I Am The Game's Villain

Chapter 467: [Event] [Elven Utopian War] [9] Broken Family

A month had passed since the attack on Vanadias by the Behemoth. Yet, the consequence of their attack event barely lingered in the public consciousness. The true chaos had unfolded elsewhere, during the Exam of the Elites of Trinity Eden Academy, set in the Ashenor Forest. The students had inexplicably become the targets of the Teraquin Army who were supposed to protect them.

Behemoth attacking Vanadias?

For any other time, this alone would have been the news that shook the world.

The attack was soon overshadowed by an event even more shocking. Kendel Teraquin had ascended to the throne, crowning himself the new King. The speed of his rise was as startling as it was mysterious. His predecessor and mother, Tanya Teraquin, showed no signs of weakness or illness; she had been young and strong. Yet, she had vanished almost overnight, leaving her kingdom and people in stunned silence. No one knew the truth behind her sudden disappearance.

The night he claimed the throne, Kendel made his presence known quite dramatically. Orders were issued swiftly and without mercy.

The repercussions of his rule were felt immediately. All races except the Elves were forcibly removed from Vanadias. The High Humans, Vampires, and Werewolves were expelled like unwanted debris, herded onto ships and driven out to sea. Only a select few, deemed important nobles, were spared the ignominy of exile-but not for mercy. They were hostages, their lives bargaining chips in Kendelʼs grander scheme.

Yet, not all fates were so fortunate.

The High Humans and Halves endured an even darker fate. Shackled in chains and stripped of their dignity, they were crammed into cage-laden carriages, bound for destinations unknown. It required no stretch of imagination to realize their destiny-they were being enslaved. The Elves wasted no time, hosting lavish auctions to sell their captives to the highest bidders. The strongest and most beautiful were claimed by Utopiaʼs noble houses.

Utopia, yes.

The name alone sent shockwaves throughout Sancta Vedelia.

Kendel Teraquinʼs rise to power had been bolstered by an unthinkable alliance with the long- despised Utopia. For centuries, Utopia had been synonymous with treachery and ruin. Their banishment out of Sancta Vedelia, eight centuries ago, had been celebrated as a victory for all races. Now, that hard-won exile was being undone.

The alliance was simple in its cruelty: Elves and Utopia would divide the spoils of Sancta Vedelia between them. Utopia would reclaim its presence in Sancta Vedelia, their exile revoked, and in return, Kendel would fulfill his wish.

A Sancta Vedelia belonging to only Elves.

For the Vampires, Werewolves, and High Humans, this betrayal was salt in a wound centuries old. The Teraquins had been allies for hundreds of years, united against the common threat of Utopia. To see them now consorting with their shared enemy was an unforgivable act of treachery. It was a betrayal that stripped away not only their lands but their trust, leaving them displaced, enslaved, and utterly forsaken.

Kendel though never cared about the dissent brewing among the displaced races or the outrage of neighboring kingdoms. His focus remained on shapingSancta Vedelia into his vision of absolute dominance. Surrounding himself with loyalists who shared his anger, resentment, and desire for change.

In a mere month, Vanadias had been cleansed and rebuilt to reflect his ideals. Kendelʼs preparations were nearing completion, but his ambitions demanded swift action. The neighboring kingdoms, disorganized, could not be given the time to regroup and raise their weapons. Kendel feared intervention from the Monarch Alliance, whose current neutrality could change at any moment. If they sided with the kingdoms of men, Kendelʼs plans could crumble before they even solidified.

In the royal throne hall, Kendel sat on the throne filled with murmurs of attending nobles. Yet, Kendel paid them no mind. His attention was fixed on the letter resting in his hand-a missive that had arrived with the dawn. The dark crimson wax seal bore the mark of Durathiel Ruvelion, Utopiaʼs leader.

The letter was succinct, devoid of flattery or pleasantries: [We demand the presence of Alvara Freydis Teraquin at Utopia by tomorrow.]

It was the first call to fulfill one of the terms of his alliance. Handing over his sister, Alvara, to Durathiel under the pretense of marriage was a condition Kendel had reluctantly agreed to. But he wasnʼt naïve. He knew this so-called marriage symbolized more than an alliance for them though he couldnʼt say what exactly.

Even so, he had no choice but to comply. For now.

However, Kendel planned to leverage this arrangement. In exchange for Alvara, he intended to ask that Freya Ruvelion, Durathielʼs own sister, be sent to Vanadias. Keeping Freya within his kingdom would serve as both insurance and a subtle means of undermining Utopiaʼs influence.

Kendel penned his reply, and sealed it with the Teraquin emblem. He stood abruptly and strode from the hall. Nobles and guards scrambled to bow and greet him. Kendel offered no response, his mind consumed by the war.

Mistakes were not an option.

Yet even Kendel knew he could not shoulder the burden of this war alone. For his next move, he required the cooperation of Alvara-cooperation he anticipated would not come easily.

His footsteps echoed through the opulent corridors of the palace until he reached a particular wing, far removed from the rest of the royal chambers. It was not Alvaraʼs room he approached but the secure room where she had been confined. The doors were guarded by two of his most trusted royal guards, both women of exceptional skill and loyalty. Mana circles, glowing faintly red, spiraled across the doorway. ”Call her.”

