The Villainess Whom I Had Served for 13 Years Has Fallen - Chapter 419



419 – On Repentance – 2 –

“I want to hear that story properly.”

Hans’s unexpected proposal brought a small smile to my face, my eyes gleaming. To hear those words – giving Ruin back his magic – from Hans of all people…

It was magic *he* took.

Magic stolen from Ruin, who was once intoxicated with his own talent. He only returned it when Ruin was about to die in the original story…

-It’s all my fault, isn’t it? Being jealous of you… dabbling in black magic too.

-Hans…!!

-Killing the master… I was sorry.

-…

From noble mtl dot com

-This is a gift from me.

To Hans’s proposal, to return it when not even a year had passed, I offered an awkward smile and shrugged.

“The ‘magic’ you speak of, Master Hans, is the Rune of Fire, taken from Ruin. Is that correct?”

“Yes, that is correct.”

“You are aware that the Rune of Fire is a ‘unique magic’ that maximizes the efficiency of ‘fire magic’.”

“Yes, I know that better than anyone.”

“Of course you do.”

“…”

“And… you’re saying you want to return that magic?”

At my probing question, Hans nodded heavily.

“Yes, that is correct.”

He was, after all, the one who coveted Ruin’s unique magic more than anyone.

“If utilized properly, it’s a magic capable of turning the entire Empire into a sea of flames. Because it’s a ‘unique magic’ that reduces mana consumption and maximizes power.”

“…That…”

“To cede magic with such outstanding potential without any compensation… frankly, I cannot understand it.”

That Hans, who knew the potential of the Rune of Fire better than anyone, would return it to its owner had many implications.

That he was swayed by ‘affection,’ perhaps.

Or perhaps he was unable to control the Rune of Fire.

If Hans said he wanted to return it because he felt guilty seeing Ruin broken, I intended to refuse Hans’s request.

“Hmm…”

The reason was simple.

Returning magic to Ruin offered me no benefit.

I wasn’t even sure if Ruin would be of any help to me yet, so handing over a treasure I possessed without any reason felt like nothing more than becoming a sucker.

I needed concrete grounds and efficiency.

What gain could we expect after returning the flame rune snatched from Ruin?

I placed my clasped hands on the desk, a faint smile playing on my lips, and spoke.

“What kind of person is Ruin to Hans?”

“…”

“A friend? Or perhaps an enemy?”

To my weighty question, Hans clenched his fists tightly and continued his reply.

“In the past, he was a target of envy, but now he’s just a past connection. Friendship and memories, I’ve left them all in the past.”

“Don’t you resent the past?”

“It would be a lie to say I don’t. My feelings of inferiority played a large part… but now, I think it’s all in the past. Although, to Ruin, I might be a sworn enemy he wants to kill.”

“Despite that danger, you still want to return the magic to Ruin? The blade might be pointed at you, Hans.”

“That’s…”

I gazed at the hesitating Hans and asked.

“Is it… sentiment?”

Are you doing this because of the ‘sentiment’ of the past?

I didn’t mean that sentiment was bad. I too had friends to whom I felt ‘sentiment’, and I could become a fool who would suffer losses for a friend’s request.

“Just wondering, is all.”

What Hans thought of Ruin. As a reader, and also, as someone who’d become a friend. I wanted to know him.

Only, my hope was that he wouldn’t go too soft because of the guilt over their bad blood.

A minimum of guilt is necessary for a person, but if that guilt crosses a line, he’ll end up like the ‘Mikhail’ of the past.

“…No, it isn’t.”

Hans, unable to be honest, faltered at the word ‘affection’ and then began to spit out his answer to the question. As if he knew I was going to ask something like this, the words flowed without stopping.

“It’s not because of affection.”

“Then why?”

“…I thought there would be benefits if we returned magic to Ruin. Strategically speaking, I thought the effect would shine.”

“Is that so?”

“…”

“My personal opinion is that it’s not good to return magic to Ruin.”

“…”

“We could gift it to the beastkin we took from the slave market and still create good results. There’s no need to take the risk of giving it to Ruin, who could turn a blade on us at any time. I’m worried.”

“…”

At the negative words, Hans’ expression began to stiffen. I wasn’t even trying to scold him.

“If we return magic to Ruin, the Academy’s threat will be reduced.”

“…Hmm.”

“Right now, the Academy is heavily reliant on Mikhail and Hanna. The Academy professors weren’t much help even when the heretics invaded. From the moment Mikhail reclaimed the Holy Sword, that reliance can only become greater.”

“…”

“Wasn’t that the reason the Saint sought to teach the Academy students?”

“You were aware.”

