Chapter 20

What is a villain?

If someone were to ask that, people would recall the common descriptions seen in the media.

Cruel, vile, cheap, evil, obstructs the protagonist, deceives others, plots conspiracies from behind, and ruthlessly sacrifices others.

However, my thoughts are a little different.

Those are the main characteristics of a villain, but.

In my opinion, the most important role of a villain is,

Whether it's trivial or grand,

To ruin someone else's work.

So right now, I was undoubtedly a villain.

“How is it, are you very surprised?”

***

Since the revival of modern detective fiction, the twist has been the core of modern content.

The status of the twist is such that it is included not only in narrative works with a story like novels, comics, videos, and games, but even in short YouTube videos, and if there is no twist, it is considered ordinary.

Even when an actor or idol shows an unexpected side, it is described as having a twist of charm.

That's how familiar the concept of a twist was to modern people.

The reason twists are used so much?

It's simple.

Because it is shocking when the narrative that has been built up takes a sudden turn.

Let's take as an example.

is a movie that was released in theaters decades ago.

In other words, there are now more people who have not seen it in a theater than those who have.

But even those who haven't seen the movie all know what the space swordsman in the black helmet said to his son who committed patricide.

With that one scene, became an immortal movie.

In other words, even the medieval man Isak, who lacked the sensibility of a modern person, was greatly shocked by the twist Leon had prepared.

No, rather, because he was a medieval man who had not been exposed to modern content, the effect was much greater.

And people have a habit of using profanity as an exclamation when they are greatly shocked.

Even the high noble Isak was no exception to this.

“What a son of a bitch.”

It was only because Isak had a calm and gentle personality that it ended at this level; if it had been someone else, they might have started speaking in tongues.

***

It was proven that modern sensibilities also work on medieval people.

Look at that.

He's so happy he can't stop the corners of his mouth from turning up.

He tries his best not to show it, but I can see that he can't hide it.

Isak glared at me.

He seemed to have figured out what had happened with that brilliant mind of his.

“I didn't know you would prepare such a grand welcome. To be honest, I was barely paying any attention to you, but to be backstabbed like this.”

“I did my best to welcome a guest. How is it, do you like it?”

“All I can say is that it's very unexpected. Was all that acting as a troublemaker fake? Since when have you been preparing this?”

“Well. Since when could it have been? About five days ago?”

“Are you trying to mock me with such words?”

See.

You don't believe me even when I tell you the truth.

I knew it.

This is why even the Bible says that blessed are those who believe without seeing.

Unfortunately, Isak did not fall down and die from anger.

I immediately went into controlling my expression.

Now is the time to act as if I planned everything from behind the scenes and leave a deep impression on Isak's mind.

“If you won't believe me even when I tell you the truth, then there's nothing I can do. Believe what you want to believe. That won't change the facts.”

“Hmph. You're playing tricks to confuse me.”

Even with the person who ruined his plans in front of him, Isak did not lose his composure.

It was a very impressive attitude.

If I had been in that situation, I would have been rolling on the floor, going crazy with anger.

I guess that's the difference between me and Isak.

So, I actually felt the qualification of a final boss from Isak.

Meaning, I thought I had to nip the bud right here.

Even before the game has started, he shows this level of competence; I can't even imagine what he'll be like later.

I must eliminate him before he enters the latter half of the game and awakens as the final boss.

Just as I was making that resolution, Isak's subordinate interrupted the conversation.

“Your Highness, do not listen to his nonsense! I will immediately cut off his head and offer it to you!”

He confidently drew his sword and pointed it at me.

But since I didn't recognize his face, it meant he wasn't a character who appeared in .

The fate of such an extra is only one.

“We're not done talking yet. You shouldn't interrupt when the higher-ups are talking.”

“What kind of foolish talk is that?”

“It means you're going to get scolded. Like this.”

I raised my hand and pointed at the guy.

Isak's subordinate, who was wary thinking I had a weapon, looked at my empty hand with disbelief.

