Reincarnated as the Villainess’s Unlucky Bodyguard

The morning was crisp, with soft rays of sunlight cutting through the mist that cloaked the demon palace grounds. Liria adjusted the strap of her sword sheath, her movements smooth and calculated. Though she was calm outwardly, an undeniable weight settled in her chest. She glanced over at Enara, who was fussing over her own pack while sparing a glance toward her mothers.

"You know," Enara began, a slight pout forming on her lips, "you don't have to look so smug about this, Liria. You're dragging me away from comfort, and I'm just supposed to be happy about it?"

[Oh no, heaven forbid Her Royal Highness breaks a nail while embarking on a legendary quest,] the system chimed in mockingly, its tone dripping with sarcasm.

Shut up, Liria thought bitterly, her jaw tightening.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Nyssara and Verida stood nearby, their gazes locked on their daughter. Nyssara's lilac eyes were soft but resolute, while Verida's golden stare carried a sharp edge of worry she tried to mask.

"Enara," Nyssara said, stepping closer to her daughter, "we're trusting you to stay safe. Stick close to Liria and Daena, and for the love of the stars, listen to them."

"I always listen," Enara retorted, her tone exasperated.

Verida crossed her arms, arching a brow. "Oh, really? Shall we recount the incident with the flaming cauldron last month?"

Enara flushed, her indignant expression betraying her guilt. "That wasn't entirely my fault!"

"Of course not," Verida replied, smirking. "And I suppose the cauldron just decided to spontaneously combust on its own?"

Nyssara sighed, stepping between them and placing a gentle hand on Enara's shoulder. "Enough. Let her go with some dignity."

Enara muttered something under her breath, though it didn't escape Nyssara's sharp ears. The queen consort gave her a pointed look, silencing any further complaints.

Nearby, Daena stood with her arms crossed, radiating her usual intimidating aura. She glared at the group from a distance, muttering something to herself about wasted time.

Just as they were about to head out, a new voice rang through the courtyard. "Leaving without a proper send-off, are we?"

The tension in Daena's shoulders doubled as Seraphis emerged, her elegant form swathed in deep crimson robes that shimmered like liquid fire. Her presence, as usual, was both commanding and irritating.

"What do you want?" Daena growled, stepping forward to place herself between Seraphis and the others.

"Relax, Daena," Seraphis said smoothly, her sharp gaze flicking toward Liria. "I'm merely here to wish my apprentice luck."

Liria groaned inwardly. Apprentice? Really? When will she let that go?

[Honestly, she's persistent. Almost admirable… if she weren't so annoying,] the system added dryly.

"You're not her teacher," Daena snapped, her wings flaring slightly. "And she's not your anything. So why don't you slither back to your tower and stay out of our way?"

Seraphis ignored the jab and instead handed Liria a small pouch. "A few useful things for the journey. Call it a gesture of goodwill."

Liria hesitated before taking it, her expression guarded. She didn't trust Seraphis, but she wasn't about to reject something that could potentially be useful.

"Thanks," she muttered begrudgingly.

Daena shot her a sharp look, but before she could say anything, Seraphis turned on her heel and began to walk away. "Do try not to die," she called over her shoulder, her voice laced with amusement.

As Seraphis disappeared, Daena's fists clenched. "I swear, one day, I'm going to—"

"Not now," Liria interrupted, her tone firm.

Daena scowled but relented, muttering curses under her breath as she moved to stand at the head of the group.

The journey began with a mixture of quiet determination and thinly veiled annoyance. The landscape shifted from the lush greenery surrounding the palace to rocky terrain that seemed to stretch endlessly.

Ananara, now perched on Liria's shoulder, was the first to break the silence. "I don't understand why you mortals insist on walking everywhere. Surely there's a faster way."

"Why don't you grow legs and walk yourself?" Liria shot back, her voice laced with irritation.

"I would if it didn't lower my dignity," Ananara replied smugly. "Besides, I'm far too valuable to risk injury on such a mundane task."

Enara snorted. "You're a pineapple. What dignity are you talking about?"

"Watch your tongue, child," Ananara retorted. "I'm a familiar of unparalleled power."

"You're a fruit with an attitude problem," Daena muttered, not bothering to look back.

Liria smirked despite herself, though the weight of their mission lingered in the back of her mind. She knew this wasn't just an ordinary treasure hunt.

[They're nervous, you know,] the system remarked.

Of course they are. Who wouldn't be?

[It's not just about the treasure. They're worried about you.]

Liria frowned but said nothing.

By the time they reached the base of the Wailing Caverns, the sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows over the jagged rocks. The entrance to the cavern loomed before them, dark and foreboding.

"Well," Enara said, her voice unusually quiet, "this looks… inviting."

