The Villainess Whom I Had Served for 13 Years Has Fallen

Chapter 21: Fining (3)

Within the dimly lit cathedral.

Untouched by human hands, the walls were filled with green moss, and droplets of water fell from the ceiling.

The atmosphere was such that it seemed a ghost might emerge at any moment.

It seems I'll have to sleep next to Lady Olivia when I return home.

"Excuse me, Malik."

"Call me sir."

"Then, Malik."

"?"

Malik glared at me due to the shortened form of address.

I couldn't bring myself to use honorifics due to my shallow pride. I don't use honorifics even for the lady, so why should I call you ‘sir'?

A half-respectful tone suited the presumptuous secondary male lead.

Ignoring Malik's sharp gaze that suggested his annoyance, I spoke of my trembling heart in fear.

"Why have you asked to meet at such a late hour? It's quite scary."

"We need to avoid prying eyes. If a civilian were to spot us, it could damage my image."

"Still, it's a bit scary to come to an abandoned cathedral at such a late hour."

"Bear with it. That's why you're getting paid handsomely."

Definitely.

Since the boss said to shut up,

all my questions were answered.

To think it's the boss who tries to solve everything with money.

I wanted to keep seeing that face for a long while.

Money is indeed powerful.

With thoughts of my soon-to-be swollen wallet, I gripped my sword.

"Is Pascal here?"

"Once the incident happened, surveillance was immediately set up. He probably settled here around three days ago."

"Hmm… certainly…"

It's a place Pascal would like.

In the novel, Pascal favored places where sunlight couldn't reach, like dark caves or gloomy places. Especially since black magic was his main strength. Perhaps it was only natural.

Magic in itself is stronger in the darkness, after all.

Crossing over the cathedral's main entrance, we entered the chapel, clearing the cobwebs as we slowly made our way inside.

The moment we stepped through the chapel's door…

"Be careful."

I quickly grabbed the hem of Malik’s clothes, who was leading the way.

Crash.

"What are you doing…"

Malik, who had fallen, glared at me fiercely. Instead of responding, I pointed at the chapel door with my finger.

A black arrow was lodged in the door, having pierced through the wall.

Gulp.

Malik swallowed his saliva and remained silent. If it had been just a bit later, he would have missed becoming a lord and instead departed for heaven.

"Get a grip, Malik."

"…My apologies."

Malik swiftly acknowledged his mistake.

He felt ashamed to have fallen for a trap that a novice would encounter, and the fact that he received help from me was true.

Without making excuses, Malik placed his hand on the handle, ready to draw his sword at any moment.

He looked much better than his relaxed appearance from earlier.

"I'll open the door."

Having confirmed Malik's resolve, I reached for the chapel's doorknob.

-Creeeeak.

Inside the chapel stood a colossal statue of a goddess extending her arms in welcome.

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The combination of the cobweb-filled chandeliers and the moonlight shining through the broken ceiling was quite beautiful, but…

"The statue has no face."

The lack of a face on the goddess's head broke the moment.

A chilling atmosphere began to engulf the chapel.

Starting with the expressionless goddess statue.

The hollow chairs of the chapel.

It felt as though someone might be there.

And it seemed like a ghost might pop out from behind at any moment.

Malik bravely strode towards the center of the chapel.

"It seems he has fled after all."

Malik muttered softly.

"I don't think so."

I replied briefly, contradicting him.

That person who values art so much wouldn't simply run away from such an ideal place.

A place where one could hide a corpse.

Where one could create an eerie atmosphere.

Especially knowing Pascal's preferences as I did, I couldn't believe he would abandon this place.

Pascal was obsessed with blaspheming holiness.

In the book, he turned priests and nuns into his works of art. This place would be even more enchanting to him.

I fixed my gaze straight on the empty pulpit.

The pulpit where the pastor would preach.

Now, the egg ghost-like statue of the goddess was spread welcomingly, but usually, it was the place where divine history was most actively unfolded.

With a light swing of my sword toward the goddess statue…

The blade passed silently, cutting through the goddess statue with a hissing sound.

Enraged by my action without consultation, Malik yelled with annoyance.

"What are you doing?"

"It seemed he might be there."

"What might be?"

"Pascal. He’s there."

-Kikikikik… Oh dear, you've found me.

A familiar laugh echoed from behind the severed goddess statue.

Malik drew his sword quickly.

"Who's there!"

"Who else? It's Pascal."

Don't get excited.

Didn't you hear what I said earlier?

A dark figure emerged slowly from behind the statue, holding two daggers in a reverse grip just as I had seen at our first meeting, reminiscent of a certain insect.

I took a step back.

With the intention of watching.

Malik also seemed to catch my intention and began distancing himself from Pascal.

Pascal let out a small laugh.

"Welcome to my exhibition."

The praying mantis bowed politely. The way he displayed manners as if he were a gentleman, attempting to court a female, resembled a male mantis.

I raised my hand to voice a question.

"I didn't come to see an insect exhibition."

Pascal quickly lifted his head.

Maybe because he recognized my voice.

His eyes, wide and looking at me, seemed surprised.

