I Am The Game's Villain

Chapter 718: [Blood Moon War] [End]

”That old prophetess gave you this...?” I asked, still half-dazed.

The small, thumb-sized crystal glimmered faintly in my hand, catching the dim morning light that filtered through the curtains. Alicia had woken me up just to show it, her expression serious and a little anxious.

”She said we have to leave today... as soon as possible,” she explained quietly, sitting on the edge of the bed beside me.

I turned the crystal over in my fingers, its surface cool and perfectly smooth.

So she’d had a way to send us back all along. From the very beginning.

And yet... she said nothing about it.

Not that I blamed her. In fact, I was thankful. If we had left earlier, I never would’ve gotten the chance to find Elizabeth again. That alone made this detour worth everything.

But if the prophetess wanted us gone now... it meant something was coming. Something she didn’t want us caught in. A danger meant for us or me.

I shifted upright, sitting fully on the edge of the bed, and studied the faint glow inside the crystal. My thumb brushed across it absentmindedly, tracing the smooth lines as if I could feel the Divinity pulsing within.

”She said it’ll take us back—to our time, and to any place we choose,” Alicia added, her voice a little softer now.

”I see,” I replied simply, eyes still fixed on the crystal’s faint shimmer.

After a moment, I glanced toward the other end of the bed—and spotted Levina curled up in the corner, her breathing calm and peaceful.

”Is she really okay, sleeping this long?” Alicia asked, worry flickering across her face.

”She will be,” I assured her, giving a small nod. ”Though... she’ll probably be sore when she wakes. Sloth does that.”

I rose from the bed, stretching out my stiff shoulders, and walked over to Levina. Her blond hair spilled messily over the pillow. Gently, I brushed a few strands from her forehead.

”When I first saw her,” I said quietly, more to myself than anyone, ”I just... knew. She was someone precious to me.”

Alicia nodded, but I caught the unease behind her eyes—that trembling fear we both shared. She knew what I was about to say before I said it.

”We can’t take her with us, Alicia,” I said. ”You know. Only we return.”

”B–But Levina...” Her voice cracked as she bit her lip, tears threatening to form. Her pleading gaze met mine, and for a heartbeat, I wanted to lie—to promise something impossible.

But I couldn’t.

”She’ll live on,” I said gently. ”Just as she did until she met us again.”

”Alone? For five hundred years?” Alicia’s voice trembled now as she stood, her fingers clenching at her sides.

”Not alone,” I said quietly, as a sudden clarity settled in my chest. I finally understood. What I needed to do... and what was meant to happen.

I lifted my hand, releasing the Sloth spell that had kept her in that deep slumber. A faint shimmer faded from her body as her lashes fluttered open.

Levina’s eyes of clear soft blue blinked up at me. And the moment she recognized my face, her lips curved into a small, trembling smile.

”P–Papa... where were you?” Her voice was hoarse, fragile from sleep, but the warmth in it melted every piece of restraint I had left.

Before I could answer, she pushed herself up and threw her arms around me.

I caught her easily, holding her tight, my hand instinctively cradling the back of her head. ”I’m here, Levina,” I whispered, brushing my thumb across her cheek.

”D–Don’t go away, Papa... and Mama too...” Her gaze drifted toward Alicia, her small voice trembling.

I lifted her into my arms, holding her close against my chest as I walked back to Alicia.

”How do you feel, Vina?” I asked softly.

”I’m sleepy... Papa,” she mumbled, rubbing her eyes. ”Stay with me, okay? I’m scared... those mean people made Mama cry...”

I chuckled softly, tapping her nose. ”And I made sure they’ll never do it again.”

Levina’s lips curled into a tired giggle. ”Heheh, I knew Papa would win...”

”You should rest, Levina,” I said, handing her gently toward Alicia. ”Stay close to Mama.”

But she clutched the fabric of my shirt tightly, eyes pleading. ”Don’t leave me, Papa...”

For a moment, my heart squeezed. I leaned in and kissed her forehead, lingering just long enough to feel her warmth.

”Listen to me, Levina,” I whispered. ”No matter what happens. Me and Alicia will always be with you. We’ll be waiting... always.”

