A Villain's Will to Survive

Chapter 329: Yulie (1)

In the painting prison that Quay created a week ago and Epherene modified, Yulie refined her swordsmanship by sparring with powerhouses like Zeit and Jackal, who pointed out her shortcomings, allowing her to develop her Sword Qi and complete Deculein’s basic stance as her own unique swordsmanship.

On the other hand, Sylvia was consumed by the task of finding a way to communicate with the outside world, and together with highly intelligent mages like Arlos and Carla, she conducted research into a breakthrough for this phenomenon, conceiving a two hundred thirty-page spell that was a concoction of incredibly unique ideas.

“… This is the best I can do,” Sylvia said. “How is it. Did the connection work.”

However, this prison was a miracle that transcended magic, as three individuals on the brink of attaining the status of archmage gathered but could not even dare to break it, and the technique they devised after putting their heads together all day was nothing more than circumvention.

“Yes, the connection appears to have been made,” Arlos replied.

The key was in the hands of Arloslos and her puppets, and although Arlos was trapped here now, many of her puppets remained on the continent, including several masterpieces of her genius, which could, of course, be remotely controlled.

“Now, try to move,” Sylvia said to Arlos.

Arlos closed her eyes to concentrate, her eyebrows and the tip of her nose trembling, but she seemed unsuccessful and shook her head.

“As I expected, this is going to be difficult. The view can be shared, but making it move is proving to be a struggle.”

“… I see,” Sylvia replied, letting out a sigh.

The spell they chose was Mana Beam, a method devised by Sylvia as a way to escape from here, since normal magic would not be enough, involving sending out a very thin mana to possess the eyes and bodies of a puppet.

“Your spell seems insufficient, doesn’t it?” Arlos muttered.

“What do you mean, insufficient,” Sylvia said, glaring at Arlos.

“I mean, you are using the exact same method as Quay, and if you can’t do it, then you’re the one who is insufficient.”

Just as she said, this was the same method used by Quay, who existed separately on the outer edge of the world and controlled the puppets of the continent with a spell similar to this Mana Beam.

“This would never have happened if you hadn’t made a puppet for Quay to begin with,” Sylvia replied, pouting her lips.

“… Even if I hadn’t made the puppet, He would have found a way somehow,” Arlos said with a snort.

“No.”

“Yes, you are underestimating Him far too much.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

Ignoring Sylvia and Arlos, who were arguing back and forth, Carla stared at the spell on the research board, and as she examined the geometry of the magic circle—with all sorts of lines and circles tangled like worms—an idea suddenly came to her.

“I believe there is a method,” Carla said.

“A method?”

“A method.”

Arlos and Sylvia were on the verge of a physical altercation when both of them repeated the same words.

“Yes, I wonder if using a medium would amplify the vibration transmitted through the Mana Beam,” Carla replied, nodding.

A medium was the easiest method to amplify a spell’s efficiency and output, but there was not even an object to serve as a medium in this prison.

“Instead, I wonder if there is a person who can be a medium,” Carla said.

“… A person?” Arlos asked.

“Yes, I wonder if it might be possible with Yulie.”

Arlos and Sylvia’s eyes widened when Carla casually mentioned Yulie’s name in such a calm and composed manner.

“I wonder if we could find something out by looking through Yulie’s belongings now,” Carla continued, pointing to the window.

Sylvia and Arlos found themselves staring out the window, where Yulie was sweating and swinging her sword as she sparred with Zeit.

“I wonder if Yulie has a medium of her own.”

Perhaps Yulie was the most extraordinary being among them here, a rarity even across the entire continent, for she was someone whose memory and body had been completely rewound by Epherene—a living miracle unto herself.

“No. Yulie definitely has a medium,” Carla continued, her earlier question hardening into conviction.

At that moment, Yulie possessed an object that directly connected to the continent beyond.

“Her diary.”

Sylvia remained silent.

“Oh.”

Immediately after, Sylvia and Arlos both had a look of understanding on their faces.

“We can use that as a medium,” Carla concluded, the hint of a smile tugging at her lips.

***

… As a result of their discussion, Yulie was now looking up at Deculein’s mansion, and although her puppet’s body was somewhat uncomfortable and its lifespan was ticking away with every passing moment, it was bearable—something she could endure if she could only meet him again.

Yulie picked up the newspaper that had fallen to the ground without a word, for she now had a duty to see and hear as much as possible, since every experience she had, every emotion she felt, and every word she spoke would be delivered to the people on the other side.

