A Villain's Will to Survive

Chapter 91: Pendant? (2)

Epherene’s eyes widened in shock as she stared at Gindalf, who chuckled quietly while stroking his long beard. The mention of a pendant puzzled her—Deculein had apparently carried around a worn picture of her as a child, one that had needed restoration.

“Hahaha.”

Epherene couldn’t understand Professor Deculein’s actions. Despite her efforts, the reasoning eluded her. The thought crossed her mind—perhaps Gindalf wasn’t telling the truth.

"Quite amusing, indeed."

It still didn’t make sense. Gindalf might have seemed like a pervert, but he was a Super-Ethereal-ranked mage, one of the most powerful. There was no reason for someone of his stature to lie to her; he had nothing to gain from it.

As Epherene reflected on the times Deculein had shown her kindness—overlooking her mistakes, approving her club, and giving her fair evaluations—she had assumed it was out of guilt for her father. But now, her mind was swirling with confusion.

“Um, about the pendant—”

"Haha, the interview’s over. But don’t go telling Deculein I said anything. I’m too old to face his wrath again. And remember, that’s a warning, not a request," Gindalf said with a knowing smile.

Epherene swallowed nervously before asking, "...Could you tell me just one more thing?"

“Ten thousand elne.”

“Sorry?”

"That’s the value of a single word from me. Deculein willingly paid fifty thousand elne for what I had to say."

“Fifty thousand elne... Could you possibly settle for just one hundred elne? I’m only a student, after all—”

***

Thud—!

With a heavy thud, the interview room door closed behind her. Epherene, abruptly thrown out of her negotiation, stumbled forward and soon spotted Karixel. It looked like his interview with Deculein had just ended as well.

"Mr. Karixel! Mr. Karixel!" Epherene called out, her eyes brightening as she hurried toward him.

“Oh, yes? What can I do for you?” Karixel responded.

“How did your interview go? What did they ask you?”

Karixel awkwardly scratched his temple, let out a small laugh and said, “Well... I’m not really sure.”

Epherene tilted her head, puzzled.

“I ended up giving up.”

“... Sorry?”

"They told me I’d earn the Solda rank simply for passing the first exam... and honestly, that’s all I needed."

"Oh... I get it. You must be looking forward to seeing your kids again, right?"

Epherene assumed his primary goal had always been to obtain the Solda rank.

Karixel nodded with a soft smile and said, “... Hahaha. Yes... They’re always on my mind.”

“Still, we should meet up when we return to the continent since we might not see each other for a while. There’s a great restaurant in Roahawk—have you heard of it?”

Though Epherene intended to push herself to the very end, she couldn’t deny that the Solda exam had brought her a valuable connection.

“Roahawk... Certainly, that sounds good,” Karixel agreed.

“It’s really delicious!” Epherene exclaimed with enthusiasm as she walked alongside Karixel, accompanying him down the corridor.

In the hall, other mages who had passed the exam, like Reylie and Dozmu, sat with mixed expressions among those who hadn’t. In one corner of the hallway, Epherene noticed Sylvia’s brightly colored tent still standing. Exhausted from the exam, she felt a twinge of envy for her Primary Colors.

“Miss Epherene.”

“Yes?” Epherene replied, turning to face Karixel.

Karixel placed his hand on the door handle, smiled warmly, and said, “Take care of yourself. Our time together was brief, but I’m grateful to have met someone who will shape the future.”

“Sorry? What do you mean shape the future—”

Ruuuumble—!

Suddenly, the ground shook, and Epherene glanced up at the ceiling, startled.

Boom—! Boom—!

The tremors persisted. While the seasoned adventurers remained composed, the mages were visibly shaken.

“Everyone, please remain calm. There’s no cause for concern,” announced Mimic, the supervisor.

At that moment, Deculein emerged from the interview room. With just two candidates to assess, he had ample time. The other examinees observed him as he passed by, and Sylvia, who had just taken down her tent, also turned her gaze toward him.

