I Am The Game's Villain

Chapter 247 [Event] [First Day] [3] Heartfelt Talk With John

”...”

”Damn... I canʼt believe how good this is!” I exclaimed between mouthfuls, relishing the succulent steak before me.

The chefs behind these dishes must be culinary prodigies, born to work their magic in the kitchen. This meal was easily the most delectable thing Iʼd ever tasted, and thatʼs saying something considering my experiences in Celesta.

”...”

”Even the fries... These could keep me happily munching away for a lifetime,” I muttered with a grin, popping more of the crispy fries into my mouth. ”I swear, these are the best fries Iʼve ever had.”

”...”

”Celeste wasnʼt exaggerating about the caliber of chefs at this academy. I mean, itʼs the most prestigious one in all of Sancta Vedelia, so itʼs only fitting that they deliver on the culinary front,” I mused to myself.

”...”

My attention shifted to John, who was glaring at his mostly untouched plate. ”Not feeling hungry?”

John clenched his jaw, clearly irritated. ”Youʼre really making the most of your time here at the academy, arenʼt you, Edward?”

I shrugged, nonchalant. ”Back in Celeste, the atmosphere was perpetually tense around me. Here, things are quieter, and I plan on thoroughly enjoying my time in the academy.”

”Arenʼt there more pressing matters to focus on? Like finding the Prophetess?” Johnʼs tone held a hint of derision.

I took a leisurely sip from my water glass before responding. ”Itʼs just the first day, John, and the Game is still in its infancy. Relax a bit. As for the Prophetess, I distinctly recall assigning you the task of approaching Roda Moonfang and Elizabeth Tepes. Judging by your expression, though, Iʼm guessing you havenʼt taken that step.”

John scoffed. ”Easier said than done. That Allen Teraquin jerk is perpetually glued to Roda, and for Elizabeth, thereʼs that creep Cain tailing her.”

His words werenʼt baseless.

”How about taking your own advice?” I asked with a playful grin. ”Seduce them. Youʼve got their personalities down pat, donʼt you?”

”What?”

I let out an exaggerated sigh. ”Itʼd be quite a tragedy if the eldest son and heir of the Tarmias Duchy ended up without a partner. As your brother-in-law, Iʼm genuinely concerned.”

”I swear, your smug manner of speaking and that infuriatingly condescending look on your face are pushing me to my limits, Edward.”

”Listen, John,” I said, my expression turning serious as I locked eyes with him. ”I wonʼt mask my frustration, and I know full well how infuriated I was when you carelessly handled the Game last year. My approach with Jayden and Milleia might have been foolish, but at least I tried to do something, unlike you.”

”Youʼre utterly clueless, Edward,” John retorted, a smile that held a trace of bitterness tugging at the corners of his lips. ”You have no idea what Iʼve been through in both damn lives. And even if I were to turn back time, I wouldnʼt alter a single damn thing about my actions except perhaps killing Alfred at the start of the academy.”

”Your lack of surprise doesnʼt shock me,” I replied, nonchalantly twirling my fork between my fingers.

”Look at you, the embodiment of an absolute jackass,” John scoffed, his laughter laced with a hint of mockery. ”Eric was no better last year. Iʼve known him long enough to figure out he was a reincarnator from the get-go, but he spent most of his time trying to save that insufferable Rubina character and dealing with her illness.”

”Ericʼs situation is different,” I interjected. ”I acknowledge he didnʼt do much, but he has a sister who was also ill, and you likely understood that pain. Moreover,” I pointed my fork in Johnʼs direction. ”Ericʼs capabilities are distinct from yours. Youʼre undoubtedly stronger than him, stronger even than Alfred, so donʼt try to cast yourself as some sort of victim here.”

”Victim?” John slapped away my pointing fork with irritation. ”Iʼve died once already, and Iʼm not twisted like you, attempting to gamble on the different endings of the Games. I wonʼt be anyoneʼs sacrificial lamb. As long as those dear to me survive, I donʼt give a damn.”

