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Chapter 52 Part 1 – The resurrected people of the forest, Wiskum. I’ve been locked-on as a sacrifice!?

「…… Mother, let’s turn back and go home right now!!」

I suggested without hesitation inside the moving carriage.

My escape instinct, rather than my conflict instinct, was ignited. I feel uneasy. Something terrible was happening. An unexplainable chill crawled up my spine.

This was not the time to be going to Countess Rosenthal’s ball.
I’m no Bradd, but whenever I’ve had this kind of premonition, it was never wrong.

The 「Ruby of God’s Eye」 pendant that’s hanging on top of my chest has lost its light. After a warning cry that we should turn back, the presence of the spirits of the Light Bat Tribe have suddenly disappeared.

The spirits of the Light Bat Tribe that possessed the ruby were once famed as the strongest tribe on the continent.
They were brave and resolute warriors who fought without fear of death.

And they were frightened to that extent. I am worried about what happened to the spirits of the Light Bat Tribe, but I must not let the warning they desperately gave to me go to waste.

I wouldn’t be surprised if a disaster of the level of the demon dog Gallam awaits us at Countess Rosenthal’s mansion.
And I take pride in the fact that I am never behind others when it comes to attracting bad luck.

「Mother!! Mother has overcome your past trauma and accepted Countess Rosenthal’s invitation. Scarlet understands that courage better than anyone. I know I’m probably not the best person to understand you …… but for now, will you please yield and listen to my words?」

I pleaded while clinging to mother’s lap.
I couldn’t let her get caught up in my bargain sale of bad luck.

Mother had suffered such a severe trauma from the harsh bullying of the 「red nobles」 that she had withdrawn for ten years. I know how much courage it took for her to accept to attend the ball, which was held with the malicious intent of Countess Rosenthal, who was one of the leaders. Mother even vomited at the mere sight of the invitation.

Despite that, she made the decision to face her past just so she could be a mother I could be proud of. I am very happy for mother’s love, it touches my heart. And yet, I am cruelly asking her to turn back. My heart hurts so much. But I would hate it even more if she ends up having to suffer. It’s hard for me too.

Mother stroked my head gently.
Then she touched the tip of my nose and smiled mischievously.

「…… Raise your face, Scarlet. Let’s turn back. My lovely daughter said that she understands me. Do you know how happy that makes me? Even if the whole world, except you, denies me, I will not be afraid.」

「Mother ……」

I nearly cried.

「Oh, and also Wendell, Mary, Bradd, and ……」

Mother’s additional order came in.
Well, it’s good to have so many important people in her life.
The traces of being a shut-in were no longer there.
I wonder when my shut-in plan will be able to be set in motion ……
The old subtitle suspicion is quickly coming back to haunt me.

But I’m not sure if it’s because I’m a toddler or what, but I’m easily moved to tears. If Bradd were here, he would be smiling at me from behind. As a villainess who has lived 「108 times」, I have to become cooler. Sometimes I will have to make ruthless decisions in order to protect the people I care about.

「…… Afterwards, I will apologize to Countess Rosenthal for not attending the ball. Perhaps she will be elated with triumph over you as if she was holding a demon’s head in her hand and will speak ill of mother to those around her, but don’t worry about it. Because then ……」

I stood up.

I put my hand in the side slit of my skirt, quickly pulled out a folding fan from my pocket, and swung it up diagonally as if I was drawing a sword. It is my weapon, my armor, and also a fashionable item. With a loud sound, the folding fan opened.

「…… I will overwhelm them with my authority.」

I covered my mouth with the folding fan and made a threatening smile.

A pose like this is always suitable for a villainess. But please enlarge my breast for this scene. And please don’t take the shot from a distance. After all, it’ll look like a child’s play if my whole little girl body is shown. Ahh, I want to grow up quickly.

Well, my body might look like this …… but I’m capable of crushing Countess Rosenthal now.

In my previous 「108 times」 as a villainess, I was nearly killed several times by Countess Rosenthal because I got mixed up in Alisa’s problems. At that time, Countess Rosenthal, who reigned over high society and had her own private assassination squad, was a formidable opponent that I could not handle.

But it’ll be different in this life.

「Mother, you’re aware of it as well, right? That I have spent the last three years making the royalty feel indebted to me and building up connections with nobles who can be trusted. In addition, I have also created a source of funds by using the silver in the territory to trade with the south …… Uwah!?」

My monologue was interrupted by the sudden movement of the carriage. The inside of the carriage bounced up. Because the body weight of a little girl is light, it caused my body to lift up into the air.

Yeah, I knew it. Whenever the rare moment comes when I can brag about myself, it’s always interrupted like this.

And there was no way the misfortune would end here.

The lock was released due to the impact and the carriage door opened outward with a bang. A strong gust of air flowed inside. I was sucked out of the carriage that was running at high speed and was almost thrown out.

Well, I see that it has come. As expected of me. A chain reaction just like dominoes toppling. It was like a sketch comedy.
I call this the opportunism of misfortune.

It’s kind of like the price for the knowledge cheat. Unfortunately, no matter how I look at it, there are more misfortunes than fortunes. I somehow survived because I was blessed with my father, mother, Bradd, Seraphy, Mary, Matzo …… my reliable companions, and if I only had the knowledge cheat, I would have already lost my life for the 109th time. If I died, I would definitely make a complaint to the god of fate.

「…… Scarlet!!」

In a panic, mother tried to grab my hand. Her fingers desperately reached out to me, but sadly it missed my hand and caught the chain of the ruby.

「…… Guackk」

I got strangled and was struggling.
Yes, that’s right.

Now I knew what it felt like to be a fish being pulled in. My lower body was being sucked out of the door and my legs were still in the air. My skirt flapped like a flag. I AM FLYING. At this rate, I would suffocate and then end up swimming in the Sanzu River.

But as expected of mother, an expert in horsemanship, she was steady even in this vibrating hell. Hmm, why can’t this superb athleticism be used for dancing? While flying in the air, I sighed as I recalled those training days.

Eh, you’re saying that I’m being too carefree?

Well, I have been killed 108 times after all, so something like this can’t even be considered as a pinch. While flying in the air like a carp streamer, it’s a piece of cake for me to have a flashback.

When it comes to mother, our advanced level footmen …… Well, to put it bluntly, they are from Bradd’s hometown, the〈Lawless Crew〉, when she is dancing with them, she would yell, 「…… There …… !!」 and then she would spin around and fling off the dancing partner’s hand. Perhaps it’s in her blood as a natural-born hunter, but she reacts abnormally to the presence of a strong man behind her.

The〈Lawless Crew〉are also a group that loves to fight, so they’d happily say, 「…… As expected from the madam. That’s our master. I thought I had perfectly hidden my presence」, as they nodded proudly.

…… You guys, you wouldn’t be able to practice dancing that way. This is no time for giggling, laughing, and acknowledging each other as rivals. Hey, hey, all the other attendants who were watching, don’t let out a giggle at the same time. What kind of battle tournament is held here in the Duke’s residence?