Thud— Thud—

Epherene studied Deculein as he approached the exit, searching for any sign of the pendant. She saw nothing visible, but she knew his personality well enough to realize he wouldn’t display it openly.

Suddenly, Deculein halted directly in front of her. Epherene looked up at him, swallowing nervously.

But all Deculein said was, “Move aside.”

“... Oh. Yes, sir,” Epherene said, quickly stepping out of his way with Karixel.

“Professor Deculein, could you assess the situation outside? I’ll be right behind you,” Mimic requested.

Deculein exited silently, and Epherene quietly watched his figure as he walked away.

“But... I didn’t even get to take the exam,” a nearby voice lamented. It was Maiho, who had been waiting for her interview with Deculein, pouted in frustration.

"Oh, please wait a moment. It’ll be over soon. Everyone, stay inside!" Mimic instructed as he returned to the hall.

Epherene noticed the now-open exit. Taking a deep breath, she slipped out quietly and quickly followed Deculein, ascending the stairs to the surface.

***

As the Security Chief overseeing the Solda exam, I’m soaring through the air—not just figuratively, but literally. Standing on a platform woven from six cables of Wood Steel, I zoom ahead. This advanced technology far surpasses the speed of the Iron Man attribute.

“Could it be those guys from yesterday?” I asked.

— I’m uncertain. This magic glass isn’t revealing anything.

Louina’s voice came through the crystal orb.

— Damn it... everything is completely dark.

The ones I chased last night disappeared without a trace. Even the resonance of the steel failed to reveal their direction.

— Please wait a moment. I'm on my way and will arrive quickly on horseback.

While Louina continued talking, I reached the location ahead of her. The scene before me was so bizarre that I was momentarily at a loss for words.

— I’ve already sent a Whisper, so—

“End the call,” I commanded, terminating the communication.

I stood there, silently absorbing the grotesque scene before me.

Trickle—

A stream of thick, red blood trickled over and touched the heel of my boot. The overpowering stench of iron filled the air, mingling with the sight of severed flesh, torn entrails, and brains spilling from cleaved skulls. It was rare for anything to unsettle me, but this was different. What had once been bodies were now twisted into a grotesque mound.

There had to be over a hundred bodies, shredded like paper. Using Telekinesis, I examined the remains. Many were split cleanly from head to toe, while others bore the marks of a brutal struggle. Among them was Druman, a strongman from the Altar. As expected from a named individual, he had fought fiercely, but his efforts only left him torn to pieces.

“Interesting.”

I couldn’t grasp what could have caused this. The vibrations hit less than a minute ago, yet within sixty seconds, an entire unit was slaughtered.

Some bodies were severed with precision, while others were torn apart like shredded cloth. Whether it was magic or some unique ability, I couldn’t determine. It felt as though the space itself had been cut along with their bodies.

"... I’ve witnessed this before."

Sliced through space itself. A vivid memory surged back—this wound was eerily similar to the one that had taken Veron’s wrist, an incomprehensible phenomenon that defied explanation.

... Then.

Rustle—

A faint rustling emerged from the bushes. I turned to investigate.

“... You.”

Epherene was crouched among the foliage, her cheeks puffed out like a hamster.

***

"Ah... Professor," Epherene began, her eyes shifting uneasily between Deculein and the gruesome pile of corpses behind him.

Deculein’s piercing gaze sent a chill through her, causing her to hesitate before taking a step closer.

“Stay back,” Deculein ordered.

The moonlight highlighted the sharp angles of his face, casting shadows that made him look ghostly, like a masked phantom.

"You’ll get blood on you."

"... Sorry?" Epherene murmured, puzzled.

Despite the horrifying scene in front of her, there was something different in his voice today. She stood still, staring at him, deep in thought.

“Debutant Epherene! What are you doing here? Return immediately!” Louina shouted as she arrived late, galloping up on horseback.

Epherene slowly backed away, but her gaze remained fixed on Deculein.

Whoooosh—!

