Reincarnated as the Villainess’s Unlucky Bodyguard

When Liria finally cracked her eyes open, she found herself lying on what felt like the world's scratchiest blanket in a dim, cozy room with wooden walls and a low ceiling. Everything was still a bit blurry, but she could make out a fire crackling in a nearby hearth. The faint smell of herbs, wood smoke, and something that vaguely resembled soup filled the air.

"Ah, so you're awake."

A raspy, no-nonsense voice made Liria turn her head. Sitting next to her bed, spooning some dark, mysterious liquid into a wooden bowl, was the oldest woman Liria had ever seen. She had hair the color of fresh snow, eyes sharp as flint, and a face that looked like it had survived at least three plagues, a war, and possibly a run-in with a bear. Despite all that, the old woman was looking at her with an unexpected gentleness.

"You gave me quite a scare, lass," the woman said, holding out the bowl. "Drink this."

"Uh… thanks?" Liria managed, sitting up slowly and blinking to clear her vision. She eyed the bowl warily, wondering if it was safe. The liquid inside was a questionable shade of brown, with some kind of plant floating on top. It looked like a potion straight out of a dubious witch's cookbook.

"Oh, don't look at it like that," the old woman scoffed, clearly reading Liria's expression. "I didn't drag your half-dead body out of that ruin and patch you up just to poison you now. Drink up."

With a sigh, Liria took a hesitant sip. The taste was every bit as awful as she'd feared earthy, bitter, and with a hint of something that might have once been grass.

She barely managed to suppress a shudder. "Mmm, delicious. Tastes like dirt and regrets."

The old woman chuckled, a sound that was somehow both warm and slightly terrifying. "Name's Daena, by the way. You're lucky I was passing through when I heard those bandits yammering about an 'easy score' in the temple. I thought, well, if there's easy pickings, I might as well take a look, and there you were, out cold and looking more helpless than a soggy biscuit."

Liria set the bowl down, trying to muster a grateful smile despite the lingering taste of swamp water on her tongue. "Thank you, Daena. Really. I don't know what I would've done if you hadn't shown up."

Daena shrugged, then studied Liria with an intensity that made her feel like a beetle under a magnifying glass. "And what, may I ask, were you doing in that temple all alone, hmm?"

"Uh…" Liria's mind raced. Quick, think of something halfway plausible. "I… got lost?"

Daena narrowed her eyes but seemed to let it slide, thankfully.

"Well, lost or not, you're safe now. Rest up. You're as thin as a goblin's sense of humor. I'll get you something to eat."

As Daena moved around the small room, Liria took a deep breath, grateful for a moment of calm. But before she could enjoy it, the voice of her least favorite entity crackled in her mind.

[Congratulations on surviving your first major disaster, User.]

System! she thought, almost jumping out of her skin. You can read my thoughts?

[Correct. How else would I help you avoid your constant life-threatening situations?]

Oh, I don't know how about not reading my mind like some nosy psychic?

[Consider it an efficiency measure. Now, you may wish to brace yourself: You have been reincarnated into the world of "Lady Viper's Vow."]

The title hit her like a slap. Wait. The Lady Viper's Vow? That awful fantasy novel with the villainess who's only slightly less malicious than a rabid bear?*

[Correct again. You have been reincarnated as a secondary character, in a setting that aligns with your previous knowledge.]

Liria blinked, trying to wrap her head around this. So, I'm not the heroine or the villainess just some nobody?

[Technically speaking, yes. A nobody, as you so eloquently put it, but with great potential to become… well, less of a nobody.]

Liria sighed, feeling a headache coming on. Wonderful. Anything else I should know? Like, what kind of world I've been thrown into?

[Certainly. Prepare for an extensive information dump.]

The System paused as if clearing its virtual throat.

[This world is home to multiple species, including Humans, Elves, Dwarves, Sirens, and even Demons. Each species resides in their own kingdoms and territories, and while they all live in peace now, it wasn't always so. A grand war raged across the continents for centuries, only ending one hundred years ago.]

