A Villain's Will to Survive-Chapter 296: Cactus (2)

The desert night was dark and cold, clear as glass, with sand stretching across both sky and earth, forming a curve, and the ground beneath my feet felt ready to crumble at any moment.

— Everything’s just about in place, Knight Yulie.

I stood at the heart of it all, looking into the mirror whose clear surface reflected Epherene and Yulie.

— What do you think, Knight Yulie? I think it came out pretty good.

— ... Yes, Miss Epherene.

— All that’s left is to test and operate it out once, and if it works, we’re done.

Epherene was sketching out a cylinder large enough for a person to fit inside, while Yulie stood beside her, offering nothing but a silent nod.

— Wow...

Yulie ran her hand over the cylinder, eyes wide with curiosity, and for some reason, I found the sight innocently endearing, a smile touching my lips. However, I already knew what she and Epherene were planning and had thought about it more than once.

— Is this something that can be completed in a single attempt, Miss Epherene?

— No, you will need to stay inside for about a week or two. I have to extract time energy from my mana—then infuse it into the cylinder.

“... Your memory of me will fade away,” I muttered.

If all of Yulie’s memories were erased and only time itself rewound, she wouldn’t forget Deculein but would forget me.

Because I was not Deculein, at some point something changed, and I became someone else—someone Yulie would no longer recognize, which was why, in the end, she forgot who I was.

“... The self that lived through those years—the you of that time—will fade away.”

Forgotten memories would never come back, and even if everything were recorded in a diary, the memories of Yulie—the ones that built up over time—could not be restored, nor could the feelings that made her who she was.

— Knight Yulie, you will be able to see the Professor again—free from any pain.

— ... Is that so? However, I wonder if a diary alone can help me remember myself...

— Of course, you don’t need to worry—I believe in your mental strength, Knight Yulie.

Rewinding time meant defying the natural order for human beings by running from death and killing the Yulie who existed now just to save a life that wasn’t hers.

“Nonetheless...”

However, I wanted Yulie to choose that path and let go of herself if it meant she could live, keep breathing in this world, leave behind all that pain, and reach for a different kind of happiness, and if that were possible, then I wouldn’t mind if she forgot me...

“Count Yukline.”

At that moment, a voice called out from behind me—it was Knight Delic, the man who once stood beside me in Rekordak, played an essential role in Epherene’s regression, and somehow ended up becoming my loyal knight entirely by his own will.

"What is it?” I inquired.

“We’ve received intelligence of a Scarletborn hideout—one that Idnik is known to frequent,” Delic replied.

“Idnik.”

“Yes, Count Yukline.”

Idnik was already a wanted criminal, understandable given her connections as Rohakan’s protégé, but recently matters escalated as the charges of supporting the Scarletborn were confirmed and her status was raised to Black Threat-Level.

"Here, this is the map of the location confirmed by our Elite Guard,” Delic continued.

Just as Delic had said, our side—the desert—was now split into two factions: one following General Bell and the military, and the other gathering around me, made up of nobles and knights.

The competition between us had grown intense as Bell’s side launched multiple advances each day, collecting achievements, but I had been holding my knights back from engaging.

“That knight of the Elite Guard is known for his talent for tracking, Count Yukline. I suggest you place your trust in him.”

At Delic’s words, I looked down at the map and said nothing, nodding in response.

“Then we’ll ready our side for the expedition at once,” Delic concluded, his expression brightening.

“Very well.”

“Yes, Count Yukline!”

“Delic,” I called as I watched his back while he offered a salute and turned away.

“Yes, Count Yukline,” Delic replied, coming to a halt and turning back to meet my eyes.

“Ria... how have her actions been, as of late?”

“Pardon me? Oh... there is nothing of note to report.”

“... Is that so?”

Ria had been leaking confidential information, and of course I had steered her toward it because I was certain that an agent of the Scarletborn had slipped in even within the Elite Guard.

“Is something troubling you?” Delic asked, his brow furrowed with worry breaking through his usually composed expression.

“Well, I suspect it may be her training, but it seems that has caused Ria to wander far into the desert as of late.”

“... Oh, yes, Count Yukline. Ria does wander out to the desert often. It would seem she finds a strange thrill in risk taking.”

I nodded.

Of course she has Yoo Ah-Ra’s personality, as she was modeled after her, I thought.

“Even her personality matches,” I muttered.

Then Delic cleared his throat and straightened his posture.

“Then allow me to keep an eye on her—”

“No, that is unnecessary,” I interrupted.

In the end, exposing confidential information was the right call for survival in the desert, and although I hadn’t expected the spy to be Ria, considering her exceptional skill, it might have actually worked in our favor.

“You may leave.”

“... Yes, Count Yukline.”

Delic turned and walked off across the sand without another word, and I raised my eyes to the stars above the desert where many lights shimmered like waves breaking through the dark, just like in a poem I once read, with each star seeming to rise one by one as if becoming a person.

“... This is complicated,” I muttered under my breath.

***

The next morning, Ria was up early and, as she always did, at the desert training ground focusing on her breathing exercises.

“Hoo...” Ria murmured.

