The Baby Villain Dreams of Conquering the World

Chapter 123

Episode 123

Now, first question: what should you do when you get lost?

'You should stop walking and ask the adults around you for help.'

Then, second question: what if you got lost after sneaking out?

'You'd have to find your way somehow, of course.'

Final question: what if you still can't find your way?

"You're screwed, that's what."

Flora crouched down in the dark thicket and clutched her head.

The excellent descent and the safe landing were all good.

But not long after, she heard signs of people. Trying to avoid them, she walked aimlessly and ended up getting lost.

'I should have checked my position from above before coming down.'

She had spread her demonic energy around, hanging it on trees like fruit, but there was no telling when the two demons would find it.

If she kept walking like this, she was worried dawn might break.

'No, the biggest worry is that I'm getting sleepy.'

After a moment's thought, Flora let out a big yawn and had no choice but to start trudging along.

The place, whether it was a garden or a forest, was vast, but after walking a bit, she found a well-maintained path that looked like a walking trail.

"As expected, my luck isn't dead yet."

Happy to have found the trail, Flora shrugged her shoulders and started walking with more energy.

'Hmm, but did I come out too recklessly? Janet and Pascal are so small you can barely see them.'

The cute sparrow form had the advantage of being able to pass as a pet by her side, but it was inconvenient when she had to go out and search for them herself.

'Well, I've never actually searched for them before. I can't just keep waiting like this every time... Should I just get a guard knight to stay by my side? Hah, but then I'd have to join the Lucifer Knight Order, which would complicate things.'

As she walked, pondering what would be best, the path suddenly forked into two.

'......It should be okay to go, right?'

After a brief hesitation, Flora took the right path. But soon after, she regretted that decision.

"Seriously, a wall?!"

Of all things, the right path ended in a dead end.

Vines tangled all over, densely covering what looked like a castle wall, making it hard to see clearly.

She had walked all the way to the castle wall; it seemed she had moved too intently, lost in thought.

'Would taking the left path have made a difference?'

Just as she was thinking that coming out alone in the middle of the night was indeed a bad choice and was about to turn back...

"What kind of light is this?"

She had merely lowered her head, but she saw a bluish light glowing on her shoe.

Shifting her gaze, she saw a blue light had settled on the ground right in front of her.

As if marking this spot as special.

On a hunch, she knocked on the wall, and the sound felt oddly solid.

"This sounds like wood?"

Acting on her suspicion, she pushed the vines aside, and sure enough, there was a wooden door set into the wall.

'Was this wall not part of the castle wall?'

Flora looked at the suspicious wall, then at the door, and unconsciously swallowed hard.

'Open it? Or not?'

She didn't know what was inside. Was it okay to just open it and go in?

But she was curious!

Shouldn't she resist, though?

For a very short time, two opposing arguments fought in her head, each claiming to be right. The 'Open It' faction won.

"What could possibly go wrong? It might even be locked, so let's just try."

Without hesitation, Flora grabbed the doorknob and pushed. Fortunately, the door wasn't locked. It made a slight sound but opened smoothly.

"Wow."

Upon opening the door, a bright space filled with lush wildflowers unfolded, different from the path she had just walked.

"It's pretty."

With no tall trees, the moonlight from the high moon cast a subtle glow on the flowers.

It wasn't a vast space, but the subtle floral scent and the flowers shining even brighter under the moonlight made it look more beautiful than any other garden.

"Is this a hidden space within the garden?"

It was far from lavish, but it seemed like a perfect place to come and rest for a while.

As she tiptoed carefully to avoid the flowers, she noticed something placed on the ground. Buried among the flowers, it looked like a large stone.

She considered ignoring it, but thinking that this stone might also be part of this space, she moved closer.

But as she approached, something different from her expectations greeted her.

"......This is a gravestone."

A cold air instantly swept past Flora. It was so chilling that the petals of the quietly resting wildflowers rustled and scattered in the wind.

She wasn't afraid of ghosts, but they weren't welcome entities either.

