A Villain's Will to Survive-Chapter 227: Return (2)

"Knight Yulie!" Epherene said, springing to her feet and rushing into her arms.

"Oh..." Yulie murmured, catching her instinctively, though her face held a hint of quiet surprise.

"I’m back again," Epherene said.

"... Pardon?" Yulie replied, her snowflake-like eyes blinking as confusion spread across her face.

"I’m back," Epherene replied, a bright smile blooming on her lips.

"Umm... I see. Might I ask, where have you come back from?"

“... Sorry?”

“Pardon?”

“Sorry?”

“Pardon?”

As their exchange of questions continued, Epherene’s eyes finally wandered to her surroundings, taking in the scene before her.

“... Huh?”

This wasn’t Rekordak. It wasn’t cold, nor was it warm—just the perfect, comfortable temperature. Epherene was indoors, surrounded by furniture, tables, and an assortment of neatly arranged furnishings.

"Where are we?" Epherene asked.

"We are in a guest chamber of the Imperial Palace," Yulie replied.

“Sorry? How is that—”

Just as Epherene was about to ask how that was possible, a sudden chill ran down her spine, and her hair bristled.

Whoosh—! Whoosh—!

Epherene turned her head from side to side.

Whoosh—! Whoosh—!

Epherene whipped her head around, taking in the room so quickly it made her dizzy.

“... No way.”

Then, as a sudden thought came to her, Epherene quickly searched her robe, her fingers frantically patting over her chest.

It’s gone. Deculein’s letter. The one that felt like a quiet comfort through every regression. It’s not here, Epherene thought.

"Knight Yulie!" Epherene said, turning to her in urgency.

"Yes, Miss Epherene," Yulie replied, flinching slightly as she instinctively leaned back.

“Did Professor...”

Creeeeeeak—

At that moment, the door to the guest chamber creaked open, carrying with it a faint fragrance and the crisp click of approaching footsteps in polished dress shoes.

"... Oh," Epherene murmured, staring ahead, her lips parting.

Epherene’s eyes locked onto a single person. His hair was neatly slicked back, his suit a composed shade of black. That familiar, intense glare—always seeming to analyze her—was as penetrating as ever, distant, unfeeling, cold, and completely indifferent...

“You are awake.”

... Epherene stared at Deculein, as solid and unmovable as a mountain. Before any thought or greeting could form, her body moved on its own; her legs sprang forward, and she threw herself into his arms, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist and burying her face against his chest—and for a moment, she wept.

"... What?" Yulie muttered, a startled breath escaping her lips.

Deculein’s mana flared, trembling with unspoken anger, while Epherene could only let out a whimper, like a vulnerable pup. But none of it mattered. Right now, at that moment, nothing else was more important to her.

***

... The moment Epherene realized that Deculein was alive, she blacked out. It wasn’t from joy, nor was it the overwhelming emotion of reunion—there was no admiration, no deep sentiment. It was only the release of a crushing weight that had been suffocating her for so long. The dam in her heart collapsed, and in its place, a flood of exhaustion overtook her.

“... Professor,” Epherene muttered.

After getting some sleep, Epherene rested on the bed in the guest chamber of the Imperial Palace, her eyes wandering to the chair beside her, where Deculein sat with a book in hand, silently turning its pages.

“So Her Majesty still hasn’t...”

"More regressions are needed. I have yet to overcome it completely myself," Deculein replied.

At Deculein’s words, Epherene let out a sigh. The past had changed in dramatic ways—Deculein had overcome regression and survived. However, even now, the Empress, Her Majesty hasn’t...

“But how?”

"What remains is mine to shoulder. It is not for you to concern yourself with."

Epherene watched Deculein in silence. Then, as a shadowed thought surfaced in her mind, she slowly pushed herself up in bed.

"... Professor, I have a question," Epherene said, fiddling with her hands in her lap.

As if noticing something unusual in Epherene’s voice, Deculein shut his book and raised his eyes, turning to her as if urging her to speak.

"Professor, what kind of person was my father?"

Deculein fell into silence, spending an unexpected moment in thought. Epherene did not interrupt him—she merely remained silent.

“Well.”

Like a quiet exhale, words flowed slowly.

"He was likely the man you've always remembered him to be," Deculein replied.

Deculein did not speak the truth, nor did he defend himself, nor speak negatively of Epherene’s father. If his purpose had been to spare her pain, then quietly, it was the kindest answer he could give.

"Professor, may I step out for a while?" Epherene asked, her face clouding for a moment, but she pressed her lips together and looked up at Deculein.

“... Step out for a while?”

"Yes. There’s still something I need to do—one last thing to confirm."

Deculein stared at Epherene in silence.

"If you’re worried... oh," Epherene muttered, meeting Deculein’s eyes and adding hesitant words.