Sitting in the lotus position and going over the Elementalization spell Deculein taught me, I can feel it—if I perfect this, I’ll rise at least a few stages...

“Hey.”

Flick—!

At that moment, a light flickered and landed on her forehead, causing Ria to flinch and look up.

“Who was... Oh?”

“It’s Delic,” Delic replied.

“I knew it was you, Knight Delic.”

Ria had seen Knight Delic often, back in Rekordak and frequently at the Imperial Palace, where he was Deculein’s closest advisor and an influential member of the Imperial Knights' Order, and he was also her direct superior, which meant that even here in the desert, Ria operated under the hierarchy of the Elite Guard.

“But why did you come?” Ria asked. “I’m in the middle of training right now.”

“Enough with the sweet face, Ria. This time, it’s not something you can just brush off,” Delic replied, narrowing his eyes as he shook his head.

Although Delic’s words were a little strange, Ria—despite how she seemed—listened closely when it mattered.

“Okay,” Ria replied, her face trying hard to look just as serious.

“Ria, did you go that far into the desert?”

At that moment, Ria’s heart skipped a beat.

Thump—!

Could it be that they have already found out about the confidential leak? Ria thought.

Thump, thump—!

Ria’s heart raced like it had lost control.

“Yes, but why... are you asking me that?”

Delic narrowed his eyes, shooting Ria a look somewhere between suspicion and disappointment that made her swallow hard.

“The question came from Count Yukline himself.”

“From Count Yukline...?”

“Yes, that is correct.”

Flick—!

“Count Yukline has been worrying about you more than you know,” Delic continued, flicking her on the forehead as if sighing through his words.

Delic’s words left Ria confused.

Worrying about me? More than I know? Ria thought.

Blinking, Ria stared at Delic—at his lips—as if he still had something left to say.

“Far more than you yet realize.”

For a moment, Ria found herself thinking about the term 'worry'—what it really meant.

Worry, from Deculein? Is there anything more backwards in the world?

“He came to me with the question,” Delic added, clearing his throat as he glanced around.

“... What kind of question did ask he?” Ria asked.

It caught her so off guard that Ria stumbled over her own words.

“It was your actions he referred to.”

“My actions?”

“Count Yukline was worried about how far you walked out into the desert,” Delic said, his tone weighted with seriousness.

That’s the second time the word ‘worry’ has come up. Maybe Delic’s just saying things on his own—but no, he’s far too obviously standing as Deculein’s right hand. They’re both named characters, and honestly, their personalities match almost too well.

“... Really? Count Yukline meant me?” Ria asked, unaware that she had spoken just like Ah-Ra would.

“Yes, and what’s more, was that...”

Delic fell silent for a moment, as if unsure whether to speak or not.

“Keep this between us... but Count Deculein himself admitted that it is complicated,” Delic continued.

Ria remained silent.

“I am sure you understand why Count Yukline would speak of such a thing.”

Ria gave an absent nod.

It’s probably because of his fiancée, but I always thought he saw Yuara and me as completely separate.

“Ria, do not forget your place,” Delic said.

Ria looked up at Delic.

“You were not chosen by Count Yukline for your talent.”

As Delic spoke, a few memories came back to Ria—ones that still made her feel guilty.

“The reason why Count Yukline teaches you—and even his harsh words—is...”

Ria had leaked the confidential information because she believed it would help everyone—perhaps even save the entire continent.

“Because you resemble his former fiancée.”

Ria didn’t know if Deculein still looked at her as Yoo Ah-Ra, and even if he pretended not to, part of him always seemed to mistake her—the adventurer Ria—for someone else.

“Not only in appearance, but also in your personality,” Delic concluded.

Then maybe Deculein is the only person left in this world who remembers Yuara—or maybe he’s the only one who can. ... Though, of course, that Yuara is probably not Yoo Ah-Ra,

“Even... the personality?” Ria asked.

“Yes, those words came directly from Count Yukline himself. For that reason, do not wander too far, and if you must, at least take a radio transceiver with you.”

Ria remained silent.

“In short, do not give him cause for concern.”

Ria stood in silence, looking out at the training ground where she spotted Deculein finishing his morning exercise and straightening his attire.

“Speak,” Delic concluded.

“... I’ll try not to go out too often,” Ria replied, her eyes remaining on the distant Deculein as she nodded ever so slightly.

“Alright, then,” Delic said, placing his helmet upon his head.

“Where are you going?” Ria asked before she could stop herself.

“An expedition.”

“Expedition...?”

“Don’t even think about going out. The Professor is already worried enough,” Delic said before turning on his heel and rushing toward Deculein.

Ria watched Delic and Deculein, saying nothing as the two stood together.

“We are prepared, Count Yukline. Should we depart for the expedition?” Delic said.

“Very well,” Deculein replied.

Ria didn’t know where the expedition was headed, but she could tell from the looks on Delic’s and Deculein’s faces that it was nothing ordinary.

“Attention, all present—!”

At Delic’s command, Deculein’s faction moved as one and assembled in formation.

“Well,” Ria muttered.

Their influence has been weakening lately because they haven’t achieved much... because of me...

