I Became Close to the Villain - Chapter 1

Translator:Zimming

Editor:Nox

I have so many worries swirling around in my mind.

What if I can’t protect my country, what if I die.

Many saw me and told me to put my worries to a rest. I could only reply yes, although I know deep down that it’s a lie.

People always tell me to lighten up, but how can I do so?

I’m the only saint in this country.

If I fall through, the barriers may break and cause danger to everyone.

Until one day, my knight told me that my sacrifice was wrong.

He told me I should end my worries.

“I would do so,” that was how I replied to him.

And that same day, that knight killed me.

My death brought me peace, I finally stopped agonizing over my responsibilities.

But ultimately, I was reincarnated into a novel.

Should I start worrying again?

What should I do if I live as the villain’s neighbor in the novel?

And what am I supposed to do if the villain kills all of his childhood neighbors in the future?

That’s what I want to ask.

I’ve become the villain’s neighbour, someone please save me!

***

Vienne Astahilt. It’s my new name.

I was reincarnated into a novel I read before my death, <It’s Dangerous, Run Away!> It was not long after my birth that I learned of it.

It was because I overheard Vienne, my mother, said that an ominous child was born next door.

Strangely enough, I can understand the language that is spoken here ever since my birth.

“It’s Idris. That white-haired kid.”

The ominous one, the white-haire child, Idris.

All of the descriptions align with the villain’s features.

White hair is a rarity in this world.

It is even more so because this world inhabitant, their hair won’t turn grey even as they become older.

The villain Idris was born with white hair and red eyes. It was an ominous symbol for people of this world.

He grew up under the abuse of his parents and neighbors.

But being capable of wielding magic, Idris becomes the master of evil mages a few years later.

As he gained his power, Idris burned down his childhood village as a revenge. He even searched for his childhood neighbors and murdered them in cold blood.

In other words, everyone in this neighborhood will die, including me.

Dying once is enough for me, I don’t want to die anymore.

So I was determined to find a way to change the plot.

Before Idris was old enough to remember me, I even asked my parents if we could move away. However, my parents rejected the idea.

In a desperate attempt, I tried other various methods, alas every time it proved to be futile.

While I was trying to escape this place, without realizing it, many years had passed.

“Ugh, what am I going to do?”

The six years old me sat in the garden and sighed deeply.

“What should I do…?”

Soon, I will become an eight years old child.

“I don’t want to die…”

Then, 10 years old.

After that,11 years old.

“Will he kill me if I try to get closer to him?”

After much consideration, I decided to take a leap of faith.

“He is the villain in the future, but right now he is just a child. I’m sure he won’t reject me.”

It was a little scary, but there is no other way.

‘I’m the only one who knows the future, and this knowledge is my only advantage.’

In this place, not only my new family but my neighbors and my best friend, the heroine in the novel also live here.

When Idris performed the genocide, the only the heroine, managed to escape from him.

Nevertheless, Idris was relentless. He went after the heroine in order to kill her.

But as long as I’m here, I won’t let such a thing happen.

“Liliel, I’ll protect you!”

I clenched my fist and shouted.

As she heard my words, the pretty heroine, Liliel Sigron, shook her head gently.

“Are you even strong enough?”

She pushes me slightly. Because my small body was unable to bear the force, I immediately fell sideways. My shiny black hair spread out all over the place like a cloth laid in a lawn.

“Ah, come on. Why are you like this?”

I sat back as I complained, brushing the dirt off my clothes.

“Look at this. You’re not strong. I’ll protect you instead.”

Liliel looked at me with her arms folded.

It’s unfair.

Even if I’m smaller than Liliel, she always lost arm wrestling! I also know the future better.

Our difference in height is natural because Liliel is a year older than me. I’m never small.

“No. In the future I’ll be stronger than you, Liliel.”

I stood up resolutely.

“I’ll get some more snacks. Wait for me!”

“Yes.”

Liliel’s magenta eyes are full of disbelief, when she sees me leaving the garden.

I’m going to take advantage of this chance and visit Idris.

It’s the perfect timing since all the people who hate the ominous white hair in my house are not at home.

I also saw the people next door going out this morning.

“Well, kids, even if they haven’t met each other before. They’ll get close when they get acquainted.”

This’s a quiet and beautiful village where the middle, lower-class aristocrats and wealthy commoners usually lived.

Every house in the neighborhood has a nice garden, dividing some of the rather close houses with tall trees and grass.

One of them is my house. It’s easy to get to the garden next door with little to no effort.

Adults may not know the way, but I recently found a place that dogs usually use to go through the border.

Without hesitating, I sneak through the bushes and slip inside.

It’s much harder than I expected, fortunately I arrived at the garden next door without a scratch.

“Oh….”

Various trees that are carefully tended to are noticeable from where I’m standing.

This is my first time here because my parents always avoid this particular neighbor.

Now all I need to do is to find Idris, and it isn’t difficult to do so.

It is impossible for him to not know someone broke into the garden. I’m sure he’ll check it out, soon enough.

My prediction is only plausible because I know that Idris Schneider is a very sensitive person.

Even in the novel, young Idris could find anyone anywhere. It was because of one of his habits to observe people.

Other than being under an abusive parentship. His freedom was limited. He couldn’t go out and he never met anyone else. All of his knowledge, he acquired through observation.

An inherent gift as a mage.

Of course, Idris, who I’m going to meet, hasn’t discovered his identity as a mage.

He will learn the truth as he grows up.

‘But why isn’t he coming?’

“Huh?”

I am trying to sneak around when my feet hit something. Panic kicks in as I immediately step back to check the damage I caused.

Dressing in a white shirt and black pants, the white-haired boy was squirming from my kick.

‘Huh? Wait a minute. White hair?’

At that moment, the boy turns toward me, hesitating in his step.

It’s Idris, his eyes are glassy from suppressed tears.

‘Ugh, I’m screwed. What should I do?’

As I panicked, I can see the kick left a clear footprints on Idris’s shirt.

“Ah, haha! Hi! I’m sorry, I didn’t see you there.”

Idris’s expression, which seems like it’s going to burst out crying at any moment, morphs into fear.

His body curls up like a frightened puppy and he seems wary of me.

“…go away!”

It was a difficult situation.

“No, look, I’m sorry I left a shoe mark on your shirt, but you should have told me you were there…”

“Go! Ugh.”

Idris who is shouting loudly suddenly groans.

‘What.’

Surprised, I approach him instinctively.

“What’s wrong? Are you hurt?”

“Don’t touch me!”

“…am I right?”

I ask carefully in the nicest way possible.

Idris widens his eyes in surprise.

“How did you know?”

“I saw the wound. Did the people around you do it? It looks so painful. We need to treat it.”

“…you.”

Idris is still wary, but his eyes observe me closely.

I wait with my hands raised up as a sign that I have no intention of hurting him.

“Vienne of the Astahilt family?”

Wow, he knew my name.

“Do you know me?”

I ask again hoping he doesn’t know.

“You live…next door,” Idris hesitates before he answers.

Damn it. There’s no way he doesn’t know. I live right next door.

As long as he recognizes me, my life won’t be spared in the future.

If I stay here, I’ll end up dead in Idris’ path of vengeance.

“Yes, that’s right. I’m Vienne, I live next to your house. I came here through the bushes. Nice to meet you,” I say as I point the bushes from where I came in.

Idris glared at me, clutching his arms.

“……get out right now. It’s not good for you to be with me.”

“Why? Since we’ve already met, let’s just be friends. We’re neighbors, right?”

“I’m cursed!”

I look at him uneasily when he shouts the words.

“Why do you say that you’re cursed?”