How a Villain Defies Destiny Chapter 125

It seemed as though just the right amount had been absorbed—enough for the curse to dissipate, leaving only what the body could handle at its limit.

 

‘Is this really possible?’

 

And it wasn’t even intentional—just a coincidence.

 

Then it suddenly occurred to me that perhaps it wasn’t due to me or Yves, but rather the will of the two gods connected to us.

 

‘There aren’t many beings capable of controlling divine power with such precision and perfection.’

 

Omitted. Stroking my chin, I was analyzing the abrupt turn of events when Yves grabbed my shoulder and asked in a concerned voice,

 

“Laura, are you feeling very dizzy? Would you like some water?”

 

“Huh? Ah, I’m fine.”

 

“Have you already forgotten how you said the same thing last time and nearly collapsed?”

 

Of course, I remembered.

 

Back then, thinking I was fine, I let my guard down—only to be hit by a delayed reaction, ending up sitting on Yves’ lap for the first time.

 

But unlike then, today I truly felt perfectly fine, so I confidently replied, “Today, I really am completely fine. I think my body has grown accustomed to absorbing divine power after taking in Huluppu and Selene’s energy.”

 

Originally, purifying curses wasn’t a difficult task.

 

Regardless of one’s innate abilities or the amount of divine power they possessed, all it took was a thought.

 

That was why, even in the early days of possession—when I didn’t yet understand what divine power truly was—I had been able to purify Yves’ curse.

 

In truth, completely purifying his curse had always been within my reach.

 

But every time, he refused.

 

Making excuses—that the scales on the back of his hand had been there for so long he was used to them, that they weren’t in a noticeable spot, so there was no rush.

 

I also had a rough idea of the real reason.

 

It was because I always struggled after absorbing his divine power.

 

As expected, Yves Leblanc placed his hand on my forehead to check my temperature, yet still seemed unable to relax.

 

“Just in case, you should rest a bit more.”

 

“Alright.”

 

Despite having insisted I was fine just moments ago, I decided to accept his suggestion.

 

Well, it’s not like I’m not already comfortably leaning against the headboard anyway. I figured that as long as I didn’t actually get up, Yves wouldn’t push the matter further, so I conceded without protest.

 

Letting my upper body relax as if settling back into bed, I subtly shifted the topic.

 

“More importantly, what about you, Yves? Do you feel anything unusual?”

 

“No, I’m fine as well.”

 

Once I confirmed he was also in good condition, I added, “For now, we should ask Huluppu about this.”

 

I was already thinking of visiting him anyway to report our encounter with the goddess Astarte, but Yves responded in a somewhat troubled tone.

 

“It might be difficult to speak with Huluppu.”

 

“Why is that?”

 

“According to Fenrir, though the divine power has safely returned, it will take more time for him to fully recover.”

 

The sudden transfer of divine energy had strained the divine tree’s core.

 

As a result, to stabilize himself, Huluppu had entered a deep slumber, akin to hibernation. Being a being composed solely of divine power rather than a typical lifeform, the impact had been even greater.

 

I thought returning the divine energy would solve everything.

 

Though I was relieved to hear his life wasn’t in danger, my concern didn’t completely fade.

 

“Do we know when he’ll wake up?”

 

“No. Fenrir said even he couldn’t easily predict it.”

 

“I see. Where is Fenrir now?”

 

“He’s keeping watch over Huluppu.”

 

As I considered visiting them later, another question naturally came to mind.

 

“Oh, right—what happened to Huluppu’s true form?”

 

It was exactly where Huluppu was located. He mentioned that, being a tree, he couldn’t move from the spot where he had taken root.

 

The problem was that the place where I had transferred divine power happened to be the private prayer chamber of the Astarte Temple.

 

Given the urgency of the situation at the time, there was no other choice, but once I regained my senses, all sorts of worries flooded in.

 

“He didn’t take root inside the Astarte Temple, did you?”

 

“You don’t need to worry about that. He returned to his original spot and rooted there again. However…”

 

“However?”

 

Seeing him trail off made me anxious, wondering if something serious had happened. But fortunately, what came out of Yves Leblanc’s mouth wasn’t that grave.

