How a Villain Defies Destiny Chapter 137

Fenrir’s mouth curled into a proud smile for some reason as he spoke.

 

Just like an uncle who looks fondly at his nephew who has just taken his first steps.

 

“If anyone saw us, they’d think I raised you on my back.”

 

Although I hadn’t known Fenrir as long as Endymion or Yves, it seemed he had grown attached to me in that short time.

 

“Though I think he also sees me as a shameless troublemaker who goes too far.”

 

I was lost in thought for a moment, then tried to respond appropriately to Fenrir.

 

“More importantly, when are you going to tell us the new plan?”

 

Just then, Endymion changed the subject. He probably wanted to avoid Fenrir’s endless rambling once it started.

 

Fortunately, Fenrir seemed more curious about a new way to get Selene out of prison than about magic, so instead of scolding Endymion who interrupted, he looked at me with curious eyes.

 

Thanks to Endymion’s assist, I was able to quickly get to the point and began explaining the plan I had just hastily revised.

 

“Actually, I have a backup plan in case the first one fails. But it’s a bit extreme.”

 

[What on earth is that?]

 

“We’ll work together to break Selene out of prison.”

 

[What?]

 

I said it with a casual tone as if asking what was for lunch today, and Fenrir replied in disbelief.

 

“Did you just say we’re going to break Selene out of prison?”

 

Endymion double-checked the plan.

 

“…”

 

Yves was silent, furrowing his brows deeply.

 

Only the sound of leaves fluttering in the wind filled the air, then Fenrir’s voice broke the awkward silence.

 

[Are you out of your mind?]

 

It was quite the contrast to the warm look he had been giving me earlier.

 

His pale blue eyes, now completely devoid of any warmth, were filled only with disbelief.

 

“Yes. I’m perfectly sane.”

 

In contrast, I maintained a consistent attitude.

 

I had already anticipated pushback and had planned how to steer the conversation afterward.

 

“I’m not really in a position to say this, but have you considered the consequences of breaking Selene out of prison?”

 

What was somewhat surprising was that it wasn’t Yves who responded to Fenrir’s challenge, but Endymion.

 

Still, since the content was similar to what I expected, I was able to answer without much difficulty.

 

“Well, if things go wrong, we could be labeled accomplices and placed on a wanted list.”

 

[Even knowing that, you still want to break a criminal out of prison?]

 

Fenrir seemed unable to accept it and kept firing questions.

 

‘Of course, this was within my expected range.’

 

I didn’t flinch under his intense interrogation and answered without hesitation.

 

“What I mentioned earlier is only the worst-case scenario. If it’s later proven beyond doubt that Selene is innocent, everything will be resolved.”

 

In other words, it could cause a big problem at first, but I didn’t bother mentioning that.

 

‘It’s all about how you say it!’

 

Perhaps because of my careful framing, Fenrir stopped pressing that point.

 

That didn’t mean he agreed with the plan to break Selene out, though.

 

[If you’re so sure she’s innocent, why not just wait for the trial to end?]

 

It was a fair opinion.

 

If Selene’s innocence could be proven in court, there would be no need to commit a crime. But I had a reason why I couldn’t just wait.

 

“I… think this problem is a race against time.”

 

The greatest challenge we currently face is Nanna, the god who governs the moon and time.

 

In other words, time is not on our side.

 

Even though the gods had a pact and couldn’t interfere directly, no one knew when Selene might suddenly revert.

 

“Based on the gathered information, Selene’s reversion is closer to a natural phenomenon that happens when certain conditions are met or unmet, rather than being the will of Nanna.”

 

Still, I couldn’t bring myself to say this in front of Fenrir, who still respected the gods, so I hesitated. Then Yves, who had been silent until now, spoke up.

 

“…So?”

 

“Hm?”

 

“So how exactly are you going to get the Saint Lady out?”

 

Surprisingly, Yves, whom I thought would resist the most, seemed the quickest to accept it.

 

‘Or maybe he just decided he couldn’t break my stubbornness and gave up quickly.’