Her big blue eyes blinked up at me—and then she smiled, bright and innocent. ”Um!”

I smiled back, though a heavy ache pressed in my chest as I finally let go.

Alicia took her into her arms, holding her tight. I could see the tremor in her shoulders as she whispered a shaky, ”Okay...”

”Put her to sleep,” I said gently. ”Then get ready.”

Alicia nodded weakly, clutching Levina like she was afraid to let go— because in truth, we both were.

The only comfort I had, the one thread of reassurance keeping my heart somewhat in peace was knowing that Levina would live. Five hundred years from now, in the future where I came from... she would still be there. Alive.

That thought alone made it bearable to leave her behind.

After a quick bath to wash off the slight exhaustion clinging to me, I changed into fresh clothes and stepped into the long stone corridor of the castle. The air smelled faintly of dew and wildflowers drifting in through open arches. My boots echoed softly as I walked.

It wasn’t long before I reached one of the open courtyards. A sea of flowers stretched across the garden, their colors glowing under the pale morning light. At the center, I spotted two familiar figures—Ernest and Viessa, standing close, their fingers entwined as they whispered softly to one another.

Their faces glowed with that shy warmth unique to people who haven’t yet admitted how deeply they’ve fallen.

”What are you two doing?” I called out, loud enough to shatter their little moment.

Ernest nearly jumped out of his skin, instantly pulling his hand away while Viessa’s cheeks turned crimson. She quickly composed herself, though, brushing invisible dust from her dress before walking over to me with that radiant smile of hers.

”Oh... Edward, you’re awake,” she said cheerfully.

”Yeah,” I replied with a small smile. ”We’re leaving now, me and Alicia.”

Ernest’s brows rose. ”Back to Edenis Raphiel, huh?”

”Something like that,” I said, a bit vague.

Viessa’s smile softened, and there was a touch of sadness in it. ”I’m going to miss you, Edward.”

I looked at her for a moment. She didn’t know—not yet—who I truly was. Or how fate or whatever would twist our paths again centuries later. How she would die in my arms one day, and I’d have to watch the light fade from that same bright, beaming face.

She might suffer a lot living centuries seeing her friends and beloved ones dying while she lives. But at least she wouldn’t be alone.

”Viessa,” I said gently, ”I need you to take care of Levina.”

Her brows furrowed. ”Hm? You need to go somewhere before leaving?”

”No,” I said quietly, shaking my head. ”We’re leaving her here. I need you to raise her; keep her safe. Tell her that I and Alicia love her, always.”

Viessa blinked, confused, her lips parting. ”E–Edward? What are you—”

”Don’t ask me why,” I cut her off. ”We have our reasons. All I ask is that you take care of her. Raise her well.”

For a few heartbeats, she just stared at me—startled, searching my eyes for some explanation I couldn’t give. But then, seeing the sincerity in my face, she sighed softly and nodded. ”Okay...”

As expected she accepted even though I was literally entrusting her a child which wasn’t even hers.

”Thank you,” I said, relief softening my voice. I turned my gaze toward Ernest, arching an eyebrow. ”And just to make it clear—I’m Levina’s father. She doesn’t have to call you Papa.”

”Why am I getting dragged into this?!” Ernest shot back, glaring.

”Aren’t you planning to marry Viessa?” I asked, smirking.

”T–That’s—” He stuttered, his face turning pink while Viessa’s lips curled in an embarrassed but delighted smile.

Her smile... for a fleeting second, it reminded me of Alvara.

And then it hit me—Viessa was the Queen. Which meant... Alvara must’ve been her descendant.

I really did miss that girl.

I shook my head and sighed. ”Anyway, Ernest, for a prince, you’ve shown me quite a few pathetic moments.”

He let out a short huff, either too tired or too polite to take the bait this time.

Still, I gave him a faint grin. ”But I’ll admit—you’ve got what it takes. You’ll make a better king than Kleines ever would.”

”Kleines?” He raised a brow, confused.

I ignored him and turned to leave, lifting my hand in a lazy wave. ”Take care of Viessa. You don’t deserve her, but don’t mess it up.”

”Are you sure about it?” Ernest called after me.

I paused mid-step. ”About what?”

