Reincarnated As The Villainess's Son

Chapter 79: [Oracle of Past] [Prelude]

[Ekari Kingdom]

Rumble.

Rumble.

Sitting in the back seat of a car, I gazed out the window at the sky as thunder rumbled across the vast and lively Athera City—the capital city of the Ekari Kingdom.

The rumbling of thunder was a constant backdrop, but its sound was often drowned out by the excited and loud noises of people celebrating in the streets.

The gentle light of the sunset peeked through the clouds, illuminating the tall, artistic buildings.

Even though it had been a long time since I moved outside the Pargoina Empire, I didn't feel any happiness.

My heartbeat pounded in my ears as I bit my fingernails, trying to control the sticky emotions that clung to me.

I wanted more space to be comfortable, to relax my nerves...

.....but I couldn't because I wasn't alone.

"Sit properly, Azariah." Adaliah's sharp voice jolted me out of my thoughts.

She was sitting beside me, her presence as imposing as ever.

"Y-yeah," I muttered softly, straightening my posture and making sure to keep a certain distance from her.

"...How strong are you right now?" She questioned, her gaze fixed on me.

"3rd Primeval," I answered softly.

"...Hmm, you will be the weakest." With those cryptic words, she fell silent, taking out a tablet and messaging someone.

I turned back to the window, thoughtlessly gazing at the people of the kingdom celebrating.

'Being a commoner is nice...'

They aren't strong enough to defend themselves.

They can't live long lives.

But at the very least, they are free.

Away from all the politics, away from all the war. Just pay taxes and live normally.

[.....You would be surprised to know how many of them want to be at your place.]

'Because they don't know what it's like to be in my place. All they see is an illusion that hides the truth beneath...'

My trail of thoughts was interrupted again as I noticed the scenery outside the window changing.

The bustling streets gave way to silent gardens, which now covered my view.

"We have arrived, madam," the driver informed, slowing down the car without looking back.

"...We will be back in a few hours. Stay in the parking area," Adaliah ordered as she opened the door.

I followed suit, opening my side of the door and stepping out.

My gaze landed on a villa made of pure white marble, protected by a transparent layer.

"Let's go," Adaliah commanded, walking toward the entrance door. I quickly followed behind her.

""Welcome, madam,""

The rows of women standing at the villa's entrance, dressed in maid outfits, bowed in unison.

Adaliah nodded her head before walking inside, and the maids followed us, returning to their work.

The inside of the villa was as beautiful as the outside, but my gaze shifted back to Adaliah as she threw something at me.

"Take a shower and wear it," she ordered, tossing a suit at me before walking into one of the rooms.

"Sigh..."

With a tired sigh, I walked into another room, heading directly to the bathroom while removing my clothes.

[...Any idea who the one your mother wants to kill is?]

'Honestly, I have no idea.'

Twisting the shower knob, I replied. But...

A child...

Can I really kill a child with my own hand?

"Sigh..."

I sighed again, cleaning myself properly before stepping out of the bathroom and starting to wear the black suit she gave me.

It didn't take me ten minutes to get ready and walk out of the room, sitting on the sofa in the hallway,as I had to wait for her to come back.

To my irritation, she was really taking her time to get ready....

Out of boredom, I took out the Travel Card I received today for traveling outside the empire.

It was my first time seeing it, as I didn't remember traveling outside the empire before.

"...Hmm?" I frowned, looking at the words written in bold red ink.

"...Ban from Alfheim?" I mumbled those words aloud.

'.....'

....Why the fuck have the elves banned me from entering their lands?

[....You nearly killed their sacred tre—.]

'But they don't fucking know that.'

I mean, not yet...

"You ready?" Adaliah emerged from the room, her voice pulling me from my thoughts.

She wore a stunning black open-shoulder gown that draped her figure with exquisite elegance.

The gown's design highlighted her slender neck and collarbones, giving her a regal appearance.

