The Villain Wants to Live

Chapter 278: Things to Solve (2)

[The invention of pure mana that haunted Yuren. Zechtain’s praise, saying that it deserves to be called art.]

[The addicts of the Floating Island still wandering around the expo… what were they drawn to?]

[Unknown wizard Vervaldi, more talented than Decalane? Will the game of magic be shaken up again?]

As Deculein expected, several headlines from the continental media and magic newspapers mentioned the Demon Spirit Core.

It was noon, and warm sunlight poured through the window. Epherene struggled with her fatigue.

“…”

Swallowing a yawn, she glanced back to her supervisor. Deculein had his eyes fixed on a large scroll. Every time he was in the office yesterday, he was staring at that scroll. He’d been staring at the unfamiliar words inscribed across it day in and day out. What the hell was he doing?

“…I will go to the library to study.”

There was no response to that either. Shrugging, Epherene left the office and went down to the library.

“It’s full.”

There were a lot of wizards already studying inside since it was the middle of the school year. Epherene took a seat between them and set down a thick book.

「Science Action I」

This was a basic textbook for science students at the Imperial University. She’d already learned half of it, but she hadn’t yet found any ideas for reference. The whole thing was dedicated as a textbook for becoming a magic assistant, after all.

“…Whew.”

After studying about six pages, Epherene shook her head. This wasn’t enough. She needed writings that laid bare the laws of this world, revealing science as something that could stand alone separate from magic.

“Isn’t there something like that here?”

Epherene stood and walked to the info desk.

“Librarian.”

“Yes?”

“Are there any new science books or magazines coming out these days?”

“Oh~, what?”

The librarian looked at Epherene for a moment and pondered. It wasn’t often that wizards came looking for science books.

“Hmm… wait… there is one new book.”

“A new book?”

“Yes. 1,503 on A-37. Read it.”

“Aha, yes. Thank you.”

Epherene nodded and walked toward A-37. A-1, A-2, A-3… she arrived at A-37 as she passed the bookshelves one by one. It was a shabby section of the library, but Epherene quickly found what she was looking for. And-

“Huh?”

She tilted her head.

“Number 1,502.”

Book 1502 was there. It was, but the next one wasn’t 1,503, but 1,504. Only number 1,503 was skipped.

“Where is 1,503?”

The answer came back as she mumbled to herself.

“It’s here. Number 1,503.”

“…?

Epherene startled. A child was standing in the dark corner of the bookshelf and reading the book in question.

“Wait, are you… Lia?”

“…”

Lia from the Red Garnet Adventure Team. Her picture and name appeared in adventure journals from time to time. Epherene smiled.

“Long time no see! What are you doing here? Why is that book with you?”

Did she like science too? Epherene snuck a glance at the cover.

“Let’s see, the title…”

“Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy, Volume One.”

In a very stiff voice that was unlike her, Lia answered.

“It’s called Principia for short.”

* * *

…Lia was currently staying in the Imperial Palace. After her performance in the cursed mansion, she garnered the attention of Emperor Sophien. She was to serve as a reference to prove the sins of the Altar, such as Syrio and Jaylon, who were imprisoned in the dungeon. As such, her accommodations were luxurious.

So, she was still growing by solving various imperial quests in the Palace, but today she was particularly bored. So, Lia decided to check out Imperial University’s library. It was pure coincidence that she found this book when she was just looking for a novel. Maybe it was fate.

[Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy, Volume 1]

Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy. The moment she saw the book’s cover stuck between the shabby wooden bookshelves, Lia had to discover what was inside. Her heart pounded as she leafed through the various formulas scribed inside.

“…It’s modern knowledge.”

Even someone who had never studied could tell that. No, she wasn’t even someone who didn’t study. Lia graduated from a four-year system at a prestigious university and hadn’t neglected self-development. Of course, she wasn’t someone skilled in the fields represented in this book, but she knew. Or, to be precise, she realized the possibility.

“Is… Is there someone other than me?”

