Surviving as a Villain at the Academy chapter 95

95 – Land of the Revenants (1)

“Was it the right decision?”

On a restless night, Adrian was trapped in his anguish, unable to fall asleep. Would it have been better if she only knew and acted independently?

Was it too easy to confide in the Pope? The experiences he had up until now made him believe that the Pope was someone he could trust, but was that really the case?

Due to Ester’s influence, Adrian couldn’t help but feel tormented. The current situation, where even the person he had trusted and followed like his father could be doubted, was too painful for him.

However, it was hard to believe without hesitation that the vivid experience of Saint Hye’s salvation of the human realm was nothing but real. It was because the image of the pope and the archbishop who betrayed her always flickered in her mind.

Of course, it was a distant past, and the current empire was not corrupted to that extent. She could live her life as usual, just brush it off as a thing of the past.

But.

The presence of the ghost land rampant within the empire kept stimulating her senses. If it weren’t for the ghost land, Adrian would have simply regarded Estelle’s memories as insignificant.

In the end, the starting point of all her worries was the ghost land. As long as that land did not disappear, Adrian’s suspicion towards the empire would not fade away.

“I have to go.”

Adrian made up her mind. She would start investigating the ghost land from tomorrow.

And when the investigation made some progress, she planned to personally visit that sorrowful land. She had the responsibility to know just how many ghosts were there. Even if it was to bring them peace in their sorrow.

However, investigating the ghost land was not something she could do alone. Then who should she ask for help?

She quickly organized her thoughts about it.

The 3rd Commander of the Ars Imperial Knights who came to the empire together and Bishop Antonio. She would need their help. Not just their help… if possible, Ruslan and Prakh’s help too.

This incident had a high potential of becoming a dangerous one. Ghosts were unpredictable beings. Though she wanted to bring them peace, she couldn’t know what harm they could bring to themselves. Especially since she knew that there were ghosts of saints and goddesses. If they had any grudges… more than just imagination, she could face unimaginable hardships, just as Saint Hye Estelle had opposed them.

But in the end, it had to be done. Purify the ghost land and completely uproot the corruption and decay within the empire. That had been her determination since her experience with Estelle’s incident.

The significance of the existence of a saint was not just a symbol or a strong power of the empire.

It was to bring hope to the people living on the continent according to God’s will. That was the significance that she defined as the existence of a saint. From the time she was young and empathized with the pain of someone whose name she didn’t even know, that had always been her thought.

Great power comes with great responsibility. The saint did not dismiss that she gained such great power as a mere coincidence.

There was something that had to be done, and she believed that she gained that power for that reason.

So, she should use that power correctly.

It could simply be seen as a meaning that she arbitrarily bestowed, but originally, humans live their entire lives for the meaning they give to their own lives.

Adrian thought that way and desired to act accordingly. To realize the ideal saint she envisioned. That was her purpose, and she didn’t mind if her life was stained with any kind of pain for that.

“So, I have to leave for the ghost land immediately tomorrow. Wipe out that land and give them peace… and thoroughly eliminate any corruption and decay that may exist within the empire. If there is none, then it is fortunate, but if there are those who promote injustice and corruption.”

Adrian’s expression became fierce.

“If there are such people, regardless of their position, I will hang them on the gallows in front of all the people in the empire. And make sure no one suffers from unjust sins. That is my purpose.”

If someone burdened with heavy responsibility was corrupted, it was an unforgivable act. They must be severely punished so that no one with empty intentions would appear.

In the worst-case scenario, she even considered the possibility of the pope’s corruption. She hoped that such a thing would never happen… but she always had to keep all possibilities open.

She wanted to see innocent and faithful people laughing happily, carrying hope.

To those who tried to destroy that spectacle, she would bring down a merciless punishment.

* * *

So, why did the situation become like this?

Asti is drawing my blood, which is a daily occurrence for us, so I’ll accept that. However, why did Aris come looking for me?

“What are you guys doing…?”

Of all times, Asti caught us in the middle of a meal.

“Uh, Aris?”

