Because She Had A Time Limit, She Became The Villain’s Daughter-in-law - Chapter 56

Chapter 56

At his words, I briefly recalled where I had transmigrated.

…Conquering the world, I didn’t possess a character from some hero movie, did I? Otherwise, Sven must have been possessed by another weird person—

“Miss Laria will grant us our long-cherished desire.”

“Your long-cherished dream?”

“Yes, I want to repeat what I have said… Please, be our master.”

I didn’t want to be surprised at what he had said, though I almost jumped up when I heard ‘master.’

‘What is he talking about?’

“You want me to be the owner of the Vestian Dark Information Guild…?”

Serena then rushed in, noticing my absurd expression.

“Miss Laria, listen till the end for a second. It’s not a big deal. We are not asking Miss Laria to be the guild leader like Sven.”

“Then, what are you saying?”

“With a common goal with us… so that our work in the underworld isn’t caught in the surface.”

“…Huh?”

“That’s why we’re asking you to be the mastermind!”

At their words, I opened my mouth wide.

‘It’s not enough to steal the male lead’s role. Now, they want me to steal my father-in-law’s role?’

Hearing her words, I hurriedly shook my head and Serena snapped at my hand.

“Miss Laria is the best! You’re so cut out for it!”

“No, why is my aptitude a mastermind? I’m just good at acting!”

“That’s why it’s perfect for you!”

Serena then added firmly, “And, you want to be in that position with southwestern social standing. To put someone in front and actually lead the whole board in the back… It’s perfect!”

I couldn’t argue much because I once told Serena that I would actually put Kate as a screen.

“You’re good at acting, you’re different from the outside, you’re a little, uh… insidious, and you’re a little greedy…”

“I see, Serena. Thank you so much.”

I spoke with my eyes squinted.

“I enjoyed your objective and honest assessment of me.”

“That’s a compliment. I mean, I like you because you’re so mean…!”

Leaving behind Serena’s bewildered expression, I got back to business.

“I guess that’s not the only reason you’re going to tell me if I should be the master or not. I’m sure there are other factors.”

“That’s very sharp of you.”

“First, let’s discuss what you’ve said about world domination. What the hell are you talking about? Are you going to use me as a general to wage war…?”

“Please let me explain everything.”

Saying that, Sven continued in a low voice.

“Let me introduce him first, Neo.”

As I was looking around for someone else, Serena said softly, “This is Mr. Neo.”

“Meow~”

“….”

‘…Well, how do I interpret this situation where they speak respectfully, even saying ‘mister’ when talking about a cat?’

Looking at my expression that was smeared with bewilderment, Sven opened his mouth again.

“It’s the devil’s embodiment.”

“…What did you say?”

“He looks like a normal black cat, but he’s the devil who made the world crack with black magic.”

‘Black magic… It is very ominous just hearing that.’

“He came to this world on a contract with someone. We… want to live in a world of black magic. I want to confirm its greatness with my own eyes.”

Nevertheless, the common sense I learned in my childhood came out of my mouth.

“No,” I replied firmly.

“Black magic is wrong to exist in this world. Don’t do anything in vain and give up. Even black magic that is not properly authorized by the Imperial Family is illegal outside of the Magic Tower.”

“Though it does exist.”

Sven insisted, pointing to Neo.

“Here’s the evidence. Sir Neo, I’m sorry, but please show Miss Laria the power of the devil.”

Neo, who was on my lap, slowly blinked. And, he jumped up and down—

‘…Wait, did he just jump?’

“Eeck!”

Neo walked gracefully in the air.

“Th-this is ridiculous!”

All the magic that exists in this world was possessed by things. Black magic was a generic term for the magic of life. Therefore, it meant that an ordinary cat could not behave beyond common sense. Especially, being able to float freely like this was something that really needed to be demonized…

“Meow~”

The cat stared down at me in the air as if it was laughing at me.

It was then…

—Baby, nice to meet you!

A strange voice could be heard from somewhere.

“What… Wh-what?”

Instinctively, I could tell that this voice was made by Neo, the cat in front of my eyes.

—My energy alone is not enough to talk for a long time.

I silently blinked in surprise.

‘What’s that about the devil… Besides, a cat at that!’

“E-energy? W-what energy are you talking about?”

I answered first, but this was unacceptable. A cat talking… and it’s a demon… I couldn’t believe it existed in the first place…!

