I Am The Game's Villain

"There are trash people in every race, Alvara. Origin, status, bloodline—it doesn’t mean a damn thing. Don’t trust someone just because of what they are. It’s not worth the pain when they prove you wrong."

The words felt bitter in my mouth. They weren’t just for her—they were for me, too. A mantra, carved into my mind.

"Don’t trust anyone," I muttered, almost to myself.

Nyrel’s mantra. And Ephera’s, in her own way.

Yet here I was, repeating the same mistakes.

I let out a dry, humorless laugh. "Two years ago. I met someone. Jayden. A human. And then there was Milleia... another human. I trusted both of them. Stupidly. I gave Jayden something priceless—two of my Wings. My lifelines. And Milleia..." My lips twisted into a faint grimace. "I gave her my blind trust."

"When it came to a matter of death and life, I chose to believe in Jayden. I thought he’d stand by me. Instead, he left me to die. Because of him, I lost two people I cared about that day—people I could’ve saved. If I hadn’t been so damn naïve..." My voice wavered for a moment, but I forced it normal. "If I’d given those Wings to my sister instead of Jayden, she’d still be alive. I failed her. Every day, I ask myself why I was so stupid."

No, maybe I knew why I was so stupid.

Nyrel or Amael would have never been this naive but the man Nihil wanted me to become and that I had became was.

"And Milleia..." I shook my head, a bitter smile tugging at my lips. "I thought I knew her. I thought she was someone I could trust. But I was wrong. Completely wrong. I don’t even know if she is an ally or not."

I paused, taking a deep breath. "After I killed the King’s brother—the man who murdered my sister—I thought it was over. I thought justice would matter though it was more like vengeance for me. But the King didn’t care. He didn’t question it, didn’t even try to see the truth. He threw me into a cell like I was nothing. Why? Because I’d killed his dear brother. A traitor, sure, but still his blood. His loyalty to his family blinded him. And maybe... maybe I can’t blame him for that. Maybe I’d have done the same."

I tilted my head back against the wall, closing my eyes. "But none of it would’ve happened if I’d spoken up sooner. If I’d told the King what his brother was doing... If I’d had the strength to fight back when it mattered... But I didn’t. And now I live with that."

My naivety played its part, but the real reason for everything was my weakness. Back in Celesta, I was no one—powerless to challenge a King or earn the nobles’ trust. Who would believe me after all the mess I had done in the last years anyway?

"All of this to say—don’t trust blindly. If you’re going to rely on someone, let it be yourself first. And those you don’t trust? Don’t let them linger too close. I know you’re not naïve—you’re smart—but your anger, no matter how justified, is clouding your judgment. It’s possible to hate someone without losing your head."

Alvara finally turned her eyes toward me.

"You acted recklessly," I said again. "Hate me all you want, but the truth is, I’m your only ally in this miserable tower. And let’s face it—I’m the worst possible ally for someone like you. Half High Human, half Human. Could it get any worse for you?" I laughed to taunt her.

But she didn’t answer, just staring at me.

I toyed with Bryelle’s pendant in my hands, threading the chain to form a knot. "Listen, you’re one of the smartest women I’ve met. Sure, Ephera and Layla might take the top spots, but you’re not far behind. I know you’re capable of recognizing your mistakes and doing something about them. Not by letting go of your hatred or quirks—those make you who you are—but by being better. Even more stronger than you already are."

I paused, glancing at her, though she had turned her back to me now.

She was that kind of woman with a rare presence. That thing most people could only dream of possessing. Ephera, Layla and even Aurora had it in—an aura that draws people in without them even realizing it. Obviously Alvara had it as well, she was literally considered as Goddess in her country after all.

"..."

Still no answers.

Taking the hint, I pushed myself to my feet. "I should probably leave you to think... and rest."

I walked to the entrance but stopped just as I reached it. Scratching the back of my head, I hesitated. Then, with a sigh, I channeled mana into my ring,

A golden rod appeared in my hand—or at least, what seemed like a rod at first glance. I turned back toward Alvara, pointing it at her, before lightly brushing my finger across the hilt.

The rod suddenly unfolded, blooming into a stunning golden umbrella.

"..." Alvara’s eyes widened, glancing at it in surprise.

"The umbrella you left behind after fighting Cylien," I said, twirling it with a hint of pride. "I took it back then... and made it better."

In truth, it looked nothing like the original. The new design was entirely my creation, though I had to admit it turned out far better than expected. The umbrella now resembled a golden flower, its elegant stem serving as the hilt. Beautiful floral patterns adorned the canopy, each petal meticulously etched in shimmering gold.

