Page 127 of The Villainess Whom I Had Served for 13 Years Has Fallen

Rune disliked Ricardo.

Since their first meeting.

It started with the academy entrance ceremony.

Even before entering the academy, there were rumors among the nobles that he was the “villain’s servant,” and it turned out that the master he serves is indeed a villain.

As a disciple of Martopism, rumors about Ricardo reached Rune’s ears.

It was gossip about an arrogant guy who entered the academy with the backing of a villain.

Rune looked at him with judgmental eyes.

Red hair.

Sharp eyes.

And a dirty personality.

Everyone stayed away from him, just like the rumors said.

Although he had the looks and height that would make him popular, Ricardo didn’t seem to care.

Strangely enough.

The turning point that caused the rift between Ricardo and me was the ranking battle.

Back then, Ricardo was nothing special. Was he hiding his awakening as an Aura user? Ricardo didn’t step forward and didn’t show any interest in classes.

He slacked off during combat training.

During magic class, he seemed to be diligently taking notes, but it turned out he was writing about his “peaceful and enjoyable life” in his notebook.

In many ways, he was crazy. Ricardo.

If it were me, I would have gone crazy trying to deny the rumor about entering Olivia’s bed. But he was someone who didn’t put in any effort.

That’s how Ricardo gradually became a useless person in my memory.

The day of the ranking battle arrived.

The ranking battle to select the top student among the freshmen.

For students in combat-related fields, the ranking battle was the way to prove their worth in magic and weapons.

Those who reached high ranks received significant scholarships and had different opportunities at the academy compared to ordinary students.

A good dormitory.

A life not swayed by money.

Until the support of the school.

I thought Ricardo wouldn’t be interested in the ranking battle where everything was at stake.

Well, that’s understandable.

– Annoying.

He didn’t have any passion.

Even though he was lucky enough to be in the top 10, his performance on the field had no impact at all.

Make him let his guard down and attack.

With his ruthless remarks, he had always faced criticism for every match he won.

A guy who doesn’t know shame.

That’s what Ruin thought.

He was already a thorn in his side, so he decided to step on him firmly this time.

– Do it properly. You worthless bastard.

– Yes~

– Show some sincerity.

– Mmm~

And so, the duel began.

Ricardo threw sand into Ruin’s eyes.

He seemed like a guy who had no desire to win.

– