I Am The Game's Villain

Chapter 334  [Event] [Dolphian Kingdom Under Ruins] [20] John...

”Here we are, James,” Reinerʼs voice resonated within the confines of a secluded room. Accompanied by his wife, the Queen, he had summoned James for an important discussion.

”Your Majesty,” James acknowledged, accompanied by Alicia, who remained silent behind him.

”You can drop the formalities, James. Youʼre as much a member of the royal family as I am,” Reiner said with a chuckle, presenting a document.

Despite Jamesʼ royal status, he held a lower rank than Reiner Dolphis, who held the position of Head of the Dolphis House. James was just the son of the Head of the Raven House.

”I imagine youʼre quite pleased with the outcome,” Queen Doria spoke up, her gaze sharp and accusing.

”Iʼm sorry... but your son wasnʼt the right match for my daughter,” James replied respectfully.

The Queen sighed, her expression softening as she turned her attention to Alicia. ”I donʼt know all the details of what transpired, but if my son caused you any suffering, I apologize on his behalf. We may have spoiled him too much.”

”Itʼs alright,” Alicia responded quietly.

”Nevertheless, why involve Thomenʼs son in this matter? Are you planning to arrange a marriage between him and your daughter? Was that the purpose of the bet?” Reiner asked, his tone tinged with skepticism.

”Not exactly. Itʼs... complicated,” James replied evasively, choosing to keep the true nature of their agreement concealed for the time being.

”I hope Alea isnʼt involved in this, huh?” Reinerʼs glare bore into James.

”No, sheʼs completely unaware of the situation,” James reassured him with a chuckle.

”Good,” Reiner acknowledged, his expression softening slightly as he produced the official document outlining the engagement agreement between Reiner and Alicia. The parchment bore the signatures, marked in blood, of Reiner and Lazarus Raven.

Upon Jamesʼ confirmation, Reiner tore the paper apart and consigned it to the flames. ”Itʼs done.”

”Thank you,” James expressed his gratitude.

”I might have been insistent, but my son seems to have accepted the outcome as well,” Reiner said with a hint of pride evident in his smile.

”Is he alright?” James asked, concerned.

”Heʼs recovering. Heʼs a Dolphis, after all. Never underestimate him,” Reiner replied with a grin.

”I wouldnʼt dare,” James reciprocated with a smile as he turned to leave, accompanied by his daughter.

”We should make our way. The Third Round will likely commence soon, my dear,” Reinerʼs wife reminded him, prompting him to nod in agreement.

”I will get a look on Adrian, go ahead,” she added and left.

…

…

As James walked alongside Alicia, an awkward silence enveloped them. Alicia maintained her usual aloof demeanor as she walked ahead.

”How is your mother, Alicia...?” James asked, breaking the silence.

Aliciaʼs shoulders tensed slightly before she composed herself. ”Fine.”

”I see...” James forced a bitter smile. He couldnʼt help but feel responsible for the rift, knowing that his decisions had contributed to their current situation. However, he had been left with no choice but to shoulder the blame in order to preserve his House.

”Alicia... I want you to know that I am proud of you,” James expressed earnestly.

Alicia remained silent, offering no response as she continued walking away.

Sighing heavily, James reached for his communication device. ”Is there any problem?”

[”Not really, Professor, but thereʼs quite a crowd gathered at the entrance. It seems the residents are eager to witness the matches and catch a glimpse of the elite students of Sancte Vedelia. Theyʼre attempting to force their way in, and weʼre working to maintain order. However, two of our team members were injured in the process. Weʼre escorting them to safety.”]

”Understood...” James nodded, feeling uneasy at the unexpected violence from the residents. He had traveled to other countries with students before, and while excitement was common, such aggression was unheard of.

[”Professor Raven, the Third Round is about to begin. We need you.] ”Iʼm on my way,” James replied, refocusing his attention on the task at hand.

***

[Bring your ass. It already started.]

John let out a frustrated groan as he read Edwardʼs message, realizing that time had slipped away from him while he sought a moment of respite outdoors. He had hoped to simply endure the situation and move on, but it seemed the exam was far from over. At least it was the final day, he thought, trying to find a silver lining in the midst of his frustration.

() Hecateʼs voice rang in unexpectedly.

”What?” ()

”Itʼs none of your concern,” John retorted.

()

”Is she alright?” Johnʼs tone softened slightly.

()

”I suppose sheʼs doing alright then...” John mumbled, a small smile quirking his lips despite the lingering tension.

()

”You are a Goddess, do something,” John grimaced as even Hecate seemed overwhelmed by Laylaʼs obsession.

(
)

Johnʼs steps faltered as he caught sight of Amelia walking toward him from the opposite direction. Upon noticing John, Amelia flinched, halting in her tracks.

As Amelia passed by, Johnʼs voice cut through the air. ”Wait.”

Startled, Amelia turned back to face him, her expression guarded. ”What is it?”

John held her gaze for a moment, his eyes searching hers for answers. Amelia, feeling uncomfortable, attempted to speak up. ”If thereʼs nothing—”

-BAM!

Before she could finish, Johnʼs fist collided with Ameliaʼs arm, causing her to stagger back in shock.

”What?” Amelia recoiled, staring at John in disbelief.

”Donʼt masquerade as her, you sneaky bitch,” John spat, his arm surrounded by a swirling mana circle.

Initially taken aback, Amelia—no, Nora—quickly regained her composure, a malicious smirk spreading across her lips. ”Youʼre obstructing my path once again.”

”What have you done with her?” Johnʼs voice dripped with icy venom as he confronted Nora.

To assume someoneʼs appearance, Nora had to touch and be near that individual, meaning she had likely encountered Amelia.

”Oh, are you concerned for her? Sheʼs alive, but sheʼll be disposed of once weʼve achieved our goals,” Nora sneered.

”The Third Horn of Behemoth? If youʼre here, youʼre after either the Kingʼs or the Queenʼs appearance. Given your weakness, I assume youʼre aiming for the Queen,” John deduced, his approach measured and cold.

Nora narrowed her eyes, sensing the shift in Johnʼs demeanor.

”This is your last warning. Where is she?” Johnʼs tone turned chillingly cold, his mana beginning to warp the environment around them.

Instinctively, Nora took a step back, realizing that John had grown stronger since their last encounter.

ʼHeʼs become more powerful...ʼ she noted silently to herself. If she had once been confident of overpowering him, that certainty had evaporated in the face of his newfound strength.

”Then I will torture the words out of you.” John said and took a step forward but…

-Spurt!

”...!” Johnʼs eyes widened in shock as he felt a searing pain in his stomach, accompanied by a sickening sensation of paralysis creeping through his body. A purple substance oozed from the wound, staining his clothes crimson.

”What are you doing, Nora?” A cold voice pierced the air from behind.

Struggling against the debilitating effects of the sting, John managed to take a faltering step backward, his movements sluggish and uncoordinated. When he turned to face the source of the voice, his heart sank.

Standing before him was a tall, imposing figure, shirtless and emanating an aura of malevolence. Dirty blond hair framed his face, and dark eyes bore into John with a chilling intensity. Purple veins pulsated beneath his skin, and a long, writhing purple sting protruded from his back, poised to strike.

John stumbled back, his vision blurred with haze as he recognized the figure before him.

He was a Commander of [Behemoth] and... he was extremely dangerous.

ʼI... have to warn Edward…ʼ Johnʼs thoughts raced frantically as he reached for his phone, but his trembling fingers fumbled, and the device slipped from his grasp, clattering to the ground.

”Lomar?” Nora spoke up.

”Losing your composure over an insignificant insect like him. We donʼt have time for such trifles,” Lomar retorted disdainfully.

”I know... I know how to reach the Queen,” Nora assured, annoyed.

With a nod of acknowledgment, Lomar turned his attention back to John. The wriggling sting extended menacingly toward Johnʼs head, but Nora intervened.

”No,” she exclaimed, halting Lomarʼs actions.

”What?” Lomar frowned.

”Youʼve poisoned him with your sting, havenʼt you? Let him suffer a slow and agonizing death,” Nora suggested with a malicious smirk.

Securing Johnʼs arms, she dragged him into a nearby storage room and sealed the door behind her, leaving him to deathʼs arms.