A Villain's Will to Survive novel Chapter 243

Chapter 243: Sylvia (6) Part 2

Dawn had yet to touch the sky, its walls closing in tight around the cave. At the single desk, Deculein pored over the island’s map, piecing together a theory of a spell—one that could neutralize the wave of the Voice, even if just for a heartbeat, and allow the real Deculein to reach the island through the sea.

“So, you're telling me you're engraving a magic circle onto the island itself?” Idnik asked.

“Indeed,” Deculein replied.

“If they notice it, it won’t last long.”

“You’ve remained unnoticed as well.”

“... Fair enough,” Idnik muttered, then glanced his way. “But if Sylvia finds out, that’ll be the end of you.”

“If that happens, Sylvia will make another, and he will continue from where I end off.”

“... What.”

Deculein spoke as if he were going for a morning stroll—that’s how lightly he said it. Idnik gave a dry laugh, as if questioning whether he even realized what he was saying.

“You really are something, you know that? Doesn’t it scare you—knowing that you’re a fake?”

“What is there to fear?” Deculein replied as he drew a circle that covered the entire island. “My purpose is simple—to exterminate the demon and take Sylvia off this island.”

There was no hesitation in his voice, and his words were carved from certainty and the weight of conviction.

“... That’s something, at least. Is there anything I can do to help?” Idnik replied, scratching the back of her neck.

At Idnik’s words, the movement of his pencil stilled, and Deculein turned, his expression unreadable—as if her offer had simply stirred the air.

“Should I die or disappear, pass this map to the one who comes after me. That’s all that is needed.”

Deculein spoke of his own death with the indifference of tossing aside an old cloak, and his request to pass the map to the next iteration of Deculein was completely impassive, which stirred a mild annoyance in her.

“That’s enough. What kind of protégé of Rohakan gives up this easily? Shut it—and stop talking about dying like it’s nothing. Every time you die, your memory resets. So fight like this life is your last shot...”

***

... Late at night, under the veil of a wintry sky in the Empire's capital, Yulie stepped into a backroom of the Imperial Palace, moments after her meeting with the Empress, where a clandestine space had been prepared by Ahan, Sophien's personal maid and Yulie’s secret collaborator within the Palace.

“Thank you for your cooperation, Miss Ahan,” Yulie said, extending her hand.

“... I must return to Her Majesty,” Ahan replied, offering the key with both hands. “You may use the backroom whenever needed. And if you ever need assistance, please let me know. I’ll do all I can—as far as it can reach. The influence of the palace maids is not as weak as it might seem.” _{freewёbnoνel.com}

... Ahan had been ordered to feign cooperation with Yulie, and the command, naturally, had come from Empress Sophien.

“You have my word—I’ll not disappoint you,” Yulie said, her breath catching with the weight of emotion.

“... Yes. Professor Deculein is, without question, a villain. That’s why I...” Ahan replied, lowering her head, as if the emotion had robbed her of words.

The command, again, was simple—portray Deculein as the embodiment of villainy, and that, too, came directly from Sophien.

“Yes, I understand. You, of all people, Miss Ahan—who have been watching him from within the Imperial Palace all this time.”

However, not knowing that Ahan’s cooperation was a lie, Yulie reached out with the genuine kindness of someone who thought she understood everything.

“... Yes, Knight Yulie.”

Ahan buried the guilt rising in her chest and crushed the pity that had begun to grow inside her. If she were to prove herself useful to Her Majesty, she, too, would need to become as merciless as the crown demanded of her.