The Villain’s Cheat Code: When a Gamer Becomes the Evil God’s Sidekick

Leon placed her hand over her chest.

"I..."

The words Viktor spoke made her heart tremble slightly.

A surname.

To the elves, a surname was an incredibly significant matter. It determined an elf's duty and identity.

Yet Leon herself had no surname.

As the head of the household, Viktor possessed the authority to bestow a surname upon others—something entirely different from the elves, who could only wait for the Sacred Tree to grant them one.

In human society, nobles had the power to do so.

Leon lowered her head, her mind replaying the name "Kravina."

This was something even Miss Lia could not grant her.

Before this moment, Leon and Viktor were not well-acquainted; they had only met a few times.

Although these encounters were few, each one left a deep impression on her.

Even so, Leon's impression of Viktor was far from favorable.

At least, the things he had done were not enough to change the terrible image Viktor had left in her mind since childhood.

But why...

Viktor, with his hands in his pockets, glanced back at Leon without offering much explanation.

"If you still have doubts, you can ask Lia after we return."

Then, he turned his back to her, facing the glowing blue passage ahead.

"But for now, I want you to carry the surname I’ve given you."

As he stepped onto the towering runic tree, blue ripples spread out beneath his feet, resembling a cerulean lake suspended in midair.

A bright white moon hung high in the night sky, its light illuminating the lake's surface, which sparkled like stars.

The fierce wind tugged at Viktor's black coat, causing it to billow wildly under the moonlight.

"And then, follow me."

As his words fell, Viktor extended a hand, and Cocotte immediately floated upward.

Reaching out, he grabbed her by the collar and lifted her.

This lazy elf lived up to her reputation; even in such a short time, she had managed to fall asleep.

Being lifted like this finally woke her up. Blinking her eyes, she realized she was inexplicably floating and looked around in confusion.

"Huh? Aren't we at the Elven Forest yet?"

Viktor looked down at Cocotte and gave her a glance.

"Almost there."

Tracing a long azure trail across the lake, Viktor, along with Cocotte, disappeared into the deep blue passage.

The white cloud hurriedly followed behind him, slipping inside as well.

Only Leon remained, raising her head to gaze at the mysterious blue passage, her emotions a tangled mess.

Her golden hair danced wildly in the wind, each strand distinct and free.

"Family."

To her, the word felt far too distant.

Even though Lia had given her a name, she had never dared to dream of becoming family with Lia.

In Leon's eyes, Lia was like an untouchable star, dazzling beyond reach.

She was her white moonlight, the one she had vowed to protect for a lifetime.

Leon placed her hand over her chest and took a deep breath.

"I shall live for the name you have bestowed upon me."

Her gaze grew resolute as she stepped onto the rippling blue lake.

With each determined step, she entered the deep blue tunnel, her movements heavy yet unwavering.

As the three figures disappeared, the surroundings gradually calmed.

The raging winds subsided, leaving only the reflection of a colossal Sacred Tree, its silver radiance piercing the heavens and spilling light across the land.

The blue lake's edges shimmered with countless stars, its rippling surface slowly settling into tranquility.

...

The Elven Forest.

Towering trees with lush canopies rose from the verdant grasslands, their dense foliage gradually obscuring the golden sunlight. The beams that filtered through danced with flower petals in the air.

Morning dew sparkled like tiny gems, clinging to leaves and grass blades. Even the gray stones glistened with moisture, while flowers peeked out from crevices.

A pair of curious sapphire-like eyes peered intently at a blooming flower. When the petals finally unfurled, the owner of those eyes—a young elf with a delicate face and golden hair tied high—emerged from the underbrush, her pointed ears twitching with delight.

She plucked the newly bloomed flower and placed it into a woven basket. Turning around, she saw countless other elves with similarly pointed ears frolicking in the forest.

Some hung upside down from branches, sipping dew, while others climbed high into the treetops to gather fruit.

A few lazy ones hid behind rocks or nestled among wildflowers, dozing off without a care—even when spotted, they remained unbothered.

Suddenly, an elf picking fruit called out to the others:

"That's enough!"

At her command, even the sleeping elves stirred. Those collecting dew descended to the ground, and all of them moved in unison through the forest, heading toward an open clearing.

As the golden sunlight poured down, an enormous Sacred Tree, adorned with silvery starlight, stood majestically at the center of the land, its roots sprawling across miles like a vast network of life.

The tree's trunk shimmered with silvery stars, delicate and elegant, resembling a galaxy adorning its branches. The faint glow of starlight flickered like celestial bodies in the night sky.

No one uttered another word. They all knelt reverently before the Sacred Tree, beginning their morning prayers.

Their tender voices rose and fell in a language incomprehensible to outsiders—a sacred tradition of the elves, offering gratitude to the spirit of nature after each harvest.

