A Villain's Will to Survive

Chapter 166: Advancement (2) Part 2

Two months was far too short to persuade the continent, but more than enough to carve my will into its very fabric. As I traveled across nearly the entire land, it occurred to me that persuasion was unnecessary. There was no need to explain the workings of a lighter to apes; simply placing it in their hands would be enough.

The weight of intimidation, the image of a villain—these were powerful tools in moments like this. I applied steady pressure on those unwilling to heed my predictions.

With Empress Sophien’s full support, I had countless means at my disposal, including patrols carried out by the Elite Guards, edicts issued directly from the Imperial Palace, and even subtle threats backed by Yukline’s financial influence.

"Professor! At this rate, the entire territory is on the verge of bankruptcy. I implore you—please, reconsider..."

As a result, a procession of troublesome nobles showed up at my doorstep. Although I had forced their hand in order to secure the survival of their own lands, these lords and aristocrats arrived, pleading for me to save them instead.

I stared at the nobleman standing on my doorstep and said, "Gehan, was it?"

“Yes, Professor. The strain on our family’s resources has become nearly unbearable—”

“Bankruptcy is better than collapse. Redirect your squandered wealth toward something worthwhile.”

“... Ah.”

Today alone, thirteen provincial lords have arrived at my estate, each a vermin who has left even the most basic defenses of their lands in disrepair.

“Professor! I implore you—please, I’ll do whatever it takes—”

"Leave," I commanded, using Telekinesis to push the man back as I strode out of the mansion.

A car stood waiting in the garden, and through the open window, I caught a glimpse of a familiar face.

“You’re here?” Yeriel said.

I opened the door and settled into the seat beside her.

“Are you aware that you’ve become everyone’s worst nightmare lately? You’re practically a grim reaper.”

“Ignore it,” I replied.

“... Hmph. So, you’re really going to Rekordak?” Yeriel said with a shrug, a slight pout crossing her face.

“The decision has already been made.”

“But still~ you know~ that woman’s there,” Yeriel said, her words slowly trailing off as her teeth clenched and a low growl escaped.

I turned to her, curiosity suddenly stirring within me, and asked, "Why do you hold such hatred for Yulie?"

Yeriel bit her lip, crossing her arms with a quiet grumble, and said, “... When I began university, I was left entirely alone. Someone had to dash off to watch a knight’s tournament instead.”

“So it’s jealousy, then.”

“It’s not!” Yeriel shrieked.

I nodded, reclining into the seat as I opened a book.

“... Hey, you know.”

As I turned the page, Yeriel watched me, glancing up now and then with a cautious, uncertain look, then she asked, "Did you hate me back then?"

Could Deculein have really hated her? ... No, he must have felt bitter disdain—perhaps even a profound sense of revulsion, I thought as I heard her voice.

"Yeriel," I said, resting my hand on her head as the leather of my glove brushed her hair.

Yeriel looked up at me, her face filled with confusion. I met her eyes—those soft eyes, so unlike Deculein’s—and softly replied, "I feel no hatred toward you."

Yeriel became a statue, her breath barely a whisper as she sat motionless in her seat. Then, with a swift movement, she pointed toward the window.

"Get off here! We're here already!"

I turned to follow her glance and saw that we had arrived at the station.

“Very well.”

Ren stepped out ahead, smoothly circling to open my door.

As I stepped out of the car, Yeriel said, "I'll take good care of Hadecaine. ... After all, it is our territory."

I looked at her with quiet intensity. Though she cleared her throat, a hint of embarrassment in the air, something about her felt slightly off.

“Yeriel.”

“W-what?”

"Enough with the cautious tone and clipped words—you have no permission to act as if you're my equal."

Thud—!

I closed the car door. Through the window, I could see Yeriel staring back, a look of disbelief on her face.

“Ren. You may drive away.”

“Yes, sir,” Ren replied.

After sending the car on its way, I made my way onto the platform. The first thing that caught my eye was a trio gathered in quiet conversation—Allen, Drent, and Epherene, their heads close together as they exchanged words.

"Here. Trust me on this—one of these four companies is bound to take off," Epherene said.

"Do they? Their names all sound alike to me, though," Allen replied.

"And how would you know? How much did you invest, Leaf?" Drent asked.

"I've put a thousand elne into each one. I'll keep investing my salary like this every month. Once we're back from the next business trip, my profits will double, maybe even triple. And in three years? A hundredfold. These merchant companies will be the bedrock of our future fortune," Epherene declared, her voice stirring them with fierce confidence.

Clack—

I deliberately stepped on the ground with a heavy footfall, drawing all three heads toward me.

“Oh, Professor, you’ve arrived!”

“Hello, Professor.”

“You are here, Professor.”

They each greeted me in their own way as I glanced over their clothing. Allen and Drent were dressed appropriately, but Epherene's outfit was absolutely outrageous.

"Epherene, do you think of yourself as a knight?"

“Sorry?”

In typical practice, mages wore flowing robes. When entering dangerous places, they might instead choose leather armor, specially enchanted for protection. However, Epherene stood clad in full chain mail—a jangling mesh of interlocking metal links, completely useless for a mage. Iron armor did nothing but dull magic, sapping its potency rather than enhancing it.

"Oh, this? I heard there are a lot of birds of prey around Rekordak, so I thought—ahh!"

