Memoirs of Your Local Small-time Villainess
Chapter 344 - Arrivals in departure

The Hartford mansion’s foyer buzzed with quiet tension as evening shadows stretched across the estate. Scarlett sat slightly apart from the others in a low-backed chair near the corner, red journal open in her lap. Garside stood by the entrance, perfectly still, as though carved from the same wood as the doors beside him.

Fynn was seated cross-legged on the floor by one of the walls, eyes closed in meditation. He’d spent nearly the entire day like that, and it unsettled Scarlett — not because it was anything unusual for him, but because she couldn’t help but wonder if it was less a routine and more like a necessity right now.

By one of the staircases, Rosa, Kat, and Allyssa huddled together. Allyssa was rummaging through a spatial bag crammed with potions and various concoctions, deep in concentration as she listed off effects and dosages to the first two. It wasn’t the first time the trio had done this, but the girl was still going over everything like it was a final exam. Rosa listened with feigned ease, Kat with full attention.

Shin leaned against the wall, arms crossed over his chest. His sword and shield rested at his feet, and he watched Allyssa’s recitation with a calm, unreadable gaze. His armour clinked faintly when he shifted weight from one foot to another.

Scarlett flipped another page in her journal, scanning the scribbled notes for what had to be the twelfth or thirteenth time just this last week. Some of it dated back over half a year, and although she’d read every word more times than she could count, there was still a persistent nagging at the back of her mind that told her she couldn’t leave any space for mistakes. What if she missed something? What if one line of a buried memory written in the margin held a detail that would matter when it was already too late?

The time to leave for Beld Thylelion was fast approaching. She wouldn’t delay it any longer. Even just waiting out the day had frayed her nerves. More than once, she’d had to confront the fear that the system might suddenly declare her main quest a failure, erasing her very existence as punishment. Even if she recognised that this worry wasn’t entirely rational, it wasn’t entirely baseless either.

Minutes passed. Eventually, Allyssa snapped her bag shut with a final nod and thrust it into Rosa’s hands, apparently satisfied they knew her mixtures well enough. Despite all the rehearsals, though, she looked more on edge than anyone else in the room.

Scarlett closed the journal and slipped it into her [Pouch of Holding]. Rising to her feet, she stepped towards the centre of the foyer. Her gaze swept the room—lingering on Fynn, then Rosa, Kat, Allyssa, and Shin—before drifting towards the windows that looked out into the now-dark courtyard.

“I trust you are all prepared,” she said evenly. “The time has come.”

Rosa flipped her hair back, adjusting the cloak draped over her shoulders and tugging at the strap of the bag Allyssa had given her. She smirked at Kat, then tilted her towards Scarlett. “You know, one of the perks of working for her is that she always manages to make things suitably dramatic. Makes everything feel grand, doesn’t it?”

Kat raised a skeptical eyebrow. “I could do without the dramatics, honestly.”

“I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that,” Rosa said with a grin as she walked to join Scarlett.

Kat and Allyssa followed. Kat gave Scarlett a once-over, taking in her appearance with a faint frown.

“…You’re not going like that, are you?” she asked.

“She’s got this fancy artifact,” Rosa answered in Scarlett’s place. “Let’s her change in a snap.”

Scarlett made a subtle motion with her hand. In an instant, her elegant gown vanished, replaced by the sleek, layered form of her usual expedition gear. The dark, flowing scales and fabric of the [Ashenwraith Elegance (Epic)] settled over her, along with the rest of her equipment, barring the [Crown of Flame’s Benediction] and [Eternal Flameweaver’s Athame].

“…That’s handy,” Kat muttered.

Rosa gave a wistful sigh. “I’ve genuinely considered if it’d be worth selling my soul for a trinket like that.”

Scarlett gave them both a brief look before turning her focus to Allyssa, who stood between them. The girl had gone quiet, her expression serious, even a little downcast, as she fiddled with one of the empty vials on her bandolier. She was fully geared—like Shin—and looked as ready to go as the rest of them.

But like Shin, she wasn’t coming.

No matter how many times they’d tried, they hadn’t reached Arnaud Astrey. And without him, Scarlett couldn’t justify letting either of them join the expedition. None of them were happy about it, but she’d made the call, and everyone understood why.

Even so, Shin and Allyssa had suited up. Just in case.

Scarlett would be lying if she said she wasn’t still uneasy about going without them. And without Arnaud. Especially given the warnings she’d received. But it couldn’t be helped.

If Yamina’s ‘predictions’ held any truth, and something that they couldn’t handle truly awaited them in Beld Thylelion, then hopefully the contingencies Scarlett had prepared would be enough. She didn’t like relying on chance, but at this point, there was no plan that didn’t involve risk. It was only a matter of choosing which risks to accept.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

“Fynn,” she called.

The white-haired youth’s eyes snapped open. He stood in one fluid motion and joined them without a word, but the sharp glint in his eye told Scarlett he was ready. He always got a certain look before something dangerous.

Shin stepped forward to join them at the center of the room as well.

“My Lady, are there any final instructions you would give me?” Garside asked, approaching with his own brand of quiet solemnity.

Scarlett turned to him, considering him for a bit. Then she shook her head. “No. You know what to do if our return is delayed. I’ve left documents for Evelyne — in the top drawer of my office desk.”

She had no intention of dying or failing to return from Beld Thylelion. If she did, she suspected there was a decent chance the world would follow her into ruin in the not-so-distant future. So there wasn’t much point in wasting time dwelling on farewells or trivialities. Despite that, she’d made certain arrangements. Measures meant to ease Evelyne’s burden. Just in case. The younger woman had earned that much, regardless of the complicated tangle that was their relationship.