The prime suspect in the mass disappearance incident is Deculein’s protégé, Epherene…

However, in this current situation, Deculein seemed to be under attack—portrayed as an incompetent man who had failed to prevent a crime committed by his protégé Epherene, and as a shameless plagiarist who had stolen numerous theories.

“Hmm…”

Yulie read the entire newspaper, taking in every line as if imprinting each word directly onto her mind.

Rustle—

At that moment, at the sound of branches swaying from somewhere, Yulie raised her head and looked up at a massive Zelkova tree, where only a faint trace of someone remained—yet a smile still spread across her lips.

“It was you,” Yulie muttered.

Creeeeeeeak—

At that moment, the door of the grand mansion opened, and Yulie flinched.

Whooooosh…

A luxury vehicle from Yukline rolled out of the grand mansion, and Yulie stared at the movement of the large object with a blank expression as the vehicle seemed to have spotted her, for it stopped nearby—no, it stopped right next to her.

Whirrrr—

The vehicle’s window rolled down, and Yulie looked inside, where Deculein sat, staring at her without a word, his eyes seeming both a little surprised and a little confused.

“Did you manage to escape?” Deculein inquired, without bothering with introductions or concern, in a manner that was perfectly his own. “Knight Yurie, answer me.”

Rather than calling her Yulie, Deculein used the name Yurie.

“Yes, I have escaped,” Yulie replied, wearing a smile despite the swell of emotion in her chest—one she could not name.

Then, Deculein’s expression became unreadable—a natural reaction, given that she had managed to escape from a space thought to be inescapable.

“You will be sought out as a key witness—how did you manage to escape?”

“It’s a secret,” Yulie replied without hesitation to Deculein’s question.

“Are you playing games with me now?” Deculein said, his brow twitching as he put a finger to his forehead before glaring at Yulie once more.

“I am not playing games.”

“… I will repeat myself. How did you manage to escape—”

“It is a secret.”

Deculein’s face twisted in a scowl, and after a moment of silence, he sighed and opened the vehicle’s door.

“Knight Yurie, get in the vehicle.”

“… May I ask why?”

“As a key witness, you are required to provide an official statement detailing the circumstances of your escape.”

“Hmm, I suppose you are right,” Yulie replied with a smile, getting into Deculein’s vehicle and sinking into the seat, allowing the luxurious leather to envelop her as she took a moment to enjoy the sensation. “Where are we heading first?”

“To Hadecaine,” Deculein replied with a faintly weary look.

“Hmm? Are you sure we don’t have to go to the Imperial Palace?”

“… Going there is unnecessary.”

“Pardon?” Yulie said, her eyes wide as she tilted her head.

However, Deculein said nothing more—nor was there any need, as he planned to send Yulie back into the canvas.

***

Meanwhile, Ria was in an unnamed tavern in the underground of the Empire—a place that, with its mixed scents of oak barrels, alcohol, and grapes, looked like a normal tavern at first glance but was, in fact, the temporary office of the Intelligence Agency, which had always favored such locations for their operations, as they were easiest to disguise.

“… This is the bill that Deculein has submitted to the Imperial Palace,” said the Intelligence Agency agent.

From there, Ria was meeting with the Intelligence Agency, which had just today obtained a bill that Deculein had proposed to the Imperial Palace and Her Majesty.

“The Bill for the Punishment of the Scarletborn…” Ganesha muttered.

Sitting side by side, Ria and Ganesha opened the documents they were handed.

“An annihilation?!” Ria said.

The very first term on the first line was annihilation, and Ria’s eyes went wide as if they would pop out, while Ganesha clicked her tongue, her face growing serious as she turned the page.

“… ‘While the white canvas is drawing in innumerable people, this is a level that remains manageable with magical countermeasures. It should, therefore, not be regarded as a serious matter. Rather, it would be wise to consider a method of utilizing it…’” Ganesha muttered.

Letting out a hollow laugh as she read the sentence and as if in disbelief, Ganesha gave her forehead a smack and continued, “Hah, what is wrong with him~?”

According to official figures, five hundred thousand people have already disappeared, and among them were some of Ganesha’s acquaintances.

Deculein dismissed this grand incident shaking the continent as if it were nothing, and rather than trying to conceal its scale, he argued for using the black hole that was sucking in people as a means to annihilate the Scarletborn.

“I know, right,” Ria replied, her lips mumbling as she read the bill proposed by Deculein.

