A Villain's Will to Survive novel Chapter 203

Chapter 203: Return (2)

For the first time in a long while, the entire Red Garnet Adventure Team was together—Ganesha, Leo, Ria, Carlos, Dozmu, Rohan, Boar, and Reylie. As always, they lounged in the VIP guest suite of Rekordak's newly built wing.

“Yawn...” Ganesha murmured, lying down on the sofa and stretching out.

Dozmu, Rohan, and Zinchen sat huddled over a game of cards, while Leo, Ria, and Carlos were engaged in their own conversation.

"... So, the plan is to stop by the Sanctuary in the Land of Destruction for a bit, and then head to the Principality of Yuren," Ria said.

Since Ria was the most diligent member of the adventure team, the children had gathered for a discussion.

"Can we really just go there? Isn't it dangerous?" Leo asked, his eyes widened.

"Of course~! We're adventurers, aren’t we? It’s not like they’ll attack us the moment they see us."

The size and ecosystem of the Sanctuary of the Altar were beyond imagination, so vast that even the Altar itself struggled to manage the frequent appearances of demonic beasts. That was why introducing oneself as an adventurer often led to receiving tasks from them. Of course, reaching its deeper regions would be an entirely different matter.

“... Carlos, are you okay?” Ria asked, stealing a careful glance at him.

The Sumac of the Misty River would have been invaluable to Carlos, but it had already been sold.

"What do you mean?" Carlos asked, blinking in confusion, his pale eyes moving cluelessly as if he had no idea what she was talking about.

"... Oh, it’s n-nothing," Ria mumbled.

Since Sumac of the Misty River was something money could buy, it was best used on a named character who needed it most.

At that moment...

"Oh, by the way, how is Knight Yulie doing?" Leo asked.

***

Yulie awoke from her long sleep. The moment her eyes opened, a searing pain tore through her body, but it was bearable.

"You've awakened, Knight Deya."

At the sudden sound of a voice, Yulie quickly turned her head. Beside her bed sat Zeit, the head of Freyden, his broad frame almost too large for the chair and the space around him, making him appear slightly hunched.

“Lord Zeit, you’re here—”

"Stay down. You're in no condition to move," Zeit said with a quiet sigh as Yulie struggled to sit up, as if he bore the weight of blame himself. "Yulie."

"... Yes, sir?"

"I heard you requested a mission from the Red Garnet Adventure Team. Here are the documents," Zeit said, handing over a sealed envelope—untouched, with no signs of tampering. "Is this related to my former son-in-law?"

Yulie looked at Zeit. Strictly speaking, Deculein was never Zeit’s son-in-law, as she was his sister, not his daughter. Yet, as the head of their house, Zeit had taken on the role of a father figure without hesitation.

"Yes."

Zeit nodded at her response, turning toward the window and added, “Rebuilding Rekordak and restoring Freyden’s livelihood may not be as difficult as I had expected.”

"How is that possible?"

"Because there are still plenty of mages here," Zeit said with a satisfied smile.

Mages had always been in high demand in the Northern Region, but no amount of wealth could persuade them to come. And yet, many remained in Rekordak.

Zeit added, "The only ones who returned were Deculein and his two assistants. The rest remained here in Rekordak."

"... Is there a reason for that?" Yulie asked, blinking in curiosity.

Why would any mage choose to stay in this frozen land a moment longer than necessary? Yulie thought.

"Deculein left his works in the library. Of course, he intends to reclaim them, but for now, he’s allowing the mages here to complete their studies."

It was a gesture of gratitude—an El Dorado of knowledge granted to those who had risked their lives in Rekordak, standing against the southern advance.

There were thirty-seven unpublished papers, twenty-three unreleased books, lecture materials personally authored by Deculein, and even examination papers for evaluating performances. Mages from the Imperial Palace, along with Ihelm, Louina, and others, were wholly absorbed in poring over this trove of golden wisdom.

"We can request their assistance with Rekordak’s reconstruction and Freyden’s recovery when they return. They won’t refuse a bit of extra coin for the journey," Zeit said.

Then, after a brief pause, his voice deepened with weight.

"But, Yulie..."

"Yes, Lord Zeit," Yulie replied, forcing herself upright.

Zeit cleared his throat, let out a deep sigh, brushed his long hair back, and said, "Deculein said that your death wouldn't have mattered to him."

Yulie’s shoulders tensed for a brief moment, but she quickly masked it, turned to Zeit, and replied, “... Did you meet him?”

“Yes, when you were asleep.”

Yulie clenched her teeth, an indescribable emotion rising from the depths of her chest.

Watching her in silence, in a voice deep and laden, Zeit asked, “Do you hate Deculein?”

