A Villain's Will to Survive novel Chapter 269

Chapter 269: Ashes (1)

The Principality of Yuren, recently undergoing dazzling development under the Rule of Maho, was home to five noble houses. Due to the nation’s limited expanse, its aristocracy remained small—comprising families such as Cion, Pharah, and Belick.

However, these details hold little relevance here.

Anyhow, it was Sunday when Rose of House Cion—the eldest daughter of House Cion—her sky-blue bob trimmed, clipped to her staff, slipped the magical cuffs onto her belt, and slid a revolver for self-defense into its holster.

"Rose, are you working today as well?" asked Rose’s mother, glancing up as she sipped her tea on the balcony.

“Yes, the expo is coming up soon, so there’s a lot to do,” Rose replied, her expression tightening just a little.

As the daughter of a count, Rose understood her responsibilities, but she had no interest in the outdated formalities or the nobles’ prideful obsession with intellect. Yuren was destined to become a republic, and nobility itself was just a fading tradition, bound to disappear in time.

It’s the class system itself that’s a harmful tradition, Rose thought.

“Your younger sibling still isn’t home. That child really knows how to worry me...”

“Really? I haven’t heard a word, either.”

“I know. Go ahead now. Take care of yourself and try not to give me gray hairs like your younger sibling,” replied Rose’s mother, setting down her teacup elegantly.

Rose said nothing as she stepped outside and swung her leg over the motorcycle parked in front of the house.

Vrooooom—!

Rose rode her motorcycle like the wind, posting and pasting wanted posters along the walls of the streets. With less than a week left until the expo, she was completely absorbed in her duties as a magical prosecutor—one who could recite every line of the code of law.

With the last of the wanted posters posted, Rose finally arrived at the gates of her workplace.

Supreme Magic Prosecutors' Office of Yuren

The moment Rose stepped through the door, she was met with the sight of people rushing about, and despite it being a holiday, the place was alive with activity.

“Good morning. Good morning,” Rose said as she walked through the corridor, her tone respectful and her posture straight.

They don’t look particularly glad to see me, and most wouldn’t even meet my eyes... That’s what the class system means, Rose thought.

“Excuse me, Miss Rose.”

“Yes?”

At that moment, Rose quickly responded to the senior prosecutor who had called her name. Though he looked slightly uncomfortable, he still handed her a stack of case files.

“This.”

“Yes, is there something you need?”

“These are public complaints.”

“Public complaints?”

“Umm... Miss Rose, you know that you are a prosecutor, right?” asked the senior prosecutor, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Of course, I’m a prosecutor. What else would I be if I weren’t a prosecutor?” Rose replied with a nod.

“Yes, of course, Miss Rose. But please don’t conduct interrogations like a detective, chase down wanted criminals on your own, or distribute wanted notices without clearance. We keep getting public complaints because of it.”

It was only after the fact that Rose noticed the subject of the complaints—every single one was directed at Prosecutor Rose.

“... Oh~ Yes, of course. I’ll... keep that in mind.”

“And this is a proper assignment for you,” said the senior prosecutor, holding out a sheet marked with a red label known for its level of importance.

“What is it?” Rose asked, her eyes widening.

“You’ve heard of Professor Deculein, have you?”

At that moment, Rose’s expression hardened.

Of course I do. Deculein—the villain history will remember, Rose thought.

“I... do know him. No one really doesn’t.”

Most of Yuren’s citizens felt strong bitterness toward the massacre of the Scarletborn.

How could anyone justify slaughtering an entire people for something as meaningless as their bloodline?

“Since Professor Deculein is coming for the expo, Miss Rose, I’d like you to escort him throughout the event.”

Rose remained silent.

“Please take good care of him. The Professor’s particular about manners, so Miss Rose—you’re the only suitable choice. Really, there’s no one else,” added the senior prosecutor with a hint of sarcasm.

“... Yes,” Rose replied with a nod.

“That will be all for now. You can get back to work.”

“I will,” Rose replied, her lips pouting as she made her way down the corridor.

As she walked, Rose kept a cautious eye on her surroundings. Nearly everyone in the Prosecutors’ Office corridor was glancing sideways at her, murmuring under their breath.

“Of course, that assignment goes to Miss Rose.”

“Well, people like us wouldn’t see eye to eye with someone like that. We probably wouldn’t even understand each other.”

“Of course, it would be different. Miss Rose and Professor Deculein? What else could we expect from the highest tier of nobility?”

Because Professor Deculein is such a prominent figure, even escorting him—technically just a protective duty—is seen as a major accomplishment. But honestly, I can’t stand anything he’s done. Just thinking of my parents brings a rush of frustration, Rose thought.

