The Villain’S Daughter-In-Law Is Inherently Powerful [EN]: Chapter 16

Honestly, I don’t really understand what he’s saying.

Is he brainwashing himself into thinking I’m precious? Just suddenly me, whom he found by chance? Then am I incredibly lucky?

‘Ah, I almost forgot again. I shouldn’t look for coherence in the crazy actions of a crazy person.’

Kiraxus was someone who delved into black magic simply because he was bored after mastering ordinary magic too quickly.

It’s not like he learned black magic for any grand reason. It’s more like he found black magic to be more compatible, so he ended up becoming a black magician altogether.

His way of thinking and his perspective were completely different from ordinary people. Of course, a normal kid like me couldn’t understand the mind of a noble magic tower lord.

I decided to give up on understanding Kiraxus.

“Um, but, you know…”

Instead, since the atmosphere seems good, should I ask about what I’ve been curious about?

“What happens if… if it’s revealed that I’m a fake Saintess?”

“That won’t happen. The family has already decided to make you a Saintess.”

It was a resolute answer.

Because the Driblyane wants it, it will become the truth.

That was both a delightful and terrifying statement. Conversely, it also meant that if the family decided to abandon me, I would be cast aside.

“Um, I’m not officially a daughter-in-law yet, am I?”

“Why do you think so?”

“Well… I haven’t greeted the maids, and I haven’t signed a contract…”

“You’re smarter than you look.”

As expected.

The employees were quick to notice.

Some were already calling me ‘Little Lady’ based on the treatment I was receiving, but it’s not official yet.

There was no welcome party, and there was no ceremony to add my name to the family tree.

“Once you greet the Duchess, you’ll be officially recognized.”

“Ah…!”

“However, it will take some more time for my mother to see you. She’s currently in seclusion.”

Inanna Abigail Driblyane.

The 18th Duchess and an Earth elementalist.

From what I’ve gathered, Ariadne died last year.

The Duchess is still grieving the loss of her daughter, so naturally, she wouldn’t want to pay much attention to or be interested in bringing in a daughter-in-law.

‘Let’s not unnecessarily step forward and upset her.’

I nodded, making that resolution.

It would be nice if I could somehow help the Duchess… but sometimes, I need to refrain from acting rashly and stay still.

It’s best not to have presumptuous thoughts like daring to replace her daughter’s position.

“Well, then, go to sleep now. You’ve had a long day.”

“Ugh!”

With a light flick of Kiraxus’s fingers, I floated into the air.

Next, I felt a tingling sensation in my mouth, and I was magically cleaned in an instant.

I was rolled up in the blanket like fried seaweed rolls, and I tried to protest, but Kiraxus had already turned off all the lights.

“Sweet dreams.”

No, wait! It’s still daytime!

* * *

…But compared to wanting to shout that it was daytime, I slept really well.

The next day, I woke up early and had to spend a long time in the arms of my worried nanny, Linda, and Nina.

“Sob, please wear this beautiful tiara for us.”

“That’s right. I think I’ll feel relieved if you wear this pretty pink cloak too.”

“We were so surprised.”

Something… it feels like these three are fulfilling their own desires…?

Still, I put on the tiara and the pink cloak for now. Then John came and bowed his head in apology, and all of that happened before I even had breakfast.

“I’ll greet you again.”

And currently.

“From today, I am Rapiren Zerbaiz, tasked with guiding the Little Lady according to the Lord’s orders. My official title is Baron, and I am an owl beastkin [a humanoid with owl-like features].”

“Hello!”

Oh my! No wonder there was a miniature desk among the furniture delivered this morning!

Rapiren adjusted his silver-rimmed glasses and placed a book down.

“Since today is the first lesson, I will lightly explain the values that drive the Driblyane.”

“Yes…!”

“I will read first. You must not forget this content and must memorize it so that you can recite it anytime, anywhere.”

Rapiren’s voice was low and his pronunciation was clear. And because I was very clever, I understood the hidden meanings between the lines very well.

“The Driblyane is a thorough meritocracy.”

This means that there’s no give without take-

“Members of the Driblyane must not cease their greed but must possess the qualities of a schemer.”

Don’t drool foolishly and show that you want something, but strategically seize it-

“The Driblyane carefully chooses its prey, and once it starts hunting, it must sever its breath.”

If you’re just going to dip your toes in shamefully, it’s better to stay still and not tarnish the family’s reputation!

‘Everything is so true that I can’t help but nod.’

I like that there are no words like be humble, be kind, be patient, or endure. If it were my first life, I might have been able to do that, but from my perspective of constantly dying and being reborn, it sounds like bullshit.

The values of the Driblyane were perfect for me.

“Do you know what the most important commodity handled by the Driblyane is?”

“Yes.”

“Then do you know what this is?”

I stared intently at the gun placed in front of me.

It had such an elegant appearance that it didn’t feel like a weapon at all.

There was a golden laurel leaf decoration along the black barrel, and it seemed to be specially designed to have a good grip, tailored to ergonomics.

Maybe it’s a new product that hasn’t been used in war yet… Is it for decorative purposes rather than for use on the battlefield?

“This is a gun that rapidly converts the user’s Iculus [a person’s inherent magical energy] into magical power to create bullets. It will become the best product of the Driblyane in the future.”

So it was a new product!

Out of curiosity, I stealthily reached out my front paw. Of course, I lowered it again at Rapiren’s strict gaze.

“When the Little Lady grows up, she will learn how to use this item.”

“Reawwy?”

“Yes. But for now, you must learn how to defend against and avoid this item first.”

Oh, that’s interesting too?

I looked at Rapiren with expectant eyes.

Will we also do practical training?

“Of course, that will also happen after it is confirmed how old the Little Lady is. The Driblyane strictly prohibits educating children under the age of 10 about firearms.”

Ah, it was just a taste. It’s a bit disappointing, but there’s nothing I can do.

I nodded in agreement.

Then Rapiren took something else out of his arms. This time, it was a gun that was so old that it should be called an antique.

“This is an old-fashioned gun that uses gunpowder to fire what are called bullets. In fact, it can’t overcome magical barriers or the power of spirits, so it’s useless these days.”

“Ah-ha.”

“But you still have to see it. Kiraxus-nim is the one who has developed from this old-fashioned gun… to this new-style gun here.”

How fascinating.

I looked at the unloaded gun and poked the bundle next to it. Then, a pungent smell wafted up from inside.

“This is gunpowder. It’s an item that’s no longer needed. It has disappeared into history, but today, as I said, it’s a day for experiencing things, so I brought it.”

So this is the smell of gunpowder.

Perhaps because my sense of smell is good, my nose felt tingly and spicy.

It’s kind of similar to the smell of cinnamon?

“Hey, Sammy [a familiar term for ‘teacher’].”

“Yes.”

Rapiren’s lips twitched very slightly when I called him teacher.

I’ve been thinking about it for a while, but it seems like Rapiren likes me but pretends not to.

“I have a question.”

“Speak.”

“Spring is here now. Doesn’t that mean the war is over?”

Then won’t they be unable to do large-scale weapons business like before?

Then… wouldn’t the Driblyane, whose parent company is a defense contractor, become a bit poorer?

“So, what the Little Lady is saying is that, for the time being, we can shift the business direction to selling fertilizers and seeds managed by the Great Lady, but what will happen to the military business in the future? Is that what you mean?”

“Gasp, that’s right!”

Smart. You understood right away!

Rapiren stared at me with a very strange look and then asked me in return.

“Who says there’s nowhere to sell weapons when the war is over?”

“Ah…?”