The Worst Villain is Actually a Cute Girl-Chapter 54

We emerged into a gloomy area filled with abandoned buildings.

I looked around.

The scenery was familiar, and judging by the noise in the distance, we hadn’t completely left the festival grounds.

I tried reopening the door we came through, but it no longer connected to the previous place.

It was a dark, eerie room.

Looks like the spatial link collapsed when the dimension broke.

‘No matter how many times I see it, it’s still amazing. How did they even develop a technology like this?’

Unlike Earth, in this era, technology that creates alternate-dimensional spaces like the one we just came from has been put to practical use.

Though, I’ve heard rumors that it’s still unstable and prone to accidents.

Anyway, that’s not what matters right now.

Not right now.

“Let’s hurry.”

Nod, nod.

I got on Red’s back and wrapped my arms tightly around her neck so I wouldn’t fall.

“Hold on tight.”

Nod, nod.

Pop!

The moment Red pushed off the ground, I felt the sensation of floating.

She leapt straight to the rooftop and began moving quickly, crossing from one building to the next without pause.

The rush of wind blasted against me, sending my hair whipping in all directions.

Whoa. She’s fast.

Even adjusted to account for my weight, the speed was impressive.

If I loosened my grip even slightly, I’d be sent flying.

I tightened my arms around her neck.

“Just hold on a little longer.”

Nod, nod.

Saving me wasn’t the end of it.

The festival wasn’t over.

The kids’ play was still going.

It must’ve already started by now.

Red was hurrying so we could arrive in time, so I could at least join them on stage.

But if—

If we ended up being too late and I couldn’t get on stage—

I’d be okay with that.

‘It’s not something to be sad about if I miss it. I never wanted to do it in the first place—they begged me until I gave in. So even if I can’t be in the play... I’m not disappointed....’

But instead, I feel guilty.

Even if it wasn’t my choice, it’s still true that I disappeared and left the kids in a tough spot.

They all worked so hard to prepare for this performance, sweating together for this one day. If I’m the only one who doesn’t make it—

The kids might be really sad.

It’d be better if they got mad instead.

But they’re not like me—they’re kind kids, so maybe they’ll try to comfort me.

‘....’

Suddenly, I imagined their faces after finishing the play without me.

I felt sick.

The kids had been so happy during the festival.

Every single moment had been full of joy and excitement, but the part they were most looking forward to was the play.

After the play, we were supposed to laugh and talk together at the afterparty.

It was supposed to end as the perfect day.

But if I missed the play, the kids wouldn’t smile.

The happiness would stop there.

Just thinking about the mood being ruined makes me uneasy.

So for the kids’ sake, I hoped we could make it in time.

That we could end this day together.

That this small wish, just this once, would be granted.

I prayed desperately to a god that might not even exist.

“Rene!”

“Miss Red!”

“How far has the play gone? We’re not too late, right?”

“Well...”

As soon as we arrived, Rene came out to greet us.

She relaxed when she saw my face.

But when Red asked her question, Rene hesitated.

Her expression looked darker than usual.

I clenched my fist.

Why can’t even one small wish come true?

Rene explained that the play had already reached the later scenes, and the timing for the princess’s entrance had become uncertain.

“There’s really no way?”

“It’s not impossible, but...”

“What is it? Don’t drag it out—just tell me.”

Rena glanced at me, then explained.

The next scene was when the cursed princess was supposed to be freed.

If we followed the original script, it wouldn’t be a problem.

But because I wasn’t there, they’d revised the script.

And now, for me to go on stage—I’d have to take off my mask.

Red realized the problem too and glanced down at me.

They both knew how much I hated showing my bare face in front of people.

Inside the orphanage, maybe. But not out here.

I didn’t want to take the mask off in front of everyone.

“There’s really no other way?”

“...”

Rene shook her head weakly.

Her eyes held an apology as she looked at me.

You don’t have to be sorry.

This is all my fault.

I lowered my gaze slightly.

A heavy silence hung in the air.

‘Ever since I ended up here, nothing has ever gone the way I wanted....’

It’s not a difficult thing.

All I had to do was walk in confidently with my face exposed.

But that’s easier said than done.

At least, for me.

‘Usually being beautiful or handsome is supposed to be an advantage. But I’ve never once gained anything from it.’

My face draws people’s attention.

They reach out with kind expressions, but it’s always for selfish reasons.

Maybe it’s that my face awakens people’s desires—or maybe this world is just full of people like that.

I got tired of being chased. That’s why I started covering my face.

My voice bewitches people.

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

Like mice following the sound of a flute—it draws in those with filthy thoughts and twisted minds.

They constantly beg me to speak again.

So I stopped talking altogether.

‘What am I so afraid of, that I’m still wearing this mask? What am I so scared of, that I still won’t speak?’

I’m not the same person I was when I first woke up in this world.

I’m not powerless anymore. I don’t need to hide my face or my voice.

No one can touch me now.

So why am I still stuck in the past, holding myself back?

Even now, in this moment?

I closed my eyes.

Where there should have been darkness, a crimson world unfolded before me.

A blood-colored river.

Beneath it, the corpses of all the people I’ve killed.

Their eyes, filled with rage and resentment, laughed at me—telling me I had no right to even the smallest happiness.

‘Yeah. I...’

I slowly opened my eyes.

I don’t care if I end up unhappy.

But I hate the idea of making others unhappy because of me.

If I gather the courage here, it might cause even more chaos.

I could be cast out of this fragile paradise I finally found.

Or maybe, they’d see my true self because of it.

If I give up here, nothing will happen.

The kids will hold back their tears and ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ try to comfort me for not making it.

They’ll probably say we’ll do it together next time.

Next time...

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There might not be a next time.

Just like always, the world throws unexpected disasters without warning.