”Your name—in the records,” he said.

”I’m sure,” I replied. ”Take the credit. Don’t mention me. But if you need to fill in names... add the others. Use Amael’s name.”

He let out a soft chuckle. ”Most people would kill to have their names carved into history.”

”Well,” I said over my shoulder, ”I’m not most people. Good luck with what’s left.”

I started walking again—but then I heard her voice.

”Edward!”

Before I could turn fully, Viessa ran toward me and threw her arms around my chest, holding me tight.

”Viessa?” I blinked, surprised.

She gave a light laugh, patting my back. When she pulled away just enough to meet my eyes, her expression had softened into something sisterly, almost maternal.

”Take care of yourself, little brother,” she said gently.

”...”

Then, with a teasing smirk, she tilted my head down and pressed a soft kiss to my forehead. ”And if you ever need to be spoiled or just... want to cry, you can always come to your big sister. I’ll pamper you for as long as you want. Okay? Vanadias will always welcome you.”

I froze for a heartbeat, my throat tightening. Images—the sound of her last breath, the light fading from her eyes—flashed painfully in my mind. But I swallowed it down and managed a small smile.

”I already have an older sister for that,” I said quietly, turning away.

As I walked off, her voice followed me, bright and strong.

”Take care, Edward! Take care of Alicia and Amaya! And don’t worry—I’ll raise Levina into a strong, beautiful woman you’ll be proud of!”

I lifted my hand, waving without turning back. ”Yeah...”

And with that, I left them.

***

The harbor was quiet that night.

Waves lapped lazily against the wooden docks, carrying faint reflections of moonlight that shimmered like scattered silver. The smell of salt and seaweed lingered in the air, mixing with the smoke of distant lanterns that burned low across the ruined outskirts of Teraquin.

I stood beside Alicia, our figures half-bathed in the pale glow of the moon. In front of us were Daleliah and Sandor.

Behind them, a single carriage rested under the starlight. In its open cart lay Elizabeth—her pale face serene, her chest rising and falling softly, as if caught in the gentlest dream.

If the elves nearby—those tirelessly rebuilding the town—knew that the infamous Vampire Witch was lying unconscious not far from them, they’d probably drop their tools in horror.

”Why isn’t she waking up?” Daleliah asked, a worried crease forming between her brows.

”I put her to sleep,” I said, my gaze still fixed on Elizabeth. ”Until I return.”

Daleliah tilted her head, her expression cautious. ”Why would you do that?”

”Because if she wakes and doesn’t see me around,” I replied, ”she’ll start another war. She’ll keep destroying everything until she finds me.”

Daleliah fell silent.

Sandor behind him meanwhile narrowed his eyes at me.

”Can we really trust him, Lady Daleliah?” He whispered behind her.

Her answer came without hesitation. ”He is Mother’s love.”

Sandor’s eyes widened. The realization struck him like lightning and before I could even react, he dropped to his knees with a heavy thud.

”Father!”

”What the—?! Don’t call me that!” I blurted out in embarrassment.

Daleliah sighed softly. ”Sandor...”

I ignored him and turned back to her. ”Take care of her body,” I said, nodding toward Elizabeth. ”She’s the Vampire Witch. Use your Blood Art to seal her—keep her safe until I return.”

Daleliah’s eyes widened slightly. ”How do you... know about that?”

But then her gaze drifted past me to Alicia and I saw the understanding flicker there.

”Just do it,” I said.

I stepped closer to the carriage and reached out, brushing a strand of hair from Elizabeth’s face. Her skin was cold and even paler under moonlight. My thumb lingered near her cheek as I whispered, ”I’ll come back for you, Elizabeth. Just wait for me.”

And please don’t wake up.

Before the moment could stretch any further, a familiar voice cut through the air.

”What are you plotting together this time?”

I turned and there they were.

Amael stood with his usual calm smile, flanked by Lisandra and Sylvia, both watching silently with unreadable eyes.

”Leave,” I said softly to Daleliah.

She nodded immediately. Sandor, of course, couldn’t resist one last dramatic farewell calling me ’Father’ again before taking the reins and guiding the carriage into the dark.

