A Villain's Will to Survive

Chapter 74: Incident (1)

◆ Memorize Status:

Beginner/Intermediate Telekinesis (17% Progress)

┏Beginner Fire Control

┣Beginner Fluid Manipulation

┗Metal Enhancement (67% Progress)

Late at night, I inspected the magic strands of Telekinesis that appeared through my Sharp Eyesight in the annex. Although the quality of my mana had improved, harnessing and controlling the amplified power was still challenging. Closing my eyes gently, I cast Telekinesis, causing a piece of Wood Steel to rise into the air.

Today's goal was to manipulate electromagnetic waves through the resonance of metal using Telekinesis. Previously, my low mana quality had prevented any attempts, but now, at grade 4, it was worth trying.

Zzzzzzzt—

The basic application of this advanced technique was Invisibility—using metal resonance to disperse and refract visible light, making the Wood Steel shuriken's shape almost invisible.

Bang—!

The theory was sound, but the Wood Steel, which was vibrating in place, suddenly shot up, smashed into the ceiling, and then crashed down onto my shoulder. It was my 38th failure.

"Quite challenging," I muttered, rubbing my aching shoulder as I took a seat.

My body was covered in bruises from mastering this mechanism, and my mana was nearly depleted. Despite the improvement in my mana quality, my ordinary talent remained unchanged, so this would take some time.

"Talent..." I murmured, recalling the words I had said to Sylvia yesterday.

"Is a genius's struggle truly greater than that of an ordinary person? That’s incorrect. Those who do not require teaching cannot comprehend the struggles of those who depend on it to grow."

Looking back, it was clear that jealousy and envy were at the root of it all. This feeling of inferiority was a common thread between Deculein and Kim Woo-Jin. Deculein became a villain, consumed by it, while Kim Woo-Jin gave up, accepting his inadequacy. Neither had managed to overcome it.

“What a joke,” I said with a wry smile.

However, what I told Sylvia yesterday was true. Her development would happen on the Floating Island. With countless events and quests awaiting her there, she would surpass Deculein. Meeting Archmage Sylvia in the main quest would be the right choice, and the Floating Island was the ideal place for it.

I packed my things and stepped outside, where Roy, my butler, was waiting. It was precisely 7 a.m.

"Have Ren and Enen already departed?" I inquired.

"Yes, sir," Roy replied.

"Good," I acknowledged with a nod.

The siblings had departed to establish the Information Office and would come back with suitable recruits.

"Furthermore, Lady Yeriel has arrived," Roy informed me.

Yeriel sat in the tea room of the Yukline mansion. The spicy aroma of the two cups of black tea she had brought filled the air.

"Are you coming to the ribbon-cutting ceremony?" Yeriel asked, taking a sip of her tea. "It's for the opening of the underground passage."

Usually, Marik would open the passage, but Yeriel had the idea to expedite the process, reducing the waiting time significantly. As a result, it was being built a year ahead of schedule.

"Do you have the blueprints?" I inquired.

"I have a video," Yeriel replied, pulling out a crystal orb. As she infused it with mana, a projection of the underground passage appeared. "The tunnel stretches from the northern village of Seojakbi in our territory to Marik's entrance, about 80 kilometers. What do you think?"

The projected underground passage was far more than a simple tunnel. It was wide and spacious, lined with modern tiles and walls.

"And it’s not just a passage. Going straight home after work at Marik is too exhausting, right? So, we've built a commercial area for convenience."

The crystal orb projected an image of an underground shopping mall, reminiscent of a modern subway station.

"It's empty now, but it's waiting for tenants—restaurants, shops, hotels. This will bring in additional income beyond toll fees. Adventurers will spend their money freely here," Yeriel said, folding her arms with a confident and satisfied smile.

"You certainly go above and beyond,” I said.

"... Well, that's just how I am," Yeriel replied, stifling a laugh. Her neck stiffened, and her shoulders rose with pride.

"Good. I have recently invested in numerous shops. I will open their branches there."

I had investments in several businesses, including the magic shop Lopopo, the hardware store Lukan's Wharf, and the restaurant Flower of the Pig.

