How a Villain Defies Destiny Chapter 114

It seemed the problem was that I had approached Fenrir to show him the bracelet.

 

“Do you have any idea how my heart dropped when Laura almost touched those flames—flames that won’t go out even with water or divine power?”

 

Like a stone thrown into a calm lake, ripples stirred in those silver eyes looking down at me.

 

Under normal circumstances, I would have explained why I did what I did, but faced with Yves Leblanc’s worried gaze, I couldn’t bring myself to utter any excuse.

 

After all, until just moments ago, I had also been sick with worry, thinking something terrible had happened to Yves. I understood exactly how he felt.

 

“I’m sorr—”

 

So I was about to apologize frankly, but before the sentence could even finish, an irritated voice slammed into my mind.

 

[What the hell are you two doing right now?!]

 

It was Fenrir, who, despite having regained his senses, had been thrashing around violently.

 

Only then did I realize we had been lost in our own little world for far too long. I gave an awkward laugh and asked,

 

“Lord Fenrir, have you calmed down a bit now?”

 

[Yeah. Watching the two of you, I was so dumbfounded that my boiling rage just fizzled out.]

 

“Well, that’s a relief.”

 

When Yves replied with a subtly mocking tone, wrinkles formed on Fenrir’s nose.

 

‘Is he insane?’

 

Horrified by Yves picking a fight with Fenrir, whom we had just barely managed to calm down, I grabbed his hand tightly and shot him a look.

 

A silent plea: Don’t say anything unnecessary to provoke Fenrir.

 

In response, Yves reluctantly nodded as if to say he understood.

 

Though the way only one corner of his mouth twisted upward made it clear he wasn’t happy about it.

 

Worried I might have upset Fenrir—whose nerves were already frayed over the Huluppu situation—I quickly changed the subject.

 

“Lord Fenrir, it seems our conversation might take a while. Why don’t we start by shrinking your size?”

 

[Fine… understood.]

 

Fortunately, Fenrir seemed to agree that checking on Huluppu’s safety took priority, and he readily complied with my request.

 

Like a flame being extinguished, hazy smoke billowed up, and soon after, Fenrir’s massive frame returned to its original size.

 

One by one, the sacred objects that had been restraining him fell away, and at the same time, I was reminded of the beings I had momentarily forgotten while dealing with Yves and Fenrir.

 

The seven high priests, Xenon, Endymion, and Selene—all watching us with eyes filled with varied emotions.

 

[Laura, how’s Huluppu? Is he alright?]

 

But Fenrir, oblivious—or rather, indifferent to everyone else—ignored the awkward atmosphere and cut straight to the point.

 

“Uh…”

 

I hadn’t yet had the chance to examine Huluppu’s condition in detail, so I needed to ask for patience, but the others’ stares were too distracting.

 

Though they all seemed hesitant to speak up, likely wary of Fenrir’s temper, the intensity of their gazes was almost laser-like, as if they had a lot to say.

 

“Ah, um… Just a moment.”

 

But I, too, wanted to check on Huluppu first rather than explaining the situation to the seven high priests, so I avoided their stares and examined the bracelet.

 

‘The energy I sense from the bracelet seems clearer than before… But is this really it?’

 

Truthfully, I wasn’t certain that what I detected was Huluppu’s divine power.

 

From the start, before the bracelet took shape, I hadn’t sensed anything from Huluppu’s branch.

 

‘But when I channeled my divine energy into it, I felt a faint connection, as if something linked.’

 

Moreover, on the way here, Endymion had said that the bracelet—which could be considered a part of Huluppu—maintaining its form without any changes was proof that he was still alive. 

 

So, I had simply assumed this sensation was divine power.

 

[Huluppu, can you hear me? Say something, anything.]

 

As I remained silent, lost in thought, Fenrir, seemingly having reached the limit of his patience, suddenly spoke to the bracelet.

 

But there was no response. Noticing his expression darken further, I cautiously broke the silence.

 

“Fenrir, sir, I think the energy from the bracelet feels stronger than before.”

