A Villain's Will to Survive novel Chapter 133

Chapter 133: Snow Globe (1)

I shaped a chair from the mix of soil and snow, then put together a modern-looking shelter in no time. It was a perfect blend of Ductility and Aesthetic Sense. All the while, Sophien quietly enjoyed her ice cream, not a drop out of place. She had a kind of elegance that made it clear she was an Empress.

"Let me make this clear," Sophien said, setting her spoon aside. I turned to face her. "Inside my bedchamber, time flowed as usual. The moment you shook the snow globe, I possessed the cat and stopped your actions. However, beyond the bedchamber, a time difference occurred."

I nodded and replied, "Yes, if that's the case—"

"It seems this snow globe created an energy barrier around my bedchamber," Sophien continued. "Not just inside, but extending beyond it. It’s likely some kind of built-in defense mechanism of the snow globe."

"Yes. And also—"

"The time difference might keep increasing, or it could stay as it is," Sophien said, briefly closing her eyes as she possessed the red-furred munchkin cat.

Tick, tock— Tick, tock—

The second hand on my watch ticked forward.

When the Empress opened her eyes, she glanced at my wrist and said, "The time difference is growing. Four days here now pass for just one day outside."

"I understand," I replied.

It was only the Empress's speculation. Sophien rested her chin on her hand and remarked, "You’re not questioning any of this?"

"You are never wrong, are you, Your Majesty?" I echoed her own words back to her.

Sophien smirked, then went back to scooping up her ice cream.

"... Even so, it's strange," I muttered.

I checked my blood flow, assessed the density of mana outside the snow globe, and tracked its recovery rate. Despite spending 5,000 mana on the Midas Touch and the globe's Comprehension, two hundred mana had already regenerated.

“There’s no noticeable difference from the outside world. If anything, the density of mana here is even greater. It’s an excellent place for training or study," I said, glancing at Sophien, who tilted her head slightly, like a stubborn child avoiding her lessons.

"Your Majesty?"

"... Just go train on your own. I burned through most of my mana training in wordcraft and swordsmanship while waiting for you. I’m completely exhausted."

"Is that so? Then, a question, Sir Keiron," I said, shifting my focus to where he stood, firm and silent behind Sophien.

"Sir Keiron," I called out once more.

There was no response.

"Sir Keiron?"

"That one's just a statue," Sophien remarked.

I tapped Keiron's body, and a hollow, metallic echo followed.

"Keiron left this statue behind and went off to explore, to determine the extent and nature of this world."

I held my silence.

"It will be some time before he returns. Fools always learn the hard way."

I gave a slight nod.

Sophien raised an eyebrow, amusement gleaming in her eyes, and asked, "What's the matter? Don’t tell me you’re feeling shy now that it’s just the two of us."

"It is my greatest honor to remain by Your Majesty's side."

She looked over my face, taking in every line and crease, until her expression shifted oddly.

“You’re telling the truth,” Sophien observed.

"Of course, Your Majesty."

Sophien could read human emotions effortlessly. With enough time and focus, no one could hide from her.

Whooosh—

A sharp gust of wind swept past, and Sophien tightened the collar of her cape.

"Are you feeling cold, Your Majesty?" I inquired.

"... I've spent most of my days in the palace. Having ice cream in this weather certainly hasn’t helped with the cold."

I removed my coat, and Sophien glanced at me, a hint of surprise in her eyes. Offering it to her, I said, "This coat is nearly an artifact. It regulates temperature and should keep you warm, Your Majesty."

Sophien silently draped my coat over her shoulders. With the Midas Touch enhanced to its fourth level, it was sure to keep her warm.

"It is quite warm," Sophien remarked.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"However... Deculein."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Were you aware?" Sophien asked, her voice turning cold as her expression hardened. "The Freydens were involved in my poisoning. I’m speaking of your fiancée’s family."

The air grew still, as if time itself had stopped. In this frozen snow globe, I turned my eyes to Sophien.

"It wasn't just the Freydens. Other houses were involved as well, including the Yuklines," Sophien said, taking another spoonful of ice cream. "Nearly every noble family on the continent turned against me, with the Freydens at the forefront."

I remained silent.

"Even now, I can’t help but wonder... what could have driven them to such extremes?" Sophien asked, raising her head, her expression icy and distant. "Of course, I don’t hold you responsible now. It was your predecessors who made that choice."

"Do you seek revenge?" I asked.

"... Even that thought feels so far away," Sophien sighed. "If I were to punish them all, the chaos across the continent would be exhausting to even think about. And it wouldn't make them suffer as I have. It would simply bring an end to their bloodlines, nothing more."

A heavy silence settled between us.

"Therefore, I just wish to be free of it all," Sophien confessed.

I looked at her, and for a moment, glimpsed the death variable surrounding her—a clear sign of suicidal intent. It was almost ironic.

Freed from her ennui and lethargy, she had learned too many harsh truths, too quickly, leaving her disillusioned. The effort required for revenge or securing the continent's future now felt hopelessly disproportionate to any reward she could hope for.

"I will remain by Your Majesty's side, so please do not speak of such matters."

"... Hmph. I have no need for that. And what difference would it make, having someone like you by my side?"

"No, Your Majesty. I have already informed you."

Sophien scoffed at my response. I turned my eyes to the red aura flickering around her, burning like a flame—the death variable taking shape.

"I will always be with you at every step of your journey."

For a moment, her expression hardened. It was meant to hold back the death variable, but there was sincerity in it.

"And I will always accompany you on every journey. When it concludes, I will still be by your side. Even if I must sacrifice my life, stand before you once more, Your Majesty."

There was no point in saying it—if she died, it would be game over.

"So, do not seek to flee, Your Majesty. An Empress of the Empire finds true freedom in facing her challenges, never by turning her back."

Sophien’s expression turned cold as ice, and she stayed silent for a long moment. Then, unexpectedly, a faint, awkward smile crossed her lips as she asked, "Deculein, do you still remember?"

"Remember what, Your Majesty?"

Whoooosh—

In the distance, a whirlwind stirred, sweeping up snow and dust to create a blizzard. I watched the turbulent currents.

Then, in a voice as gentle as a breeze, Sophien murmured, "You have died for me before."

There was a deeper meaning in her words that I couldn't ignore. I turned back to Sophien and said, "... Your Majesty?"

A faint smile graced her lips and said, "That will do. Focus on the task at hand. This snow globe is neither a shelter nor a romantic escape."

Sophien stared at the blizzard on the horizon—a force of nature that swallowed the snow globe's sky. The ground beneath us began to crack.

Creeeaak—

"Deculein..."

Before she could speak, the ground crumbled beneath us, and a crevasse suddenly opened up.

Ruuuuuumble—

Fwoooosh—

"Hyaaah—!"

"That little girl is really talented, isn’t she? What was it called—Property Conversion?" Epherene remarked.

Property Conversion was one of Ria's magical talents. As the name suggested, it allowed her to change properties—water into earth, earth into fire, fire into wind, and so on—at will. She was still rough around the edges, but her potential was undeniable.

"Shh. Now, it’s your turn, Miss Epherene. Why are you still digging into Professor Deculein’s past~?"

"Oh..." Epherene murmured, hesitating, unsure of how to put it into words. Even if she explained, she doubted Ganesha would believe her.

"Oh, Ganesha, have you been to Lokralen too?" Epherene asked.

“... Ah.”

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