Suddenly, the air was filled with the whirring of engines as several magitech aircraft appeared over the Training Island. The knights, urgently dispatched to defend the area from intruders, had finally arrived.

“Wh-what is this?!” one of the knights stammered, his voice trembling as he took in the sight of hundreds of scattered remains. There was nothing left to do but clean up the aftermath.

Deculein shrugged and stated, “Let me make one thing clear—this wasn’t my doing.”

“Pardon, sir? Oh, yes... I understand,” one of the knights replied, though his expression betrayed his doubt.

Deculein’s gaze moved across the group, noticing Yulie’s absence, even though she was expected to be there.

A knight stepped forward and explained, “Knight Yulie will be delayed; she lost her way.”

“I understand,” Deculein replied with a slight nod.

It was understandable, given her penalty attribute, Poor Wayfinding.

***

The scorching sun bore down on the wasteland as Yeriel, Deculein’s younger sister and acting lord of Yukline, arrived at Roharlak Concentration Camp alongside the imperial officials.

"Well..." Yeriel muttered sarcastically, her first impression filled with awe at the camp’s sheer size. "It’s massive."

The eunuch beside her smiled and said, “Indeed. It could contain over a million of them.”

"A million? That’s absurd... Anyway, when will the detainment begin?"

Roharlak could theoretically hold that many, but the true issue was the harsh environment. In this barren region, where supplies were scarce, even a hundred thousand people would face widespread starvation. Farming was impossible in such a wasteland.

The eunuch responded, “The Scarletborn have organized themselves into several covert groups.”

“Are you planning to imprison their leaders here?”

“No, the leaders will be executed. Only the underlings will be imprisoned. We’ll begin with the undocumented Scarletborn first.”

Yeriel, clearly exasperated, rested a hand on her hip and said, “But how do you identify an undocumented Scarletborn? What if someone who isn’t one gets imprisoned due to an error in the records?”

“Oh, that’s where the late Emperor’s wisdom comes into play. Records from that time still exist. Moreover, local authorities have compiled lists of Scarletborn through various methods. After all, their birth is considered highly ominous and demonic—they’re born shrouded in a blood-red amnion.”

Yeriel shook her head in frustration. The eunuch had entirely missed her point. She was concerned about the consequences of inaccurate records, but he had rambled on about the existence of older ones. His response left her questioning what he was actually trying to communicate.

“Also, we’ve also pinpointed the locations of the temples where the Scarletborn worship,” the eunuch stated.

“Do you intend to disrupt their religious practices?”

“It’s not a religion; it’s heresy. The cathedral’s paladins will likely lead the charge.”

Yeriel nodded reluctantly. This was the Empress’s will, and since Deculein had taken charge, Yukline had no choice but to comply. Her task was to find a way to utilize the labor force. Whether it was ten thousand or a million Scarletborn, letting them starve would be a waste for both sides.

“Oh, by the way, Sir Bethan had high praise for the Rotaili Soup he enjoyed at the Light and Salt.”

“It didn’t suit my taste.”

“Oh... I see.”

“I mean, if you’d like, I can arrange a reservation for you.”

“Oh! In that case, could you reserve a table for four—ah?!” the eunuch exclaimed, his eyes suddenly widening in alarm.

Yeriel followed his gaze and spotted a small scorpion crawling toward them—a Harlak scorpion. Despite its size, it was infamous for its lethal venom, potent enough to kill even a knight.

“Lord Yeriel, please be careful! Ah! Be careful, please! Aaah!” the eunuch screamed in panic.

Yeriel gave him a sidelong glance and remarked, “Why are you so shaken? If a small scorpion frightens you, how did you even manage to get this far?”

“Ah, I’m sorry, but that scorpion—”

"Shh. You'll startle it. If it panics, it might thrash about. Just stay quiet," Yeriel said, extending a finger toward the scorpion.

The eunuch looked on in horror, but the scorpion moved up her slender finger with the calmness of a tamed lamb.

“... Is that not a Harlak scorpion?”

