A Villain's Will to Survive novel Chapter 166

Chapter 166: Advancement (2) Part 1

In the Imperial Palace, the officials were, of course, learning Go—one might even say they tried desperately to master it. In the Empire, the Empress’s favor was nothing short of divine grace and honor, and Go, despite her legendary lethargy, was the one pastime that genuinely held her interest.

“Let the match begin,” Sophien declared.

Therefore, the officials observed the match with tense expressions, aware that the opponent was none other than Professor Deculein—the only one deemed worthy to challenge Sophien on the Go board.

“Have you readied yourself?” Sophien inquired.

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Deculein replied, nodding without a hint of tension or doubt.

Sophien extended the bowl of stones to him. The Empress played black, and the professor, white. Each drew their stones, and the two players locked eyes.

“Referee,” Sophien called.

“Yes, Your Majesty,” replied the elderly man in traditional robes as he stepped forward.

The man’s name was Aldo, a Go master from the Archipelago, who could provide commentary and record each move of the match.

“I am Aldo, acting as the interim referee today. Now, let us begin the third match in the best-of-five series between Her Majesty, Empress Sophien, and Professor Deculein,” Aldo announced, his eyes gleaming with interest as he glanced from Sophien to Deculein, signaling the start of the match.

Tap—!

As the match commenced, Sophien opened by placing her black stone on the lower left star point, while Deculein responded with white on the upper right. Black moved next to the small star in the lower right, and white followed to the upper left. Although the opening moves were simple, the audience watched in rapt silence.

"... Indeed, it seems Professor Deculein stands as a worthy match for Her Majesty."

“They are evenly matched—quite remarkable, indeed.”

“Just look at Her Majesty’s focused expression. It is truly remarkable—such pride it brings to witness how she has blossomed into herself...”

While the officials watched in admiration, Romelock and the senior ministers observed Deculein’s skill with thinly veiled discontent.

Tap—!

“Your Majesty,” Deculein said, breaking the silence.

Sophien lifted her head, and her eyes locked firmly onto Deculein.

Meeting her frigid stare, Deculein asked, "What compels Your Majesty to invest so deeply in the game of Go?"

Then, he placed the thirtieth stone on the board.

Sophien felt a prickle of annoyance, suspecting he was only trying to break her focus, but she answered, "Because, if nothing else, it provides me with some entertainment."

Tap—!

With her thirty-first move, Sophien made a strike that skillfully pressed into the gap in the upper right corner.

Tap.

“Is that so,” Deculein murmured, deftly countering her move.

This man—his moves had such an effortless lightness to them. Has he always played with such ease? Sophien thought, her brows twitching.

It wasn’t just a matter of his stance or gestures. While he still possessed the demeanor of a sage, his presence now radiated an effortless calm, a quiet strength running through him like a steady, unbroken stream.

"And what drives you to ask such a question?" Sophien remarked, setting down the thirty-third stone.

"Because witnessing such passion in Your Majesty is nothing short of inspiring."

"... Enough with the bullshit; shut your mouth."

Deculein sat in focused silence, absorbed in the Go board. Across from him, Sophien placed each stone with measured precision, analyzing every move as though tracing the flow of all possible outcomes. Slowly, the black and white stones on the board arranged themselves, gathering their strength for the clash ahead.

By the time they arrived at the 54th move...

"I am now confident, Your Majesty, that you will now channel that passion into guiding the Empire, broadening its influence, and furthering your own wisdom," Deculein said.

Sophien found his words disturbing. Though she held a slight edge over Deculein, the lead was as fragile as a thread; a single misstep could shift the balance of the game. It felt like treading on thin ice, but Sophien refused to admit it—even the faintest hint of struggle was something she wouldn’t allow herself to show.

Therefore, Sophien replied with a calm edge, "You arrogant fool. Do you really think you're fit to lecture me about passion? Very well. Since you're so intent on offering needless remarks, I'll ask you a question in return."

Sophien looked at Deculein with eyes as sharp as a blade’s edge, but Deculein did not waver, meeting her fierce stare without the slightest flinch.

"Professor, you are aware of who attempted to poison me in the past."

A single breath carried the weight of her words, and a cold silence settled over the room. Deculein and Sophien locked eyes across the Go board, as if it were a wall between them. Both remained composed, while the officials caught in the charged silence were a sight to behold.

Gasp— Gasp—

From the moment Sophien spoke her shocking words, the officials’ faces went ashen, frozen like startled toads. Their eyes widened as if ready to pop, breaths caught in their throats, gasping and choking as though on the edge of collapse. An endless silence settled thickly over the room—until it was broken by the soft click of a stone.

Tap—

The white stone’s 86th move sent a ripple across the board, as gentle as a disturbance in still water. However, Sophien’s attention was elsewhere, her eyes drifting away from the Go board.

With her focus fixed on Deculein, Sophien continued, "That poison left me with nothing but the gift of ennui and lethargy."

Sophien’s voice flowed steadily, devoid of even the slightest tremor or hint of emotion.

Tap. Tap. Tap. Like drops of sweat, each Go stone fell onto the board, one by one. In a single moment, the balance of power shifted. Black, once holding a slight advantage, was now forced into a desperate chase after the white stones. However, even in the face of inevitable ruin, Sophien refused to surrender.

Tap, Tap, Tap—

Grit.

"... Ha," Sophien murmured, a faint, trembling breath escaped her violet lips.