A Villain's Will to Survive novel Chapter 4

Chapter 4: Deculein (3)

[Side Quest Completed: University Lecture]

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Bathroom. Bathroom, bathroom. Where is the bathroom? I urgently need to go to the bathroom...

This reaction was definite proof that I was not really Deculein. Even though some of his personality traits had influenced me, it was only to a small extent and for the most part, I still remained Kim Woo-Jin. The cramp in my lower stomach was the result of accumulated mental stress that I hadn't even realized.

Gurgle—

The biological reaction that I was experiencing was unbearable. Nevertheless, I maintained a perfect model-like walk on the outside. Although I was desperate inside, I maintained a composed look on the outside as I searched for a bathroom. Suddenly, I encountered a woman standing at the other end of the hall, looking at me from the long corridor.

I walked toward her and she stood still at her position. As our distance naturally closed, I was the first to stop when we were within arm's reach.

"It's been a while," Yulie said, bowing her head first.

She was a beautiful woman with smooth, white hair and eyes as clear as ice. Her appearance reminded me of that blood-soaked moment I had once seen on a monitor. Eight out of the sixteen deaths of Deculein that I had tested were related to her.

“... Yes, it's been a while,” I replied.

Her name was Yulie, the fiancée of this body. She was also a named character who would become the ultimate knight in the near future.

“Have you been well?” Yulie asked.

It wasn’t a question I had an answer to.

If it had been a servant, they would have walked away, unable to withstand my gaze. However, Yulie simply waited. Inevitably, I had no choice but to respond to her in this manner.

“I’m unsure.”

It was the best I could do, but Yulie seemed irritated by my reply. She took a deep breath and spoke.

“Do you remember the promise you made to me a week ago?”

I stood still, looking directly into her eyes. In those deep and beautiful eyes, a clear smoldering hostility burned.

“You broke the promise,” Yulie continued.

I remained silent as it was a promise I knew nothing about. I nodded and tried to pass by her.

I had to poop.

Yulie took a step to the side and blocked my path.

“Are you trying to run away?”

I was trying to run away because I really had to poop. In a situation I knew nothing about, saying anything would only make it worse.

“Are you really doing this to me again?”

But the woman didn’t let me escape. She glared at me with a face as cold as ice. In this situation, the best I could do was far from adequate.

“... What promise did we make?”

I genuinely didn’t know, so I asked, but Yulie's anger sent chills down my spine.

My back itched and felt hot. I wanted to scratch, but this body bound by Noble Etiquette wouldn't permit such low-class actions. Instead, I continued speaking with a hint of awkwardness.

“I'm asking you. I must have forgotten because I've been sick with a fever for a while.”

“Haa," she sighed, feeling somewhat resigned and nearly hopeless. It was a sigh burdened with more than just anger.

“... Damn it. That’s what you were after all,” she said, her tone as cold as ice and filled with contempt, sadness, and disappointment directed at her fiancé. “Go.”

She stepped aside, and I walked right beside her shoulder. Even as I walked away, I could still feel the gaze drilling into the back of my neck.

Leaving the corridor, I entered the VIP bathroom. I looked around, worried that someone might come and only after confirming that no one was there, I finally used the toilet.

“Phew, I was nearly at my wit's end from itching all over and desperately needing to use the bathroom...”

As I emptied my bowels, I scratched my itching back and neck. The need to wait for the right place and time to scratch was exhausting. No wonder he died early.

***

Yulie stood still for a long time after Deculein left. The rage and fury inside her didn't subside, burned like an unquenchable fire. As she was barely calming down her anger, another uncomfortable person appeared—the Chairwoman of the Imperial University.

“Oh my.”

She was a young Ethereal-ranked mage in a conical wizard's hat, positioned just below the highest rank of Eternal, and was considered a strong candidate for Archmage. In terms of personality, she was the worst among Yulie's acquaintances, known for how mean she was. As soon as she saw Yulie, she playfully covered her mouth with her hands.

“Look who it is! Isn't this Professor Deculein's fiancée?!”

Yulie nodded silently. She already knew that saying anything like “we're not married yet” wouldn't work with her.

“I really enjoyed his lecture~ As expected of the Head Professor, he explained so well! I wish I could learn such lecture skills~”

“I know. I was watching too.”

Although Yulie tried to end the conversation, the Chairwoman eventually nitpicked her words.

“Oh, you were watching him? Are you supporting him now? Have you two gotten closer?”

Supporting him was not her reason for being here. Yulie had come today to see with her own eyes whether Deculein would keep the promise he had made to her. Yulie had clearly told him that if he kept his word and admitted his deceit to everyone asking for forgiveness, she would stay with him no matter what even if the world fell apart.

This wasn't about preserving the family's honor or maintaining appearances. It was purely her belief as a knight, above all worldly concerns. That was all it was and he had agreed to it.

“What's wrong~? Today's lecture was great,” the Chairwoman asked.

Grit.

Yulie ground her teeth at the Chairwoman's mocking tone. Deculein had broken his promise to her until the very end. He had achieved his success by stealing and exploiting others' talents, never repenting for his misdeeds and corruption.

“With Deculein's magical skills and Yulie's natural talents as a knight, their union was expected to be beneficial both politically and in terms of family lineage.”

She continued walking, with many knights following behind her slim back. Yulie, a direct descendant of the prestigious Freyden family, known for both the masters and the holy land of knights, was scheduled to give a lecture today. Unlike Deculein, who only explained with words, hers was a real lecture where she demonstrated her skills and engaged in swordplay with the students.

“Sigh...”

“Pfft. Enchantment category, my ass,” Epherene smirked, remembering what he said.