Daena stepped forward, her hand resting on the hilt of her weapon. "Stay alert. We don't know what's waiting inside."

"Probably death and despair," Ananara quipped. "Just a guess."

Liria ignored the familiar's comment and stepped closer to the cavern. A chill ran down her spine as she peered into the darkness.

[This is it,] the system whispered.

Yeah, Liria thought. This is it.

The group stood before the yawning mouth of the Wailing Caverns, the jagged rocks surrounding the entrance resembling sharp, crooked teeth. A gust of icy wind blew from the depths, carrying a low, eerie moan that sent a chill down their spines.

"Well, this is ominous," Enara muttered, rubbing her arms.

Daena stepped forward, her hand hovering over the hilt of her blade. "Something's wrong. I don't like how quiet it is."

"You're always paranoid," Ananara said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. He was now hovering in midair, larger than usual, his spiked leaves glinting ominously. "What's the worst that could—"

"Don't. Finish. That. Sentence," Liria cut in sharply.

As if on cue, the ground beneath them trembled slightly, and a strange, echoing laugh filled the air. Liria immediately unsheathed her sword, her eyes darting around for the source.

From the shadows near the cavern's entrance, something stirred. A massive figure emerged, its movements slow and deliberate. It wasn't like anything they had seen before. The creature stood at least ten feet tall, its body made of uneven patches of flesh, metal, and stone stitched together in a grotesque patchwork. Glowing runes etched into its torso pulsed with a faint blue light, and its head if it could even be called that was a featureless orb with a single, glowing eye in the center.

"Well," Enara said, her voice trembling slightly, "that's… unique."

The creature stepped closer, its massive feet crunching the rocky ground beneath it. Despite its monstrous appearance, it made no move to attack. Instead, it spoke, its voice a deep, metallic rumble that reverberated in their chests.

"Who dares approach the Wailing Caverns?"

Liria tightened her grip on her sword but didn't lower it. "We're here to enter," she said cautiously.

The creature's glowing eye focused on her, and it tilted its head. "None may enter without proving their worth."

"Of course," Daena muttered under her breath. "There's always a catch."

The creature ignored her and continued, "I am the Gatekeeper. To pass, you must answer my riddle. Fail, and you will not leave this place alive."

"Oh great," Ananara grumbled. "A quiz master from hell. Just what we needed."

"Shut it," Liria hissed. She took a step forward, meeting the Gatekeeper's glowing eye. "Fine. What's the riddle?"

The Gatekeeper extended a hand made of stone and metal, its massive fingers curling as it spoke. "Listen carefully:

I am not alive, yet I can grow.

I have no lungs, yet I need air.

I have no mouth, and yet I drown.

What am I?"

The creature fell silent, its single eye glowing brighter as it waited for an answer.

The group exchanged uneasy glances.

"Seriously?" Enara whispered. "A riddle? Who comes up with this stuff?"

"It's not that hard," Ananara said smugly. "Even a mortal could figure it out. Though I doubt you will."

Enara glared at the pineapple familiar but chose not to engage. "Liria, any ideas?"

Liria frowned, her mind racing. The words of the riddle repeated themselves in her head like a chant. Not alive but can grow. No lungs but needs air. No mouth yet drowns.

"It's something… simple," she muttered, half to herself.

Daena crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing at the Gatekeeper. "We don't have all day, Liria. If this thing decides we're taking too long, we're dead."

"No pressure, then," Liria said dryly.

[You've got this,] the system chimed in, though its tone was more amused than reassuring. [Unless, of course, you don't. In which case… well, good luck.]

You're so helpful, Liria thought sarcastically.

"It's a fire," she said suddenly, her eyes lighting up with realization.

The Gatekeeper tilted its head. "Explain."

"Fire isn't alive, but it grows when it has fuel. It doesn't have lungs, but it needs air to burn. And if you drown it pour water on it it dies," Liria explained, her voice steady.

The creature was silent for a long moment. Then, its single eye dimmed slightly, and it nodded. "Correct."

Enara let out a sigh of relief, while Daena kept her hand on her weapon, still wary.

"Well done," the Gatekeeper said. "You may pass."

As it stepped aside, the entrance to the cavern seemed to widen, the shadows inside shifting ominously.

"I don't like this," Daena muttered. "It's too easy."

"Easy?" Enara said incredulously. "You call that easy?"

"Compared to what's probably waiting inside? Yes."

Liria stepped forward, her sword still in hand. "Let's just get this over with."

[Oh, this is going to be fun,] the system said, its tone practically gleeful.

Ignoring it, Liria led the group toward the cavern entrance. Behind them, the Gatekeeper watched silently, its glowing eye following their every move.