“What kind of trick is this? Stop your foolishness and just die!”

You're dumbfounded too, right?

So am I.

Who would have thought that my body couldn't even properly hold a single weapon?

This is what a power stat of 5 is like.

So I bring a friend along to hit people for me instead.

“Theo.”

“Coming.”

From behind, Theo, my friend, attendant, and subordinate since childhood, responded.

At the same time, a shadow fell over my head, and I heard a strong gust of wind.

It was the sound of Theo jumping down from the second floor of the auditorium and swinging an axe as huge as himself.

“Gasp.”

The extra muttered a single word towards the Snow Elf falling towards him.

That became his last word.

Crash!

It was a sound unbelievable to have come from hitting a person.

At the same time as a roar like a bomb exploding echoed, The extra who dared to attack me was split in two, and blood splattered everywhere.

Along with the terrible smell of blood, The surroundings were enveloped in silence.

“……”

I wiped the blood splattered on my face with my hand and then observed the expressions of the traitors.

There is a saying that a fight is all about momentum.

Meaning, impact is more important than facts.

Theo's martial prowess, which killed the opponent in a single blow, certainly suppressed the enemy's momentum.

Everyone is looking this way with frozen faces.

The only person not flustered even after seeing blood was Isak.

He even frowned as if displeased that blood had splattered.

He's really no ordinary person.

“Gasp.”

“That's, the Emperor's Royal Guard….”

“The Emperor's killing machines….”

The traitors, seeing the bloodthirsty beast that had landed in front of me, seemed to finally realize who they were now hostile to.

Moreover, when Theo's body trembled as if he would charge forward at any moment, some people even stepped back.

They've got the wrong person.

Our Theo doesn't bite just anyone.

He only bites when I tell him to.

I approached Theo, who was still trembling and unable to control his anger (so it seemed), from behind and whispered.

“Are you okay?”

“……No, I'm not okay. My feet tingle.”

There was a hint of tears in Theo's voice.

Right.

When you jump from a high place, your feet hurt.

Theo was unable to get up due to the shock of the landing.

No matter how elite a member of the Emperor's Royal Guard is, they cannot transcend the laws of physics.

Moreover, Theo was currently wearing a full set of helmet and armor, boasting his maximum body weight.

The impact was bound to be that much greater.

“As long as your feet aren't broken, it's fine. You can fight, right?”

“What? You want me to do more here? In that case, Your Highness can jump next time.”

“I can't do that. I'd really die if I jumped.”

“You evil employer.”

“I won't forget your sacrifice.”

“Hah. Why did I ever think this was a good idea?”

Seeing him complain, he must be faking the pain.

Now that I've confirmed Theo is safe, that's enough.

I met Isak's eyes.

“There was a small disturbance, but it's gone now. Why do you have to pick on people and make them feel awkward?”

“……”

“It's awkward when I'm the only one talking without a response. Anyway, we have to do what we have to do. Duke Isak, as a final offer out of old affection, I suggest you give up the rebellion and surrender. Then I will at least spare your life.”

Isak let out a short laugh.

“Old affection? Did we ever have such a thing?”

“We seem to be on the same page. I actually thought so too.”

“How about the opposite? You surrender.”

“Will you let me live then?”

“I'll think about it.”

“Eh, then I won't.”

“We seem to be on the same page.”

This time, it was my turn to let out a short laugh.

The conversation went back and forth like a joke, but the content was by no means light.

Because it was a declaration that one of the two would have to stake their life and have a character deletion match today.

And I already had an idea why Isak was not backing down and trying to fight.

“Are you waiting for Nilion of Apollia?”

“What?”

“I'll bet you. No matter how long you wait, the Count of Apollia will not come.”

Isak, hit where it hurt, furrowed his brow.

At the same time, a hint of doubt couldn't help but rise in his eyes.

Right.

He must be wondering what kind of nonsense this is.

He must also be confused about how I know Nilion.

