A Villain's Will to Survive

Chapter 62: Resolve (2)

“... After three days of tracking,”

In the headquarters of the Empire's Knights Order, the highest council, known as the Round Table of Myth, was convened. Only the most critical issues were addressed here.

“It is presumed that Rohakan has already escaped the capital.”

Today, the atmosphere at the round table was somber. The official failure to capture Rohakan weighed heavily on them.

“Of course, we have requested cooperation from local knights’ orders and the police, so inspections will be carried out thoroughly,” Lawein reported, a knight of the Sacred Heart.

Thirteen high-ranking knights, including Deputy Knight Isaac, sat at the round table, while other members stood by.

“We will prepare a report for Her Majesty—”

At that moment, the large doors of the conference room swung open with a resounding creak.

“A report will not be necessary.”

Everyone's eyes widened as a group of knights entered, forming a line. A radiant aura shone through.

“Of course, the Intelligence Agency's shadows are more accurate than any of you...”

The current Empress of the Empire, Sophien Aekater Augus von Jaegus Gifrein, entered with the majesty befitting a true monarch.

“Hail to Her Majesty the Empress!” the entire knights’ order shouted as they knelt, regardless of rank.

Their loud shouts seemed to annoy the Empress, who frowned. With firm steps, she walked to the side and took a seat.

“I will personally observe your meeting. As Rohakan is my predecessor's enemy, I have the right to do so.”

Her sudden appearance was a complete surprise. Lawein, the reporter, looked nervously at Isaac, who signaled him to continue.

"... Yes, Your Majesty. While Rohakan left no significant traces during his escape, he did engage in a substantial battle with Deculein," Lawein said as he presented the records. The aftermath of their magical battle was captured in a crystal orb.

“What?!”

"... Could there have been some kind of misunderstanding?"

"How could this possibly be Deculein’s...?"

The room buzzed with shock. The recorded scene was incredibly severe; natural features were completely destroyed, and the area was devastated.

“Was this really the battle between Deculein and Rohakan?” Sophien asked, her tone filled with wonder.

Lawein bowed his head and replied, “Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Is there any doubt?”

“No, Your Majesty. The Mage Tower has already analyzed and verified it. They detected both Deculein’s and Rohakan’s blood.”

Deculein’s Aesthetic Sense also extends to creating scenes like this. He can manipulate the environment perfectly, not just for beauty but to reflect the outcome of a battle.

“So, the only notable accomplishment was that Deculein managed to make him bleed.”

Isaac hesitated to respond. If Rohakan had only exceptional magical abilities, the Empire would have had no trouble capturing him. However, Rohakan possessed the body of a knight and the mind of a mage.

From Isaac’s perspective, Rohakan’s strength was formidable, making it difficult to accept Deculein’s achievements. Judging by the results alone, their battle seemed evenly matched...

“Don’t just stand there; speak up. If you can’t explain how you let the Empire’s enemy escape so easily, I might understand. How could I understand if you all keep your mouths shut?” Sophien’s voice was laced with mockery rather than anger.

The knights bowed their heads, and Isaac spoke, “... Your Majesty, if we call it a notable accomplishment, Deculein was still defeated. The only reason he isn’t dead is because of Rohakan’s mercy. They once had a mentor-mentee relationship—”

“You have plenty to say when making excuses,” Sophien sneered. “Do you really expect me to believe that the man who killed his own friend’s wife would show mercy because of a mentor-mentee relationship? Rohakan taught Deculein for only three months and then ran off after taking half a year’s pay in advance.”

“Fine. From now on, it will be more efficient to leave Rohakan’s extermination to Deculein. There’s nothing more to hear here,” the Empress declared, rising from her throne and leaving without looking back. The imperial knights quickly followed her.

The round table, now in turmoil, left Isaac deep in thought while Lawein recalled Deculein’s arrogant words. "Listen. Your presence is obstructing my progress, and I command you to leave immediately."

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“At first, I thought he was simply frightened and trying to escape,” Lawein said, rubbing his temples. Isaac looked at him. “But... he remains a deeply enigmatic figure.”

Deculein was infamous even within the knights' order. When Yulie was a member, he tormented new recruits purely out of jealousy.

“It’s possible Deculein hid his true abilities, or perhaps we underestimated him. However, the undeniable fact is,” Isaac said, clenching his fist, “that we were inadequate.”

Today, the deputy knight renewed his vow. One day, he would take the head of Rohakan, the Black Beast...

“Anyway, it seems this report needs revision,” a clear voice interrupted.

