A Villain's Will to Survive novel Chapter 33

Chapter 33: Break (1)

The first topic on the Berhert meeting agenda was the demon incident—the one I had killed in the Mage Tower area. Drjekdan first requested my testimony.

"The Mountain of Darkness has always been a place of lingering impurity. Anything could have been there, but that day it was a demon so I killed it," I said as I caught my breath.

My vague explanation was supplemented by Essensil, the young head of the Bran family.

“A demon appearing in the capital is a serious matter. Additionally, the borders of the Norther Territory, particularly the Land of Destruction, are swarming with demonic beasts. We need to send mages to investigate suspicious areas and possibly cooperate with the cathedral.”

Essensil, with her striking green hair, was a credible and principled leader of a reputable family. In my current state, I lacked the energy to interpret or judge the situation, so I simply agreed with her and said, “That’s correct.”

Essensil's eyes widened in surprise. Deculein was known for criticizing even correct statements. The other mages didn't challenge this matter.

We'll have the cathedral identify suspicious areas first, and then we'll select mages from each magical sect to be dispatched.

The first topic was approved.

“The Linnel sect, renowned for their dedication to destructive magic, will take the lead in the demon extermination—”

Many topics were discussed, including which sect to send first, the rewards, managing the demonic beast-infested mines, and revising the magical laws on dungeons and demon hunting, and more...

For nearly four hours, the round table buzzed with discussions. I stayed silent, conserving my three speaking rights for later.

"We'll take a short break now."

After nearly five hours, I finally left the round table. Stepping outside to clear my head, I saw a small figure with brown hair pacing anxiously near the exit, beside one of the elders. It was Allen.

“... Oh, Professor!” Allen exclaimed, running toward me. “Are you alright? I’m so sorry for being late! They said I c-couldn’t join the meeting once it started, so I’ve been w-waiting here. I’m really sorry...”

I shook my head, trying to calm his flustered apology and said, "It's all right."

In reality, I was far from fine. I had suffered mana exhaustion multiple times today. Any ordinary mage would have been bedridden or dead by now. The lingering effects meant I had barely recovered 300 mana during the five-hour meeting.

“T-they told me you saved me, Professor—”

“I told you not to cry,” I interrupted.

Allen tried to hold back his tears, lowering his head and said, “... Sniff!”

But now, I could no longer see this kid as innocent. His once genuine and sincere face now seemed strangely oddly unfamiliar.

“From now on, just stay quietly by my side.”

“Uh... sorry? Oh... yes, sir...”

I had to keep everything hidden. If my suspicions were right, I needed him close. I couldn't let any doubt or suspicion show.

... I had to do it for my own safety, to survive.

***

We had a thirty-minute break. The heads of families returned to their waiting rooms, exchanging opinions and attempting deals, while I stayed with Allen, doing nothing. When the break ended, we returned to the round table, and Allen sat beside me.

Drjekdan then announced the next agenda item, “What should be the mage's stance on the Scarletborn?”

As soon as the topic was announced, the atmosphere at the round table shifted dramatically. No one had been officially given the floor, yet a heated debate erupted. The Scarletborn was indeed the Achilles' heel of the magical community.

Bethan of Beorad spat his words out with venom, "The Scarletborn are like pests that breed uncontrollably, corroding the foundations of our society."

Essensil shifted uncomfortably and said, “But how can we distinguish the Scarletborn from others?”

“We can find a way. The answer lies with the blood magic. If the Mage Tower of the Imperial and Kingdom Universities collaborate, we can achieve anything,” Bethan said fiercely.

Ihelm, who had been observing, tried to interject, but Bethan continued, “Furthermore, they somehow identify each other and come together. The Scarletborn must have a leader bringing them together.”

The Scarletborn were a unique kind of people, few in number but rich in special talents. Among them was a leader who united and guided them. Bethan's point was valid, but this leader must not die. According to the game's setting, he was a saintly figure, much like Buddha or Jesus.

"That leader must be hiding underground, gathering the Scarletborn. The idea of what they might be plotting down there is disgusting. It’s inherently inhumane!"

"Bethan, you're only speculating."

"Sixty years ago, many mages died because we were too lenient with them!" Bethan retorted, nearly choking on his rage. Essensil didn't press the argument any further.

Just as the heated discussion seemed to settle, Glitheon, who had been watching me, finally spoke up, “What does Deculein of Yukline think?”

All eyes turned to me. The Yukline family had historically been masters of exorcism, leading the fight against demons. It was a position of significant influence and responsibility. As someone from the modern era, I understood the underlying motives for oppressing the Scarletborn.

Even without that knowledge, delaying their oppression was the right choice. The Scarletborn were not the ultimate enemy in this world, and avoiding their suppression would make future main quests significantly easier.

“In the past, the Scarletborn were seen as our enemies,” I began calmly. “But if we look at the records carefully, it’s clear that it was all based on misunderstandings.”

