The Villain Wants to Live

When I opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was Sophien’s face. Her warm eyes looked down at me, wet with tears and somehow even benevolent.

…As I looked up at her like that, my hand moved slowly. Without realizing it, I caressed her cheek.

“…”

The Emperor let out a choked sound. I belatedly tried to pull my hand away, but her hand grabbed mine.

“Professor.”

Sophien looked at me and smiled a little. At that moment, a headache struck. My brow twitched, and concern spread across Sophien’s expression.

“…You’re not well. However, I must have caused it, right?”

The Emperor said regretfully. She grabbed my hand, and with her hand caressing her cheek with mine, she said in a quiet voice.

“Is it because I forced too many memories on you?”

“…Your Majesty.”

I interrupted her.

“How much time has passed?”

“…”

Sophien responded as if dissatisfied, shaking her head.

“Less than fifteen minutes.”

“Is that so?”

I raised my torso. Iron Man had collapsed. Traces of it were all over the place. In particular, the pain in my heart persisted.

“Thank you.”

However, recovery was now taking place on its own. Seeing that Sophien’s mana was faintly left in my body, it was probably thanks to her.

“You have mastered a divine art.”

Sophien grinned.

“It is the divine language and rune language combined.”

“You have learned what I have not taught.”

“Yes. The runes are an ancient language with mana, but the divine language is only a primitive language. Combining the properties of the two languages…”

Her fingers brushed my cheek.

“I’ve bestowed upon you the Spirit of Language, 「Self-recovery」.”

Spirit of Language. The ultimate magic of this world, virtually divine power.

“But it’s effective only when you’re with me. The closer you are to me, the better.”

Saying so, Sophien wrapped her arms around the back of my neck. She smiled like a fox.

“So…”

Sophien’s face rested against my shoulder. She murmured, leaning closer.

“Now, I will protect you. Even if there is a limit, even if I could die and disappear.”

Knock, knock-

Sophien had a rather dissatisfied look as she glanced to the door, and I pulled her away.

-Your Majesty. The selection of wizards are arriving soon.

It was Lia.

* * *

On the way to the Imperial Palace, Sylvia was sitting in the backseat of a luxury sedan. But she wasn’t alone. She was permitted to have one companion as a selection wizard.

“…”

Sylvia glanced at the seat beside her. Yuri. This young knight was still staring at an inner map of the Imperial University.

“Is it because of that dark forest?”

Sylvia asked. The knight flinched.

“Yes.”

“It’s better not to approach the dark forest. The concentration of dark energy is too thick.”

“…Is that so?”

Seeing this woman, Sylvia had a thought. Perhaps, isn’t she Julie?

“Did something happen in there?”

Sylvia asked. Julie shook her head.

“No.”

Whatever happened, she wouldn’t say. Sylvia felt she knew why.

“Maybe it’s because of the Book of Revelation and the elixir.”

Julie’s eyes widened. Sylvia chuckled and nodded.

“Even in the Knights Order, it’s a serious problem.”

“D-Do you know about it?”

“It’s famous in the tower. All other cadets and magic students know that you will receive the elixir if you are faithful to the Book of Revelation. There are still many people who regard it as a ghost story, though.”

Sylvia pulled out a report card list.

“There are many magic tower wizards whose grades have soared. At least 27%, and even in the Knights Order by 25%. Perhaps more students will be seduced by this promise of a rapid rise.”

“…”

Julie focused her eyes on the list. Looking at her, Sylvia said.

“I will ask again. Did you meet someone in the dark forest?”

“…”

Julie looked up at Sylvia. She then replied firmly.

“Yes. I met someone.”

“Who?”

“I don’t know who it is. Because the veil covered everything.”

“Was it yesterday?”

“Yes.”

Sylvia took the Wizard board out of her bag and searched for the dark forest patrol from last night.

“What is this?”

“Wizard board. Dark forest patrols are done by faculty members or active-duty knights. Their turns are public, so I’ll find out who did it last night.”

“Aha.”

Julie grew interested. Sylvia identified the patrolmen from the night before.

“Lawaine.”

A knight named Lawaine. He was a pretty famous knight, so even Sylvia had heard of them.

“Oh!”

Julie’s eyes widened. Sylvia asked.

“Do you know him?”

“Yes. I know. I know him well.”

Of course, she knew Lawaine. He was in the same year with her. If it was Lawaine, it was understandable that he seemed to know her.

“Indeed, he is an upright knight.”

“Is that so?”

While they were talking, they could see their destination in the distance.

“We’re here, Julie.”

“Yes. We’re here.”

Julie answered naturally. She didn’t even know what she had just heard.

“I look forward to it.”

“Is it your first time in the Imperial Palace?”

“Yes.”

Julie clenched her fists tightly as if excited. She could, of course, be someone who didn’t mind being called by the wrong name. She might be someone who’d rather be called the wrong name than correct it and make the other person feel embarrassed. But even so, if she unconsciously heard another name, her body would have shown some reaction.

Julie showed no such signs. She was taking the name Julie as hers.

“…”

That convinced Sylvia, and Epherene soon came to mind. It must have been her.

“Get out.”

“Yes.”

The car stopped, and the two disembarked together. The knights of the Imperial Palace approached. Julie had a nervous look.

…Julie. Sylvia looked at her and let out a small sigh.

* * *

Julie entered the Imperial Palace. There was no special identification search or inspection to see if they had business with the Emperor. It was fortunate for Julie, who was still using a pseudonym.

“While the Screening Wizards are being interviewed by Her Majesty, the companions will stay here.”

The court lady, Ahan, led her to a separate room.

“Yes. All right.”

Julie nodded. Ahan smiled softly and left, and Julie left alone, blinked repeatedly.

“…”

The scenery of the Imperial Palace was so gorgeous that she was at a loss for words. The crystal chandelier reflected the light, flashing across the white tiles.

There were several faces that Julie didn’t know. Seven of them gathered around the same room.

“Huh? Another one came!”

“Hmm? Who?”

Among the seven, two minors (?) were staring at her. She didn’t know who they were, but Julie bowed her headfirst. Then a smile spread across the boy’s face.

“Hello~! I’m Leo! I am an adventurer!”

The cute little boy with brown hair introduced himself. On the other hand, the blue-haired child next to him only bowed.

“This one is Carlos!”

The child named Leo introduced him instead. Julie laughed.

“I am Knight Yuri. I came as a companion to the Imperial Palace… what about you guys?”

“We’re here to get a mission! Because Her Majesty has a mission to hand over to us!”

“…A mission?”

“Yes!”

Were these little children already important enough adventurers to receive missions from the Imperial Palace? Feeling the gap of those ten years again, Julie sat on a nearby chair.

At that moment-

Creak-

The door opened again. The three looked up, and Leo exclaimed.

“Lia!”

“Shh!”

The girl named Lia hastily put her finger to her lips. And then she shouted.

“Count Yukline will soon arrive!”

“!”

“!”

“!”

Three exclamation marks appeared over the top of their heads. Not only Leo and Carlos but also Julie. Carlos and Leo quickly hid, and Julie turned her chair around to hide her face.

“Get ready!”

Lia turned around and closed the door.

Knock, knock-

Julie twisted her head so her face couldn’t be seen, and the rest of the knights straightened up so that their faces could be visible.

Creak-

A luxurious scent flowed through the open door. Deculein’s staff clinked off the floor as he entered.

“A total of five companions for the selection wizards, correct?”

—Yes, that’s right.

Julie quickly wrapped her face with a nearby tablecloth as the other knights answered.

“…I see there is one weird person.”

Deculein seemed to find it absurd. The other knights burst into laughter as Julie lowered her head.

“I’m sorry, I have a skin disease.”

“Okay. The face doesn’t matter, anyway. There are only a few things I have to tell you about palace etiquette.”

“First. I’ll just tell you the most important thing. Watch out for your life.”

“…Life?”

Julie asked. Watch out for your life in the Imperial Palace? Deculein nodded.

“Yes. That’s the only reason I allowed a companion to each of the Selection Wizards. Now the Imperial Palace is in danger. To be precise, a certain magical current has engulfed it.”

Deculein spoke slowly.

“Because of that incident, Her Majesty said that she had hired adventurers herself, but those adventurers didn’t come.”

Adventurers. Julie recalled Leo and Carlos, who had just introduced themselves. The two children immediately hid themselves when Deculein arrived.

“We do not need rookies who don’t keep their promises.”

Deculein shook his head scornfully, then snapped his fingers again.

“First. The teaching of the selection wizards will continue for three days in the gardens of the Imperial Palace. You can stay here in the meantime. Whether you’re competing, enjoying the facilities of the Imperial Palace, playing cards, or whatever you do, I don’t care. But.”

Deculein’s expression hardened. He said, looking around.

“At night, the mana of the Imperial Palace grows stronger, and because of that, you may encounter these demonic beings. We suspect that this phenomenon is also the Altar’s work.”

Swoooosh…

Deculein’s mana rose through the dark space, and it soon took form. It was an eerie shape with a robe covering its face.

“To be precise, it is a demonic being called a communicator. They will throw you randomly through the Imperial Palace. In extreme cases, these guys may banish you to Annihilation.”

Demonic existence, so a bastard who wasn’t a demon but possessed their temperament. Deculein shrugged.

“So, don’t come out at night whenever possible. Don’t even walk the corridors of the Imperial Palace.”

Then someone raised a hand. Julie looked over and was startled. It was Knight Raphael, her senior in the past.

“…Is it okay if I break them up?”

Raphael asked. Deculein grinned and nodded.

“It doesn’t matter. In that case, since you would have eased Your Majesty’s concerns, I would, of course, reward you.”

“Good.”

Raphael grinned, and Deculein’s eyes reached Julie. To be precise, the tablecloth covered her face like a mummy.

“There seems to be one tablecloth ghost, but I won’t talk to you. Take a rest, everyone, for now.”

“…”

Julie felt her whole body turn red as she bowed.