I Am The Game's Villain

Chapter 202 [Final Event] [Closing Ceremony] [2] Talk With The Foster Brother

As I strolled through the campus of the Royal Eden Academy, adorned with extravagant decorations, the whispers of girls followed me.

”There he is! Itʼs Edward!”

”Oh, my God!”

”He looks even more handsome today! How is that possible?”

”I wish I could be his concubine!”

”Idiot! The Holy Sword of Lord Nihil chose him! He deserves better!”

The flattery was not unwelcome, and I couldnʼt help but grin, crossing my arms behind my head.

[]

”Never. I have your Legacy, Cleenah. I must be handsome.”

Cleenah giggled at my words. []

”Like?”

[]

”Are you trying to pick a fight?”

[] Cleenah replied with an exaggerated tone.

”No need to blame yourself. There will surely be plenty more gods coming after me,” I responded.

[]

”Thatʼs actually quite scary, but I have time.”

These gods must really have nothing better to do than to get angry at someone like me in the 5th Ascension. Fortunately, it seems Iʼm not their top priority, considering there are other psycho gods and even mortals like Leon roaming freely in the lower world.

As I made my way into the campus, I spotted Aurora, busily giving orders to the other students. After Louisaʼs death, an election was held to choose the new Student Council President, and Aurora won by a landslide. It was what Louisa would have wanted.

As the Student Council President, Aurora was responsible for overseeing the Closing Ceremony. She was doing a commendable job.

Noticing my presence, Aurora approached me. ”Oh, Edward. How are you?”

”Fine. Looks like youʼre busy.”

”Indeed,” Aurora smiled. ”The next three days are important for all of us. The third-year students will be leaving the Academy, and new freshmen will join.”

”Sylvia and Ruby will join next year,” I remarked.

”Yes,” Aurora nodded. Then, she expressed her gratitude. ”We havenʼt had a chance to talk since the birthday, but I want to thank you, Edward, for what you did for Sylvia.”

I shrugged nonchalantly. ”It just came out of nowhere. Iʼm disappointed in Uncle Charles and Aunt Edith.”

Auroraʼs smile faded slightly. ”I am too. Fortunately, I talked to them, and they agreed to delay any decisions until Sylvia turns sixteen.”

”Before selling her off to Jayden?” I scoffed.

”I wonʼt allow that. Sylvia deserves a different path from mine,” Aurora asserted, glancing at the blue ring on her finger—the engagement ring from Prince Rythvel of the Arvatra Empire.

”Nice ring you have there. I missed the whole engagement while I was out,” I commented.

Aurora nodded. ”Prince Rythvel is a kind person. He also seemed curious about you.”

”Iʼm not interested, though,” I replied dismissively.

Auroraʼs expression twitched at my response. ”Youʼre changing more and more every day, Edward. But Iʼm glad to see you still care about others.”

”Not all of them,” I interrupted. ”Alfred, for example.”

Auroraʼs face darkened at the mention of Alfred. ”Heʼs changed completely since the birthday. He only has eyes for Milleia Sophren now.”

”I thought we werenʼt supposed to bring up our parentsʼ deaths among us, but that bastard did it, and he involved Layla, too. Lucius would have punched him right after Mirandaʼs slap.”

”Edward...” Aurora shook her head. ”Alfred is still the Crown Prince. You should show some respect-”

I laughed, cutting her off. ”Whether Alfred becomes the future King or even a god, I donʼt care, Aurora. The Kingdom means nothing to me. Only certain individuals within it hold my interest. Thatʼs all.”

”... What do you mean?” Aurora asked, her brow furrowing slightly.

”You know exactly what I mean, Aurora,” I replied before turning and walking away.

A Kingdom ruled by Alfred…

It might have sounded right a year ago but not anymore.

As I continued walking, I spotted Simon with Lyra. They seemed to be enjoying each otherʼs company.

”Simon,” I called out to him and approached.

”Edward...” Simonʼs expression turned cloudy upon seeing me.

Touching to see my brotherʼs care for me.

”Then? Whatʼs happening between you and our lovely father?” I asked, getting straight to the point.

”He is not...” Simon mumbled something, but I couldnʼt quite catch it.

”What?”

”He is not my father!” Simon shouted.

”Simon, please...” Lyra tried to calm him down.