In this world, could there be another modern human?

“Huh?”

It was then Epherene caught her attention.

“Where is 1,503?”

Epherene was looking around the bookshelf and searching for book 1,503. Lia swallowed dryly before speaking.

“…Here. The number 1,503.”

“Huh? Wait, are you… Lia?”

Epherene smiled.

“Long time no see! What are you doing here? Why is that with you?”

Lia watched as Epherene clapped her hands. She lowered her head and looked at the cover of her book.

“Let’s see, the title…”

“Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy, Volume 1. It’s called Principia for short.”

“…Principia?”

Epherene tilted her head, prompting a sigh of relief from Lia. This person wasn’t them. Of course, it couldn’t be Epherene. Lia quickly calmed down.

“Yes.”

“Hmm… I don’t know what it is, but I need that. Are you going to read it now?”

“Yes.”

“Then I’ll read it quickly… huh? Did you say you would read it now?”

“Yes.”

Modern knowledge is found in this game world, and Epherene was also looking for that knowledge. Lia would not waste such a coincidental and fateful moment.

“Really? Then I…”

Epherene hesitated.

“There is only one copy of this book in the library.”

“…Really? Then I’ll wait until you finish it.”

“Or, would you like to read together at the Imperial Palace?”

“…Imperial Palace?”

As if embarrassed, Epherene scratched at the back of her neck.

“Yes. I’m staying at the Imperial Palace these days. They treat me very well there.”

“Oh, I see.”

“Would you like to go to the Imperial Palace with me today? We can read it there.”

Epherene thought for a moment but then smiled.

“It’s fine to me~. Anyone interested in science is always welcome. That will be the material for my thesis.”

* * *

Today was Wednesday, Sophien’s lesson day. But now, before going to the Emperor, I was visiting Rohakan’s vineyard. As soon as Epherene went down to the library, I stepped through the mirror.

“My disciple. Long time no see~.”

“…”

And the Rohakan I met today was even younger. He was a young man in his early 20s, younger than me now. Slowly rejuvenating, near death, he smiled at me.

“Why are you here today?”

“…I met the last believer.”

The last believer was the official name of the final boss. The last remaining relic of the Holy Age in this world. Rohakan, understanding what I meant, nodded and stroked his chin.

“Did you?”

“That has to do with the reason I came here.”

I held out the scroll. Rohakan’s eyes widened.

“…Oh my. What is this?”

The scroll fell open like a carpet unfurling. Rohakan chuckled as he watched it cover the ground.

“It is the divine language used by believers in the past. It is the language system that the Altar has longed for. Any advice on this-“

“I don’t know this language either.”

“…”

“Give it to me. Let me take a look.”

Rohakan opened the scroll. He frowned as he skimmed over the letters.

“I can’t read it at all? Here. Take it back.”

He returned the scroll after a few moments and ran a hand through his hair.

“Haha. Sorry. There are things I don’t know either. I mean, I don’t know everything. If I did, I would be a god. Right?”

“I’ll return.”

I turned away, but Rohakan quickly called out to me.

“Hey, hey. Disciple. It’s been a while since you’ve visited, so don’t be so cold-“

“The continent doesn’t have time. Let go of me.”

“…Hey, you’re so quick-tempered. Then go see Sophie.”

“…”

I looked back to Rohakan. He smiled as he grabbed my sleeve.

“The answer will be near. Isn’t Sophie a child with all the talents of this continent?”

Interpreting the divine language. Could it be possible with Sophien’s help? I never thought of that. Of course, Sophien had the potential to master everything that a human could in every field of the continent, but…

“…He is Sophien’s greatest enemy.”

“I know. Rather, that’s why you have to work with Sophie.”

Rohakan responded plainly.

“If you know your enemy and yourself, you can win every battle.”

“Yes. About that, to destroy the enemy, you must know the enemy.”

“Then she may assimilate with the enemy.”

“…Trust Sophien.”

He let go of the hem of my sleeve, meeting my eyes.

