A Villain's Will to Survive novel Chapter 79

Chapter 79: Mask (1)

Near the Imperial University stood the well-known restaurant, Flower of the Pig.

"I’ll kill them!” Epherene shouted, tearing into her Roahawk. Sylvia watched, finding the sight rather amusing. “I will find them and I will kill them!”

Epherene’s paper had been torn in half. With so many people around, the identity of the culprit remained a mystery and would likely remain so.

“Foolish Epherene,” Sylvia said.

Epherene turned and glared at Sylvia, tears of frustration filling her eyes.

"Even if you find out who did it, there's nothing you can do. The torn paper won't magically reappear."

"... Are you here to mock me?" Epherene retorted.

With a scoff, Sylvia pulled out her own paper. Epherene's face immediately took on an envious look.

Woooom—

Sylvia's barrier surrounded the table, protecting the area around them.

“Assistant Professor Allen didn’t tell us the exam’s time or location. He only said not to lose this paper,” Sylvia stated.

"... Have you figured anything out?" Epherene asked hesitantly.

“No, not yet.”

How this paper related to their lessons remained unclear. Despite the uncertainty, Sylvia had faith in Deculein and his teachings.

Then how about this, if you don’t know yet...,” Epherene suggested hesitantly, watching Sylvia’s reaction. “Sh-shall we work together? We’ve done group projects before, remember?”

“Foolish Epherene.”

“Wh-why? I can help. I placed second, right after you,” Epherene said, putting down her Roahawk, desperation evident in her voice.

Sylvia shook her head and replied, “You don’t have your paper. I do.”

“... Well, I know that.”

“There will likely be more ambushes and sabotage attempts since we still have three weeks until the exam.”

“Sigh... I really want to cry,” Epherene said, pretending to sniffle as she took a handkerchief from her pocket.

Epherene wiped her eyes in a pitiful manner. Sylvia’s attention shifted to the handkerchief, which reminded her of the one adorning her Bearbie Panda, a gift from Deculein. The patterns on Epherene’s handkerchief were identical.

“You,” Sylvia said.

Sylvia's body moved before she could think. She swiftly grabbed Epherene’s wrist, causing her to flinch.

“W-what?”

“Where did you get that?”

“G-get what, this handkerchief?”

“Yes.”

"... It's a secret," Epherene said, shaking her head firmly, but Sylvia persisted.

“Say it.”

“Why should I?” Epherene frowned.

Why is she so interested in this? Is it too luxurious? Wait, could it be a rare treasure that even Iliade can't obtain? Epherene thought.

“If you tell me, I might consider working together. I can also buy you more Roahawk during the exam period,” Sylvia offered.

This time, it warranted serious consideration. After all, her sponsor was anonymous. Mentioning that she received support wouldn't be a betrayal. It wasn’t about the Roahawk; she wasn’t a child to be swayed by mere food. Moreover, maintaining good grades would ensure her continued support from her sponsor.

Glancing at Sylvia, Epherene said, “I didn’t steal it. Do you believe me?”

“If you didn’t steal it.”

Epherene hesitated briefly before answering, “... It was a gift from my sponsor.”

"Sponsor," Sylvia repeated, her eyebrow twitching as she clenched her fist under the table.

"Yeah, I didn't expect to receive any sponsorship either."

“You’re getting sponsored?”

"Yeah, I was surprised too. But that’s all I can say. It’s an anonymous sponsor, so it would be rude to ask more. I don’t even know who the sponsor is... But why are you suddenly interested? Have you seen this handkerchief before?" Epherene asked, her eyes widening with curiosity.

Sylvia narrowed her eyes in suspicion and said, “No, it just doesn’t seem to suit you.”

"... Fine, whatever. Since I’ve told you, we’re working together now, right?"

Sylvia silently cut her meat while Epherene observed her closely. Sylvia’s expression was always inscrutable, never revealing her thoughts. Epherene had never seen her smile. At first, Sylvia’s mask-like demeanor was off-putting, but now it didn’t seem entirely bad.

“I’ll take your silence as agreement,” Epherene teased.

Sylvia glared at her with disdain before putting a piece of meat in her mouth, chewing with deliberate force.

***

Meanwhile, Yulie sipped her coffee at a cafe near the Mage Tower. Deculein would be in his study reviewing papers until midnight, giving her a brief moment of rest. No one would dare attempt a kidnapping at the Mage Tower, nor interrupt Professor Deculein's private research.

"... Time has flown by," Yulie murmured to herself, gazing out the window at the campus.

