I Will Create a Good Ending for the Yandere Villainess-Chapter 58: Spar Begins? (edited)

Marionette tilted her head to the side—a glimmer of curiosity reflecting in her crystalline-like eyes.

"Hm? Is that really what you want?" she asked, not entirely against Lillian’s exchange, "From what I’ve seen, you’ve been doing rather well."

Lillian raised an eye, doubtful at Marionette’s words for her comment on her display in combat. She knew her swordsmanship was crude. Her footwork was unrefined and clumsy—possibly tripping her up at any moment. (2)

And yet Marionette says she is doing... rather well?

"Rather well? Although I have won my battle, they have all been through either luck or the Items I had at hand."

Lillian wasn’t so delusional to think that the battles she had taken part in were won through her own skills.

The magic grenades in the exam, for example. Those were some of the many items that had given her the edge in the exams, allowing her to skyrocket up the rankings.

The exam’s inventory that she was knowledgeable about while everyone was stumbling around, cradling the found items in their arms, which they had to leave behind because it was too detrimental to them.

Her necklace, blessing her with accidental luck, had allowed her to avoid traps and lethal attacks that would have surely ended the progress she had made during the exam.

On top of that, she had to use up a heart-aching amount of potions so her body could even keep up with the other contestants.

Lastly, she was only able to achieve victory and become number one due to the fact that she had luckily found herself the monster bait and had stumbled upon the dripping line of honey.

Without it, she was sure she would’ve fallen under Marionette’s sinister guandao if the gargantuan metallic bear hadn’t arrived and put an end to her attempt.

Marionette stared at her silently, weighing her words before speaking.

"I see nothing wrong with what you said. Luck and Items are the most common factors in winning every conceptual battle. What matters is your application and adaptability." Marionette then paused, thinking for a moment before continuing.

"Let’s turn this into an analogy that could be more easily understood. You’re perhaps familiar with the game Chess, correct?"

"Yes? But I don’t see how that has anything to do with it..."

"If you cannot see how the game has anything to do with what I said, then you aren’t as familiar with it as you believe you are."

Marionette crossed her arms over her chest.

"In chess, while rare, luck may play a significant role in your victory, be it through a mistake from your opponent or you just happen to remember making a noteworthy move instead of getting tunnel-visioned." she then paused for a brief moment before continuing. "However, ultimately, the victory comes down to how strategic and adaptable you are—capable of using what you have at hand to outmanoeuvre your opponent."

She then pushed herself off the floor, brushing away any stains gathered from the ground.

Marionette then held out her hand towards Lillian, pulling her up as well.

Lillian softly clutched Marionette’s hand, taking in what she said before having a question pop into her mind.

"Wouldn’t I lose to someone much more experienced than me in chess? I’m not really that good at it..." She sheepishly rubbed the back of her head. (10)

"Nine out of ten times, you will," Marionette commented, her voice firm and cold.

Shadows appeared over Lillian’s face as she heard that. (2)

’No matter what... experience matters more than just dumb luck and the items at hand...’

"Right..."

Marionette then chimed in, surprising Lillian as she felt her hand tightening around hers.

"However... that is nine out of ten times. You always have a chance, no matter how deplorable the situation is. Unlike chess, not every move has a counter. Not every move is set in stone. Not every move will have a quick reaction."

Lillian stared at her silently before asking:

"But what if they are? What if my move was countered? What if my move was truly set in stone? What if they were able to quickly react to my move and made an effort to prevent it? What can I do if that happens?"

"Do what you can do. Do whatever it takes for you to win. Nothing else matters more than winning, especially when it means you survive. Anything else besides that is pointless and foolish. For example..."

Marionette shot right hand to Lillian’s neck, stopping before it.

Lillian stared down at Marionette’s hand, which held a knife made of darkness and hovering its edge just before her neck.

"Chivalry. If you are fair, your chances of losing will skyrocket. Be cruel... Use underhanded methods when necessary. Be cunning... Play with the minds of your opponents so that their chances of winning would nosedive while yours rises."

Marionette said, her tone becoming dark and oddly distant as these words left her mouth. Not only that, but it was like she was reciting something from a textbook.

She then pulled back, dissipating the knife before making her way down the curved, tall hill.

Lillian, once breaking out of her frozen stupor, followed after her.

After reaching the uneven ground of the Catacomb, Marionette turned around, facing Lillian as she summoned a sword of darkness in her hand.

"If I am going to train you, I will do so with the majority of my intent to kill you."

Lillian was taken aback.

"Eh!? Why?! Can’t you go easy on me?" (8)

Marionette slowly turned her side to face Lillian, holding out her sword at her and entering an elegant stance that exuded a separate darkness from her element.

A stance so refined it left Lillian in awe, even though Marionette had yet to do anything.

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A stance so guarded it left Lillian in wonder. Like a mountain so harsh in design that it would leave even the most experts in the field of climbing to hesitate, even if it would give them the greatest thrill.

"You’ll benefit more under tense situations. And so will I benefit from this if you become strong." Marionette said, her soothing voice soon becoming deeper as her body began to shiver.

A shiver that seemed more like a glitch as the sight of her blurred in Lillian’s eyes—only to reappear before her and slashing with fierce intensity.