A Villain's Will to Survive novel Chapter 75

Chapter 75: Incident (2)

Sophien stared at the fountain pen suspended in midair. She had learned that fundamental spells in various categories included the destructive Fireball, the supportive Barrier, and the manipulative Telekinesis. Given the inherent limitations of magic output, a mage’s talent was the most significant factor in mastering basic spells.

Sophien used her Telekinesis to pull the fountain pen forcefully. Though the pen remained motionless, her violent Telekinesis had already half-destroyed the Hall of Learning. The floor was torn up, the ceiling had collapsed, pillars were shattered, and bookshelves lay in ruins.

Amidst the destruction, Deculein remained calm, showing no signs of strain. His breath was steady, his demeanor impeccably composed. His noble presence stirred something within Sophien.

"... How fascinating," Sophien murmured.

Sophien had a sharp intuition that let her discern what was possible and what was beyond reach. Deculein’s Telekinesis fell into the latter category. Initially, she was reluctant to admit it, but time had run out, leaving her no choice.

"Twenty minutes have passed," Sophien observed, her gaze fixed firmly on Deculein. His blue eyes met hers, sparkling like crystals. Sophien smiled slightly. "I see now why you are confident enough to risk everything. My Telekinesis cannot surpass yours."

"Then let us commence the conceptual lesson," Deculein responded.

"Are there still concepts you wish to teach me?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, I intend to present concepts known only to me."

"Concepts known only to you?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," Deculein replied as he drew a magic circle in the air, its form distinct from any ordinary one.

"Intriguing," Sophien remarked, resting her chin thoughtfully on her hand. She found Deculein himself more fascinating than the magic circle he had drawn.

"I know you. I have read the reports and seen you in person," Sophien said, pulling out a dossier on Deculein provided by the Intelligence Agency and handing it to him. "All of this is wrong. None of it is accurate."

"... Your Majesty, these are classified documents. They should not be shown to anyone," Deculein said, frowning at the papers.

Sophien paid no attention. Since everything in the documents was incorrect, she saw no harm in showing them.

"They claimed your talents were fake and that you were a fraud. But the person I see now—what am I to make of you?" the Empress said, her gaze intense and filled with questions. "You are full of mysteries. I believe you are hiding secrets. Am I correct?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, you are correct," Deculein replied, nodding. He was never one to lie.

Sophien was satisfied with that. As long as he was truthful, he deserved to stand before her.

"Very well. One day, I will uncover those secrets," Sophien declared.

"If Your Majesty devotes herself to the lessons, that moment will not be far off," Deculein replied confidently. The Empress smirked and finally examined the magic circle Deculein had created. "This is the magic I intend to teach you, Your Majesty. It is an ancient concept I have reimagined in modern terms."

"Oh? And what might that be?"

"It is the runic language," Deculein explained.

"... The runic language?" Sophien's eyes widened in surprise, but Deculein remained calm.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

From the moment he began translating the runic letters, he intended to teach the entire system to the Empress. His goal was to break her ennui and bestow upon her the great power needed to face the ultimate final boss in the future.

"I heard you destroyed it. Is that not correct?"

Sophien was well aware of Deculein's Symposium. She had observed it through the eyes of a cat, and the Imperial Palace's network was the quickest source of information.

"It remains in my mind, Your Majesty. Therefore, there will be no physical evidence of my teachings from now on."

This lesson was possible only because Deculein was the teacher and Sophien the student—a communion of words and mana. At that moment, Sophien understood Deculein's true intentions. A new emotion flickered in her gaze as she glared at him.

"I will teach you all forty-eight runic letters I have translated. If you master Telekinesis using these runes, you may be able to defeat me, Your Majesty."

Naturally, a mage would not easily destroy their research. Particularly if the research involved something as significant as runes, no one would be mad enough to bury it all in ashes. After all, mages are the kind who obsessively seek to leave their mark on the world.

"So, you intend to make me your protégé?"

Sophien grasped Deculein's intentions. He had been waiting quietly, hoping for this moment. He sought someone who could master the vast magic of runic language, someone with the talent to carry on his research from a position of great authority.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Deculein replied with a sincere nod.

Understanding his true intentions, the Empress smiled broadly.

"You will be the first protégé of my runic language, Your Majesty," Deculein declared. This had been his goal since their first meeting. "By teaching you these runic letters, I can understand you better, and you can understand me as well."

"You arrogant man," Sophien said with a laugh.

She didn't entirely dislike the idea; in fact, she found his audacity quite appealing.

"Very well, we shall see if it unfolds as you plan. Proceed as you wish..."

Deculein immediately began to assemble the runic letters. His earnestness was almost endearing in its sincerity.

***

"... That is enough. Now get lost," the Empress had declared, ending the ninety-minute lesson.

I exited the Hall of Learning.

