A Villain's Will to Survive

Chapter 137: Farewell (2)

Drip, drop... Drip, drop...

Raindrops fell in a steady rhythm, gradually turning into a heavy downpour. A cold wind tugged at Yulie’s clothes, and the drizzle on her shoulders soon grew heavier, soaking her hair and dripping down her chin to the puddles below.

Yet, Yulie remained still, waiting at the entrance of the Yukline mansion for Deculein. Then, as if signaling the end of her wait, a car emerged through the curtain of rain.

Screech—

The car slowed to a stop, its wheels spraying water from the puddles. Yulie watched intently as the door swung open and Deculein stepped out. He carried no umbrella; the rain couldn't reach him, repelled by his shield of Telekinesis.

Thud, thud.

Thud, thud.

Deculein approached, his footsteps muted by the pounding rain. He looked down at Yulie with a cold, indifferent expression, as if assessing a tool that had outlived its purpose.

"Yulie, I thought I made it clear. You're no longer needed as an escort knight," Deculein said, his voice as ruthless as a blade cutting through stone. Nôv(el)B\\jnn

The man who once said a single smile each month was enough, who had promised to change for her, was nowhere to be found.

"... Professor," Yulie said through clenched teeth, tilting her head up, rain sliding down her drenched hair. "I heard everything."

"Hmm. And what exactly have you heard?”

"Regarding the conversation you had with my sister, Josephine—"

"I never imagined you would resort to eavesdropping," Deculein remarked, his eyes narrowing with genuine disgust.

The words struck Yulie’s heart like a shard of ice.

Then he added, "You become more pitiful as the days go by."

The light faded from Yulie’s eyes. Deculein’s harsh, contemptuous stare weighed heavily on the emptiness inside her.

"... Tell me," Yulie managed to say, "was it all a lie? Was everything you showed me just a mask?"

Yulie knew it was over. There was no room for excuses. Her voice, weak and trembling, slipped out in one last plea, holding onto a faint hope that it wasn’t really the end.

Deculein sneered at her trembling voice and said, "Did you truly believe someone like you could change me? That was your arrogance, wasn't it?"

"... Ah."

Yulie’s mouth fell open. The words she had rehearsed, the questions she had meant to ask, scattered from her mind. A bitter laugh slipped out.

“You are exactly as I thought..." Yulie murmured, her fists clenching at her sides.

Rage burned within her—no, she was the one who’d been foolish to trust him. This was Deculein, after all, cunning and heartless as always...

"I will make sure the truth is known—how Veron died, and why it was you who took his life!"

Deculein’s brow creased briefly, his expression hardening. Then, his lips curled into a mocking smirk as he spoke, "You will regret it."

“No, I will not.”

Deculein remained quiet.

“I-I was a total idiot... to ever believe in you,” Yulie spat, rain running down her face. Whether it was tears or raindrops, no one could tell.

Deculein watched her silently, his expression unflinching.

"Tut. Do as you wish, but be ready for the consequences. Remember this—you will regret it," Deculein said.

With a dismissive nod, he walked past her into the mansion, leaving Yulie to watch helplessly as he slipped out of sight.

Splaaash...

The rain fell in relentless sheets, soaking everything in its wake. It was a monsoon, casting the world in a thick, stifling mist. Yulie stood motionless, rooted in place for what felt like an eternity.

Ren, Deculein’s servant, approached through the downpour and said, “Please leave. The master’s orders.”

Yulie turned away quietly, her heart aching with a piercing pain. But she could handle it—no, she had to rise above it...

***

Morning crept in, the sky gradually darkened by the shadows. The endless monsoon filled the air with nature's sound.

Plop— Drop, drip—

Raindrops hit the leaves, scattering and splashing against the ground, carried off by the wind... each sound following its own rhythm. With the heightened senses of my Iron Man body, I listened to each beat, my eyes locked on the Snowflower Stone.

