How a Villain Defies Destiny – Chapter 73

Author: Nikss

Endymion’s lips curled up in a graceful arc, making me even more nervous.

‘Did I hear that right?’

I glanced at Yves beside me, doubting my hearing, but when our eyes met, I realized that he hadn’t heard our conversation because of the magical tool.

“You believed I had changed, so why are you so surprised?”

“Well… I never expected to hear such a compliment from you, Endymion.”

It was a real surprise.

All Endymion had ever thanked me before had been for my help with Selene or with Yves.

“It wasn’t a compliment, it was a thank you for making me realize something new.”

“That’s what it is, isn’t it?”

“…I thought I’d changed myself, too, but you’re not so easy to please, I suppose because you’ve been through quite a bit yourself.”

“Well, I guess you could say that.”

“Anyway, thanks for taking the time to talk to me. I’d better get back before Yves’ face gets any grimmer.”

With that, Endymion smiled at Yves and strode casually away.

‘He’s a curious man, both cool and not so cool.’

As I was reflecting on the conversation with Endymion and thinking how strange it was, Yves spoke up with a deep crease in his brow.

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

“What? Oh, yeah. It’s not… it’s not a big deal, and it’s not something that’s bothering me, anyway.”

Just as I was about to dismiss it as a small thing, I corrected myself, because it was a big deal.

‘It was a great time for me to reflect on Selene’s connection to the game I played in my past life and her current path.’

Of course, nothing was resolved.

We don’t know what Selene’s objective was, much less what caused the regression.

‘Still, I realize that maybe I was wrong about Selene.’

Maybe her repeated regressions hadn’t made her mindset bizarre, but she was the upstanding, good-hearted heroine I knew her to be.

“If it’s all right with Miss Laura, I won’t interfere any further.”

“Thank you, then shall we be leaving?”

We kept our voices down because we were inside the library, but then I realized that we weren’t the only ones in the library.

Our conversation had gone on long enough that it was already time for evening prayers.

‘There must have been a few others besides Yves and I before Endymion arrived.’

…I thought for a moment.

Then I remembered that earlier, Endymion and Yves had gotten into an argument without any magical tools.

Whatever was going on, they must have realized it was best to avoid it.

“Sure.”

With that, Yves replied, and we were out of the deserted library.

💫

Shortly after Endymion’s relationship counseling session, Selene, who hadn’t been seen in a while, returned.

Along with a hidden character, Xenon.

‘I don’t know what the hell is going on, or more honestly, I don’t know why I’m here.’

We’re in the Pope’s office.

Inside the large room were Xenon, whom Selene had brought with her, and Endymion, her guardian knight.

And there were Riqueia and Adhad, who had come to visit her a few days ago.

Quite the chatterbox!

“Thank you for gathering here.”

Amidst the awkward silence, it was Atharaxis who spoke first.

Wearing a gentle smile, she spoke in a calm voice, despite the silent war-like atmosphere.

“It’s no secret that the Oracle has been in place for over half a year now, and we still haven’t decided on a saint, which is why I’ve called you here.”

A Saint, all of a sudden?

Why was she bringing up the subject of oracles with all these people, I wondered, but I kept quiet for now.

“When I realized that a new oracle wasn’t going to come down no matter how long I waited, I called a meeting of the deputies.”

This was new information to me.

‘I didn’t even realize we were still waiting for a new oracle in the first place.’

With that thought, I looked around, and for some reason, everyone seemed unconcerned.

It was as if they had all guessed what Atharaxis was going to say.

“And after some discussion, we decided that perhaps God had given us the power to decide who the Saint should be.”

Somehow, I felt uneasy.

I had a sneaking suspicion that there might be some sort of test for me and Selene as a saint candidate.

“So we’ve decided to turn the decision over to you, the people here.”

“What?”

It was hard to keep up with the fast-paced developments.

At the same time, I realized that I was the only one in the room who was surprised.

‘What the hell, am I the only one who didn’t know?’

Even Yves looked like he had expected it.

I was feeling betrayed, even though it was unexpected, when Atharaxis, who had just made eye contact with me, arched an eyebrow and said.

“Circumstances prevented me from informing Miss Laura in advance. I apologize.”

“No, it’s okay.”

I was offended, but I decided to let it slide because I had more important things to do at the moment.

More than the fact that I was the only one who did not know.

I realized that if they were going to give the targets the right to decide on the saint, I might as well tell them right then and there that I was stepping down.

“Miss Laura, I’ll tell you why I’ve turned the decision over to the people gathered here.”

Atharaxis began to elaborate.

‘I don’t want to know any of that…’

But she couldn’t stop herself as she eagerly recounted the events that had transpired.

“Initially, we contacted all seven nations whose founding mythology was that they were descended from a god.”

According to her, the high priests of the Divine Kingdom concluded that it was better for those with the same divine power to decide who the saint would be, so they approached the monarchs of the seven nations.

Some responded favorably, while others ignored them entirely, resulting in the selection of Adhad, Riqueia, Endymion, and Xenon, who are here today.

‘But why Xenon and not Yves?’

Knowing that he was not related to the Descendants of the Gods, I stared at Xenon curiously, and Atharaxis, noticing my gaze on him, quickly answered my question.

“For your information, the representative of Babylonia, Lord Xenon, does not have divine powers, but since he has a pact with the gods, he is here because he is considered to have divine powers, as are the gods’ descendants.”

I didn’t know that. The game didn’t even mention the existence of the gods.

‘But where is he?’

I looked around, but Xenon was nowhere to be seen.

“He’s not here.”

Not expecting to hear the first words out of her mouth, I panicked for a moment, but quickly composed myself and answered.

“Well, I see.”

After an awkward chuckle, I quickly shuffled backward, keeping close to Yves’ back.

I knew my face showed my emotions, but it was quite a shock to realize that a stranger could read them.

Luckily, Yves seemed to have read my mind as well, and hid me well enough to avoid making eye contact with the other targets.

‘Phew, you’re already strong, but you’re even stronger today.’

I sighed in relief as I looked at Yves’ broad back.

“Those of you who have the power to decide can choose one of the saint candidates and let me know. But you must also have a good reason. If it’s not a reason that convinces me and the High Priestesses, know that it will be nullified.”

Before I knew it, Atharaxis’ story was over, and everyone was talking about making their own decisions.

‘This is not the time!’

I quickly exclaimed, remembering that if I was going to resign, I might as well do it here.

“I’m stepping down!”

“What, Miss Laura, what do you mean?”

“It means that while I do have the Divine Mark, I feel that Sele… no, I mean Miss Selene is more worthy of a saint than I am.”

“Well, I see, but you can’t give up.”

“Why?”

“Because no one can be sure which of the two of you is a saint.”

Judging by the stern look on her face, I didn’t think my opinion would be accepted.

‘I’m a little nervous about getting involved in something so strange, but I’m sure you won’t mind if I stay put…?’

I knew she would, since Endymion, Riqueia, and Adhad would pick Selene.