"Why are you here?"

He rubbed his eyes.

"Huh?"

He rubbed them again.

"What?"

He seemed unaware of my presence.

The moment they saw my face hidden in the darkness.

-Bang!

A black arrow streaked before my eyes.

[The ‘Black Magic Resistance' nullifies Pascal's magic.]

"As happy as I am to see you, this is a rather troublesome way to express your joy."

"You… You are hit, aren't you? I thought I was dreaming."

"I too thought I was dreaming. It would've been quite distressing to lose you."

Pascal let out a deep sigh.

He sighed deeper than a man who had smoked for decades.

"Do you realize how much you've ruined my perfect art?"

"It must have evolved, right?"

As I replied sarcastically, Pascal's voice grew increasingly agitated.

"Evolved? Did you just say it evolved?"

"Yes."

"…You son of a–"

Pascal silenced himself.

Perhaps he hadn't fully realized the truth yet.

With a sense of pity, I spoke to him.

"You're still hiding from mirrors, aren't you? While I'm not confident in my plastic surgery skills, I think I could at least turn you from a mantis into a somewhat better-looking stag beetle."

"Are you joking with me right now?"

"Ah…! Don't scowl like that! It's disgusting, like a mantis."

Bang…!

Once again, a black arrow flew towards me but to no avail.

"What on earth are you! Magic doesn't work on you… Neither does black magic. Are you a monster?"

Malik also looked at me with eyes that seemed to agree.

A body immune to magic. Such a monster couldn't possibly exist. However, Malik couldn't hide his bewilderment at my all-too-calm demeanor.

"What are you, really? Are you a vampire or from the dragonkin?"

"No. I am just an ordinary butler."

"A butler capable of this?"

Isn't it the transmigrated one who makes this possible?

Using Histania's mindset, I patiently explained to Malik.

"It's talent. Overwhelming talent."

Malik glared at me with frustration in his eyes, but I shrugged my shoulders as if that was all the answer needed.

"Don't act so full of yourself."

"Hmph."

Rumble rumble…

Darkness began to settle over the cathedral. It seemed Pascal's fury was piercing the heavens.

"Don't… ignore me."

Black energy began to seep out from Pascal's daggers.

He seemed ready to display his actual prowess.

I poked Malik in the ribs.

"He's about to make his move. Get ready."

"Right."

"And don't let your guard down."

Considering Pascal's current state of martial prowess, would he be as strong as Hanna with her Aura awakened?

The strength of Aura is absolute.

It can cut through anything.

If one is an Aura user with explosive power, they might be on par with the current Pascal.

Of course, when being referred to as the Archbishop of Madness, even I and Hanna are stronger, but a Pascal from his adventurer-hunter days would have been a worthy opponent.

Perhaps Malik could have a winning chance if he knows how to counter black magic.

The most terrifying aspect of black magic is its unpredictability.

Even witnessing Olivia’s brainwashing magic could attest to that.

As someone who is aware of the novel's content, I know what black magic Pascal might use and what its weaknesses are, but ordinary people would never predict it and could be overwhelmed in an instant.

In the case of ordinary magic.

If it's flame magic, one would expect heat and explosion.

For ice, one predicts coldness and aggressive sculptures.

For wind, sharp attacks, but black magic is different.

It could be corrosive effects.

Or curses.

Creating unpredictable variables, it was very challenging to combat.

But that didn't mean black magic was the strongest.

One only needs to look at the likes of Tower Master or Desmond to find magic that crushes black mages.

Drop a meteor or freeze everything around, and no matter how extraordinary a black mage is, they're doomed.

Black magic is easier to learn and creates more powerful effects than ordinary magic, but it always comes at a price.

And the risk of failure was significant.

Much like our Lady Olivia.

As with any field.

The one who is skilled is truly the strongest.

And the talented become the powerful.

Ultimately, Pascal was still unripe.

Before fully falling into heresy, an early Pascal with just a bit of support could be defeated by Malik.

I carefully awaited Malik's battle.

How capable is the current Malik? When would I need to step in? I pondered.

Malik, trembling slightly.

He seemed frightened by Pascal's madness.

"How is it? Do you think you can do it?"

"Of course, I can."

I provoked Malik.

Hoping his normally passive self would find excitement in the challenge and reduce his tension.

"Ah, that guy?"

Pascal, with murderous intent in his eyes.

He was staring straight at us.

"Give it up. Perhaps Hanna could, but Malik? No chance."

"I can do it."

"Are you trying to not pay me the reward because you'll be dead?"

"Shut up."

Malik glared at me.

He had made up his mind.

"Histania does not break a promise once made.."

"That's hard to believe, considering what you showed to Hanna…"

"I just need to keep it from now on."

Malik strode into the chapel.

-Bang!

Black arrows shooting through the walls.

Malik simply dodged them with a tilt of his head.

"You mantis bastard…"

"Why do you keep calling me a mantis!"

"Well. Because you look like one… Sorry, I shouldn’t have insulted you for the face you were born with."

Malik closed his mouth.

"I’ll make you into one of my works of art."

Pascal leapt into the air like a mantis.