If I keep hoping for a vague future, I might lose my present.

So right now, the only choice I can make is to believe.

I glanced sideways at Red.

If it’s her, she’ll definitely protect the kids to the end.

Just like she’s always done.

I stepped between the two of them as they talked about the play.

And I told them what I’d decided.

They were both stunned.

What, you’re already surprised? It’s only just begun.

*

The play was in full swing.

Despite all the actors being children, their acting was surprisingly decent.

The stage props were also so intricately crafted that they helped immerse the audience, and even though the play was longer than expected, people weren’t bored for a second.

While many in the audience watched with rich expressions and full engagement, a few kept their faces stiff and unmoving the entire time.

Internally, they were praying for the play to end quickly.

Because that would be the moment to act.

‘All for the sake of the Reaper.’

‘Equal death for all in this world.’

‘Peaceful rest for these innocent souls.’

They were cultists of the Church of the Reaper—radicals who had received direct orders from the Prophet himself.

They had mingled with the crowd to sabotage the festival.

They were ordinary people. They had no magic. They hadn't undergone any body enhancements.

So how could such people possibly ruin the performance, or even the entire festival?

Inside their bodies were miniature bombs.

Not just any bombs—high-performance ones the Prophet had acquired for an outrageous price to ensure the plan's success. That’s why they made it through the entrance without being caught.

The moment they bit down on their tongues, the bombs would explode and consume the venue.

They didn’t fear death.

They believed the god they worshipped—the Reaper—was watching over them, and that gave them courage.

It was certain that many people would be injured or killed.

The joyful festival would be smeared with screams and sorrow.

The cultists felt no guilt.

Everything was for the greater cause.

They were proud to offer their lives to bring true rest to these poor, ignorant souls.

Pain would only last a moment.

If this plan succeeded, the long-awaited resurrection of the Reaper would come.

Then everyone could finally be happy.

They could be freed from all the tragedies that plagued this world.

Death is salvation!

A new hope!

The cultists exchanged glances with one another.

When the play ended, they would act.

“You witch! Why did you curse the princess? What sin did she commit to deserve such a horrific fate?!”

“Ahahahaha! You truly believe the princess is kind and good? She is evil itself! A fraud! She filled people’s hearts with hollow dreams, dragging them deeper into despair. That’s why I stole her face and voice!”

“You fiend!”

“The only way to break the curse is with hope! But if hope truly existed, then why hasn’t the princess’s curse been broken yet? Go on, answer me!”

“Urgh...!”

It was just a play, but the cultists deeply sympathized with the witch’s words.

Hope doesn’t exist in this world.

Without hope, the world is overflowing with suffering.

And in a world filled with pain and sorrow, its people are bound to be unhappy.

So they, too, were unhappy. Everyone was.

Just as the Church of the Reaper teaches.

This world—

Must disappear.

Must end.

And through the Reaper’s teachings, they would bring about a new hope.

At that moment, as the knight struggled to counter the witch’s words—

Step... step...

A song rang out.

A girl’s voice, at a glance.

The people who heard it blinked in disbelief. Such a beautiful voice—!

It didn’t sound like it belonged to this world.

A gentle song filled with warm light, blooming in the hearts of those who listened. One by one, people began to lose themselves in happiness.

The spotlight turned toward the source of the singing.

Gasp!

No way!

!!!?

Not just the cultists—everyone who saw that face was struck speechless.

Soft exclamations burst throughout the venue.

What appeared was a young girl in neat attire.

Eyes as clear and sparkling as frozen water.

A silver-haired beauty singing as she slowly made her way to the stage.

The witch on stage, who had just been mocking the idea of hope, froze in place. She couldn’t hide her shock.

Even the knight, the maid, and every actor already on stage were stunned.

So much so that Rena, overwhelmed with surprise, missed her next line in the song. But because of that, the silver-haired girl’s voice filled the venue all the more.

People quickly realized this girl, who had only now appeared, was the princess.

That beautiful face! That enchanting voice!

Regardless of gender, every child in the audience fell in love at first sight.

One man began to believe he was dreaming.

A woman suddenly found tears streaming down her face without knowing why.

An old man was convinced he had arrived in heaven.

The princess’s song took root in their hearts.

A clear blue sky. A rising sun. A warm hand.

No words could do it justice.

Simply listening to the song made the darkness inside melt away.

It was a kind song.

Even the cultists, who had been steeped in fanatic belief, began to soften.

As the princess stepped onto the stage, the witch’s voice trembled with real panic as she struggled to deliver her next line.

The princess, unused to speaking aloud, enunciated each word slowly and clearly.

The play continued.

The cultists, who had shown no interest in the performance before, found themselves captivated after the princess’s entrance.

The more they watched her, the more they listened to her voice, the clearer their minds became.

They began to doubt everything they’d believed until now.

It was just a play, nothing more than scripted dialogue.

But the princess’s words had a strange power.

They couldn’t explain it, but her words felt right.

And at the same time, shame crept in—for thinking about ruining the play, or the festival.

At last, the play ended.

All the actors came out, joined hands, and bowed deeply to the audience.

The moment the performance ended, cheers and applause thundered through the venue.

According to the plan, the cultists should have bitten down on their tongues to detonate the bombs.

But they couldn’t.

They were applauding the cast, who had just given them a beautiful performance.

‘Yes, let’s live better from now on.’

‘The world still has hope. How could it not, when it’s this beautiful?’

‘Terrorism is wrong. We can’t save the world with terrorism. Love and peace—that’s true hope.’

‘Mom, I’ll live earnestly from now on.’

‘When this festival ends... I’m turning myself in.’

The cultists who had been there that day—through the performance, they saw a new hope.

They abandoned their misguided faith.

And just like that, the plan orchestrated by the Church of the Reaper and the Prophet unraveled completely.