Zeit, watching her closely, asked in a low, steady voice, "Do you hate him?"

"... Yes, I hate him," Yulie replied calmly.

However, Yulie clenched her hands against the blanket tightly, and a glimmer of tears welling up at the corners of her eyes.

With a nod, Zeit said, "Deculein has already established himself as a dominant figure in the Magical Realm. Even in politics, only a few dare to stand against him."

Yulie remained silent.

"Yulie, do you think you can stand against him?"

Yulie looked at Zeit, and his expression was the same as it had been long ago—the day he first placed a sword in her small hands.

"... Yes. I will stand against him," Yulie declared. "No matter what, I will."

Hearing a response so different from her childhood, Zeit let out a quiet sigh and smiled as he looked at his sister—no longer the adorable child he once knew, but a knight who had become a hardened adult.

“... Haha. Resolute as ever. That is what it means to be a Freyden."

***

At Northern Dawn, a restaurant in Oslon, I sat across from Count Dharman. The table was impeccably set, and every gesture carried the weight of perfect etiquette. Even for someone like me, who disliked sharing a table with others, it was a rare moment of comfort. However, to say that nothing weighed on my mind would be a lie.

“... I’m glad to see your assistants enjoying their meal, Professor,” Dhaman said with a slight smile, wiping the corner of his mouth with a napkin.

I nodded in silence, but the only problem was Epherene, seated behind us, tearing through the feast spread across the table—lobster, clams, and Roahawk—devouring it with a hunger that felt less like eating and more like consuming everything in sight. No, if she had merely been eating, that would have been tolerable.

"Chomp, chomp... Sniff... Chomp, chomp... Sniff, sniff..."

Epherene was eating, tears slipping down her cheeks.

“It’s so delicious, sniff... Sniff... Chomp... Ah, but the shell is thicker than I expected...”

I could already guess what she was thinking. The food was delicious, and if Assistant Professor Allen had been here to share it, it would have been perfect.

“Do you have any leads on Rohakan’s whereabouts?” I asked, intentionally avoiding Epherene as I turned to Count Dhaman.

“Yes, Professor,” Dhaman replied, taking a quick look toward his secretary standing behind him.

At his signal, the secretary stepped forward and presented a case, its seal bound tight with magic.

Then Dharman added, "It is inside. A fragment of Rohakan’s robe."

“... A fragment of his robe.”

“Yes, Professor. The mana within remains undisturbed, making it possible to track him.”

"We’ll be needing additional personnel for that."

Tracking mana was never my specialty, as it belonged more to the domain of technique than true magic.

"Yes, Professor, it has already been arranged. I believe you are already familiar with her—"

"That would be me."

Thud— Thud—

Just then, the restaurant doors swung open, and a familiar voice carried through the room. With confidence, a public servant strode in and took a seat without the slightest hesitation.

"It has been a while, Professor," said Lillia Primien.

I narrowed my eyes and stared at her.

"As you may already know, Deputy Director Primien is from the Northern Region and is more than capable. You need not worry about the task," Dhaman said.

"Professor, from now on, we will operate in pairs, with support from the Intelligence Agency. As this is Her Majesty’s command, we will see it through to the—”

"Waaaaaaaaah...!"

Suddenly, a wail of sorrow cut through from behind, slicing through Primien’s words and drawing everyone’s attention to its source.

“Waaaah... Assistant Professor Allen... What should we do...? Waaaah! Waah!”

I cast Silence over Epherene’s table, and the noise was cut off at once. Within that soundless space, only her desperate movements stirred in the stillness.

Watching the events play out, Primien let out a faint grin before extending her hand and said, “In any case, Professor, I look forward to working with you.”

"Has the train service been suspended?" I inquired, ignoring her and turning to Dhaman.

"Yes, Professor. The tracks are impassable. I have prepared fine horses for you—please take them along with your assistants."

"Ah, yes, Professor," Drent said, supporting Epherene as she struggled to stand.

"... Sniff," Epherene mumbled, barely choking back her sobs.

Neighhh—!

Clop, clop— Clop, clop—

“... Hmm.”

Snore Snore—

Snore Snore—

Knock knock—

"Huh? That’s way too few! I even heard rumors it was tens of thousands!"

“Well, if it’s Professor Deculein, of course I do believe that!” the Chairwoman said with a stretch. “Anyway, well done! My term runs until spring, and after that, I’ll make the announcement—Chairman Deculein! Hehe!”

◆ Rare Attribute Catalog Obtained _{freewёbn૦νeɭ.com}

◆ Upon Inauguration, the Title Chairman of the Mage Tower Will Be Acquired.

“Oh, right! Professor Deculein, have you heard the news?!” Chairwoman asked.