"Misunderstandings?" Bethan cut in, his voice laced with skepticism.

“It started as a misunderstanding. In the Lodran Witch incident 237 years ago, Lodran was falsely accused of being a witch and was actually innocent,” I said, glaring at him as I referenced a specific historical event. Then, I continued.

“That incident sparked widespread persecution, causing the Scarletborn to shed a lot of blood. Naturally, they fought back, leading to even more bloodshed. The violence finally stopped when a temporary ceasefire was reached.”

I had seen this in the lore documents and read similar historical records. The main points were already clear in my mind.

"Sixty years ago, it became a political issue when a mana stone mine was discovered in Scarletborn territory."

In this world, mana stone mines were far more valuable than the combined worth of oil and natural gas in the modern era.

"Political issue? You call it a political issue?" Bethan said, pounding the table, his anger palpable.

I knew a lot because it was a crucial part of the mid-to-end storyline, but persuading others was a different challenge altogether.

“They carry a bloodline tainted with demonic influence! If anyone should understand this, it’s Yukline, the demon hunters!” Bethan shouted, nearly losing control.

“Yukline’s tradition is to hunt demons, not exterminate the Scarletborn,” I said, shaking my head.

"The Scarletborn are demons!" Bethan shouted, his voice echoing through the Elder Gate.

Bethan’s extreme conclusion could lead to the mass slaughter of the Scarletborn. After his outburst, the room fell into a heavy silence. The once heated discussion had turned eerily quiet, and in the stillness, the tension only intensified.

I fixed my gaze on Bethan and asked, “Can you take responsibility for what you just said?”

Calling an entire race demons would make them enemies of all humanity. Bethan, along with everyone else, stayed silent.

"Don't be so quick to label humans as demons. The one who does might become a demon themselves," I finished.

The family heads looked at me with surprise.

Finally, Drjekdan’s voice echoed through the room, “Bethan, tone down your remarks. If we continue like this, we won't reach any conclusions. This meeting is adjourned for today.”

***

The first meeting ended without a clear conclusion, but that wasn’t a concern. They had been prepared for a four-day meeting from the start. Sylvia descended to her room in the Rosary Inn of the Fourth Gate.

Night had already fallen, and she found herself alone. In this inn, it was customary for each guest to have a private room. Sylvia glanced at the paper given to her by the inn's Elder.

Nighttime Rules of the Rosary Hotel at the Fourth Gate

These rules are in effect only at night.

1. If you encounter an open door while walking down the hallway, do not enter or look inside the room.

2. If someone knocks on your door, do not respond or make any noise.

3. Occasionally, a corpse may be found in the bathroom; do not panic, simply close the door.

4. The Rosary Hotel is a one-story building. Do not go up or down any stairs that may appear.

5. Once you lie down in bed, refrain from waking until morning, or you might find yourself in a different place.

6. Do not speak or use magic in the hallway.

Sylvia blinked after reading the unnerving rules. Her father had drilled their importance into her. Besides, she wasn’t one to explore recklessly. Exhausted, she decided to go to bed immediately. Sylvia lay down with her hawk, Swifty, perched by her bedside.

"Goodnight," Sylvia said to Swifty, then closed her eyes. She quickly drifted into a peaceful sleep...

... She woke up a few hours later, feeling thirsty. Checking the clock, she saw she had slept for about three hours. Seeing Swifty watching her from the bed reassured her.

"Get some sleep," she whispered to Swifty, who then closed his eyes.

Sylvia rose with a smile and reached for the water and cup on the shelf. After drinking a glass of water, she turned around. She was in a hallway, not her room, and the end of the hallway was nowhere in sight. A chill ran down her spine, and the back of her neck tingled with fear. She suddenly remembered the fifth rule of the nighttime guidelines.

5. Once you lie down in bed, refrain from waking until morning, or you might find yourself in a different place.

Sylvia looked down at her feet. She was barefoot, and the floor felt cold. A breeze came from somewhere. She glanced around and noticed a staircase nearby, but she remembered she shouldn’t use it.

4. The Rosary Hotel is a one-story building. Do not go up or down any stairs that may appear.

She told herself to stay calm. It was just a slight breeze; nothing serious was happening. As she walked steadily, she came across a room with its door open. Sylvia hesitated.

1. If you encounter an open door while walking down the hallway, do not enter or look inside the room.

Without looking into the room, Sylvia kept walking, her heart pounding with anxiety, until she reached a closed door.

Knock, knock—

She knocked, but there was no answer. A gust of wind blew from somewhere. She moved to another door and knocked again.

Knock, knock—

Knock, knock—

Knock, knock—

Howwwwwwl...

Knock, knock—!

Howwwwwwwwwwwwwl...

Knock, knock—

Whooooosh...

"Ah," Sylvia said with a nod. She glanced around, feeling incredibly self-conscious. Biting her lip, she asked, “Why were you late today?”

With two added lines, the Scorching Fire turned blue.