A Villain's Will to Survive novel Chapter 155

Chapter 155: Epherene’s Time (2)

Epherene slowly opened her eyes. Above her, a wooden ceiling came into view, and a mana stone lantern swayed overhead.

“Mmm... Hmmmmmmmm...” Epherene murmured, blinking slowly before stretching her mouth wide with a yawn that shook her head. “Aaahhhhhhh...”

“You certainly take your time. What are you, some kind of a dinosaur?”

At the sound of the familiar voice, Epherene froze in place. Her body stiffened, turning her head slowly with a creaking motion. Of course, it was Deculein.

“Ah... Was it a dream—”

“No, it was not,” Deculein said, closing the book in his hand. His gaze rested on her, carrying a strange gentleness that sent a cold shiver down her spine. That unsettling softness filled Epherene with dread.

“Why... No, are you really Professor Deculein?”

“Yes,” Deculein replied without hesitation.

Epherene quickly blurted out, “You’re not a monster, are you?”

“What?”

“No, no. I mean, where are we? Why did that kid suddenly grow up, and what happened to the village—"

“You’ve been swept up in a magical phenomenon,” Deculein explained.

A magical phenomenon... Could it really be because of that pond in the thicket? All I did was touch a little water. How could that be enough to warp the flow of time? Epherene thought.

Deculein explained, “It’s because you’re someone special.”

“... Sorry?”

“You’ll understand more eventually. For now, come with me,” Deculein said as he rose to his feet.

Epherene climbed out of bed and trailed behind him. The moment they stepped outside the town hall, the sharp wind of the Northern Region cut through her skin like icy needles.

“Huff.”

However, the village was now full of life, with people bustling through the streets, their faces glowing with energy and their steps brisk. Inns, shops, markets, restaurants, and taverns buzzed with activity.

What had been a cold, quiet village not long ago had suddenly transformed. Epherene could only stare in disbelief at the sight of the once still place now flourishing before her eyes.

"... How many years has it been?" Epherene asked.

"Who can say?"

“Oh, right. You wouldn’t know how many years have passed from my time either, would you, Professor?”

Deculein walked ahead in silence, while Epherene quickened her steps to keep up with him.

"But I don’t understand, Professor. How could a magical phenomenon like this even happen? I thought time travel was impossible, even with magic."

“For an ordinary mage, it’s impossible. But you are not.”

Epherene couldn’t tell if Deculein’s words were meant as a compliment or a subtle jab. She glanced at him briefly before the rich, savory aroma of grilled chicken skewers caught her attention, the glistening sauce tempting her senses.

“... Gulp.”

Deculein let out a quiet chuckle and said, “Is your stomach growling?”

“N-no... but what did you mean when you said I’m not ordinary?”

“It’s because of your Origin,” Deculein answered.

Epherene tilted her head, puzzled, and echoed, “Origin?”

"You will understand in time," Deculein replied.

“... What’s that supposed to mean?” Epherene muttered, shooting a glare at Deculein before quickly lowering her eyes, nervous that he might scold her. However, Deculein remained unbothered, showing no sign of displeasure.

What’s really going on with him?

Epherene, her mind swirling with questions, asked, "So, I really am in the future, right?"

“Correct.”

“How do I return to the present?”

"Who can say?"

“Oh, I see... Wait, what?” Epherene muttered, her eyes widening in surprise.

Epherene had expected Deculein to have all the answers, to offer a straightforward explanation and guide her, as he always did, with clear instructions on exactly what to do.

With a faint smile, Deculein said, “You are in the future. Bridging the past, present, and future is far from simple.”

“Then how do I...”

“You’ll have to wait. The path will open again in due time.”

“... The path?”

"Correct," Deculein replied, nodding as he used Telekinesis to guide a chicken skewer toward her.

Epherene took the skewer without hesitation, clutching it tightly as she asked, “And when will the path open again?”

“It will likely be when the second comet descends.”

“Oh, I see...”

Epherene suddenly remembered a villager's words of warning from earlier—how a shooting star had fallen into the thicket just two days ago.

"When will that be?" Epherene asked, taking a bite of the skewer. The taste was so delicious that she found herself chewing faster, eager for more.

“I cannot say for certain. It could be in three days.”

“Three days? Oh, that’s not too—”

“Or a week.”

“A week isn’t too—”

“Or three months.”

“... Three months.”

“Or it could be in a year.”

Epherene stopped mid-bite, her wide eyes slowly rising to meet Deculein’s, disbelief etched across her face.

Deculein chuckled quietly and said, “But you have nothing to worry about.”

“... Sorry?”

For some reason, it was strange, almost unexplainable. The moment his words reached her, though they were nothing more than simple words, all her worries and doubts quietly faded away. It always felt that way around Deculein.

No matter how chaotic the world around them became, his calm remained unshaking, his presence solid. With him at her side, she couldn’t help but have faith in him, depending on his steady presence even in the most unreasonable situations.

However...

“I’ll remain by your side until that time.”

“Oh... Oh?”

Those words made her heart race for a moment, her thoughts suddenly scattering into nothingness. Epherene blinked, her mind blank, before hastily turning her attention elsewhere in search of anything that could distract her.

“W-wow! Look over there! Is that man really wearing a real tiger pelt?” Epherene blurted, quickly pointing at a passerby draped in the large skin like armor...

***

... Epherene had gone missing. The villagers last saw her two days ago, walking into the woods where the shooting star had fallen.

"W-what should we do, Professor? What if Miss Epherene’s been taken by a bear or a tiger?" Allen asked, visibly shaken, with Drent fidgeting nervously beside him.

But I wasn’t too worried. I already knew that death wasn’t in Epherene’s fate, at least not in the future I had seen.

“There’s no need to worry. Let’s focus on the mission. I’ll assign your tasks now,” I said, as I began drafting an official request for support with my pen—a document to request aid from the soldiers stationed at the nearby fortress. “Allen, take this letter and head to the unexplored region with the soldiers. Collect soil samples.”

"... Yes, Professor," Allen muttered, nodding, though his lips pouted in subtle displeasure, a shift from his usual composure.

“And Drent, for you—"

Thud—!

Just then, the door on the first floor opened, and three knights entered with deliberate precision, moving as though preparing for a mission. Without uttering a word, the soft clink of their armor echoed with each step, filling the room with an air of silent tension.

“Hmm,” one of the knights murmured. Mana flared as he methodically scanned the room, sweeping from wall to ceiling with careful precision, making sure nothing was amiss. Finally satisfied, he turned to the doorway. “It is secure, Your Majesty. You may enter now."

Thud— Thud—

“... Hmm.”

“Hmm... how fascinating. It’s a little better,” Sophien murmured, stifling a yawn as she shifted into an even more comfortable position. _{freeweɓnovel.cѳm}

“... In the process of the patrol... I also needed to check... on the Northern Region as well, hmmm...” Sophien mumbled, already half-asleep.

... Snore... Snore...

“Hmm.”