The Yellow-Haired Villain in Soaring Phoenix’s Novels Also Desires Happiness - Chapter 285



63. Demon!

Time passed, and six days later at St. Maria Academy.

The weather today was still quite pleasant, as if after months of continuous snow, the heavens had finally decided to graciously bestow warmth upon the world.

After a week of sunny days, the accumulated snow around the academy had melted considerably, and everything seemed to have been washed anew, sparkling under the sunlight.

Tomorrow was the academy’s departure day, and at this moment, each student should have been radiating with joyful smiles, eagerly awaiting their return to the warm home with a crackling fireplace, reuniting with their beloved families.

However, on the outskirts of the tranquil sycamore grove, a girl with flowing wavy hair was anxiously pacing.

She clutched the hem of her clothes, occasionally peeking into the depths of the grove, only to retreat in terror upon hearing the sound of a violin from deep within, as if something terrifying lurked in the shadows of the woods.

“Come on, Lise, you can do this.”

Lise clenched her fists, constantly cheering herself on:

“Mu En Campbell is nothing to be afraid of!”

She took several deep breaths, trying to calm her anxious emotions, and her pale face gradually regained some color.

When she lifted her head and looked into the grove again, her big, watery eyes were filled with determination.

Lise was a first-year student, having just enrolled this year.

She had initially held high expectations for her new life at the academy, but upon entering, she found that everything was not as beautiful as she had imagined.

All of it was because of that person—Mu En Campbell!

Before enrolling, her father and older brother had warned her sternly to never approach Mu En Campbell; he was the disgrace of the nobility!

She had also heard of Mu En Campbell’s notorious reputation. Her cousins had vividly described his disgraceful behavior at the academy, so she had firmly resolved to avoid any interaction with the infamous son of a duke.

However, once she started school, she found Mu En Campbell everywhere.

He was in the newspapers, the topic of conversation among her classmates, and even during the girls’ innocent tea parties and pajama gatherings, he was often mentioned.

At first, the discussions revolved around the real and terrifying aspects of Mu En Campbell, such as how many boats he had sunk and how many warships he had brought down. Lise thought it was fine to treat these as casual topics.

But gradually, Lise noticed that the conversations among the girls began to shift.

They began to talk about Mu En Campbell’s handsome, brave, and beautiful naked body, and the precious qualities of a wayward son turning back at the cliff, and some even started to fantasize about trying to date him.

But how could that be possible?

How could a person suddenly change so drastically?

Father had once told her that a person’s fate is predetermined from the moment they are born.

For instance, nobles like them are born bearing the great blood of glory, and thus their destined fate is to guide and lead those commoners who are equally destined to have lowly blood.

Even the uncouth and unrefined commoners, under their guidance, would surely shine as they ought to.

Yet, how could Campbell, who lacked even the blood of glory, whose blood was no different from that of those commoners, suddenly transform into someone with the elegance, kindness, and goodness of a noble, just because he rose to prominence during the empire’s expansion several hundred years ago?

It must all be an illusion.

She wanted to expose this illusion, but whenever she patiently explained to others, she was only met with their disdainful looks, and even some ordinary people without noble blood would hurl insults at her, who was clearly polite.

It was terrifying; those people had not been like this before.

Surely, it was all because of that person, Mu En Campbell!

And the events that had transpired not long ago only solidified her suspicions.

That Mu En Campbell, after hiding for a semester, finally revealed his fangs. Although she hadn’t witnessed it firsthand due to certain reasons, she could piece together the truth of the matter through her cousins’ words.

“Mu En Campbell is a monster, a thorough monster!”

Cousin Luns, lying on the sickbed, angrily pounded the bed frame, saying fiercely:

“Do you understand what a monster is? I’m not talking about his strength, but about how deeply he hid himself! He deceived everyone!

To become so strong in just one semester, I don’t believe it! He must have been hiding his talents; he definitely has some scheme, he’s too despicable!”

“Exactly, despicable!”

Blonki echoed in anger: “That Mu En Campbell is just a despicable little man; even if he defeats us, so what? His heart is filthy; apart from that pretty blonde hair, he is still worthless!”

“Don’t mention his name!”

Dolanmus exclaimed, waking up:

“Don’t mention that noble’s disgrace! My wound is starting to hurt again!”

“What, blonde hair? Where’s the blonde hair!”

Orzer sat up from his sickbed and shouted angrily:

“I want to challenge that damned blonde hair; I want to avenge my beard! I… uh, what are you doing? Don’t stop me!”

Before Orzer could finish his sentence, the nurse lifted him along with the bed and took him to the intensive care unit.

“Doctor, bed number eight is acting up again!”

“Woo woo woo, I’m not sick, I’m not sick… let me go!”

“Hurry, increase the dosage!”

Watching her cousin Orzer’s figure disappear, Liz couldn’t help but well up with tears.

