How a Villain Defies Destiny Chapter 71

There was a hint of cynicism in the air.

 

‘From Yves’ perspective, who can’t hear us, he might think we’re having an important, universal conversation.’

 

In reality, it’s a deeply personal and intimate discussion.

 

But it’s really important to Endymion, so I swallow my doubts and listen intently.

 

“It’s kind of like Endymion is forcing Selene to rely on you for help, even if she doesn’t want to.”

 

“Ha, but if I help, Selene won’t have to risk anything, should I let that happen?”

 

Endymion retorted, stuttering in a rare display of speechlessness.

 

‘Somehow, I think he realizes it’s an embarrassment, even to himself.’

 

It was as if he knew the answer, but wanted to deny it, and needed my confirmation.

 

Knowing his intent, I lifted the corners of my mouth and spoke in a deliberately cheerful voice.

 

“Perhaps so, for Selene, any unnecessary help might feel like interference.”

 

“…!”

 

He seemed genuinely shocked.

 

‘I’ve been vaguely suspecting this, but it must have hit him hard to realize it.’ 

 

Unlike Yves, whose expression rarely changed except for a frown, Endymion, like Selene, was the type to put on a thick mask, but at this moment, he was showing his emotions more honestly than anyone else.

 

‘I’ve never seen so many facial expressions before.’

 

Surprised by the realization of the truth he had been denying, Endymion furrowed his brow in confusion, then bit his lower lip hard. It seemed he had reached a stage of acceptance.

 

“So I’m just supposed to stand by and watch Selene suffer?”

 

“Of course… personally, I think so.”

 

On the verge of responding with a casual yes, I carefully corrected myself.

 

It would be easy to understand for a normal person, but Selene’s current mindset was difficult to comprehend.

 

‘But from the sound of it, he sounds like an overprotective parent.’

 

He’s exactly like that kind of parent, the kind who jumps into action at the slightest hint of trouble, worries about hurting his child and says he’s doing it for his child’s sake.

 

While I was thinking about that, Endymion, who had come out of his thoughts, asked me a question in a muffled voice.

 

“…What if she needed help, and she refused because it was my help?”

 

Somehow, it didn’t feel like a question of ‘what if,’ but one of experience.

 

‘I take back what I said earlier about being cool.’

 

Endymion, who had shown an attitude of pushing through uncertainty and overcoming problems just a few minutes earlier, was now the epitome of a regretful, sobbing maniac.

 

“I think it’s best to stay out of it, but if Endymion insists on helping, I’d suggest doing it behind Selene’s back.”

 

“You mean, like, send someone else to covertly aid her?”

 

“That would depend on Selene’s situation, wouldn’t it?”

 

“…Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind.”

 

Phew, looks like we’re finally getting somewhere.

 

‘But if that’s all you were going to ask, why didn’t you just tell me the whole long dream story?’

 

A new question flashed through my mind, but I brushed it away. For whatever reason, I didn’t want to know, and a sudden wave of exhaustion washed over me.

 

I couldn’t wait to wrap up the conversation, go back to my room, and fall into bed.

 

Thinking I had said all that was important, I tried to pull my wrist away, but Endymion had no intention of letting go.

 

“Let go of my wrist…”

 

“I’m not done yet.”

 

“What? Is there more?”

 

“Of course there is. I didn’t go through a long preamble just to ask you this.”

 

The question I’d just asked was instantly answered.

 

‘I wish I hadn’t known.’

 

Forever. I thought to myself, ‘I wish I hadn’t known’, but outwardly I was a good listener.

 

Then, after a pause, as if choosing his words in his head, Endymion spoke slowly.

 

“What do you think Selene thinks of me when she sees me?”

 

“Of what?” I asked innocently enough since the question could be interpreted in so many ways, but Endymion’s eyes grew cold.

 

As if I was skeptical, like, ‘Am I the right person for this?’

 

But I had nothing to lose, so His stare did not intimidate me. It would be better for me if we ended this way.

