I Am The Game's Villain

Chapter 350  Great Nobles Meeting In Edenis Raphiel [4]

”Youʼre rather late, Myrcella,” Aslan chided, his tone tinged with exasperation.

Twirling her bangs with her fingers, Myrcella responded nonchalantly, ”I wanted to avoid the boring discussion, and it seems I succeeded.”

”Myrcella.” Aleaʼs sudden rise from her seat caught everyone off guard.

”Erm...” Myrcellaʼs fingers froze mid-twirl as she met Aleaʼs serious gaze.

”Hello…” Raising her hand awkwardly, Myrcella attempted a greeting, but before she could finish, Alea was upon her, enveloping her in a tight embrace.

”Stop it! Itʼs embarrassing!” Myrcella protested, her muffled voice barely audible through her mask.

Ignoring Myrcellaʼs protests, Alea continued to affectionately rub her head with her fist, a mischievous grin spreading across her face.

”You little rascal!” Alea exclaimed, her voice filled with fondness. ”You didnʼt even consider showing up once, did you?!”

”Donʼt mess up my hair, Alea!” Myrcella protested, shielding her head with her hands.

”Alea? Is that how youʼre supposed to address me?” Aleaʼs tone took on a more serious note.

”My apologies... Big sis,” Myrcella murmured, averting her gaze with a pout hidden beneath her mask.

A small smile tugged at Aleaʼs lips.

”How many years have you avoided me?” She asked, her smile tinged with sadness.

”I-I wanted to, but... Kleines…then Connor. Even though...” Myrcellaʼs voice trailed off as she bit her lips.

Alea and Kleines had taken Myrcella in after she escaped from the Iris Project, providing her with shelter and protection until eventually entrusting her to Aslan. She had grown close to Kleines, Alea, Connor and Christina, yet when they needed her most, she found herself unable to face them. After Kleinesʼ death, she had contemplated reaching out, but fear of Aleaʼs, Connorʼs, or Christinaʼs reactions had held her back. And now, with Connorʼs recent passing, the guilt weighed heavily on her heart, leaving her without the courage to confront Alea or Christina.

All that because she had been too blinded in vengeance against the people who made her suffer. Otherwise she would have been certainly more aware of them. She could still remember seeing in plenty of occasions seeing a thoughtful Kleines but she didnʼt pry further when he smiled at her. A year ago, Myrcella had encountered Connor in Edenis Raphiel. His complexion was ashen, his eyes fraught with emotion, yet when she pressed him for an explanation, he remained silent. Instead, he offered her a reassuring smile, reminiscent of Kleinesʼ, assuring her that all was well, despite her persistent inquiries. Little did she know, that would be the final time she saw Connor Olphean alive.

09:02

A year ago, Myrcella had encountered Connor in Edenis Raphiel. His complexion was ashen, his eyes fraught with emotion, yet when she pressed him for an explanation, he remained silent. Instead, he offered her a reassuring smile, reminiscent of Kleinesʼ, assuring her that all was well, despite her persistent inquiries. Little did she know, that would be the final time she saw Connor Olphean alive.

Noticing Myrcellaʼs somber demeanor, Alea gently removed her mask, revealing Myrcellaʼs delicate features. Seeing the downcast expression on her face, Alea enveloped her in a soft embrace. Myrcella, barely older than Connor had been, bore a striking resemblance to him in her expression, as if she carried the weight of the world upon her shoulders, yet refused to share her burdens, much like Connor and Kleines had done before.

”Iʼm glad to see you, Myrcella,” Alea murmured, offering a gentle pat on Myrcellaʼs head.

She chose not to broach the topic of Myrcellaʼs absence or delve into the memories of Connor and Kleines. Alea could sense the guilt weighing heavily on Myrcellaʼs heart.

”Hm...” Myrcella mumbled sulkily, putting away her mask.

”I thought you might have come with Emilia,” Aslan interrupted their moment, his tone tinged with slight disappointment.

Seating herself once more on the table, Myrcella let out a light scoff. ”Why would she join us when that old man is present?” She cast a disdainful glance in Alectorʼs direction.

”You ought to show some respect to your elders,” Alector retorted with a steely glare.

”Respect is earned, and as a Monarch of Edenis Raphiel, I demand it,” Myrcella countered, a sly smile playing on her lips.

Alector scoffed dismissively. ”I donʼt know what Emilia was thinking, but youʼre only here to shield yourself from the Redhorah Empire and your father, the Emperor. Donʼt mistake necessity for pride, little brat.”

”I have no qualms about taking pride in putting down the useless guardian of the Holy Tree,” Myrcella shot back, her hand raised as a potent surge of mana enveloped her.

Alector groaned, recognizing the strength of a peak 9th Ascension emanating from Myrcella.

”Damn brat...” he muttered under his breath, begrudgingly acknowledging that Myrcellaʼs position among the Monarchs was not solely due to Aslanʼs benevolence. Both she and Emilia had been swiftly embraced into their ranks for their remarkable talent and youth, making them coveted assets with numerous nations vying for their allegiance.

”Myrcella, enough,” Aslan intervened.

With little change in expression, Myrcella dissipated her mana.

”Itʼs a shame, the old man could have used a good thrashing,” Alea said, settling back into her seat.

”Whose side are you on?” Melfina asked incredulously.

”If I must choose between the old guardian and little Myrci, the choice is obvious,” Alea replied with a grin.

”You impudent woman,” Alector cursed.

”Hey, wait a second—! Aslan!!” Alector abruptly halted his speech, rising from his seat in alarm.