[Comprehension: 43.1%]

My comprehension of the Snowflower Stone was advancing quickly. Only six months remained, and in that time, I would...

— Brother-in-law, it's all set~

Josephine's voice echoed around me, coming from somewhere unseen. I shifted my eyes to the crystal orb resting on the desk.

— Just give the word. I'll bring the Knights' Order to its knees in no time~

"... Understood," I said.

— Wonderful, dear Brother-in-law.

"I no longer hold the title of your Brother-in-law."

— Hehe.

With that chilling laugh, the communication cut off. Without a doubt, she was a true sociopath.

I shifted my focus to the darkness outside. The fall of the Freyhem Knights’ Order was inevitable, and Yulie would soon return to her hometown, Freyden. There, she would grow to despise Deculein, resent me more than anyone. That hatred would eventually lead to...

[Independent Quest: Eternal Winter]

Eternal Winter. Yulie’s own independent scenario, her path to survival. I shut my eyes. Just moments before, I had faced the extreme cold and exchanged words with the giant, but turning Yulie away cut far deeper.

Still, I managed to endure. As a result of dismantling the Castle of Ghosts, I gained a small boost in mental strength. It was only a single point, but even the slightest increase in my already extraordinary mental strength shouldn't be dismissed.

Like a cup filled to its limit, just one more drop could make it overflow. If I could gain that single point, perhaps I might endure Sophien's regression—at least once.

[Rare Attribute Catalog]

Therefore, the Rare Attribute Catalog became my main concern. Or rather, I forced my mind to focus on it. The most tempting option of attribute was Endurance—it would boost both my mental strength and stamina.

It seemed like the obvious choice to strengthen myself, but maybe there were other, more practical attributes. I had to take my time; rushing to use this reward would only lead to regret.

— Hey.

A new voice emerged from the other crystal orb. This time, it was Ihelm.

— Are you there?

The crystal orb was a gift from Chairwoman Adrienne, meant to foster both friendly competition and communication for us.

— I came across something of interest on the Floating Island. Hey, why do you remain silent?

I reached for the crystal orb and replied, "Speak. I'm listening."

— Oh, okay.

Ihelm let out a chuckle, though I couldn’t see what he found so amusing.

— I saw Leaf on the Floating Island.

"A mage visiting the Floating Island doesn’t exactly spark any interest."

— No, there’s something of greater interest. I’ve heard Decalane appeared in her dream.

The moon slipped free from its shroud of clouds, casting a soft glow that spilled through the window.

— Actually, I encountered Decalane on the Ghost Island as well. It seems he hasn’t given up on Leaf yet. What are your thoughts, Deculein?

Decalane. While Yulie’s independent quest was Eternal Winter, mine was Family, and Decalane was at its core. There was still more I needed to do—I hadn’t given up. Letting Yulie go for now had been a matter of timing, but I knew this quest could be cleared in more ways than one.

"Decalane..." I muttered, rising from my chair and surveying the room. Every shelf was meticulously arranged, dedicated to a single field—pharmacy. It was a sanctuary of herbs, roots, and elixirs from around the world. My chosen path to cure her curse. “... I will not fail."

"No matter the sacrifices or the time it takes, I will...

— Heh. Is that so? You’re certain you won’t fail? Well, neither will I. Now, regarding Decalane—

"I'm ending this call."

— What? Listen, the race for Chairperson is nearly over. Shouldn't we consider some cooperat—

“I’ll be on the Floating Island soon,” I said before cutting the line.

Ihelm’s help wasn’t essential, but there was no reason to turn down an offer freely given.

"... It seems I have a busy road ahead," I murmured, donning my coat once more.

***

Yeriel had secured a training space for Epherene at Mana Explosion, the famous hotel on the Floating Island. The mana grew denser with each floor, making the top level ideal for magic training. She had reserved that floor under the Yukline name.

