I Am The Game's Villain

Chapter 332  [Event] [Dolphian Kingdom Under Ruins] [18] Disappointed

”Call for the healers!” Jamesʼ voice reverberated across the chaotic aftermath of the battle.

Among the injured lay two figures, Leire and Adrian, their conditions dire.

”Who are they?” James asked, concern etched into his features.

”Theyʼre both stable, but Adrian Dolphis has sustained severe injuries, including multiple fractures,” came the response.

”I understand. See to their care,” James instructed.

Surveying the scene around him, James took in the devastation that surrounded them.

In all his years of teaching, he had never witnessed an examination match of such intensity and danger. Despite numerous moments where intervention seemed imminent, he had ultimately refrained, grateful that no lives had been lost.

But despite the absence of fatalities...

”He really pushed himself,” James mused silently, his gaze settling on Amael, who stood in conversation with Alicia and Martin.

His daughter, Alicia, appeared outwardly composed as always, but James, as her father, could discern the weight that had been lifted from her shoulders.

Amael had emerged victorious, ensuring the dissolution of the engagement that had caused his daughter considerable anguish.

”Mr. Amael,” a healer approached, turning his attention to Amaelʼs injuries.

Amael nodded, allowing the healer to examine him. ʼHe truly proved his strength,ʼ Amael admitted inwardly, acknowledging Adrianʼs strength. The last time he had faced such strong opposition was during his encounter with Brandon Delavoic, nearly five months prior.

Though he had hoped to retain Trinity Nihil, Adrianʼs utilization of a Goddessʼ blessing left Amael with no recourse but to yield.

In the end, there had been no choice but to relent.

ʼAs expected of a Pretender of the Second Game.ʼ

”How about you?” Amael asked of Alicia as they both underwent treatment from the healer, who winced at the sight of Amaelʼs extensive injuries.

”I donʼt require healing,” Alicia responded simply.

”Ah, yes, the perks of being a vampire,” Amael remarked with a touch of envy, acknowledging their remarkable regenerative abilities. ”Well, letʼs hope youʼll be ready for the Third Round.”

Alicia regarded him with an odd expression. ”Those should be my words.”

Amael shrugged. ”Iʼve endured worse. Iʼll manage.”

As Aliciaʼs gaze inadvertently wandered to Amaelʼs bandaged, yet impressively sculpted abs, she couldnʼt help but notice the network of scars that adorned his torso.

”So many scars...” her thoughts trailed off, momentarily captivated by the juxtaposition of ruggedness and refinement of his abs.

Caught in her observation, Alicia quickly averted her gaze.

”Junior, donʼt you have something to say?” Amaelʼs voice interrupted her reverie.

”I…I was just seeing the scars…” Alicia justified herself quickly.

”Seeing what?” Amael asked not understanding.

Alicia looked at him, momentarily puzzled before comprehension dawned. It was her misunderstanding. ”Thank you, Senior,” she responded, her tone somewhat reserved.

Amael grimaced at her response. ”Thatʼs rather cold.”

Confusion clouded Aliciaʼs features. ”What do you mean?”

Amael leaned back, a mischievous glint in his eyes. ”How about a smile and a blush, accompanied by a heartfelt ʼThank you, Senior Amaelʼ?” he suggested, stroking his chin thoughtfully.

Alicia stared at him, speechless for a moment. ”I think Iʼll take my leave,” she finally uttered, feeling the need to escape the teasing banter.

Amael sighed and looked in the tribunes.

ʼHe left huh…ʼ

He thought as Cyril wasnʼt there anymore.

[]

ʼI was fairly confident she would loosen up. My mistake.ʼ

[]

ʼI recall you blushing over far less, though.ʼ

[]

ʼEvery time you catch me undressing or bathing out of nowhere.ʼ

[]

ʼI can sense it, Cleenah. No need to deny it.ʼ

[]

ʼA thousand-year-old maiden, you mean?ʼ

[
]

ʼAnd I love you, Cleenah.ʼ

[]

ʼCaught you blushing this time, didnʼt I?ʼ Amael laughed as he trailed after the healer, exiting the stadium.