It was Rose, the Empire’s genius knight. She placed a report, Character Report - Deculein, on Isaac’s desk. Isaac glanced at a particular section and chuckled.

Combat Power: Estimated Grade 5

“If this man is considered Grade 5...”

Even Adrienne once said Deculein was just one grade below her. At the time, it seemed ridiculous, but now it felt entirely true.

“Curse those Intelligence Agency bastards.”

Character reports were usually distributed by the Imperial Intelligence Agency, but sometimes they deliberately provided false information to stir up competition within the knights' order. Isaac immediately picked up a pen and made corrections.

Combat Power: Estimated Grade 1

Given that the combat power of top-tier individuals like Adrienne, Rohakan, and Zeit was considered Grade 0—immeasurable—Deculein deserved at least a Grade 1.

“Request a revision from the Intelligence Agency as well. Those dirty mongrels have been playing tricks far too often lately...”

***

The sky above the Floating Island was clear, with no clouds, and the proximity to the sun made the scenery vividly sharp. The wide-open aerial view was as colorful as a painting, but the people passing by seemed dull. They were all just robed mages.

“Are you referring to the sixth problem of the Symposium?”

“Yes.”

I had arrived at the Wizard Atomic headquarters near Megiseon.

“Monarch-rank Deculein, we have received your thesis.”

I confidently submitted my thesis, but the response from the station manager was indifferent, likely because dozens of people attempted to solve the problem daily.

“Since you’re a Monarch-rank, the review will be quick. It should take no more than a day.”

That was it. The manager continued typing without another word, and I promptly left. I hadn't expected an over-the-top reaction. As I headed back to the mansion, I noticed a familiar head through the window of a magic shop on the Floating Island. I opened the door, walked in, and placed my hand on the small head.

“Ahh! What the hell?!” Yeriel yelled, spinning around like a tornado and looking ready to throw a punch. Her reaction was surprisingly fierce. “Which pervert—”

Yeriel looked up at me and fell silent. Her scowl deepened, and I gestured to her.

"You have such charming manners."

"... You startled me! Don’t touch my head... it’s really annoying," Yeriel said, smoothing her tousled hair with both hands.

I chuckled and asked, “What brings you to the Floating Island?”

“I’m a mage too, you know. I can come if I want to,” Yeriel mumbled, glancing at me.

I glanced at the items she had been looking at. They were advanced spellbooks.

“Why don’t you buy them?” I asked.

“... I can’t.”

“Why is that?”

"Because my rank is too low."

On the Floating Island, there were purchase restrictions. Yeriel, a Solda-rank mage who hadn’t graduated from the Mage Tower, couldn’t buy advanced spellbooks.

“... Hmm. Shopkeeper?”

I bought the spellbook myself. It was quite expensive at 50,000 elne, but I handed it directly to Yeriel.

“Take it.”

“... Really?”

“Yes.”

"... Are you really okay with me learning magic?" Yeriel asked cautiously.

I understood why she was hesitant. The old Deculein would have been afraid that Yeriel might surpass him and would have hindered her learning.

"Learn it. You need to be able to protect yourself now."

I was not that petty, and besides, Deculein had many enemies. Those enemies might take Yeriel hostage.

“W-well, I know self-defense is important, so I will—”

“By the way, Yeriel, I have something for you,” I said, handing her a thick bundle of documents. They were the edited versions of the promised thesis. “This is the thesis I promised to give you.”

“Oh, that?”

It was a thesis I had promised to review for Panien, a second-ranked mage from the Mage Tower of the Yukline Family who resembled Allen.

“What has that mage been up to these days?”

“... He’s a wreck,” Yeriel said with a shrug.

“A wreck?”

“You took his thesis, remember? He’s pretty much given up on it now.”

“What do you mean, given up?”

“Weren’t you planning to steal it? Since we hadn’t heard anything, we assumed that was your intention.”

I frowned and said, “It was only for editing. I had no intention of stealing it. Return it to him.”

“... Really?”

“Yes.”

Yeriel looked at me with a mix of surprise and disbelief before nodding and putting the thesis in her bag, asking, “So, where are you heading now?”

“I’ll be heading to the Mage Tower to prepare for a class.”

“Preparing for a class?”

“Yes.”

With the Baron of Ashes expected to appear soon, I planned to design the most practical classes possible to prepare the students to handle him.

***

Meanwhile, Louina was keenly aware of her abrupt fall from grace. Once, the tenured professors of the Mage Tower of the Empire had hailed her as Deculein's rival. Now, having accepted a position as a mere visiting professor, she found herself overlooked as if she were invisible. She understood why—her defeat by Deculein had sealed her fate. Still, despite everything...

