A Villain's Will to Survive novel Chapter 267

Chapter 267: Magical Expo (1)

Deep inside the Imperial Palace library, I was organizing records about an old mansion.

Cursed Old Mansion

◆ A cradle of souls, possessing an intellect comparable to that of a human. It appears to offer sanctuary to spirits weighed down by unresolved regrets. Though its ultimate purpose remains unknown, it warrants continued observation for both research and possible application...

Just two lines of explanation were given. Everything after that was filled with magic circles and spells—magical interpretations and dismantling that broke down the mana concentration and phenomena inside the old mansion.

Any competent mage would understand well enough, I thought.

“Librarian, see that this is archived as well,” I said.

“Yes, Professor,” Librarian Lexil replied, shelving my recorded document among the library’s shelves with a smile. “... I am glad that the trouble passed as it did.”

“You mean the old mansion?”

“Yes, Professor.”

Behind the Imperial Palace, the old mansion still stood, and with it, the souls of Iggyris and Decalane continued to remain there.

“It may be too soon to be glad. The cradle of souls is a dangerous place, and the souls of the dead were never meant to belong with the living.”

“I fear such matters lie well beyond the reach of my understanding.”

“Consider it a momentary thought passing through the room.”

Sirio, Jaelon, and the remaining followers of the Altar were imprisoned in the underground prison beneath the Imperial Palace. It was a testament to the authority of Archmage Adrienne, and none of them showed any resistance.

However, the old mansion wasn’t tied to any quest, so there was no special reward. Of course, the outcome spoke for itself—I had obtained Decalane’s Study of Art Magic.

───────

[Study of Art Magic]

◆ Description

:An essence of the Study of Art Magic, penned by Decalane of House Yukline.

◆ Category

:Unique Secret Codex

───────

The Study of Art Magic, bound in mana and leather hardcover, was Decalane’s creation and he was a mage who had reached the pinnacle of the Ductility category. Decalane's artifacts transcended art—they were treasures coveted by nobles across the entire continent. Therefore, even with full Comprehension, it was beyond what I could master in my current state.

However, the idea that Deculein’s category talent was limited to Manipulation was a thing of the past.

I tore open the Category Talent Selection and chose the Ductility category without hesitation. But nothing happened. Maybe because Ductility and Manipulation were similar categories—there was no burning pain, no spark of realization. Just a single system notification appeared.

['Ductility' has been added to the category of talents.]

At that moment, someone approached and sat down right in front of me.

“But, Professor,” Epherene said, casting Silence around us. “So, Her Majesty’s body was shaped by that self-proclaimed God, right? He carved it himself or something?”

Epherene, who had heard everything from Decalane at the old mansion, was brimming with curiosity.

I don’t understand why Decalane chose to tell her all that—things she never needed to know, I thought.

"Might that be the reason Her Majesty holds such deep loathing for the Scarletborn?"

"It's an instinctive form of loathing," I replied.

“Sorry?”

"Even if Her Majesty’s body was shaped by that God, Her Majesty is not Him, but a soul of her own."

This moment could easily be seen as one of the many branches of the main quest—and among them, a particularly unique one.

In most main quests, God created His own body and descended into it—a vessel shaped by Himself. But since the branch diverged, even He must adapt to the change, I thought.

"In other words, if Her Majesty is to survive, He must be broken. Both the expedition to the Land of Destruction and the oppression of the Scarletborn are manifestations of that instinct—the will to live," I added.

“Hmm... I get the expedition to the Land of Destruction, but why the Scarletborn? I don’t think every member of the tribe is evil. Even within the Empire, there are criminals in every corner.”

“It’s because of the Scarletborn’s faith. Like the Altar, they worship the God of the Holy Era—and they too believe in the prophecy—that one day, He will descend again.”

“... Aha,” Epherene muttered with a nod, a smile curling on her lips as her hands slipped into her inner pocket. “Oh, that’s right, Professor—take a look at this.”

Epherene proudly held out an application form she had brought with her.

“I’ve been granted eligibility for the Elite Guard of Her Majesty, the Empress. All that’s left is to complete this form and submit it. Knight Delic even said that Her Majesty wishes for me to join, hehe!”