Epherene groaned, her breath coming in ragged gasps. While Sylvia, Rogerio, Gindalf, and the others enjoyed their meal in the hotel restaurant downstairs, she pressed on with her mental strength training. It was a grueling task. If it had been about managing mana, she might have handled it better, but mental strength demanded a completely different kind of effort.

“Not going well?” Yeriel asked, setting her book aside. She had been lounging on the sofa, casually watching Epherene struggle.

Epherene heaved a sigh before replying, "No... not at all."

She had been stuck for three days now, her mind blocked like a bad case of constipation. In just two days, Carla would return, and Epherene still had nothing to show for her efforts.

“What exactly are you trying to do? Build some kind of ultimate defense mechanism? Are you trying to inscribe a magic circle into your mind?” Yeriel asked, setting her book aside.

Epherene forced a bitter smile. The mental guardian she tried to implement wasn’t someone she particularly liked. He was complicated, often infuriating, but also the most dependable figure she could think of. That self-assured man who had once declared that his presence was the proof of reality. Yet, trying to construct Deculein in her mind was anything but simple.

"Don't even say it," Yeriel snapped, her expression darkening.

Epherene's heart skipped a beat at the thought, Of course, as the Professor's sister, she catches on so quickly—

"You’re not imagining someone like Archmage Demakan, are you?" Yeriel asked carefully.

"... Sorry? Oh, no, of course not," Epherene replied quickly, holding back a sigh of relief. "I've never even met him."

“Well, alright then. Just try something simple, like a lion. Dragons are far too complicated," Yeriel said, already flipping through another grimoire.

She took a short break from her duties as a lord, dedicating herself entirely to magic. She practiced in secret, away from Deculein’s eyes. It wasn’t that she minded if he found out, but the thought of him knowing made things awkward.

“Oh, is this really how they teach magic these days...?” Yeriel muttered, skimming through Epherene’s study materials. It was far more captivating than any amusement park.

Meanwhile, Epherene inhaled deeply, steadying her nerves as Gindalf’s words echoed in her mind.

"Maintain your concentration, but be quick in constructing one. Decalane is a specter, a reaper of souls. Ghosts never forget those they've crossed paths with, and he could return when you least expect it."

She couldn’t tell when Decalane would return, or what he wanted from her. To her, the Yukline family suited someone like Professor Deculein far more than it ever would her.

Epherene sighed again, closing her eyes as she tried to concentrate on building her mental defense mechanism.

Bang—!

Suddenly, the hotel door flew open. Epherene and Yeriel glanced over, expecting to see Rogerio and Gindalf back. But it wasn’t them.

“Ah! Deculein?!” Yeriel gasped, her eyes wide. She sat up straight, swallowing nervously as she locked eyes with him.

With Ihelm by his side, Deculein stepped into the room and said in a commanding voice, "Yeriel."

"W-what! I came here to study magic! Who said I needed your permission?!" Yeriel snapped defensively, a hint of nervousness lurking beneath, like a cornered chihuahua.

"Step outside for a moment," Deculein commanded.

“... O-oh, alright. Yeah, sure,” Yeriel replied, letting out a sigh of relief. If he wasn’t here for her, there was nothing to worry about. She nodded quickly before hurrying out of the room.

Now alone with Epherene, Deculein called her name, “Epherene.”

"Yes? D-did I do something wrong...?" Epherene asked.

"We will begin a private lesson," Deculein declared.

“... Oh?” Epherene muttered, her eyes widening in confusion.

It seemed Deculein had heard the news about her encounter with Decalane and had come to discuss it.

Epherene rubbed the back of her neck and said, “I know how it works. It’s about constructing a mental guardian—”

“No. Decalane appears to be using the unconscious as a medium. Therefore, I will place a magic circle within the unconscious mind,” Deculein interrupted.

Deculein planned to implant a protection magic circle deep within her unconscious. The idea had come to him from a movie he’d seen once. For this, he borrowed a Magitech Brainwave Explorer from the Mage Tower.