Memories from the past began to surface. If she walked a little further, she would reach the training center of the knight department, then the knights' square, and finally the grand main building of the Imperial Knights Order.

Serving in the Imperial Knights Order had been the dream of all knights. Yulie had once served there, but now it was just part of her past, an irretrievable and unchangeable memory.

"Yulie!"

Someone called her name, making Yulie look up with wide eyes.

"There you are."

At the entrance of the cafe stood knights Gwen, Raphel, and Sirio, her colleagues from the Imperial Palace training sessions. They approached her with smiles and extended hands.

"Are you here to observe the knight exams?" Yulie asked.

"Hmm? Oh, yes, among other things," Gwen responded.

Yulie was simply glad to see them, but Gwen looked apologetic as he scratched the back of his neck.

"I have something for you," Gwen said, handing her a letter bearing an imperial seal.

Yulie’s eyes widened in surprise as she exclaimed, “Oh! It’s about that mission!”

“Yes, but it looks like you’re currently on another mission...”

“It’s fine. This mission is also with Professor Deculein,” Yulie replied cheerfully.

Gwen's expression grew more troubled. Yulie's joy at the prospect of participating in an important mission shone through, reflecting her true knightly spirit.

"... Read this," Gwen said.

"Okay!" Yulie replied enthusiastically, breaking the seal.

However, her excitement vanished as soon as she read the first sentence.

Confidentiality Agreement

"Confidentiality...?" Yulie asked, staring blankly at Gwen, her eyes demanding an explanation.

Gwen sighed and said, "Deculein made a deal to take your place on the mission."

"... Sorry?"

"He's taking over the mission, Yulie. You won’t be joining him."

Yulie read the letter silently, grasping the clear message from Eunuch Jolang.

Your fiancé, Deculein, is concerned for your safety. Consequently, you are hereby instructed to withdraw from the mission. Additionally, the existence of this mission is classified and must not be disclosed to anyone.

"... Yulie?" Gwen called softly, her voice tinged with concern.

Yulie remained silent for a long time, her expression utterly bewildered.

Her expression shifted, and she finally crumpled the letter in her hand, demanding, "... Is this letter official?"

"Yeah. Deculein, that jerk," Gwen said with a wry smile.

Yulie stayed silent, rolling her tongue in her mouth as her cheeks puffed in and out—a habit she had when truly angry.

"Why—"

This time, Raphel answered, “Why?”

Yulie shifted her gaze past Gwen to Raphel, who stood with his arms crossed.

"Deculein knew about your injury."

“... My injury?” Yulie repeated.

Gwen nodded, shrugging and said, "Yeah. He knew you hadn’t fully healed and were pretending otherwise. Somehow, he knew everything. The mission site, the underground of the Imperial Palace, is filled with demonic energy, which is especially harmful to your injury."

Yulie had sustained the injury during a mission. At the time, she had been on the brink of death, but she thought she had fully recovered.

"Deculein probably wanted to disqualify you from the Instructor Knight position because of your injury. He likely sensed your weakened mana immediately. As a head professor of the Mage Tower, he would have known. He told us to keep it quiet, but this time, let him handle it," Gwen muttered.

She continued, "He likely kept your injury a secret from the Imperial Palace to protect your career without mentioning it to you. That’s just how he always handles things."

Yulie understood the gravity of her condition. If it worsened, she would be unfit to serve as a Guardian Knight. The injury was that severe.

There was a time when I couldn’t comprehend the depth of his love. It was overwhelming, suffocating, almost violent. That’s how he used to be. But now, he has undeniably changed. Remarkably so. Some say it’s all an act. Reylie and Rockfell insist that I shouldn’t be fooled by it.

"It’s all an act!" _{fɾēewebnσveℓ.com}

"Ah! Why are you yelling? I didn't think it would work! You frightened my baby!"

"Woof! Woof!"

Yulie stared blankly at the dog and replied, "Oh, okay..."

The Chairwoman, noticing her reaction, asked plainly, "Hmm, do you like dogs?"

"Sorry? I, um, I mean I do—, no. I’m on duty."

"Hmph!" the Chairwoman said, chuckling and placing Ormae Spartizan Adrienne the Second on Yulie's lap.

Tick-tock— tick-tock—

"Tsk."

Even as Iron Man, my head throbbed. It was likely due to the revolver blow to my skull three days ago.

"That's enough for today," I declared, lifting the research materials with Telekinesis.

Assistant Professor Allen

"Mmmp!"