As their silhouettes faded, I let out a quiet breath. ”I think I’ll start missing having the three of you stalking me everywhere,” I said dryly.

Amael chuckled. ”At least that means you’ll miss us in some way.”

I gave him a long look half amused, half weary. ”Did you get what you wanted from me in the end?”

Amael sighed, then nodded. ”Unfortunately, yes.”

”Then I suppose I don’t have to worry about you killing me before I can leave?”

He laughed, a soft, tired sound. ”Certainly not. And even if I tried, these two would probably tear me apart before I got close. They’re surprisingly protective of you.”

”Amael!” Lisandra snapped, her cheeks flushing pink.

Sylvia crossed her arms and looked away, pretending not to care.

”Protective of me?” I muttered under my breath, frowning slightly. ”Why in the world would they be—”

I trailed off, confusion pressing at the edges of my thoughts. Something about the way they looked at me, that quiet care in their eyes felt... wrong. Or maybe too familiar.

Amael only smiled. ”I’ll leave you with them. Take your time.”

”Where are you going?” Sylvia asked, seemingly wary.

”Somewhere,” Amael said, already turning away. ”I’ll be back. And don’t forget everything I showed you.”

He paused, meeting their eyes for a long moment with a sad expression? I don’t know but he had already faded into the shadows.

As soon as he was gone, the air turned quite weird.

Sylvia turned toward me, her expression a storm of emotions I couldn’t quite read. Lisandra stayed quiet beside her, her hand brushing the edge of her rapier as if for comfort.

Why had he left them here with me?

This wasn’t supposed to be some drawn-out farewell. And yet, there they were—standing in the moonlight, both watching me like they were trying to memorize my face.

It made me uneasy.

These two... they gave me strange feelings I couldn’t explain. A mix of fondness, guilt, and something else I didn’t want to name. Maybe it was because of Amael since I had seen some of his memories being the future Vessel. That had to be it.

At least, that’s what I told myself.

But then—what about them? Why did they seem to care for me, too?

”Leaving for the future, huh?” Lisandra finally said, breaking the silence.

”I see Amael’s been talking too much again,” I retorted.

He was sure speaking casually about such important things.

She smirked and shrugged. ”You can’t blame him for that.”

Her tone softened slightly. ”Did you... see me there? In the future? What was I like?”

Should I tell her the truth?

That she’d kidnapped Layla, for reasons I still didn’t understand?

No. I decided on a simpler answer.

”You’re missing an eye,” I said.

Her face went pale. ”W–What?!”

I shrugged casually. ”You asked.”

Sylvia stepped forward next, her voice quieter. ”What about me? Did you see me?”

I scanned her face. She looked a bit like the Sylvia I knew but the comparison stopped there as personality-wise they were the complete opposite.

I sighed softly and looked at Sylvia, who was still staring at me expectantly.

”No,” I said simply.

Her frown deepened, and she turned her head away, her arms crossing like a sulking child. For someone usually so composed, she could be surprisingly easy to read.

”Well... take care of yourselves,” I finally said, raising my hand toward the white crystal that shimmered faintly. But before I could touch it, Lisandra suddenly grabbed my wrist.

”Huh?”

She stepped closer—too close—and before I could ask what she was doing, her lips pressed against mine.

”...!” My eyes widened, and time froze for a heartbeat.

Her kiss was brief, barely two seconds but it left my thoughts tangled and my heart skipping beats I didn’t know it could still manage. When she pulled back, her face was scarlet.

”T–Take care!” She blurted, then turned on her heel and bolted like a startled rabbit.

I blinked, still processing what the hell had just happened.

Before I could even move, Sylvia approached, her eyes flicking up to mine.

”Wait—” I started, but it was too late.

She tiptoed up and kissed me too, slower, softer, her fingers brushing my cheek as if afraid I might vanish. This time it lasted longer. Long enough for my brain to stop working entirely.

When she finally pulled away, her face was as red as Lisandra’s, but she held my gaze for a moment before turning sharply aside.

”Take care, Mael,” she whispered, and followed after Lisandra, her footsteps fading into the night.

”...”

”Senior.”

”...”

”Senior.”

”Y–Yeah?” I finally glanced at Alicia, who was staring at me with an unreadable, flat expression.