The Sacred Tree seemed to respond to their prayers, its leaves swaying gently in the breeze and scattering specks of silver light.

The colossal trunk, stretching for miles, appeared to be wrapped in a river of stars, its silvery glow flowing downward toward its roots.

Beneath this silvery veil, a group of elven guards stood vigil at the tree's base, clad in wooden armor and wielding silver-tipped spears. Their expressions were solemn and unwavering.

After a while, a single elf descended gracefully from above.

She wore a pristine white gown, a crown of woven grass emitting a soft green glow atop her head. In her hand, she held a wooden staff, her expression serene and composed.

Stepping lightly on falling green leaves, she landed steadily on the ground.

The guards, upon seeing her, bowed respectfully.

"Greetings, High Priestess."

The Elven High Priestess—Vinia Jeckdela.

The Jeckdela lineage had served as guardians of the Yade Sacred Tree for generations.

The High Priestess's duty was to constantly inspect the Sacred Tree, ensuring that any potential threats to their Mother would be swiftly eradicated.

Vinia smiled warmly, nodding and greeting each guard in turn.

Her smile filled the guards' hearts with warmth. Despite her esteemed status, the High Priestess treated them with kindness and equality.

Yet in truth, Vinia's mind harbored a starkly different sentiment.

‘Fools. Do you really think my smile means I regard you as equals?’

‘My surname is one of noble priests. You’re nothing more than guards.’

‘With the Queen absent, I am the most exalted elf among us.’

Vinia was clever enough to hide her true thoughts. Maintaining her smile, she approached the Sacred Tree, her staff in hand.

Looking up, she gazed at the towering trunk that pierced the heavens, breaking through the clouds.

"O Yade Sacred Tree, grant me the vision to perceive and eliminate all dangers beyond your sanctity."

With her prayer, Vinia planted the staff into the ground.

Green starlight emanated from the staff, rippling outward in waves that climbed the Sacred Tree, illuminating its massive trunk with a gentle glow.

After several waves of inspection, the staff’s light gradually dimmed.

As always, the High Priestess sensed no abnormalities within the Sacred Tree.

Her daily task complete, Vinia prepared to leave.

Just as she turned to depart, a guard suddenly spoke up.

"High Priestess, when will our Queen return?"

Vinia turned toward the voice, her lips parting slightly as she lowered her gaze to the guard.

Her eyes narrowed in a kind smile, and a gentle aura radiated from her.

"Do not worry."

"The Sacred Tree will always protect us."

Though these were her words, Vinia’s inner thoughts remained calm and detached:

‘The Queen? She abandoned us long ago.’

Vinia firmly believed that even without Cocotte, the Yade Sacred Tree would never allow the elves to perish.

After all, elves were born from the Sacred Tree.

In the end, it would undoubtedly choose another elf to become Queen for the sake of their race’s survival.

Vinia awaited that day—the day she could serve a new, unknown Queen.

That belief never wavered.

However, not all elves shared her wisdom.

Thus, she needed to constantly reassure these simpletons, keeping their hope alive and their spirits bright as they awaited the future.

"The Queen’s return is inevitable. We need only be patient."

She clasped her hands over her chest, then extended them outward as if embracing the Sacred Tree, her eyes filled with fervent anticipation.

The guards, witnessing the High Priestess’s sacred posture, gazed at her with reverence.

Vinia basked in their admiration, secretly relishing the moment.

But suddenly, a tremor spread through the ground, shaking the base of the Sacred Tree violently.

Vinia abandoned her composure, scanning her surroundings in confusion.

"What’s happening?"

Out of nowhere, three ethereal shadows transformed into beams of light, merging with the Sacred Tree.

A storm erupted, the sun turning a fiery red-gold, while the vegetation at their feet began to grow wildly.

Throughout the Elven Forest, every elf sensed the disturbance and stopped what they were doing, turning their gazes toward the Sacred Tree.

For a fleeting moment, they seemed to see something.

A long, white shadow gliding through the clouds above.

As the land erupted with golden sunlight, storms, and untamed growth, a profound awe gripped their hearts.

Kneeling once more toward the Sacred Tree, they felt an overwhelming urge to worship.

The same awe crept into Vinia’s heart. Despite her experience, she immediately recognized the source of this power.

"...A Calamity?"

Suddenly, a small, pristine hand tapped Vinia’s shoulder.

Snapping out of her daze, she shifted her gaze downward from the Sacred Tree.

It was an elf.

Sitting atop a fluffy white cloud, her back to the Sacred Tree.

Golden light radiated from her, a halo of brilliance surrounding her figure, making her appear divinely sacred.

"Hey, Vinia."

"So, you were really looking forward to my return, huh?"

"""