I Am The Game's Villain

[WARNING!]

[Amael Idea Olphean Synchronization: 72% ]

​​ATTEMPTING RESYNCHRONIZATION…

Amael Idea Olphean's Synchronization Failure…

Synchronization Compromised.

[Amael Idea Olphean Synchronization: 68% ]

Amael Idea Olphean's Synchronization Failure…

The continuous flashing of the system alerts filled my vision, but I ignored them, my focus elsewhere. Ever since Jarvis's death, the messages had become a persistent background noise.

My gaze was fixed on the woman lying lifeless in my arms. Viessa. She had a peaceful smile on her lips. Dried trails of tears marked my face, though I couldn't fully comprehend why they had fallen.

"Why?" The question escaped my lips.

I stroked her cold, pale cheek, my fingers trembling as I absorbed the reality of her death. Pulling her close one final time, I clung to the fleeting warmth that was already dissipating. My eyes fell to the bracelet she had given me. Without hesitation, I tied it around my left wrist. After a moment, I gently laid her body back on the ground and stood.

[WARNING!!]

[Amael Idea Olphean Synchronization: 62% ]

[Amael Idea Olphean Synchronization: 58% ]

[Amael Idea Olphean Synchronization: 55% ]

"Shut up," I growled through clenched teeth.

My gaze remained locked on Viessa's still form. The pain of losing someone important, again, gnawed within me. This time, it was by my own hand. She had let it happen, but why?

"Edward." Cleenah's voice rang behind me.

"Look at me," she said.
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I stayed silent, unable to tear my eyes from Viessa.

Cleenah moved closer, pulling me to face her. Her hands cupped my face, forcing me to meet her gaze. Her mesmerizing green eyes shone.

"Don't let anger control you," she said. "You still have so much to do. Your mother needs you. Your friends need you. And the women you may love need you."

Her words began to chip away at the suffocating anger and confusion I felt. She was right—there were still battles to fight. I still had some responsibilities and my mother...

My fists clenched tightly. "Cleenah, did you know this woman? Answer me honestly."

"No, I didn't," she replied.

"Then why..." My voice cracked. "Why do I have memories of seeing her? Speaking with her?" A lump formed in my throat, threatening to choke me.

Cleenah's expression softened. "You will eventually get your answers, Edward. But you must never blame yourself for her death. Do you hear me?"

I wanted to laugh. I'm the one who—"

"No." Cleenah cut me off. "She chose to die. And she chose for it to be by your hands. That was her decision, not yours."

"Maybe... what about Freyja?" I asked.

Cleenah shook her head subtly. "I don't think she orchestrated this. Freyja is many things, but calculating isn't one of them. She's just... resentful and straightforward when it comes to hate."

"I see…" I murmured, trailing off as I put away Trinity Nihil.

The air shifted suddenly, the soft crunch of footsteps drawing my attention. I glanced up sharply and found myself staring at a green-haired elf emerging from the shadows.

"I am Lein," he introduced himself. "I've been accompanying Lady Viessa all these years."

"Accompanying her?" I muttered, narrowing my eyes.

"Yes," Lein confirmed with a nod. "She saved me once, a long time ago, when I was captured by humans. Ever since, I've served her faithfully."

My expression hardened. "And you knew what she was planning to do?"

Lein hesitated but nodded again, this time with a pained expression. "I did. I tried to stop her… even considered killing you myself to change the course of events. But she stopped me every time." His voice trembled slightly. "She knew, Sir Edward. She knew you would be the one to kill her. She told me about a prophecy. Even so, she accepted her fate."

I stiffened at his words, unsure how to respond. "A prophecy…" I repeated softly.

Lein continued. "I don't claim to understand everything about Lady Viessa. I served her, yes, but much of her heart remained hidden from me. She cared for you deeply, Sir Edward. At Vanadias, when you were drowning… she was the one who called for Lady Levina to save you."

"Even Vina…" I muttered. So it hadn't been a mere coincidence after all. The suspicions I had carried all this time were now undeniable truths, yet they only brought more questions.

Lein's voice quivered as he clenched his fists, trembling with emotion. His gaze rested on Viessa's still form. "She told me once that you were like a little brother to her. She made me swear never to harm you. But please, Sir Edward… don't let her death be in vain."

I glanced one last time at Viessa's lifeless body. Her face was now serene in death.

Was that your wish?

"I won't," I said and turned around. "Keep her body preserved. I'll see to it that she's given a proper burial."

Lein's lips parted as if to reply, but I didn't wait to hear it. With a burst of strength, I kicked off the ground and soared away.

***

The battle at the Eastern Gates had reached a boiling point.