“Lord Yukline.”

While I walked through the corridors of the Imperial Palace, someone called my name. I turned to see Jolang, the eunuch.

"Have you concluded your lesson with Her Majesty?" Jolang inquired.

He had blond hair and wore the typical eunuch's attire. His small stature, pale skin, and beardless face made him appear more like a courtier than a servant. I knew who Jolang was—a notable figure in the palace, renowned for his role in the Darkness of the Imperial Palace quest involving the Demon’s Mirror.

"Yes, it is concluded," I replied.

"Then, I have a request to make of you."

"Is this matter concerning the Imperial Palace's underground?"

Jolang looked surprised but quickly regained his composure, nodded, and said, "Yes, that is correct. Please, follow me. There are ears and eyes everywhere in the Imperial Palace.”

I followed Jolang through the palace corridors. The palace contained hundreds, if not thousands, of rooms, and he led me to one of them. It was an empty room illuminated by flickering candles.

"An ideal location for a clandestine meeting."

"Haha, indeed, that is the purpose of this room," Jolang said.

"Do eunuchs also partake in romantic affairs?"

"Well, it depends on the situation," Jolang replied. "Now, Lord Yukline, I will explain what lies in the darkness of the palace..."

I was well aware of the secrets hidden beneath the Imperial Palace. Darkness lurked there, concealing the remnants of a demon. No one could say for certain if it was truly a demon, but the mirror revealed the hidden side of the world.

If it only reflected, there would be no problem. But the mirror also served as a gateway to another realm, and it had long since taken over the Imperial Palace's underground.

"... Therefore, we are assembling a team to purify the underground. Her Majesty has faith in you, Lord Yukline—"

"Very well," I responded, not asking many questions. There was no need; I had already completed this quest during my test plays. "However, I have one condition."

"What is your condition?" Jolang inquired.

"Yulie must be excluded," I stated.

Jolang raised his eyebrows and then chuckled softly, saying, "... The affection of a hedgehog, is it?"

Jolang's words were meant as a joke or a sneer, but they struck me deeply. Two hedgehogs, shivering in the cold, approach each other for warmth. They try to survive the winter by huddling together, but eventually realize that the closer they get, the more their countless spines hurt each other.

"It was merely a joke," Jolang said hastily, misinterpreting my stern expression.

"... That's enough. Just do as I say."

"Yes, Lord Yukline, I understand. I will convey this to Knight Yulie to the best of my ability."

Nodding, I left the room. My mind was troubled, and I had expended a lot of mana teaching the runic language. Despite this, I had another task to complete, the auction at Haileich.

***

Haileich, the wealthiest city in the Empire, was a center of commerce, filled with rare treasures, luxurious items, and beautiful artworks.

"The air feels different here..." Arlos murmured, closing her eyes to savor the golden sunlight that bathed Haileich.

The streets of this affluent district bustled with a vitality that contrasted sharply with the ashen remnants of other places. As she walked, a small leaf landed on her shoulder, and a voice emerged from it.

— Arlos,

Arlos slowly opened her eyes.

— It's Jukaken.

Jukaken, like Arlos, was in a cooperative relationship with the Altar, but he was also one of the six heads of the Six Serpents.

"I already told you I won't be participating," Arlos said.

— The plan is solid, and it's about capturing, not killing. We need both you and Gerek. There's no risk to you.

"... Gerek isn't suitable for this plan. He's obsessed with Deculein and doesn't fit your cautious approach."

Jukaken, a figure from the underworld, was meticulous. He had likely been devising a strategy since the Altar placed a bounty of thirty million elne on capturing Deculein. In contrast, Gerek, with his multiple personas, was more like a deranged lunatic.

— Have you forgotten Deculein's clash with Rohakan? We need comparable strength. At the very least, we need Gerek.

"Gerek would do it for free if it meant killing Deculein," Arlos replied.

— The mission is to capture, not to kill.

— The Altar has added the Stone of the Land of Destruction to the bounty. You'll receive 15% of its value. We just need your puppet and Gerek.

— All you need to do is control your puppet. Do you see the red-haired man smoking on the right side of the street?

— That's Jeff, Deculein's driver for today. We'll take him down, and you'll use your puppet to impersonate him.

— Deculein doesn’t pay much attention to his servants; he sees them as mere tools. I assure you, nothing will go wrong.

— It's a top-grade mana stone, Arlos, equivalent to a mana diamond. Untouched by human hands. Aren't you tempted? I estimate its value at 100 million elne, and you'll receive 15% of that.

— Damn it, fine. I, Jukaken, Ruler of the Underworld, promise Arlos, the Money-Eating Hippo, a 20% reward.

— Opportunities like this are rare. That's the beauty of chance. Today is ideal.

"May I see your identification, please?" inquired a staff member. _{fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm}