The Yellow-Haired Villain in Soaring Phoenix’s Novels Also Desires Happiness - Chapter 250



28. Questions and Answers

Fortunately, I acted quickly…

Mu En couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief, like an old pig that had rampaged through a vegetable garden all night, yet had not been beaten to death.

No matter what, if Celicia still despised him as she had before, after last night, he might really end up as the vengeful spirit in the hands of that haughty princess, just as Audric III had said.

What Mu En still couldn’t understand was…

Why was the Emperor, who had been watching this matter with cold indifference and had done nothing from beginning to end, so certain of this outcome?

Was he not afraid that his engagement with Celicia would truly go awry?

After all, logically speaking, he should be very much hoping for the successful conclusion of this engagement, as he needed the Campbell family, or rather the name Campbell, to help him balance those decaying noble factions.

It was hard to fathom…

Mu En cautiously stole a glance at the Emperor, the supreme ruler of the empire, who sat right before him, yet seemed to be shrouded in a mist.

Even now, Mu En still couldn’t quite grasp the purpose of his summons.

It couldn’t be that he was lonely in the deep palace and had dragged him here for a chat…

…

Just as various speculations floated through Mu En’s mind, Audric III suddenly shook off his earlier drowsy state and rose from the wide sofa.

“Campbell’s boy, come with me.”

He turned and walked toward the other end of the room.

Mu En silently followed behind him.

Just as he thought Audric III was going to show him something special or introduce him to someone… suddenly, the world before Mu En brightened.

They had arrived outdoors, on a balcony.

Through the intricately carved white jade railing, the setting sun was gradually sinking over the vast western plains, igniting the clouds in a blaze of color, enveloping the towering city in a magnificent red glow.

From here, one could overlook most of Belrand.

Audric III held onto the white jade railing, his deep eyes, which the light could not penetrate, gazing at the grand city beneath him.

“Mu En Campbell, at this moment, standing here, at the highest point of this city, what do you see?” he suddenly asked.

“What do I see?”

Mu En was taken aback.

Just as he was about to ponder the deeper meaning of this question, Audric’s voice rang out in his ears again.

“Answer me now.”

The voice carried an endless authority, as if wrapped in a special force, stirring Mu En’s thoughts, causing him to blurt out instinctively.

“The sunset is beautiful.”

“…And what else?”

“Also… the rivers flowing under the sunset are beautiful, reminding me of a scene that one can never forget in a lifetime.”

Mu En’s lips curved into a gentle smile, his gaze soft.

“……”

Aldrich III turned his head to glance at him, raising an eyebrow slightly, then patted the railing.

“I wanted you to see this city.”

“The city…”

Mu En lowered his head, looking down at Berland.

In the reflection of his lake-like eyes, much of Berland was encompassed within; from this vantage point, it seemed that nothing could escape his gaze.

What a wonderful feeling, to have everything in sight, everything so small, like the ants beneath his feet.

Yet, his expression grew serious.

“Over there…”

“Over there?”

“That street…”

Mu En pointed in a certain direction, his expression extremely solemn.

This prompted Aldrich III to tilt his head, seriously looking toward the famous Queen’s Street that Mu En was indicating.

“What about that street?”

“That street…”

Mu En took a deep breath, a glint flashing in his eyes:

“That girl in the short skirt, she has such a big chest, and her thighs are so white!”

“……”

In the silence, accompanied by a crisp crack from his hand, Aldrich III withdrew his hand from the railing, ignoring the cracks that covered it, and turned his head to scrutinize the golden-haired youth once more.

Mu En jolted back to his senses, immediately thinking it was bad.

What the hell am I saying, how could I say such… such disrespectful words in front of His Majesty?

What should I do? Will His Majesty punish me for disrespect?

Or will he report me to Celicia, and then have her come and kick my ass?

But just as Mu En felt anxious, Aldrich III suddenly burst into laughter.

“Ha, haha… big chest, white thighs? That’s the first time I’ve heard such words.”

It was the first time Mu En could discern the unmistakable sincerity of laughter from this man shrouded in mystery.

His brow, sharply raised like a drawn sword, was strikingly similar to Celicia’s.

As if the entire world trembled with this man’s laughter.

“Mu En Campbell, you are much more interesting than I imagined.”

“Ha?”

Mu En wiped the cold sweat from his forehead,

“I do not understand what Your Majesty means.”

“Even while residing in this palace, I have heard quite a bit about you,” King Audric III paused, “not very good things…”

“Rumors, those are merely others trying to tarnish my name! Your Majesty, do not be so gullible!” Mu En glared angrily.

It was one thing in the past, but the current him had nothing to do with those so-called bad deeds.

“Not long ago, someone came to me complaining that you, relying on your status as the Duke’s son, have been acting recklessly at the academy, engaging in some scandalous behavior unbefitting of a noble… such as running around naked.”

“Pfft…”

Mu En nearly spat out a mouthful of blood.

What the hell, why would such a trivial matter reach the ears of His Majesty all the way in the palace!

Your Majesty, are you that bored?

“There are also claims that you have been casually oppressing other noble youths, living a dissolute life, and juggling multiple affairs. I won’t enumerate them all; suffice it to say, they are all things that have become tiresome to hear.”

King Audric III said casually:

“But just recently, I heard a different story, saying that you have turned over a new leaf at the academy, studying earnestly, and your behavior has started to align with that of a true Duke’s son, as if you have become a different person.”

“…Bearing the family’s expectations… my parents’ hopes, I must at least try to put in some effort, right?” Mu En smiled.

“Heh, is that so?”

King Audric III did not confirm or deny, and continued:

“It is indeed curious that a person can undergo such a sudden transformation, so I thought to summon you, wanting to see for myself whether the rumors are true or not.”

“…So, has Your Majesty discerned anything?”

“…”

King Audric III turned back, a faint smile on his face,

“Guess.”

Pfft…

Your Majesty, must you be so mischievous!

Mu En felt a lump in his throat from the sudden playfulness of King Audric III, caught between breaths, feeling extremely uncomfortable.

But a sudden realization flashed through his mind.

Your Majesty… is testing me?

Or rather, testing the Campbell family?

“Mu En Campbell, I will ask you one last question.”

King Audric III no longer looked down at the city beneath him, raising his gaze to the setting sun.

“What do you want for your future?”

“Future?”

“Exactly.”

Audric said:

“Right now, you are the son of a duke, the fiancé of a princess. You possess a noble status, endless wealth, and power at your fingertips…

It’s easy to imagine how bright your future will be.

And when you step into that bright future, having what ordinary people spend their whole lives striving for and never attain, what then do you wish for?”

“I…”

Mu En was momentarily taken aback.

What one wants for their future is truly the hardest question in the world to answer.

Because no one can clearly define their future self.

However, for Mu En, the answer to this question had long been settled.

Thus, under the gentle sunset, Mu En scratched his cheek, a hint of shyness akin to a child reading their dreams to a parent, and softly said:

“I want to live… happily.”

That’s right.

To live happily.

This was his ultimate goal, unchanged even after traversing to this world, experiencing so much, facing so many challenges, and brushing against death time and again.

He is the blonde-haired villain in the story.

He is watched by an evil god and despised by fate.

But he still wants to live.

And to be happy.

So simple.

“Is that so?”

But Audric III suddenly turned around, looking at him with pity:

“For you, that truly is the hardest thing to attain in the world.”