A Villain's Will to Survive novel Chapter 56

Chapter 56: Quickening (3)

"How did your training go today, Your Majesty?" Yulie inquired carefully, her gaze lingering on the winter landscape of the palace garden.

Sophien glanced at her and replied, "It was adequate."

The Empress had postponed the knight's training until now, citing retreat training as the reason, though no one knew what that involved.

"That is a relief," Yulie said with a sigh.

Sophien looked at her and commented, "However, I found your chess skills lacking."

During a break in the training, Yulie had played chess with Sophien. Despite being a skilled amateur, she was no match for the Empress.

"I had higher expectations given that he is your fiancé."

“... Professor Deculein?” Yulie asked, her eyes widening in surprise.

Sophien scoffed and said, "Do you have another fiancé I should know about?"

“No, Your Majesty. You are indeed correct.”

"Learn from him. What is the benefit of having him as your fiancé otherwise?"

Yulie was unaware of his chess abilities, but he appeared skilled enough to impress the Empress. She realized how little she truly knew about him.

“Additionally, my brother desires your fiancé's autograph,” the Empress said, handing Yulie a book authored by Deculein.

“The Grand Prince Kreto?”

“Yes. I haven't taken on the sisterly role in quite a while. It's beneath my pride to ask personally, so I'm having you do it.”

Deculein’s book, Understanding the Element Magic, was infamous for its difficulty and high price. Yulie had purchased it to learn more about him but couldn’t get past the first ten pages.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

"He mentioned it was too complex and difficult, though he added he was just saying it out of courtesy. Convey that as well."

“... Yes, Your Majesty,” Yulie replied briefly.

Sophien appeared displeased with her brevity. With a wave of her hand, she said, "You may leave."

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

"Next time, be more forthcoming. An instructor knight’s duty extends beyond teaching me; you must also serve as my companion and conversational partner."

“... Co-companion, Your Majesty?” Yulie asked, her eyes widened in surprise.

The Empress chuckled and nodded, prompting Yulie to take a deep breath to steady her emotions. Sophien said, “That will be all. You may go now, my companion.”

“... Yes, Your Majesty. It has been an honor,” Yulie replied, bowing as the Empress walked back to the palace with Knight Keiron.

"This way, please," a maid instructed, guiding her along a separate path in the garden. Soon, the maid disappeared, and a eunuch took her place.

"Good day, Grand Knight Yulie. My name is Jolang."

“... What is it that you require?” Yulie asked, her tone filled with suspicion.

Jolang smiled warmly and said, “May I have a moment of your time? For the sake of the palace's peace, there is a matter I need to discuss with you. The other knights are also waiting.”

Although hesitant, Yulie decided to follow him.

“Here we are,” he said, guiding her to a secluded area in the eastern part of the vast and intricate palace.

Inside an annex, she found Raphel, Sirio, and Gwen waiting with unreadable expressions.

“... Hey Yulie,” Gwen waved.

Yulie nodded and took her place beside them.

“Is everyone here, Mr. Jolang? What is this concerning?” Sirio asked with a smile.

“Yes,” Jolang said softly. “We have a mission to request of all of you.”

“A mission?”

“Yes. A monster lurks in the Imperial Palace’s underground. The imperial family is hesitant to confront it, so we request your assistance.”

“Is this an imperial decree?” Raphel’s deep voice asked.

“It is not an official imperial decree, but it is a matter of loyalty. If you succeed, your achievements will be reported, and you will be duly rewarded.”

The knights pondered for a moment. Gwen then spoke up, pointing at Yulie. “If Yulie is involved, her fiancé should be as well.”

“Her fiancé?”

“Deculein.”

Jolang appeared uneasy at the mention of the name. Gwen chuckled, noting that even a seasoned eunuch in the Imperial Palace feared Deculein. His political prowess was well-known, and the influence of the Yukline family was undeniable.

“It sounds dangerous. Her fiancé should at least give his approval,” Gwen said, smiling at Yulie.

Yulie quickly shook her head and said, “N-no, it’s perfectly al—”

“It is true. Deculein’s combat skills are undeniable. He is remarkably sturdy for a mage,” Raphel interjected, and Sirio nodded in agreement with a gentle smile.

Jolang, appearing displeased but eventually nodding with a forced smile, said, “... Hmm, very well. I shall convey this to Lord Yukline.”

Gwen found it amusing. The eunuch called the other knights by their names, but for Deculein, he always used Lord Yukline with utmost respect. She wondered if this was why nobles were so particular about their titles.