“Prepare yourself. We will proceed with this machine,” Deculein commanded.

"Oh, I see. Then..." Epherene hesitated, tapping her lips as she thought. "Could my mental guardian also be placed in my unconscious?"

"It won't be much of an issue, as long as you can handle it," Deculein replied.

Epherene nodded in response and said, “Then, Professor...”

Deculein focused on assembling the equipment, adjusting the intricate components of the Magitech Brainwave Explorer. It demanded meticulous preparation to operate correctly.

“Will you help me fall asleep?” Epherene asked.

Deculein’s hands paused mid-motion. Slowly, almost mechanically, he turned his head, his sharp gaze locking onto hers, filled with bewilderment as if he couldn’t quite understand what she meant.

“Hah—!” Ihelm burst into laughter, having quietly observed the exchange.

In that tense, oddly charged moment, Epherene continued, "And... could you show up in my dreams... every time?"

“Hahaha—!” Ihelm chuckled, his laughter echoing with growing amusement.

Whirr—! Whirr—!

The sudden wind rushed across the hotel ceiling, swirling violently.

“W-why are you looking at me like that...? Oh! I mean, what I’m trying to say is..."

Deculein kept his eyes locked on Epherene.

***

Meanwhile, early in the morning, Sophien woke up and immediately checked the snow globe. Inside, the scene was just as ordinary as ever; nothing had changed.

“When is that knight going to come out?” Sophien muttered.

She still didn’t have the resistance to endure the cold within the snow globe, so returning was out of the question. For now, all she could do was believe in Keiron's words and wait.

Knock, knock—

At that moment, a sudden knock echoed through the room, just as Sophien had ordered the previous night. Now that it was time to address it, she felt a wave of reluctance wash over her, but there was no avoiding it if she wanted to escape Deculein's endless nagging.

"Come in," Sophien commanded.

The door creaked open, and several vassals entered, bowing low before her. They presented the morning reports and said, “Your Majesty, the day's schedule is ready to begin—”

“Your Majesty, the day's schedule is ready to begin—”

Then, the vassals' voices distorted, twisting into a strange, unnatural tone. Suddenly, the entire room around Sophien shifted. Her luxurious bedchamber warped into a desolate ruin, cloaked in cobwebs and a sinister aura.

Still, she remained composed, her eyes sweeping over the scene. The air was thick with malice, and the vassal’s voice lingered, hauntingly echoing through the darkness.

“Your Majesty, the day's schedule is ready to begin— Your Majesty, the day's schedule is ready to begin— Your Majesty, the day's schedule is ready to begin— Your Majesty, the day's schedule is ready to begin...”

Soon, the voice faded, leaving behind an eerie silence. In the next moment...

“... Your Majesty?”

Sophien was back in the Imperial Palace before she could comprehend what had happened.

“Hmm, very well,” Sophien said, keeping her composure as she turned to the vassal. “Were you watching me the entire time?”

“I beg your pardon?” the vassal stammered, clearly taken aback.

"Tell me, was I present here the whole time?"

“Pardon me...? Yes, Your Majesty. You have been here all along.”

"... Then, this is the doing of a demon."

“I beg your pardon?!”

It was a stench she recognized—an oppressive, clinging energy of demons that filled the air around her. She nearly ordered the vassals to summon Deculein but hesitated, the words catching in her throat.

“Hmm...”

If he genuinely loves me, he might misinterpret the situation. He could easily convince himself that, without Keiron, he’s the only pillar left for me to lean on.

“... Well,” Sophien muttered.

Understanding the Existential Realm, the Mana Realm, or even all things in the universe and their workings is straightforward. But human relationships—they are pure chaos and madness. Even if there’s only a small chance that Deculein doesn’t love me, it would be wise to stay cautious if that risk is there...

“This time, I’ll take it upon myself to find the answer.”

Not with lethargy or ennui, but with the power of my will, Sophien thought, an Empress’s regal smile subtly tugging at her lips.