I Am The Game's Villain

Chapter 519: [Event] [Elven Utopian War] [58] Night Talk ”Where have you been all this time?” Celeste asked, settling down beside Alicia. ”Recovering,” I replied, offering her the same excuse I had given Alicia earlier. ”For two months?” Celesteʼs eyes narrowed in suspicion. ”Where exactly?” ”Somewhere safe,” I said with a shrug, trying to sound nonchalant. ”Youʼre lying again...” Celeste grumbled.

What was I supposed to tell her?

That I infiltrated enemy lines, killed Valachia Knights, and led Ruvelionʼs army at Elyen Kiora to massacre hundreds-no, thousands-of Sancta Vedeliaʼs forces?

Sure, I could be honest...

But why wasnʼt I?

Was it guilt?

Or was I afraid of how Celeste would react if she knew the truth? Maybe, deep down, I didnʼt want her to hate me.

I just couldnʼt bring myself to be upfront about what I had done.

Ever since my memories merged, I had been trying so hard to steer away from becoming anything like Edward-the Edward from the game. But some situations left me no choice. And whenever I ended up doing something that mirrored his actions, I was left with this gnawing unease.

It was a feeling I couldnʼt shake, something I couldnʼt talk about with anyone-not even Celeste.

She must have noticed the turmoil on my face because, after a moment of silence, she sighed and let it go, though her expression made it clear she wasnʼt happy. Instead, she shifted her attention to Levina, who stood a little ways off with her arms crossed. ”And whoʼs she?” Celeste asked.

I turned to Levina and smiled. ”The girl who saved my life.” ”Sheʼs this young?” Celeste muttered, frowning as her gaze swept over Levinaʼs petite frame. ”Well, yeah,” I replied with an affectionate grin I couldnʼt quite suppress, ”but donʼt let her age fool you. Sheʼs incredibly capable.” ”Sheʼs barely over ten...” Celeste gave me a pointed glare, the kind that made me flinch. ”Oi,” I protested, grimacing at her insinuation.

This was Annabelleʼs fault. Ever since she started spreading that ridiculous claim about me having eight wives and counting herself among them, Celeste had been suspicious of every woman I interacted with. Now, even younger girls werenʼt safe from her scrutiny.

Celesteʼs attention shifted abruptly to Alicia, who had been unusually quiet, staring at Levina with a peculiar expression. ”What is it, Alicia?” Celeste asked, her tone softening slightly.

Aliciaʼs brows knitted slightly before she looked away. ”Nothing.” ”Sheʼs probably missing her mommy or maybe even her daddy,” I said lightly.

Aliciaʼs response was a cold stare. Without a word, she stood up and left.

Celeste turned to me, her expression exasperated. ”Why are you always upsetting her?” ”Iʼm trying to make her smile for once,” I replied with a sigh. ”But, wow, itʼs like scaling a mountain.”

Celesteʼs glare intensified. ”If you keep trying weird things like that to her, youʼre just going to end up adding her to your never-ending harem.” ”Who do you think I am? Iʼm being genuine here...” ”Hmph,” Celeste huffed, crossing her arms with a pout. ”I just thought maybe you were interested in... younger girls.” ”I am NOT a lolicon!” I shot back, my voice louder than I intended.

Annabelle!

This was all her fault. Thanks to her ridiculous rumors, Celeste had started branding me with the most insane labels. And to hear her calling me a lolicon was really hurting.

Celeste just shrugged then hesitantly she asked. ”T-Then how many?” ”Hm? How many what?” I raised an eyebrow..

She scratched her cheek awkwardly. ”How many women... in your h-harem?” ””

Her question caught me off guard.

Why was this suddenly so embarrassing? ʼHaremʼ felt like such a tacky word, as though I had a collection of trophies rather than people

I cared about. Wouldnʼt ʼloversʼ or even ʼwivesʼ be a better way to describe them?

But how many, really...

There was Ephera-obviously, once I found her.

Mary-no, Persephone. I was determined to see her again, even if it meant going into the Underworld.

Then Layla, for sure.

Miranda and Cleenah came to mind next, but my feelings about them were... complicated. Miranda... her love for me was probably influenced by her past feelings for Amael. The Amael sheʼd grown up with, not Amael with Nyrelʼs memories. Could I even call that genuine?

And Cleenah...

I remembered what Athena had told me. I wouldnʼt know for sure until I became strong enough to face her properly.

Annabelle? She was a different story. Iʼd told her to come back in three years, hoping sheʼd find someone else someone better suited for her.

Then there was Samara.

I was definitely drawn to her despite lying to myself.

Unlike Annabelle, I couldnʼt see her just as a little sister. There was something else which was definitely growing dangerously into love but I was holding them back.

Then there was Nevia.

I couldnʼt be sure if what I felt for her was outright love, but there was definitely something there an undeniable attraction. After the deaths of Kleines and Elona, she had been my moral anchor, supporting me during my training sessions.

But Nevia... she might not even be alive anymore.

My gaze shifted back to Celeste. She was waiting for an answer.

I quickly looked away.

There was also Elizabeth, but I couldnʼt jump to conclusions. Not before sitting down with her and actually talking things through.

That should be it... right?

For a moment, an image of a certain mint-green-haired girl flashed through my mind. | ||

No.

This was madness.

I must be seeking death just for thinking about it!

I shook my head, willing the thought away along with the memories of our past interactions in her room.

In the end, I decided to give Celeste an answer that made sense for now. Something clean and simple, given my current situation. ”Three,” I said.

Ephera, Persephone and Layla. ”Three?” She repeated, blinking in surprise. Her voice held even a trace of relief. ”I thought it was nine...” ”Why are you even believing Annabelle in the first place?” I grumbled. ”And nine was only because she counted you in it.” ”T-Thatʼs...” Celeste flinched, her cheeks turning a soft shade of pink as she averted her gaze.

Seeing her reaction left me at a loss for words.

It was clear now-she had feelings for me.

And... I couldnʼt deny that I felt something for her, too.

But there was a knot of uneasiness in my chest.

Her terrified expression the day she saved me still haunted me.

And then there was Amael.

I was Amael, but who had Celeste fallen for?

Certainly not the man who had just a few days ago killed hundreds of knights from her

Kingdom-including Zestella knights in the allied army.

I sighed and summoned my status screen, my eyes drawn to the Synchronizations displayed there. [Amael Idea Olphean Synchronization: 68%] [Nyrel Loyster Synchronization: 38%]

What did those numbers even mean?

At first, Iʼd assumed they represented my memories, both of Amael and Nyrel. But now, I wasnʼt so sure. It felt like something deeper-like a program embedded in my brain, influencing my emotions in ways I didnʼt fully understand.

It was Nihilʼs doing obviously.

And, as always, he hadnʼt bothered to explain a damn thing. ”A-Anyway, youʼre staying, right?” Celeste asked, a bit anxious.

I could see it in her eyes-the fear that I might leave. And honestly, given the dire situation here at the borders, I couldnʼt blame her.

The atmosphere was oppressive. The knights stationed here carried quite air of defeat, their spirits visibly battered. Even August, who was supposed to be their source of strength, was still in recovery.

My thoughts began to spiral.

Wait... arenʼt we screwed?

My expression stiffened. Could the three of us-Celeste, Alicia, and I really hold our own against Navas and Kendel? Annabelle was there too but it wouldnʼt be enough. ”Amael?” Celeste called me uneasy. ”Yeah, Iʼm staying,” I said with a nod.

Her shoulders visibly relaxed, and she let out a sigh of relief.

For now, I had to stay. At least until I could ensure Celesteʼs safety. But that would only be possible with Navas dead. He was the greatest threat-a monster that needed to be eliminated. Until he was gone, Celeste would remain in constant danger.

I came here to fight, but honestly, Iʼd expected more reinforcements.

It wasnʼt like Zestella lacked strong warriors. The kingdom was vast, though, with multiple borders to defend. The forces had been spread thin, and this particular front had never been a priority—at least not until Kendel Teraquin himself decided to show up.

For years, the Teraquins had largely ignored this border. And with August stationed here, the higher-ups had grown complacent. But now, the situation was desperate. ”Did you call your brother?” I asked.

If there was ever a time for Evan to leave Zestel and join the fight, it was now. With him here, our chances of taking down both Navas and Kendel would improve significantly. ”Yes,” Celeste replied. ”But he needs a couple of days before he can leave Zestel and get here.”

Figures.

Evan was likely facing his own set of hardships back at Zestel. The war demanded constant supervision, and I couldnʼt imagine him entrusting the capital to anyone but his grandmother.