Interesting. And are these kingdoms just as 'peaceful' as they sound?

["Peaceful" is… a relative term. But officially, yes. Here are some relevant realms you may encounter:

Kingdom of Eryndale: A Human kingdom known for its knights, scholars, and particularly dreadful attempts at diplomacy.

The Elven Realm of Caeloria: Home to the Elves, famed for their magic and a royal family that values patience about as much as they value punctuality (which is to say, not at all).

The Granite Halls of Durnheim: A Dwarven stronghold famous for its warriors, blacksmiths, and an unmatched fondness for gold. They say their king once declared war over a stolen drinking mug.

The Domain of Tides: Territory of the Sirens, who value beauty, strength, and have a talent for sinking ships that drift too close to their coasts

.The Dark Plains of Noctir: Homeland of the Demons, a fearsome people who, despite their appearance, are actually rather polite. Just don't touch their tail or horns.]

Liria couldn't help but grin at the bizarre descriptions. Sounds like the United Nations with a side of chaos.

[Indeed. And of course, there are various smaller territories where half-breeds and nomadic tribes reside. Each kingdom has its own ruler—kings, queens, empresses, or… less traditional titles.]

Before she could process this, Daena reappeared, carrying a steaming bowl of something that actually smelled edible this time. She set it down with a nod of approval.

"Eat up, lass. You'll need your strength if you're planning to make it here."

Liria glanced at the bowl, relieved to find a hearty stew instead of that grim concoction from earlier. She took a bite and couldn't help but moan a little it was rich, warm, and surprisingly delicious.

"Wow, this is amazing!" she said through a mouthful.

Daena looked pleased, though she quickly tried to mask it. "Good. You're scrawny as a chicken in winter, so finish it up."

Liria grinned. "Thank you, Daena. And, um, if I'm not being rude… what exactly do you do here?"

Daena raised an eyebrow, smirking. "I travel, mostly. Sell herbs, potions, and the occasional charm if someone's particularly superstitious. And when I'm not doing that, I knock sense into bandits who think they're clever."

Liria chuckled. "Sounds like a noble calling."

"Hah!" Daena laughed, a deep, rolling sound. "Noble, she says! Maybe I'll carve that on my tombstone. Here lies Daena, Noble Basher of Bandits."

They both laughed, and for the first time since arriving in this world, Liria felt a hint of ease.

System, she thought, as Daena turned to stir the pot over the fire. Any chance I can get a list of characters from this novel I'm now apparently a part of?

[Noted. You are currently in the body of Elira Silverthorn, a background character notable only for her brief appearance in a single scene where she… tragically dies due to a fire. Or was it an ambush? Regardless, you seem to have avoided that fate so far.]

Liria's face paled. Oh, that's just fantastic. My whole destiny was to be a nameless corpse?

[On the contrary, you now have the opportunity to rewrite your destiny entirely. I will be here to provide skills, knowledge, and guidance provided you make reasonable choices, which may be a tall order for you.]

Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence.

Just then, Daena returned, noticing Liria's slightly dazed look. "What's wrong, lass? Soup too spicy for you?"

Liria managed a smile. "Just… taking everything in."

"Well, don't fret too much," Daena said, patting her shoulder with surprising gentleness. "You'll find your way here in no time. And if you're lucky, you'll manage to stay out of trouble. Though I have a feeling you're the type to attract it."

Liria snorted. "Yeah, you could say that."

And as Daena busied herself tidying up, Liria leaned back, thoughts whirling. She was in a new world, a bizarre world with magical kingdoms and royal nonsense. She had a snarky System in her head, a mysterious new identity, and apparently, a destiny to avoid becoming a footnote in history.

All she could do was grit her teeth, grip her bowl, and hope that, somehow, she'd make it through this crazy adventure in one piece.