”You are the worst,” she said bluntly.

”Oi.”

She just huffed and looked away, and I turned my gaze back toward the path where Lisandra and Sylvia had disappeared. The night breeze carried their scent faintly, and I let out a long sigh.

What in the actual hell just happened?

I hadn’t done anything to make them fall for me. If anything, I’d been harsh, distant... maybe even cruel. Were they masochists or something?

Whatever.

I shook the thought off and reached toward the crystal again, this time taking Alicia’s hand gently.

”Let’s go,” I said, meeting her eyes. ”Are you ready? Let’s go back home.”

She blinked, her expression softening. Then she smiled, a small, genuine curve of her lips.

”Yes,” she said.

***

Thunder cracked open the heavens.

Far above the ocean, a lone figure floated in the clouds, his white hair whipped by violent winds, his blue eyes sparking with raw lightning. Power rippled around him like a storm caged in human form.

Zeus—the God King himself.

Below him stretched the dark sea, and in the distance, a vast island loomed beneath the night.

”You look lost, God King. Need a hand?”

The voice came from behind.

Zeus turned, and his gaze fell upon a familiar figure hovering a short distance away, white cloak fluttering.

”Nihil’s son,” Zeus muttered.

Amael smiled faintly. ”Amael yes. That’s me. Strange to see you so far from Olympias. What brings the mighty Zeus out here?”

”You were part of the war Merithra caused,” Zeus said, his tone deceptively calm, though thunder trembled faintly in his words. ”Then tell me—who killed my son?”

Amael tilted his head. ”Your son? Which one? You’ve got enough of them to start your own pantheon.”

Zeus’s expression darkened. Lightning began to crawl across his skin like living veins of fury.

”The only reason you’re still breathing,” Zeus said coldly, ”is because you’re Nihil’s son.”

Amael sighed. ”You might have a point there. But let’s be clear—your son picked the fight. He wouldn’t shut up about one of the Khaos Princesses, then attacked the leaders of the Resistance. I only stepped in to stop him from doing something even dumber.”

For a heartbeat, there was silence. Then—

-CRACKLE!!

-BOOOOM!!!

A massive bolt of lightning tore through the clouds and slammed into the sea below, splitting the night open.

Amael reappeared several meters back, breathing heavily, sweat glistening on his forehead. ”That was... frightening,” he muttered.

Zeus raised his arm again—but froze. Literally.

His hand had turned to solid ice.

He glared down at it, then shattered the frost with a surge of electric power. His gaze snapped to the side, where a second figure now stood beside Amael.

White hair. Frost swirling around her feet. A calm, glacial beauty.

”Khione...” Zeus said quietly.

Amael blinked in surprise. ”Goddess Khione...? What’s going on? Did my father—”

”He’s busy with Athena right now,” Khione interrupted him.

”Then why—”

”Five minutes,” she said, her icy eyes never leaving Zeus. ”They need five minutes.”

Amael understood immediately. He chuckled softly, straightening up. ”Five minutes, huh? Against him? You’re being optimistic, Goddess Khione.”

He wasn’t even sure if he could hold him Zeus for five seconds in his current mood.

Zeus stared at the two of them, confusion flickering beneath his anger. Why was she helping Amael? What was happening that he didn’t know? He raised his gaze toward Sancta Vedelia once again.

Before he could ask, a deadly spear of ice streaked past where he stood, forcing him to vanish and reappear behind them in a flash of lightning.

”You dare attack me, Khione?” Zeus growled. ”I won’t hold back—not even for one of Nevia’s pawns.”

For the first time, Khione’s lips curved into a faint, rare mocking smile.

”God King, I may not live to see it, but I’ll look forward to your downfall,” she said. ”He will bring you to your knees.”

Zeus’s expression twisted.

Amael sighed. ”That was a bad move, Goddess Khione.”

”Shut up and fight,” she retorted.

Amael chuckled, then turned toward Zeus, his eyes glowing faintly.

”I’m sorry, Sylvia. Lisandra,” he muttered. ”I leave the rest to you, Edward.”

Then, without another word, he shot forward alongside Khione— two streaks of silver and frost—to meet the God King.