”Is Lyra like a walking healing potion, keeping you sane every time you snap?” I quipped with a sneer.

”Edward!” Lyra snapped angrily at me.

”Fine. I just want to know why our once caring foster brother has suddenly become cold towards Elona,” I said.

Simon seemed to bite his lips in response to Elonaʼs name. ”You must be aware, right? He killed my parents...”

”No, he only killed your father because he was part of Ante-Eden-”

”Shut up!” Simon suddenly grabbed my shirt and glared at me. ”And you believe his lies?! My parents were the most righteous people-”

”I donʼt care about your parents, Simon,” I cut him off and grabbed his arm. ”I just want to know why youʼre avoiding your sister. Elona is worried.”

Simon lowered his hand and clenched his fists. ”I donʼt want to hate her because of her father... thatʼs all.”

”What the hell does that have to do with Elona?” I asked, dumbfounded.

”I-I donʼt know! But the Falkrona House... it sickens me...”

”But youʼre the Heir, arenʼt you?” I chuckled a little. Just a few months ago, he had that determined look, eager to bring the House to greater heights.

”...not anymore. Come, Lyra,” Simon grabbed Lyraʼs hand and turned around to leave. ”You can have it back.”

”No thanks. Iʼm good as I am,” I replied, unfazed by the idea of being the Heir.

Simon ignored me and walked away with Lyra, leaving me feeling somewhat helpless about Elonaʼs situation.

Suddenly, Lyra stopped and said a few words to Simon before walking back toward me.

”Lyra?”

”Edward, itʼs been a while,” Lyra greeted me properly this time.

I smiled and nodded. ”I hope you donʼt hold any more grudges about what happened back then?”

I remembered threatening her about getting involved between Alfred and Milleia.

”Oh, it brings back memories, but no. I donʼt hold any grudges anymore,” Lyra shook her head. ”In the end, you were right. Now, because of Alfredʼs obsession with Milleia, Iʼm worried for the Kingdom.”

”Thatʼs nice to hear. Even though I threatened you, I have nothing against you. In the end, Alfredʼs obsession with Milleia might have happened regardless of what youʼve done...”

As I said that, something struck me as strange about Alfredʼs behavior. His obsession with Milleia was becoming increasingly bizarre, especially during the last month.

Wait...

Itʼs the same with Jayden.

In the Game he was always naive but not this annoying and weird with Milleia...

”Edward?”

”Nothing, just thinking about Alfredʼs behavior,” I replied.

”Iʼm also glad,” Lyra continued with a smile. ”I donʼt want to be on bad terms with my brother-in-law.”

I was taken aback by her words but smiled in return. ”I guess.”

”Oh, and how are you going to answer Milleia?” Lyra asked, changing the subject.

”What?”

Lyra sighed, seeing my confusion. ”Milleia is going to confess to you. Thatʼs why she called you today. Sheʼs been pestering me, worried about how youʼll respond.”

”W-What?” I stammered. ”Sheʼs going to confess to me?”

”Of course, brother-in-law,” Lyra nodded. ”Youʼve been unreachable all this time. Answer her properly this time.”

”...” I looked dumbfounded as Lyra left.

Milleia wants to confess to me?

Thatʼs impossible.

Sheʼs not supposed to love anyone.

Otherwise, she would have awakened entirely. 

Something doesnʼt add up…

Her Awakening sudden inside that place.

It wasnʼt even a complete one.

Why the hell am I only noticing that now?

Was I that stupid and naive months ago?

|Youʼre an idiot, arenʼt you? How could you be so blind to the obvious? This blue-haired girl has been suspicious from the start. Those pink eyes of hers should have been a sign of her Raphielʼs bloodline, but she had them even before she should have awakened contrary to the other ʼdaughterʼ born with natural hair and eyes. And donʼt get me started on her sudden sickness; itʼs just too coincidental that everything went to hell the moment that ʼinnocentʼ girl showed up.

Youʼre supposed to be a genius, but you couldnʼt see through her lies? Pathetic. Your plans have been falling apart ever since she came into the picture, and you took your sweet time figuring it out. I thought you were smarter than this, but clearly, I overestimated you.

Now, you better be careful when you meet her. Donʼt let your guard down for a second. Who knows what kind of twisted schemes sheʼs planning? Keep your wits about you, for once in your life.|

Huh?

I froze on the spot after Laimaʼs speech.