The Villain Wants to Live

“The Professor is as I’ve heard.”

In a fancy restaurant in Makan, Roseph was speaking during our shared meal.

“There’s a reason why Her Majesty trusts you.”

I cut the calf steak with a knife, juices leaking out. It was a food that Epherene would like.

“But, are the Protestants coming forward now?”

Ihelm asked.

“I thought the Protestants would just live quietly in the Church?”

He smirked as he drank his wine. Roseph’s eyes were as thin as a thread and crooked like a fox’s.

“It’s the Church’s obligation to eradicate any perversion of faith.”

“No, but still, don’t the Protestants not believe in God?”

There were three main religions on the continent. After the collapse of the sacred era where God was believed to have existed, the Protestants followed the teachings and doctrines of Idsilla, the human closest to God. The Demon Blood’s Church believed in a God before the sacred era, and the Altar was trying to resurrect that God.

“Yes, that’s right. Sepereunso 3:19 ‘The Lord said that he was not God, but a person just like us….’ Therefore, we only serve the Lord’s teaching but do not follow a god.”

Roseph cut into a piece of asparagus. He was a vegetarian and abstained from drinking because it would tarnish his honorable spirit. He was also celibate, just like Idsilla.

“Of course, there’s not a huge gap between the Lord and God.”

“Do the Protestants believe in God’s existence?”

The one that asked wasn’t Ihelm or me but Primienne of the Security Department. Government officials from the empire gathered in Makan for the aftermath of Barahal, and Primienne, the Deputy Director of Security, was among them. Roseph smiled brightly.

“Oh~, that’s-”

“The first Archmage was a believer of God.”

Then, everyone in the restaurant looked at me. Roseph, Ihelm, and Primienne, who I was sitting with, but also the high-ranking officials around us. I put down my knife.

“Since he believed in God, his followers cannot deny God.”

“Yes, that’s right. Oh~, the Professor really gets me.”

Roseph took another bite before continuing.

“That’s right. Even the Lord is a believer, so we follow him… but, the truth is, the interpretation is arguable.”

I stared at Roseph.

“Whether the Lord truly believed in the existence of the sacred era, or whether the Lord’s teachings were written by his right-hand man, Rohan… the truth is, the Protestants think the latter one is more convincing. It’s a narrative designed to persuade those ignorant people who don’t want to believe in the power of the Lord. Moreover…”

Roseph also put his knife down. He wiped his mouth with a napkin.

“There is no evidence that the sacred era existed. Nothing remains on this continent. Saying that runes are the language of God is also a narrative created for future generations. But, the traces of the Lord remain all over the continent.”

Primienne calmly looked between Roseph and me. Meanwhile, Ihelm drank his wine.

“Therefore, Protestantism is a religion that believes in a saint who lived. Aside from their existence, the reason why the Demon Blood is defying faith is that they believe in an uncertain god.”

“I see.”

I nodded. Roseph smiled brightly.

“As expected-“

“But, why do we doubt existing teachings?”

“…”

Roseph’s face hardened at that moment.

“The Bible is no different from a historical book written by the first Archmage. But, some suspect that the right-hand man added unnecessary comments, and the rest just accept it as it is. The moment that you doubt some parts of the Bible, its absolute perfection will be broken.”

I tilted my head, a smile rising unbidden to my lips.

“If you’re going to doubt it, doubt it entirely, and if you’re going to believe it, believe it entirely.”

Roseph quickly smiled again.

“…That discernment is very wizardly. Ruling out religious beliefs and looking only at facts. That is why the Lord is called the first Archmage.”

Indeed, that was also the official title from the game.

“That’s right. Idsilla is the root of magic on the continent. I respect him for that, not for his religion. I understand and doubt the magic he left behind.”

I looked at the clock: 7:55.

“Because of that suspicion, I know the answers to the various questions that the Protestants have in the Bible.”

“…Various questions?”

A faint wrinkled appeared on Roseph’s forehead. The biggest task of the Church was the analysis of the Bible and its doctrines. There were still many vaguely interpreted mysteries surrounding it.

“For example, in Sepereunso 8:11, the problem refers to a sheep that has lost its way and wears a wolf’s mask.’ The problem on the interpretation of this proverb that Idsilla left before leaving the world.”

As such, there were many questions in the Bible, but I knew most of them thanks to my knowledge of the game and Understanding.

“…Is that so?”

Roseph tried hard to smile, but his face grew stiffer as I continued to explain.

“It seems to me that Idsilla’s last proverb is akin to a map.”

A map, evidence showing the location of the holy relic that was a part of the main quest. The Church must have researched that much. That fact was probably known only to a few people, in utmost secrecy.

“…Hmm. That’s interesting. What else is there?”

Roseph didn’t let anything show, and-

Tik-

Just in time, the clock hit 8.

“It’s time; I’ll be going then. You can ignore it because it’s a non-religious deduction anyway.”

“No, it was an interesting hypothesis.”