Why is this happening? Shouldn’t a challenge filled with noble etiquette and gentlemanly demeanor be kept within limits? Yet that Mu En Campbell actually struck so hard!

From noble mtl dot com

He truly is a demon!

However, the changes don’t stop there. Not long ago, Lisi learned from her mother’s letter about the changes in the lower district of Beirlande.

In the past, at this time, when the winter snow covered everything, she would always follow her mother to the lower district to distribute food to the poor.

Though it was only simple black bread, just seeing the satisfied smiles on those poor faces made Lisi deeply feel the meaning of the noble blood flowing within her.

But according to her mother, this year all charitable acts by the nobles have been prohibited.

The reason is that new governor of the lower district.

Not only does he prevent the kind nobles from going to the lower district to distribute food, but he also incited His Majesty the Emperor to issue an order, forcing many nobles to sell their hard-earned stockpiles of food at almost a loss to him, which he then resells in the lower district.

How cruel!

How despicable!

To go to such lengths for profit!

Just thinking about how those poor people can’t get free bread and have to spend their own money to buy food makes Lisi’s heart ache to the point of tears.

And according to her mother, it’s clear that the governor alone couldn’t accomplish this; there must be the shadow of the Campbell faction behind it!

And currently, the only spokesperson for the Campbell family in Beirlande… is that Mu En Campbell!

Everything is because of that demon!

So, from that moment on, Lisi made up her mind.

She would stand up; she would challenge Mu En Campbell!

She would become the hero who saves everyone.

She knew she wasn’t a match for Mu En Campbell, but she would use her gem-like noble qualities to make him feel utterly ashamed!

Pulling her thoughts back, Lisi finally gathered enough courage.

She stepped forward, walking into the woods.

Following the melodious sound of the violin, she trudged along the muddy path made slippery by the melting snow, disregarding the mud that stained her dress and the branches that tore at its pristine fabric, until she finally reached the source of the music.

There she saw that detestable golden-haired man, leisurely sitting on a bench, enjoying the beautiful music.

His golden hair was illuminated by the sunlight filtering through the trees, making him look exceptionally dazzling, and his calm, handsome face with closed eyes made Lisi momentarily lose her focus.

In front of him stood a girl, playing the violin, the music flowing like water, incredibly enchanting.

How could he… force someone else to play for him? How infuriating, Mu En Campbell!

Lisi shook her head vigorously, forcing herself to regain her composure.

Come on, Lisi, it’s time for you to show your noble elegance, composure, and courage!

Taking a deep breath, Lisi declared:

“Mu En Campbell, I—”

At this moment, as if disturbed, the music abruptly stopped. The girl playing in front of Mu En Campbell, who in Lis’s eyes was forced by him to perform, suddenly turned around.

Lis’s gaze instinctively fell on the girl playing.

Hmm, she has a great figure, even better than mine, especially her chest, which possesses a grandeur I have never seen among my peers. With such a good body, could she also be from some noble family?

And her face…

Hmm?

Her face?

This girl actually… has no face?

At this moment, looking at that blank, featureless visage, Lis’s heart nearly leaped out of her chest, her blood seemingly rushing back into her brain in an instant…

This… this is…

“Devil… demon!”

A wretched scream echoed through the forest.

Recalling the terrifying stories she had heard since childhood, Lis’s heart was instantly overwhelmed by fear, and the little courage she had completely dissipated.

Mu En Campbell actually… actually has a connection to demons!

Wuwu, too… too terrifying!

Forgetting her heroic act, the girl fled in panic.

……

……

“Hmm?”

Hearing the scream that resonated through the woods, Mu En, who had been immersed in the music, finally opened his eyes. He looked at the disheveled figure fleeing and scratched his chin in confusion, turning to Lia beside him and realizing:

“You scared her.”

“I didn’t… I didn’t!”

Lia also turned back with the violin, huffing angrily as she said:

“How was I scary? It was I who was startled when the music was suddenly interrupted!”

“……”

Looking at Lia’s face, as blank as a sheet of paper with no features, Mu En’s mouth twitched, unable to help but exclaim:

“Your disguise skills… really are getting more and more impressive.”

Last time, at least she put on a mosaic; this time, she made it look like a plain sheet of paper. It really resembles some faceless demons from stories, no wonder it scared the poor girl.

“Hmph, right?”

Lia waved her hand, revealing her cute and charming little face, proudly stating:

“This is my improved version; this time, I absolutely won’t be found out!”

……But actually, your flaw isn’t your face at all, is it…

Mu En glanced at a certain spot and said nonchalantly:

“You’ve been so cautious lately; has someone challenged you?”

“Hmm… after all, in the eyes of those people, I’ve become a soft persimmon now.”

Liya hesitated for a moment and replied in a low voice, “I don’t really like fighting, so I can only use this method.”

“What about Ariel?”

Mu En furrowed his brows:

“With her around, would anyone dare to bother you?”

“She…”

Liya bit her lip and said softly:

“She has been working hard on her training lately.”