I Became A Squirrel Seeking For The Villain [EN]: Chapter 79

Theodore slowly rubbed his chin, a flicker of intrigue in his eyes.

He, too, felt dissatisfied with the current situation.

“…How do we eliminate her? Is a complete reset possible?”

“According to my research,” Libena stated bluntly.

“We can revert to a specific point in the past and ‘re-educate’ Yurika. This would create an entirely different timeline.”

“Re-educate, you say.”

“We simply need to continuously inject messages while she’s in her Divine Beast form, before she regains human consciousness. We tell her, repeatedly, never to become human.”

Theodore’s eyes gleamed with interest. Libena continued, pressing her advantage.

“If that Divine Beast never becomes human, everything will proceed as we anticipate.”

“Hmm.”

“From that moment onward, Yurika’s mind will be saturated with the imperative not to become human. It’s practically an absolute command; she’ll have no choice but to obey. If you can provide an environment where I can conduct this experiment…”

Libena lowered her head, her voice laced with pleading.

“This time, I will genuinely offer Yurika Medehest, forever a Divine Beast, to Your Highness.”

Theodore’s eyes narrowed, considering.

After a moment of deliberation, he lifted his chin and readily agreed. “Very well. This life is already a mess, so a fresh start isn’t such a bad idea.”

He harbored no trust for humans in general, but he recognized Libena’s exceptional research skills.

Having learned the temple’s secrets, he was also privy to Libena’s lineage [family history or ancestry].

And knowing her aversion to idle chatter, it was evident that she spoke with such confidence because the experiment was indeed feasible.

“Fortunately, Yurika is unaware of her true identity. That’s why she hasn’t claimed the Medehest estate yet. It means we still have time to act.”

“How can I assist?”

“Could I borrow a few knights from Your Highness’s personal guard? The truth is, most of my subordinates are merely informants.”

“That might be problematic, given my current circumstances.”

“Really? Not even one?”

“If they’re unarmed, I might be able to arrange a day’s leave for them, under the pretense of a vacation.”

Libena sighed softly, seemingly disappointed, but she knew she couldn’t push further.

Even a few of Theodore’s knights, despite being unarmed, possessed skills far surpassing those of ordinary soldiers.

She nodded, a hint of bitterness in her expression. “Then, I’ll accept that much. There’s something I absolutely must retrieve from the temple to conduct the experiment.”

“I believe… you mentioned Duke Medehest earlier. Is it related to him?”

“Yes. Now that things have escalated to this point, I intended to eliminate him regardless, but it might be challenging with only one unarmed person. Perhaps it wouldn’t be a bad idea to keep him alive for future experiments.”

Thus, they formed an alliance once more, despite their mutual distrust.

“And I have one more request.”

“Again?”

“…Please deliver a letter to the High Priest.”

“Well, that much I can manage.”

Even confined as he was, it seemed such a task was easily within Theodore’s capabilities.

Libena carefully retrieved the letter from her bosom and handed it over, which Theodore accepted with a casual gesture.

“The Imperial Palace is, after all, my domain.”

Libena’s contempt for mages deepened once again. And that realization was, strangely, a source of comfort.

‘Yurika Medehest has also allied herself with Johann Heyrad.’

Johann Heyrad was an Archmage, far more powerful than Theodore.

That meant he would be even more ruthless and self-serving than Theodore, if that were even possible.

‘No matter how docile she pretends to be, a mage is a mage. She’ll likely be betrayed eventually. And Yurika Medehest is a Divine Beast, after all, isn’t she?’

The situation was dire, but the thought of Yurika trusting Johann and suffering the consequences brought her a sliver of relief.

‘She might even be imprisoned, just as Theodore was.’

Mages probably all think alike.

They’re selfish beings who view everything in the world as tools to satisfy their own desires.

‘If she trusts Johann, she’ll probably suffer even more than I did.’

Libena departed the Crown Prince’s palace with a triumphant glint in her eyes.

* * *

“So, as soon as I regained consciousness, I had only one thought in my head. It’s truly remarkable.”

I was preparing to go downtown with Johann, sharing an old story with him.

After the kidnapping incident, I had come to trust Johann completely, allowing me to speak openly about my past.