”Think Iʼm any different?” I shot him an irritated glare. ”I lost my sister, my foster father, foster mother and Louisa as well. Lyraʼs lying in a coma. All due to unfortunate circumstances I didnʼt foresee. Eric and I were clearly inadequate in preventing those tragedies. Besides, I donʼt want to involve Eric any further.”

”What?” Johnʼs expression shifted to a mixture of disbelief and anger. ”Heʼs a reincarnator too. Heʼll take the same actions we are for the sake of his sister.”

”Iʼm not debating that,” I waved my hand dismissively. ”Eric can still contribute in minor ways to our Game strategies, but I wonʼt burden him with the more perilous tasks.”

I learned it by speaking with Eric several months but Eric was barely fitting in such a world. I donʼt think he could go through what I and John had gone through in either of our lives. And I didnʼt blame him for that. If anything, I and John were the weird ones.

”Perilous tasks?” Johnʼs brows furrowed in confusion.

”Indeed,” I leaned back in my chair, twirling my fork on the table with a faint smile. ”Iʼm not delving into your past, John, nor do I wish to. However, I know that our goals align in a similar direction. Your way of thinking is similar to mine when it comes to reaching a purpose.”

What I meant by ʼPerilous tasksʼ was obviously killing and fighting with your life in the line more than frequently.

”...”

I flashed him a knowing smile and shrugged. ”And yes, you are my brother-in-law. I wonʼt let you die, primarily because youʼre Laylaʼs brother. While she might not have voiced it directly, Iʼm certain she cares deeply for you. Though she might love me a bit more than you, she holds a significant place for you in her heart as well. You are her sis-con brother after all.”

”W-What?” John stuttered.

Looks like heʼs caught off guard emotionally.

He probably thought that Layla didnʼt care at all about him. He was so obsessed with Alfred that he didnʼt look properly at his cherished sister.

[]

Iʼm certain of that.

”Though she sent you to keep an eye on me, she probably thought that it was safer for you to be with me as well,” I remarked.

I had a pretty good understanding of Laylaʼs character. She likely didnʼt trust Charles entirely and might have feared that he would endure torture on account of my reckless accusation against the Kingʼs brother. Charles Celesta, driven by a mix of loyalty to his brother and self-conviction, was willing to go to great lengths.

Layla, in my estimation, was one of the most intelligent individuals I knew after Aunt Belle. When she put her mind to something, nobody could match her in that endeavor. She had been groomed to be the future Queen of Celesta and had worked diligently to achieve that goal.

Johnʼs expression softened slightly at my words before he snorted and began eating his meal.

”Only two Games,” I declared with gravity. ”Theyʼll be long and grueling, harder than the First Game. But if we handle them astutely, we can secure peace for the world Layla will inherit.” I emphasized her name, knowing how much it meant to him.

”I know,” John replied.

”Are you aware that todayʼs event isnʼt yet over?” I continued. ”Amelia Dolphis is going to meet that girl.”

John furrowed his brows, then his eyes widened in understanding. ”The girl from [Behemoth].”

”Exactly,” I said, nodding with a smile. ”Itʼs been some time since they first met, and they can be considered friends now, but—”

”Sheʼs a bastard,” John interrupted, his gaze fixed on me. ”Are you planning to intervene?”

”Yes,” I confirmed with a grin.

John grimaced at my words. ”I thought we agreed not to meddle with the Heroines needlessly?”

”Not with Amelia! We wonʼt even need to lay a finger on her,” I explained, folding my arms on the table. ”Look, if we eliminate Nora now—”

”Oh? Found yourself a friend, Half?”

A vein bulged on my forehead as I noticed someone approaching behind John.

Oh no, itʼs not about me.

They were addressing John, whose expression turned increasingly sour.

John gripped his fork tightly while looking at me.

ʼDonʼt even think about it,ʼ I replied with my eyes.

Weʼre supposed to be model students, and we need to conduct ourselves appropriately-

”Your ʼlesserʼ parents didnʼt teach you any manners,” the bastard unfortunately sneered.

-Bam!

”AGH!”

John slammed his elbow squarely into the manʼs stomach, sending him tumbling to the ground. ”To hell with you, you motherf*cker.”

Well, that escalated quickly.