I Am The Game's Villain

Chapter 523: [Event] [Elven Utopian War] [62] Reiner In Rescue ”Reiner.”

Standing before us was Reiner Dolphis. ”What are you doing here?” Navas asked, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Reiner cast a glance over his shoulder. His gaze briefly landed on me, then Celeste, and finally Alicia. His expression hardened. ”So, that brat Evan predicted this, huh?” Reiner muttered; ”Lowering himself to ask for my help-well, it seems he made the right call.” ”My brother?” Celeste blinked.

Evan had probably anticipated this long before even Navas had shown up. That was why Evan seemed so calm, so certain of Celesteʼs safety. He had called for Reiner. And with Kamarel dead at Johnʼs hands, Dolphis was no longer under threat.

Reinerʼs gaze sharpened as it swung back to Navas. ”Brother, youʼve stooped to a new low.” Navas let the insult roll off him like water on stone. ”Why did you come, Reiner? Our last encounter left you on the brink of death. I couldʼve killed you. I chose not to-for the sake of the memories we once shared as siblings. But this time...” Navas gripped his axe tighter, the muscles in his arm flexing ”...I wonʼt hesitate.”

Reiner ignored him. ”Did you kill Rhys?”

Navas was surprised by the question but smiled at the question. ”Why do you think that?” ”That day. The day Rhys died-you were there. You had Behemoth at your side. You met him, didnʼt you? You were the one who held him back while Teraquin Castle was under siege.”

I watched silently, my attention on the conversation.

I, too, believed Navas Dolphis was the one who killed Rhys Teraquin. Alvaraʼs hatred toward Behemoth had to stem from something tangible. That Behemoth was the main culprit. But if that wasnʼt true... ”I met Rhys that day, yes. But I didnʼt kill him.”

He didnʼt kill him?

I was sure it was him... ”I told Rhys where to find the man behind the Vanadias attack,” Navas said. ”He went after them. And he died there. His death was his own doing.”

Reinerʼs eyes narrowed, not really believing. ”Youʼre saying Behemoth wasnʼt responsible for the attack?”

Navas chuckled again. ”We werenʼt the masterminds, no. We were merely partners in that little endeavor. We agreed to help ʼthemʼ in exchange for the Horn in Vanadias.” ʼThemʼ? ”Who are you talking about?” Reiner asked my question.

I held my breath, waiting for the answer.

Who could possibly orchestrate something like this?

Ante Eden?

The Iris Project?

But Navas simply smiled. He wasnʼt going to answer.

Without another word, he hefted his axe. ”You shouldʼve stayed in Dolphis, Reiner,” Navas said. ”I failed to kill you that day,” Reiner said narrowing his eyes. ”But I wonʼt fail this time.”

A wave of mana erupted from him, swirling around him. -BOOM!

The raw power sent shockwaves rippling through the air, making my hair whip violently as I shielded my face with my arm.

Navas smirked in response, his own mana flaring to meet Reinerʼs head-on. The collision of their mana crackled in the space between them, creating a deafening roar.

As Navas unleashed his Prana, his body began to shift and twist unnaturally. Another jagged horn sprouted from the opposite side of his head, completing his monstrous visage. His muscles bulged grotesquely, and his face contorted into something barely human-a grotesque hybrid of man and beast.

The sheer intensity of their clash sent gusts of mana barreling toward us. I struggled to stay upright, the force threatening to knock me off balance.

Reiner exhaled slowly. His mana pressure exuded the strength of a 9th Ascension. ”Can you still fight, brat?” Reiner asked without turning around but I knew it was me.

I let out a tired sigh. ”Canʼt you fight him alone? Iʼd really prefer some sleep right now.”

Reiner turned his gaze on me. ”Alright, alright! Iʼll help-” -BAM!

Before I could finish, Navasʼ axe struck like lightning, slamming into Reinerʼs stomach. Reiner had managed to block the blow with his sword, but the force sent him hurtling backward, his body crashing into the earth.

Dust and debris erupted from the impact. I cursed under my breath, gripping my weapon tightly.

Damn it.

That monster is even faster and stronger now!

