A Villain's Will to Survive novel Chapter 130

Chapter 130: Fog (3)

Sylvia's island, the Nameless Island, had grown into a source of immense magical power. It absorbed mana-infused soil drifting around the Floating Islands’ orbit—known as mana soil—turning the entire island into a catalyst meant solely for Sylvia.

Because of this, any magic cast from the Nameless Island could stretch across the continent—to the Empire's depths, its surface, or even distant, ghostly islands.

“... I don’t deserve to be the one to kill her.”

Sylvia listened to Deculein’s words, feeling the weight they carried.

“Yet, she deserves it.”

“... Deserves what?” Sylvia muttered, knowing he wouldn’t hear her.

As if answering, Deculein continued, “She deserves to kill me.”

It felt like a needle pricking her heart, stirring emotions she believed had died long ago.

“What do you think, Idnik?” Sylvia asked in a flat, emotionless voice, each word sounding fragile, as if it could soon break apart.

Idnik, who stood beside her, replied, "Well, it seems that man still has some shred of conscience left."

Sylvia looked up at the sky. Birds filled the air—migratory flocks passing over the island, with Swifty leading at the front. _{freёwebnovel.com}

“Deserves to kill...”

Sylvia deserved to kill him. Even Deculein had admitted it. With her eyes closed, she fell into deep thought, consumed by hatred. The more she learned, the angrier she became. Yet, buried at the bottom of that dark pit was another emotion, scorched and ingrained within her—love.

“Idnik, are Carla and Deculein acquainted?” Sylvia asked.

“Hmm? Ah...” Idnik replied with a faint smile. “There are a few well-known figures in the Magical Realm—Carla, Rohakan, Adrienne, Rodran, Glitheon, Bethan, Rezol, Kaimdal, Gindalf, Rogerio...”

Idnik rested a hand on Sylvia’s head, prompting her to look up with a glare of irritation.

“And you, Sylvia.”

“... Get your hand off my head,” Sylvia said.

“Each of them has some connection to Deculein. Carla and Rohakan, in particular, were once his mentors.”

Whether it was the best way to put it or not, Deculein had ties everywhere. Of course, not all of them were good.

“If you include the former head, Decalane, nearly every mage ranked above Monarch in this realm had links to the Yukline family. Through his numerous sponsorships, even many of the addicts on the Floating Islands were connected to Yukline,” Idnik continued.

Sylvia stayed quiet.

“Such an interesting family, really. They always knew how to draw attention..."

As Idnik finished, Sylvia nodded and closed her eyes, concentrating on her spell. She turned her focus back to the distant island across the continent.

***

Carla and Deculein were once a mentor and protégé. Carla, the first mage sent at Decalane’s request, began teaching Deculein, with Rohakan taking over later.

Neither of them managed to accomplish their goals. Carla, who was the same age as Deculein, gave up after two weeks. His abilities were simply too limited. She felt a bit of pity for him but ultimately saw it as his own failure. And she wasn’t wrong.

Carla watched Deculein place his hand on Epherene’s forehead, trying to comprehend the dream.

Then, he clicked his tongue and paused.

Carla tilted her head, curiosity lacing her voice as she asked, “Why?”

“This method will take far too long. Instead...” Deculein murmured, briefly closing his eyes as he tried to command the Wood Steel within the castle. “I’m considering a more fundamental approach.”

Carla’s eyes locked onto Deculein’s head, her focus narrowing on his skull. Something had altered within him, making his brain the Altar’s most desired treasure.

“Deculein, I wonder what you've been through.”

Deculein stayed quiet.

Her eyes swept over his body as she added, "I think you fascinate me. I think I'm quite curious about you."

"What do you mean?"

“I’m curious about how you’ve grown, but I’m even more interested in why you took the blame for Cielia’s death.”

Deculein kept his silence.

“Could it be that you pity Sylvia?” Carla continued. “I heard rumors that you were once her professor.”

A faint twitch crossed Deculein’s brow.

Carla looked up, eyes fixed on the traces of wind magic—clear evidence that someone was watching this space. She knew exactly who it was.

“The Deculein I remember was never normal to begin with.”

Deculein listened in silence. The details Carla shared about his past piqued his interest.

"I wonder if I used to pity you back then, with your limited talent and how you couldn't accept it."

The Deculein Carla remembered from those days was like a nervous little dog, constantly growling and snapping, always ready to lash out at even the slightest hint of attack or mockery.

“But now, there seems to be a spark in your soul. I think I can see it,” Carla mused.

Deculein leaned back in his chair. A spark. The word carried a different weight for him. Perhaps it was Deculein’s flame igniting within Kim Woo-Jin’s soul, or maybe it was Kim Woo-Jin’s flame flickering inside Deculein.

“... Carla.”

Anger flickered inside him at the thought of Carla pitying him.

“I pity you as well.”

Kim Woo-Jin knew Carla’s backstory as a named character. In that storyline, she had every reason to be pitied.

"Only a few have lived a life as tragic as yours," Deculein continued.

Carla set her eyes on him.

"I took responsibility for Cielia's death for one simple reason—because I killed her."

Cielia died at Deculein’s hands. He and Carla both remembered it clearly. Whenever demons surfaced, Carla remained by Yukline's side. Cielia’s death was no different—it was caused by that demon, the calamity known as the Letter of Fortune.

“No matter the grudge or reason, there’s no justifying what I did,” Deculein continued. “Regret comes too late. Nothing will change now.”

Carla gave a nod.

"Therefore, I will keep living this way."

“... Do you ever think Sylvia might kill you one day?” Carla asked.

“If she’s capable, I’ll accept it,” Deculein replied.

A sudden gust of wind rushed through the room.

Carla sighed faintly and replied, "...Is that so?"

Carla gave up on the idea of trapping Deculein with her Authority. She pushed aside the thought of cracking open his skull to offer it to the Altar.

“Deculein.”

Carla doubted that Deculein knew. Decalane was not dead. The specter’s brain still survived, buried deep within the Altar, clinging stubbornly to life. And that monster now sought his body.

"What is it?"

“... I think you need to be careful,” Carla murmured, her head shaking slightly.

***

Epherene tried to think of a way out, but nothing came to her mind. For a moment, she thought about shouting that this was all just a dream and that everyone around them were ghosts. Instead, she hesitated, feeling her anxiety grow as she glanced over at Jackal.

“Dude, this is, like, so insanely tasty!” Jackal exclaimed.

“Hmm?”

Ria handed Epherene a ssam, and she reluctantly took a bite.

As Epherene chewed carefully, she glanced at Hetrog. The ssam was normal this time, that he must have finally learned his lesson.

Of course, Ganesha noticed! Epherene thought, nodding, her expression still stunned.

“... Oh.”

So that’s why we’re here—to save someone~ Epherene thought, finally getting it.

Then, an image of someone struck Epherene’s mind like a flash of lightning. A sharp pain throbbed in her temple, leaving her briefly stunned. She quickly scanned the area, her eyes darting around for that person. But he was nowhere to be seen, and the door to the inner castle creaked open.