Please Bully Me, Miss Villainess!

Chapter 243 : Before the Bell Tolls 3

This world possesses an 'ordering force' that ensures stories progress along their intended paths.

If a character's actions deviate from the original trajectory, this force intervenes to realign the plot to its proper course.

According to the original development, the villain's exit was inevitable.

And now, that inevitability has become reality.

Therefore, this remains the familiar world now.

The changes that occurred were not due to a jump across world lines, but rather the forcible erasure of Yvonne's existence as the villain under the influence of the ordering force.

Elsa's vision blurred, and she instinctively grasped the armrest of her chair. Without this support, she might have collapsed to the floor.

This was far from good news for her.

In fact, if this conclusion held true, the situation had become even more dire.

If this were an alternate world line, there might still be a chance to return to the original world and see Yvonne again someday through mastering dimensional magic.

But now, even that possibility has been eliminated.

"It's over..."

Elsa's face turned ashen. Her hands clenched tightly at the robe on her knees, crumpling the expensive silk fabric beneath her twisted fingers.

The power of magic is limited.

While it can create the elements and energies that compose the world, it cannot create life or souls.

What good would even the most powerful magic be now?

No matter what, bringing back someone who no longer exists is impossible.

Before this, Elsa had been determined,

Even if the chance was 0.0000001...

Using the scientific notation Yvonne had taught her, Elsa didn't care how many zeros came after the decimal point.

No matter how minuscule, as long as a possibility existed, she would ceaselessly strive for it.

But now... the possibility had become zero.

"This is too cruel... Why did it turn out like this..."

In the end, was she still powerless against this world?

Is loving someone truly such an unforgivable, forbidden act?

Seeing Elsa's profound distress, Linda set down her pen, her gaze becoming intense.

"If you give up here, everything truly ends."

"But... what can I do now..."

Unable to bear the sight, Linda grabbed Elsa's face and pulled her cheeks without mercy.

"—Elsa."

"Y-Yes?!"

Contrary to her usual manner, Linda didn't use the respectful title typically employed by maids. Instead, she addressed Elsa directly by name, as a close elder would.

"Do you know what your greatest flaw is?"

"Your greatest flaw is that you lack sufficient confidence in yourself."

Linda's words struck at Elsa's weak point as she gazed at her with a look of compassion.

"It's also the Young Lady's fault for spoiling you too much. Once she's gone, you become like this..."

There had been signs of this from before.

Elsa had always been anxious, constantly wondering 'Is it really alright for me to be this happy?' Linda, unable to watch this, had wanted to correct her behavior, but the Young Lady had always refused, saying it was fine as it was.

"Even though you've been given ample love, in your heart you're still that child abandoned in the cold, snowy night."

Without Yvonne, Elsa becomes lost and helpless like this.

"But... you are loved... I hope you can engrave this one fact in your heart."

I... am loved.

"Moreover, if you continue to cling to such timid thoughts, I won't approve of you being with the Young Lady."

"Linda, are... are you serious?"

Hearing this, Elsa was dumbfounded.

"Indeed. Even if I have to use every trick in the book, I'll stop your wedding. Be prepared."

Linda snorted coldly, half-jokingly.

Though she spoke of anger, at most she'd use magic to stuff all the flower petals into Elsa's chest, which was as meager as her self-confidence, during the wedding ceremony.

"If it were the Young Lady..."

Through Elsa's eyes, Linda saw the soul of another familiar girl.

"If it were the Young Lady, she would never give up so easily."

"But I'm not Yvonne..."

Elsa lowered her head.

"You're capable of far more than that child."

"From a young age, that child never had any talent for magic. She believed in herself, and in you... Lady Elsa."

"She has always believed in you, Lady Elsa, from beginning to end. Even now, she must be believing in you, believing that you can find a way to bring her back."

"I..."

"What's this? After all I've said, are you still going to remain here, dejected and motionless?"

"Please tell me, how can I bring back Yvonne's existence?"

"Very good. Now you're starting to look like someone worthy of marrying our Young Lady."

Linda's hands remained on Elsa's cheeks, gently pulling them apart.

"Now, as a reward, I'll give you a small hint."

"Nngh—!"

The pain from her face finally brought Elsa back to her senses somewhat.

"Now then, please watch me closely, and think with that clever mind of yours, Lady Elsa."

While human thought has its limitations, it's precisely in times like these that one mustn't give up.

"You need to think from a higher perspective. Think from the standpoint of your opponent, your enemy... those who stand in your way. Consider carefully if there's anything that doesn't add up."

"From... the opponent's perspective..."

Her pupils trembling slightly, Elsa thought desperately.

"If I were part of the world's will... if I were to maintain the proper 'order'..."

The ordering force can easily manipulate the story's direction.

If it wanted to remove Yvonne from this world, it should have used a more direct and forceful method.

Restructuring the world consumes far more energy than simply fabricating troubles to ensnare a character. This doesn't make sense.

What the 'ordering force' should have done was to trigger the final scenario, the 'Final Judgment,' prematurely.

Just like the previous false accusation, rather than going to such elaborate lengths.

From this perspective, it's possible that someone else altered the world. Their goals differ from those of the ordering force, which is why they interfered with the order and restructured the world.

"If that's the case... the possibility that Yvonne still exists in this world... isn't zero!!"

Seeing the light return to Elsa's eyes, Linda released her grip with satisfaction.

"It seems you've finally understood."

"Who is the 'culprit' behind all this?"

"To be honest, I have a suspect in mind."

"Please, let me meet them, no matter what!"

"If that is your wish, the journey ahead may be somewhat long."

"Where are we going?"

"The demon realm."