I Am The Game's Villain

Chapter 516: [Event] [Elven Utopian War] [55] Kendelʼs Hatred

Another dawn broke over the embattled borders of Zestella, ushering in the harsh cries of renewed conflict.

The intensity of the skirmishes showed no signs of abating. Enemy forces surged forward in continuous waves, determined to crush the Zestellaʼs defenders. This point of the border, a critical checkpoint, held immense strategic importance-an essential gateway to the heart of Zestellaʼs capital. It was no surprise, then, that the bulk of the enemyʼs forces had concentrated here, with none other than Kendel Teraquin himself commanding the assault.

But Kendel wasnʼt the only notable presence on the battlefield. Celeste, the next Prophetess, and Alicia, led by August himself, stood as the heart of Zestellaʼs resistance.

The Teraquin Knights, Kendelʼs elite vanguard, had been briefed before their arrival: the Prophetess and the Seed were their main objectives. From the moment they reached the borders, they had pressed tirelessly against Zestellaʼs lines, attempting to break through to Celeste and Alicia. Yet, under the leadership of August, the Zestellan forces had successfully held the line, shielding both Princesses from harm.

Today, however, the tide was set to shift.

Kendel had finally stepped onto the battlefield himself. His frustration had grown with each failed wave of troops. Kendelʼs strategy had been simple: overwhelm the Zestellan forces and draw Celeste and Alicia into the fray, where he could personally secure them. But his prey had proven annoyingly patient, remaining at the rear.

Kendelʼs ambitions stretched far beyond this skirmish. The Prophetess and the Seed were the keys to his plans-tools to ensure his ascendancy and outmaneuver Durathiel. Of course, Kendel had anticipated Durathielʼs eventual betrayal. Even now, Toran was executing a plan in Elyen Kiora to secure his advantage over his supposed ally. But that was a matter for later. Todayʼs prize was far more immediate.

The Prophetess. The Seed. -BOOOOOOM!

The earth quaked beneath a deafening explosion of mana, its shockwave rolling across the battlefield. A few miles away, flashes of light split the air, crackling sparks of condensed Ruah illuminating the front lines.

Celeste turned toward the source of the blast. Her wide eyes caught the glittering remnants of unleashed mana and ruah shimmering in the distance. ”W-Whatʼs happening?” She muttered, uneasily.

This mana clearly didnʼt belong to an ordinary opponent. ”Itʼs Kendel Teraquin,” Alicia replied. ”W-What... he joined the battle?” Celeste asked her brows furrowing in worry.

Her unease was justified. There was no way their frontlines could withstand Kendel Teraquin. The brutal reality was unfolding before her eyes-dozens of Zestella knights were being mercilessly cut down by second. Kendel showed no hesitation, no mercy. ”I will confront Kendel Teraquin myself. Your Highnesses, both of you stay here,” August said looking at both princesses. ”W-Wait, Grandpa!” Celeste cried in panic. ”Heʼs too dangerous!”

She knew quite well about Kendel Teraquin. He was a third year when she was new at the academy. She knew how strong he was. Now another year had passed, he was definitely even more dangerous. ”You underestimate me, Princess.” August offered her a reassuring smile. ”No matter what happens, do not leave this place. The same goes for you, Your Highness Alicia. Otherwise, I wouldnʼt be able to face your father.”

He didnʼt linger for further protests. August turned and rushed ahead toward the battlefield.

He could still remember Evanʼs words to him. ”Protect her, August. Protect my sister at all costs.”

August didnʼt need to be told. He would lay down his life for Celeste without hesitation. She was family, just as Evan had become a grandson to him in all but name.

The frontlines came into view, a scene of carnage. Augustʼs heart tightened as he saw the state of his men-slain or gravely injured, their defense crumbling against the assault. In the midst of it all stood Kendel Teraquin.

Thorny vines wreathed Kendel like a living storm, swirling in lethal arcs that tore through soldiers as though they were nothing more than paper.

Kendelʼs elven-green armor gleamed, though it was marred with the blood of Zestella knights. Streaks of crimson ran down his face and matted his green hair, yet his sharp green eyes held no pity, no remorse.

