I Am The Game's Villain

Chapter 186  [Event] [Enigma Red Dungeon] End

After Leon's departure, I found myself back on the 48th floor, where everyone had gathered.

I could see Miranda's father, Kleah's worried sister tending to her, Layla's father, and many others. Alfred, Aurora, Carla, Layla, Thomas, Ronald, Loid, Miranda, Elona, David, Lyra, and all the others were gathered around Louisa's lifeless body, mourning their loss.

Through my weary eyes, I watched Miranda cry inconsolably. Her tears seemed to flow endlessly, while the rest wore expressions of despair, as if they had already come to terms with the tragedy.

"Edward!"

Upon seeing Aunt Belle, my emotions overwhelmed me. Despite my battered body, I stumbled towards her, and she caught me, embracing me tightly.

"Edward!" Aunt Belle exclaimed, her eyes widening as she felt the tremors running through my body. "What happened, dear?"

"Edward!"

"Brother!"

I could hear Milleia's and Elona's voices who seemed to have woken up, but before they could approach me, Aunt Belle raised her hand, halting them.

"A-Aunt Belle..." I clung tightly to her clothes, tears streaming down my face.

It was difficult to contain myself.

Since the beginning of this cursed Event, I had endured immense emotional and physical suffering.

I couldn't even comprehend what Brandon had been talking about.

My father despised me.

My mother had lied to me and seemed disappointed in me.

I didn't belong to this peaceful world they spoke of.

Louisa had died right before my eyes.

People failed to understand my desires and the purpose for which I fought.

Elona had nearly perished in front of me.

The one who had annihilated my entire family was now alive and well,

inhabiting 'my' body.

I had been beaten relentlessly for three consecutive days.

Jayden, whom I had considered a friend, had abandoned me to face death alone.

Jarvis, one of the few individuals I was close to, had been killed.

Mary had died, and the chances of ever seeing her true self again seemed slim.

I could feel the weight of everyone's shocked gazes upon me, hear the gasps of those witnessing my tear-stricken state, but I didn't care.

I unleashed all the pent-up emotions and let my tears flow freely.

Aunt Belle didn't question me or pry for answers; she simply comforted me, gently patting my head.

She took me to her mansion in Falkrona City, away from the bustling Capital City of Dorian, allowing me a moment to breathe.

As night fell upon Aunt Belle's mansion, I awoke after a few hours of sleep. Aunt Belle had remained by my side throughout the night, cradling me in her lap and soothing my troubled mind. Her gentle hand, still on my head.

Quietly, without disturbing Aunt Belle, who now slept peacefully, I rose from my spot and changed my clothes. I left the mansion discreetly, yearning for a moment of solitude.

****

In a distant town within the Celesta Kingdom...

"Did you take your medicine?" a woman asked a young boy, her tone filled with concern.

"Yes, aunty," the boy replied, offering a reassuring smile.

"And have you brushed your teeth?"

"Yes, aunty," he responded, feeling a bit embarrassed now.

Startled, Josua spun the wheels of his wheelchair to survey his surroundings. He spotted a young man, not much older than himself, his face concealed beneath a cloth, leaving only his piercing amber eyes visible in the dimly lit room.

"Have you taken care of your personal needs?"

"Aunty! It's okay!" the boy interjected, his face flushing with embarrassment, and quickly turned his wheelchair to make his escape.

He retreated to his room and closed the door behind him. Despite the awkwardness of the conversation, a gentle smile remained on his face. He was always grateful for the kind people who cared for him here.

"Josua."

Startled, Josua spun the wheels of his wheelchair to survey his surroundings. He spotted a young man, not much older than himself, his face concealed beneath a cloth, leaving only his piercing amber eyes visible in the dimly lit room.

"Um... who are you?" Josua asked, his voice trembling with nervousness.

"You don't need to know," the man, Edward, replied, pulling out a piece of paper and a pen. "Write your final letter to your brother."

"R-Reinhart? W-Why?" Josua stammered, his voice quivering.

"Because you're about to die," Edward coldly stated.

"What?!"

"If you raise your voice, I'll kill everyone inside this orphanage," Edward threatened. "Now, write."

Josua stood frozen in fear, struggling to comprehend the gravity of the situation.

"Do I need to kill your brother along with the others?" Edward's voice dripped with menace.

