BJ Villainess Chapter 332

40. Wish

 

The empire was gripped by fear due to unexpected abnormal weather. The world was ending. Everyone could instinctively feel it. Then, a miracle happened.

 

“What is that?”

 

A giant tree suddenly grew where Marquis Vallensia’s residence had been. The tree, which glowed with a soft light, grew to an enormous size in just five days and bore lush leaves despite the winter season. At the same time, the world, which had seemed on the verge of collapse, became astonishingly quiet. People quickly realized that the tree had saved the world.

 

“God hasn’t abandoned us!”

 

“Of course. There must have been some misunderstanding.”

 

While everyone was celebrating with toasts.

 

“Wow, it’s amazing to see it in person.”

 

A man with the face of a rabbit, the mane of a lion, and the body of a human appeared, looking around. He was twice as tall as anyone else, making it impossible for him to go unnoticed.

 

“Uaaah! It’s a magical beast! Must be a magical beast!”

 

People panicked when they saw this strange-looking creature whose identity was unknown. And it wasn’t the only one of its kind that appeared.

 

“Whoa! So, the security system was turned off, and now we can really enter < God’s Play>?”

 

“I’m heading to Valhalla!”

 

“Is this the way to the Duke Squire’s residence?”

 

“Where are the male protagonists? I really want to see them in person!”

 

“Is it really okay to just barge in like this, even though the security was breached?”

 

“Who cares? All the broadcasts are down, and it’s annoying, so this works out perfectly.”

 

The constellations had entered < God’s Play>.

 

* * *

As soon as I left the dormitory, I felt the cold wrapping around my entire body. The past when I said goodbye to Zion had been a pleasant early summer. Perhaps that’s why the smell of the cold winter felt unfamiliar, but this temperature felt warmer than a cozy blanket.

 

I had finally returned home. That fact made even winter feel like spring.

 

“This feels like a normal cold.”

 

That sentiment was brief. Although a quick glance suggested the dimension had stabilized, there could still be unknown problems, so I checked the ground for any signs of issues.

 

“Good. The core has settled.”

 

The world, which had once relied on the coins supplied by Ozworld, could now exist independently. Relieved by this, I was about to go look for Clyde.

 

“Wow! It’s Theresa!”

 

“…?”

 

“Oh my. I think I’m the first to find Theresa! I’ve been wanting to see you! I’m ‘Pure Child’!”

 

A cons…tellation?

 

“How did you get in here?”

 

“All the servers of the Pantheon went down, so the security system shut off. Normally, constellations couldn’t enter the broadcast, but thanks to that, we could come into < God’s Play>!”

 

“Who did this?”

 

“I don’t know either! Unless you’re part of the management committee, you can’t access the security system!”

 

Was it too much to think that this system malfunction was Ozworld’s doing?

 

“Aah… Then, a lot of other constellations must be here too?”

 

“Of course. Everyone’s been wanting to come!”

 

“Oh…”

 

“I’ve been dying to see that expression in real life.”

 

I spread my energy around to find other constellations. The numbers are increasing quickly.

 

The constellations were invading Valhalla and poking around everywhere. The place they gathered the most was the main hall. Probably because it was the main stage of < God’s Play>, their interest seemed particularly high.

 

I immediately headed to the main hall. As I expected, the hall was packed with constellations, swarming like tourists visiting a famous spot. As soon as they saw me, they became ecstatic.

 

“Theresa is here!”

 

“Waaah! It’s Theresa!”

 

I didn’t sense any clear malice from the constellations. However, there was a sense of superiority. To them, their sense of entitlement was greater than any consumer’s tantrum. As Ozworld had said, I and this broadcast were their toys, so they believed they could act as they pleased.

 

The gap in power is insurmountable.

 

I understood why they were like this. But now, the gap had narrowed enough that I didn’t have to accept their antics anymore. No, they had entered an area where they could never defy me.

 

I placed a finger on my lips. “Shh.”

 

Instantly, the noisy main hall became silent. The constellations, stunned, looked at me in confusion.

 

“It seems we need some new rules. This is not a world for the constellations to live in.”

 

Woong— Golden rings appeared, responding to my will.

 

“Rule one: Uninvited guests must follow my commands.”

 

One of the many rings disappeared.

 

“Rule two: Uninvited guests cannot destroy this world.”

 

Another ring disappeared.

 

“Rule three: Uninvited guests cannot enter this world.”