“Yes, it is a Harlak scorpion, and this is Roharlak.”

“P-please, be careful. Its venom is extremely potent.”

“Shh.”

Yeriel gently asked the scorpion how it had ended up there and why. The scorpion informed her that a settlement was nearby.

“There appears to be a settlement nearby.”

“Oh...” the eunuch murmured in amazement.

Yeriel chuckled mischievously, then extended her finger, allowing the scorpion to crawl off as she softly said, “Shoo~”

“Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh—! Stop it! Please, stoooooooooooop!” the eunuch cried out in terror.

The reaction was priceless.

Yeriel smirked and said to the scorpion, “Return to your friends and family.”

"Your talent with creatures is truly exceptional, Lady Yeriel," another eunuch remarked as he approached.

Yeriel’s expression soured the instant she saw his face.

“It’s been some time, hasn’t it? Seven years, I believe? You’ve grown considerably,” said Eunuch Jolang, arriving with an escort knight at his side.

"Hmph. So, you’ve even taken to traveling with an escort knight. Are there knights in the Imperial Palace now who serve eunuchs instead of the Empress?"

“There’s no such distinction. Both eunuchs and knights serve Her Majesty equally.”

Yeriel sneered openly and replied, “For someone as particular as you to make the trip to Yukline, things must be getting intense. Is it because of the rumors that Her Majesty holds our family head in such high esteem?”

The power dynamics of the Empire often hinged on the emperor’s character and legitimacy. The late Emperor Crebaim pursued a balance between religious and secular authority, but lurking in the shadows was a third force—the eunuchs. They latched onto both spheres of power, eroding them from within like parasitic bats.

“That’s not the case at all. We are merely Her Majesty’s shadows.”

Crebaim's strong legitimacy had kept the eunuchs in check, preventing them from making any bold moves.

However, the current Empress Sophien, who had a poor reputation before ascending the throne due to her lethargy and ennui, likely led the eunuchs to believe they could seize more power than ever before.

Yet, they were gravely mistaken. Despite her reputation, Empress Sophien pursued her policies with unwavering determination. In the end, the one who earned her deepest trust wasn’t a minister or a eunuch—it was Deculein.

“I’ve come to share some information with you, Lady Yeriel,” Jolang said.

“Information?”

“Yes. I understand that Count Yukline has entrusted you with the governance of the territory?” Jolang inquired, his confidence evident as he based his assumption on the recent activities of Deculein and Yeriel, as well as the developments within Yukline.

Yeriel responded with composure, “Governance? I’m merely the acting lord.”

"Haha. Indeed. But even so, Lady Yeriel," Jolang whispered, his tone low and cautious, "it would be prudent not to place too much trust in the Count."

Yeriel chuckled softly, finding his assumption amusing. She wasn’t naive enough to fall for a eunuch’s ploys.

"Aren't you interested in knowing how Count Yukline truly perceives you? What are his genuine thoughts about you?"

Despite maintaining her outward composure, Yeriel’s expression gradually hardened under Jolang’s persistent probing. What he genuinely thought of her. She tried to conceal it, but deep down, that had always been a lingering fear in her heart.

“I’ll return shortly with the evidence,” Jolang said, bowing with a smile.

Yeriel narrowed her eyes at him and said coldly, “If you’ve finished, go have some Rotaili Soup and get lost.”

Without another word, she turned sharply and stepped into her carriage. Jolang continued to smile as he watched her departure.

“... Rugen, what became of the item Jukaken promised?” Jolang said.

“It has already been prepared,” Rugen replied.

“What does it concern?”

“A recording of remarks Count Yukline made about Lady Yeriel in the past. It appears Deculein lost control over certain individuals when he severed ties with the underworld. While it is not of significant consequence, we did manage to acquire something.”

Jolang nodded and said, “Deliver it to me immediately, regardless of the cost.”

Yukline had long been a source of frustration for Eunuch Jolang. The blend of Yeriel's practical expertise and Deculein's esteemed reputation had elevated their family's standing.

