How a Villain Defies Destiny – Chapter 115

Author: Nikss

That was a reasonable assumption.

Even Selene, who had repeated regressions, was highly unlikely to know that the cause of the curse was the excessive divine power too immense for a human body to withstand.

‘In the game, it was only explained to the player through narration and passed over.’

After all, it was something even Huluppu, who claimed to watch over all the affairs of the world, didn’t know.

‘Besides, purifying the curse doesn’t require any special ability or power.’

Of course, certain conditions had to be met, but the most crucial factors were the person’s will and the god’s permission.

‘Just look at what happened earlier—all I did was pray earnestly.’

Even transferring Yves’ divine power, which I had possessed, to Huluppu didn’t require elaborate magic circles or incantations like in typical fantasy novels—it happened with just a thought.

Selene might have also been ignorant of the principles behind curses and purification, simply thinking, ‘I’ll purify the curse.’

The problem was that, until now, the only curses she had ever purified were those afflicting the romanceable targets.

‘The curses on the romanceable targets only disappear after their physical divine power is removed.’

So, if she had attempted to “purify” Huluppu with the same mindset, she might have unintentionally caused this situation—something she never wanted.

That’s why, instead of pressing her on whether she truly hadn’t known, I decided to ask a different question.

“I understand. I’ll let that part go for now. More importantly—”

If only Fenrir hadn’t fiercely objected.

[This is absurd! Anyone can see it’s a lie. And you’re just going to let it slide?]

I tried to calm Fenrir, who was snarling and leaping in place.

“Not ‘letting it slide,’ but conversations have an order. Isn’t it better to go step by step from the beginning?”

[Why waste time listening to excuses when the evidence is right in front of us?]

“It’s possible things happened without her realizing.”

I defended Selene’s position to placate Fenrir, but he scoffed mockingly.

[Hah. Ridiculous. All I hear are lies.]

I could sense strong conviction in his grumbling tone, so I asked why he was so sure.

“Why are you so certain it’s a lie?”

[First of all, it’s strange that she called Huluppu’s divine power an ‘alien energy.’ Laura, have you ever once felt anything unusual about Huluppu’s divine power?]

“Hmm…”

If I answered his question honestly, I had a feeling it would only muddy the conversation.

‘But then again, I can’t just tell a lie that’ll be exposed right away.’

After a brief hesitation, I decided to be straightforward.

“Actually… I’m not very good at sensing divine power.”

It was closer to ‘not at all’ rather than ‘not very,’ making me feel like I was lying, but since the key point was still ‘can’t,’ I didn’t correct myself and continued.

“The same goes for holy power and mana.”

I’d heard that people with sharp senses could often detect the mana radiating from magical tools or spirit stones, but for me, divine power was out of the question—I could barely even notice holy power or mana.

‘Back when Yves Leblanc directly channeled it into my body, I could barely feel it then.’

So, from my perspective, I couldn’t understand Fenrir at all for suspecting Selene just because she referred to the divine power as an ‘alien energy.’

[What? Seriously?]

I had expected him to be somewhat baffled by my honest answer, but his reaction was even more intense than I’d anticipated.

[That’s strange. How can you not sense divine power?]

Fenrir’s expression had shifted from suspicion and anger toward Selene to disbelief and bewilderment directed at me.

It was as if he was thinking, ‘How can you be alive and yet claim you can’t breathe?’

[Even if it’s just a tiny amount, you clearly have divine power—how is this possible?]

Fenrir kept muttering about how strange it was while scrutinizing me closely.

So close that I could practically feel his breath.

Uncomfortable under the piercing gaze of his icy-blue eyes, I took a subtle step back and calmly replied,

“Maybe it’s because the amount I have is too small? Just like with holy power or mana, some people can sense it while others can’t.”

Especially since such traits were often innate rather than something acquired through effort—like Selene, who could wield both divine power and holy power.

‘On the other hand, the Laura I’ve possessed must just be constitutionally insensitive to it.’

Just as I was making that assumption to myself, Fenrir firmly denied it.

[Divine power is different. It’s a force that doesn’t naturally exist in the mortal world, so ordinary humans—]

“Alright, I get it.”

I quickly cut Fenrir off before he could continue.

If I let him go on, it would’ve dragged on endlessly.

“More importantly, is there any other reason?”

[For what?]

Perhaps my statement had been too shocking, because Fenrir seemed to have completely forgotten the earlier conversation.

“The reason you believe Selene deliberately absorbed Huluppu’s divine power and is lying about it.”

Once I reminded him of the main point, he clicked his tongue lightly and presented another argument.

[She keeps insisting she never absorbed any divine power, even though an enormous amount was transferred to her all at once!]

That was a fairly convincing point.

If, as Fenrir had just said, those who possess divine power can instinctively sense it, then Selene should have noticed the sudden surge in her own power.

“Selene, I’m going to ask you again—please tell me the truth.”

Lowering my voice, I spoke with a serious expression.

“Did you know Huluppu’s divine power had transferred to you?”

“…Yes.”

Her eyelids fluttering nervously, Selene hesitated before finally admitting.

[See? I told you she was lying!]

“N-no, it’s different! I really only purified it! I don’t know why the divine power stored in the sacred tree ended up inside me!”

As Fenrir shouted, Selene frantically waved her hands in denial.

[Then why did you say earlier that you never absorbed any?]

“It was such a sudden situation—those words just slipped out without me realizing! I truly never intended to do it. I can swear to the gods!”

Upon closely observing Selene’s eyes as she pleaded her innocence, I could be certain it wasn’t an act.

When Selene lied, she often relied on divine oaths and tears, but now her eyes were filled only with indignation and disbelief—there wasn’t even a trace of moisture.

‘Maybe she invoked a divine oath because Fenrir is a divine beast.’

She probably assumed that the more a being understood divine power, the more effective a divine oath would be.

[Since she even brought up an oath, does that mean she never intended to steal the divine power?]

Just as I guessed, Fenrir, who had been so distrustful of Selene, began to ease his aggression.

It seemed he, like most, didn’t question the absolute laws of the world.

‘Well, Selene is capable of false oaths too.’

But there was no need to add fuel to the fire, so I kept that fact to myself.

As the situation finally calmed, I asked the question I hadn’t been able to earlier because of Fenrir’s interference.

“More importantly, are you feeling alright?”

“Huh?”

Selene blinked in confusion, seemingly not understanding the intent behind the question.

‘She doesn’t seem to be showing any noticeable changes.’

I examined her condition and explained, “If a body holds more divine power than it can handle, side effects can occur.”

Selene, as if hearing this for the first time, tilted her head uncertainly but still checked herself over.

“R-Really?”

“In any case, since there don’t seem to be any issues, and the most important thing right now is restoring Huluppu, shall we continue the discussion?”

“Yes. Of course.”

“Just to be sure, I assume you fully intend to return Huluppu’s divine power?”

“Of course!”

Selene nodded vigorously, as if desperate to prove her innocence.

“Then please follow my instructions.”

“Okay!”

Originally, I had planned to go through things one by one while settling the situation, but after seeing Fenrir’s attitude, I adjusted my approach.

‘Unless we restore Huluppu to his original state, even the smallest detail will be endlessly scrutinized.’

So I decided to return the divine power to Huluppu first and deal with the remaining issues afterward.

[Wait, what are you suddenly trying to do?]

Once again, Fenrir intervened.

And this time, his question left me even more baffled.