A Villain's Will to Survive novel Chapter 227

Chapter 227: Return (2)

The ground beneath Epherene gave way, sinking beneath her feet. Everything she felt—wind, scent, moisture, time, space—faded, swallowed into the depths like a distant echo sinking into the sea...

The twenty-first experience remained as strange and disorienting as ever. As a phenomenon beyond magic itself, regression was deeply uncomfortable and riddled with questions. However, the sensation of arrival was unexpectedly clear.

Snap—

The sound of something snapping echoed through the air—the bracelet, her Curios, no longer hers. With it came the familiar, suffocating pain that coursed through her with every regression, as if it would steal the breath from her lungs.

“Phew...”

Epherene braced herself with a deep breath before slowly opening her eyes. The first thing she saw was the bracelet hanging loosely from her wrist. Its connection was completely broken—no longer a bracelet, just a fragile strand of thread, which she held carefully before tucking it into the inner pocket of her coat.

“... His heart consumed by hatred for your mother, and because you bore her likeness, he loathed you as well.”

Decalane’s voice echoed in her ears, a ghostly whisper that returned each night like a recurring nightmare.

I don’t want to believe it. And maybe a part of me still won’t. I’m not holding onto Decalane—I’m holding onto the father he once was, Epherene thought.

"Have you awakened?"

Just as Epherene was about to lose herself in thought, a voice called her name, and when she turned toward it, a bright smile bloomed on her lips.

"Knight Yulie!" Epherene said, springing to her feet and rushing into her arms.

"Oh..." Yulie murmured, catching her instinctively, though her face held a hint of quiet surprise.

"I’m back again," Epherene said.

"... Pardon?" Yulie replied, her snowflake-like eyes blinking as confusion spread across her face.

"I’m back," Epherene replied, a bright smile blooming on her lips.

"Umm... I see. Might I ask, where have you come back from?"

“... Sorry?”

“Pardon?”

“Sorry?”

“Pardon?”

As their exchange of questions continued, Epherene’s eyes finally wandered to her surroundings, taking in the scene before her.

“... Huh?”

This wasn’t Rekordak. It wasn’t cold, nor was it warm—just the perfect, comfortable temperature. Epherene was indoors, surrounded by furniture, tables, and an assortment of neatly arranged furnishings.

"Where are we?" Epherene asked.

"We are in a guest chamber of the Imperial Palace," Yulie replied.

“Sorry? How is that—”

Just as Epherene was about to ask how that was possible, a sudden chill ran down her spine, and her hair bristled.

Whoosh—! Whoosh—!

Epherene turned her head from side to side.

Whoosh—! Whoosh—!

Epherene whipped her head around, taking in the room so quickly it made her dizzy.

“... No way.”

Then, as a sudden thought came to her, Epherene quickly searched her robe, her fingers frantically patting over her chest.

It’s gone. Deculein’s letter. The one that felt like a quiet comfort through every regression. It’s not here, Epherene thought.

"Knight Yulie!" Epherene said, turning to her in urgency.

"Yes, Miss Epherene," Yulie replied, flinching slightly as she instinctively leaned back.

“Did Professor...”

Creeeeeeak—

At that moment, the door to the guest chamber creaked open, carrying with it a faint fragrance and the crisp click of approaching footsteps in polished dress shoes.

"... Oh," Epherene murmured, staring ahead, her lips parting.

Epherene’s eyes locked onto a single person. His hair was neatly slicked back, his suit a composed shade of black. That familiar, intense glare—always seeming to analyze her—was as penetrating as ever, distant, unfeeling, cold, and completely indifferent...

“You are awake.”

... Epherene stared at Deculein, as solid and unmovable as a mountain. Before any thought or greeting could form, her body moved on its own; her legs sprang forward, and she threw herself into his arms, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist and burying her face against his chest—and for a moment, she wept.

"... What?" Yulie muttered, a startled breath escaping her lips.

Deculein’s mana flared, trembling with unspoken anger, while Epherene could only let out a whimper, like a vulnerable pup. But none of it mattered. Right now, at that moment, nothing else was more important to her.

***

... The moment Epherene realized that Deculein was alive, she blacked out. It wasn’t from joy, nor was it the overwhelming emotion of reunion—there was no admiration, no deep sentiment. It was only the release of a crushing weight that had been suffocating her for so long. The dam in her heart collapsed, and in its place, a flood of exhaustion overtook her.

“... Professor,” Epherene muttered.