Plop—

“... They probably pulled some strings again,” Rose muttered, dropping into her chair in her office.

They're pulling strings again—always pulling strings. Everyone wants this assignment—everyone but me. My parents never ask and just decide for themselves. No matter how loud I protest, nothing changes. ... But when I get home tonight, I’ll scream at them again, even louder.

Crackle—

At that moment, static crackled through the radio.

“Prosecutor Cion here,” Rose replied, startled by the call.

— Professor Deculein’s newest theory was stolen from Yuren’s aircraft. This is an emergency. All available units, assemble immediately.

***

The moment the aircraft touched down at the airport, a swarm of reporters rushed in, and the place was packed wall to wall. So I slipped out through the back and made my way to Yuren’s palace—to the reception room where they welcomed visiting dignitaries.

“I’m sorry—I’m so sorry. How could something like this happen... How could it...?” Princess Maho said, tears brimming as she offered one apology after another.

“This was not your fault, Princess. Even if those fools looked at the theory, they wouldn’t understand a word of it,” I replied, shaking my head.

“Even so... hfff... but for now, the prosecutors are doing all they can. Please be patient just a little longer.”

“Understood.”

Maho turned away, her eyes shimmering with tears, and walked off with light steps.

“Unbelievable! What kind of lowlife would just take things like that?!” Epherene yelled, her anger still burning hot.

“Stay out of trouble and get some rest in your room. I will give you an assignment,” I said, pressing the suitcase into her hands.

“Didn’t you just tell me to get some rest?” Epherene replied as she blinked at the suitcase.

“There are eight mana stones inside, each inscribed with the transformation formula. I assume you understand what comes next.”

“... Yes, Professor.”

“You’re permitted to compile the experimental results into a thesis and list yourself as the author.”

Epherene’s eyes widened in surprise.

Of course, a magic thesis is the career of a university mage, and if my transformation formula proves to be an accomplishment, the value of that thesis will rise on its own, I thought.

“But keep anything related to time to yourself. For now, it must remain hidden beneath the surface,” I added in a low voice.

“... Yes, Professor,” Epherene replied in a whisper, then slipped off to her room like a secret agent on a mission.

As I reached for the door to my room...

“Professor Deculein.”

The moment I turned toward the voice calling my name in the palace corridor, I recognized the face right away. It was Rose—one of Yuren’s named characters.

“The investigation results on the aircraft are in. Just as your assistant suggested, magic components were detected, and—”

“They likely compressed the Summon spell into a pinpoint range—just enough to take a single sheet of paper.”

“Yes, that’s correct. We’re currently searching for a mage skilled in the Support and Manipulation categories.”

“And the cat, did she make it through the flight?” I said, nodding toward the cage she held in her hands.

“Yes, here you are.” Rose replied, offering the cage.

“Meow.”

The cat meowing from inside the cage was Sophien—she’d been locked in the cargo hold the whole time, since pets weren’t allowed on the aircraft.

“I must admit, I didn’t take you for someone who keeps pets, Professor.”

“Perhaps keep such thoughts to yourself next time,” I replied, opening the room door with the cage in my hand.

“Please take this radio. I’ll use it to keep you updated on the case’s progress,” Rose said, following behind me.

“I’ll take it, but there’s no need for concern. This isn’t a theory that the likes of them could comprehend.”

"Yes, Professor. I’ll keep that in mind,” Rose replied with a smile.

As soon as I entered the room, I opened the cage and the cat stepped out.

“... Wow. Just—wow. What a jerk. I swear, I’ve got goosebumps all over my arms.”

Rose’s voice seeped faintly through the door, and the red-furred munchkin narrowed her eyes, let out a growl, and raised her spine like a drawn bow.

“How dare you lock me in the cargo hold of an aircraft?”

“Might I ask why Your Majesty did not momentarily undo the possession spell?” _{frёewebnoѵēl.com}

“This is Yuren. My body remains in the Imperial Palace. Once the possession spell is undone, the link cannot be restored.”

“Hmm, I see.”

“Hmm. Are you heading to the Ashes?”

“Grrr—” said the cat, jumping onto the bed and curling up with clear annoyance. “How foolish. Had I been in your place, I’d have demanded Yuren take responsibility for it. Wasn’t that theory important to you?”

Arms and Legs was a shop that dealt in animal tendons, organs, and other such parts.

“Mm-hm,” the shopkeeper said with a shrug, pointing to the shelf in the back.

Clink—

Clink—

Clink—

“Hmm...”