The Regret Novel Female Lead with Unbreakable Mentality Chapter 75

I shot up from where I was lying. Looking around again, all I could see were stark white walls.

 

“This is an illusion, isn’t it?!”

 

I waved my hands wildly, glaring at Coocoo, who had dragged me into this illusion. Judging by how my mana was draining in real time, it seemed Coocoo was using my mana to create this illusion.

 

“Hey, Coocoo. Spill it. Why did you make this illusion? If it’s not important, you’re getting turned into dragon fries today.”

 

“Coo! (Dragon fries?! You monster!)”

 

“So, hurry up and tell me what’s going on, then let me out of here.”

 

Coocoo’s wings drooped, and a white willow warbler appeared from between it.

 

“Huh? Isn’t that the guardian of the Sirentium Family?”

 

It looked exactly like the bird I’d seen at that door. The bird spread its wings like arms and bowed deeply before me.

 

“Krrr! (Rise, O mighty ruler of the phantasmal beasts!)”

 

“Cut the flattery. What’s this about?”

 

“Krrr! (They’re trying to exploit Riwes forever!)”

 

I ignored most of the incomprehensible words, but my eyes snapped open at the mention of Riwes. “Why?”

 

“Krrrr. (Because they think Lady Elesa, the marquis’s daughter, died because of the Kalinos family.)”

 

“…Is that true? Did they kill her?”

 

“Krr! (Of course not! Why would you even suspect that?!)”

 

Well, it’s because their family gives off major villain vibes.

 

After the willow warbler scolded me a bit more, I finally got to hear the rest. Here’s what I learned. The willow warbler had the power to manipulate people’s minds, and the Sirentium family had been abusing that ability for brainwashing. They’d especially used the willow warbler to brainwash Riwes and those around him to suit their own whims. To think they’d torment an innocent child out of anger over their daughter’s death.

 

I was so dumbfounded, so I had to say something. “What? They think Elesa would’ve wanted that? That’s just insane.”

 

“Krrr. (Exactly! My thoughts exactly, O ruler!)”

 

If you love your daughter, shouldn’t you love your grandchild too?

 

“It’s simple. Their daughter died, so they’re angry, but since it’s the Kalinos family, they can’t show it openly.”

 

“…”

 

“So the anger just built up and twisted into something abnormal. And now that the Kalinos family is acting all submissive…”

 

“Krrrr. (Are you a genius?)”

 

“They probably got a thrill out of it, and now they’re greedy, thinking they can control the Kalinos family.” I wrapped up the situation neatly. “This is why people shouldn’t let themselves grow old and ugly. Taking out your anger on a kid? That’s not what a decent adult does.”

 

As I ruffled the willow warbler’s scruffy wings, I muttered. “So, did you come here to report them?”

 

“Krrrr. (This time, those vile b*stards tried to use my power again to brainwash Riwes and you.)”

 

“Then just don’t lend them your power.”

 

“Krr. (That’s impossible. I’m bound to this family by contract. The previous Marquis Sirentium possessed a special ability called ‘phantasmal beast dominion.’ Even after his death, his power still lingers in this mansion, and I’ve lived under its control for a very, very long time…)”

 

“Coo! (But Giselle, you have dominion too! Now you can control this bird, and even take over this whole mansion!)”

 

I ignored Coocoo, who was starting to lay out some grand plan, and asked, “So, if you helped those b*stards, you must know where they keep all the documents with their dirty secrets, right?”

 

“Krr! (That’s right! They’re piled up in that room only blood relatives can enter!)”

 

If I wanted to strip them of custody through legal means, I’d need those documents.

 

I nodded. “Alright, good. I’ll steal those documents and set you free. So, how do I free you?”

 

If I released the willow warbler that had kept the family’s secrets, all of Sirentium’s crimes would come to light, and the whole house would collapse. I was planning to cause a proper ruckus anyway, so this wasn’t a bad development for me.