“Oh, that! I was going to mention it. Why do you force investments on them?” Yeriel said, suddenly frowning, a curious reaction from her.

"Force?"

"Yes! I heard you visited shops that didn't need investment and forced them to sell shares!"

I remembered those moments clearly. Some shops were indeed hesitant to sell their shares, but I had targeted them with my Wealthy Magnate attribute.

"If they had made their refusal clear..."

I stopped mid-sentence. It was true; any company or shop that dared to refuse my offer had been visited by me personally for persuasion.

From their perspective, it must have been quite intimidating—an unexpected noble entourage demanding the sale of shares, which was essentially a form of coercion, especially considering that the one behind it all was a powerful figure in the Empire, a Yukline.

"... I paid them fairly."

"Anyway! Are you planning to keep doing this?" Yeriel asked.

I considered for a moment, then nodded and said, "Yes, I will continue."

There’s no reason to stop. Even if they’re hesitant initially, they’ll benefit in the long run. As long as the outcome is positive, the process is irrelevant. With limited time, I can’t afford to be selective.

"Oh, god..."

“It’s their fault for refusing my investment,” I stated firmly.

Yeriel sighed in exasperation. "Whatever. Will you attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony?"

"If my schedule permits."

"Schedule? It's likely next week. What do you have planned for today?"

"After instructing Her Majesty, I will visit the auction house."

"Again with the auctions?! Oh, come on! God damn it! We're out of funds after building the tunnel!" Yeriel was shocked again.

I shook my head and replied, "I'll be selling, not buying."

"... Oh, I almost got mad again. And take this," Yeriel said, handing me a box that had been sitting on the table. It was elegantly wrapped. "It's a gift from the construction company of the Yukline underground passage. Open it."

Using Telekinesis, I lifted the lid and found an unexpected, yet familiar item inside.

“You know what it is, right? It might seem a bit unfamiliar,” Yeriel asked.

It was a revolver, adorned with gold patterns on a black background—the symbol of Yukline.

"They say it’s a trend among the kingdom’s nobles. I heard it’s more effective than a sword in close combat, making it good for self-defense against bandits."

Guns exist in this world, powered by ordinary gunpowder, but they are not widespread. The details were handled by the game design team, likely because they can't penetrate mana shields and knights' reflexes are faster than bullets.

"What do you think? Pretty, isn't it...?"

The revolver was aesthetically pleasing, even with my Aesthetic Sense attribute. It felt more like a piece of art than a weapon, satisfying my sense of beauty. This must be why people give gifts—just one item could improve my entire perception of the construction company.

"Well crafted. Tell them I accept it," I said.

"Oh, you're... going to keep it? Not throwing it away?" Yeriel asked in a subtle tone.

"Yes."

"... What will you use it for? Don’t mages usually dislike these? I thought you'd throw it away, so I just showed it to you..."

Her eyes flickered with a blend of desire and disappointment as she stared at the revolver in my hand. I waved it back and forth, and she couldn't help but track its movement.

"Yeriel, will you be departing immediately?" I inquired, placing the revolver in my inner pocket.

Yeriel sighed and responded, "I'll rest for a bit~ I've been overwhelmed with work lately~ I was hoping to find a gift for myself~"

"Take your time," I said.

"God dang it, so frustrating. I feel like a pest," Yeriel muttered in annoyance.

Ignoring Yeriel, I turned and called for Roy, "Let's depart."

"Yes, sir. The car is ready," Roy replied.

It was time to leave for the Imperial Palace.

***

Yeriel stormed into her room, collapsed onto her bed, and kicked her legs in frustration. Her whole body quivered with regret.

“I should have kept it for myself. Why did I show it to him? Why? Ugh, you idiot! Why did you show it, you moron?”

She had planned to use the revolver for hunting. Lost in thought, she imagined a dramatic scene as if in a play.

Clack—

In her mind, she saw herself aiming the revolver at a wild boar on a quiet, snow-covered mountain. This boar, a monster that had devoured ten lumberjack, was her target. The chill in the air heightened the tension.