Her straight, blackish-brown hair flowed down her shoulders as she walked toward me.

"Y-yeah,"standing up from my seat as I asked, "....Why am I banned from Alfheim?"

She looked at me for a while before she asked, "....you don't remember?"

"....Remember what?"

"Nothing....Sit down and read this," she ordered, handing me her tablet.

Taking the tablet from her, I looked at the screen, which displayed the biodata of various high-ranking nobles.

"Who are they?" I asked, swiping left.

"Those who will die today," she replied nonchalantly, making me halt and look at her.

"...What?" I asked, tilting my head in confusion.

"Why haven't you combed your hair?" Instead of answering, she asked back.

"That's not imp—"

"Sit properly." Interjecting me, she came closer and took out a comb from her bracelet.

"I can take—"

"Do you know what an Oracle is?" She asked, interjecting me again as she began combing my hair.

"They do prophecy about the future?" I replied uncertainly.

"There are two types of Oracles," she explained, continuing to comb my hair. "Oracle of the future and Oracle of the past."

"Past?"

"Yes, and just like the Oracle of the future can affect the future, the Oracle of the past can affect the past," she said.

"How?"

"You don't need to know that," she replied, shaking her head.

"....Then at least tell me where we are going?" I asked as she stepped back.

"The birthday celebration of the youngest princess," she replied, walking toward the mirror.

"Wait, that's today?" I asked, frowning.

"Yes, my lady was invited, and today you will be representing her at the party," Adaliah replied.

"So...only two of us are infiltrating the party, or is [E.C.T.O.] as a whole going to do it?"

"The two of us will be alone, and the ones who are infiltrating the party aren't us."

"Then who?"

"The Principalities—they are going to kidnap the Oracle of the past today."

I lowered my head as my stomach started to twist at their name.

Principalities....

I had to face them a lot sooner than I thought....

And the Oracle of the past...

Why the fuck was there no mention of it in the game?

Was she killed before the game started?

Because I do remember about the Oracle of future....

"But why?" Composing myself, I asked, looking at her.

"They want to use the Oracle's powers," she replied, glancing back while putting on her earrings.

"The Oracle of the past is an anomaly, a threat—just like the girl you tried so desperately to protect."

My gaze hardened on its own as I glared at her, but she ignored me and continued,

"....But in the end, it doesn't matter because the Oracle will die today."

"....Mother wants the Oracle dead?" I asked, frowning.

"Yes, that's why the Oracle will die today," Adaliah replied firmly as she walked closer to me.

I nodded softly as I stood up as well.

"...So the one I'm supposed to kill is this Oracle?" I questioned, looking at her.

"Yes," she replied, gazing at me from top to bottom. "...You have grown taller."

"...But how?" I ignored her comment. "We're going to be at a party. How are we going to—"

"Don't worry about that," she said, coming closer and tucking a brooch into my suit.

"Everything is already planned by my lady—all you need to do is follow her plan."

"What's this?" Ignoring her aroma that threatened to engulf me, I asked, looking at the brooch.

"A teleportation artifact," she replied, stepping back. "Use it after you're done with your work."

I nodded as she took the tablet from my hand, swiping a few times before handing it back.

"I will take care of the Overlord ranker present there," she informed me.

"The plan will start at exactly 2:45 a.m. You will have only fifteen minutes to kill the Oracle and escape from the scene."

I looked at her for a while before focusing on the tablet.

It had the biodata of a girl, and as I continued to read, I couldn't help but feel goosebumps all over my body.

Her biodata contained everything about her—her behavior, likes and dislikes, favorite food, color, and her relationship with her family members...

....It had everything.

"We're getting late. Let's go," Adaliah said, glancing at her watch before intertwining her arm with mine....

"Is she—"

"Yes," she interjected sharply, looking at me.

"In?s Marice Ekari.

She is the Oracle of the Past.

and the youngest princess of the kingdom."