“Deculein has been corrupted since he was given over to the Altar, and the old loyal servant Deculein no longer exists,” said the Intelligence Agency agent.

That was the key, for Deculein’s current actions were clearly different from his past, but if it were allegiance, everything would be explained.

“But I’m pretty sure this painting prison is the Altar’s doing, not Epherene’s,” Ria replied, steering the topic elsewhere.

The painting prison was not under Epherene’s authority but belonged to Quay’s domain at the outer edge of the world, and Ria knew this setting more certainly than anyone.

“Yes, if that is the case, it would be even more certain that Deculein is assisting the Altar.”

However, the topic returned to Deculein once again, and Ria scratched the back of her neck.

“And what is it that Her Majesty has decided to do~?” Ganesha asked with a smile.

“… In the Imperial Palace, discussions are underway regarding a preemptive attack.”

Discussions about a preemptive attack were taking place among the ministers, who were strongly arguing that since the location of the Sanctuary of the Altar was confirmed, they should wage war before it could cause more chaos in society.

“However, as expected, Deculein has voiced his opposition. Her Majesty has taken no stance on the…”

At that moment, the words of the Intelligence Agency agent came to a halt as he pressed the crystal orb in his ear with his index finger, as if he were receiving a report from someone.

“… What did you say?!” the agent, a man who considered composure his highest virtue, shouted in utter disbelief.

Ganesha and Ria both opened their eyes wide.

“What is going on?”

“An urgent report has arrived. It is the news that Knight Yurie has made her escape from the painting prison,” the agent replied, standing up from his seat.

“Escape? From there?!” Ria said, rising to her feet.

“Yes. But it seems Deculein has taken possession of the new knight first and he is now on his way to Hadecaine—”

“Then we should go too!”

With a loud shout, Ria dashed forward, and Ganesha and the agents followed her.

***

Inside the vehicle on the way to Hadecaine, I found the stare of the woman sitting next to me—Yulie, or rather, Yurie—who had been looking at me for a while with her bright, blinking eyes like a goldfish, to be a burden.

“Why do you keep your eyes on me?” I inquired.

“What will you be doing in Hadecaine?” Yulie replied with a perfectly straight face.

“… There is a canvas in Hadecaine as well. It was procured for use in Roharlak.”

In Epherene’s canvas, I would cram all the personnel of the Roharlak Concentration Camp—and for good measure, include this Yulie as well.

“But what is the reason for us going there?”

Yulie seemed to have many questions, as there must be many things she does not know due to the passage of time.

“There is work to be done,” I replied.

“I see,” Yulie said with a gentle smile, rolling down the window, allowing a cold breeze to rush in. “This is refreshing.”

With Telekinesis, I made the window of the vehicle close.

“Hmm?”

Indeed, just maintaining my own mind and body was a miracle now, for I was dying. After the Purger incident, all my remaining strength had been poured into keeping my life from shattering, and that was still true even now.

“Oh, are you not well?” Yulie asked.

“You have grown talkative,” I replied, shaking my head.

“What do you mean, grown talkative? Have you known me beforehand?”

I gritted my teeth but found myself unable to say anything because, to begin with, Yulie was dangerous and just being by my side was a death variable. Every time I saw her, my heart ached as if Deculein’s programmed mind was still at work.

“But Professor, why do you not speak of anything?” Yulie asked.

Hummmm…

Yulie’s voice felt strangely loud—no, too clear—because of the quiet, cozy mountain path leading to Hadecaine.

“I have nothing to say to you. Now, be silent—”

… At that moment.

Boom—!

A huge weight landed on the hood of the advancing vehicle, the shock spreading inside as the vehicle’s body collapsed and my body was thrown forward, but it was not an accident—it was an attack, and I immediately mitigated the damage with Telekinesis.

“We are under a sudden attack!” Yulie shouted.

“I am aware,” I replied, checking the condition of my body and examining the faces of the surrounding enemies. “Are they from the Intelligence Agency?”

Most of them were Intelligence Agency agents who landed on the hood and knocked on the window, and although I didn’t know if they had a formal warrant, I first checked the mana in my body and found I had enough, at least to use a Snowflower Stone.

“Are you planning to fight them?” Yulie asked.

“I suppose it’s necessary,” I replied briefly.

Even if there was a method of escape from the painting prison, I could not reveal it.

“As I have no desire to hand you over to them.”

As that plan would be Epherene’s alpha and omega.