Just as Kendel raised his blade to cut down another knight, a flash of silver steel intercepted him. -BOOOOM!

The clash of swords sent a deafening shockwave rippling across the battlefield. Kendel was forced several meters back, his boots skidding through the churned earth. He steadied himself and lifted his gaze, locking eyes with the figure standing before him. ”August.” Kendel called in a low voice.

There was no way he wouldnʼt know him. August was a veteran knight of Zestella, a legend in his own right.

The old knight stood tall, his weathered features hardening as he looked at Kendel. ”I knew your father, Prince,” August said. ”He was a man of great heart-kind, altruistic, and just. If he could see what youʼve become, what youʼve wrought upon Sancta Vedelia, he would be deeply disappointed in you.”

Kendelʼs expression turned icy. ”My father was a fool. A naive idealist. What happened to Vanadias that day-the devastation, the loss of our Horn of Behemoth-itʼs all his fault.”

The memory of that day was seared into Kendelʼs mind. The tragedy had stripped them of so much: lives, dignity, and their Behemothʼs sacred horn. It was an event that reshaped everything for him.

August fell silent. He couldnʼt deny that Rhys, Kendelʼs father, had been idealistic to a fault. Rhys wanted only the best for Sancta Vedelia, dreaming of a united land where all races- Elves, Vampires, Werewolves, Humans and even Halves-could coexist in harmony. But his vision had crumbled under the deep-seated animosities within some of them. Instead of unity, Rhysʼs efforts had sown greater discord among the ruling heads of Sancta Vedelia, fueling the Elvesʼ hatred of Halves and Humans alike. ”There are countless innocents in Sancta Vedelia,” August retorted. ”Do they deserve to pay the price for the mistakes of a few?” ”I donʼt care.” Kendel snorted. ”Itʼs always Halves and Humans in the end-your race is the most despicable. Your greed, malice, and insatiable thirst for power know no bounds!” -BAM!

Before August could respond, Kendel vanished in a blur of motion. He reappeared in an instant, delivering a powerful kick. August barely had time to block with his sword, but the impact sent a shockwave through his arms.

Immediately, thorny vines erupted from Kendelʼs feet, lashing out with feral speed. They tore through Augustʼs armor, puncturing his arms and drawing blood. He groaned in pain but quickly summoned a glowing mana circle beneath his feet.

Kendel leaped away just as a bolt of crackling lightning erupted from the circle. It struck his chest plate with a deafening crack, jolting him backward. ”Ugh...” Kendel staggered, his vision blurring for a moment.

August seized the opportunity. Gripping his sword with both hands, he poured thick layers of mana into the blade. With a sharp cry, he swung it vertically, aiming to finish the fight. -BOOOOM!

The ground trembled as a massive shockwave rippled through the battlefield, engulfing Kendel in a cloud of smoke and dust. August narrowed his eyes, trying to peer through the chaos. -Spurt!

Without warning, thick vines erupted from the ground beneath him, piercing his ankles like jagged spears. ”Argh!” August cried out, stumbling back awkwardly. Blood seeped from the fresh wounds, and he fell to the ground with a pained grunt.

Kendel didnʼt hesitate. He lunged forward, his sword raised high for the killing blow. -BAM!

Still on the ground, August parried the strike at the last second, his blade trembling under the force of Kendelʼs attack. With another burst of mana, he summoned another circle, unleashing a powerful gust of wind.

The gale struck Kendel head-on, sending him flying backward. He twisted mid-air, landing deftly on his feet.

Taking advantage of the brief respite, August fumbled for a vial at his side. He quickly uncorked it and poured the glowing liquid over his wounds, grimacing as the potion hissed and began to mend his injuries.

Kendel watched him with a cold gaze. ”You may have been strong once, August but time has caught up with you. Youʼre no match for me now.”

Kendel raised his sword high, immense amounts of Ruah swirling around him in a violent swirl. He had no intention of holding back this time-this blow would end it.

August, still on the ground, gritted his teeth and grasped his sword tightly, waiting for the perfect moment to counter. -BOOOM!

As Kendel brought his blade down, a towering wall of ice erupted between them, shielding August and scattering shards in every direction.

