[Equipping the ability.]

The heart-shaped crystal that I chose seeped into the cover of Architus.

The crystal, which had been transparent, was dyed pink.

[Ability ?Cough Cough, Bleurgh!?]

— Empathetic Text:

“Cough cough!”

A cough burst out.

Bang, blood poured out of my mouth.

“Are you okay? Doctor! Call a doctor!”

“If you can’t cure this child, know that we’ll all die!”

I looked at the chaos of the male lead, the villain, the sub-male lead, the original female lead, my father, my brother, my aunt, my uncle, my cousins, and my grandfather while wiping the blood.

No… This blood is evidence that my illness is being cured.

It’s a line that the female lead in ?The Time-Limited Villainess Who Doesn’t Want to Be Loved? thought absurdly.

She possessed the time-limited villainess who got better as she received love from those around her.

Since this ability is passive, it cannot be used at the reader’s discretion.

I’m excited to see what the future holds?

— Ability effect: As you receive love, bad energy leaves your body and you get a nosebleed.

— Activation count: 0/3

“Huh.”

I laughed out of disbelief.

Is this really an ability?

“What’s so exciting about this! Are you talking about your heart pounding like crazy due to a panic attack?!”

If that’s the case, it’s a great success.

My heart is pounding as if it’s going to explode right now!

“Cancel, cancel! I want to change it to another ability!”

I scratched at the crystal on the cover to remove it.

But nothing changed.

[The equipped ability cannot be removed.]

I can only confirm that this ability is locked in place.

“My precious cash!”

The heroine of ?Time-Limited Villainess? possessed a villainess that everyone hates.

But this villainess was actually cursed, and the main plot was that the curse would be lifted the more love she received from people.

So, the heroine raised the favorability of those around her to live, even while shouting, “You all have tormented a poor villainess! I don’t want your love!”

‘And I needed that ability to see the favorability…’

How did I end up like this?

The lucky potion was all a lie.

?Focus on you health, my dear reader.?

Don’t worry, my reader!

It’s not really a deadline!

Instead, you’ll get healthier?

Health is something you can’t buy even with money!

You’re lucky to have an ability to get healthier!

My reader, just walk the path of health?

“What health! I’ll collapse with high blood pressure!”

My neck really tightened and I grabbed the back of my head.

High blood pressure at the age of four!

“Huh, this kid must be trying to make me angry by suddenly wearing a heart.”

I’ll beat him up when I meet him.

“I’ll earn cash and get the ability to kick demon butts.”

I clenched my fist.

I will definitely bury that demon’s head in the ground!

* * *

The vassals, guards, knights, and employees of Phaeraton lay prostrate on the cold floor and dared not raise their heads.

In front of them stood Duke Phaeraton emitting a sinister aura like a mountain.

“You dared to neglect security, and my daughter was almost kidnapped in my castle.”

It was a stern voice that seemed to cut through everyone in the training ground.

“You can’t escape the responsibility but face death.”

In short, it meant that anyone involved in security would be killed.

“Leave the list to me. I cannot forgive those who were careless about my sister’s safety.”

“Do we need a list? We can just kill them all.”

“You are right.”

Duke Phaeraton and Ares shared the joy of exchanging words.

Those who listened to their conversation closed their eyes tightly.

There was no one in this world who could break the will of the two Phaeratons.

‘Mother, please forgive your unfilial child who will die before you.’

‘I was going to propose to Alice during this vacation…’

‘I wanted to see my grandson’s face who will be born next spring…’

‘I wanted to see how our young lady would grow up before I died!’

‘Youngest Miiiss!’

Everyone was organizing their last thoughts at the end of their lives.

“Daddy!”

A cute child’s voice echoed in the training ground, filled with sorrow.

Ruatisha ran towards Duke Phaeraton.

“Ruru, why are you here? It’s not something for you to watch.”

“Anna, Nancy, Laura, and Tilda are not around.”

All four of them were lying face-down in the training ground.

“…Ruru, those four didn’t properly supervise you. They have to take responsibility for that.”

Ruatisha muttered sullenly in response to those words.

“I was the one who wandered around freely. It’s not their fault.”

“Ruru, it’s natural for you to roam freely in your own home. They’re here to make sure you’re safe.”

“No, if I had just stayed in my room, I wouldn’t have been kidnapped.”

“Ruatisha, they are here for your freedom. You’re intelligent enough to understand what I mean, aren’t you?”