One of the guards knocked lightly on the heavy wooden door. ”Your Highness, His Majesty is here.”

No response came from within. ”Open it,” Kendel asked. ”Yes, Your Majesty.”

The two guards raised their hands, and the mana circles shimmered before dissipating into faint trails of light. The heavy doors creaked open, revealing the room.

Kendel quickly spotted his sister.

She sat elegantly on a chair, reading a book, her legs crossed. One hand played idly with her hair, while the other held the book steady. She didnʼt look like a woman in captivity at all. ”Freydis.”

At the sound of her name, Alvara raised her golden eyes from the book. ”What is it, Your Majesty?” She asked, her smile filled with mockery. ”I need you to leave immediately for the city of Utopia. Durathiel has asked for you,” Kendel said.

Closing her book, Alvaraʼs gaze turned cold. ”You dared to involve me in some alliance without my consent. You didnʼt even speak to me about it until the very end. Whatever affection I might have held for you in the deepest corners of my heart-consider it gone.” ”That was also your dream if I remember,” Kendel argued. ”And now youʼre speaking of trivial things like this?” ”Hell would freeze over before I let the dogs of Utopia lay a hand on me. Iʼd rather die,” Alvara replied with narrowed eyes.. ”I am not asking you to form a family. Just play your part,” Kendel replied.

Alvara smiled, but it soon turned into a soft, mocking laugh. ”Surely you know this pathetic barrier youʼve placed around the room isnʼt capable of stopping me. I can leave whenever I want.” ”Yet youʼve stayed until now without causing trouble,” Kendel countered.

Her smile vanished as her glare turned icy. ”Iʼve stayed because I held onto the last remnants of trust I had in you. But that trust is gone. And I will never believe a word you say about

Mother.” ”Mother is safe with me,” Kendel said, shaking his head. ”Donʼt take me for a fool,” Alvara snapped. ”You were ready to sacrifice Bryelle and me to maintain your miserable alliance with Utopia. I wouldnʼt be surprised if you handed Mother over for the same reason.” ”I am not sacrificing any of my blood. And Bryelle isnʼt my blood,” Kendel said sharply, correcting her. ”Bryelle has been more of a sister to me than youʼve ever been a brother,” Alvara replied.

Kendel didnʼt much react. ”I know that,” he replied. ”Which is exactly why youʼve hidden her somewhere even I canʼt reach.”

Alvara closed her book with an irritated snap. She stood abruptly as she turned toward the door. ”Iʼm leaving.”

Kendelʼs eyes narrowed, suspicion flickering across his face. Her quick agreement didnʼt make him relieved.. ”Alvara.” ”What is it?” she asked, glancing over her shoulder with barely concealed annoyance. ”Donʼt try anything,” he said, seriously.

Alvara didnʼt bother responding. Instead, she turned on her heel and strode toward the exit.

The moment the door closed behind her, a figure stepped in. ”Your Majesty, you called?”

Lykhor asked.

Kendel nodded, handing him a sealed letter. ”Yes. Accompany my sister to Utopia, and deliver this to Durathiel Ruvelion personally.”

Lykhorʼs lips curled into a thin smile as he took the letter. ”As you wish.” Without another word, he moved swiftly to follow Alvara. ”Do we even know why youʼre leaving, Alvara?” Lykhor asked as he caught up to her.

Alvara didnʼt respond. She hadnʼt spoken a word to him in weeks, treating him as though he no longer existed. His usefulness had faded the moment they left the academy, and it was clear she saw no reason to indulge him further.

Lykhorʼs smirk grew wider as he tried again. ”Letʼs hope we can put these lower races in their place soon.”

Alvara didnʼt even glance at him, but her attention shifted as someone stepped into her path. She halted abruptly, her eyes narrowing. It was Allen Teraquin, her younger brother. ”Elder Sister...” Allen called hesitantly. ”Leave us,” Alvara said. ”Alvara-” Lykhor began, but her sharp glare silenced him. ”I said to leave us.”

Reluctantly, Lykhor nodded and retreated, leaving the siblings alone. ”Elder Sister, I...” Allen began, his fists clenched tightly at his sides. ”Iʼm sorry. I... I tried to reason with Brother, to make him release Mother, to release you, but...” He trailed off, his words failing him as he looked down, powerless.

Their family had fractured beyond repair, and Allenʼs helplessness was written all over his face. ”Allen,” Alvara said suddenly, her voice softer than he remembered.

His head shot up, his eyes wide with surprise. ”Y-Yes?” He stammered. It had been so long since sheʼd called him by his name, so long since her tone had been more neutral than colder.

Alvara approached and handed him the book she had been reading. ”Watch over mother and ʼherʼ.”

She said and left.

Allen looking down at the book and again remembering his sisterʼs words felt a wave of emotions. His elder sister he admired so much had finally chosen to rely on him.

Allen gripped the book with care and nodded seriously. ”Leave it to me, elder sister.”