 

Three rings in total vanished. They would now encircle the dimension, functioning as firm rules.

 

I spoke the activation phrase. “Now, leave my house.”

 

All the constellations that had filled the hall disappeared. Not only those in the hall but all the constellations that had entered the dimension without permission were banished to the Pantheon.

 

At that moment, I heard a cautious voice calling me.

 

“Lady Theresa…?”

 

The people of Duke Willow’s house, who had been hiding from the constellations, emerged with dazed expressions.

 

Before I left, I said to them, “It’s okay now.”

 

Next, I moved to Duke Squire’s residence. As expected, the vassals were in full defense mode, as the constellations had barged in there as well. But the person leading the defense was neither Raul nor Libby. It was Clyde who had formed a defensive line to protect the duke’s residence. He must have come to protect it, knowing I was in Valhalla.

 

I immediately ran to Clyde and hugged him with all my strength.

 

I missed you. Have you been well? I’m sorry for making you wait so long. Thank you. I love you… The embrace between us overflowed with countless unsaid words.

 

I had missed him terribly. And I was overwhelmed with joy that nothing could compare to. Moreover, I felt a solid affection that I was sure would never break.

 

“Clyde.”

 

With all the emotions swirling inside me, the only word I could manage was his name. But I felt that was enough. Because he’s my everything.

 

Clyde embraced me even more tenderly as if he understood everything. Even though it had only been five years since I had last seen him, it had been so hard. I couldn’t even imagine how much greater his longing must have been.

 

“Ahem…”

 

A sudden cough from nearby made me turn my head in surprise.

 

…Ah. Right. This is my house.\

 

“You ungrateful child. Can’t you see your father standing here?” Raul pretended to scold me, though his face contorted with emotion as he hurriedly wiped his eyes.

 

Libby, too, was smiling like a fool with teary eyes, her arms wide open.

 

“Sister? Sister is back?!” Giuseppe, who had been hidden by the adults, rushed out, pushing through the crowd.

 

Roseanne was also approaching, having heard the news.

 

Clyde whispered in my ear, “Go to them.” He gently pushed me towards my family.

 

I ran to my family, who I had missed so much.

 

“I knew you’d be okay. I knew you’d be safe…”

 

Not only my family but the vassals also welcomed me with tears in their eyes.

 

Yes. This is my home.

 

My home. My family. The sense of belonging now felt so natural, and I never wanted to lose it. The more precious it became, the stronger my resolve to protect my world grew. Though I wanted to stay in my family’s embrace, I still had things to do.

 

I spoke with a determined expression. “I still have some matters to take care of. I’ll return once they’re settled.”

 

Although my family didn’t know what I had to handle, they sensed it wasn’t something ordinary. They might have even realized I was no longer the simple Theresa Squire they once knew.

 

“We won’t go anywhere, so return whenever you want.”

 

I nodded and returned to Clyde.

 

“We need to go to the Pantheon.”

 

It seemed Clyde had already been planning to go with me, as he immediately opened a portal.

 

“What about the others?”

 

By others, I meant the male protagonists.

 

“Ilya is holding down Ozworld Company. Euges is defending our dimension. His sense of time is the sharpest among us.”

 

“And Damian?”

 

“He’s tracking Ozworld with Hardy and trying to locate the data center.”

 

“Do you think the shutdown of the broadcasts is Ozworld’s doing?”

 

Clyde nodded. “Ozworld is trying to roll back the entire system.”

 

As soon as I returned to reality, the donation stopped. The constellation said all the broadcasts had been cut off, and the system had gone offline. I, too, tried to open the store, but only this message appeared:

 

[The server connection is unstable, so the service is currently unavailable. Please try again later.]

 

Clyde and I, cloaked in robes, headed towards the busiest square in the Pantheon, frowning as we approached.

 

“What on earth…”

 

The Pantheon was covered in display screens on every building, which normally broadcast various shows. But now, hardly any of the screens were functioning properly. They were either broken, cracked, or had fallen to the ground.

 

Clyde clicked his tongue. “It seems the constellations imprisoned in the asylum have been released.”

 

As if to immediately prove his words, a constellation set fire to the square, screaming. At least the guards seemed to still be operational as they quickly apprehended him.

 

“How do we get to the data center?”

 

Clyde grimaced at my question. “You’re going to meet Ozworld?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Ozworld believed he could fix everything by turning back time and erasing my memories. But he was wrong.

 

“Time no longer matters to me now.”