I Am The Game's Villain

Chapter 726: [Final Event] [Blood Moon Festival] [8] The Morning After Alicia’s Return

The Morning After Alicia’s Return

By the fourth day of the Blood Moon Festival, excitement filled every corner of the Trinity Eden Academy. The grand celebration was reaching its peak and with it came the long-awaited final trip—a visit to the Capital of Ravenia, the beating heart of the Kingdom of Ravenia.

Victor had planned to leave directly from Olphean Castle, where he’d decided to spend the night with Selene. Not that he had much of a choice; his mother had a way of making ’suggestions’ that were impossible to refuse.

Everything was set for a calm evening—-until the unexpected news arrived.

Alicia was back.

The moment Victor heard it, he nearly dropped everything. He wanted to run straight to Leora’s estate, to see his sister with his own eyes, to make sure she was safe.

Celeste felt the same surge of emotion. She wanted to check on Alicia too, though her thoughts drifted more toward Amael. If Alicia had returned... then maybe or certainly he had as well.

However they didn’t.

Leora herself sent word asking them not to come just yet. Alicia had only just returned and was clearly exhausted. She needed rest—not a crowd of worried faces around her bed. Leora promised they could visit in the morning.

Victor and Celeste exchanged uneasy glances but eventually agreed. It wasn’t easy to hold back after two weeks of silence, yet they respected Leora’s wishes. They’d just have to wake up early to visit before heading to the academy for the trip.

The teleportation circle that would take them to Ravenia’s capital had a strict activation window. It was a powerful piece of spell—and far too dangerous to leave open longer than necessary. That meant Victor couldn’t afford to linger. Still, he refused to leave without seeing whom he always thought and would always think of his younger sister.

Morning arrived faster than expected.

Victor didn’t even knock. The moment he reached the Estate and Alicia’s room, he threw the door open and ran inside.

”Alicia!!”

The girl barely had time to turn before her brother wrapped his arms around her.

”B–Brother...” Alicia blinked, startled by the sudden affection.

As a princess, she wasn’t exactly used to being grabbed out of nowhere—touch and closeness weren’t things she often allowed. Still, seeing Victor’s relieved face, she found herself relaxing. She sighed softly.

She felt however too awkward to return to the hug. Despite how protective he had been; she always had an awkward relation with her three brothers. The one she felt more at ease was actually Sirius who knew about Alicia enough to speak and let her alone when needed.

”I’m fine,” she said in the end with a small voice.

”I—I’m so relieved...” Victor pulled back, and then he grinned. ”I didn’t know where you were. But since you were with Amael, I kinda knew you’d be safe.”

There was deep trust in his tone. He knew how close Amael and Alicia were, and that alone had eased much of his worry.

But before the moment could last—

”What do you think you’re doing barging into a girl’s room like that?”

Victor froze.

”Ugh!” he yelped as a firm hand caught his ear and twisted. His eyes darted toward the voice, and his heart sank.

Leora.

”I—I apologize!!” He blurted immediately, bowing his head like a scolded child.

Amelia, who had also spent the night at the castle along with John—thanks to Thelma’s insistence that her son’s friends stay over—-stood nearby, utterly speechless.

She had never seen Victor like this before.

He was loud, confident, and often stubborn yet the moment Leora appeared, he turned into a panicked mess.

It wasn’t quite fear... but close.

With Jennyfer, his nervousness had been obvious as he liked her, and she was his senior. But Leora was different. She was his stepmother, and their relationship had always been... complicated.

Victor had always believed she resented him as the living reminder of her husband’s affair. That guilt had made him avoid her for years.

But from Leora’s side, things couldn’t have been further from the truth. She had never hated him. If anything, she was kind of upset that he kept his distance, as if she were some kind of monster.

Celeste watched the scene with a wry smile.

As Victor’s childhood friend, she’d seen this play out countless times. Leora’s calm scolding, Victor’s awkward apologies, and the tension that filled the air between them. All of it felt oddly nostalgic.

John stood near the doorway, his frame half-hidden by the edge of the door. Unlike Victor, who had immediately thrown himself into a dramatic reunion, John seemed more cautious or perhaps more suspicious. His red eyes darted around the room first, scanning every corner as though expecting someone to jump out. Then, just to be sure, he peeked down the hallway again.

No sign of Amael.

”How are you feeling, Alicia?” Amelia asked softly.

”I’m fine,” Alicia replied.

Amelia tilted her head slightly. ”You’ve been gone for days. Where in the world were you? With Amael, no less. We were all worried sick, you know?”

At that, everyone in the room seemed to perk up. Even Victor, who had been trying to stand still under Leora’s watchful gaze, couldn’t help leaning closer.

Alicia’s expression stayed calm. ”Utopia,” she said simply.

”U–Utopia?!” Amelia blurted out, eyes wide.

Alicia nodded once. ”Senior went there after what happened to Beth. I chose to follow him. I just... needed some time.”

Her explanation sounded vague maybe even suspicious but it fit just enough to make sense. It explained why no one had been able to find her or Amael despite all the search efforts.

Even so, Leora’s face hardened, a faint grimace tugging at her lips.

