A Villain's Will to Survive novel Chapter 190

Chapter 190: Younger Sibling (3)

... I also once had a younger sibling, though now, even the echo of their voice has long since slipped from my memory.

There were moments when they became temperamental without warning, their frustration spilling over for reasons I couldn’t understand. Even when I called their name, they would glance at me with an annoyed look on their face, as if my presence itself was a bother.

Of course, they weren’t Yeriel, just as Yeriel wasn’t them. Any resemblance I thought I saw in their personalities, or any sense of familiarity, was likely nothing more than a figment of my imagination.

Perhaps it was nothing more than my selfish desire to see Yeriel take their place. From the moment I first met her, that thought might have taken root in my heart without me even realizing it.

However, searching for the roots of unspoken emotions was nothing more than a foolish chase. I had no patience for the empty philosophies of self-reflection or the endless spiral of doubt. I refused to waste my time unraveling the reasons behind fleeting feelings.

I was an unchanging self, carrying a proud sense of dignity in my identity. Because I did not tell lies, I was able to declare this with absolute certainty.

When I became Deculein from Kim Woo-Jin, Yeriel was the first to seek me out. Whether she was Scarletborn or not, it changed nothing—I had already accepted her as my sister. These were the words of a man who had once lived as Kim Woo-Jin but now walked as Deculein.

"Yeriel," I said, meeting her eyes.

Yeriel pressed her lips together tightly, her wide eyes trembling like water in a fragile glass, on the verge of overflowing.

"Return now and take care of your territory. Yukline needs you."

“... What did that Scarletborn ask for?” Yeriel asked, swallowing hard as she wiped her tears with her sleeve.

Yeriel seemed curious, but Elesol’s terms were simple. There were requests that the gas chambers in Roharlak remain inactive, that political prisoners be spared from arbitrary executions, and that, at the very least, once every six months, permission be granted to arrange discreet communication with those inside Roharlak under silent approval.

“There’s no need for you to know,” I replied.

“Then... what will happen to the Scarletborn from now on?” Yeriel asked hesitantly.

“The tide cannot be turned, Yeriel. The Empire, the continent, and the Empress herself call for the oppression and annihilation of the Scarletborn, and I cannot stand against the weight of such a current.”

Sophien bore a grudge against the Scarletborn, yet they were the only means of leading the Empress to the Altar.

"The Scarletborn and the Empire have strayed too far down separate paths. Though I will continue the oppression of the Scarletborn, when the time comes, I may yet reveal a single truth to Her Majesty," I concluded.

Sacrificing the Scarletborn to complete the main quest was far from just or righteous, but a villain spared no means to achieve their goals. If the most efficient way to destroy the Altar had been within my reach, I would have done so without hesitation. Even if I were to face the consequences one day, I would accept them with no regrets.

"... And, um, one more thing," Yeriel said, looking hesitant as she stepped closer. "You used to hate me, didn't you? But why...?"

Yeriel trailed off, her words faltering under the weight of hesitation, her thoughts knotted like threads in a web she couldn’t untangle.

"It is a natural part of growing up for siblings to fight. Now, return to the territory," I ordered.

“What... Hmph.”

Yeriel seemed to be back to her usual self, as if her eyes were puffy and red, swollen as if bees had stung her, and she stood silently, arms crossed.

“What are you doing?” I inquired.

"... You told me to leave, but I have no idea how to get back from here, so I’m just standing here trying to figure it out," Yeriel replied.

At that moment...

“Oh! There you are, Professor!”

A bright, cheerful voice rang out from a nearby hillside, and Yeriel and I turned to look in its direction.

“Haha! It’s been a long time!”

There was an adventurer who often carried my mail, including the official letters meant for the Empress, and brought back Her Majesty’s replies to me.

"... Here is the reply from Her Majesty," the adventurer said, kneeling on one knee and presenting the official letter from the Imperial Palace.

I maintained my formality as I took the letter from his hand.

"Wow, Professor, your official letter was exceptionally eloquent. I found myself admiring it as I read it to Her Majesty," the adventurer said, rising to his feet with a chuckle.

I stared deeply into his eyes.

“... Well then, I’ll take my leave—”

"Wait," I said, stopping the adventurer as he was about to leave. "Do you provide transportation for people as well?"

“Transportation for people?” the adventurer asked, tilting his head slightly.

I glanced at Yeriel, and as she caught my meaning, a slight frown appeared on her brow.

"Oh, yes, I can~ I’ll prepare the contract document right away~"

"Are you serious? You're leaving me with some random postman?" Yeriel said.

"He is not an ordinary postman—he is an adventurer."

“That’s not the point—”

"Silence."

Ignoring Yeriel’s protests, I took the contract from the smiling adventurer and glanced through its details. The price stood out, positioned at the higher end of the usual range.

"What?! Seven million elne?! This is daylight robbery! Even transporting dozens of VIPs doesn’t cost this much!" Yeriel yelled, glaring at the adventurer as she glanced over the contract on my shoulder.

