A Villain's Will to Survive-Chapter 258: Dance with Empress (1)

The Imperial Palace had been built upon the most perfect ground, chosen by the laws of geomancy and the study of mana—the heart of the Empire itself. To its people, it was a temple—pure and noble, unmarred by the faintest stain. But such belief was only half the truth.

The Imperial Palace was steeped in rich myths and legends of the imperial family, hiding within its grounds things that didn’t belong. This old mansion was the prime example—nicknamed the Imperial Palace’s disgrace, the cursed mansion where every eerie story seemed to take root and spread.

The old mansion stretched wide, its scale closer to a theme park than a mansion—rivaling even the Imperial Palace’s main halls. However, maids and attendants awaited us, and with their welcome, even timid Epherene, Ihelm, and the others managed to settle comfortably into their rooms.

26th Room

I unpacked in the room assigned to me, though there was little to unpack. However, someone had already arrived ahead of me.

“You don’t even look surprised to see me,” the Empress said, seated on the edge of the bed, her eyes steady as it held mine across the room.

"No, as your name was written on the card, Your Majesty," I replied.

On my card was written—Sophien Aekater Augus von Jaegus Gifrein. However, it seemed to be a mere coincidence, as if there had been any magical device or trap, surely my Sharp Eyesight would not have missed it.

"You'd just show it to me outright? Haven't you ever played guardian angel? They say it's pretty popular at the academy nowadays," Sophien said, shaking her head and letting out a sigh that was almost charming, if such a thing could be said of her.

“Your Majesty, may I ask—what led you to choose this place for the event?”

"Just like Jolang said. For unity. Soon, the Empire’s spear will turn toward the Scarletborn, the desert, and the Altar. This is where the real war begins.

“And before it does, it’s only common sense to set the Palace in order..." Sophien muttered, pressing her fingers to her temple and gritting her teeth as a groan escaped. "Tch... this damn headache. It’s been getting worse every day."

Sophien was someone who had mastered the art of enduring pain; therefore, whatever gripped her now, this headache must have been the kind of pain that would have sent an ordinary person into shock—not once, but many times over.

I stepped closer to Sophien in silence, channeling a fraction of my mana into my Sharp Eyesight as I turned my eyes toward her small head.

“... Y-You’ve come rather too close,” Sophien said, instinctively pulling her head back, a hint of awkwardness in her eyes

“Your Majesty, hold still for just a moment.”

“Hold still, what hold still—”

“It’s just an examination, Your Majesty.”

The Sharp Eyesight was an ability meant to see the unseen. With mana and mental strength that had grown over time, there was nothing it couldn’t reach—neither illness nor curse.

“... Hmm.”

From Sophien’s head, I caught sight of a slight thread of mana, and I knew it at once—it was Rohakan’s mana.

“Deculein, why did you go to Rohakan’s Vineyard?” Sophien asked, giving me a push. “There’s a spell—Rohakan’s magic—woven into my mind. Whether it’s Rohakan’s or not, some magic is blocking a part of my memory.”

Sophien lay down on the bed, as if her body were weighed down, then turned her head slightly to look at me.

“Do you know what memory’s been sealed away?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“... What did you just say?” Sophien muttered, her brow furrowing.

"To know for certain, I’d need to examine Your Majesty’s mind directly. But placing a blade against the imperial body is a crime beyond pardon. However, I believe I know what memory Rohakan sought to hide from Your Majesty."

“... And what might that be?” Sophien asked, her face devoid of expression, her voice falling into quiet seriousness.

“However, I made a promise to Rohakan.”

“A promise?”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” I replied, nodding. “I promised to keep it secret.”

Sophien clamped her lips shut and turned her face away—toward the other side of the bed.

I spoke no words to Sophien and turned my eyes to the window of the old mansion, where one person stood outside.

"Hup—! Hup—! Haaaaa—!"

While most knights stayed inside their rooms at dawn, Yulie was out there alone—training, swinging her sword, and pushing herself.

“... You love her that much?” Sophien asked, still facing the wall from the bed. “The very woman trying to bring you down.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” I replied, offering a faint smile as I lowered myself into the chair by the bed. “However, I’ll never be able to be with her.”

“... You won’t be with her?” the Empress asked, pushing herself upright, her brow furrowing with fresh curiosity. “Why? Why won’t you be with her?”

“Haaa─! Haaaaap─!”