"The 23rd floor is just too low..." Louina muttered, frustration evident in her voice.

An office on the 23rd floor was uncomfortably close to the classrooms and low enough that she might encounter regular mages in the elevator. It was an office more fitting for newly appointed assistant professors.

She sighed, knowing this wasn’t the last of the humiliation Deculein had in store. But no matter what he did or what further indignities awaited, she was ready to face them. Five years wasn’t such a long time. Besides, the contract stated that if he became chairman, Deculein would guarantee her the position of head professor.

“There’s... no bathroom in the office,” Louina muttered, looking around before sighing again.

Needing to wash her face, she stepped out and bumped into a fellow professor, Siare. Siare had initially pledged loyalty to Deculein but had tried to latch onto Louina when she gained prominence.

"Oh my, Professor Louina, your office is on the 23rd floor?" Siare remarked, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

"... Yes, such experiences are important. Quite interesting, actually," Louina replied with a smile.

Siare nodded, barely hiding her amusement, and said, "Yes, of course~ Well, good luck with that! Starting from the bottom and working your way up, as you said, should be quite entertaining~"

Siare walked away, her mocking laughter echoing in Louina's ears. Clenching her teeth, Louina entered the restroom and splashed cold water on her face.

"Damn those irritating people... When they needed help, they were all over me..."

After drying her face, she returned to her office. The cramped desk barely had room for three magic books, but she began working anyway. There was a knock at the door, and it opened before she could respond.

"Professor Louina, a package has arrived," said the person outside, placing it on her desk and leaving without another word.

The lack of courtesy was unimaginable in the kingdom. Fighting back tears, she reminded herself to get used to it. She opened the package, which was labeled Solution to Problem Six.

"Ah, this must be from Deculein," Louina muttered with a smirk.

The Symposium’s sixth problem involved ancient rune magic. Louina felt a twinge of concern, puzzled by what had made him think he could handle runes.

To solve problem six, it was essential to interpret the runes. Despite the limited knowledge available about runes, I devised an independent system to decipher and combine them effectively.

The first page contained the introduction.

Among the runes inscribed on the monument, only three were capable of functioning as circuits. By combining these three runes with others, I successfully implemented the following spell.

From here, the detailed spell unfolded, delving into an almost otherworldly realm that defied description with mere words or symbols. Louina donned her glasses and began reading the solution. As a Symposium judge, her job was to uncover any flaws in the logic. It was a task she found rather enjoyable, and soon, a smile crept onto her lips.

“... Let’s see.”

Initially, she read with dismissive curiosity. However, as she continued, her expression grew serious. The interpretation of runes, the innovative approach, the spell's description, the logical connections, and the overall composition—everything was meticulously crafted. Deculein’s solution was like assembling scattered pieces into a perfect whole.

It was exceptionally neat, fitting together seamlessly like the gears of a machine. There was not a single theoretical flaw. He began with the inductive reasoning that only three runes could function as circuits and concluded with a perfectly deductive solution, verifying it with a magic circle.

“This...” Louina muttered, feeling a throbbing headache.

More than verifying the content, a wave of nausea overcame her. Deculein’s arrogant words echoed in her mind, "I’m not the Deculein you used to know anymore."

No, it couldn’t be. This solution couldn’t be his work. There was no way he had written this himself.

“Wait, wait...” Louina muttered, taking a deep breath and running her fingers through her hair. She felt something boiling inside her, dizziness overtaking her.

“Deculein, you madman... This can’t be your work...”

Louina concluded that this was not Deculein's accomplishment. It had to be someone else's work, handed to him for some purpose. It was a deception destined to be revealed during the Place of Verification. Her doubts intensified, and Deculein's voice echoed in her mind, seemingly providing the answer.

"I’m not the Deculein you used to know anymore."

“Shut up—!” Louina yelled, clutching the solution tightly, her hand trembling with sweat. “Don't talk such nonsense!”

Theoretically, Deculein had never outmatched her. Even with his assistance, he had always been lacking in comparison to her.

"... There's no way you could have come up with this... How could you, how could you...!"

A fiery rage was igniting within her. She had never anticipated feeling this way about Deculein, not in her entire life.

"It was bound to be exposed eventually, but why are you...!"

Denying any feelings of inferiority and jealousy, Louina considered Deculein’s true motives. Firmly believing that this solution was not his work, she planned to uncover the truth at the Place of Verification, where she would meticulously examine him.

"You just wait. This time, things won't turn out as you planned..."

Today, Louina’s day was quickly becoming a disaster.