Epherene looked at me like she’d just won the lottery, her confidence overflowing, and I took the application form from her without a word.

And then...

“... Oh?!”

Riiip—!

Then I tore it in half and Epherene reached out in a panic, but it was too late—the form had already gone up in flames.

“Noooo—wait! W-Why are you doing this?!”

“That is not an order meant for someone like you.”

“... What did you just say?”

“There will be war, and when it comes, the Elite Guard will not spare children, women, or the old,” I said, watching Epherene with a sour expression.

Epherene remained silent.

"Epherene, do you think you could do the same?"

Then Epherene’s lips curled inward as she bit back whatever she was about to say, and the expression she made was honestly comical.

"Of course I will—without question. I’ve killed too many already, and I’ve come too far to turn back. To hesitate now, for the sake of morality, would be a lie I have no right to tell."

I glanced at the Wood Steel floating above Epherene’s shoulder, the one I had given her now completely dyed in her ashen color, ignoring my command as if I were a stranger.

"However, you are not that kind of mage, Epherene."

Epherene’s eyes faintly trembled.

"You’re not a mage who kills others, Epherene," I concluded.

Epherene lowered her head in silence, scratched the top of her head awkwardly, and cleared her throat.

“Well, that’s... Oh, by the way,” Epherene muttered, then, as if something had just clicked, she handed me a crystal orb. “Here—take this. I figured out how the pocket watch works.”

Then, holding the wooden pocket watch in her hand, Epherene added, “That crystal orb is linked to mine. So promise me that you will keep it with you—for at least three years. No matter what, three years.”

“Why three years?” I inquired.

“That’s how long the crystal orb lasts.”

“You bought the cheap one.”

“I haven’t the money for anything better, anyway,” Epherene said, setting her crystal orb on top of the pocket watch. "Hoooo..."

As I watched, Epherene took a deep breath, channeled her mana into the pocket watch, and slowly, her ashen mana seeped into its core.

Then, soon after...

“... Do you hear me?”

Epherene spoke through the crystal orb, but nothing echoed back into mine.

— I do hear you.

Instead, it wasn't me who answered—my voice, not from the present, received her words and replied on its own.

“Augh—!” Epherene screamed, her body trembling hard as pale foam bubbled from her lips.

“It’s clear enough. You’ve figured it out, clearly—but the side effects are far too excessive,” I replied with a nod.

“... It’s just that the effect is only that strong with you, Professor. For an ordinary person, it would only use a bit of mana during conversation.”

“Then perhaps you should’ve invested in stocks—and become rich.”

Then Epherene’s eyes widened, her mouth falling open in a daze as her nostrils flared, wearing the look of someone who had just unlocked every secret in the universe.

“... Has the thought of such never crossed your mind?” I inquired, disbelief evident in my voice.

Scraaape—

“Oh... I... Umm... I should be going now!” Epherene said, scrambling to her feet before dashing off in a hurry, giggling like a lunatic as she hopped, as if she had springs in her boots.

Watching Epherene walk away, I gave a shake of my head and turned my eyes back to the Study of Art Magic. As expected, even Decalane’s table of contents felt demonic—twisted from the very first page.

1. A Living Organic Circuit Discovered in the Depths of Demonic Origin

***

... Barely a week had passed since the Empire was attacked, and before the shock had even faded, Empress Sophien made the Altar’s existence official—and declared them enemies of the Empire.

The most dangerous religious terrorist in history attacked the Imperial Palace without warning.

Hundreds of eunuchs and attendants were killed or wounded. A section of the Imperial Palace was left in total ruin. (Photo)

Empress Sophien has declared martial law throughout the Empire and warned of a massive counterstrike...

“Woah, that’s serious. This could turn into a war,” Gerek said.

"Maybe they didn’t like it, or maybe they still haven’t found the lubricant in time. I don’t know yet, but I am going to see it corrected."

Deculein : The Magic of Probability (Pirated Version)

Deculein : Interpretation of Collision Values (Pirated Version)

Deculein : Proper Understanding of Circuit Calculations and Spells (Pirated Version)

"... Hmm, then I suppose I’ll need to make preparations."

Creak—

Seems like they’re trying to bring things under tight control before the expo...