The Abandoned Villainess Decides to Take It All Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Hey—You Original-Story Villain

Three days into traveling with the villain’s group.

Lillian was still doing remarkably well—turning crisis into opportunity.

After all, a self-employed person knew how to keep customers no matter the situation.

The Shadows had been hesitant at first, but one by one, they began bringing their artifacts to her with care.

“Um… could you fix this too?”
“Of course.”

They must have used them roughly—there were plenty of small malfunctions.

They knew that messing with the artifacts themselves would only cause trouble, so they had left them alone.

Which meant that even a so-called “patch job” showed results immediately.

“Whoa, it’s like new.”
“No wonder my output felt weaker. This was why!”
“The circuit was about to snap—this saved it!”

Those who had once eyed her with suspicion now stepped back respectfully, offering quiet bows.

Humans really did need practical skills.

Not just in her past life—this world, too, was clearly heading into an age of craftsmanship.

And it wasn’t just artifact repair.

Lillian sold out her family with her whole soul.

Specifically—to Elias Baltazar, who had been the villain’s right hand in the original story.

“There’s a hidden shortcut to the mines this way. A straight path—you won’t need to detour through the valley.”
“…How do you know about a route like this?”
“Because I’m a Tillard.”

Actually, Iris figured it out.

“Besides Aeterna, more control-stone veins are scheduled for development. In the south—Derby. In the west—Rencal…”
“…How could you possibly know that?”
“Heehee. Top-secret Tillard information.”

Compared to survival, a few family secrets were nothing.

Elias eyed Lillian suspiciously.

“…Don’t expect us to clean up the mess after you leak Tillard secrets like this.”
“Oh, of course.”

It was better to think of it as a life-insurance premium—and forget it.

She’d learned that painfully after dying in a hospital in her previous life.

Lillian gazed faintly at the northern mountain range.

Once I cross that, I’m free.

Goodbye in advance, you pigheaded empire.

“It’s fine. This journey will be my last one anyway…”
“……”
“It’s better to travel light when leaving.”

One final stab at the family should clear her conscience nicely.

Back at the camp tent, Lillian took out her sketchbook.

She needed to record designs to sell in the kingdom.

But just as she lifted her pencil, a languid voice came from across the tent.

“What are you doing, Lady Tillard?”

Lillian hurriedly closed the sketchbook.

The villain stood over her, backlit.

“So you have a hobby of drawing.”
“Yes. Inspiration comes with running away from home.”
“Hm.”

He smiled—clearly uninterested.

He was beautiful, like one of the world’s male leads.

And yet Lillian’s spine chilled.

Why?

Is he sizing me up to kill me?

Did he even realize his own condition right now?

There’s a mark under his left eye…

A translucent red pattern, like a spiderweb.

She recalled a line from the original novel.

“…It was magic left behind by the First Empress.
A safeguard—so that if her son ever intended to harm another, the sign would appear on his skin.
She hoped others would notice and avoid him…
But the mark appeared only rarely.
Only under extreme destructive impulse.”

Why is he showing that to me?

She’d guided him to the mines.
Fixed his subordinates’ artifacts.

Wasn’t that enough—even without a grand gesture?

Honestly, she felt more wronged than scared.

But the early bird catches the worm.

Maybe even a mad dog had reasons to be diligent about going mad.

In any case, there was only one way to suppress that destructive urge right now.

I need jerky to throw at the mad dog.

Silently, swiftly, Lillian slid her hand into her bag.

Interesting.

Ebren Tarandia stared at Lillian without blinking.

Right now, his ability was losing its mind.

This scent is driving me crazy.
I like it so much I could die.
I like it so much I want to break it right now.

What a mess.

Reacting to a powerless person—had the monster cores finally ruined his senses?

A woman of the Tillard house, no less.

Just then, Lillian gently cupped one cheek and smiled brightly.

“Your Highness, I realized my thanks for allowing me to accompany you came too late—so please accept them now.”

“Hm? A hypocritical Tillard expressing gratitude? Is it a special occasion?”

“Oh my. You’re joking.”

She pulled a brooch from her bag.

In her pale, soft hand, it shimmered faintly.

“Do you recognize it? It’s a brooch-type artifact that aids esper recovery.”
“I remember. You acquired this at an auction five years ago.”
“You remember? I’m honored—”
“You spread false rumors that other items had recovery effects, then raised bids by ten gold each time to provoke buyers and secure this one.”
“……”
“Impressive. I got chills watching it.”
“Oh ho ho. Our family budget was tight at the time.”
“Hm. Strange how the great Tillard house was suddenly frugal then.”

Ebren smiled, eyes narrowing.

His instincts kept whispering in his ear.

Can I break it now?

Just wait a little.

Part of him wanted to make that perfectly smiling face cry—just a bit.

“People say that possessing a gemstone for espers can enhance a controller’s abilities.”
“……”
“You bought it because of that superstition, didn’t you? You’re powerless, after all.”

He waited for her reaction.

If she cried or got scared…

Just imagining it drained his interest.

If the reaction was predictable, maybe he’d squeeze out the information he wanted and discard her.

But then Lillian smiled faintly.

“You’re right. There was someone else who should have had it. I was simply greedy.”
“…?”
“I won’t make that mistake again. I plan to live within my means.”

She held the brooch out, waiting.

“And since it’s useless to me, please accept it.”

The silence lasted longer than expected.

Ebren slowly turned away.

“Put it away.”
“…Pardon?”
“It’s already a meaningless stone.”

He brushed her off coldly and walked away.

It was far too late for such an item to have any effect.

Why does this leave such a bad taste in my mouth?

She offered it willingly.

Yet it felt like she was telling him to take it and get lost.

And wasn’t she the woman who used to cling desperately at auctions?

Did she not notice people mocking her from behind?

Vulgar.
Haggling like a merchant at auctions—how tasteless.
So different from Lady Iris.

He spoke to the aide who approached him.

“Elias. What do you call it when someone does something completely out of character?”
“…?”

After a moment’s thought, Elias answered,
“My first thought would be… suicidal intent.”

“Hm? Even if that someone is Lillian Tillard?”
“…What? Ah—!”

Elias looked even more troubled.

“Actually… I also found something odd about the Tillards.”
“Why?”
“All the information she’s given us has proven accurate. If that’s the case… this won’t end with her simply running away.”
“True.”
“She said this would be her last escape. That may be a metaphor… for death.”

Ebren frowned.

Strangely, hearing that made him feel even worse.

After watching the villain leave to speak with his aide, Lillian smiled faintly.

“Hah…”

“I survived…!”

She should thank her past self for reading the original so carefully.

And for bringing that jewelry with the intention of selling it.

Be useful—but never show greed. Don’t grovel either.

It was the warm iced Americano approach.

But really—what could she do, when that man was like that?

Alright. I just need to toss him jerky like this whenever necessary.

Whenever the villain showed destructive urges, she’d throw one.

Even if a war breaks out, please don’t flip the board like a lunatic.

Power struggles affected other nations too.

I just want an easy life.

Not one where she clawed for love—but one where being discarded brought peace.

Still, after speaking with the prince…

“Mm…”

She felt a strange heat creeping up.

I should cross the border as soon as possible.