“Your fate is in my hands.”

She closed one eye, carefully calculated the wind and distance, and then pulled the trigger nonchalantly.

Bang—!

The bullet tore through the boar, ripping through its hide, muscles, and heart. The beast collapsed, and Yeriel blew the smoke from the gun barrel.

"... I got it," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Her vassals, who had been watching in silence, rushed forward, applauding. Amid their cheers, she smirked with satisfaction.

... However, Deculein had taken that pleasant future from her.

"Why did I inherit his need to act so seriously? Must be the family bloodline," Yeriel muttered, sighing as she stood up and straightened her disheveled hair before leaving her room.

She had a mission today, which she referred to as a regular inspection. Sneaking past the servants' watchful eyes, she quietly climbed the stairs and slipped into the study.

“Let’s see...”

Deculein's meticulous nature made it easy to predict where he would store certain documents.

"Here it is," Yeriel said, finding the folder labeled Investment Status. As she scanned the contents, her eyes widened in shock. "Wha-what's wrong with th-these numbers?"

As the rumors suggested, Deculein was a major investor, pouring in millions of elne, with consistently positive returns. He had even recovered the 200 million elne he had spent at the last auction.

“What kind of schemes is that bastard up to now...” Yeriel shivered. Whatever it was, anything involving Deculein couldn't be good. “He’s going to make me clean up his mess again...”

She carefully put the documents back and left the study, acting as if nothing had happened. Reaching the first floor, she saw servants bringing in supplies.

“What are these supplies for?” Yeriel asked innocently.

“They are bandages and medications, Lady Yeriel,” the servant responded.

"Bandages and medications?" Yeriel tilted her head in confusion, trying to understand why Deculein had ordered such a large quantity.

“We are unsure, Lady Yeriel. The items are for activities taking place in the annex,” the servant replied.

"... The annex," Yeriel muttered, glancing out the window toward it. She wondered if Deculein had kidnapped Louina and hidden her there.

“You must not enter the annex, Lady Yeriel, even you are not permitted,” a servant stated.

"Don't worry, I'm not going in," Yeriel replied, though the servants still eyed her with suspicion.

Their loyalty to Deculein was unwavering, bolstered by the generous salaries and excellent benefits he provided.

"I said I’m not going in. I’m going to my room. Bring me some food later.”

“Yes, Lady Yeriel. I’ll escort you upstairs,” a servant insisted.

“No need for that.”

“I’ll just stand by your door, Lady Yeriel,” one of the servants insisted. They were resolute, assigning the youngest among them to stay with her.

“Seriously... have you forgotten who I am? Just wait and see...” Yeriel grumbled, annoyance clear in her tone, as she climbed the stairs.

***

"I’ve read your entire textbook," Sophien declared, waving my revised edition of Understanding Pure Elements as I stood in the Imperial Palace.

"What did you think?" I asked, maintaining a calm demeanor.

"Hmph. I've mastered it all. Watch." Her tone was formal and authoritative as she demonstrated every spell in the revised edition simultaneously, filling the room with Pure Elements in less than a minute. "It's rather lousy."

I concealed my amazement. This was truly a divine talent, one that transcended human capabilities.

"I will note that, Your Majesty," I replied, recording it in my instruction log.

Sophien glanced at my notes and asked, "What are you writing?"

"It is an instruction log, Your Majesty."

"How pathetic."

I chose not to respond.

Her Majesty Sophien mastered in less than two weeks what an ordinary mage would require an entire semester to learn...

Sophien interrupted my writing, saying, "By the way, your fiancée seems rather lacking in skills. Be it swordsmanship or chess."

My fountain pen came to an abrupt stop. I wasn’t angry, just confused. Yulie had the potential to become a top-tier knight in the future. Saying that she lacked skill was as absurd as claiming the sun rises in the west.

"Why? Does it bother you because she is your fiancée?" Sophien asked with a smirk.

I looked at the Empress. Sophien never lied; she despised the very act of lying. Because of her nature, my doubts only grew stronger.

