The Abandoned Villainess Decides to Take It All Chapter 31

Chapter 31

Iris Florent — Has She Run Out of Ideas?

At this latest new-product showcase, the spark of wit and brilliant experimental spirit once associated with the Iris Florent brand seemed to have vanished.

Then what of safety?

When asked, Miss Iris Tillard responded,

“It meets imperial standards, so it’s fine.”

But is merely scraping by within imperial guidelines truly sufficient?

Is this really the result of sincere consideration for esper safety—
or has the time finally come to question it?

That damned Madam Rochette had gone all out, publishing one scathing critique after another.

The vein throbbing at the Duke of Tillard’s temple stood out even more clearly.

“You’re not so ignorant as to think no one reads what this woman writes, are you?”

“It—it still sold well this time, Grandfather. Sales aren’t an issue at all—”

“Do you think sales are everything? Reputation is everything we have. And you, Kuern!”

The Duke snapped at Kuern, who had been trembling in place.

“Y-yes, Grandfather.”

“Why are the materials for the court council prepared like this?!”

Once there was something to be angry about, reasons multiplied endlessly.

The junior duke was supposed to review the Tillard Duke’s council materials first.

And yet—

“Thanks to you, Duke Boliver laughed right in my face. Said it was so amusing he nearly had stomach cramps.”

“Ah…”

“That brainless Boliver dares to laugh at Tillard?!”

Kuern’s face flushed red.

Standing beside him, Iris Tillard fought desperately not to glance sideways.

In truth, Iris had handled most of this work for him until now.

She said she was busy this time… I couldn’t bring myself to ask…

The tirade showed no sign of stopping.

“And the Tillard Knights’ logs?”

“Ramio is currently with Lillian—”

“So what if he’s gone?! You can compile this much yourself, can’t you?!”

“I—I sincerely apologize, Grandfather.”

There was something neither Kuern nor Iris knew.

Because Ramio had always left the logs with Lillian, there was no one left to hand them over properly.

The Duke of Tillard pressed his fingers to his forehead.

There was no “useless granddaughter” present here.

Which meant everything should still be running perfectly—as it always had.

“So what in the world is going on?!”

Duke Elric Tillard cried out in frustration.

The grandchildren he cherished so deeply couldn’t utter a word.

Iris bit down hard on her lower lip.

Ramio. Where on earth are you? When are you coming back?!

Ramio was on his way back.

Just… rolling while doing so.

Ramio was currently being “stored” inside an artifact of his own making—a veil-magic containment device.

Trapped in a pitch-black space, he had no idea where he was.

Ever since the First Prince had decided to “hold back” on him.

Even after answering every question.

“You said Lillian hates underground spaces.”

That was true.

Lillian hated dark places.

“Why?”

Because when she acted stupid, she’d been locked underground for days.

“Why?”

Did the First Prince die in a previous life leaving behind the last words Why? or something?

That thought showed on his face—and earned him another round of “holding back.”

“What happened there?”

Lillian had acted stupid, so her hair had been cut.

That was why the side of her hair was still shorter than the back.

I didn’t do it.

Iris did.

She said the pink hair was creepy.

She hated it when her cousin stood out even a little more than her.

The First Prince narrowed one eye and smiled.

“Does it matter to me whether you did it?”

Then why the hell ask?!

His expression slipped again—another round.

After that, the First Prince and the Shadows treated Ramio like a mouse to be toyed with.

As if he were entertainment for the journey.

Ramio screamed at Elias, who had come to supervise.

“Bring Lillian here!”

“No.”

Dismissed outright.

Then he rolled again.

Next, Jeanne and the other Shadows came.

“You knew the Young Duke Favil was deceiving the Lady, didn’t you?”

“Is it true he was fooling around with your sister?”

Ramio didn’t even have the strength to ask why Lillian was suddenly being called the Lady.

He answered obediently.

“Ah… yes, I knew—”

“Roll.”

So he rolled.

It was worse than imperial knight training.

Having achieved profound enlightenment, Ramio prostrated himself and begged.

“P-please… call Lillian—”

“…That’s not possible.”

“Please… Lillian noona…”

“…The Lady is eating right now.”

In that moment, Ramio forgot every scrap of enlightenment he’d earned.

He wailed.

“Lilliaaaan—!”

Why was food in her mouth more important than his suffering?!

“…We’ll need to start over from the beginning.”

Elias delivered his objective assessment.

Like a stone rolling down a slope, Ramio kept rolling.

There was no end in sight.

While resting on the road back to the capital, Lillian tilted her head as she looked at the supply wagon at the rear of the procession.

“What is Sir Elias doing in that wagon?”

The one who answered was Jeanne.

They’d naturally grown closer—she was easygoing, attentive, and answered questions well.

Though occasionally… she gave strange answers.

“Sir Elias is conducting mental re-education.”

“…?”

In a wagon? How?

But Lillian didn’t press further.

If an esper was doing it, then that was explanation enough.

“And, Lady… what is that you’re holding?”

“It’s a prototype I made at the temple.”

She hadn’t spent all her time repairing the princess’s artifact.

That had been easy.

With plenty of tools and materials on hand, she’d made more.

Lillian set the box down and took out a silver bangle.

It had a single twisted accent—elegant yet practical.

Something knights could wear easily.

“Sir Jeanne, would you like to test it first?”

“Yes, Lady.”

“After putting it on, fire your ability repeatedly at that target over there.”

A target had already been hung on a tree.

“Repeatedly means…?”

“About fifty times?”

“…I’ll try.”

Espers had superior physical ability.

Even so, firing fifty consecutive shots was exhausting.

Whether it was possible remained to be seen—but Jeanne slipped the thin silver bangle on without hesitation.

Shadows gathered nearby, curiosity sparkling.

Jeanne focused and extended her hand toward the target.

Baltasar-line espers drew on the power of the earth.

The ground vibrated beneath her feet, and sharp spikes of stone and gravel erupted upward.

Hit after hit. Then another.

Those watching held their breath.

“Wow…”

Soon the target was utterly shredded—yet every strike landed dead center.

As everyone stared in awe, Lillian asked the dazed Jeanne,

“How is it?”

“My concentration—and when channeling my ability, there’s no dulling at all!”

“That’s the effect of the bangle,” Lillian said calmly.
“It reduces fatigue when using abilities.”