[]

***

”Amazing...” Victor muttered in disbelief, his eyes fixed on Adrian being carried away by the healers, unconscious.

Adrian Dolphis, the Prince of the Dolphis Kingdom, hailed as one of the most promising talents of the future, had been defeated by an outsider from a distant Kingdom.

”Heʼs... strong,” Cylien acknowledged with awe.

”No... itʼs more than that. He defeated Senior Adrian in his awakened bloodline form. I knew Senior was powerful, but this surpasses anything I could have imagined,” Roda said, his voice trailing off in astonishment.

”Yeah... heʼs something else,” Celeste murmured, though a faint blush tinged her cheeks, her mind occupied with a different thought.

ʼIt was him...ʼ

Throughout the fight, amidst the flurry of expressions and movements, Celeste couldnʼt shake the feeling of familiarity with the man she had encountered in the shopping mall and later in her own bedroom.

”I canʼt believe it...”

”Right! Now my sister is free...” Victor exclaimed, oblivious to Celesteʼs inner turmoil. ”I must thank him!”

”Senior! We still havenʼt had our match!” Roda interrupted firmly, reminding Victor of their unfinished Round.

”Ah, yes... my apologies...” Victor scratched his head sheepishly. ”And what about you?” he turned to Celeste.

Aware that Cylien didnʼt share a close relationship with Amael, Victor remembered seeing Celeste in conversation with him on a few occasions. It was even rumored that Amael had been invited to her palace for dinner.

Celeste had already concluded her fight and advanced to the next round, granting her the opportunity to inquire about Amaelʼs condition, but...

”No... weʼre not that close, anyway,” Celeste replied with a forced smile, masking her thoughts.

She felt awkward even speaking to him after having heard his words about her last time.

…

”Quite impressive, I must say,” Rodolf said, a wide grin stretching across his face. He had been utterly engrossed in the match, a level of excitement he hadnʼt experienced in quite some time. ”Itʼs as if heʼs inherited Connorʼs prowess, isnʼt it?”

Meanwhile, Allen Teraquin wore a visibly pale expression, realizing that Amael hadnʼt even exerted half of his true strength during their last encounter. It dawned on him just how strong his opponent truly was.

”E-Elder sister... this man is dangerous,” Allen stammered, addressing Alvara with a sense of urgency.

Yet, Alvara remained unperturbed, unimpressed by the display before her. Such skill was merely the baseline for anyone who dared to engage with her. What truly piqued her interest was the elegant white sword Amael wielded in the final moments of the duel.

”Nihilʼs sword,” she murmured, her voice barely audible but filled with a quiet intensity.

…

”I... am sorry, father... mother...” Adrian murmured from the stretcher, unable to meet his parentsʼ gaze.

His face bore bruises, and his body remained under treatment, yet despite his efforts, he had still faltered.

”Itʼs okay, son...” Reiner reassured, offering a gentle pat on Adrianʼs shoulder with a smile. ”Youʼve made us proud, and we will always be proud of you.”

”But I lost. After everything Iʼve said, I lost so pathetically. Iʼve dishonored the family,” Adrian replied, his expression contorted with self-reproach.

”And to think, I even insulted my dear sister, only to end up losing even more pathetically right after her,” Adrian added with a bitter laugh, the weight of his failure heavy upon him.

”I believe you owe her quite the apology now, Adrian,” Queen Doria interjected with a smile, her hand tenderly patting her sonʼs hair.

Adrian merely scoffed lightly, averting his gaze in acknowledgment.

Reiner hesitated momentarily before broaching the most pressing matter at hand. ”You didnʼt even mention the bet or Alicia. I must say, Iʼm rather impressed,” he remarked with a chuckle, attempting to lighten the mood. Adrianʼs infatuation with Alicia was no secret, yet it seemed he was more preoccupied with the perceived dishonor to the family than the loss of Alicia.

Adrian remained silent at his fatherʼs observation, a conflicted expression flickering across Queen Doriaʼs features as she regarded her son.

”I know... itʼs alright,” Adrian finally spoke up. ”You can tell them that Iʼve called off the engagement... Iʼm tired of it all.”

Reiner offered a small, understanding smile at Adrianʼs admission. It was evident that his defeat against Amael had rattled him deeply, but amidst the disappointment, a glimmer of maturity shone through.

”Take care of him,” Doria warned sternly, her voice carrying a note of command, before she and Reiner departed, leaving Adrian in the care of the healers. The examination was still underway, and their presence was required.

”Damn it...” Adrian muttered under his breath once he was alone, a heavy sigh escaping his lips. Though tears threatened to well up, he staunchly resisted. He was a man, the future heir of his House, and he wouldnʼt succumb to such weakness.

Suddenly, a crimson aura swept into the healing room, its presence unmistakable. The healers, previously focused on Adrianʼs care, furrowed their brows before succumbing to unconsciousness.

Adrianʼs heartbeat quickened as he recognized the source of the aura. He knew what was happening, and dread settled in his stomach.

He blinked twice, and there stood a figure beside him. Crimson hair cascaded down his back, and cold, crimson eyes surveyed the vials arranged on the shelf near Adrianʼs bed.

”Cyril...” Adrian breathed, his voice tinged with a mixture of fear and resignation.

Yet, Cyril paid him no mind, engrossed in his own actions. He lifted vials, shook them, examined them with meticulous scrutiny, before carefully returning them to their place.

Adrian swallowed hard, his gaze fixed on Cyril, his mind racing with uncertainty.

”I lost…”

At Cyrilʼs words, his gaze finally shifted to Adrian, causing a shiver to run down Adrianʼs spine. The coldness in Cyrilʼs eyes was unsettling, a stark contrast to the warmth of the healing room.

”Did you know, Adrian?” Cyrilʼs pale hand reached out, hovering over Adrianʼs stomach. ”The Holy Tree of Eden has blessed every single one of us since birth.”

Adrian remained silent, his heart pounding in his chest as Cyrilʼs touch sent shivers down his spine.

”It bestowed upon us superhuman abilities—strength, mana—we are inherently superior to the mere mortals scurrying about Sancta Vedelia,” Cyril continued, his tone laced with a chilling arrogance.

”But he was stronger than me,” Adrian admitted quietly, his gaze fixed on Cyrilʼs penetrating stare.

”A bet,” Cyril chuckled darkly, his eyes narrowing with twisted delight. ”I offered you Alicia, and this is how you repay me? Youʼve yet to fulfill your end of the bargain, Adrian Dolphis.”

”Itʼs over—” Adrian began, but Cyril swiftly cut him off, his crimson aura pulsating with growing intensity.

”It is not,” Cyril asserted, his voice cutting through the air like a blade.

Adrian clenched his fists, his resolve firm. ”I wonʼt retract my words. Iʼve lost the bet, and Iʼve already broken off the engagement. I will honor my word, Cyril—”

”Shh... itʼs alright,” Cyril whispered, his hand tightening around Adrianʼs neck.

A strangled gasp escaped Adrianʼs lips as Cyrilʼs grip constricted, making it increasingly difficult to breathe.

”Thatʼs it,” Cyril murmured, a perverse ecstasy dancing in his eyes as vertical slits appeared, resembling those of a hungry predator.

”S…Stop!” Adrian choked out, his struggles futile against Cyrilʼs overpowering hold.

”You have....” Cyrilʼs gaze remained cold as he pressed on, ignoring Adrianʼs futile attempts to resist. With a calculated motion, he extended his left hand toward Adrianʼs mouth, piercing his finger to draw blood. Adrian squirmed and struggled against the intrusion, but to no avail.

Forcing Adrianʼs lips apart, Cyril administered the blood, compelling him to drink it against his will. Adrianʼs initial resistance faded into a desperate struggle, but soon his movements grew weaker, his body succumbing to Cyrilʼs strength. Within moments, his eyes rolled back, and all strength drained from his limbs, leaving him inert and helpless upon the bed.

”...disappointed me.”