Yulie’s shouts rang out as she trained, each swing of her blade leaving sparks of mana, and I saw her wiping the sweat glistening on her skin.

"I will be ending my engagement with Yulie," I replied. "It’s already all but broken—the elders are merely slow in their deliberations, and in the end, this body was never meant for years to come."

Sophien remained silent.

"For Yulie’s sake, it’s only right that I step aside, and if that’s what happens..." I continued, holding the card with Sophien’s name and holding it out to her. "Then I will protect Your Majesty for the rest of my life."

Sophien—the proof of the world—was the key figure in the main quest, the very center of the Empire itself.

If I am to die, then until the very moment I do, it’s only right that I remain by Sophien’s side, I thought.

For a brief moment, Sophien’s face was blank, and then, for some unknown reason, a tender flush warmed her cheeks, like that of a shy young girl.

"Would Your Majesty even be willing to tell me?" I asked. "The reason behind Your Majesty holding such an unexpected event?"

“... Sigh,” Sophien murmured, letting out her usual familiar sigh, then gave a hollow laugh as she sat on the bed. “... The Altar. We’ve identified every temple they’ve seeded throughout the Empire. Three hundred ninety-seven in all. Damnably many.”

“I see.”

"Indeed. Even now, while the event continues, the Elite Guard and our strongest forces are advancing in secret—to bring down the temples."

And just like that, the moment Sophien finished speaking, the quest notification appeared.

[Main Quest : The Dawn of War]

It marked the beginning of it all—the first battle and the opening note of the world’s endgame.

"If it is as Your Majesty has said, then the most dangerous place in the Empire must be here," I replied.

The Altar, whose temple had been struck, would never suffer such an insult in silence, and retaliation was inevitable, with the obvious target—just as it always had been—being Sophien, stripped bare of strength.

“It’s a strategy worth taking the risk for.”

"Such recklessness, Your Majesty," I replied, priming the Snowflower Stone and placing ten of the nineteen Wood Steel on Sophien.

“... Hmph, perhaps dying like this wouldn’t be such a terrible end,” Sophien said, her words spoken carelessly.

However, for all of Sophien’s words, the preparations were solid. After all, staying here in this old mansion—this magical space—was no different from hiding in plain sight, under absolute protection.

"A life of ennui, of tedium. A damned life as an Empress, yet I am unable to have the one thing I desire most."

At Sophien’s words, I felt a faint smile tug at my lips before I even realized it.

Sophien gave me a look—one that seemed to ask what was so funny about my smile—and in response, I knelt before her, where she perched on the bed.

“... Then, of Your Majesty’s life,” I replied, every word spoken with the perfect decorum of a knight and servant. “I will protect it.”

***

[Rules]

1. Guests must not walk alone at any time.

2. Guests must remain inside their rooms after sunset.

3. Guests must not be deceived by the mansion.

4. Please note that the store and dining hall are open only from 8–9 a.m., 1–2 p.m., and 8–9 p.m.

5. All other facilities are governed by their own regulations. Please comply accordingly.

Early that morning, Yulie stood staring at the rule board hanging in the old mansion’s lounge, while Epherene, beside her, yawned, her eyes following the same lines.

"Graaawn—It’s really not that scary in the morning," Epherene said. "Seems like we’ll be fine as long as we stay in our rooms after dark."

"For a moment, I thought a pterosaur had slipped in—until I realized it was your yawn," Yulie replied.

“A pterosaur? What’s that?”

"Nevermind. However, no surprise—the facilities here are impressive, as one would expect for Her Majesty’s residence. There’s even a training hall in the basement."

For a place called a cursed old mansion, it was unexpectedly welcoming, and even Epherene found it strange—in a good way—especially since the bed’s mattress alone was amazing.

"This old mansion is a magical space, both known and unknown within the Imperial Palace. You could say it’s a secret known only to those who are aware of it."

At that moment, two knights appeared behind them—Gawain and Isaac.

"It’s a space modeled after the Imperial Palace, once home to the former Emperor—a place that feels, in a sense, like a museum," Isaac added with a smile. "It’s not especially dangerous, but it’s wise to follow the rules. Has the dining hall opened?"

“Oh, right! Food!” Epherene exclaimed, then raced off toward the dining hall.

“Hahaha...” Isaac murmured, a brief chuckle escaping as he watched her disappear down the hall. Then he gathered his expression and turned to Yulie. “Yulie, Her Majesty granted the special petition regarding Deculein prior to the event, and the approval has been finalized.”

