Please Bully Me, Miss Villainess!

Chapter 171 : The Land of Bright Sunshine 2 + Cat Transformation 1

"...Is there something dirty on my face?"

Noticing the other's overly proactive gaze, Linda asked with some trouble.

Unexpectedly, the little nun didn't show any restraint, but became even more direct.

"Not at all... I was just thinking, Miss Linda, you truly are a great beauty."

In front of the dancing bonfire, she propped up her head, gazed at Linda's face, smiled gently, and made such a remark.

After a brief silence, her heartbeat was disturbed again.

"...Thank you."

Hearing such high personal praise, Linda's face showed no expression.

Having lived with humans for so many years, Linda somewhat understood that unlike the inarticulate beast-kin and the cold, taciturn elves, humans are a race quite skilled at using social pleasantries.

Although she had heard similar compliments many times before, hearing it from her mouth, one could feel the other's genuine sincerity.

However, now was not the time to let unnecessary emotions control oneself.

"Come to think of it... Although we've been corresponding by letter for these few years, it's the first time seeing Miss Linda in person."

Across the flickering bonfire, she propped her head with her hand, smiling as she looked at Linda.

The children had all gone to sleep after dinner, now only the two of them were sitting around the bonfire.

"It seems so."

Linda had been corresponding with the monastery for about 10 years.

Even for long-lived elves, this was quite a long period of time.

It could be said that there was a considerably deep connection between the two.

The long-term correspondence had given Linda a rough profile of this nun, but upon seeing her in person, she still felt somewhat surprised.

The reason for surprise was mainly because this woman was even more beautiful than she had imagined.

One had to admit, this appearance was truly too deceptive and enchanting.

But perhaps it was precisely because of this that she could hide so well?

Actually, Linda also didn't want to believe she was the mastermind behind everything.

Sister Delia was full of suspicious points—although Linda was well aware of this, the other's disguise was too good, making it impossible for Linda to prove her near-perfect guesses.

So, this time, to resolve the doubts in her heart, she had made up her mind to come here.

Linda had already done all the investigations she could within her means.

First was that anonymous letter from three years ago.

The handwriting and traces of magical power were highly similar, but this alone wasn't enough to determine that she was the culprit.

There were many suspicious points.

If she truly was a demon... why would she take in Elsa? Even with just 6-year-old Elsa clinging to her, she could have sensed the potential hidden in this child with the elves' innate keen magical perception.

Moreover, why help raise so many human children?

To be honest, if it was just to cover up, there was no need to go to such lengths.

After carefully planning and framing the crime of treason with the other three families of the Four Families, if she truly harbored ill intentions towards the Smollett faction, she could have easily followed up with more attacks.

However, being in a completely safe hinterland, she didn't do so.

If it was just for these superficial purposes, she wouldn't have needed to be a nun in this remote rural town for 10 years of ascetic practice.

Praying earnestly every day, taking care of these homeless children, continuing like this day after day for decades...

It's almost...

Almost like a real nun.

The dual identity of clergy and demon... it was hard to believe.

No one knew Delia's past. Even the old people in the town only knew that she had come to this small town with the pioneers 20 years ago. How she had lived before that was unknown.

"—Miss Linda."

When calling her name, her voice seemed to have some kind of magical power.

"You seem to have many troubles."

"...Perhaps."

Looking at the dancing bonfire, Linda showed a wry smile.

"If you don't mind, you can use me as a confidant."

She placed her hand on her ample bosom, saying sincerely.

"Today is a rest day. On rest days, does the little nun insist on working instead of resting, to guide this lost lamb?"

She seemed to have heard some funny joke, and let out a small laugh:

"...Clergy have no rest days, you know."

"That must be too tiring."

She shook her head.

"Actually, it's not as clergy... but as Miss Linda's friend, wanting to help you... Is that not alright?"

This gentle expression had no hint of falsehood.

Linda could fully believe that the Sister Delia in front of her at this moment truly thought this way and intended to do so.

Wanting to believe her,

Wanting to eliminate this doubt, that's why she came here.

Could she be a spy for the demons?

What were her objectives?

What intentions did she have towards the Young Miss and Elsa?

These questions filled Linda's mind, making her unable to sleep peacefully.

"Your frown is deepening, Miss Linda."

"—?"

In the dim firelight, she reached out her hand, pressing her right thumb to Linda's brow.

Gently massaging like this.

"...For the sake of the Goddess, let me smooth away your troubles."

The gentle words were like some unique spell that could make one relax.

Her hand seemed to have magical power, taking away the stuffy feeling in Linda's heart.

"Is this also part of a clergy's work?"

"Not at all."

When she said these words with a smile,

Linda's heart jumped erratically in her chest, annoyingly noisy.

"Miss Linda..."

While massaging Linda's forehead, she whispered near-murmurs very close to her.

"Actually... Every time I received your letters before, I was especially happy."

"I also... always looked forward to Sister Delia's replies."

"Hehe... Is that true? I'm so happy you say that."

Linda sighed silently, falling into confusion.

What should she do?

Should she confront the other?

Say something like 'I already know your true face, you—'?

No, no, no, that would be too direct.

Linda had long passed the age of enjoying playing hero games.

Taking a step back,

Even if she became a hero and defeated the evil Demon King, would it make those who should be punished receive their due punishment?

—It wouldn't.

Would it implicate innocent children?

—It would.

Before the conclusion was reversed or definitive evidence was obtained, she wouldn't easily alarm this woman.

