It’s Sunny But I’m Depressed – Chapter 11

Author: B0ucha

Chapter 11: The Hidden Villain is a Rabbit (6)

Ilena concealed her frustration and began to think quickly. In a crisis, her previously foggy mind started to work rapidly again. For now, they didn’t know they had been scammed in a secondhand deal.

If they found out she couldn’t control the weather as a priestess or that she had no memories of being Ilena, the priestess, who knows what they might do.

‘Remember, the original male lead. Don’t forget, electric torture.’

The Black King frowned slightly at her calm demeanor.

“How exactly does this weather-controlling ability work? Why is it influenced by emotions?”

Ilena didn’t answer immediately and calmly sipped her tea. As the silence stretched, the Black King, who had been lounging on the sofa, leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees and his chin on his hands. Leaning towards the other person.

It meant he was anxious. It also meant he wanted more information. Ilena had been practically running a conglomerate from behind the scenes as a third-generation chaebol.

‘I’ve never lost in this kind of information war.’

She was about to show the negotiation skills of a chaebol third-generation who had worked to the point of burnout.

‘First, don’t reveal all your cards.’

Ilena deliberately sipped her tea again, pretending to be relaxed. The Black King’s expression grew colder, perhaps thinking she was hiding something.

“We paid a massive cost, giving up a mine just to bring you here. …You don’t want torture or threats either, do you?”

The Black King growled.

“I’m trying to find a compromise.”

She understood why he was called the Black Leopard of the desert. It was an overwhelming intimidation, like facing a wild animal.

“Well, there was a reason for the abnormal climate to appear first. Think about that.”

Ilena spoke in her usual monotone, expressionless voice. She intentionally used an ambiguous expression as if she knew something.

‘In reality, I know nothing.’

Ilena calmly sipped her tea again. The fact that it started 10 years ago meant it happened suddenly one day. And they must have their own theories about the reason. In short, she was just guessing. As expected, the Black King and Andre both looked troubled.

Especially Andre, who couldn’t hide his expression, showed clear guilt on his face.

“Was the abnormal climate really a divine punishment for mankind’s original sin?”

The Black King spoke with a complicated expression.

‘Gotcha.’

Ilena smirked inwardly. Of course, outwardly, she maintained her usual poker face. She imitated a solemn tone and said,

“Yes. I am the messenger sent by God to this land. Should you really be threatening someone like me? Think about what the world was like when the abnormal climate first appeared.”

As she said this, Ilena deliberately handed her empty teacup to Andre.

“That’s true. Really.”

Andre joined the conversation naturally as he refilled her tea.

“When the island first emerged, the eternal snow that was said to be a sign of God’s promise not to punish this land with fire and brimstone again melted.”

“…Yes. That eternal snow on the mountain… was it?”

Eternal snow? In this tropical island, there was only one mountain high enough to have eternal snow. The tall mountain in the center, visible from anywhere on the island. Once again, her near-miraculous guess was spot on.

Andre nodded innocently as he set down the teapot.

“Yes, yes. Of course. On the sacred Mount Aufus. The mountain where Jake, the first human to arrive on this island, offered a burnt sacrifice.”

“Yes, that place.”

Ilena nodded shamelessly.

“You’re a natural-born X.”

The words of her eldest brother, who often mocked her after losing negotiations to her, suddenly came to mind. Andre, oblivious to everything, sighed deeply with a rare serious expression.

“It used to be incredibly beautiful, a place where the snow never melted no matter how hot it got.”

So, to summarize the information so far. Outwardly, she remained still, but Ilena’s mind was racing. About 10 years ago, the eternal snow on the mountain that the islanders believed to be sacred melted, and the abnormal climate began.

In the north, she, as the priestess, appeared and avoided disasters caused by the abnormal climate, even starting a war. And for some reason, the islanders believed all of this was divine punishment. Is that why they call her a priestess?

‘Why wasn’t this information in the original?’

At this point, it would have been better not to read the book and just possess the character. Ilena was grumbling internally when it happened.

“But how long will this last?”

The Black King spoke in a sorrowful tone. Ilena, who had been lost in thought, looked at him in surprise.

“It’s been 10 years. It’s been 10 years since not a drop of rain has fallen on this land. When will God’s wrath end?”

