IATVWAMOLS 70

70. Endure It, Villainess Route – If You Don’t Want the Express Train!

[Admin: ヘ(°◇ °)ノ]
[Admin: Aaaah, endure it!]
[Admin: Contract killing is the express train of the villainess route—!]

I glared silently at the message window, and the admin tried to stop me.

“Sigh.”

Yeah, I know.

Given my role, I have to use the gentlest methods possible.

I tore my gaze away from the chat and patted her back.

“Count Vermon said that if you accept the invitation, he would forgive the interest due immediately, and if you agree to the proposal, he would erase the entire debt.”

“Cowardly…”

If fists won’t work, then luck is the answer.

I checked the Luck Point shop and my item list.

At the Luck Point shop, the immediately usable functions were <Original Work Search>, <Check Expected Ending>, <Peek at Male Lead Keywords>, and <Check Affection Level>.

None seemed particularly helpful in the current situation.

So I passed on those.

‘The items I recently got using a lottery ticket…’

I had <Your Honor, I Am Unjustly Accused>, <Invincible Shield, Male Lead Shield>, and <Luck Up! Item Enhancement Ticket>.

“Hmm.”

<Your Honor, I Am Unjustly Accused> was for influencing public opinion, and <Invincible Shield, Male Lead Shield> was for romance with the male lead.

Which item to use would depend on the situation.

‘I was saving them for emergencies.’

It felt a little wasteful to use items that could help me on someone else, but investing in the heroine was worth it.

After all, this world revolves around the main character.

If I become a benefactor to the heroine early on, maybe someday it will help me.

So this isn’t devotion—it’s an investment. An investment in the heroine stock.

“What should I do, Your Highness?”

Seraphine looked up at me with pleading eyes, as if asking for help.

“…Given the situation, would it be alright if I visit Count Vermon’s residence with Lady Seraphine tomorrow?”

As soon as I got home, I explained the situation to Icart.

“What?”

Icart, who was writing up a contract, furrowed his brows at my cautious question.

“Why are you going there? And with that… stalker-like young lady?”

“She’s not a stalker. She’s a friend.”

The real stalker existed separately—calling Seraphine one was ridiculous.

I answered seriously, but Icart was firm.

“No, I’ve been suspicious ever since that young lady started acting overly close to you. Even now, she’s using you, isn’t she?”

If Seraphine heard that, she would have cried.

‘If anything, I’m willingly letting her use me.’

With my missing father and sick mother, it’s almost as if my family life is a cliché tragedy.

Being stuck in the middle of such crafted misfortune, having to tiptoe carefully, was really pitiful.

Especially knowing what kind of person Count Vermon is, I felt even more sorry for her.

But even with my persuasion, Icart didn’t seem to budge.

“Anyway, make sure you don’t get tangled up with that young lady from now on.”

“But—”

“Roselia.”

Icart’s eyes glowed sharply.

I shivered under that piercing gaze.

“I don’t care what you think of the young lady, but do you even know her family situation properly?”

“…I’ve heard a little about their debts. That her parents aren’t in good circumstances either.”

“Good. Then you understand why the Blaine family ended up in such a state.”

Icart brought up something unexpected.

The Blaine family had supported a small orphanage in the southern territory for generations, but a fire occurred there over a decade ago.

It wasn’t arson—the orphanage director had been negligent—but the damage was enormous.

The entire building burned down, and even the children inside lost their lives.

“Officially, it was called an accident, but at the time, there were rumors someone set the fire deliberately.”

“Who would do such a horrible thing—”

“Among the suspects was even Count Blaine. Of course, he was released due to lack of evidence.”

“…!”

“Later, during compensation and damage control, it became quite chaotic. Count Blaine disappeared while paying compensation, and his wife fell ill from the shock.”

Icart nonchalantly handed over some documents.

“At first, people were outraged, but since most victims had no relatives, the case faded over time.”

“I had no idea that happened.”

“No wonder—you’d barely know. It’s already been fifteen years.”

This was another story never mentioned in the original work.

“Since then, the Blaine family seems to barely manage with estate income, though I heard they recently sold part of it.”

“Is that when Lady Seraphine came to the capital?”

“Probably.”

“….”

I recalled the Blaine residence I had seen.

A house far too small to be called a mansion, rundown, with no lavish decorations or even basic furniture.

The only people maintaining order were the old butler and the nanny.

“I feel sorry for the young lady’s situation, but you don’t need to get involved in her family’s troubles either.”

“….”

“You know Count Vermon is a despicable man. Let the young lady handle her family matters herself.”

Icart concluded decisively.

Just then—

Ding!

[Admin: (°∀°)b]
[Admin: Kyaaa!]
[Admin: Honestly, that’s right, don’t you agree?]

…Whose side is this person even on?

[Admin: Icart may seem cold, but he actually cares about you a lot.]
[Admin: Am I the only one who feels that way? Am I seeing it through my delusion filter again???]

No, it’s exactly as he said.

Icart’s judgment was extremely wise, and I could sense his concern for me.

So—

“Brother, you also have matters to settle with Count Vermon, right?”

I was planning to create a situation where I could help Icart as well.

“Finally, you’ve arrived! It’s an honor to invite Lady Seraphine.”

The next day, at Count Vermon’s residence.

He personally came to greet them, grinning at Seraphine, but upon seeing the other guests, his expression immediately soured.

“…Lady Roselia and our client, of course, welcome as well.”

When he met Icart’s gaze, he forced a stiff smile.

‘Well, it’s inevitable to feel uncomfortable.’

This time, Icart had brought some of the duke’s staff, including Kaien.

[Where my master goes, I shall follow. I swore loyalty to him.]

I had intended to leave him at home, but Kaien insisted so firmly I had no choice but to bring him.

‘He works well, but his eccentricities worry me.’

I watched Kaien mingling with the staff, hoping he wouldn’t cause a major incident.

“Please, come inside.”

Count Vermon gestured inward.

True to his reputation as one of the wealthiest in the empire, his residence was overwhelmingly grand.

A fountain adorned in gold, and a glass greenhouse full of tropical plants mimicking a foreign forest, left a deep impression.

Inside, lavish and somewhat bizarre decorations greeted us, including a sofa inlaid with magic stones.

“What’s this? I’ve never seen a sofa inlaid with magic stones before.”

I asked, quietly observing the room.

Magic stones were rare and difficult to refine, making even small amounts expensive.

And yet, a sofa embedded with arm-sized magic stones—that was extravagance itself.

Count Vermon answered proudly.

“You recognize it. These purification magic stones are primarily used to absorb magic or purify poison, but they also neutralize negative energy, providing mental stability and restoring vitality.”

“Purification magic stones have that effect too?”

“Didn’t you know? Just sitting on this sofa improves metabolism, clears your mind, and restores energy. It’s especially beneficial for men—”

“….”

I roughly understood it as similar to a germanium bracelet, anion lamp, or hexagonal water purifier.

“Tsk.”

Icart looked openly unimpressed.

After the showy room tour, Count Vermon led the guests to the dining hall.

“Please, young lady, take a seat here.”

“Oh, yes. Thank you.”

Count Vermon personally pulled out the chair beside him for Seraphine.

She hesitated but sat, straightening her back, clearly tense.

He asked in a gentle voice: