The Villain Wants to Live

A week ago, in the painting prison created by Quay and remodeled by Epherene, Julie was polishing her swordsmanship. She was sparring with strong warriors such as Zeit and Jackal and receiving their instruction; she developed her skills.

Like this, she perfected Deculein’s moves into her very own swordsmanship. On the other hand, Sylvia was engrossed in how to communicate with the outside world. She worked with intelligent wizards such as Arlos and Carla to find a way out of this prison. In the process, she envisioned a 230-page formula full of crazy spell ideas.

“…This is the best. What do you think? It’s connected, right?”

But was it because this prison was a miracle that went beyond magic? The three of them still couldn’t develop a way of destroying this place. The only technique they devised was bypassing.

“Yes. There seems to be a connection.”

The key was Arlos and her dolls. Although Arlos was now imprisoned here, there were still many dolls made by her on the continent, and some of them could be called masterpieces borne of her heart and soul. Of course, remotely controlling them was possible.

“Move it.”

Sylvia told Arlos. Arlos closed her eyes for a moment of deep concentration, but then she shook her head.

“It will be difficult. Their view is shared, but it is very difficult to make it move.”

“…I see.”

Sylvia let out a small sigh.

The method they had now chosen was mana thread. There was no way to escape from this place using ordinary magic, so Sylvia devised a way to borrow the doll’s eyes and body by letting her mana out in a thin line.

“Your spell doesn’t seem to be enough.”

Arlos murmured. Sylvia glanced at her.

“Not enough?”

“No. It’s using the same method as Quay, but you can’t do it with your resources.”

This was the same one used by Quay. Quay, which existed outside the world, controlled the continent’s dolls with magic very similar to this thread.

“If you hadn’t made a doll for Quay in the first place, this wouldn’t have happened.”

Sylvia pouted as Arlos smirked at her.

“…If I hadn’t made a doll, he would have found another way.”

“He wouldn’t.”

“He would. You are underestimating him too much.”

“He wouldn’t.”

“He would.”

“He wouldn’t.”

“He would.”

Ignoring the two repeating themselves, Carla intently stared at the blackboard. A magic circle with all kinds of lines and circles intertwined like an earthworm painted the board.

“I think there is a way.”

Carla said.

“A way?”

“A way…”

Arlos and Sylvia questioned her just before pulling each other’s hair. Carla nodded.

“Yes. If we use a medium, the vibration transmitted through the mana thread will be amplified.”

“I know that much, and it’s common sense. But the problem is that there is no medium.”

Arlos replied sarcastically. Mediation was the easiest way to amplify the efficiency and power of magic. However, there weren’t objects that could become a medium in this prison.

“Instead, I think we have a person who can become a medium.”

Carla said.

“…Person?”

“Yes. I think it would be possible with Julie.”

Julie? Carla’s casual and blunt revelation confused Arlos and Sylvia.

“Can’t we find out if we look through Julie’s belongings now?”

Carla pointed out the window. Sylvia and Arlos followed her involuntarily to see Julie sparring with Zeit. She was sweating and swinging her sword.

“I think Julie has a medium.”

Perhaps, Julie was the most special person inside this prison. Even looking through the entire continent, it would be rare. She was someone whose memory and body were completely rewound by Epherene.

“No, Julie has a medium.”

Carla turned her doubt into conviction. Julie had an object that was connected to the continent.

“A diary.”

“…”

“Ohh.”

Sylvia and Arlos now understood. Carla softly laughed.

“We can use that as a medium.”

* * *

…The result of that discussion: Julie was now looking up at Deculein’s mansion. The doll’s body was somewhat uncomfortable, and it felt like its life was coming to an end, but this was quite bearable. It was enough to endure.

If only I could meet him again.

“…”

Julie silently picked up the newspaper that had fallen to the ground. Now she was obliged to see and hear as much as possible. Every experience she went through, every emotion she felt, every word she said, would be passed onto the people on the other side.

[The main suspect in the mass disappearance case is Deculein’s disciple Epherene…]

However, it seemed that Deculein was under attack. He was being painted as an incompetent who failed to prevent his disciple Epherene’s crimes early and an unscrupulous man who plagiarized his numerous theories.

“Ummm….”

Julie read all of it.

Rustle—

At that moment, she heard a tree creak above her. Julie lifted her head to look up at the beautiful zelkova tree. There was only a faint trace of someone there, but a small smile spread across Julie’s lips.

“It’s you.”

Creeak—

The gates to the mansion opened, causing Julie to flinch.

Whooosh…

Julie watched as Yukline’s luxury car rolled up and stopped right next to her.

The window rolled down. Julie looked inside to find Deculein peering out.

“…”

He looked at her without a word. He looked a little surprised and a little puzzled.

“Did you escape?”

Without worrying about the circumstances or saying hello, he asked.

“Knight Yuri. Answer me.”

Julie felt like crying, but she forced a smile and replied.

“Yes. I did.”

Then, Deculein’s expression went blank. Indeed, since she escaped from a space where there was no escape, that was a natural reaction.

“You will be called as the main witness. How did you escape?”

“That’s a secret.”

“…”

Deculein’s brow twitched. He put his index finger to his forehead and stared her down.

“Are you kidding me now?”

“No.”

“…Then let me ask-“

“It’s a secret.”

His face contorted. Then, with a small sigh, he opened the door.

“Knight Yuri. Get in.”

“…Why?”

“Because you are an important witness. You need to state in detail how you got out.”

“Hmm. I guess so.”

