A Villain's Will to Survive novel Chapter 137

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.

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—

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

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

“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.

"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."

Bang—!

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

“... 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.

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

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