Navasʼ bestial eyes locked onto me, glowing darkly. A shiver ran down my spine. Summoning Aegis in an instant, I barely had time to brace myself. -BAAAAM!

The axe struck Aegis with enough force to make my arm throb painfully. My left arm cracked under the strain as I was flung backward, skidding across the ground. ”Amael!” Celeste cried out, rushing toward me.

But Navas was already behind her, his axe raised to deliver a devastating blow.

Fuck!

I canʼt move!

Just as the axe came down, both of Celesteʼs eyes flared bright white. Her movements became a blur as she dodged with unreal speed, narrowly avoiding the lethal strike. -BAM!

The axe buried itself into the earth, splitting the ground beneath it. The sheer force of the impact left me momentarily stunned.

That bastard...

If Celeste hadnʼt moved in time, she would have been gravely injured or worse. ”Is that the Prophetessʼ ability?” Navas muttered before reaching his watery hand toward her. ”Truly impressive.”

Celeste grimaced, her movements slowing as the strain of the fight began to catch up to her.

Her legs trembled.

At that moment, a sudden surge of water erupted in front of Celeste, the force of the explosion sending Navas hurtling backward.

Reiner raised his hand, and an enormous, eight-layered Mana Circle materialized in the air above him. The symbols shimmered with a vivid dark green, light before unleashing a torrent of water that took the form of a colossal, dark green gazelle. The creature, composed entirely of water, stood at least eight meters tall, its sharp, protruding horns gleaming ominously. Its unblinking eerie eyes locked onto Navas before charging toward him with a sound like crashing waves.

Navas smirked, gripping his massive axe tightly. He conjured a large Mana Circle of his own, and summoned his Prana in a glowing aura that encased his weapon. With a roar, he swung the axe downward. -BOOOOM!

The swing tore through the air, splitting the watery gazelle clean in half. The creatureʼs charge faltered, dissolving into suspended droplets, but Reiner remained calm. With a flick of his wrist, the scattered water began to coalesce, reforming the gazelle piece by piece.

Navas wasnʼt about to let that happen obviously. ”Buy me some time, brat,” Reiner called out to me casually, as though he wasnʼt asking me to plunge into deathʼs arms.

I groaned in irritation. My body almost groaned in agreement. My left arm was a swollen, bruised mess, the skin an angry red that hinted at cracked bones beneath. My right hand was a different story-broken fingers and all, courtesy of my failed attempt to land a decisive blow on Navas earlier.

Gritting my teeth, I fumbled for a healing vial and downed its contents in one gulp. Warmth coursed through me, numbing the worst of the pain. Even so, when I forced my mangled fingers back into alignment, a sharp crack echoed, accompanied by my involuntary groan of pain. ”Damn it,” I grunted under my breath as I flexed my fingers. They still worked, and that would have to be enough.

Drawing Khryselakatos, my amber bow, I called upon my fire. ”Anathemaʼs Fire,” I said, and the bow ignited in a blaze of purple flames. I summoned a quiverʼs worth of flaming arrows and loosed them at Navas in rapid succession. -BOOOM!

The arrows streaked through the air at high speed. Navas moved with his monstrous speed, sidestepping some while deflecting others with his axe. His weapon blurred with the speed of his parries, but the onslaught slowed him down-if only a little.

As I continued firing, I noticed Navasʼ gaze, which had been fixed on Reiner moments ago, shifted toward me, his eyes narrowing in a bit of annoyance. ”...!”

Water erupted around him that propelled him forward like a water jet. He was coming straight for me.

I didnʼt hesitate. Summoning a larger, heavier arrow, I infused it with both Anathemaʼs Fire and Fate. Drawing the bowstring as far back as I could, I aimed directly at the oncoming threat. -BOOOOM!

The arrow shot forward with tremendous speed, hurtling toward Navas. He didnʼt flinch. His axe glowed with an intense aura of Prana as his muscles tensed. With a powerful swing, he intercepted the arrow mid-flight. -BOOOOM!

The impact split the arrow in two, but the resulting shockwave sent Navas skidding backward across the ground. Despite the setback, he kept his composure, his grip on the axe tightening.