But even that was complicated-she hadnʼt fully recovered yet. Leaving the capital to the nobles was a gamble, and not one Iʼd take lightly. Honestly, I was terrified of leaving Christina alone with those scheming vultures. The only reason I wasnʼt completely losing my mind over it was because Iʼd left Samara with her.

Myrcella, too, had promised to stay by her side. ”Well, everything should be fine now. You should get some rest,” I said as I looked at Celeste.

But she shook her head. ”No, Iʼm not really sleepy.” ”Want me to keep you company until you fall asleep?” I asked with a smile. ”You...!” Celesteʼs cheeks flushed a brilliant shade of red. She clenched her fists, her eyes glaring at me before she spun on her heel and walked away. [] ʼAt what?ʼ []

I rolled my eyes at Cleenahʼs teasing. ”Calm down,” I muttered under my breath. ”I just needed to speak with Anna alone-” ”Edward!”

Before I could finish, someone launched themselves at me, wrapping their arms around me in a warm, almost desperate embrace.

Caught slightly off guard, I steadied Anna in my arms, offering a small, reassuring smile. But when I glanced down, I found her glaring up at me. ”H-How could you cut our connection?!” She cried, her voice trembling with worry. ”We were so worried-especially with Samara!” Tears began to stream down her cheeks as she clung to me tighter. ”Ah...” I scratched the back of my neck apolegtically. ”Honestly, I donʼt even remember cutting it. I mustʼve done it unconsciously.”

Her tears kept falling, so I did the only thing I could. I stroked her hair gently, letting her cry into my chest. ”Did you take care of Celeste?” I asked softly, as I tried to divert her focus. I had left

Annabelle to watch over her while I handled more pressing matters. ”Um,” Annabelle mumbled against my shirt, nodding. ”But sheʼs stronger than I thought. I didnʼt really need to step in.” ”So she doesnʼt know I asked you to keep an eye on her?”.

Annabelle shook her head, and relief washed over me. Thank God. If Celeste found out, sheʼd probably brand me as a stalker or worse. ”W-What happened to you, Edward? Does it hurt?” Annabelleʼs tone shifted, her fingers ghosting over the fresh scar on my neck. Her eyes glistened with worry, and her lips trembled as if she were holding back another wave of tears. ”Itʼs fine, Anna,” I assured her, flashing a small, reassuring smile. ”You, of all people, should know Iʼm not that easy to kill.”

She sniffled, wiping at her face with the back of her hand. ”I know, but I canʼt help it...” Her voice wavered as she glanced down, awkwardly avoiding my gaze. ”Youʼre always putting yourself in danger. I promised Big Sister Mary that Iʼd watch over you.”

My chest tightened at her words, and I hugged her again, holding her close. ”Iʼm sorry, Anna.

Iʼll be fine, I promise. Howʼs Samara?”

Anna nodded against me. ”Samaraʼs fine too. Sheʼs with Big Sister Christina, and theyʼre all safe.” ”Thatʼs good.” I let out a breath I didnʼt realize Iʼd been holding.

Annabelle pulled back slightly, her expression serious now. ”Promise me, Edward,” she said, her eyes locking onto mine. ”Hm?” ”You wonʼt just disappear on us without telling us whatʼs going on,” she asked, her voice breaking slightly as her teary gaze bored into me. ”I promise,” I said without hesitation, ruffling her hair gently.

The banshees were growing up so quickly, both physically and emotionally. Annabelle and

Samara had matured a lot more than Iʼd expected. After this war, Iʼd have to find a way to get inside the Holy Tree. Cleenah could handle the process of crafting their bodies. It was the least I could do for them.

After that, Anna decided to curl up on my lap. I didnʼt mind-how could I? As her breathing slowed and her tears dried, I gently stroked her hair, running my fingers through the soft strands of her blond hair until she drifted off into a peaceful sleep.

For a while, the room was quiet except for the faint rhythm of her breathing. But then, I felt it -a gaze, lingering and intense.

Looking up, I found Levina standing nearby, her piercing eyes fixed on us. Her expression was as unreadable as ever, but there was a faint curiosity-or maybe longing-in the way she watched. ”What about you? Want me to help you fall asleep too?” I asked with a laugh. Levinaʼs eyes narrowed slightly at my playful tone. Without a word, she turned and left. [] Shaddap.