“Take her,” I said, silencing her complaints with a hand over her mouth as I signed the contract.

"Yes, Professor! Lady Yeriel, your safety and comfort will be my top priority throughout the journey!" the adventurer said.

Yeriel looked at me with a complicated expression—a mix of slight frustration, mild regret, a touch of guilt, and a hint of sadness.

“Yeriel,” I said.

“... What?”

"Remove that look from your face; it is offensive. Show the proper respect siblings owe one another."

"... What is that supposed to mean—"

"Carry on as if nothing ever happened," I said, using Telekinesis to brush away the snowflake that had landed on Yeriel’s hair. "Just as you always have, just as you do now, and just as you will in the days to come."

Yeriel silently looked up at me, her jaw set and her fists clenched tight. After a moment, she lowered her head, releasing a deep breath, then looked up again, her eyes locking with mine once more.

“... Alright,” Yeriel said.

I gave her a silent nod, and Yeriel made her way toward the adventurer.

"Hey, excuse me, but isn’t seven million a bit too much? Could you offer a bit of a discount or something?" Yeriel whispered to the adventurer.

“Professor! Lady Yeriel is trying to—”

“Ahhh! Shut up! Fine, just go already!”

I watched Yeriel for a moment as she silenced the adventurer and slowly disappeared down the mountainside.

***

Under the night sky of the Northern Region, where stars and the moon adorned the heavens and the Milky Way flowed like a shimmering cascade, Yeriel walked home with the adventurer, Deculein’s words echoing in her mind.

"Even if the day comes when Yukline turns its back on you, I will not turn my back on you."

Yeriel had heard it clearly with her own ears—the unreal, almost impossible sincerity Deculein had shown her. Yet, it still felt like a dream, and because of that, doubt continued to creep into her heart.

“... Do I deserve it?” Yeriel murmured.

Do I really deserve to hear such words? Am I worthy of this kind of love? I’ve hated Deculein so much, despised him to the point of madness. I even had the thought of killing him... Yeriel thought.

Yeriel clutched her chest, as if the mere thought alone were enough to squeeze the life out of her heart.

“... Since when?”

When did Deculein find out? Could it have been long ago, back when we were so young? Did he know about my true bloodline even then? Or at the very least, did he suspect it? Is that why he hated me so much?

Yeriel let out a shaky sigh.

As a child, I wanted Deculein’s love. I tried so hard, but in the end, I convinced myself it was impossible and gave up. To protect myself, I closed my heart off and chose to hate him instead.

While I remained stuck in place, being immature, he changed after losing someone he loved, grew, and matured time and time again. In the end, he forgave me and finally accepted me as his sister. And without knowing the truth, I mocked him when his fiancée died, calling it punishment from God himself.

"... Sniff," Yeriel murmured, blowing her nose.

The adventurer walking beside her turned back to glance at her and asked, "Are you crying?"

“What? Who says I’m crying? I’m not crying. My nose is just a little stuffy, that’s all.”

“Hmm~”

“Anyway, can we revisit our negotiation?”

“What negotiation?”

“No... I’m saying, stop overcharging my brother.”

“Come now, the journey from here to Yukline is worth every bit of seven million elne. After all, I’m offering not just guidance—it's a full escort service,” the adventurer said.

Yeriel puffed out her cheeks, her narrowed eyes locking onto him with a piercing stare.

“But I’ll make sure to escort you as safely as I can!”

“... You do realize that our Yukline family is the Adventurers' Guild's major client, right?" Yeriel asked.

“Oh, of course, I’m aware. It’s an honor that the professor has placed such trust in me to—”

“Umm...”

“... Ahem. Ah, ahem!” the adventurer murmured, clearing his throat. “Five million...”

“What was that? Oh, sure, you seem to be higher up in rank than the average, but you do know that two million is the standard rate for an escort, right?” Yeriel replied.

Four million is still a pretty high price, but given the situation—traveling together for a day through an area full of demonic beasts—it’s probably best to leave the price as is instead of risking any tension, Yeriel thought.

“... Hmph! Alright, then. Once it’s over, take some time to rest in Yukline. We’ll cover all the expenses.”

Boooooooooom—!

“... Phew!” Adrienne said, dusting off the flames flickering around her hands. “There, much cleaner now!”

Fwoosh—

"That was easy! Oh, right!" Adrienne muttered, quickly pulling a thick sheet of magic paper from her robe.

“... Wow, this is impossible! My head is killing me!” Adrienne groaned, pressing her fingers to her temple as she glared at the spell she had read over several times.

Crinkle—!

Final Examination of the Advanced Lecture

“Ayuh, sounds ‘bout right, considerin’ it’s Deculein, y’know? If it was them damned Scarletborn, then sure, buryin’ ’em ain’t so so out there. Though, buryin’ folks alive’s kinda pushin’ it, even for him—still, they did invade first, didn’t they?” Rogerio said, shoving a paper toward Adrienne. “Anyway, nevah mind that. Do ya mind taking a look at my solution to question one?”