Thud—

At that moment, Ria heard a sound drop behind her, turned around and flinched before she could stop herself.

“... Good heavens, Deculein’s got a storied history, hasn’t he? One former fiancée, then another, and now you—the one who looks like the fiancée before last,” Sophien said, standing there in a robe and turban, watching Ria from behind.

“Hmph,” Sophien scoffed and continued staring at Ria in silence.

“Oh, Your Majesty. It’s just that—”

“And you certainly know how to talk.”

Ria licked her dry lips, trying to ease the tension tightening in her throat.

“Well, it’s of no consequence to you. To Deculein, you’re nothing more than a child deserving only sympathy,” Sophien continued, shaking her head.

“... Your Majesty, may I ask what brings you out here?”

“I shall personally take part in Deculein’s expedition. Of course, he’ll refuse—which is why I’ll follow him in secret from a distance.”

“... It may be too dangerous, Your Majesty,” Ria replied, the words slipping out before she realized it.

“All is well, as there’s always a knight by my side,” Sophien replied, chuckling with a sneer as she pulled a small knight statue—or rather, a miniature figure—from her pocket.

“Is that Sir Keiron you’re talking about, Your Majesty?”

— That is correct.

The knight's figure spoke—it turned out to be a miniature Keiron.

“... Oh,” Ria murmured, momentarily thrown off, but then she nodded.

Well, Sophien is just as strong as Keiron now, and with the two strongest in the world together, worrying about them really does feel like a waste, Ria thought.

“Yes, Your Majesty, then I will follow—”

“There is no need,” Sophien interrupted, placing a hand on Ria’s head. “You, who bring memories of his former love, are not of any use to us.”

Ria remained silent.

“Stay here. I can’t stand the thought of the Professor looking the slightest bit troubled—or worse, worried—because of you,” Sophien continued with a smile, ruffling Ria’s small head before sneaking off to follow Deculein’s expedition.

“... Deculein is worried about me,” Ria muttered.

It was an interesting turn of events, but right now, Ria had only one thing on her mind.

***

— Your Majesty, are we not keeping too much distance from Deculein?

... Sophien walked alongside Keiron across a barren sea of sand broader even than the open sea.

“That man is unnaturally perceptive. If we get any closer, he’ll sense us, which means this is as close as we can risk,” Sophien replied.

Beyond the sands, Deculein’s expedition had grown so distant it was barely visible, and standing on the sand dune, Sophien was cloaked in an Invisibility Robe.

— Your Majesty—why must we hide from him?

“... Keiron, I have been reflecting on what you said that day.”

Sophien had no choice but to admit what Keiron had said because she wanted Deculein to be the one to bend, to apologize and come back to her, and therefore she bruised his pride and gradually eroded his reputation in the hope it would make him return.

"I have come to see that there was some truth to it."

— Then, Your Majesty—do you mean to lose on purpose for his sake?

The idea of losing on purpose for someone felt awkward to Sophien because it wasn’t a phrase that came naturally to her.

“... To lose on purpose.”

The idea of losing on purpose was foreign to Sophien—something she’d never once considered because she’d been overcome by ennui and lethargic, didn’t care much for losing, and winning no longer thrilled her, but to lose on purpose felt like too much effort.

“To lose on purpose, you say...”

Therefore, Sophien drifted into her thoughts.

To lose on purpose... is it that I’ve already lost, or that I’m walking in to lose? Sophien thought.

"... This demands a moment’s thought."

As the Empress muttered under her breath, Keiron concealed the smile tugging at his lips.

Sophien was becoming more human, and perhaps the emotions she was learning didn’t suit a ruler, certainly not a tyrant, but with every step toward humanity, she seemed more free, and Keiron, more than anything, wished for her happiness not as a sovereign but as a Sophien who could be happy like any other person.

— Your Majesty, you should ready your mana armor.

At that moment, Keiron spoke with weight, and Sophien nodded, wrapping herself in a sheen of mana as the air shifted and she sensed a presence charged with hostility.

— An assassin, Your Majesty. I believe we’ve been spotted.

"I am aware."

The moment Sophien spoke, a burst of murderous intent erupted from beneath the sand and a crack of mana lightning split the ground, tearing through the dunes like a blade.

Clang—!

However, just as the attack aimed at the back of her neck was intercepted before she or Keiron could react, a streak of blue metal flashed from nowhere and seized it from thin air.

Fwoooooosh—!

A blast of ultra-high temperature ignited with flames, burning through the mana, then a frost locked the assassins’ arms and legs in ultra-low temperature as the defense mechanism of the Snowflower Stone activated in an instant.

The assassins couldn’t even scream before their bodies froze and were blanketed by ice, as the Snowflower Stone, integrated with the body of an Iron Man, possessed reflexes exceptionally precise that it was nearly invincible and ready to respond at speeds exceeding Mach to any sudden attack.

However, Sophien fell silent with a blush blooming on her cheeks, an embarrassment she couldn’t name.

— Hmm.

Keiron cleared his throat.

— It seems, Your Majesty, the Professor has known of our presence from the beginning.

... Well, of course he did. Deculein’s always been a cunning fox—he would never miss me following him, Sophien thought.

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