It didn’t work.

Ruatisha clicked her tongue.

‘Well then…!’

“Ruru did wrong!”

Ultimate third person + short tongue sound!

It was a bit lame, but it had an effect.

The gaze of my father, looking down at me, began to waver.

‘…He isn’t acting out of disgust, right?’

Suddenly, that thought came to mind, but the water had already been spilled!

‘I’m a four-year-old baby! Hundreds of lives depend on me! At least my big sisters should protect me! I’m a four-year-old baby! I can do it!’

Ruatisha’s large eyes sadly shimmered with tears.

“Did Ruru made my big sisters and big brothers fight because Ruru sat quietly in her room?”

“Oh, no…”

“Fine, Ruru wants to stay in her room for the rest of her life! It’s Ruru’s fault.”

At that moment, Ares muttered from the side, “Staying in your room for your whole life… doesn’t sound bad, does it?” But Ruatisha didn’t hear him.

The child made a great effort to shed fake tears and put on a pathetic and miserable act.

“Stuck in my room for my whole life… unable to see the sky or flowers, Ruru doesn’t know happiness or joy…”

“It’s okay, my lovely little sister. I’ll bring the sky, flowers, and jewels to your room.”

Ares said kindly with a smile.

Ruatisha was touched.

Why is my kind and friendly big brother acting like this?

“Come to think of it, they said staying in your room all the time leads to an early death—.”

“Thinking about it, there are various ways to take responsibility besides death.”

“Yes, I think so too.”

Duke Phaeraton and Ares said firmly.

“We will discuss your punishment later.”

The people who had been lying face-down at Duke Phaeraton’s words raised their heads in a daze.

“The punishment… will be discussed later?”

Those of us who had been with them at the Duke’s residence on the islands were quicker to realize what was happening.

But the people from the duke’s estate couldn’t believe what they were seeing, even though they were seeing it with their own eyes.

Did the Duke just withdraw his intention to punish us because of the young miss??

Is that even possible?

“For now, disperse.”

I don’t know if it’s possible, but it has already happened!

“Thank you, youngest miss!”

“We will not forget this favor, miss!”

“We will repay with our lives!”

The people who had returned from death bowed their heads to Ruatisha.

Ruatisha wiped her sweat with a sigh.

‘Shame lasts a moment, but a person’s life is precious!’

She still felt embarrassed, but she had saved her big sisters’ lives. And in the process, others too.

Then, notification windows began to pop up in front of her.

[Duke Phaeraton’s vassals expresses gratitude to the reader!]

[The loyalty of Duke Phaeraton’s knights is rising!]

[Several knights wish to serve you as their lady!]

[Duke Phaeraton’s staff are deeply moved by your grace.]

[You saved many lives! Your reputation echoes throughout the Duchy of Phaeraton!]

[Congratulations! Your presence has been engraved in the minds of the lords!]

[Your influence within the Phaeraton family has greatly increased!]

[You have received 8,000 cash!]

‘8,000 cash! Not even a lottery ticket, just cash!’

She didn’t do it to gain cash, but deep down, she had expected something.

But to get a whole 8,000 cash!

I laughed away any embarrassment.

* * *

Ixion felt a sense of unease and lifted his heavy eyelids.

In the darkness, he saw someone’s shadow.

And that someone’s hand seemed as if it could grab Ixion’s throat at any moment.

Ixion opened his parched lips.

“Why, gonna kill me now?”

“No way.”

With a soft voice accompanied by a low chuckle, Ares spoke.

“Killing you like this won’t prove my abilities.”

Ixion sat up, groaning.

Ares stepped back and handed him lukewarm water.

Ixion didn’t refuse, setting aside his pride.

He had recovered somewhat, but he still wasn’t in great shape.

Ares observed Ixion’s condition and furrowed his brows slightly.

“Why did you act so recklessly? You had a grand opportunity.”

“Shut up.”

“You used magic to cover the surroundings. It was to find Ruatisha, right?”

“……”

“If you had taken a little more time, you could have searched more efficiently.”

Ixion remained silent.

Efficiently?

At that time, such thoughts were out of the question.

His only thought was to find Ruatisha as quickly as possible, even if his body was torn apart.

“You used magic recklessly to the point of straining your body, and you traveled at high speed. If you wanted to commit suicide, there are easier ways.”

Ares shook his head in disbelief.