“Do as you wish. Yulie, come and join me for dinner,” Gwen said as she headed out of the palace with Yulie.

***

— We are still following your orders.

I had planned to contact them, but I would never show any impatience or unease. There could be no room for them to find fault in my expression or behavior. Maintaining a facade was easier for me than breathing, as it was already ingrained in my personality and body.

“... Master, here are the documents,” Roy said respectfully as he handed them to me.

As I pondered my next move, Roy presented me with a file. I carefully reviewed its contents.

Luxury Hotel Renovation: Black Cryne

Future Trade Routes and Plans

Mercenary Guild Mission Overview

These were the reports from the businesses I had invested in. I used my Comprehension to examine their account books. Everything was settling in without any issues.

“Good. You may take it away now.”

“Yes, sir.”

Despite the good news, I had no time to dwell on it. After sending Roy away, I began to consider how to respond to them.

... There was no need to overthink it.

─ Master.

A shadowy figure flickered in the corner of the study. It was not real, merely a magical projection. I looked at it calmly, and my words came almost instinctively.

“Lead the way.”

***

There is no utopia in this world. Even in the capital of the continent’s most powerful Empire, light and darkness coexist. The brighter the light, the darker the shadows. Since the mines closed, Oklan in the southeast part of the capital has turned into a slum.

Deculein’s former subordinate guided me to the underground of that slum. The cave was damp and musty. Thick humidity clung to my skin, and a pale lamp flickered precariously.

“My master.”

In the cave, two people knelt before me. One was a man, the other a woman, and they bore a striking resemblance to each other, likely siblings.

“Repeat my orders. What were they?” I demanded as I was testing them before they could speak.

“You instructed us not to show mercy to Louina if she set foot in the capital.”

I examined them closely. There were no death variables at play, and their ability to capture Louina independently was impressive. However, their true intentions were the real question.

Feigning indifference, I said, “You acted too soon.”

“We are aware,” the man replied, his tone tinged with insolence. “We believed you had abandoned us. Our doubts remain.”

“Is this defiance?”

“No, sir. If you had abandoned us and were no longer our master, it could not be considered defiance.”

“I have never abandoned you. Lead the way,” I said calmly.

The two stood from their kneeling positions. The man walked ahead, and I followed, with the woman trailing behind me. We soon arrived at a vast, empty chamber. In the center of the expansive underground room, Louina was bound. A black hood covered her face, and her hands and feet were shackled. She looked like a prisoner of war.

“What actions have you taken?”

“We administered anti-matoxtin to her.”

Anti-matoxtin is a well-known poison for mages, even famous in games. It resembles a tranquilizer in composition, but when injected into the bloodstream, it prevents the use of magic for at least three days.

I examined their faces and said, “You have done well.”

The atmosphere shifted subtly at my words. They tried to hide their expressions, but they couldn't fool me—they were dissatisfied. I realized something important—they did not seek my praise. I glared at the battered Louina. A red aura flickered vividly around her. She had resolved to kill me. The real challenge began now. I thought through possible scenarios in my mind.

The first option: I will speak to her, “Louina, I saved you. Those who kidnapped you have no connection to me.” Louina will respond, “I don’t believe you!” and the death variable remains unresolved.

The second option: I will leave immediately without revealing my identity and set Louina free. Still, Louina would suspect me, and the siblings would continue to doubt me. The death variable remains unresolved.

The third and final option: I kill Louina. Her screams will fill the chamber, and she will disappear forever. The death variable will be resolved, but I will become eternally vulnerable to the suspicious siblings. Furthermore, any positive developments involving Louina would be lost.

Though she is an enemy to me, in the grand scheme of things, she is a clear protagonist. Losing her would be a severe blow.

I used telekinesis to raise a stone slab from the cave floor, fashioning it into a chair. Its antique beauty reflected my character. I sat down and carefully considered every possibility. The situation was far from ideal, but I still held the upper hand. After all, this command and the situation were entirely under my control.

“Here is the account book," the man said, presenting it to me.

I took it silently. As I read its contents, a faint smile formed on my lips. Deculein was ruthless—remarkably so. I wondered if there could be anyone else in the world as tenacious as him.

“Interesting.”

As I read those astonishing words, I had to admit that resolving this death variable through peaceful means was impossible.

Swish—!

“Ah...!”

“Your family still owes 1.14072 billion elne,” he stated. “Ah, and additionally, the interest increases by 200 million each year.”

“... Hmm.”