 

“Krr. (Because Lady Giselle is stronger than the previous head of Sirentium, if you overwhelm his lingering power with your own, I’ll naturally be released!)”

 

“Hm? So what exactly do I need to do?”

 

The willow warbler flapped its wings rapidly and cried out, “Krrrr! (Ma-Marquis Sirentium is trying to brainwash Riwes again! Please, you must come right now!)”

 

No, seriously, what exactly do you want me to do?!

 

As the bird’s voice faded, a deep, low voice pierced my ear.

 

“…le, Giselle!”

 

“Yes? Duke?” Startled, I scrambled to my feet.

 

Duke Kalinos, his face expressionless to the point of being frightening, whispered, “Riwes is gone. And it happened so suddenly.”

 

“Ah.”

 

“It’s as if someone used some bizarre magic.”

 

At his words, I immediately stood up. When I pressed a hand to my chest, I could feel my mana heart brimming with power.

 

“I think I know where he is. Let’s go save him, right now!”

 

* * *

I stared at the door, adorned with a bird carving, and let out a hollow laugh.

 

“Rahana Sirentium. What are you doing standing in front of this door at such a late hour?”

 

“…And what about you, Madam?”

 

As I approached the door, still firmly shut as always, Rahana stepped toward me, almost as if to threaten me.

 

“It’s the middle of the night. Why are you out here?”

 

“I could ask you the same thing.”

 

“…I have business here, that’s all. Not that you could open this door anyway. I’ll just head back to my room.”

 

At that moment, Duke Kalinos, who’d been standing quietly behind me like a shadow, spoke sharply. “Where is Riwes?”

 

“I don’t know. Didn’t you take him? Riwes, I mean.”

 

Duke Kalinos lifted the dagger at his waist and fixed Rahana with a cold stare. “No, you know. You’d better start talking.”

 

“Duke Kalinos, please calm down. Whether she knows or not, she’s not going to tell us.” I fixed my gaze on her stiff, defiant posture and gave her a bright smile. “You know, I’ve always wondered about something. Why do people in power always go out of their way to build up to it when they’re tormenting those weaker or worse than themselves?”

 

“…What do you mean by that?”

 

I’d always been curious. I mean, isn’t it just so frustrating?

 

“They could just smash everything to pieces from the start.”

 

I grinned at Marchioness Sirentium, who appeared behind Rahana. “You know, there are some nasty rumors about me. That I’m crazy, or something like that.”

 

For a moment, tension flickered across both women’s faces.

 

I smiled sweetly and pulled out something I’d prepared. “Honestly, they’re right. I am crazy.”

 

There was a reason I’d been so well-behaved until now, just so you know.

 

“The door here won’t open, so that pis~ses Giselle very much. That’s why Giselle is just going to blow it up.”

 

“Wait, Madam!”

 

“That’s right, you probably guessed—it’s a bomb switch.” With the magic artifact in my hand, I grinned wickedly.

 

“Du-Duke Kalinos! Please, stop her!”

 

It looked like they’d decided to cling to Duke Kalinos, who was now the truly terrifying one, rather than try to reason with me. But was that really the right choice?

 

“Why should I?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“If my wife wants an explosion, then let her explode it.” With a completely indifferent expression, Duke Kalinos pulled a monocle from the inner pocket of his handkerchief case. “I brought my glasses so I can get a better look.”

 

Rahana glanced frantically between me and Duke Kalinos, then started backing away in a panic. “S-She’s out of her mind.”

 

“Yeah, a little bit.”

 

“Mo-Mother, r-run!”

 

Whether Rahana bolted or not, I just grinned and, with a click, pressed the switch.

 

“Coocoo! (It’s burning up!)” At that moment, the damn tiny, adorable dragon that had sucked up all my mana soared into the air.

 

The door carved with the willow warbler exploded with a thunderous roar. And at the same time, the entire Sirentium mansion, inside and out, burst into flames.