Augustʼs eyes widened in shock, instantly recognizing the source of the intervention. ”Princess! Why?!”

He turned to his right and saw Celeste standing, her blade drawn and glowing with frosty mana. Beside her was Alicia. ”I wonʼt let you die, Grandpa,” Celeste said before shifting her gaze to Kendel. Her teal-blue eyes glowing coldly. ”So youʼve finally shown yourself, Prophetess. I thought youʼd hide forever while your knights fell at my hands like cowards,” Kendel said. ”Shut up,” Celeste snapped. Frosty mana radiated from her as she raised her blade. In an instant, she vanished from sight.

Kendelʼs instincts flared, and he swung his sword down reflexively. -BOOM!

Anicy wave surged from Celesteʼs strike, rushing over Kendel and beyond. Frost clung to his armor, creeping up his arms and numbing his movements. His eyes widened as he felt the biting chill sap his strength.

He summoned vines to lash out at Celeste, but as they neared her, they froze solid and shattered into crystalline fragments.

Celeste glared at him, her teal eyes blazing with anger. ”How many innocents have died because of you? How many of my people have you enslaved?” -BOOOM!

Kendel roared, releasing a surge of Ruah that shattered the ice encasing him. He summoned a second blade and swiftly swung down at Celeste with all his might.

She met his blow with her own blade, their weapons clashing in an explosion of frost and mana. The sheer force of his strike sent Celeste sliding back across the icy ground.

In that moment, Alicia appeared behind Kendel, her rapier engulfed in scorching flames. She thrust it toward his back with clear murder intent.

Kendel reacted instantly, stabbing his sword into the ground. A thick wall of vines erupted behind him, intercepting Aliciaʼs blade. The vines hissed and crackled under the heat of her flames, but he had anticipated this. ”Futile,” Kendel muttered, summoning a six-layered mana circle he had been preparing all along. His hand shot out from behind the barrier, aiming directly at Alicia. ”Raven Blood Arts,” Alicia muttered, pressing her bloodied fingers to her rapier. The blade glowed crimson as she swung it upward, summoning a shimmering barrier. -BOOOM!

The barrier absorbed the brunt of Kendelʼs storm, but the residual shockwave forced Alicia to slide backward, her feet skidding across the ground.

Without glancing her way, Kendel raised his sword behind him, intercepting Augustʼs incoming strike. -BAM!

Kendel twirled around quickly, his foot crashing into Augustʼs recovering ankle. ”Arghh!” August stumbled, his stance faltering under the sharp pain.

Kendel seized the opening, lifting his sword high and bringing it down in a deadly arc. -Spurt!

August narrowly avoided a fatal blow, but his armor split apart, leaving a deep gash across his chest. ”Grandpa!” Celeste cried out. Her blade twirled as she rushed forward, summoning a six- layered mana circle.

A gleaming ice bird erupted from the circle, its frosty wings spreading wide before it launched toward Kendel with blinding speed.

Sensing the threat, Kendel leapt away, narrowly avoiding the birdʼs sharp beak. The icy creature pursued him, weaving through the air like a predator locked onto its prey. ”Tch.” Kendel with no choice jumped further away.

Celeste used the distraction to rush to Augustʼs side. ”Grandpa, are you alright?!” ”Y-Your Highness,” August called painfully, his voice weak as he coughed up blood. ”You... you must leave me. Escape with the Raven Princess...” ”Donʼt speak,” Celeste said, her hands trembling as she pulled out a set of vials. She applied them to his wounds with care, but the gash on his chest was deep, bleeding far more than she could handle on her own.

As Celeste worked, her gaze darted to Alicia. She saw her struggling against Kendel. The ice bird had already been shattered, shards of frost littering the battlefield. ”Hey!” Celeste shouted toward her knights, who were fighting at a distance. ”Take him and treat his wounds immediately!” ”Y-Yes, Your Highness!”

Several knights hurried over, but as they reached for August, he grasped Celesteʼs arm with surprising strength. ”Y-Your Highness! You canʼt... Please, let me fight! I can buy you both time to escape!” Celeste smiled softly, gently prying his hand away. ”Grandpa, youʼre underestimating me. I am not the same child you once knew,” she said before turning back toward Kendel.