How a Villain Defies Destiny Chapter 105

“Huh? Um, what about Fenrir?”  

 

[I just sent him outside for a bit. Laura, you don’t need to worry about him.]  

 

Though her lips curved smoothly, her eyes held no trace of a smile.  

 

‘Scary!’  

 

It struck me all over again—someone usually gentle like Huluppu is far more terrifying when angered than someone like Fenrir, who growls at every opportunity. Then, a booming voice echoed in my head.  

 

[Kicking me out without warning is too much!]  

 

The one who roared telepathically in fury was, unsurprisingly, Fenrir, who had dashed back in a flash, his white fur fluttering.  

 

[And forcing me out mid-conversation is downright unreasonable!]  

 

He made his displeasure clear, grumbling loudly, but Huluppu didn’t even blink, responding indifferently.  

 

[If anything, you came back too soon.]  

 

[Huh?]  

 

[I sent you out to cool your head with some fresh air… But judging by your heated tone, you haven’t calmed down yet. What do you say—want to step out again?]  

 

Her voice was soft, but the words themselves were anything but gentle.  

 

‘No… If anything, that sounded more like a thinly veiled threat.’  

 

Even Fenrir, who usually had zero tact, seemed to realize she wasn’t joking and instantly stifled the irritation radiating from his entire body.  

 

[Ahem, I’ve just cooled down, so it’s fine. More importantly, what were you all talking about while I was gone?]  

 

Finally realizing that prolonging this topic would only put him at a disadvantage, he awkwardly cleared his throat and changed the subject.  

 

[The matter about divine incarnations is settled, so it was about time for Laura to ask whatever she was curious about.]  

 

[Oh-ho, I see.]  

 

When Huluppu moved the conversation along without further complaint, Fenrir pretended to focus, nodding along while subtly letting out a sigh of relief.  

 

‘The more I see Fenrir, the more he seems like a little kid.’  

 

I stifled a laugh at the thought—one that would’ve made him flare up if he’d heard it—when suddenly, both Huluppu and Fenrir turned their gazes toward me.  

 

Their eyes seemed to urge me to hurry up and ask whatever I wanted.  

 

‘Now that I’m put on the spot, nothing comes to mind.’  

 

Most of my questions were about divine power anyway.  

 

And since that had already been explained earlier, there wasn’t anything else I was particularly curious about.  

 

“Well… um…”  

 

I was about to honestly admit I had nothing to ask, but the moment my eyes met Huluppu’s, the words stuck in my throat.

 

It was because I noticed a glimmer of anticipation shining in their bright, sparkling eyes, like sunlight dancing on a calm lake.  

 

‘Was our last conversation really that enjoyable for them?’

 

During my first meeting with Huluppu, I had bombarded them with endless questions, unintentionally putting them in an awkward position—or so I thought.  

 

Either way, under the weight of Huluppu’s intense gaze, I carefully began to speak.  

 

“Hmm, what do you think the purpose of the prophecy from the Seven Sovereign Gods might be?”  

 

The prophecy, which could be considered the prologue of the original story.  

 

The phrase—The Saintess, blessed by the gods, shall save the cursed—was, in a way, the starting point of everything. Yet, until today, I had never seriously pondered its meaning.  

 

Having read it so many times while playing the game, I had long stopped thinking deeply about it and simply accepted it as is.  

 

But today, while talking with Fenrir and Huluppu, I realized that everything happens for a reason, bound by cause and effect.  

 

Therefore, this prophecy must also hold a special purpose.  

 

‘Of course, it might simply be what it appears—a divine decree to help the descendants suffering under the gods’ power, with no hidden meaning.’ 

 

Yet, I had a feeling.  

 

Among the Seven Sovereign Gods, the fact that Selene—who received Nanna’s blessing—was caught in an endless regression couldn’t be without deeper reason.  

 

However, Fenrir and Huluppu didn’t seem to know much about the prophecy.  

 

[Well. Even we cannot fathom their will.]  

 

[After the Covenant, even I could no longer properly communicate with Lady Astarte. So I don’t know the exact reason behind the prophecy’s descent.]  

 

Though I couldn’t uncover the secrets of the prophecy, simply raising the question felt like a significant gain. For today, I decided to be satisfied with that.  

 

“I see.”  

 

With a composed nod, I prepared to end the conversation—when suddenly, Fenrir countered with a question of his own.  

 

[But why ask about the prophecy all of a sudden?]  