I stood. Roseph smiled and nodded, but I could see the expression hiding underneath. Nervousness, anxiety, surprise, doubt. Roseph was an honest priest.

*****

“How was it, Deputy Director?”

At night when the sun had set, Primienne left the restaurant in Makan with the other officials clinging to her.

“There wasn’t much.”

“Oh, that’s a relief, wow~ seriously. I thought you were nuts.”

The Head of the Security Department wiped the sweat off his bald head.

“You just suddenly sat next to the Professor so shamelessly.”

When all the high-ranking officials gathered in Makan and entered the restaurant, Primienne immediately went to Deculein. Of course, all the members of the Security Department were shocked, but Deculein surprisingly left Primienne be.

“Whew… that’s right. Anyway, thanks to your craziness, the status of the Security Department must have gone up a little.”

“When do we start our work?”

“We just need to transfer the captives. We don’t have much to do.”

The reason why they gathered in Makan was to deal with the aftermath of Barahal. Among their many tasks was the inspection and transfer of captives.

“Anyway, it’s good. I don’t know how you became close with the Professor with that fucking personality, but-“

“Okay! All officials, pay attention!”

A voice cut off the head of the Security Department. It was the Royal Knight with three stars on his chest, Delric.

“From now on, we will be drawing blood.”

“Blood?”

“That’s right. One drop is enough. It is a newly invented magic, but it’ll simplify the process of reissuing your ID in case you lose it.”

Most of the officials nodded, but not Primienne. She knew the meaning of this test: classifying Demon Blood. She was prepared just in case. She had a blood donation bag—

“But, the Royal Knights will directly collect the samples. From pricking you with a needle and putting it in the bottle.”

“…”

Primienne fiddled with the blood donation bag in her pocket.

“Okay, we’ll get started.”

The Royal Knights approached the officials one by one. In the middle of it, Primienne was thinking.

“Hmm.”

…Well, it wasn’t usual for the directors of all departments to be summoned for handling after-matters. It wasn’t common, but there was no way to deal with this. Would they search the entire organization following what happened in Barahal?

“Deputy Director Primienne, your finger, please.”

At that time, a Royal Knight approached her with a needle in hand. Primienne nodded and held out her finger.

“Okay, I’ll be drawing blood now.”

The needle slowly approached, her heart pounding against her ribs. One drop of blood. Based on the confidential document Deculein leaked to her, it only took five minutes to determine a Demon Blood. Was it enough time to escape? No, the Royal Guards gathered weren’t pushovers.

“This…”

…It was a dead-end. As soon as she was about to admit it-

“Deputy Director Primienne.”

Someone called her. The needle that was about to prick her skin stopped. At that voice, the Royal Knight set aside the needle and immediately raised his hand in a salute.

“Loyalty!”

Dressed in ceremonial attire, Deculein looked like a soldier. He glanced at the Royal Knight before speaking.

“Are you busy?”

“No, I’m not!”

While the Knight shouted, Primienne moved. Picking up the needle, she pierced a hole through the blood bag in her pocket and smeared a drop onto her finger.

“…Take this.”

After that, she naturally handed out her finger with the needle.

“Oh, yeah!”

The knight collected the blood without being any the wiser.

“My task is done. Please go ahead and speak, Professor!”

“Okay.”

The knight left, and Primienne looked up at Deculein, meeting his eyes.

“What is your business with me?”

Deculein answered shortly.

“Prepare a horse. I have to go somewhere alone.”

Trivially telling her to prepare a horse.

“Where to? This late at night?”

“A vineyard.”

“…I think you can just take any horse at the stable.”

“Hmm.”

Then, Deculein nodded and placed his cane on the ground. He feigned a small smile.

“Right.”

“…”

At that moment, Primienne felt a sense of disharmony. No, the disharmony that she had been feeling for a long time was slowly transforming into a clear feeling. Suspicion and assurance, somewhere in between the two.

“But, there is a black horse in the stable. He’s the one that our Director rode, and it has a reputation for being a cherished steed.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. He would order the low-ranking officers of the Security Department to shower the horse whenever he’s bored.”

“Tell him I’ll borrow it for just a day.”

“Just take it. I’d like to see that octopus cry.”

“Then, I’ll get going.”

Step, step—

Deculein, walking away in big strides, suddenly turned to look at her again. Primienne swallowed the sigh of relief she had been letting out.

“Deputy Director.”

The side profile of Deculein was sharp. Eyes, nose, mouth, jaw. All of it seemed able to cut.

“…Yes.”

“Whatever happens, or whatever you expect, always keep in mind that your countermeasures will fail.”

He talked to her like he was giving counsel. His cold voice assailed her.

“Anyway, I’m saying I care about you quite a bit.”

“…”

She couldn’t understand what he had just said. He left just like that, but Primienne continued to stare at his back as he entered the stables.

And finally, he left Makan after taking the Director’s horse.

“Go ahead and die, you crazy director octopus.”

She didn’t know where Deculein was going, but he filled her with delight.

“…Wait, vineyard.”

The word came to her belatedly.