Our relationship remained ambiguous, but I no longer blindly distrusted him simply because he was a mage, as I once did.

“I am human, I must become human, I can’t live as a squirrel forever. It was an absolute command. It was as if someone had brainwashed me.”

I had assumed that these thoughts stemmed from possessing her body.

But according to the conversation I overheard, I wasn’t possessing her; I was the real Yurika, merely regaining consciousness.

Then what was the original story that I knew? Was it merely a glimpse of an alternate future?

But how could a non-existent future exist in my mind in the first place?

Regardless, these were questions I couldn’t possibly answer.

“It’s so strange. They say that Divine Beasts don’t possess the will to become human. How could the words ‘I must become human’ constantly echo in my head?”

In this situation, it was crucial to identify even the slightest anomaly.

I shrugged and turned to Johann, smiling as I continued. “Anyway, that’s why I sought you out as soon as I was sold to the Heyrad estate.”

Until now, I had been hesitant to discuss our first meeting in detail, feeling as though I had exploited him.

“I had to become human, no matter what. And that’s how things unfolded.”

“That’s a relief.”

Johann smiled brightly.

“I was able to meet you.”

“Oh, um. Is that so?”

And every time Johann’s eyes crinkled charmingly, I felt a strange flutter in my chest.

Today, we were taking a stroll through the downtown area, where the shops were located.

Naturally, many people would glance at us, but that was precisely the intention.

It was crucial that the rumor of me not having entered the Medehest estate continued to circulate.

That way, we could reassure Libena.

“Come, Yurika. We must depart.”

And because this was a carefully orchestrated outing, designed to be observed, Johann and I were behaving like lovers as we left the Heyrad estate.

Holding hands, linking arms, and occasionally nestling in his embrace.

And our physical contact had a subtle but noticeable calming effect on him.

“Yurika, I know you appreciate calculations.”

Johann said seriously as we left the estate.

“In that sense, our calculations are proceeding smoothly. You require me as a fake lover to divert the temple’s attention, and I constantly seek to be calmed.”

Certainly, it was more effective in soothing him than vague assurances like, ‘Use me, Yurika. I’m on your side.’

Johann intertwined his fingers with mine and smiled deeply.

“Consider Theodore, who was imprisoned simply because he craved this moment of calm.”

The sensation of our fingers slowly intertwining amidst the gazes of onlookers was somewhat unsettling.

“In that case, I’m feeling excessively content right now.”

“Um, Johann.”

I whispered in response.

“But I sense that your magic power is sufficiently calm at the moment?”

Perhaps because I had been calming him every night in my Divine Beast form, Johann’s magic power was remarkably stable.

“Ah, really? Hmm.”

Johann paused, looking thoughtful, then suddenly pointed to the sky.

“But doesn’t it appear as though it might rain?”

“What?”

It would be problematic if it rained today. I had planned to shop downtown, which would be a hassle!

I was startled and looked up at the sky when I heard a loud crash behind me.

“Don’t concern yourself.”

For a moment, I was distracted by the sky and didn’t realize what had happened until I heard the unidentified noise.

As I turned around, bewildered, Johann’s aide quickly explained.

“It seems that an old statue has simply toppled over.”

“Ah, is that so?”

“Yes. At this rate, the Heyrad estate’s assets won’t be spared… Anyway, that’s what occurred. And the weather appears clear. Don’t worry.”

“Yes, don’t worry. It’s not your money anyway.”

Johann shrugged and nodded casually.

But was the aide always such a talkative person…?

Despite these and other circumstances, he seemed excessively polite to me, so I couldn’t help but respond kindly, even though I was slightly suspicious.

“That’s a relief.”

And it was as I was entering the carriage, naturally accepting Johann’s assistance.

“Um, Johann? Your magic power has become slightly unstable again?”

“Well, it happens.”

Johann said with an indifferent smile.

“It’s bound to become twisted over time.”

Still, had it become this twisted?

Something felt amiss.

But regardless, this was primarily an outing for me.

I didn’t need to calm him extensively, but I could at least continue holding his hand.

In the end, I could only tilt my head in confusion and remain close to Johann in the carriage throughout the journey.