Reborn As The Villain-Chapter 320: SS : In the Shadow of Giants, She Follows

Many people lost their families in the "War against the Tyrants", which was the two year-long battle between all the major sects and the two tyrants—Ko and Funiji. Though it didn't last long, the war had devastating impact on the martial society as a whole.

The tyrants were seen as a threat and had to be eliminated to preserve the rich history that all the clans had preserved for thousands of years.

New ideologies that come from outsiders not educated on tradition, tend to clash with the same people educated on that tradition. As such, they tried to preserve their history even if it meant sacrificing their lives. That was their reason but the tyrants had a different reason for invading the nations that had remained peaceful for up to a century.

That was the idea but the result was obvious—

Kairi sat in the audience seats, her expression blank as her gaze followed the matches below. The arena buzzed with energy, yet she felt detached, as if the excitement couldn't reach her.

She clenched her hands in her lap, trying to suppress the heaviness in her chest. Watching others display their overwhelming power only deepened the void inside her—a longing she could never shake. She dreamed of standing in the arena one day, not as a mere observer, but as a martial who could make the crowd roar with awe. She wanted to be the kind of person whose name alone could inspire fear and respect, someone others would remember.

Kairi had trained for years, pouring herself into every technique, every form, yet she felt as though she were climbing a mountain that grew taller with every step she took. Her strength, though improved, was leagues behind the people she watched now. The thought clawed at her—what was all her effort for if she could never reach the heights they stood upon?

Is her purpose in life truly just to serve the strong forever? Or will she eventually find a path she could follow towards strength.

Shaking her head, she turned her focus to the matches below. She was here today to show Arnold support. Having a shadow over her face will benefit no one.

Despite some initial conflicts in the roster—due to the sudden shift to two-on-one setups for certain rounds—the tournament proceeded smoothly.

Her thoughts drifted, circling back to yesterday's matches.

She thought about Arnold's actions which left a lasting impression on her. She recalled the mounting tension among the spectators during his matches; at one point, it seemed inevitable that he would lose, being pit against multiple skilled opponents. But Arnold had crushed them all with unnerving ease whilst studying them and learning from them. This got him a reaction out of the crowd that Kairi so wished to experience one day herself.

Martials often observed their opponents during combat, seeking weaknesses to exploit. But Arnold's approach was different—it wasn't about gaining the upper hand. He studied his opponents as if each of their techniques was a puzzle to solve, a piece of foreign knowledge he was eager to absorb. By the end of one match, he had conjured energy shields—an ability he'd apparently learned on the spot, mimicking the techniques of a rival martial.

A rumor started going around that he has some kind of copy technique, something they associate with the mythical "evil" magicians.

This display had unsettled the other competitors. Watching Arnold adapt so rapidly, as if their martial arts were mere stepping stones for his growth, left them hesitant to use their most prized techniques. It was as though they feared becoming unwilling teachers, their family techniques—which they spent years honing—laid bare before a man who could replicate and perfect them within minutes.

No one like Arnold had ever entered the tournament before. His uncanny ability to understand and master new skills frightened the martials but thrilled the crowd. Commoners and nobles alike cheered, mesmerized by his genius. For the audience, he was a prodigy whose brilliance turned the matches into performances they'd speak of for years.

It wasn't just the crowds who noticed Arnold's talent. Kairi could see the subtle glances and hear the whispered conversations among the nobles seated in the private boxes. No doubt, secret dealings were definitely underway. A man of Arnold's strength and talent wouldn't be content with gold, she knew. The nobles would need a more strategic approach—alliances, perhaps, or promises of power and influence.

They already know he wants to become an Inner Martial but Ko Johun won't just let that happen without him proving himself first—which is what the tournament is for.

She had no idea what Lian did to get a man like that to side with them, a people who lost everything and sought refuge under the strong with nothing but their hope to keep them going. The chief seemed to know but probably didn't know the specifics. Even if he did know, he wouldn't share it with others given the risk that comes with obtaining that knowledge—execution. No incident like this has happened but Lian was clearly warned by Ko Johun not to reveal it to anyone else.

Is that knowledge truly enough to win Arnold over?

It wouldn't be surprising if a man of his power turned his back on the whole village and the surviving imperials.

Kairi looked at Lian who was sitting next to her. Naturally as a servant, she had to attend to Lian during the day so the two stuck together most of the time. Lian is rarely at the village unless she's on break from work so Kairi hasn't attended to her much.

Lian told her and Liwei that Arnold was really vague about how he'll help but that princess Kohana was needed "when everything is over". After everything goes well—the tournament, getting the book—he'll take the two somewhere. Presumably where a powerful army led by a great general hide, no doubt. But this brings up the question: why did this general or martial not step in to help? He or she could've ruled over the ashes after killing the two tyrants.

