How a Villain Defies Destiny Chapter 58

 

This meant that if I made a move before asking for support, I would most likely regress before I saw the ending.

 

‘What if we’ve already gone back?’

 

With that thought in mind, I continued walking diligently, and soon the group at the entrance to the temple came into view.

 

It was Endymion, Adhad, and Riqueia xwith Selene.

 

As I got closer to them, I could hear their voices.

 

For some reason, Syris was next to Selene.

 

‘I wonder what she’s doing there.’

 

The question was quickly answered.

 

Selene’s voice gradually became audible.

 

“Poor thing. Are you hurt? I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you.”

 

It was a familiar line, a similar composition.

 

‘It’s like a scene from a real illustration, except the child Selene is holding isn’t Syris.’ 

 

In the game, Selene said that line after grabbing a surviving boy from the ruins.

 

“I’m so, so sorry I didn’t come sooner… for putting you through this… for the pain… I’m sorry.”

It was almost the exact same line.

 

‘How many times have you said that?’ 

 

Thinking of Selene, who must have seen the devastation so many times that it was an automatic reflex, I suddenly felt sorry for her.

 

There were no casualties this time, but Selene must have seen the bodies of dead and mutilated people crushed under piles of buildings in countless regressions.

 

‘No wonder, she’s losing her mind.’ 

 

I wasn’t usually one to sympathize, but as I watched her cling to Syris, tears streaming down her face, I found myself feeling sorry for her.

 

‘Of course, I’m sure that’s just an act.’

 

Selene’s face glowed around her, thanks to the fact that she’d managed to keep her lines straight.

 

‘This definitely doesn’t look like the illustrations.’ 

 

The game’s CG landscape had been daytime, but now it was dusk before dawn.

 

It matched the indigo-blue glow of Selene’s body.

 

‘If her powers are fully manifested, there will be no regression.’

 

I watched Selene with bated breath. The lights emanating from her body formed into blue butterflies and flew over the ruined city.

 

Just then, the sun rose over the horizon.

 

‘Wow, this is even better than the illustration.’

 

As the sky brightened, so did the blue butterflies, and slowly the buildings began to recover.

 

“Ah…”

 

Enheduane exclaimed. She, too, was mesmerized by the wondrous and beautiful sight.

 

As the sun fully rose and the darkness receded, so did Selene’s butterflies.

 

‘The man who was bemoaning the collapse of his house yesterday will be happy to see this.’

 

As I scanned the fully restored city, I locked eyes with Selene.

 

Selene’s eyes widen in genuine surprise as she looks at me, tears welling up in her eyes.

 

‘You look so freaked out that you have tears in your eyes.’

 

As Selene stared at me, the eyes of the other targets naturally turned to me.

 

Adhad was slightly surprised, but quickly returned to his expressionless face, while Riqueia exuded obvious hostility.

 

Beside them, Endymion…

 

‘Where are they looking?’ 

 

At first, I thought it was me, but the gaze was subtly deflected.

 

Or, more accurately, beside me?

 

“Why are Lady Selene and brother here?”

 

I turned my head and Yves was standing right next to me.

 

“Lord Leblanc, you’re up early.”

 

Enheduane, who had been in awe of Selene’s strength, greeted Yves with his usual smile.

 

“What can I do for you other than that?”

 

“Well, I’ve just gotten out of the news, and I’ve seen some pretty amazing things, but I haven’t figured out what’s going on yet.”

 

“Aah! Sister Laura!”

 

Syris, who was being held by Selene, spotted me and ran over.

 

As the child feigned familiarity with me, the entire group of Selene turned to look at me and Syris in surprise.

 

“Miss Syris, are you okay, what happened?”

 

“Before Sister Laura got here, I was going to explain the situation to her and ask her where the support was from, but she suddenly looked at me and burst into tears.”

 

The scene me and Enheduane saw was almost the beginning of the incident.

 

“I see, so what brings you here? I haven’t sent a support request yet.”

 

Enheduane asked with a sly grin, and Endymion, who had remained still, spoke up.

 

“Selene told me she had a vision, a fireball fell from the sky, the city was destroyed, and the people were in distress.”

 

“Hmm, that’s interesting. Do you think she has precognitive dreams because she’s a candidate for sainthood?”

 

“Why are you guys here? Did you guys do all that stuff about the town not having people?”

 

“That’s right.”

 

“From the looks of it, you didn’t seem to have any injuries. How did you do it?” 

 

“We were lucky, the temple’s binding is strong.”

 

Enheduane’s grin never faltered, and Endymion’s naturally virtuous retort was met with a steady bite as they continued their exploratory battle.

 

A battle of spears and shields, as it were!

 

‘But as I sensed earlier, Endymion seems to harbor a slight interest for Yves.’