To the question, arriving like a fist to the gut, I nodded, a small smile playing on my lips. The reason I accepted the special class wasn’t just Malik’s request, but also to prevent the Academy from leaning so hard on Mikhail.

“I hadn’t realized you knew that much.”

The Heretic keeps a close watch on the Academy.

Ever since the Holy Sword fell into Mikhail’s hands, they’ve been focusing even harder, and besides, Hans was predicting an episode with many casualties would soon occur.

Hans, emboldened by my nodding, began to continue with fervor.

“So, I thought that by returning magic through Ruin, I could help with the Academy’s safety.”

I nodded and said to Hans in a low voice, telling him I had listened well to the story he had prepared.

“So far, that’s the official reason, then.”

“Pardon?”

“Did you think I wouldn’t know? You have a greater passion for magic than anyone.”

“…That’s…”

“Shall we speak from the heart now? Isn’t it a struggle to keep it all bottled up?”

“…”

“There’s a decisive reason, isn’t there? A reason tainted by personal feelings.”

Hans, wearing an expression as if struck on the head, added, ‘As expected, I can’t deceive the Saint,’ and let out a long sigh.

“The truth is…”

“Yes.”

What will he say?

Guilt.

Or maybe he’d try to call it friendship.

Whatever it was, to not dismiss Hans’ innermost feelings, I opened my heart and focused on his words.

I wasn’t some god to make all the right choices, after all.

Hans, fist clenched tight, started to speak with difficulty, and I couldn’t help but gape at his answer.

Because he spat out a response far beyond what I’d imagined.

“I want to feel a greater pleasure.”

“Huh?”

“The first time I stole Ruin’s magic, I told him to live like you and me for the rest of his life, but this time, I wanted to give it back so I could crush Ruin after he got it back.”

“…Excuse me?”

“I want to get rid of the excuses.”

‘This guy’s got rocks in his head.’

Hans’ words, more shocking than anything I’d anticipated, left me with a blank expression.

I thought he’d say he was giving it back because he regretted his wrongdoings, but I was more than a little taken aback by his unexpectedly perverted tastes, his heathen mindset.

“You’re cruel.”

“…Haha. If I’m going to crush him, I want to do it thoroughly.”

“You’re impressive.”

“The Saint also knows, doesn’t he? That once you step on Ruin, you have to stomp him good. So, wanting to be of assistance to that fool, this arrogant Saint’s disciple reluctantly opened his mouth.”

I released my clasped hands and lifted my teacup. To tell the truth, I’d thought from the moment Hans never used Ruin’s magic even once, that he was going to give it back.

Though it seemed like he was saying these things more out of ‘affection’ than a ‘desire’ to torment him.

I understood Hans’ shyness, speaking softly, sensing it was time to give him the answer he craved.

“I understand.”

“Y-yes…?”

“I said, it’s alright to return the magic to Ruin.”

“…Saint…!”

“In the first place, that magic wasn’t under my jurisdiction anyway.”

“Saint…”

I smiled faintly, saying,

“I grant permission.”

Hans clenched his fist, letting out a cheer.

“Thank you, Saint!”

“Haha…! Are you that happy?”

“It’s all thanks to the Saint’s grace.”

“Haha…”

I stopped Hans from bowing, asking him for a favor. I had something to say to Hans as well.

“Ah, Hans,”

“Yes, please speak, Saint…!”

“I’m thinking of being away for about three days, starting tomorrow.”

“…Yes?”

“I was thinking of visiting the young lady.”

“Understood…!”

Emptying my teacup, I offered Hans a faint smile, continuing.

“While I’m gone, I trust you’ll run the swordsmanship and magic departments ragged.”

“Understood!”

“Ah…that would be good too, wouldn’t it.”

I spoke with a cruel smile.

“XXX, then.”

“Excuse me? XXX, you mean?”

“Yes, I think it’ll be amusing.”

Hans nodded.

“Indeed…it would be quite beneficial for practical experience.”

He said with a cruel smile of his own.

*

“The formula…”

Late into the night, seated on his bed, studying, Ruin lit a lamp in secret, jotting notes while the other students slept. His body screamed with exhaustion, enough to make him faint, but he still had to study.

He was still lacking, so much.

Theoretically.

And experientially.

Just because one’s innate mana was high didn’t mean one could wield all magic.

Ruin was honing himself, grinding himself down, to become even sharper.

“Hah…”

Ruin, pen clutched in hand, paused his writing and swallowed a bitter laugh.

“That b*stard Hans did this every day, huh…”

Ruin clenched his fist.

Imbuing it with the resolve to work even harder tomorrow.

And so, the next day.

“Uh…?”

Ruin stood armored, gazing up at the imposing castle.