With a touch of Telekinesis, I dismantled her armor, piece by piece.

“No, please! That cost me a fortuneeee—!”

***

Meanwhile, at the entrance of Rekordak, Yulie stood with the warden, a retinue of knights, and Ihelm by her side, all waiting for the arrival of an expected guest.

"How much longer are we waiting? It’s cold enough to kill out here," Ihelm grumbled, his annoyance cutting through the cold air.

Yulie glanced his way, then turned her attention back to the distant horizon.

Clop, clop— Clop, clop—

The faint sound of hooves echoed in the distance, carried by the wind alongside Deculein’s familiar scent. Yulie clenched her teeth, sensing his approach.

"... Ah, there he comes!" announced one of the Imperial knights, gesturing toward the distant horizon.

Two horses thundered across the plain, Deculein leading with effortless command, his posture in the saddle flawless, as if it were straight out of a textbook.

"Professor is certainly a picture of... ahem,” murmured one of the nameless knights, glancing briefly at Yulie before clearing his throat.

Yulie showed no reaction, giving no sign of a response.

Clop, clop— Clop, clop—

The hoofbeats intensified, and the air grew colder, frost crystallizing with each breath. Unconsciously, Yulie’s mana slipped out, spreading an icy stillness through the air.

“It’s freezing out here! I can barely stand it!” Ihelm grumbled, pulling his thick robe and coat tighter around himself.

The horses slowed their pace, and at last, Deculein drew closer.

"It is an honor to be in your presence, Professor!" the Imperial knights declared, moving forward and offering respectful bows.

Deculein gave a slight nod in acknowledgment before dismounting, with his assistants following his lead.

“Hey, Deculein, Leaf—it’s been a while, hasn’t it?” Ihelm greeted, his teeth chattering against the bitter cold.

Epherene sharply turned her head away, while Yulie simply stared at Deculein in silence. She couldn’t bring herself to speak, not even the simplest, most formal words. Had she known how to curse, she might have let loose a torrent of them. But Yulie had never allowed profanity to pass her lips, and she knew she never would—not now, nor ever.

“Hmm.”

However, in contrast, Deculein surveyed the barren expanse of Rekordak with composure. The bleak winter landscape stretched before him, a harsh emptiness that clashed entirely with his refined, noble presence.

“From there to there,” Deculein said, his hand sweeping toward the coniferous edge of Rekordak. “Cut down the forest and build quarters separate from the rest. I have no desire to share space with vermin like those prisoners.”

“Oh, that’s such a great idea—”

“Rekordak is Freyden’s property,” Yulie interjected, her voice steady as a still lake now that business was at hand. "You cannot simply clear the forest; it serves as a natural shield, and the villagers rely on it for their livelihoods—"

“I knew exactly what your response would be,” Deculein said, his eyes narrowing with cold, cutting intensity as they fell upon Yulie. @@novelbin@@

Yulie held his stare without flinching, the tension between them drawn tight like a bowstring. After a long, tense moment, Deculein finally turned to his assistant and said, "Allen."

"Yes, Professor," Allen replied, stepping forward and handing Yulie the document.

Without taking her eyes off Deculein, Yulie took the document from Allen’s outstretched hand.

"Review it yourself."

At his words, she looked down at the paper, her focus lingering on the text, her eyes fixed for a long moment.

Freyden-Yukline Agreement

By mutual consent, Zeit, Head of Freyden, transfers to Deculein, Lord of Yukline, a 51% stake in the rights and responsibilities for the management of the Rekordak Concentration Camp.

In consideration, Yukline shall remit payment of 30 million elne to Freyden. Henceforth, all direct ownership and administrative duties of Rekordak will be vested in Deculein or a representative of his selection.

In summary, Deculein had acquired Rekordak—a barren land purchased for the astounding sum of thirty million elne—leaving Yulie completely at a loss for words.

"Rekordak is now under my control. I thought it wise to inform you ahead of time, as it may prove difficult to manage,” Deculein said, his eyes scanning the desolate terrain.

The winter sky hung pale and gray over the towering evergreens and impenetrable walls of Rekordak, casting a somber weight over the landscape. The imperial knights stood quietly, captivated by the scene's austere beauty.

"There will be no particular adjustments, and the current structure will remain unchanged."

Soon, his attention returned to Yulie, and a strange wave of helplessness welled up within her. She tightened her grip on the document, her eyes fixed upon it.

“Start by cutting down the forest,” Deculein commanded. “Put the prisoners to work for the labor.”

"Yes, sir!" the knights replied in unison as Deculein strode past Yulie, not sparing her a single glance.

Yulie remained still, her thoughts drifting far away, until a light touch on her shoulder gently pulled her back to reality.

"The document, please... It's an important contract," Allen, Deculein’s assistant, prompted.

“Oh, yes, of course. My apologies—here it is,” Yulie responded, a touch of surprise in her widened eyes as she handed it over with a polite nod.

“Oh, no need to apologize~ You’d better get going too, Knight—it’s freezing out here!”

"... That’s quite all right. Please, go on ahead."

“Sorry? Ah—right away!” Allen answered with a warm smile, hurrying to catch up with Deculein.

Yulie, however, remained behind, watching their figures fade into the distance.

Whoosh—

A biting wind swept through her hair, sending strands flying in wild disarray.