Sensing an ominous presence, the others also stood, a collective tension gripping the room as if it had materialized from thin air, shrouding them all in its foreboding embrace.

”Stay alert!” Aslanʼs voice rang out, a warning cutting through the air.

Tanyaʼs tone turned icy. ”I hope, for your sake, Aslan, that this isnʼt your doing.”

”Nowʼs not the time for accusations, Tanya!” Namys said, uneasiness settling over her.

”Over here!” Melfina exclaimed, her outstretched hand casting a freezing spell that encased the entire wall, though strangely, no one found themselves trapped within its icy grip.

”Melfina Zestella, as reliable as ever,” a low chuckle echoed through the room.

”T-That voice...” Claudiaʼs shock mirrored that of her companions.

But it was Alea who appeared the most stunned, her complexion drained of color.

”Iʼm pleased that my voice still lingers in your memories,” a swirling mass of grey energy materialized before the frozen wall, gradually coalescing into a recognizable form.

Clad in a tailored grey suit that accentuated his tall, muscular frame, the man who emerged elicited gasps of disbelief as his handsome features were unveiled, each personʼs expression a mirror of incredulity.

”I-It canʼt be...” Alea muttered, shaking her head in denial.

There was no mistaking him, not with that familiar grin etched upon his face.

With a hint of black amidst his short grey hair and dark grey veins traversing his features, Kleines stood before them, a figure from their past resurrected.

”K-Kleines...” Alector stammered, his voice betraying his shock.

Kleinesʼ grin widened, the very same expression they all remembered so well. ”Itʼs been quite some time, everyone.”

”No...” Alea continued to shake her head in disbelief.

”Alea... youʼre still as radiant as ever, my dear,” Kleinesʼ expression softened, mirroring the tenderness he once reserved for his beloved wife, as he vanished and reappeared before her, his arm encircling her waist. ”Iʼve missed you dearly.”

”I-I...” Alea faltered, her words caught in her throat, overwhelmed by the flood of memories and emotions washing over her. His scent, his words, his touch, everything seemed to align with the man she once knew. Yet, beneath it all, a nagging sense of unease gnawed at her.

”Alea! Get away from him!!” Silasʼ voice pierced the air, his previously composed demeanor giving way to seething anger.

But Kleines remained unfazed, his gaze shifting to his older brother with an icy coldness that sent a shiver down everyoneʼs spine. It was a look they had never seen before on him.

”Dear brother,” Kleinesʼ voice cut through the tension, his grip on Alea gentle yet firm, his attention fixed on Silas. ”Do not interrupt our reunion.”

-BOOOOOM!

And then, with a deafening roar, Silas was propelled through the glass, hurtling several miles away into the sky, his figure disappearing into the distance.

”W-Whatʼs happening?” Myrcellaʼs voice trembled, her gaze darting between Kleines and the shattered remnants of the room. The man who had once saved her life now stood before her, alive and different.

Kleinesʼ gaze softened as he turned towards Myrcella, a gentle smile playing on his lips. ”Myrcella... youʼve grown into a remarkable young woman. Iʼm glad to see you...”

”Out!” Melfinaʼs voice reverberated through the chaos.

With a swift movement, Kleines vanished and reappeared behind Aslan.

Reacting quickly, Aslan conjured a protective shield, but it proved futile as he was sent hurtling through yet another wall.

”This... this canʼt be real! Aslan is a Demigod!” Karl Dolphis shouted.

Now perched atop the Monarchsʼ table, Kleines held Alea unconscious on his shoulder as his gaze settled down on everyone. ”Release Alea at once, Kleines!” Namysʼ voice thundered, her mana gathering around her.

”Namys... I have no desire to harm any of you, but if you insist on interfering, I will not hesitate,” Kleines warned, before Alea vanished into the void.

”K-Kleines, please, let Alea go...” Myrcella asked.

”I simply need her assistance, Myrcella. Thereʼs no cause for concern,” Kleines reassured her with a gentle smile.

”What do you need her for?” Tanyaʼs cold voice cut through the air.

”Nothing of great importance,” Kleines replied, his smile fading into a solemn expression. ”She is merely the perfect vessel for ʼherʼ.”

”Vessel...” Myrcella echoed. ”The Iris Project... youʼre aligned with them?!”

Kleines chuckled softly at Myrcellaʼs rising anger. ”They aided me in recovery of my body, but our goals diverge. I seek the downfall of Eden and the dawn of a new world, free from conflict and strife and for that I need my wife. She has the perfect and closest genes to the Mother of All. Myrcella, come with me...”

His outstretched hand, accompanied by a familiar smile, stirred memories within Myrcella, reminiscent of when he had once proposed a life together, away from the clutches of the Iris Project. But now, the invitation was tainted by the very essence she abhorred as he asked to come back in that same place.

Myrcella shook her head. ”I... I no longer recognize you.”

With her horns gleaming and golden eyes ablaze. ”Leave her.”

Kleines maintained his smile. ”Understanding me isnʼt necessary, Myrcella. Youʼll come with me, and in time, everything will become clear.”

His mana surged, the dormant mana of his Core Falkrona Bloodline awakening once more, a strength that had made him renowned across the globe.

”Prepare yourselves, everyone!” Melfina shouted.

”Damn it! I have nothing to do with this shit!” Brutus muttered under his breath.

”This accursed family leaves chaos in its wake wherever it goes!” Claudiaʼs anger bubbled to the surface.

”I warned you,” Kleinesʼ tone turned steely, his expression devoid of emotion.

-BOOOOOOOM!