 

“It might be because he’s still recovering, but his size has decreased somewhat.”

 

Huluppu, once praised as the World Tree, had been so massive that even a grown man with above-average height couldn’t wrap his arms around him fully. But now, he was said to be no different from an ordinary tree.

 

Phew, at least he didn’t take root in the temple. That’s a real relief.

 

If Huluppu had rooted and recovered in that spot, the Astarte Temple would undoubtedly have been half-destroyed.

 

Finally easing up, I asked another question I’d been holding back.

 

“What about Selene?”

 

“The Saintess… remains unchanged.”

 

There was a subtly awkward pause in his words.

 

Sensing something was off with Selene, I pressed further.

 

“Are you sure there were no other unusual signs or changes?”

 

“Yes. Unlike you, who collapsed, she was perfectly fine and has been the same as ever since.”

 

“Then why did you hesitate earlier?”

 

“You must have misheard.”

 

Though neither Yves Leblanc’s gaze nor his voice showed any wavering, once doubt took hold, it wasn’t easy to shake off.

 

“You were clearly about to say something else before changing your mind, weren’t you?”

 

“…”

 

“It’s not that I don’t trust Yves, but something unexpected might have happened, so I should go check on him later.”

 

Seeing my resolute attitude, Yves seemed to realize he couldn’t stop me and reluctantly spoke after a pause.

 

“…She is currently imprisoned.”

 

“Imprisoned? Why?” I asked, baffled.

 

I couldn’t understand why they would lock her up after even reviving Huluppu.

 

“It’s because of you, Laura—because you collapsed.”

 

“What?”

 

“The charge is that she attempted to harm the Saint Candidate, following the incident with the Divine Tree.”

 

“That’s absurd!” I raised my voice in disbelief.

 

After all, I was the one who had suggested speaking with her alone in the first place. Not to mention, those present at the time had at least a rough idea of what had happened.

“Did no one object? Everyone knows Selene didn’t attack me.”

 

At that, Yves’s usually gentle eyes sharpened in an instant.

 

“Frankly, I wasn’t entirely convinced that the young Saint meant you no harm.”

 

Since our conversation inside the private prayer room couldn’t be heard from outside, he argued that Selene’s testimony alone couldn’t be trusted.

 

“There was always the possibility that she changed her mind mid-conversation and tried to kill you.”

 

Most others also found Yves’s reasoning more plausible than Selene’s claims, leading to the agreement to keep her imprisoned until I woke—ostensibly to isolate her from contacting others until her true intentions could be confirmed.

 

‘I guess this is what they call reaping what you sow.’

 

They say karma comes around. What happened at the Laurus estate must have left Yves with deep distrust.

 

“There’s no need to worry too much. It’s called a prison, but it’s more like a private prayer room.”

 

Even so, a rebuttal rose to the tip of his tongue—Was it really necessary to lock up an innocent person?—but he forced it back down.

 

When he thought about it, this was simply Selene receiving the same treatment she had once inflicted on others.

 

“Where is the prison?”

 

“You’re not thinking of going there, are you?”

 

“Of course. I can’t just leave her there.”

 

“That’s impossible right now.”

 

“Why?”

 

“Because until the charges against the Saintess are fully resolved, no one is permitted to make contact with her. Those are the orders.”

 

“Whose orders?”

 

“His Holiness, the Pope.”

 

That was unexpected. I had assumed the gentle Pope would have been more inclined to protect Selene.

 

“Was this not a decision made after a council’s deliberation? Truly just the Pope’s unilateral command?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Hmm… But if permission is granted, visitation would still be allowed, right?”

 

“I doubt it. His Holiness has never once reversed a command he has given.”

 

“I’m not asking for her immediate release, just a brief conversation. Would even that be impossible?”

 

“Laura, you were saying the same thing in the private prayer room before you lost consciousness.”

 

“…”

 

She had no rebuttal. Because it was undeniably true.

 

‘Is this my karma too?’

 

Still, she had no intention of obediently accepting it without question.

 

There were far too many unresolved matters between her and Selene—piled up like a mountain.