haha. I see.”

Vivian’s teacher, and the Empire’s Magic Tower Master. Also, the reason Vivian had become the way she was.

“I hope you live a peaceful life.”

One of the final bosses.

“Yes.”

Merlin, the Seeker of Greed.

‘Why is he here?’

Did the Magic Tower Master have nothing to do in the Empire? What was he doing here as a healer in the infirmary, not even a magic professor?

“But, it’s quite fascinating. Your body, I mean.”

“What?”

“Someone who supposedly lost so much blood regaining consciousness not in days, but in just an hour, and speaking without any sign of pain like this.”

“Uh…that’s true, isn’t it?”

Now that I thought about it, why was I fine? The lingering pain was gone as well.

“Well, Vivian must have given you something.”

‘That Vivian?’

She had given healing potions to her experimental subjects, so was that it?

“…Is that so?”

If Merlin said so, it must be true.

‘Did I become her favorite lab rat?’

Was it because of Vivian’s peculiar personality? Since I couldn’t predict her actions, I decided to stop thinking about it. Anyway, the problem was him.

‘His disguise is the same as I remember, truly impeccable.’

An old elf. The long lifespan of elves was perfect for concealing Merlin’s centuries of life. Long-lived elves, considered old even among their kind, were few, so hiding as one of them was ideal.

‘This is more dangerous than I thought.’

Currently, Merlin was bound by a deal with someone, unable to harm anyone, which was fortunate, but…

‘Merlin wouldn’t just stay idle.’

He would undoubtedly find ways to skirt the edges of the deal.

‘Being alone with Merlin like this isn’t good…’

Even Vivian’s peculiar personality was learned from Merlin, so his character was truly unpredictable. There was no telling what might happen in this awkward atmosphere.

“Hmm…”

“…”

A silence pregnant with anticipation.

Knock, knock

A knock echoed at that moment.

“Arslan Reinhardt and two other students here to see the student who collapsed.”

“Come in.”

Step

Merlin glanced at me and left without a word.

‘Nice!’

Was I lucky or unlucky? It was fortunate that someone always interrupted these tense atmospheres.

“Oh! You seem to be alright!”

Arslan greeted me with a smile and a wave.

“Yes, I’m fine.”

Although it was Arslan who greeted me, the people behind him were more concerning.

“Greetings.”

I bowed to the two of them.

“Hello.”

Ninian Torian, the Magic Tower Master’s apprentice.

“Hello!”

And Arcana.

This was the first time I was interacting with them since enrolling, considering the circumstances.

Which made it all the more unfortunate.

“I would appreciate it if you got straight to the point.”

Because of the atmosphere. If it had just been Arslan, I would have conversed with him casually, but with Ninian present, that was impossible. There was no reason for them, with whom I had no prior relationship, to visit me. Arcana seemed to have just tagged along.

“Ninian.”

Tap

As soon as Arslan gave the signal, Ninian cast a spell with her staff.

Woosh

A blue sphere appeared instantly.

“It’s a Silence spell. Rest assured, our conversation won’t be overheard.”

Arslan kindly explained the nature of the sphere surrounding us.

“First, I apologize for what happened earlier. I crossed a line, wanting to gauge your skill after seeing you earn Gwen’s acknowledgment.”

Bow

Arslan bowed his head in apology.

“Not at all, we were merely sparring. There’s nothing more insulting than holding back during a spar. You were simply giving it your all.”

This was why I liked Arslan. He took responsibility for his actions and didn’t shift blame. A high-ranking noble who could bow his head without considering social status was rare. A truly admirable and mature individual.

“Is it alright for a Duke to lower his head so easily?”

Ninian, the Magic Tower Master’s apprentice, asked in a teasing tone. Of course, that was only possible because they were childhood friends. But it was still a surprising action. Here, Dukes were second only to the Emperor. In this hierarchical society, they were in a position where even if they killed someone, the fault would lie with the deceased.

“Who am I supposed to be mindful of when only you are present? As someone in a position of authority, responsibility follows mistakes.”

Those were some impressive words. Though I still resented him for relentlessly attacking me earlier.

“That’s admirable. I honestly thought Dukes would be incredibly arrogant.”

Wow… To say such a thing so boldly in front of a Duke. That was the protagonist for you. But if she had said that to another Duke, she would have been executed for insulting nobility.

“Hahaha! I can’t argue with that, I would think the same.”

Arslan responded humorously.

“Sigh…”

And Ninian, seemingly used to Arslan’s behavior.

“Now that the apology has been accepted, you can proceed.”

I understood the amicable atmosphere, but they needed to get to the point.

“Then, in the name of the Reinhardt Dukedom, I ask you this.”

Rumble

He invoked the name of his Dukedom. That was a command to speak the truth, nothing but the truth. An inexplicable pressure filled my mouth.

“What is your connection to the Cavalla family?”

So it was that.

“I have no connection.”

Before I could even think, my mouth moved on its own.

‘So this is a Duke’s command.’

It was stronger than I had expected.

“Then how did you use Gwen’s attribute?”

“I imitated the flow of her aura.”

It seemed like these simple questions were fortunate.

“Flow?”

“Yes. When aura or mana users utilize their powers, there’s a unique flow…”

“Wait, you can see it?”

“Yes.”

Was there something wrong with that?

“U…Aron?”

Ninian interrupted, despite the command being in effect.

“Usually, only the user can perceive the flow of mana or aura…?”

“?”

At that moment, a black window appeared before me.

[Due to the secondary effect of Trait: {Analyzer}, you can analyze the flow of mana and aura.]

‘…Was that it?’

Wait.

[……]

Could you talk?