 

[Really? Ugh… Strangely, I can’t sense Huluppu’s divine power from that bracelet.]

 

Fenrir’s ears drooped pitifully, like a drenched puppy, as he lamented.

 

[I could definitely feel it earlier when the light shone from it.]

 

Then, a faint, buzzing vibration reached us.

 

Almost as if it were reassuring us—I’m fine, don’t worry too much.

 

[Huluppu!]

 

“Huluppu, sir?”

 

Fenrir and I called out simultaneously, but the bracelet fell silent again.

 

[Hmm… Communication seems impossible, but the energy I felt just now was undoubtedly Huluppu’s divine power.]

 

What a relief.

 

Though I hadn’t shown it, a small part of me had been worried that I might have been mistaken all along. But thanks to Fenrir’s firm conviction, my unease completely faded.

 

I shifted my gaze toward Selene, trembling in Endymion’s arms, her face pale with fear.

 

‘Looking at how terrified she seems, it doesn’t appear to be an act.’

 

Most couldn’t tell because she wore such a thick mask, but I could see through it clearly.

 

Last night, observing her through the screen, I had managed to grasp the subtle signs of her true emotions.

 

“Fenrir, sir, first, promise me one thing.”

 

[What? What nonsense are you spouting now?]

 

“No matter what is discussed in our upcoming conversation, don’t lose control like you did earlier.”

 

The sentence carried multiple implied meanings, but Fenrir immediately grasped its intent and sharply lifted his head.

 

The direction his cold, pale blue eyes turned to was, of course, Selene.

 

“Let’s stay calm and respond rationally. Understood?”

 

Fenrir bared his sharp teeth and growled, seemingly irritated by my repeated questions.

 

“What matters now is restoring Huluppu! Right?”

 

I urgently called out, fearing Fenrir might harm Selene in his anger.

 

At that, he clicked his tongue lightly and reluctantly reined in his aggression.

 

‘Finally, we can have a proper conversation.’

 

No matter what, restoring Huluppu to his original state absolutely required Selene’s cooperation, as she had absorbed his divine power.

 

Ignoring the hostile glares from the high priests, I turned to Selene and spoke.

 

“Can you explain in detail what happened from your perspective?”

 

She flinched, as if she hadn’t expected the conversation to turn to her, and hastily replied,

 

“I just sensed something unusual from the divine tree and purified it, that’s all!”

 

Her expression was pleading, and no trace of deceit could be found in her words.

 

“What exactly did you sense that was unusual?”

 

“W-well…”

 

[If you don’t answer properly, I’ll make sure you regret it—just short of killing you.]

 

As Selene hesitated, Fenrir unsheathed his sharp claws in a silent threat.

 

“Fenrir, we agreed to have a rational conversation, remember?”

 

[Hmph. I’m being perfectly rational. If I weren’t, I wouldn’t have spared her life in the first place.]

 

I wished he would just stay quiet, but understanding his frustration, I gently asked him to tone it down.

 

[Tsk. If she answers honestly, I won’t lose my temper for no reason.]

 

“Alright. Then let me ask again—can you honestly tell us about the unusual energy you sensed?”

 

“I felt a strange gaze. Even though no one was there, it felt like someone was watching me. So I used my ability to check.”

 

When they used divine power, a faint light appeared on the ground, and following it led them to the divine tree.

 

“Isn’t your unique ability to turn back time? Can you also do things like tracking?”

 

“Turning back time is my specialty, but after trying various things, I found it can be used in many ways—like creating barriers or sensing specific energies around me.”

 

Whether Fenrir’s intimidation worked or not, Selene, who had been hesitating, soon began explaining in detail.

 

“But why did you go out of your way to absorb divine power?”

 

“What are you talking about? I only purified it because I sensed an unusual energy. I’ve never absorbed divine power!”

 

Her sky-blue eyes trembled slightly.

 

Someone who didn’t know Selene well might think she was lying now, but I could tell.

 

In fact, when she acts, her tone, expressions, and movements are all smooth and natural.

 

‘Has Selene been purifying things all this time without knowing how it works?’