After Levina saved me and I spent weeks recovering, the first few days had been agonizingly dull. So, with Levina’s help—her surprising aptitude for crafting proving invaluable—I had decided to rebuild the umbrella. Not just repair it, but transform it into something more... fitting. Something that matched Alvara’s impossibly high standards.

I smiled faintly, a touch of pride swelling as I admired the finished piece. It wasn’t just a weapon or a tool anymore; it was art.

[<Vina did more than half of the work.>]

’It was my idea and my design!’

Before Cleenah could retort something I would be unable to retort, I turned my eyes toward Alvara.

Alvara’s gaze flickered to the umbrella.

"You might not recognize the flower, but—"

"Lily," she interrupted me.

I blinked, caught off guard.

She recognized it?

That was... unexpected.

"Well, right," I said, letting out a small laugh to cover my surprise. "An old woman once told me lilies symbolize rebirth—at least the white ones. I’m not sure about golden ones, but I figured it suited you."

At least, that’s what the flower shop owner back on Earth had told me.

Closing the umbrella carefully, I walked over and placed it on the bed beside her. Alvara stared at it for a moment before turning her back on me, pointedly ignoring it.

Figures.

There was always the chance she’d break it in a fit of pent-up anger. Still, I felt it was worth the effort.

"I’ll leave you to rest," I said, stepping back. "But I’ll come back. I need to get my mother from Elyen Kiora first, but I’ll return. Tonight or tomorrow. I promise."

I turned to leave, expecting silence, but her voice stopped me in my tracks.

"Bryelle."

"Hm?" I glanced back over my shoulder.

"He has Bryelle... hidden somewhere," she said, still facing away.

"Huh?" Experience more on NovelBin.Côm

Don’t tell me that guy…

It had to be Lykhor.

That bastard had somehow managed to get his hands on Bryelle?

"I’ll take care of it," I said shortly, preparing to leave.

But Alvara’s voice called me back once more.

"You didn’t treat me." She said, slightly recovering her ’I am the Queen of the world’ tone.

"I need you to be focused for it," I replied, glancing over my shoulder. "I’ll do it tonight."

"No." Her eyes locked onto mine. "You didn’t keep your word. I want my mana back now. I’m fine." @@novelbin@@

She narrowed her eyes at me but honestly it only looked cute to me right now with her curling up inside her bedsheet...

I looked at her quietly. She had indeed recovered quite a bit—enough to hold onto her usual confidence. Alvara was a strong woman, no question about it. But after her earlier state, I wasn’t keen on taking risks. Then again, knowing what she’d been through, it was understandable that she’d want her strength back as soon as possible.

"Fine," I relented, walking back to her bedside. I sat down with a sigh. "But I’ll still need to finish this tomorrow to make sure everything is right."

She nodded curtly, extending a delicate hand from beneath the covers.

I took her hand gently, her warmth spreading into my cold palm. Her skin was soft, impossibly smooth—almost surreal in its perfection.

Truly a High Elf Princess from head to toes.

But then, I felt a faint tremor ripple through her.

I blinked, glancing at her face. Her eyes were closed, but there was something... different. It hit me a second later.

I had touched her bare hand—without her gloves.

"Ah, sorry—"

"Don’t waste my time," she interrupted me before I could release her hand.

Her words caught me off guard. She didn’t seem to care—or maybe she hadn’t even noticed, given her current state.

Either way, it didn’t matter.

"Fine," I muttered, brushing off the moment. "But what do you mean by ’don’t waste my time’? As if you’re out there saving the world in your spare time." I snorted, masking my awkwardness, then closed my eyes and began channeling my Wrath.

The process felt smoother this time, more controlled.

Two minutes passed, and I opened my eyes to see her lying peacefully. Assuming she’d fallen asleep, I started to leave quietly—only to feel her fingers tighten around mine.

I glanced back at her.

Her sleeping face was calm and peaceful. But faint traces of what she’d endured still lingered.

Hesitating, I reached out and gently brushed aside a few strands of mint-green hair, tucking them behind her ear. Her peaceful face was almost... disarming.

Conflicted emotions stirred in my chest as I watched her. I swallowed it down, forcing myself to focus.

"I hope you’ll get the happy life you deserve," I mumbled.

A life befitting someone like her, not the brutal, blood-stained path of an antagonist in a game.

I lingered for a moment longer, watching her restful face, before I pried by hand free and left the room.