Kairi hates being in the dark about these sorts of things. It's just like when she first arrived in the village. She felt isolated from the rest, not just because her name was foreign to these people but because she came from a different country that was touched by tyrannical hands.

Even after reducing her home to ashes, Ko Johun and Funiji Kaijin showed no interest in rebuilding or ruling the kingdoms they had destroyed. Instead, they chose to govern nations that surrendered without resistance, avoiding the need for further conflict.

Kairi was livid. They trampled on her people as if it was an ant hill being stepped on. Just like the ants are helpless against the giant's boots, her people couldn't fight back.

This hatred wasn't hers alone. She knew there were others silently praying or joining in on the revolution for the two tyrants' downfall.

She wished for nothing more than to see them dead by the hands of an even more powerful martial.

That's all she could do—for she did not have the strength to do it herself.

But hopefully someday, she feels enlightenment...

"—And on the other side of the ring, we have Nova, the young lad who has become the most popular topic of the city!" the announcer welcomed Arnold onto the arena stage.

This chapt𝙚r is updated by freeωebnovēl.c૦m.

The girls around Kairi, Liwei included, swooned audibly.

"Ugh..."

Despite knowing they could never be with him, they still acted like fangirls chasing after the village hunk.

Over the course of the following matches, everyone only seemed to care if Arnold was up against the martials. If he wasn't on either side, the audience would lose interest and walk away.

As mentioned earlier, the martials were hesitant to use their martial arts around him so it made the fights a bit frustrating since they were so cowardice. Arnold didn't use his martial arts once, choosing to bait his opponents.

...

Later that day—

Arnold rummaged through the locker, the faint clang of metal echoing in the empty hall. He didn't glance up as Lian, Liwei, and Kairi approached. As usual, all three were wearing yukatas and had their hair tied up neatly.

"Your match went just as expected," Lian remarked as a wry smile tugging at her lips.

He glanced at the three of them, not the least surprised it was them who came up to him.

"I'm clawing my way through the bottom of the barrel," Arnold replied, pulling off his sweat-soaked shirt and tossing it into the locker. "None of these fights are fun for me. The only payoff is what those trash can teach me."

'Of course, he'd say that,' Lian thought, her smile twitching.

Deep within, impatience crept its way up his soul. But it wasn't noticeable to him yet.

Liwei stepped forward, holding a neatly folded bag. "You still have one match left for today's roster, so we brought you clean clothes, Lord Arnold. Please forgive us for not doing so yesterday."

Arnold took the bag with a nod, then his attention shifting back to Lian. "How are the preparations coming along? You were out of the room before sunrise. Did that have something to do with—"

"They needed me to check the chemicals for the explosion," Lian replied instantly. "We can't risk the blast taking out an entire district. The damage needs to be contained—limited to just light poles, windows, and the carts we're using."

Arnold raised an eyebrow. "So, a calculated explosion. You want it to look devastating from a distance while keeping the actual damage small. Right?"

"Exactly," Lian nodded. "As an alchemist, I'd be a laughingstock if I couldn't manage something that basic. The real challenge is avoiding suspicion. Buying too many wagons could make us give ourselves away."

High-tier Illusion magic would be way easier but seeing as how magicians are non-existent in this city or the majority of the continent probably, that isn't an option. Arnold still had those scrolls he got from the undead merchant that allows you to cast any spell so they could work. However, they were one-use and he had no way of reproducing them. Yet another reason why he needs to get the scroll crafting method from Mr. Merchant.

"Sounds like you've got everything handled," Arnold threw a towel over his shoulder.

If Lian was confident in her own skills then he had no reason to butt in. If it was necessary, he'd help her to the best of his ability since they were helping him get the book. He couldn't help but wonder how Ko Johun will react once everything is over.

Will he kill everyone he suspects of being a resistance fighter? Kohana and Rasuke... if it's found out they're communicating with Lian, all three will be executed. No, Lian might survive since she had one use aside from being the greatest doctor and alchemist in existence.

Of course, all of this won't happen if Kohana manages to convince a certain personage to aid her country.

Arnold finished what he was going to say:

"I'll leave it to you. Just don't forget—you're teaching me how to imitate Funiji Kaijin tonight."

"Yes, I will do my best."

Lian had met Funiji a few times. The two tyrants often met up in the middle of the battlefield, sharing a feast and wine before they clashed once their stomachs were full. It's a tradition here to fight on a full stomach. Naturally, Lian stood by Ko's side during this kind of audience.

And yes, it's also a tradition to share a meal with the one you are going to fight.

Lian studied Funiji during all those times she's met him. As someone who is confident in her judge of character, she wanted to help Arnold get the "Tyrant Act" just right.

She was curious how he'll do once the time comes for him to adopt the persona of a warlord tyrant.