 

I calmly looked around at Yves, who met my gaze evenly; Fenrir, who still wasn’t convinced; and Endymion, who wore a complex expression. 

 

Then I explained steadily, “The plan is simple. We break through by force.”

 

No sooner had I finished speaking than Endymion pressed his palm to his forehead.

 

“Are you joking?”

 

“Not at all. I’m always serious.”

 

When I answered in a voice without a hint of wavering, Endymion, who seemed to have a lot to say, parted his lips but then let out a dry sigh.

 

He looked disappointed as if he had been led to expect some hidden trick but the proposed method was basically a planless brute force.

 

‘Well, it can’t be helped.’

 

After all, the plan I made wasn’t meant to satisfy anyone else.

 

My top priority was solving the reversion; everything else could be dealt with later.

 

So from others’ perspectives, it probably just looked like I was pushing ahead recklessly.

 

“…I have no other choice anyway, so I’ll go along with your idea.”

 

But Endymion, who also seemed to lack better alternatives, reluctantly agreed in the end.

 

“And Fenrir?”

 

[Are they trying to force me to agree now that they’ve been convinced?]

 

“Not at all. Besides, you’re not someone who can be forced.”

 

[Well, that’s true. I’m not exactly thrilled about it, but since I owe you, I’ll help.]

 

Honestly, I thought Fenrir might oppose until the very end, but it seemed my significant role in saving Huluppu helped a lot.

 

Although we had to revise the plan due to the unexpected opposition from the Pope, we reached an agreement quite smoothly considering that.

 

‘We barely got through that hurdle.’

 

I was glad we could wrap things up somehow.

 

“Shall we end the strategy meeting here for now?”

 

[There wasn’t really anything worthy of calling a strategy in this conversation just now…]

 

Fenrir’s comment was very reasonable, but I turned my head slightly and pretended not to hear.

 

I still had something to say to Endymion.

 

“Endymion, do you have a magic device to block sound?”

 

“I do have one… What’s up?”

 

“There’s something I want to ask.”

 

“To me?”

 

Endymion’s curious gaze shifted not to me but to Yves beside me.

 

It looked like he was worried Yves might get jealous.

 

My gaze naturally followed toward Yves as well. I didn’t think Yves would get jealous just because Endymion and I talked alone briefly, but I figured he might be curious about the topic.

 

“I’ll tell Yves separately later.”

 

“Understood.”

 

Yves gave a straightforward reply.

 

“If you’re okay with it, then excuse me for a moment.”

 

Endymion shrugged lightly in front of Yves, asked my permission, and grabbed my wrist.

 

“Can I speak now?”

 

“Go ahead.”

 

After confirming the magic device’s effect was active, I cut straight to the point.

 

“When will you reveal it to Selene?”

 

“Reveal what?”

 

“It’s about Endymion regaining his memories.”

 

When he confided this secret to me, he said he had once subtly brought up the story that appeared in Selene’s dreams.

 

‘At that time, Selene pretended not to know.’

 

Honestly, I hadn’t paid much attention after that.

 

I thought she would reveal it on her own sooner or later, even if I didn’t get involved.

 

But judging by what happened during the Huluppu incident, contrary to my guess, Selene still seemed unaware of Endymion’s secret.

 

That’s why, before breaking Selene out, I asked Endymion just to confirm.

 

How long does he plan to keep it hidden?

 

“Wouldn’t it be better to be honest? It might help Selene more.”

 

After I pressed him repeatedly, the silent Endymion finally spoke slowly.

 

 “…There’s one thing I worry about.”

 

“What is it?”

 

“If Selene finds out I’ve recalled my past memories, she will definitely…”

 

He trailed off hesitantly.

 

Usually smooth and sly, he was unusually avoiding my gaze, so I waited without pushing further.

 

After a long silence, carefully choosing his words, Endymion said one very concise thing.

 

“She will be sad.”

 

It was an unexpected answer.

 

I had expected Selene to be happy if Endymion recovered his pre-reversion memories.

 

“Why?”

 

“Because Selene must still feel guilty. She’s that kind of person.”