In the worst-case scenario, with even the Empress showing favor to Deculein, Jolang saw no other option but to drive a wedge between them—and now, he had finally discovered the means to do so.

“I wonder how long that lady can maintain such an arrogant demeanor,” Jolang mused, a sly chuckle escaping him as he watched Yeriel’s carriage vanish into the distance.

***

The Solda promotion exam lasted four days and ended smoothly without any major incidents.

Despite an intrusion by the Altar, Professor Deculein’s ruthless intervention—although he denied it—swiftly brought the situation under control. In the end, Sylvia, Reylie, Dozmu, Maiho, Epherene, and forty others passed the final third exam. They then returned to the Yukline Grand Hall for the Solda badge awarding ceremony.

“... Solda Epherene, well done!” Chairwoman Adrienne said as she presented Epherene with the Solda promotion plaque and badge.

“Thank you, Chairwoman!” Epherene replied, proudly accepting the Solda Level 3 badge.

This accomplishment would likely make her ascent through the next two ranks, Kendall and Regallo, much easier.

“Solda Sylvia, excellent work!”

“Thank you.”

Epherene and Sylvia, now holding their badges, certificates, and robes, took their seats.

"Miss Epherene, thank you~ The Roahawk meat you shared helped me pass~" Maiho said as she sat beside her.

Epherene smiled and responded, “Oh, it was my pleasure. The meat was quite delicious, wasn’t it?”

“Yes~ It was absolutely delicious~”

“Hehe, when you visit the Empire, let’s enjoy it together again! But next time, Maiho, you will be the one treating us.”

As Epherene chatted with Maiho, her eyes wandered to the VIP seats where Deculein sat alongside Gindalf and Rogerio. Suddenly, Gindalf looked in Epherene’s direction and said something to Deculein. Deculein frowned before reaching into his briefcase and pulling out a small pendant.

“Ah...!”

The pendant—it was the same one Gindalf had spoken of. Epherene’s breath hitched, tightening in her chest.

***

"... Which restoration do you claim was done incorrectly?" I asked, presenting the pendant I had taken from my briefcase.

Gindalf had suddenly noted that there might have been a small mistake in the pendant's restoration and requested to examine it.

After carefully scrutinizing the pendant, Gindalf shook his head and remarked, "Hmm... I was mistaken. The restoration is flawless, just as I expected. I knew I hadn't erred."

He laughed heartily, which only added to my irritation. His behavior seemed pointless. I slipped the pendant back into my briefcase.

Then, with a sly smile, Gindalf asked, "By the way, Professor Deculein, I suppose you won’t disclose the identity of the child in that pendant?"

"Aw, c’mon, old man. You gotta spill the beans, too!" Rogerio said, her curiosity getting the best of her as she butted in.

Gindalf frowned, gently pushing Rogerio aside, and said, "Step back, young one."

"Aw, gimme a break, that’s wicked stingy!"

I tried to ignore him and focus on the event, but Gindalf kept glancing between me and the mages in the auditorium before breaking into another laugh.

"Hahaha. Fascinating... Truly fascinating. By the way, Deculein, the Mage Tower will be reopening soon. Should you require anything, feel free to inform me. I’ll grant you one favor, free of charge."

His laughter grated on my nerves. For some reason, he reminded me of the Chairwoman.

"Solda Reylie, congratulations on your promotion!" the Chairwoman declared.

The ceremony was drawing to a close. Among the attendees were Maho, Epherene, Sylvia, and... someone who wasn’t physically there. But today, I knew without a doubt—whether it was the Veron incident from long ago or the massacre just two days prior—it was all Allen's doing.

"Alright! Well done, everyone!" the Chairwoman exclaimed.

As the room filled with applause, I joined in, clapping along with the others. But then I felt a piercing gaze on me. Irritated, I turned to see Epherene. She quickly looked away, but the way she clenched her fist was anything but normal. Now that Solda was out of the picture, she was likely planning something reckless again. I shook my head in frustration.