The Yellow-Haired Villain in Soaring Phoenix's Novels Also Desires Happiness

The sunlight dispersed the clouds and mist, shining fairly upon the world.

Everything seemed coated with a layer of bright golden powder, glittering brilliantly, yet in corners where sight could not reach, it cast ever-deepening darkness.

A shadow swept across the {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} clean noonday sky, like a stroke of black ink sketching out a principle, vanishing in an instant, then drifting with the breeze, falling into the verdant forest.

”A plan has failed.”

On the treetop, the robin folded its wings. A small yet upright tuxedo draped over its bird body, making him appear solemn at this moment.

He lowered his head to look at the gaunt old man resting with eyes closed beneath the tree. In the jet-black bird eyes flashed a trace of displeasure:

”Muen Campbell did not die.”

”Your information was wrong.”

Indra King sat cross-legged. With each breath, shards of starlight and blood were forced out from his body, scattering like fireflies, yet causing the surrounding vegetation to wither instantly.

He opened his eyes, his gaze calm, speaking faintly:

”You never mentioned that the Stargazer would appear, and that duke’s son is far more capable than the rumors claimed.”

”...Fine.”

The robin fell silent for a moment, accepting this outcome:

”Fortunately, Plan B succeeded. Everything is still under control.”

”Remember our agreement.” Indra King once more closed his eyes.

”Naturally. We are not like those lowborn wretches with filthy blood in their veins. Respecting contracts has always been one of our finest qualities.”

The robin turned its head, concealing that faint trace of mockery in its eyes, and looked aside:

”Since the prey has already stepped into the hunting ground, next, it is time for you hunters to appear.”

From the forest shadows, several vague figures surfaced, letting out jeers like malevolent ghosts.

”Rest assured, Muen Campbell’s head will soon be presented upon the desks of the honored lords.”

”Very good.”

With a flap of his wings, the robin once again became a black streak darting upward:

”The Inner Council has already given you what you need. Do not let us down.”

...

...

”Damn it!”

Pink Bear smashed apart a tree as thick as several men’s arms joined together with one punch. His face twisted ferociously as he roared in fury:

”They still managed to get their way!”

The chaotic battlefield had already returned to calm.

But everyone’s mood was bleak. For though the enemy had retreated and their safety was now secure, two figures were still missing from this place.

Muen.

And... Liya.

In the enemy’s final struggle, both were engulfed by those fragments of spatial magic. By the time Adolf pulled free his hand, the two had already completely vanished.

Transported away—destination unknown.

And Indra King had also retreated successfully. After all, as an old Crowned one, he would not be so easily stopped.

”Lord Oranriel, calm yourself for now. I know you worry greatly about Muen Campbell, but anger is of no use at this moment.”

Adolf sighed, patting Pink Bear’s shoulder to console him:

”It was only a teleportation. We cannot yet jump to conclusions...”

”Who said I was worried about that brat!”

Pink Bear cut him off, then suddenly collapsed weakly to his knees, pounding the ground with his fist in grief and indignation:

”What I’m worried about is my photos and cigars! Damn it, if I can’t bring that kid back to the Holy City in one piece, that old bastard Prang will definitely tear up my tickets!

Uuuhh... my cigars, my Saintess Photobook 3.0 Golden Collector’s Plus Edition—without you, how am I supposed to live...”

”...”

Adolf’s cheek twitched as he looked at the others:

”So with Professor Prang’s temperament, why hasn’t he killed this disgraceful fool already?”

Everyone: ”...”

”I probably know where that kid was teleported to.”

Pink Bear suddenly raised his head, gazing in a certain direction.

”Oh?”

Adolf also turned to follow his gaze, then his pupils shrank slightly:

”Forest of Dead Calamity?”

Towering trees formed a clear boundary, as if splitting the land evenly in two. From within that forest so dark that even light could hardly penetrate, shrill roars echoed from time to time, chilling to the bone.

”At our speed, no matter how fast the enemy moves, they can’t have set many traps.”

Pink Bear drew out a poor-quality rolled cigarette, took a harsh drag, and said through gritted teeth:

”So if they didn’t kill that brat Muen outright, the best method was to separate him from us, send him into a place where rescue would be nearly impossible, and then slowly scheme.

That’s why they went to such trouble to use spatial magic. Damn it, the route I had so carefully chosen only made things more convenient for them.”

”This has become troublesome.”

Listening to Pink Bear’s analysis, Adolf’s expression grew more solemn:

”The Forest of Dead Calamity has that Calamity dwelling inside. It can practically be called a forbidden zone for Crowned ones. Any Crowned who steps inside will be considered to be provoking that Calamity.”

”So from here on, you and I are almost useless.”

Pink Bear flicked away the cigarette and ground it underfoot. He gathered the three still intact carriages and plopped down heavily on one, speaking to Fanny and the others:

”But that’s also a good thing. At least Indra King can no longer make a move to hunt down that kid. Let’s go.”

”Eh? Go where?”

Fanny and the others, still dazed, asked instinctively.

”Of course to the Holy City.”

Pink Bear rolled his eyes: ”I promised that old bastard Professor Prang. I can’t just abandon you all because of that brat Muen.”

”Then what about Junior Muen?”

”Don’t worry. The border governor we’ll pass next is one of Muen’s father’s former subordinates. Now that he’s gone missing, they’ll surely mobilize the army to search. That forest may be filled with strange things, but it doesn’t have any particularly powerful magical beasts. The army’s efficiency will be the highest.”

”True, that is the best plan for now.”

Adolf sighed, saying:

”We’ve taken so much money, and now we’ve lost the client. My heart is uneasy. I’ll circle around the forest’s perimeter, so I can respond at any time.”

”Here, take this.”

”What’s this...”

Adolf looked down in puzzlement at the droplet-shaped object Pink Bear tossed him.

”I left something on that brat. As long as he makes it out of the forest, you’ll immediately know his location.”

”I see.”

Adolf put away the blood drop, smiling:

”So you really are worried about him after all.”

”Hmph, who’s worried about that little bastard. I’m only worried my grandniece will kick my ass to pieces.”

Pink Bear snapped the reins:

”Let’s go.”

”Then farewell for now.”

Adolf floated up, quickly vanishing into the sea of clouds surrounding the forest.

And under Pink Bear’s control, the carriages once again raced toward their original destination.

...

Inside the carriage, everyone stared blankly out the window at the scenery retreating behind them.

They were the Academy’s most outstanding elites, yet even they were unable to collect themselves after the unexpected events that had just occurred.

”All I can say is, as expected of Student Muen, huh?”

Vicky sighed: ”Even an assassination attempt on him turns out this earth-shaking. It feels like he’s on a completely different level from us, don’t you think?”

Vicky turned to her close friend, only to see she was still lost in thought.

”What’s wrong? Still worrying about Student Muen?”

”A little, but that’s no longer something I have the right to think about.”

”Oh? Then what are you thinking about?”

”I’m thinking...”

Fanny lifted her head, her gaze sweeping across each of the others before her, puzzled:

”Apart from Junior Muen and Junior Liya, aren’t we forgetting someone else?”