Especially since, whether they actually existed or not, ghosts were often used as disciplinary figures during her time at the orphanage.

'Why does the wind pick up like this the moment I find a gravestone?'

Flora grumbled as goosebumps rose on her arms from the chilly summer wind.

Just as she thought it might be best to head back soon, the wooden door she had firmly closed creaked open.

Startled, Flora froze on the spot and could only watch as the door opened completely.

'I'm doomed. The only exit I know is over there.'

She came out hoping not to meet anyone, but now her plan was falling apart.

'What do I do? I have to do something!'

Whether Flora was at a loss or not, the new guest had already stepped inside.

The first thing visible was a long, black cane. As the cane touched the ground first, someone's foot followed.

'An old man?'

Was it a relief? It was someone she had never encountered here before.

He was neatly dressed in casual clothes, the deep wrinkles showing the years he had lived, and his rather stern-looking eyes were impressive.

'His cane looked expensive. He's definitely not just an employee.'

The old man stepped inside without a thought, then sensed a presence and contorted his expression fiercely.

As he turned his head towards Flora with a look like he was about to roar, her shoulders stiffened involuntarily.

Of all times, the wind blew again, making her hair fly about wildly, and the moon was hidden by clouds, darkening the surroundings.

But it wasn't dark enough to escape.

She was in the midst of thinking she should come up with a plausible excuse, apologize, and quickly get out of this place.

"N-Nersha?"

But the name the old man uttered in a trembling voice was unfamiliar.

"Is it really you, Nersha? Huh?"

His voice quivered, brimming with moisture.

His face, filled with intense longing, resentment, and joy, held a hope for something.

Flora couldn't bring herself to move and only turned her head to look at the gravestone.

The name the old man had just spoken was written there.

Nersha Eisollen, rests here.

Along with the simple inscription were dried flower bouquets placed around it, and another fresh bouquet in the old man's hand.

The moon, which had briefly hidden behind the clouds, reappeared, brightening the surroundings again.

And the old man's eyes, though moist, were a distinct amethyst color.

'......Damn.'

Only then did Flora realize what the strange atmosphere surrounding her had been.

She understood that the affectionate gazes from the people in this castle were because she resembled someone they cherished.

'So this is my Mom's family home.'

But Flora didn't want to expend emotions thinking about a Mom she had no memory of.

Perhaps knowing this, neither Athanas nor Benio had spoken of it, and the teacher who educated her about the family had deliberately avoided mentioning Eisollen.

'And Basilian too.'

Remembering his troubled face made her feel sorry.

It must have been awkward for him, a third party, to bring it up when her own family hadn't told Flora.

Not knowing, she had kept pestering him to go to the Eisollen Marquisate; how ridiculous she must have seemed.

'Even so, shouldn't this have been mentioned?'

While she felt sorry towards Basilian, she also felt resentful towards Benio and the other members of the Lucifer household.

How could they not mention a single word about it until they arrived at the Eisollen Marquisate?

Feeling like a fool all alone made her incredibly angry. But before getting angry, getting out of this situation was the priority.

'I heard the current Marquis and the Grand Marquis reside together in the Eisollen Marquisate.'

If so, the Marquis she met this morning was probably her maternal uncle, and the man before her now was her maternal grandfather.

Steeling her trembling heart, Flora widened her eyes, pulled up the corners of her mouth, and smiled brightly.

Then, in a voice full of charm, she greeted him politely.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Grandfather. My name is Flora Lucifer."

'Why isn't he answering?'

After a moment's hesitation, Flora cautiously raised her head, which she had slightly bowed.

She hoped he would accept her greeting and let it pass lightly, but what she saw was the Grand Marquis Eisollen's face, contorted like a demon's.

"How dare a Lucifer enter here… enter this place!"

At his roar, Flora's shoulders stiffened. Even as she flinched and stepped back, the rage on the Grand Marquis's face did not fade.

She swore it was the first direct contempt and anger she had received as a Lucifer.

And of all places, from a blood-related family member.