 

It was unexpected. He was the first to spot Yves, and even now, he occasionally glances at him while talking to Enheduane.

 

In the original story, it was always Yves who cared about the brotherly relationship.

 

In the original ending of Endymion, Selene resolves the conflict between the siblings and restores their friendship, but over the course of the story, Yves was portrayed as the one who was more resentful of their relationship.

 

So Endymion was supposed to be the one who, after some time, realized the importance of his family, or that Yves still cared about him, and then he would reflect and reach out to him.

 

Right now, it seemed like the opposite was true.

 

“It’s been a while. Yves, how are you?”

 

“…!”

 

Yves couldn’t hide his bewilderment, as if he hadn’t expected Endymion to call him by name and ask him how he was doing.

 

I poked and prodded him in the side of the head like a broken machine, unable to say anything.

 

His lips twitched for a moment before he spoke.

 

“…His Highness, the Crown Prince.”

 

“Don’t be so stiff.”

 

“I can’t, for I am no longer Leblanc, nor Euphrates.”

 

“But that doesn’t change the fact that you are my brother.”

 

“…”

 

Oh, what the hell.

 

‘Has the sun risen in the west?’

 

It sure as hell rose in the east when Selene was manifesting her powers earlier.

 

“So you may call me brother in informal settings.”

 

“…I can’t.”

 

Hesitation lingered in his voice, but Yves refused in a tone of regret.

 

‘You’re the one who wants to call him brother again.’

 

However, out of character, Yves seemed unable to approach him because he thought they had severed ties.

 

“Isn’t that fine? Even though you’re from the same family, it doesn’t change the fact that you’re brothers, as the Crown Prince said.”

 

“That’s…”

 

“It’s not official, and we’re the only ones here, so call me whatever you like.”

 

“I, I don’t want to.”

 

“Well, Lord Leblanc seems to be quite shy. Miss Laura, why don’t we leave them alone so they can have a private conversation amongst siblings?”

 

“I think it’s a good idea.”

 

With that, Yves sighed and replied, “Ha, okay, fine, stop calling me brother, please.”

 

“Long time no see… long time no hear.”

 

Endymion’s eyes showed a faint hint of longing.

 

‘Has Endymion really regressed?’ 

 

When I’d just arrived in the Holy Realm and was questioning Endymion’s strange behavior during the trial. 

 

A theory I’d been trying to dismiss suddenly popped into my head.

 

“Laura Laurus, it’s been a long time, too.”

 

Endymion’s silver eyes scanned my face.

 

It was a searching gaze. Then Yves stepped forward, shielding me.

 

“You two seem to be getting along quite well.”

 

“…On the average side.”

 

“Oho, you must be wonderful friends if that’s the only positive thing that came out of your mouth.”

 

I wonder if being normal was a positive thing for Yves.

 

And unexpectedly, Endymion seemed to know Yves very well.

 

“I see. I’m glad you’re doing well. I was a little… worried.”

 

“I was…”

 

Yves seemed to be at a loss for words, wanting to tell Endymion that he was right, but unable to find the right words.

 

‘Just be honest.’ 

 

I interjected, taking over from Yves, who hadn’t been able to find the right words.

 

“You were worried, weren’t you?”

 

He hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

 

“…Yes, I was. The nobles have been acting strangely lately.”

 

“It’s none of your business.”

 

“Sorry about that. I’m not royalty anymore, so that was unnecessary.”

 

“That’s not what I’m saying, I’m just telling you to take care of yourself, because I’m sure you’ll get along just fine without me worrying about you.”

 

“…”

 

Yves looked like someone who hadn’t adjusted to Endymion’s changed behavior and didn’t know what to do.

 

‘What, aren’t you two getting along better?’ 

 

Endymion’s demeanor had only changed, and the two of them were no longer fighting over who would inherit the throne, but were more like brothers.

 

‘Well, Yves wasn’t interested in the throne anyway.’ 

 

In the game, Endymion was the only one keeping Yves in check.

 

Anyway, as I was observing the uneasy sibling bond, I suddenly realized that Selene’s group was standing near the entrance to the temple.

 

She was talking to Riqueia and Adhad, smiling softly at them.

 

Endymion’s gaze was drawn to Selene, and he realized that he hadn’t thought much of it.

 

‘The more I look, the more surprised I am.’ 

 

The more I think about it, the more I wonder what changed in Endymion’s mind that caused his personality to change.

 

In the game, he had been jealous whenever he saw Selene chatting amiably with another man, a spark in his eyes.

 

“You’re not jealous?” I asked.

 

The words slipped out of my mouth without thinking.

 

‘I haven’t made that mistake in a while because I’ve been giving my brain a workout…!’ 

 

Realizing my mistake, I glanced at Endymion’s face, and to my relief, he didn’t seem too offended.