…Rohakan’s vineyard.

*****

Chaeng, chaeng, chaeng—

On the grounds of the Imperial University, where the spring sun is shining brightly, just before the start of the lively new semester, the disguised Sophien and Ahan were walking along the path.

“Oho… this is what college is… hmm?”

A familiar face stood out on the park bench far away.

—…I don’t sleep anyway, so I don’t think I’ll get tired even if I don’t sleep.

—Huh? What are you talking about, Ifi?

Deculein’s disciple and assistant, Epherene. For some reason, her panda-like eyes were staring blankly at the pond in the park.

—I don’t know, either.

—Ifi, are you busy revising your thesis? You look really tired. Just go to sleep.

—No, I can’t sleep because Deculein isn’t here.

—What? Isn’t it too short, making you not sleep? Ifi! Report it!

—Report. Deculein?

—…Ah, you can’t report it because it’s Deculein.

—It’s okay. Five hours out of twenty-four hours in a day. Five. Five, eight, thirty.

—…Ifi. You’re not normal right now.

“Has she gone crazy?”

Sophien glanced around the many buildings dotting the university.

“Anyway, I’ll also be going to this place.”

“Yes, Your Maj… that’s right, Lady Sophien. My Lady is a student in Business Administration.”

“Business. Right. The Emperor manages the Empire.”

Sophien, stomping around, soon sat on the balcony of a nearby cafe. Ahan sat across her with an uncomfortable face. This amount of eye contact wasn’t acceptable as a court lady…

Ring-

Just in time, a call came from the Imperial network on the magic woodblock. Ahan’s face hardened upon receiving the report.

“…My Lady. I have some bad news.”

The magic woodblock was the contact network of the Imperial Palace, similar to what the wizards in the tower used. Ahan, now the Emperor’s close aide, received almost all information from the Imperial Palace.

“Bad news? What is it?”

“Ah, that is…”

Ahan swallowed and stuttered.

“Last night, Deculein went to the vineyard.”

“…Vineyard. You mean Rohakan’s vineyard?”

“Yes, it’s information from the eunuchs, so it must be true.”

Ahan didn’t know why this Professor suddenly went back to the vineyard. Rohakan was the worst criminal in the empire, so just going near the vineyard would be politically disadvantageous.

“I don’t know why the Professor did so, but… My Lady, are you okay? That Professor Deculein visited that place….”

In the vineyard where Rohakan was killed, Deculein visited him again. That alone could get him arrested. No, it was more than that. Even if Sophien interrogated him, nothing was lacking. Rohakan was such a criminal.

“…The Professor is more political than anyone else in the Imperial Palace. If he is at the vineyard again, the lieges might take this chance.”

Sophien looked around the campus grounds with her chin on her hand. University students, wizards, knights, doctors… young people who would become the empire’s future were coming and going.

“Yes, it is true. But, why did the Professor go back there…?”

Sophien smiled.

“I’m not sure.”

Whenever something like this happened, she suddenly felt it.

“Isn’t it because he’s human?”

“What?”

That cold guy was also human in the end.

“Can’t you see? Deculein is grieving. For killing Rohakan with his own hands.”

That guy who looked like he had no blood or tears… was also human after all.

“What… no way.”

Ahan shook her head with a dumbstruck expression.

“There’s no way it’s like that. Professor Deculein is-“

“No, I’m sure. He went to pay respects to Rohakan. Or to pay tribute. If not, he went to reminisce.”

“Huh…”

Ahan was lost for words.

—Deculein is sad about Rohakan’s death. Deculein, who is sad about it, is a traitor to Sophien’s perspective.

Ahan’s thinking was put together like that, but Sophien continued gently.

“There’s nothing to worry about. Isn’t it normal for him to be sad?”

“…What?”

“He was Rohakan’s disciple, and Rohakan seemed to care about him. No, he was cherishing him. When he met me at least.”

He prepared to die for Deculein’s sake, for the sake of his disciple and warned her only with the truth. In the end, his warning was just that before he was killed by Deculein.

“Even though I knew that I forced the quarrel between them. Because I can’t believe the ‘Deculein that Rohakan adores,’ but I can believe the ‘Deculein that killed Rohakan’.”

“Oh…”

“So, the Professor killed Rohakan and chose me.”

A quarrel between a teacher and a student. Sophien induced it, and Deculein carried it out without wavering.

“The Professor looked alright even after killing his teacher… but, I guess he’s not.”

Sophien looked up into the sky, mumbling quietly. There wasn’t a single cloud there.

“This time, I did something bad to the Professor. So, I will allow him to reminisce-“

“Excuse me!”

A loud voice disturbed their solemn atmosphere. Sophien and Ahan glanced up in surprise.

“It’s one drink per person in here.”

“…”

The person who shouted about the drinks was the owner of the cafe and the younger sister of Deculein, who came to visit her alma mater, Yeriel.

“But there’s no drink on that table? It seems that university students these days only take up the seats.”

Looking at her with her arms folded, Sophien felt something like happiness after a very long time.