“Of course, it will take a long time. As you said, Sophien could become like him. However, if the two of you work together, what is there that cannot be achieved?”

Rohakan’s face split into a wide smile. Rather than gentle or benevolent, it was mischievous.

“The power of love is great, Deculein.”

Love. I didn’t know the meaning of that vague feeling. Deculein’s heart belonged to Julie, and because of that, it hurt every day. Every night I saw her face, her pain resonated in my heart. On the other hand, Kim Woojin’s heart was with someone else. I missed my friend and lover, who had been with me for many years. But at the same time, I gave up on seeing her.

This was the difference in mindset between Deculein and Kim Woojin. Kim Woojin could forget and give up if it was hard, but Deculein couldn’t. Even if he broke, he wouldn’t yield.

“I am only loyal to Her Majesty.”

…However, love for Sophien didn’t exist in the mixed emotions of those two selves.

“Not you, but Sophien. Sophien loves you.”

“…I know.”

“It’s more than you know. Perhaps, she will love you more than yourself.”

I didn’t answer. I just nodded and turned around, marching out of the vineyard.

* * *

While Rohakan was arbitrarily discussing Sophien’s love with Deculein.

“It’s amazing.”

Emperor Sophien was distracted by the image in the crystal ball on her desk.

“It’s called the Star of Mana.”

Nicknamed the Star of Mana, it was the best entry in the Yuren Magic Exhibition. It was the only masterpiece that overheated the Yuren Expo, marking it as one of the best in history.

“These days, this invention is said to be huge.”

Ahan bowed her head and explained.

“With the appearance of an agglomeration of pure mana, and thanks to the miraculous performance of self-learning, the professors of the Imperial Tower are away right now.”

Almost all of the faculty members of the Imperial Tower had left for Yuren. Also, because of the rush coming down from the Floating Island, Yuren’s overnight accommodation cost was at least 1,000 Elnes now.

“…Who made it is still unknown?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. They showed it off and ran away.”

“Well. Thanks to that, Kreto’s invention was buried.”

It was a disappointment for Kreto. He exhibited something impressive at this expo, but it was completely pushed aside by this Star of Mana. He must be off crying somewhere right now.

“…Still, if it weren’t for me, who would take care of him? Buy him an expensive invention under an anonymous name. Take this wizard called Vervaldi too. He is a talented person who will be helpful if hired.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“But isn’t that guy, Deculein, interested in things like this? His father’s name is going up and down, but not in a good way.”

Sophien smiled a little. This unknown wizard named Vervaldi was already being treated as a talent that surpassed Decalane. The Floating Island and the magic tower were also searching for them.

“That is-“

Knock, knock-

-Your Majesty. The teaching wizard Deculein has arrived.

Speaking of the devil. Sophien cleared her expression.

“Come in, Professor.”

Today, as the Emperor, she was going to sternly rebuke Deculein. She wouldn’t let that surprise attack that Deculein launched in Yuren slip by.

Creak-

The door opened slowly. Beyond it, Deculein was standing there holding a scroll in his arms.

“I see you, Your Majesty.”

Sophien frowned.

“…What is that?”

“This is a new language.”

“Language?”

“Yes. I brought it here because I thought it would be great if I could learn it with Your Majesty.”

He put down the scroll. Sophien snorted.

“There is no language in this world that I don’t know. There is no need to learn.”

“Yes. However, for that reason, Your Majesty’s advice and talent are desperately needed.”

“…Are you desperate?”

Deculein was showing a surprisingly submissive attitude. Sophien had never seen him like this.

“Yes. I hope to master this language with Your Majesty’s help.”

With Your Majesty. Sophien’s interest was drawn in with that.

“You mean it’s not a lesson?”

“Yes. We’ll learn together.”

Deculein’s attitude remained serious. Sophien felt the atmosphere affecting her now too.

“What language is that? Is it that important?”

“It is the divine language of the holy age that the Altar was looking for.”

Sophien wasn’t sure how to respond.