Under Shuria's command, the Blood Elves had seized the upper hand, exploiting every opportunity against the Valachians. The tide of battle was heavily influenced by morale. After the walls had been obliterated by a certain Loki, the Blood Elves' spirits soared, their confidence ignited by their enemy's visible despair. In contrast, the Valachians, still reeling from the destruction, found their mind shaken and their defenses crumbling.

Shuria and her forces pressed the advantage, forcing the Valachians to retreat further into their own city. Over three thousand Blood Elves had already breached the capital of Valachia. Thankfully, no civilians remained to bear witness to the chaos; Priscilla had evacuated the entire city a week prior, ensuring its people's safety.

But the absence of civilians didn't mean the Valachians would allow their city to fall without a fight.

"Has anyone seen Loki?!" Shuria called out, yanking her crimson-stained sword from the chest of a fallen knight. Her eyes darted through the battlefield, searching for any sign of Loki.

"No!" Edryn shouted back amidst the clamor, echoed by the rest of the Blood Elves.

Shuria's frown deepened. Loki had disappeared without a trace. It was unthinkable that he had died, crushed under the very rubble he had caused. That would be far too pathetic even for him. Freya Ruvelion had entrusted Loki to their care, and she wouldn't be pleased if her trusted bodyguard were lost.

Moreover at this point, all of them considered Loki as one of them. It would be a real pity if he died.

"...!"

Her thoughts were interrupted by a sudden gust of wind. Instinctively, Shuria raised her sword, deflecting the attack with a sharp clang as the force of the strike pushed her back several steps.

From the swirling dust emerged a figure.

It was Cylien, the Elven Princess of Sancta Vedelia appearing in all her beauty. armored from head to toe.

"She's one of Sancta Vedelia's Princesses, Lady Shuria! Let's catch her!" A Blood Elf shouted, rallying the others.

Capturing Cylien could shift the balance of power against the still-unconquered Elaryon Kingdom. The Blood Elves surged forward, swords and spears aimed at the Princess.

Before they could reach her, a sudden blur of motion intervened. Cylien leapt gracefully aside, and with a deafening impact, a dozen Blood Elves were sent flying, their bodies crashing against the shattered remnants of the walls.

A figure landed nimbly beside her. His wolfish grin revealed sharp teeth as his yellow eyes glinted with amusement.

"Oi. Don't put your hands on my girlfriend," Rodolf growled smugly.

The werewolf stood protectively at Cylien's side.

Shuria's grip tightened on her sword as her eyes narrowed.

Despite Cylien's skills, Rodolf was an entirely different beast—both figuratively and literally.

"I'll take care of the werewolf—"

-BAM!

Before Shuria could finish her sentence, Cylien lunged at her, sword flashing. The attack was swift and precise, but Shuria was ready this time. She deflected the strike with her own blade, though the sheer force made her grit her teeth.

Her expression darkened.

"Come on, is that all Utopia has to offer?!" Rodolf provoked, his voice booming across the battlefield.

He darted between the Blood Elves at blinding speed, using no weapon but his own razor-sharp claws. Each swipe tore through armor and flesh alike, leaving trails of carnage in his wake.

"N-No way…" One Blood Elf mumbled, staring in disbelief at his sword, cleaved in two by Rodolf's bare hands. The werewolf's next punch landed squarely in the elf's gut, a fatal blow that sent the soldier crumpling lifeless to the ground.

"Overwhelm him! Attack together!" Edryn roared, rallying the Blood Elves.

"Yeah!" They shouted in unison, surging toward Rodolf as a united front.

But it was futile. Rodolf's movements were almost animalistic—an agile predator weaving through their ranks. He leapt, dodged, and struck with lethal efficiency, evading every attempt to corner him. His raw Prana pressure hung heavy in the air, making even the most seasoned fighters shiver.

Shuria clenched her teeth as more of her men fell. Cylien's pursuit kept her from intervening.

If this continued…

"Take this!" Edryn shouted as he swung his sword toward Rodolf, hoping to catch him off guard.

Rodolf didn't even flinch. With a single hand, he caught the blade mid-swing and crushed it into shards.

Edryn's face turned ghostly pale.

"Weaklings have no place in battle," Rodolf sneered, raising his clawed hand for the killing blow.

Time seemed to slow for Edryn as his life flashed before his eyes. Memories of his wife and children filled his mind. His wife's saddened face and his promise to her and their children.

'I couldn't keep my promise… I'm sorry, everyone.'

He closed his eyes, bracing for death.

-BAM!

But at that moment, powerful gust of wind exploded in front of him, blowing his hair back. When he dared to open his eyes, Rodolf's imposing figure was gone—sent crashing into the rubble with quite a force.

"Don't give up so easily."

A calm, familiar voice broke the silence. A feminine figure landed gracefully before him, long silver hair tied back in a ponytail. Piercing green eyes and beauty that easily rivaled even Cylien's.

All Blood Elves recognized 'her'.

"LOKI!!!"