Garside was silent for a long beat before lowering his head. “Very well, My Lady.”

He didn’t know exactly what they were setting out to do, or where they were going, but he no doubt understood the risk, and that it was very important. Other than him, Lady Withersworth and Evelyne would likely have wanted to be present to see them off, but Scarlett had kept most of this from the former, and she had insisted the latter stay in her quarters and focus on recovery.

Her interactions with Evelyne were still strained more often than not. And despite drawing the woman further into her plans, Scarlett had no desire to wrestle with the awkwardness of saying goodbye.

She cast one last glance over her party. This time, only she, Fynn, Rosa, and Kat would be leaving. Four people, heading into ancient Zuverian ruins that might hold the fate of the world in their depths.

In the game, you were at least five.

“Allyssa. Shin. Step back,” she ordered.

Both Shielders obeyed, though there was a clear reluctance in their movements.

Scarlett reached into her [Pouch of Holding] and withdrew the [Sphere of Serendipity]. The golden orb glowed faintly in her palm, catching the soft light from the chandeliers above.

She turned to Rosa, Kat, and Fynn. “Ready yourselves. From here onward, nothing will come easily.”

Kat and Fynn nodded, focused and steady. Rosa gave her a smile — one of the rare, genuine ones Scarlett had learned to recognise.

“Even if it’s just us, we’ve got your back, Scarlett,” the bard said.

Scarlett met her eyes, gave a small nod, and returned her focus to the artifact. She studied the sphere for a few seconds, then took a slow breath, reaching out to activate the link required to trigger it.

Just before the link settled, something brushed against her awareness.

Her brow furrowed. She lowered the sphere and turned toward the entrance.

“What is it?” Kat asked.

Scarlett’s eyes narrowed on the front doors. “Unannounced guests.”

The Loci had just alerted her that someone attempted to teleport into its domain. It had blocked the attempt for now, but Scarlett knew very few people who would go around teleporting directly to people’s homes like this.

With a mental command, she instructed the Loci to allow the intruders through — but only to the front gates. The house spirit obeyed without hesitation. Scarlett’s eyes narrowed further as, through the Loci’s senses, she saw two visitors appear before the estate, surprising her household guards.

She hadn’t necessarily anticipated an arrival like this, but it wasn’t entirely surprising. That said, the timing was very suspect.

Another mental command warped space around the visitors, relocating them to the front steps of the mansion. The doors swung open of their own accord, revealing the unexpected arrivals to the room.

“D-Dad?!” Allyssa blurted out, her voice caught between shock and disbelief.

There, standing just beyond the threshold, was Arnaud Astrey, dressed in a deep green coat trimmed with gold buttons and a crimson sash across one shoulder. A finely crafted sword sheath hung at his hip, and a weathered satchel was slung over his back.

Beside him stood none other than Warley Godwin, Dean of Elystead Tower. The silver-haired archwizard wore his usual sweeping black cloak lined in scarlet, his sharp eyes scanning the room with open curiosity.

“Hello there, my little honeydrop,” Arnaud said, smiling at his daughter. “Did you miss me?”

“Dad…” Allyssa stared at him, jaw slack. “Where in Ittar’s name have you been, you stupid old jerk? We’ve been trying to reach you for days!”

His smile faltered. He coughed lightly into his fist. “Yes, well. I’ve been rather preoccupied, and—”

“No — never mind. That’s not important right now.” Allyssa cut him off, stepping forward. “Are you here to join us?”

Arnaud paused. His more jovial expression gave way to something more serious one as he glanced at Scarlett, then Dean Godwin. “…It seems that might be the case, yes.”

Scarlett’s gaze shifted to the archwizard, who returned it with an amiable smile.

“Baroness, it has been some time,” he said.

“So it has, Dean,” she replied simply.

“That was a rather remarkable reception,” he continued, tone light. “I will say, your Loci has improved considerably since I last examined it. I was surprised to find it could contest my magic. I trust that is not solely thanks to the pylon team’s efforts?”

“No, it is not.” Scarlett studied him closely. “…Perhaps age has dulled your manners, Dean, but it is generally customary to announce one’s visit before materialising uninvited at someone’s home.”

Dropping in without warning was one thing. Scarlett had long since gotten used to that. Appearing via teleportation like this, though…

Most people didn’t have the means to send instant messages over long distances.. But Warley Godwin was not most people. He was one of the most accomplished mages in the empire, and Scarlett knew for a fact that he had access to message spells — whether or not he could cast them personally.

Dean Godwin offer a small, apologetic dip of his head. “My sincerest apologies for the intrusion. The situation proved rather…pressing, and Mister Astrey here was in urgent need of my assistance.”

Scarlett turned her attention to Arnaud.

“Baroness,” the older Shielder began, his tone more measured now as she looked over her and the others, “forgive the assumption, but it seems you are preparing to leave on an important journey.”

Scarlett nodded. “We are.”

His expression sharpened, a slight contraction of the eyes. “And were my daughter and Shin meant to join you on this venture?”

“They were not,” she said plainly, though a note of pointedness crept into her voice. “Not unless fate proved gracious enough to deliver you to us before our departure.”

Arnaud regarded her, then glanced back towards Godwin, whose smile remained undisturbed as he said nothing. Scarlett wondered whether Arnaud knew the archwizard could detect lies

A brief silence passed between the group.

Scarlett watched both Arnaud and Godwin for some time before eventually speaking. “So, tell me. Unless your timing is mere coincidence…” She crossed her arms. “Did Yamina Ward have a hand in your arrival?”