Voyage Of The Villainess

Everyone was silent after they heard Malaya's theory. Until someone ends it.

"What do you mean by floating continent?" Kayden finally asked. 

'Whatever she is thinking to do, it is certainly more dangerous than before.' He thought as he looked at Malaya with seriousness in his eyes

" Like what I said before, it is just one of my theories," Malaya answered with a calm smile on her face.

"And how will you prove these theories?" Kayden asked again.

"Prove? Did I not say that before?" She pointed downwards to the falls that were falling into seemingly endless darkness. "The only way to prove it is to dive down there. If I am lucky, I will have the first theory or third theory be discovered. And if not, there is no other choice than to simply fall to my death."

"Why are you referring only to yourself?" Kayden looked intently at Malaya. "Do you plan to do this alone?"

"Yes, if I need to do this alone. I will do this alone. Like you said, if the first and third theories are false, it would lead to death." Malaya said with a serious expression. "I will take the responsibility besides I completely understand if no one will go with me this time. I will give all of you a choice whether to come with me down there or not. Your life is now in your control."

"Hah!" Iris let out an annoyed sigh. "Everyone, our captain is planning to do some self-sacrifice shit again. And leave us. You know what to do now."

Malaya looked confused as they approached her. "Um guys, why are you looking at me like that?" She tried to step back but she reached the end of the cliff now.

"Everyone? Haha." Malaya looked more troubled. "Can we talk about things first? I am just saying...mmm." Iris stuffed some cloth in her mouth. Then she dragged her to the ground.

"Rope." She said to Lila and tied both Malaya's hands at her back then her feet.

A few moments later...

"Mmm..."

'What the hell was she doing to me? Why is she tying me like this?!' Malaya screamed internally but only muffled sounds came out from her mouth since it was covered. She looked at Rein. But Rein simply avoided her gaze. 'I'm still a lady...huhuhu...'

Then she glanced at Hyun Jae but Hyun Jae simply avoided her gaze as well. While looking troubled. Then her gaze went onto Lila who was also looking at her. Malaya looked at her with more puppy eyes. 'Please free me.' Lila, who was looking at her with pity, almost reached out for her. 

"Don't you ever do that, Lila." Iris yanked her hands away. "As long as I'm her guard. She will not get out of anyone's sight. And she would not learn her lesson if you pity her or freed her right away. Rest now, everyone. I look after her for the night watch."

Hyun Jae and Lila with slumped shoulders walked towards the place they planned to sleep. And laid down. 

After a few hours...

Only Rein, Kayden, and Iris remained not sleeping. Since there was nothing for her to do, Malaya also resided in her fate for now and slept. 

"Isn't this a bit extreme, "Lady Iris?" Rein asked as he glanced at the already sleeping Malaya. " She was still our captain and must be respected above all" 

"Stop being so soft with her, this is for her own sake. You know that, Rein. And don't worry too much, this is just enough," Iris said. "If she tried what she really intended to do, being the word 'extreme' will not be enough. But it is something that no one can return back to especially if she loses her life. She may have survived a lot of times now but let's not take for granted that it will always be like that. And right now wherever I look at it, there is no other decent plan that would guarantee us when going down there.  Just keep in your mind that we did this  to save her life and not to let her make any decision again that can lead to the end of her life."

"Then how long will you plan to be held captive, Lady Malaya?" Rein asked.

"Long enough, until she said she would not do things alone again. As of now, she is making us choose?" Iris let out a scorned scoff. "When we already followed her all this way. She wanted to make us choose whether to live and let her die. Or follow her?" 

"Hah...why is she always like this? It is really getting on my nerves." 

"That's her personality and she is always like that since I serve her, Lady Iris." Rein sighed helplessly. "She is always a handful one who always does what she pleases to do. The only thing I could do is look after her."

"I see, look after her hah." Iris scoffed. "She is not a kid anymore. But truly she is a handful one. What do you think about Kayden? Even if you get a little closer to her, don't just let her do as she pleases." 

Kayden looked at Iris. "I will keep that in mind."

"Seriously, this girl." Iris finally laid down to rest. "Is she still oblivious that if she is gone, many will be hurt? It's not like the world is revolving around her. But as a fellow friend, any friend would be heartbroken and sometimes devastated if they find out something bad happened to their friends. After all this time she still had this selfish part of herself where she was too focused on her goals to the point she forgot who was there for her. Until she understands that, we will tie her. I will sleep for now."

Iris said as she closed her eyes. "Please look after him, Rein for a while. You better rest as well Kayden."

"I will." Rein said.

Kayden simply stood up and walked ahead.

"Where are you going?" Rein asked a question.

"Just simply going to see the entirety of this cliff," Kayden said.

A few moments later...

When Rein was the only one who was left alone, he stood up as he fixed the blankets of Hyun Jae and Lila. Then he checked Iris as well and saw that she was already snoring. He also fixed her blanket as well.

He felt a presence behind him but continued on looking at the sleeping Iris. 

"What are your thoughts about it, Milady?" He asked. Malaya simply sat up in one of the stools near the fire. With a dagger hidden under her cloak, she cut the rope tying her with ease. 

"Will dying or disappearing will really pain everyone here?" Malaya glanced down. She heard everything that Iris said. "Is it better than other people dying around? That way, I'm the only one who will lose their life. No other people will need to die for me."

*Flick!*

Malaya glared at Rein when he suddenly flicked her forehead. 

"Sometimes your mind was quite difficult, Milady. You are really just smart at most things. But a fool in almost everything."

"Hey, what does that mean?" Malaya pouted. "And how dare you to flick my forehead? I can deduct your salary. That hurts."

Rein just chuckled. It had been a while since he got Malaya angry with him after reprimanding him. "Milady, did you forget that I am working freely without any salary now. Once we return back to Marina, I'll make sure to have all my late dues salaries."

"There is really no beating you, mother," Malaya said as she chuckled.

"How many times do I have to tell you, not to call me that." Rein said as he took a seat beside Malaya." That made me irritated."

"Malaya, when you lost consciousness in two weeks, then suddenly disappeared within six months. Everyone is really sad and worried about you. If you lose someone who becomes your friend and family, you of all people should know how that feels." 

"..."

"Have more care of your life. We simply did not follow you here out of whim but because we also want to help you… help you to achieve your greatest goal in life. We are here at your side… always. That is why stop acting on your own and rely more on us which is we are all willing to help you. What hesitates you to rely on us? Is it because you are magicless and think that you are a burden? Is it because you're a captain now, and must make sure that everyone will be fine? There are only a few things one person can do, Malaya."

{"I have done what you told me to do. Don't do anything with my friends."

"Another child has been sold once again, thanks to you."}

Another memory of her past life resurfaced.

"You better rest now as well. We will have another long day ahead.." Rein said as he stood up.