Wait, even I find it ridiculous that I said that. Worry? Deculein, worrying about me?

"Of course not. He'd never worry about me..." Epherene muttered with a faint smile, shaking her head as if to brush the thought away.

Feeling foolish, Epherene muttered to herself under her breath—and then...

“Worry,” Deculein said.

Epherene waved her hand and replied, "No, nothing~ It was just me talking—"

“I do.”

“... Nonsense...”

For a moment, Epherene’s lips parted but no words came out. It took her ears a second longer to catch up to what she’d just heard.

"... Sorry?" Epherene asked, blinking blankly as if lost in thought.

"I do worry."

But then, the words took shape—clear and undeniable in Deculein's voice.

"Because you now carry the responsibility of regression."

Gulp—

Epherene swallowed hard. Whatever the reason, Deculein had said he was worried.

"Then... should I not go?" Epherene asked, her fingers brushing her neck.

Deculein gave no reply.

"Should I not go? Should I not go? Because you’re worried?" Epherene asked again, searching his face for an answer.

“No, it’s fine,” Deculein replied, shaking his head. “You are free to go where you wish. The next cycle of regression is when the real challenge begins—when everything depends on saving Her Majesty.”

“Oh... Okay.”

“I’ll take my leave,” Deculein said as he stood from his chair. “When you leave, inform Ahan before you go.”

“... Yes, Professor,” Epherene replied, nodding.

Deculein turned and left the guest chamber.

Thud, thud. Thud, thud.

“... Hmph.”

Though she couldn’t explain why, a quiet sense of disappointment settled within her. However, before long, Epherene pushed herself up from the bed.

“Hmm... should I get a train ticket?” Epherene muttered.

With unfinished business still ahead, Epherene thought of that place—the one she had been unable to reach, always forced to run away from during each cycle of regression—and prepared to move once more.

***

Epherene’s destination was Juhale, a village located within the Iliade territory. Once home to the Luna family, it was a quiet countryside, with a creek just five minutes away and a mere ten-minute walk that could lead to losing one’s way in the mountains.

The 𝘮ost uptodat𝑒 novels are pub𝙡ished on freeweɓnovēl.coɱ.

There, in the village cemetery where her father was buried, Epherene stood in silence before the gravestone, engraved with the name Kagan Luna.

“Grandma,” Epherene said as she turned around.

“Hmm~? Yes, darling?” said Epherene’s grandmother—the one she held dearest—as her eyes crinkled with a smile full of love.

“Grandma,” Epherene said with a bright smile, meeting her grandmother’s eyes.

“Mhm? But you’re not crying today? You always get a little misty when you come here.”

“... You know, Grandma,” Epherene said, her voice trailing off into a murmur.

Epherene's grandmother's brow crinkled, the lines on her face deepening in curiosity.

"My dad—he didn’t really like me, did he?” Epherene asked hesitantly.

The moment Epherene asked—a question she’d never needed to ask before—her grandmother’s face went still. Although it lasted only for a brief moment, it said everything. For someone like her, who could never tell a lie, that silence alone was the answer. And Epherene understood.

“What are you saying, darling... No, of course not. Never,” replied Epherene’s grandmother with a shake of her head.

“Hehehe~ I’m kidding, I’m kidding. Why would my dad ever hate me?” Epherene said with an exaggerated laugh, her mouth stretching wide on purpose.

Epherene brightly smiled. It was enough that she carried the pain—there was no need to place it on her grandmother too.

“You silly child! What kind of joke is that?” Epherene’s grandmother replied, her face flushing red like an apple.

Slap— Slap—

Epherene let out a laugh as her grandmother gave her a light slap on the back with her firm hand.

“Sorry, sorry,” Epherene said.

“That’s right! Your daddy—why, he... he loved you more than anything!”

“... Yes, I know.”

Just as Epherene opened her mouth to speak once more...

“Epherene~”

From a distance, her grandfather’s voice carried, calling for Epherene.

“Oh, there’s grandpa,” Epherene muttered.

With his hands clasped behind his back, Epherene’s grandfather climbed with surprising speed, his steps light and sure—like the mountain folk, who moved as if the earth itself stepped aside for them.

“Why, grandpa?”

“Oh, about that~” said Epherene’s grandfather, pointing toward the entrance of the mountain behind the cemetery. “Are you heading back today soon?”

“Why?”

“No, it's just that it looked like someone was waiting for you over there.”

"... Hmm?" Epherene murmured, her eyes widening slightly as she tilted her head. "Who is waiting for me?"

“Well, when I asked, he just said he was some sort of professor,” replied Epherene’s grandfather.

“... Professor?”

"Yes, he’s a fine-looking fellow, that one. I nearly gave myself a crick in the neck just staring at him."

The word 'professor' alone was enough. One name, one face came to mind, and Epherene turned in the direction her grandfather had pointed.