“You didn’t stop there. You caused magic to explode dramatically. Thanks to that, there wasn’t even an intact corpse.”

“What do you care? They deserved to die.”

“It’s not about what you did to them.”

“……”

“Be grateful that there wasn’t a magic rampage. If it had happened, you would be dead by now.”

“Magic rampage is overrated. I’m not that inexperienced.”

“It was a situation where a magic rampage wouldn’t be strange at all. In fact, it’s surprising that you didn’t reach that point.”

“……page”

“What?”

Ares asked, but Ixion remained silent.

‘I can’t just run away.’

‘I couldn’t go on a rampage.’

If he did, not only he but also the small fluffball would die.

“Ruatisha came to see you several times, but you didn’t meet her. That little girl was so sad.”

“Get lost.”

Ixion immediately revealed his intention.

Seeing that, Ares let out a “Huh” and snorted.

“It’s really amazing. You opened up your heart so easily.”

“When did I do that?”

“Well, forget it then.”

At the same time as he spoke, Ares reached out his hand.

Dark magic flowed from him into Ixion.

The once-empty magic was quickly replenished.

Feeling his body recover, Ixion looked at Ares with unbelieving eyes.

“…Why?”

That guy was helping him recover.

Even though it was happening now, it was hard to believe.

Receiving that look, Ares raised an eyebrow and replied.

“She’s my lovely little sister. Of course, her big brother should help.”

“Nonsense!”

“You’re overreacting.”

Ares flashed a mischievous smile.

“Don’t lock yourself in if you don’t want others to see your weak side.”

Ares began to dissolve into the darkness.

“Ruatisha really wants to see you.”

In the empty space left by Ares, only the lingering echo of his words remained.

“That guy…”

Ixion gritted his teeth.

He was furious, but thanks to that, his body had fully recovered.

“Ruatisha really wants to see you.”

That sentence echoed strangely in his ears.

Ixion, who had gotten out of bed, grabbed the curtain and pulled it open.

Bright light began to drive away the darkness that had filled the room.

“Why, why now! I was so scared! You bad guy! Bad guy!”

The voice of the child that had been echoing through his nightmares resonated with the light.

“Why, why did you come to save me so late! You scoundrel!”

It was a ridiculous thing to say, but his chest felt strangely tight.

‘To that fragile child, it was only natural that I came to save her.’

She didn’t fear him. She believed in him and relied on him.

“…..”

Ixion gazed out the window. It was winter, yet flowers were blooming as if by magic.

The pale pink hue was reminiscent of the little fluff’s hair.

‘If I go now, will she be angry again?’

Why did he come so late?

Why didn’t he open the door?

It was as if that little fluff earned a right to meet Ixion.

“…Arrogant.”

I should go and scold her.

Ixion’s face had a warm smile that could be considered quite friendly.

Even though no one saw it because it disappeared as he left the room.

Finding Ruatisha was an easy task.

That fluffball attracted people’s attention wherever she went.

The moment he spotted Ruatisha holding a bunch of flowers in the distance, Ixion stopped in his tracks.

Suddenly, a corner of his heart sank.

Ixion didn’t know that it was because he was afraid.

‘…Am I really not scary?’

Even after witnessing such a terrible sight?

There were many people who witnessed massacres by magic and suffered from trauma.

The cockroaches that had seizures and drooled just by seeing black.

It was better than that.

People pointing fingers, cursed, and hated.

“…….”

It made him feel really dirty to think that the weak fluffball would do that.

‘Why am I even thinking about this?’

He felt annoyed.

‘It has nothing to do with me, no matter what that weakling does.’

“Ixion!”

At that moment, the fluffball spotted him and looked up from among the flowers.

Her face was so peaceful that it was pathetic.

Something surged inside him.

He felt like he had become a fool for worrying…

‘No, when did I even worry!’

As if to prove that it was nothing, Ixion conjured up magic.

It didn’t matter how the fluffball reacted to the magic.

It was true.

Even if she fell down bleeding from her mouth right now, it wouldn’t matter at all.

“Cough, gasp!”

—No way…¹T/N: the raws actually said: ????……. But i don’t know what it means OTL

Ixion’s pupils widened.

The moment his magic touched Ruatisha, she twisted and coughed.

And then…

Thud!

A flower fell from the child’s arms.

At the same time, the flower began to turn bright red.

It was stained with Ruatisha’s blood.

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  T/N: the raws actually said: ????……. But i don’t know what it means OTL