”That boy has no shame, does he?” She muttered under her breath.

Despite the Council’s judgement, the trial that led to Amael’s banishment for handing over the Seed to Utopia. He should have been lying low, spending his remaining days quietly until the sentence took effect at the end of the Festival.

And yet, instead of that, he’d gone straight to Utopia and taken Alicia with him.

Unbelievable.

”Then... where is he now?” Celeste asked right after. Her arms were crossed, but her fingers dug into the fabric of her sleeves so tightly that her knuckles went pale.

”I don’t know,” Alicia said. ”Senior told me he’d be at the Festival.”

Celeste sighed shakily, a bit relieved hearing about him. ”...Is he okay?”

She wasn’t only asking out of curiosity. The memory of that day, of Elizabeth’s death was still fresh. She still didn’t know who that white-haired werewolf had been, but she remembered the pain in his voice as he held her.

Alicia nodded slowly.

He was clearly hurt even more than her when he came out of the hospital but he became better when Amaya appeared, and when he... got Elizabeth back.

Still there was something about him she couldn’t quite figure out. Something that worried her.

Victor clapped his hands together, trying to lighten the mood. ”Well, if he’s at the Festival, then let’s see him! It’s been way too long.”

He said grinning. Despite knowing about Amael’s upcoming banishment, Victor wanted to make the most of whatever time they had left.

”Are you coming too, Alicia?” Hee asked eagerly.

Before Alicia could answer, Leora’s stern voice rang.

”What did you just say, Victor?”

Victor froze, paling instantly. ”S–Sorry!”

Leora sighed, rubbing her temple. ”Maybe tomorrow or the day after if she’s feeling better.”

”Mother...” Alicia’s voice was almost pleading, but Leora didn’t respond.

”You’ll be late,” Leora said instead, brushing off her hands as if the matter were settled. ”Go on, all of you.”

Victor sighed in defeat. ”Right...”

He gave his sister one last smile before heading toward the door. ”Take care, Alicia.”

Celeste waved gently. ”We’ll see you soon.” Amelia followed with a kind nod.

Only Selene stayed behind, silent until the room was nearly empty.

”She liked you a lot,” she said.

Alicia’s fingers clenched around the edge of her bedsheet. Her voice trembled slightly. ”...Yes. I know.”

Selene’s crimson eyes narrowed slightly just a moment. ”Don’t do anything reckless again.”

Coming from her, those words carried weight. Selene wasn’t the type to express concern easily not even for her friends. But Alicia was different. They had trained together since they were little girls.

As Selene turned to leave, Alicia’s voice stopped her.

”Beth... she’s still with us.”

Selene turned back, brows knitting together as she met Alicia’s gaze. There was a strange intensity there.

For a moment, Selene just stared. Alicia seemed... changed.

”...Did you sleep with him?” She asked bluntly.

Alicia blinked, completely thrown off. ”Eh?”

Selene tilted her head, expression calm. ”Did you have sex with him?”

It took only a heartbeat for Alicia to realize who she meant. Her entire face went crimson.

”I–I did not!” She stammered bluntly.

Selene looked at her a moment longer, then nodded thoughtfully. ”I see.”

Without another word, she turned and walked out.

She had only asked because she’d seen it before that same strange shift, the same quiet fire that had once taken hold of Elizabeth.

And now, it was flickering behind Alicia’s eyes too.

”...”

Feeling a gaze, Alicia looked at her mother staring at her.

”I–I did not, mother...” She lowered her blushing face.

...

...

Victor and the others meanwhile made their way out the house.

Victor walked ahead, his hands tucked behind his head, a relaxed smile playing on his lips. ”Alicia really seemed better, didn’t she?” Hee said, glancing over his shoulder at the others. ”I was worried she’d still be a mess after all that.”

Amelia grinned, nudging him lightly with her elbow. ”Yeah, she did look better. Though I can’t help wondering...” She gave him a teasing look. ”Just what happened between her and Amael in those two weeks?”

Celeste stiffened at the comment, her steps faltering for half a second.

Unaware of her reaction, Amelia cheerfully turned to John and clasped his hand. ”Right, John?”

”He probably tricked her and seduced her already,” he said flatly.

Amelia blinked. ”John!”

But he didn’t look the slightest bit ashamed. After everything he’d seen of Amael, he genuinely didn’t know what to expect anymore. That guy had an uncanny talent for attracting Heroines without even trying. At this point, John wasn’t sure if he should be impressed or horrified.

Selene, who had been silent until then, decided to join in. ”Not even two weeks since Elizabeth’s death,” she said coldly. ”Maybe he just needed a replacement.”

”C–Come on, you two!” Victor groaned, stopping in his tracks to look at them. ”Amael’s not like that! You’re making him sound like some kind of monster.”

He rubbed the back of his neck, laughing awkwardly. ”Good thing he’s not here to hear this. He’d probably vanish for another two weeks.”

Amelia giggled softly but her attention drifted back to Celeste, who hadn’t said a word. ”What about you, Celeste?” She asked curiously. ”What do you think?”