“... Is it true?” Yulie said, her face hardening at the mention of the special petition—the Empress’s Hearing—being arranged.

"Yes—there’s even a courtroom in this place. Either way, here’s the map of the old mansion. Take it—you’ve always been bad at wayfinding."

“... I’ve gotten a bit better, really,” Yulie muttered, clearing her throat as she took the map of the old mansion, her poor sense of direction having long been both a tradition and a legend within the Imperial Knight's Order. “The hearing will probably take place inside this old mansion. I’ve brought all the evidence we need...”

“We will win this,” Gawain said.

"... Yes," Yulie said, nodding as she tightened her fist and bit her lip.

Now was the moment to steel her heart and stay strong.

***

— Yulie, Her Majesty granted the special petition regarding Deculein prior to the event, and the approval has been finalized.

In Room 29 of the old mansion—not the dining hall, but a guest room—Epherene sat down and listened to the conversation between Yulie and the knights, recorded by her Wood Steel.

“What hearing could that be?” Epherene muttered.

The reason she had gone so far as to eavesdrop was simple—it was all because of the gift Sylvia had given Epherene.

Foolish Epherene—there’s a video stored here. If the Professor is ever in danger and he's standing around like a fool, give it to Yulie—that foolish woman might actually know what to do.

Why, for what reason would it be meant for Knight Yulie? Not knowing the reason just makes me suspicious. Of course, I have no idea what this mana stone contains, but opening someone else’s gift before they do is just wrong, Epherene thought.

— The hearing will probably take place inside this old mansion. I’ve brought all the evidence we need...

— So, Yulie—you have the evidence that Deculein killed Veron, correct?

— Yes, I do.

At that moment, Epherene's eyes snapped open.

Evidence of Veron’s death? That he killed him?

— If he really killed the knight who escorted him all the way to Berhert, driven by jealousy, then there’s nothing even Her Majesty could do about it, as it’s an undeniable fact.

Epherene’s mouth fell open.

If he really killed his escort knight over jealousy—then he’s an absolute bastard, Epherene thought.

"No—no, there’s no way. The Professor would never do such a thing."

Then, after a moment, Epherene closed her eyes and lost herself in thought—thoughts of Deculein, the weight of his wrongdoings from the past, dark with sins spoken of as legend; his jealousy, as immense as the sky encircling Yulie’s world; his love, full enough to give everything of himself; his obsession, wild and burning—and all of it was the truth.

— We have also received all the evidence from the Intelligence Agency, including the one regarding Rockfell’s death, and all of it confirms that Deculein instigated the murder.

“... Gasp,” Epherene gasped, quickly reaching into her robe.

Gulp—

Epherene swallowed hard and turned her eyes to the weathered mana stone—Sylvia’s gift.

And then, the door swung open...

“... Hmm? Epherene, have you not eaten your meal yet?” Louina asked as she entered the room.

Epherene flinched and tucked herself deep beneath the covers, as if the bed could hide her from the world.

***

They called it the cursed mansion, but that afternoon, the old mansion felt nothing but peaceful, with the sky clear, the breeze warm, and me reading my book on the gentle balcony.

“And what is that—Blue Eyes Remake?” Sophien asked.

"Yes—Sylvia’s latest revision of her novel," I replied.

Sylvia remained locked on Sylvia's Island. But even there, she kept in touch with a few adventurers, and to one of them, Ganesha, she gave the manuscript of Blue Eyes, asking that it be published again.

"... Wasn’t that the novel I recommended to you before? And now it's been revised?"

“Yes—by the author, herself.”

“It was already a fine novel even before,” Sophien replied, a smile touching her lips as she sipped her tea.

Around then, the sun began to set, bleeding its crimson light across the horizon, sinking lower and lower. I watched from beyond the balcony as the world changed—the Imperial Palace fading, the Capital shifting, little by little...

“You needn’t be surprised, Professor. I told you already—this is a cursed old mansion.”

The world outside faded into gray, and even that dissolved into nothing as ghosts gathered like mist, stirring across the crumbling twilight, while time and space began to fall into disarray.

“This old mansion touches the outer world,” Sophien added. “In other words, it’s the threshold of the afterlife. It is said that the Emperors of old once sought counsel here from the spirits of their ancestors.”

"It’s a fitting place to hide, wouldn’t you agree?" Sophien concluded, her tone calm, as if she were observing a passing stream.