“Do you know him?”

“Yes! Grandma, Grandpa—I’ll be off now!”

“Careful, Epherene! Slow down or you’ll trip!”

Worried that Deculein might leave, Epherene hurried—but there was no need, as he was standing still beneath the shade near the entrance of the mountain, not far at all.

“... Professor,” Epherene called as she walked closer to him.

"The sky over your hometown is clear," Deculein said, looking up at the sky.

Clear skies, lush earth, and unspoiled nature—those were the only advantages the countryside could offer.

Even city folks seem to enjoy it—if only for a day or two, Epherene thought.

"Yes, but what brings you all the way here?"

“... Because the Altar may still have their eyes on you as their target. Another knight is standing nearby, keeping watch, just in case.”

“Aha. Is it Knight Delic?” Epherene asked.

“How did you know that?” Deculein asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Hehe, well... Oh, right, Professor. Knight Delic is such a nice person."

“A nice person?”

"Yes. Loyal, loyal—he is such a loyalist. You can trust him, so keep him close."

“... Since you’ve experienced the future, I’ll take your word for it. But it’s surprising to hear that about Delic,” Deculein said, a hint of confusion flashing across his face.

"I used to think the same, but you can trust him," Epherene said as she slowly stepped closer to Deculein. "Knight Delic has always been true to you, Professor."

With every word exchanged, Epherene took another step, until only a few steps remained between them, and she looked up at Deculein and said, "But, Professor..."

Deculein met her eyes with quiet composure as she drew near.

“You know...”

“Speak.”

“Can I hug you, just one more time?” Epherene asked, her eyes glancing up to his—clear and blue as a country sky.

At that moment, Deculein’s brows furrowed, his eyes steeped in disbelief—like he was questioning whether she had taken leave of her senses or if her thoughts had completely fractured and scattered in the wind.

"I feel like I’m about to commit suicide."

In truth, Epherene was barely holding herself together. That small request wasn’t just a whim—it was the only thread she had left to hold on to.

“I really mean it.”

There’s no way my heart isn’t breaking right now. There’s no way I’m fine—like nothing happened. Pain like this doesn’t just go away. It eats at you, it rots inside. Because my dad was my whole world, Epherene thought.

“I am not joking.”

A genius mage, someone who could do anything, create anything, always telling me he loved me, that I was his everything.

"Just one more time... I think if I could hug you, I might feel a little better."

And yet... he hated me and tried to sell me off.

“... Please,” Epherene muttered, her head dropping.

Drops had already pooled on the ground, and only then did Epherene realize she had been crying.

"That’s enough of that nonsense. That’s pathetic, Epherene," Deculein said.

Epherene’s shoulders began to tremble, and without a word, Deculein offered her his handkerchief in place of an answer.

“Hmph,” Epherene muttered as she took the handkerchief and dabbed at her tears, pouting and sticking out her lower lip.

Epherene shook her head, muttering that he was being unfair—pretending not to care. Maybe it worked—just a little...

"There will be a chance someday," Deculein said.

"... And when will that be?"

"Someday," Deculein replied, turning away as he began his descent down the mountain.

“... Huh.”

Epherene watched him walk away, her eyes fixed on his shoes, and let out a short laugh.

Even on this country mountain path, he's still wearing those polished dress shoes. Some things never change. Don’t they hurt his feet? Epherene thought.

Deculein stopped suddenly and turned to face her. Instinctively, Epherene straightened her back, her expression tightening as if she were standing at attention.

“Epherene.”

“W-Why?”

“If you’ve nothing else to do, come with me. I want to hear about the memories you brought from the future.”

"Oh... okay," Epherene replied, falling into step behind him.

Epherene tapped loose pebbles with the toe of her scuffed sneakers, maintaining a three-step distance to stay close behind him.

Chirp, chirp... Chirp, chirp, chirp...

The forest path echoed with birdsong, filling the trees—bright and full of life, as if spring were already on its way.

Whoooosh—

The breeze played through Epherene’s hair, and the scent of mountain soil and damp earth filled her lungs.

And...

“Epherene.”

Deculein, who called her name.

“Yes? What is it?”

As they walked the same path together, sharing a quiet stretch of time, Deculein asked, "Was the regression bearable for you?"

A question she had heard too many times before—from Yulie, from Ellie, from Delic, and even from Sylvia.

“Hmm...” Epherene muttered as she gave it some thought, then shook her head. “... No, not really.”

Puffing out her cheeks, Epherene answered.

"I thought I’d die from how hard it was. Just thinking about it makes me want to cry. All I had was your promise—that you'd come back. So I waited. I kept running, believing in that one promise, and I waited. Two whole years. And for those two years, I went through hell. But when I said I’m about to commit suicide, instead of comfort, you called me pathetic..."

It was something Epherene had carried on her own for longer than she could ever say.