"Speaking of which... Miss Linda is of the elf race, right?"

"Yes."

This wasn't a secret.

But coming from her, it was quite intriguing.

"Actually, I am too."

Although she used simple transformation magic to change the shape of her ears, the essence hadn't changed.

"Although only 'half'... but elf blood truly flows in my veins."

Under Linda's gaze, she took off her headdress. Her hair turned a beautiful silver color under the moonlight. After dispelling the transformation magic, her ears also became long and pointed.

"But you don't seem surprised, so you must have already noticed, right?”

Her face still wore the smile of a nun.

"Doesn't Miss Linda have anything she wants to ask me?"

Looking at Linda's reaction, her tone seemed somewhat dejected.

"Not really."

Linda shook her head lightly.

She had long smelled the scent of her own race from the other's letters.

Rather than questioning, she wanted the other to tell her voluntarily.

"My my... What should this situation be called? As expected, there's a mental connection between those of the same race."

"............"

To be honest, Linda couldn't read this person's thoughts at all.

Or rather, this way of keeping her in suspense made her feel somewhat agitated.

The firewood burned out, the firelight began to dim,

Clouds drifted by, obscuring the two moons in the sky,

Delia put her hood back on. She stood up and extended her hand to Linda:

"Rain clouds are coming—the fire is about to go out, please come with me."

The moment she placed her hand in Delia's palm, there was a strange feeling.

Until now, what kind of feelings had she harbored for this friend from the letters?

"Oh my... I really like Miss Linda, you know."

"Is it really alright for clergy to say such things?"

To Linda's half-joking response, she first froze for a moment, then giggled.

"Before being a messenger of the gods... I am first and foremost a woman."

The evening wind was somewhat noisy, blowing her silver long hair,

Lightly tickling Linda's nose tip.

"So... it's normal to like someone, right?"

"Miss Linda, do you believe the world is singular?"

Lying in bed, Delia seemed unwilling to end the topic.

The monastery had limited beds. At Delia's suggestion, Linda chose to share a room with Delia.

"For example?"

"For example, if I kissed Miss Linda right now."

"...That's not a funny joke."

"Hehe... It's just an example. The me who kissed Miss Linda and the me who chose not to—would enter two different worlds."

"Are you saying... the world branches when people make important choices?"

"Exactly."

She nodded.

"Generally speaking, a person can only have one person's memories... right?"

"Yes."

"What if... this person had a special ability to see choices from different worlds?"

Her eyes looking at Linda became slender.

"If it were you, what would you do?"

What does this mean...

Surrounded by drowsiness, Linda didn't want to say much,

"For me, I would probably choose those options that don't make me regret and leave me with a clear conscience."

"Even if there's a high chance you'll regret it after choosing? You'd still do it?"

"The one who will regret is the future me, right?"

"It's enough if the current 'me' has a clear conscience."

"...You really are an interesting person."

No one slept that night.

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Witch Lady... Dorothea still had quite a bit of the Hundred Beasts Blood left.

Yvonne had already tried most of them, all giving her different attributes.

For example, when possessed by a rabbit-type magical beast, her jumping ability would greatly increase.

If horns grew on her head and she became a deer, her agility and endurance would both increase.

Let's try this one today.

As usual, Yvonne opened the cork of the blood vial.

She took a few drops of blood and prepared a mirror.

However, this time, after drinking the blood, Yvonne felt her vision immediately darken.

"Not good..."

She had tried so many until now... but there had never been such a reaction before?

Thump—

Her body was out of control. The next second, Yvonne fell heavily onto the table.

There was a crisp sound as her head made intimate contact with the polished wooden desk.

Then Yvonne lost consciousness.

At some unknown time, when she regained consciousness,

Yvonne found herself standing on the table, but her body seemed to feel much lighter.

Maintaining this part required more effort than she had imagined.

"...Strange?? Why have the surrounding things become so big?"

Yvonne sensed that she seemed to be stepping on some smooth object.

Looking down, she then realized that what she was stepping on was a huge mirror.

Below the mirror, her current appearance was reflected.

Her whole body was covered with a faint gradient of gold color—looking at the mirror with large, surprised eyes.

Is this herself??

"—Meow meow meow??"

Yvonne shook the ears on top of her head, and found that the little cat in the mirror also shook its ears along with her.

It seems she had really turned into a cat.

"Meow... Meow meow??"

What should be done about this?

That's right—if she wrote something, or left a mark—anything would do, as long as she made others realize she was Yvonne, not a wild little cat spirit.

She pawed at the papers on the desk, trying to leave marks or notes with her paw prints.

No matter what method, anyway—she had to leave an SOS signal that she had turned into a cat!!

"—!!"

However, before she could leave anything presentable, at this moment, Yvonne heard footsteps approaching, but it was already too late to hide.

The door opened

"Young Miss~ It's time, I've come to clean for you... Miss Yvonne? Strange, she's not here... She's usually here at this time, did she go to the bathroom?"

She scanned the empty office, her gaze meeting with the poor little cat who had nowhere to escape, and immediately let out a scream:

"Waaaaaah—There's a magical beast in the Young Miss's office!! When... How did it sneak in!"

While screaming, the capable maid Parcy raised a broom towards her.

"Get-get out! This is no place for you to lick your paws and take a nap!!"

"~~~Meow!!"

With no time to explain, with a wail, the startled little cat jumped down from the desk and quickly darted out through the door crack.

Oh no... What should be done about this?