"N-No!" Josua shook his head, tears welling up in his eyes. With a trembling hand, he began to write, his tears staining the paper.

Satisfied that Josua was complying, Edward glanced out the window, his gaze fixed on the moon.

"You're going to die in two months because of your illness."

Josua stopped writing, his eyes widening in shock. How did Edward know? Not even his brother Jayden was aware of the timeline.

"I'm just hastening the process by two months," Edward explained dismissively.

"But... I wanted more time..." Josua's voice quivered with desperation.

"I don't care," Edward cut him off. "The longer you remain alive, the more of a burden you become to your brother, and the more danger he'll be in."

Josua trembled, his heart filled with fear.

He was scared.

Scared to die.

He didn't want to die.

Until now, he had believed he had more time, but...

Biting his lip, Josua finished writing the letter and handed it to Edward.

Edward read the letter carefully before adding something to the back of the page. Then, he turned to face Josua.

"I'll end your life swiftly, without pain, but your body won't be in a pleasant state," Edward warned.

Josua's face turned even paler as he realized that his death was imminent, but he eventually nodded, his voice barely a whisper. "Y-You won't harm my brother? P-Please, don't."

Edward remained silent and approached Josua, extending his hand, and in an instant, snapped Josua's neck, bringing an abrupt end to his young life.

****

As I sat on the roof of the orphanage, gazing at the stars, I couldn't help but question myself. "Do you find me despicable, Cleenah?" I asked.

[<Why would I hate you, Amael?>] "I killed an innocent man. And you're a Goddess, aren't you?"

[<I am, but I will never hate you, Amael.>]

"Maybe Mary would hate me if she had witnessed this," I pondered aloud.

[<Mary is the last person with Ephera who would hate you in both worlds, Amael>] Cleenah assured me.

Her words brought a little smile to my exhausted face. "I'm glad you're with me. I hope you won't ever leave me."

[<Never. But why did you do this?>] Cleenah inquired.

"Because Jayden took everything I did for granted," I replied.

He abandoned me, causing me to lose Jarvis and Mary in the process. Though I'm still seething with anger, this guy no longer holds any interest for me. Killing his brother and framing Brandon will enable me to make him stronger.

In the Game, Josua died of an illness. Despite Jayden's efforts, even with the Golden Grasses, Josua perished. He was even used by Brandon as a way of threatening Jayden. He died in the end of because of illness. I now understand why Jayden was so fixated on the Saintess in the Game. Sadly, the Saintess, Maria's mother, might have been able to help him, but she is no longer alive. Anyway, I've come to realize that I can't rely on Jayden anymore.

Never again.

I will let him attempt to kill Brandon, but if he fails, I will take matters into my own hands. I just need some time to recover from the mental and physical wounds I've endured.

The future looks grim now that I know Leon is targeting me. He is as powerful as a God, rivaling Laima from yesterday. I must attain Godhood within a few years. It's a concept I never would have entertained before. My sole desire used to be finding Ephera, achieving a happy ending, and living with her. But now, things have changed. I have other reasons to strive for Godhood.

"Cleenah, what you told me about Mary-" I began, recalling the conversations I had with Mary.

[<Yes, you can see her again, but you'll have to enter the Underworld.>] Cleenah confirmed.

"Mary never mentioned any of this. Now I understand why she was so hesitant," I muttered, reminiscing about my time with Mary when I confessed my feelings to her.

[<She was scared for you. As an Incarnation of a Goddess, she was only in this realm to fight against the Evil Gods. However, she was killed in her village by her own parents before she could unlock her full potential. Even I only learned about it when she vanished and lent me her strength to aid you. She probably learned about herself when she was brought back as Banshee by you.>] Cleenah explained.

"I see..." I nodded, a bitter smile playing on my lips.

[<Amael, have you made your decision then? You have time, but this time you are venturing into the Underworld. Hades won't allow you near his wife>] Cleenah warned.

I forced a weary smile at Cleenah's words. "Mary—no, Persephone is my wife, and I don't care about Hades and I won't wait to reach Godhood to see her again."

There might be a way in Sancta Vedelia.

[<Mary may be the incarnation of Persephone, but even with Mary's memories, the Persephone I know might behave differently, Amael,>] Cleenah cautioned.

"I will see for myself when I go to see her," I replied thinking about everything that happened between us since the beginning.

Ephera and Mary are both crucial to me. I will find them and bring them back, regardless of the price.