"Your Majesty, a more thorough explanation is required. Of all the knights I know, Knight Yulie is the most—"

"As I said, her skills are lacking. Though she is a competent knight, she does not live up to her reputation."

This was absurd. I thought back to the game I had played, recalling Yulie's character and the storyline. I vividly remembered the scene where Yulie, at the height of her power, killed Deculein.

"Enough of that. Didn't you say in our last lesson, '─Once Your Majesty has fully mastered magic and I can offer no further meaning, only then may you seek another meaning from me'?" Sophien mimicked my voice.

"Now, are you ready to answer my questions?" Sophien asked, a deep smile spreading across her lips. Her narrow, flame-red eyes glinted wickedly, like a serpent's.

I shook my head and replied, "There remains more lessons, Your Majesty."

"... More lessons?”

"Today will be our second lesson, Your Majesty."

"Cease your talking. I have flawlessly demonstrated all the spells, surpassing everyone else."

"Today, we have a fundamental assessment of magic, Your Majesty."

"No, you arrogant man. What more could you possibly teach me?" Sophien said, her voice dropping dangerously, her anger rising. The aura of her mana flared around her. As an Empress weary of life, her patience was nonexistent. "Stop your damned prattle and look closely. Is my magic not superior to yours?"

It was true. The Empress's magical abilities far surpassed mine. In fact, if she wished, she could have easily surpassed any mages in this world. However, there was one spell I possessed that could overwhelm her.

"Fundamentals are essential in all things, just as physical strength is crucial," I stated, lifting my fountain pen with Telekinesis. "This is Telekinesis, the foundation of manipulation magic. It encompasses beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels—"

"Enough, this is pointless," the Empress declared, her piercing glare fixed on me. She continued, "Deculein, do you realize how many mages have attempted to teach me over the years?"

“No, Your Majesty. I do not.”

"Thirty-three mages, including Rohakan and Belladomen."

Rohakan needs no introduction, and Belladomen is an Ethereal-ranked mage. Both are immensely powerful.

"Even they did not speak of fundamental magic with me, for my mastery of the fundamentals surpasses that of anyone else."

This was also true. If an ordinary mage's Telekinesis output was ten and a manipulation mage's output was twenty, the Empress's output alone was 200, ten times higher. She wielded basic magic twenty times more effectively, so the gap widened with advanced spells.

As a result, even when using the same spell, the Empress always had the advantage. Her basic strength was already at a superhuman level.

"Even so, it does not matter. I am not Rohakan or Belladomen," I said.

"... What did you just say? Deculein, are you out of your senses?"

The magic circle of my Telekinesis enveloped my entire body. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say my body was Telekinesis itself. Numerically, it was fifty times more powerful than that of a manipulation mage, and even five times stronger than Sophien’s.

"This is a straightforward test. If you can take this fountain pen from me within twenty minutes, Your Majesty, you will have succeeded."

"What is wrong with this fool? Hey, have you lost your damn mind?"

With my Telekinesis, the Empress cannot defeat me. Her boredom, born from easily learning and mastering everything, will be halted by the barrier of my power.

"Undoubtedly, the beginning may be challenging. Yet, by setting a clear goal and diligently pursuing it, success will be within your grasp. I have complete faith in Your Majesty's talents."

"... Are you mocking me?" Sophien demanded, her expression hardening.

I continued calmly, “Let us begin. Should you defeat me, Your Majesty, I will truthfully answer any question you might ask.”

The fountain pen hovered in front of Sophien, held aloft by Telekinesis.

"... Questions are no longer needed," Sophien said, glaring at me. The aura that had surged around her had cooled to an icy calm, a testament to her fury. "Deculein, are you willing to put your neck on the line for this Telekinesis?"

Her words were sincere, and they showed that my provocation had been effective.

"Yes, Your Majesty, of course," I replied calmly. The Empress's piercing gaze felt warmer than sunlight. Satisfied, I smiled and said, "Please, attempt to take it from me."

The purpose of my instruction was always to make Sophien experience raw, unfiltered emotions.