 

Endymion, on the other hand, elaborated as if he had decided to just get it all out anyway.

 

“So if the dream really happened, surely Selene would have liked me… but as you know, she’s treating me as if nothing really happened.”

 

After listening to the story, I tried to think of a suitable response, but for some reason, he gave me a look that seemed to invite agreement.

 

‘What’s wrong with him?’

 

Like a high school girl asking her friend about a crush.

 

I was baffled by his behavior, but I decided to give him the reaction he wanted.

 

“Oh, well, yeah,” I said.

 

“So I wonder what you think, having lived a life that has been repeated many times over, just like hers.”

 

“In other words, you want my opinion on whether Selene is still in love with Endymion?”

 

Once again summarizing his long-winded question concisely and clearly, Endymion, who had been avoiding direct eye contact, nodded weakly in acknowledgment.

 

“… Yes.”

 

For some reason, I felt like this was turning into a relationship counseling session, but I decided to play along.

 

“Can you give me a moment to think about it?”

 

“Okay.”

 

The truth was, I was just too tired to answer and move on, but looking into those deep silver eyes, my conscience was tingling.

 

Besides, there was a lot to think about to answer this question properly, so I asked for time to think.

 

Looking at the current moment, I thought.

 

‘Okay, I have a little time.’ 

 

We needed to wrap up the conversation before evening prayers started.

 

Having clearly calculated the time I had left in my head, I began to think.

 

‘The first thing to consider is the likability system.’

 

There’s a good reason why I’m going to skip to the game’s setup first.

 

Firstly, of the countless regressions Selene has gone through, 17 endings were probably the singularity she reached without dying.

 

So there was a strong possibility that the original story and Selene’s life were interconnected.

 

Another important point was the likability system, which differs from other female-oriented games.

 

Usually, only the targets’ favorability towards the heroine was displayed, but in 《Saint, Please!》

 

‘Of course, there are other games with similar systems if one looks for them. ‘The heroine and the targets have the same favorability rating of five hearts.’

 

Even if the targets have a high level of liking for the heroine, if the heroine doesn’t have the same level of favorability, they won’t enter the character’s root.

 

Naturally, the favorability of the heroine also affects certain endings.

 

Anyway, the main thing to focus on here was the initial favorability. Endymion was the only one who started with two hearts, while all the other characters had zero.

 

‘This is definitely something we need to address.’

 

Players weren’t pushing Endymion as the unofficial main lead for nothing. He has more ending moves than any other target, and Selene’s favorability at the start.

 

Also, even if I went the other route, the Heroine would sometimes blush when it saw Endymion, which was weird.

 

‘So, some reviewers claimed that Selene’s favorability is the exact proof that Endymion is the main male lead in the game.’

 

However, the game’s developers have not commented on whom the official male lead is.

 

‘So much for the whole favorability thing.’

The second thing was how I felt about Selene as a person possessed by this world.

 

Honestly, my first impression was of a clear-eyed madman.

 

The scene of her arrival at Baron Laurus and breaking the teapot was still fresh in my mind.

 

‘I’ll never forget the look of madness in those big, clear, light blue eyes.’ 

 

Also, I could still see the look of determination on her face as she bit her lip in the trial.

 

That’s why I thought Selene’s humanity had been worn away by infinite regression.

 

After all, when you live the same life over and over again, it’s easy to become indifferent to whoever dies and assume everyone who dies will be brought back to life by regression.

 

But if I had to make a cautious guess based on Endymion’s story today, it seemed as if she was trying to make sure no harm came to the current Endymion.

 

Otherwise, whether Endymion revealed the curse in front of the nobles would do Selene no harm.

 

There was no reason to nag Endymion in a way that would hurt his feelings.

 

‘Besides, it was something that could have been dismissed as something that would disappear once she returned…’

 

That’s as far as his thoughts went.

A new hypothesis flashed through my mind.