“Your bluffing has improved a lot since I last saw you. But you won't be able to change the situation with such empty words. Everyone, go and kill the traitors.”

Isak's conclusion was that I was bluffing.

Therefore, Isak tried to kill everyone related to my bluff.

But, to provide an additional explanation for the medieval people here from me, who is familiar with modern culture,

These days, it's a trend to put multiple twists in content.

“Duke Isak! Duke Isak, where are you! It's an emergency!”

Just then, a blood-soaked soldier entered the auditorium.

His attire was not that of the Imperial Central Army but of the Dukedom of Nike's army.

As if realizing something was wrong, Isak's complexion changed rapidly.

“What is it?”

“Belius has betrayed us! The Central Army that entered through the west gate is attacking our allies!”

“Betrayed, you say! Belius?!”

Screams and shouts began to be heard from beyond the belatedly opened door.

It was a sound that no one had been aware of, as everyone's attention had been focused on the situation unfolding in the auditorium.

The sound grew louder as time passed.

“Leon Akardi, you!”

Isak finally revealed complete astonishment on his face and turned to look at me.

It was the moment a crack first appeared in Isak's mask.

I smiled and returned his answer.

“Everyone, go and kill the traitors.”

***

Zeta thought about Leon.

The actions Leon had shown in the past few days were nothing but surprising.

Leon had impersonated Zeta's name to take control of the retired Snow Elf soldiers, and without Zeta's knowledge, he had prevented Isak from recruiting Belius.

He had even managed to recruit Belius in reverse and receive a pledge of loyalty.

All of that had happened while Zeta was barely persuading the officials and the Senate.

‘Even if they say you have to deceive your allies to deceive the enemy, to proceed with things like this without a single word.’

The way and speed with which Leon found and moved towards his goal astonished Zeta.

It was truly a lightning-fast work speed.

The surprising fact was that no one expected such an ability from Leon, and no one had ever taught Leon such methods.

Not even Zeta herself.

‘Truly amazing. It's as if the person changed overnight.’

He was certainly bright as a child, but that was all.

She had quit her job as his private tutor because she disliked seeing him devote that good head only to useless things.

When Leon revealed his true colors, she had almost seen the image of a dear old friend.

A person who was now long dead and gone.

However, there were still many things that were not convincing.

─ Could the late emperor have recognized the raw gem from the start? If so, why did he keep it a secret from me, his closest confidant?

─ Wouldn't it have been better to secure the foundation of the nation by giving Leon successor education?

─ Or he could have given him a fiefdom to empower him?

─ Why did he leave Leon alone and have the Senate elect the next emperor? Why choose the difficult path?

Many questions remained unanswered.

But there was no way to get an answer from the dead emperor.

Her heart was so frustrated that, for the first time in a long time, Zeta regretted not learning black magic and necromancy.

If she had, she could have summoned the dead emperor's soul and interrogated him.

Regretting it now was too late.

Zeta sighed, thinking of her old friend.

“You two still like to handle things the hard way.”

“What did you say?”

“It's nothing, Ryuba. I was just talking to myself.”

Ryuba, who had returned to active duty after a long time, was escorting her just like in the old days.

Thanks to that iron-clad escort, Zeta could immerse herself in her thoughts without any interruption.

But that too was over now.

From now on, it was time to work.

“How's the situation?”

“It's almost all sorted out. No, it's finished now.”

Ryuba pointed to the blood-soaked Senate auditorium.

The old, elegant appearance was gone, and only the tragedy created by the battle remained.

The combat power of the Emperor's Royal Guard was not something a mere ducal army could dare to face.

But Zeta soon tilted her head.

“But, I don't see the head of the rebel leader, Isak.”

Ryuba scratched his cheek with a troubled look and answered.

“He ran.”

“What?”

“As soon as it seemed disadvantageous, he immediately pulled back and fled. Archpatriarch Daniel as well.”

“Then what about Leon?”

“He went to pursue Isak.”

Zeta became extremely bewildered.

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