Her question was innocent enough, but there was something hopeful behind it. Amelia wanted Celeste to speak—to finally open up about what she felt. With Amael’s return, maybe... just maybe... something could change. The engagement with Cyril wasn’t final yet, and Amelia couldn’t help but root for her friend.

Celeste hesitated, her gaze falling to the cobblestones beneath her feet. ”I... no. He wouldn’t do that,” she murmured. ”He just...”

Her voice trailed off, the rest lost in thought.

She could still hear his voice in her head—the things he’d said when they fought the Behemoth together. Unless she was completely blind, he’d made his feelings clear that day.

He liked her.

Didn’t he?

Then would he step in for her, like he did for Alicia—breaking her engagement with Adrian without hesitation? Would he save her from Cyril in the same way?

Her hand tightened against her chest, where her heart was pounding far too hard.

It felt pathetic to hope for that—to rely on someone else when she couldn’t even fight her own fate. But somewhere deep down, she couldn’t help believing that if anyone could change it... it would be Amael.

A few steps behind, John had grown unusually quiet. He wasn’t listening to the others anymore—his thoughts were elsewhere, locked in a silent conversation echoing in his mind.

’Can’t you sense where he is?’

Hecate’s sigh reverberated faintly within him.

()

It was still strange to think about.

Cleenah... gone.

He knew how close she had been to Edward—closer than anyone. Hearing of her death had hit him harder than he’d expected, not because he’d known her well, but because he could imagine how much it must’ve shattered Edward.

And then there was Roda. And Elizabeth.

All on the same cursed day.

John sighed slowly, running a hand through his hair. He couldn’t even blame Edward for vanishing like he did. After losing that much, who wouldn’t?

Still... John had been sure he’d come back. He’d thought Edward would return for the end of the Second Game’s story—the final Event that still bound them all together. There were people he cared about here.

But lately, something felt off.

There was this strange sense, like Edward was hiding something. Something big.

John had his doubts but what bothered him most was the silence. If Edward was truly keeping secrets... why hadn’t he said anything yet?

John’s eyes narrowed.

Whatever it was, he will ask it him when he will see him.

...

...

Not long after Victor and the others had left the mansion, Sirius arrived and he wasn’t alone. Sephira walked beside him, her steps light but hesitant, her fingers brushing against her skirt as she entered the halls.

She looked uneasy, the kind of awkwardness that came from stepping into her lover’s family home for the first time. But if she expected a cold or distant reception, she was quickly proven wrong.

Leora greeted her with genuine warmth.

”Oh, you must be Sephira,” she said with a bright smile. ”It’s lovely to finally meet you. Sirius has told me... well, not much, actually, but I can see why.”

Sephira blushed faintly, lowering her head. ”It’s an honor, Lady Leora.”

Leora chuckled softly, glancing at Sirius. ”You have good taste, Sirius. But you’ll be late if you linger too long.”

Sirius nodded. ”I won’t take long, Mother.”

He turned and made his way upstairs, the sound of his footsteps echoing lightly through the quiet corridors until he reached Alicia’s room.

Alicia was lying in bed but when the door creaked open and she saw who it was, her expression lit up a bit.

”Brother,” she said softly, sitting up.

Sirius smiled as he stepped closer. ”You’re back,” he said gently. ”How are you feeling?”

”I’m fine,” she replied. ”I’m sorry for not informing anyone. I should have at least told someone.”

”It’s alright,” Sirius said. He sat at her bedside and reached out to pat her cheek. ”The important thing is that you came back safe and sound.”

Alicia nodded slightly, her eyes lowering. ”Hm.”

After a brief silence, Sirius asked, ”Is Amael back too?”

She looked up at him, hesitated, then nodded. ”Yes. He said he’ll be at the Festival.”

”I see...” Sirius smiled faintly, brushing a strand of her hair aside. ”That’s good. Don’t push yourself too much. Take all the time you need.”

He stood, straightening his blazer and preparing to leave but just as he reached for the door handle, Alicia’s quiet voice stopped him.

”Big brother...”

He turned back, eyebrows lifting slightly. Alicia was sitting upright now, her hands clutching the sheets tightly, trembling just enough for him to notice.

Her crimson eyes glimmered with slight nervousness.

”I... I don’t want to marry Senior Percy,” she said.

Sirius didn’t look surprised. In fact, his expression softened, almost knowingly.

”I know,” he said after a moment. ”Don’t worry, Alicia. We’ll do something about it.

Alicia’s lips trembled, then she nodded quickly. ”Y–Yes...”

Satisfied, Sirius gave her one last reassuring look before stepping out of the room and closing the door quietly behind him.

The corridor outside was empty and silent. He could faintly hear below Leora and Sephira discussing.

Sirius let out a slow breath and rested his hand on the doorknob for a moment before releasing it. His eyes, normally calm, flickered with something else.

”...You see,” he muttered under his breath.

He rolled up the sleeve of his right arm, revealing a faintly glowing mark etched into his skin.

”You see, Connor...”

An amber emblem, gleaming with the divine hue of the Olphean Royal Bloodline.

The symbol pulsed once, reacting to him.

”Fate can’t be beaten.”