He leaned back on the sofa with a face full of deep fatigue.

“So many people are suffering. So many people…”

Suddenly, the man who was like a black leopard looked a little weary.

‘…Almost as much as I was in my previous life.’

“The weather is definitely influenced by my emotions.”

Ilena said abruptly. It was the only thing she was sure of. That one fact was clearly stated in the original. Moreover, when she was in the north, it sometimes drizzled, but since coming here, it’s only been cloudy, probably because her depression had slightly improved.

“So, are you intentionally maintaining those cloudy emotions?”

The Black King frowned deeply. Half right, half wrong. It wasn’t intentional; she just couldn’t control it, but Ilena kept her mouth shut. She wouldn’t be foolish enough to reveal her weaknesses. Even if she felt sorry for the Black King and his people, she had to prioritize her own survival.

He seemed to have a softer side than expected, but she couldn’t fully trust the hidden villain.

“That must be… very difficult.”

The Black King suddenly muttered.

‘Huh? Did I just hear something strange?’

“But if you are truly God’s messenger, why does God’s blessing only fall on the north?”

The Black King sharply glared at Ilena again. Still an overwhelming intimidation. Ilena recalled once more how his thick body and arms, and those large hands, had mercilessly slapped a knight.

‘I must have misheard earlier.’

Ilena shook her head to dismiss the strange premonition that had briefly surfaced. When Ilena clammed up again, the Black King’s expression froze over with coldness.

“We are at the end of our rope. We have treated the priestess with the utmost respect until now… but if you continue to keep silent, we will have no choice but to take stronger measures.”

‘But… even if you keep asking… I really don’t know…’

Ilena swallowed her tears inside. She had no information from the original story, nor any memories of what Ilena had experienced.

‘Talking my way out is reaching its limit. What should I do?’

In the midst of the chilling tension, while she was pondering, there was a knock at the office door. Ilena cheered inwardly.

‘They call me a priestess. It seems God is on my side.’

Ilena quickly said,

“It seems you have a visitor.”

“Tsk. Come in!”

The Black King shouted, and the door swung open. Someone staggered in, arms full of papers stacked up to their head.

‘How did they even walk to this office?’

They must have either the ability to see through obstacles or be so familiar with the palace that they’ve memorized its layout. Most likely the latter, as the man mumbled to himself, unaware of the guests in the room.

“Your Highness! They’re raising the price of water imports from the east again! Those greedy pigs! They must have plenty of water because of the floods! They’re getting more aggressive after hearing we gave up a mine in the north.”

He babbled on as if he had a motor in his mouth. A rather familiar voice. The bespectacled servant who had been fussing behind the Black King in the kitchen.

‘Was he this kind of character?’

He seemed more solemn and serious when he was standing behind the Black King. Despite not being able to see at all, he confidently approached the desk, chattering like a magpie.

“Phew… The north is also demanding higher prices for silk this time. What a mess because of one priestess! Honestly, I didn’t like that pale, expressionless face from the first time I saw it.”

At that moment, both the Black King and Andre looked at her. Ilena blinked.

‘Is that… backbiting?’

“Oter.”

The Black King called his name somewhat urgently.

“Yes, Your Highness. Just a moment? Oh, why are there so many papers? This workload is all because of that priestess, isn’t it?”

‘This jerk…?’

Ilena stared at his back with an expressionless face. Why was even that her fault? Once you fall out of favor, everything seems annoying. With no space on the desk, he placed the papers on the floor and stood up.

“Anyway. Even though we’re overflowing with money thanks to Orichalcum, it’s impossible to meet all those pigs’ demands. So… eek!”

The man turned around, startled, and jumped. Letting out an unexpectedly cute scream.

“…”

An awkward silence filled the office for a moment.

“…I didn’t realize there were guests. I apologize for my rudeness.”

He spoke with a solemn and serious expression. It had little effect after hearing that strange ‘eek’ scream.

“Yes, Oter.”

The Black King awkwardly rubbed his lips with his hand and glanced at Ilena.

“The priestess doesn’t seem inclined to speak further, so let’s adjourn for now.”

He seemed eager to send them away quickly. The monocle-wearing servant also looked down with an awkward expression.

‘Well, it must be awkward.’

Ilena thought cynically.