At that, Julie smiled a little. She climbed into Deculein’s car and sat beside him.

“Where are we going?”

While enjoying the texture of the fine leather seats, Julie asked. Deculein answered with a slightly tired look.

“Hadekain.”

“Hmm? Shouldn’t we go to the Imperial Palace?”

“…No need to.”

“Yes?”

Julie tilted her head, but Deculein didn’t say any more. He didn’t have to say anything.

He was going to put Julie back into the canvas.

* * *

Meanwhile, Lia was in a tavern under the Empire. With the smell of oak barrels mixed with alcohol and grapes, this place seemed to be an ordinary bar at first glance, but it served as a temporary office for the intelligence service.

They didn’t specify the location of their activities, so they focused on picking places that were the easiest to disguise.

“…This is the agenda that Deculein submitted to the Imperial Palace.”

There, Lia was making contact and providing information. The intelligence service immediately obtained the proposal that Deculein sent to the Imperial Family and Her Majesty today.

“The matter of punishing the Demon Bloods….”

Lia sat side by side with Ganesha and unfolded the papers they handed over.

“Obliteration?!”

The first word in the first line was obliteration. Lia’s eyes almost popped out, and Ganesha’s expression became serious.

Ganesha clicked her tongue and turned the page.

“[Of course, this white paper is sucking in countless people, but this is still at a level that can be magically dealt with. So there is no need to treat it like a big deal. Rather, it would be right to think of a way to use it.]… ha.”

Ganesha snorted.

“Why is he doing this~?”

Half a million people had already gone missing, according to the official figures alone, and some of them were Ganesha’s acquaintances. Deculein dismissed this great incident that shook the continent as a trivial matter and went beyond trying to cover up the scale, insisting on using it to eradicate the Demon Blood.

“I know, right.”

Lia, who was reading Deculein’s proposal, shook her head. The intelligence agent chimed in.

“Deculein has fallen. He has returned to the Altar. The old loyal Count is gone.”

That was the key. Deculein’s current behavior was quite different, but if it was his past self, everything could be explained.

“By the way, this painting prison is probably the work of the Altar, not Epherene.”

Lia changed the topic for a moment. The Painting Prison was the authority of Quay, not Epherene, as it existed outside the world.

“Yes. Then it is more certain that Deculein is helping the Altar.”

“…”

But again, it came back to Deculein. Lia scratched the back of her neck, and Ganesha gave her a small smile.

“So. What will Her Majesty do~?”

“…There is a discussion about a preemptive strike from the Imperial Palace.”

The location of the Altar Sanctuary was certain, so before they further disturbed Imperial society, the high-ranking officials strongly insisted they waged war.

“However, Deculein is also against it. Her Majesty is taking no position….”

Then the intelligence agent stopped speaking. Receiving a report from someone, he pressed on the crystal ball in his ear.

“…What!”

The agent cried out in amazement. Ganesha and Lia leaned in closer.

“What happened?”

The agent jumped up.

“It’s urgent. The news is that Knight Yuri has escaped from the Painting Prison.”

“…!”

Lia shot up.

“Escaped? From that?!”

“Yes. But Deculein secured her first. I heard he’s on his way to Hadekain….”

“Let’s go too!”

Lia started running, and Ganesha and the agents followed.

* * *

The road to Hadekain was uncomfortable as I was burdened with Julie’s gaze.

“…”

Next to me, Julie – Yuri – had been watching me since she entered.

“What do you keep looking at?”

In the end, that’s what I asked. She calmly replied.

“What are you planning to do in Hadekain?”

“…Hadekain also has a canvas. It was airlifted for use in Rohalak.”

I would shove everyone from the Rohalak concentration camp inside.

…Also, this Julie.

“But why are you going there?”

Julie seemed to be curious about many things. After all, there must be many things she didn’t know because of those missing memories.

“I have something to do.”

“I see.”

She laughed a little and then lowered the window. A cold wind blew in.

“It’s refreshing.”

“…”

I closed the window with Psychokinesis.

“Hmm?”

Now, to be honest, it was a miracle just to keep my mind and body intact. I was dying, and after the Killers incident, all my energy was devoted to keeping my life intact.

“Oh, are you unwell?”

Julie asked. I shook my head.

“You talk a lot now.”

“I talk a lot now? Do you know me?”

“…”

I clenched my teeth. However, I couldn’t say anything. Julie was quite dangerous right now. Just being by my side was a death variable. Every time I saw her, my heart ached.

Deculein’s programming was still being applied.

“But why aren’t you talking?”

The mountain pass leading to Hadekain was quiet and cozy. Because of that, Julie’s voice sounded particularly loud.

“I have nothing to say, so be quiet—”

…At that moment.

Bang-!

A huge weight fell on the bonnet of the moving car, sending a shock rippling through as the chassis was crushed.

It wasn’t an accident, but an attack. I reflexively mitigated the damage with psychokinesis, and Julie shouted.

“It’s an attack!”

“I know.”

As I answered, I checked my condition then examined the faces of the enemies around us.

“Is it the intelligence agency?”

Most of them were intelligence agents; one was even sitting on the wreckage of the car and tapping on the windshield. I didn’t know if they had a formal warrant, but I checked my body’s mana first.

There was enough left to use Snowflake Obsidian.

“Are you going to fight?”

Julie asked.

“I guess so.”

If there was any way to escape from the Painting Prison, it must not be disclosed.

“I don’t want to hand you over.”

That plan must remain Epherene’s Alpha and Omega.