Even Asti seemed slightly surprised. No, I didn’t think anyone would catch us in this situation. Luckily, our position, huddled together on the bed, seemed a bit awkward, so it didn’t seem like Asti noticed my emotions.

However, due to our position being a problem, I feel like it didn’t seem like we had that kind of relationship to Aris.

“When entering someone else’s room, you should at least knock. What are you doing without even knocking?”

Asti snapped, and Aris shouted at us in a startled tone.

“I knocked! But I guess you guys didn’t hear! But… what, what are you guys doing?”

Aris even stuttered. It seemed like he was shocked, not just in an ordinary way. No, but why would he be shocked? It’s a situation I can’t understand.

As if slightly annoyed by this situation, Asti glanced at Aris and spoke. It seemed like we were disturbing his mealtime. Honestly, I felt a bit sweaty. No, but why am I sweating? I haven’t done anything.

“What are we doing? Can’t you see?”

“You guys… were already in that kind of relationship…?”

“What kind of relationship are you talking about? I hope you can explain it in a way I can understand.”

In response to Asti’s subtly sharp attitude, Aris hesitated, hesitated even more, and then spoke.

“A… lover.”

“Hmm?”

Asti’s face became slightly surprised and transformed into a joyful expression. Why would he react like that?

From Noble mtl dot com

I wanted to grab my head and shake it. I forgot to lock the door. I was too careless.

But thankfully, it seems that Asti didn’t notice the scene of him drinking blood… Somehow, it feels like a strange misunderstanding has arisen.

No, isn’t it actually better to think like this now? I know that Aris still has some subtle feelings for me.

Honestly, over the past month, the time she spent by my side, wanting to stay with the protagonist’s group… And at some point, I no longer felt the same as before when I saw the way she looked at Ruxlan.

Now, I don’t feel any danger in particular. Anyway, since the original storyline has already been twisted, it’s only natural that the relationships between characters would also be twisted.

But another problem was whether I could respond to her feelings. I didn’t have time. Time to leisurely chat with someone.

Considering everything else would be possible only after some free time was available.

Then, even letting her sort out her emotions now… might not be a bad idea. Above all, I’m not in a situation where I can casually date someone. And organizing her lingering feelings might even be better for her. She was someone who needed to grow.

I sighed and, as if I had no choice, looked at Asti and sent him a telepathic message.

-Asti.

-Yeah?

-I’ll excuse myself for a moment.

If I wanted to drive a wedge, even a kiss would be the most impressive, but that… honestly, even I think it’s a cowardly act.

So for now, just this much.

I briefly let go of Asti from my embrace and captured her in my arms again. Perhaps because of my decent build, Asti’s body didn’t crash into mine.

“P-Prah?”

Asti looked at me with a flushed face.

“Ah…”

On the other hand, Aris’ expression wasn’t that dark. Just a facial expression that sensed something was coming.

“So it has come to this.”

I couldn’t say anything more. I should apologize to Asti for this as well. If we analyze it, it’s like I used her.

“Yeah, I understand. It’s like that after all…”

Aris left with the same expression, lowering her head. There might have been something to talk about, but maybe it wasn’t that important. She probably needed time to be with me alone.

But I can’t accommodate her whims right now. Even I find it difficult to support myself, how could I support her? Right now… this is what’s right.

She didn’t have time to act pretty either.

Seeing her unexpectedly calm expression, she might have had a hint about me and Asti’s relationship while observing. It would be weird if she didn’t doubt. We’ve been together for several months.

After Aris left, Asti didn’t say anything. I quickly let go of her restrained hand and apologized to Asti.

“Sorry, Asti.”

“Hmm? For what?”

“No, what just happened… it’s like I used you.”

“It’s okay. I actually like it. I didn’t like her hanging around you all the time.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah. And… you don’t even have to say it, you and me.”

That’s right. We already know a lot without saying anything. We know what kind of emotions we have for each other. And when those emotions will be released.

“Yeah.”

“Right, Prah. I will keep waiting.”

“…Yeah.”