I Am The Game's Villain

It was just a childish infatuation, but even after my motherʼs death, she and Miranda were among the few who continued to support me. Aunt Alyssa, Aunt Olivia, and my mother were always close, and our families were bonded by that connection, but tragically, all our mothers ended up dying.

”Keep a close eye on Milleia and Layla, I will do the same, Eric.”

”Yeah,” Eric nodded seriously.

”Letʼs just hope that that bastard of Leon doesnʼt show up.”

”Eh?” Eric was confused at my words.

”Leon. This is the name of the guy I met on the last floor. He is dangerous.” I explained.

”His name…is Leon?” Eric reacted weirdly.

”What?” I asked with a frown.

”A-Ah…nothing…might be a coincidence…” Eric trailed off.

[]

Cleenaʼs words reassured me.

I should deal carefully with him.

”Did you get any evidences against Walter Celesta, Edward?” Eric asked.

”No,” I replied a little annoyed. ”This guy nearly had me killed but in the last months, we found nothing against him. Without evidences we canʼt even speak about him to the King was his brother.”

What can I do?

I have to get rid of him before going to Sancta Vedelia.

….

….

”I would have never thought that you would call me personally,” I said, glancing at my father, who was seated behind his desk.

”You rejected all the envoys I sent to you, Edward.”

”Well, youʼre probably the only father who sends envoys to call his own son,” I scoffed.

Father remained silent for a moment before setting down his quill. ”Where did you get the Holy Sword of Lord Nihil?”

”In the Enigma Dungeon,” I replied.

My father seemed surprised by my straightforward response, considering I had been keeping everything hidden from them for a month. ”During the incident?” he asked.

”Yes.”

”The King and the Pope are pressing me daily to get a glimpse of the Holy Sword, but you—”

”I refuse,” I interrupted firmly. ”The sword chose me. What more do they want? Frankly, I donʼt trust any of them.”

Who could trust a corrupted Pope or a father willing to sell his own daughter?

”The Holy Sword of Nihil belongs to the Kingdom. To the world. The sword—”

”The sword belongs to me,” I cut him off. ”Because I am the only one who can wield it.”

In an instant, Trinity Nihil appeared in my hand, surrounded by a flash of light.

”And I am the only one who can return it to its resting place,” I declared as the sword vanished.

”...”

I sighed at my fatherʼs unyielding gaze. ”When I told Aunt Belle about having the sword, she was happy for me and didnʼt pry for any details. She trusts me that much. But you, Father?” I couldnʼt help but laugh. ”You summoned me here just to hand over the sword so you can please the Pope and the King.”

”Edward.”

”Will you resort to torturing me if I say no?” I asked, genuinely curious. ”You know what. Forget that. I also want to ask you something. Did you really kill Simonʼs parents?”

”Who told you that? Elona?” Father asked.

”Yeah, sheʼs worried and keeps complaining to me. What a great father and foster brother you are,” I retorted sarcastically.

Fatherʼs lips curved into a slight smile at my remark. ”Coming from you, itʼs rather ironic, Edward.”

I grimaced, not denying his observation. ”I never claimed to be a good brother, but if Mother were here, she would have been better at parenting her children than you.”

Fatherʼs smile disappeared as I mentioned Mother, and he leaned back in his chair. After a moment of silence, he spoke. ”I killed Matthew, but I didnʼt kill his wife.”

”You killed them because they were part of Ante-Eden, and they were indirectly responsible for Motherʼs death, right?”

Father seemed surprised that I knew about that, but he shook his head. ”Matthewʼs mother was killed by Conrad. I killed Matthew because he was dying and asked me to end him to atone for his sins. I did so, maybe out of pity or anger.”

”I see...” It was clearer to me now.

”Oryanna...” Fatherʼs gaze drifted to a frame on his desk. ”Oryanna meant a lot to me. She asked me in the end to take care of you and Elona, but I suppose that I have been a bad father.”

”Yes,” I replied without hesitation.

Father chuckled at my straightforward response. ”We have really nothing in common, Edward. You took a lot from your mother, even though you didnʼt awaken her bloodline...”

I fell silent, not quite understanding what he meant.

Then, with a serious expression, my father spoke, ”After the ceremony ends, come back here. I will tell you everything.”