 

Perhaps the abrupt shift to the topic of the prophecy struck him as odd.  

 

Unable to reveal the full truth, I sidestepped the question vaguely.  

 

“Well, I’ve always asked things out of the blue, haven’t I?”  

 

It wasn’t entirely a lie, so I rationalized it in my mind and kept my expression neutral.  

 

[True. The thoughts in your head do tend to wander unpredictably.]  

 

Fortunately, Fenrir seemed to accept this without much suspicion.  

 

Having glimpsed the chaotic flow of my consciousness before, he likely found it easy to believe.  

 

‘Who knew having my thoughts read before my divine awakening would come in handy like this.’

 

Just as he was about to relax, relieved that no unnecessary fault had been found with him and that things had passed safely—  

 

[Laura, are you perhaps troubled by the Saintess matter?]  

 

Huluppu suddenly posed an unexpected question.  

 

“Huh?”  

 

[From what I’ve observed of your behavior so far, you didn’t seem interested in the position of Saintess, but has there been some change of heart?]  

 

It seemed my abrupt mention of the oracle had led to the misunderstanding that I wanted to become the Saintess.  

 

[If you do wish to become the Saintess, I’ll help you.]  

 

Even Fenrir joined in.  

 

I hurriedly denied it before the strange misunderstanding could grow.  

 

“No! I absolutely do not want to become the Saintess. I can even swear an oath to the gods.”  

 

[I’ve been curious since before—why do you hate the idea of becoming the Saintess so vehemently?]  

 

“Haven’t I said it before?”  

 

[Well, I’ve never heard it directly from you, only roughly through Xenon. Was it that you said you weren’t suited for the role of Saintess?]  

 

“That’s right. Officially, that’s the explanation I’ve been giving, but to be completely honest… it’s just a hassle.”  

 

[What?]  

 

“I want to live quietly and peacefully. But if I become the Saintess, I’ll be dragged around left and right regardless of my own will.”  

 

From the very beginning, I had believed Selene was the true Saintess, so I never once coveted the position. Moreover, I had been constantly on guard to prevent any possession-related clichés from occurring.  

 

‘After all, it’s a common trope for an unwillingly possessed character to take the heroine’s place.’  

 

Because of that, I had gone out of my way to avoid meeting any of the romanceable targets except Yves.  

 

Even coming to the Holy Kingdom was a choice to distance myself entirely from the original story, just in case.  

 

And now, as the situation was twisting strangely, I was still working hard to avoid becoming the Saintess.  

 

‘To further antagonize Riquea and Adhad, who already dislike me, I’ve been acting obnoxiously—without crossing the line of the social hierarchy. Meanwhile, with Xenon, who shows interest, I’ve been avoiding him to prevent any meetings from happening in the first place!’

 

Endymion was an exception, but since he was completely devoted to Selene, there was no need to worry even if we grew somewhat close.

 

[I knew you were unusual, but you’re far stranger than I thought.]  

 

Fenrir burst into a cheerful laugh, seemingly pleased with my answer.  

 

[You’re tempting, as expected. It’d be incredibly fun if you came to the Babylonian Empire with me.]  

 

Not giving up, he slyly suggested the trip to Babylon again, his voice dripping with reluctance.  

 

“No matter how many times you ask, my answer won’t change. Unless it’s absolutely unavoidable, I have no intention of going to the Babylonian Empire, so give it up.”  

 

[Tsk, you’re as stubborn as they come.]  

 

Fenrir clicked his tongue lightly, wearing a slightly exasperated expression.  

 

“A person should live with conviction. Anyway, to sum it up, I have no desire to become a Saintess, and I’ll most likely stay in the Holy Kingdom.”  

 

[I’d be happy if Laura stayed in the Holy Kingdom.]  

 

Huluppu smiled, looking thoroughly satisfied.  

 

[Still, if you ever need help, don’t hesitate to come to me. You never know how things will turn out. Who knows—if a Saintess is chosen later, and you’re kicked out of the apprentice priest position, you might end up coming to the Babylonian Empire after all.]  

 

Typical Fenrir—uttering a single sentence that could land him a mountain of debt.  

 

‘Clearly, he’s saying this out of concern for me, but it just sounds like a curse.’  

 

I’ve met people who blur the line between insults and compliments, but Fenrir is the first being whose words feel like a curse despite his obvious worry. It left me with a strangely complicated feeling.  

 

“Well, I’ll just gratefully accept the thought behind your concern.”