After getting some sleep, Epherene rested on the bed in the guest chamber of the Imperial Palace, her eyes wandering to the chair beside her, where Deculein sat with a book in hand, silently turning its pages.

“So Her Majesty still hasn’t...”

"More regressions are needed. I have yet to overcome it completely myself," Deculein replied.

At Deculein’s words, Epherene let out a sigh. The past had changed in dramatic ways—Deculein had overcome regression and survived. However, even now, the Empress, Her Majesty hasn’t...

“But how?”

"What remains is mine to shoulder. It is not for you to concern yourself with."

Epherene watched Deculein in silence. Then, as a shadowed thought surfaced in her mind, she slowly pushed herself up in bed.

"... Professor, I have a question," Epherene said, fiddling with her hands in her lap.

As if noticing something unusual in Epherene’s voice, Deculein shut his book and raised his eyes, turning to her as if urging her to speak.

"Professor, what kind of person was my father?"

Deculein fell into silence, spending an unexpected moment in thought. Epherene did not interrupt him—she merely remained silent.

“Well.”

Like a quiet exhale, words flowed slowly.

"He was likely the man you've always remembered him to be," Deculein replied.

Deculein did not speak the truth, nor did he defend himself, nor speak negatively of Epherene’s father. If his purpose had been to spare her pain, then quietly, it was the kindest answer he could give.

"Professor, may I step out for a while?" Epherene asked, her face clouding for a moment, but she pressed her lips together and looked up at Deculein.

“... Step out for a while?”

"Yes. There’s still something I need to do—one last thing to confirm."

Deculein stared at Epherene in silence.

"If you’re worried... oh," Epherene muttered, meeting Deculein’s eyes and adding hesitant words.

Wait, even I find it ridiculous that I said that. Worry? Deculein, worrying about me?

"Of course not. He'd never worry about me..." Epherene muttered with a faint smile, shaking her head as if to brush the thought away.

Feeling foolish, Epherene muttered to herself under her breath—and then...

“Worry,” Deculein said.

Epherene waved her hand and replied, "No, nothing~ It was just me talking—"

“I do.”

“... Nonsense...”

For a moment, Epherene’s lips parted but no words came out. It took her ears a second longer to catch up to what she’d just heard.

"... Sorry?" Epherene asked, blinking blankly as if lost in thought.

"I do worry."

But then, the words took shape—clear and undeniable in Deculein's voice.

"Because you now carry the responsibility of regression."

Gulp—

Epherene swallowed hard. Whatever the reason, Deculein had said he was worried.

"Then... should I not go?" Epherene asked, her fingers brushing her neck.

Deculein gave no reply.

"Should I not go? Should I not go? Because you’re worried?" Epherene asked again, searching his face for an answer.

“No, it’s fine,” Deculein replied, shaking his head. “You are free to go where you wish. The next cycle of regression is when the real challenge begins—when everything depends on saving Her Majesty.”

“Oh... Okay.”

“I’ll take my leave,” Deculein said as he stood from his chair. “When you leave, inform Ahan before you go.”

“... Yes, Professor,” Epherene replied, nodding.

Deculein turned and left the guest chamber.

Thud, thud. Thud, thud.

“... Hmph.”

Though she couldn’t explain why, a quiet sense of disappointment settled within her. However, before long, Epherene pushed herself up from the bed.

“Hmm... should I get a train ticket?” Epherene muttered.

With unfinished business still ahead, Epherene thought of that place—the one she had been unable to reach, always forced to run away from during each cycle of regression—and prepared to move once more.

“Hmm~? Yes, darling?” said Epherene’s grandmother—the one she held dearest—as her eyes crinkled with a smile full of love.

“Mhm? But you’re not crying today? You always get a little misty when you come here.”

“Hehehe~ I’m kidding, I’m kidding. Why would my dad ever hate me?” Epherene said with an exaggerated laugh, her mouth stretching wide on purpose.

Slap— Slap—

“Oh, there’s grandpa,” Epherene muttered.

“Oh, about that~” said Epherene’s grandfather, pointing toward the entrance of the mountain behind the cemetery. “Are you heading back today soon?”

"... Hmm?" Epherene murmured, her eyes widening slightly as she tilted her head. "Who is waiting for me?"

Even city folks seem to enjoy it—if only for a day or two, Epherene thought.

“Aha. Is it Knight Delic?” Epherene asked.

"Hehe, well... Oh, right, Professor. Knight Delic is such a nice person."