Before I could even catch my breath, Navas retaliated. With a swing, he hurled his massive axe directly at me. -WHOOOSH!

The blade cut through the air, heading straight for my chest. My instincts kicked in, and I sidestepped-barely. But it wasnʼt enough. -Spurt!

A sharp, wet sound followed as blood sprayed in a bloody arc. I staggered, staring in disbelief as my right arm was severed cleanly at the shoulder. Khryselakatos vanished instantly. Pain surged through me like an agonizing wave, and I collapsed onto my knees. ”A-ARGHH!” I bit down hard on my lip as searing agony hit from the stump of my shoulder.

Blood gushed out in thick streams, pooling on the ground beneath me. My head swam, and my vision blurred as my body fought to stay conscious.

I canʼt.

Through the haze, my eyes caught sight of my severed arm lying motionless on the battlefield. The rapid loss of blood was draining my strength, leaving me cold and faint. ”A-Amael!” Celesteʼs worried voice rang in my ear. I turned slightly to see her running toward me, her face etched with worry.

But Navas wasnʼt done. His locked onto Celeste, and he charged at her without hesitation.

Celeste raised her blade just in time, intercepting his axe. Sparks flew from the impact, but the sheer force of his attack sent her reeling. -BOOOM! ”Ah...” Celeste was thrown backward, tumbling to the ground, her blade trembling in her grip.

Meanwhile, Reiner had managed to fully reform the giant gazelle. The watery beast towered above the battlefield, its dark green horns glowing ominously. The air around it crackled as a sphere of dense mana formed above its head.

Navas halted his advance, his expression hardening as he assessed the new threat. He adjusted his grip on the axe and prepared to rush the gazelle-only to freeze mid-step.

He turned his gaze toward Alicia standing away.

She stood not far from him, her entire body radiating a crimson hue. Blood swirled around her in a vortex, the power coiling and uncoiling like a living thing. Her rapier was raised, both hands gripping it tightly.

For a fleeting moment, the battlefield went still. A chill ran down my spine, and judging by the expressions around me, I wasnʼt the only one. Even Navas seemed shaken.

But that momentary pause didnʼt last. Navas shifted course abruptly and charged straight at Alicia feeling probably some danger.

His speed was monstrous, covering the distance between them in less than two seconds. Aliciaʼs eyes widened in surprise. Whatever spell she had been preparing was hastily canceled as she leaped to the side. -BOOOM!

The force of Navasʼ swing shattered the ground where she had been standing, sending shockwaves rippling outward. Despite dodging the blow, the shockwave struck her, throwing her back violently. ”Ugh!” Alicia cried out as she hit the ground, rolling to a stop just a few meters away from me.

I tried to lift my head to check on her, but my strength was nearly gone. My gaze drifted to the blood-soaked ground beneath me, and I realized how much I had already lost. My face was deathly pale.

With another ragged breath, I slumped forward. My head hit the blood-soaked earth.

This isnʼt good... ”Senior.”

Aliciaʼs voice rang as she knelt beside me. Her hands fumbled for a vial.

I wanted to say something. To ask if she was out of her mind. A single healing vial wasnʼt going to fix this. My arm was gone, my blood pooling fast-it was hopeless.

But I couldnʼt speak. My throat was too dry, my body too weak.

Stupid, I thought bitterly. As stupid as I was back then, trying to save Shuria.

No.

I canʼt die here. Not like this.

Through the haze of pain, my gaze flickered toward my severed arm lying a few feet away, the ground around it soaked in red. Blood.

Blood.

Right blood...

Summoning what little strength I had left, I reached out with my trembling hand and grasped

Aliciaʼs arm. My grip was weak, feeble, but enough to catch her attention. ”Senior?” She called softly, looking down at me. Her face was pale, her exhaustion evident, but beneath it all, I could see a hint of concern in her eyes. ”S-Sorry...” I whispered, my voice barely audible.

Before she could respond, I pulled her down toward me with a sudden burst of strength fueled by sheer willpower. Her startled gasp was the last thing I heard before my lips found her neck.

Her skin was cold and smooth against my mouth as I bit down, hard. ”Hmnn!”