While I was panicking, I stared at Neo stupidly and blankly.

—But, since I am glad to see you, I’ll give you a little present.

Even though it was devastating, I immediately came to my senses at the word ‘gift,’ and I answered quickly and clearly.

“It doesn’t have to be small. I like big presents.”

My urgent greed overcame my bashfulness. Neo then lifted his front paws and put them on my forehead.

—I had put a layer of protection on your mind.

“I’m mentally strong. Can you give me something physical, not mental?”

—Don’t talk back to me. Just take it. Baby, you…

His voice drastically receded once again.

“Why stop talking! It’s frustrating! Why—!”

“Meow~”

When I grabbed Neo and shouted and pressed for an answer, Neo only cried like a cat again.

“Miss Laria?”

Seeing what was happening, Sven stared at me carefully.

“Did you just… communicate with Sir Neo?”

“Is he always a good speaker? What do I have to do to make him say more?”

Sven and Serena looked at each other at the same time.

“…We’ve never heard what Sir Neo was saying. What did he say?!”

Gazing at me, expectations were all the way down in their eyes.

“He-he said he’s glad to see me.”

Since it was rather difficult to say that this little cat called me ‘baby,’ I vaguely glossed over it and told them other things instead.

“As expected!”

“Oh, my God…!”

Sven and Serena shouted at the same time, and I turned a blind eye to their anticipated look.

“B-b-but…”

I turned away from the devil in front of me and shook my head desperately while explaining my thoughts.

“There’s a reason why black magic is prohibited in public. It’s magic that shakes the world itself, so it breaks the rules.”

Of course, I shamelessly added that after I had just received the devil’s gift without any hesitation.

“I don’t want to get involved because I feel uncomfortable.”

“However…”

“Even the Imperial Palace strictly prohibits it. I’ll be detained if I get caught, and I don’t want to cooperate with that.”

“Still, Miss Laria is chosen by Sir Neo. You’re no ordinary person.”

“Why the hell—Why me…?”

“I don’t know. Perhaps, Miss Laria has something to do with black magic, or you have what it takes to be a black wizard.”

Saying so, Sven slowly took Neo from my lap and put it back on his shoulder.

“We’ve already researched that you’ve never been involved in black magic, so you’re probably the one who can be a black wizard.”

‘Well, I don’t really remember being involved in black magic, anyway…’

“I don’t even know much about black magic.”

Anyway, I could totally see why Sven needed me because he wanted me to study black magic.

There were two ways to use black magic:

1. A black wizard uses black magic. It is allowed for research purposes only at the Magic Tower. Other than that, using itself is illegal, so most black wizards hide their identity and live secretly.

2. Ordinary people summon demons and use black magic with the consent of the aristocrats.
It can only be used at the altar of the imperial palace with the permission of the Imperial Family.

“Of course, black magic is hard to access. I understand that you have a repulsion.”

Sven expressed as he swept his chin.

“Though it’s a very attractive field. It means that you can go beyond human limits. Miss Laria, aren’t you attracted by just the thought of it?”

“No, I’m not attracted at all.”

“You can control the world from behind. You could be the Queen of the world behind the curtains.”

“Sorry, I don’t like feeling uncomfortable or risking my life. My safety is the most important thing.”

“If black magic is available, the dead may come back alive.”

“That’s against the rules.”

“Since when has Miss Laria became a person of reason…”

“From this moment on. You are having a lot of faith in me that I didn’t realize.”

“You’ve never prayed before.”

“That’s… After seeing the High Priest smiling madly at Duke Icard’s jokes, my faith skyrocketed…”

“Miss Laria,” Sven said in a hurry.

“I mean, Laria’s mother, who died in a wagon accident, could come back alive. Don’t you miss your mother?”

I sighed once and answered calmly.

“I don’t know, would it be that simple to save a dead man? If that’s the case, there’ll be a lot of chaos in the world.”

“Of course, it’s not simple.”

His remark was stern.

“As far as I know, the process is very complicated and constrained. It’s a very difficult black magic that usually can’t be done by just any black wizard. You have to summon the devil and sign a contract.”

“….”

“So, there’ll be no chaos in the world. It would be very hard to revive one person. Though the conditions are very difficult.”

“You don’t have to explain. Regardless, I’m not interested…”

“Because a crack will appear when an unbaptized person destroys a holy relic.”

While waving my hand to reject the offer, I halted.

…Wait.

What was Sven saying…?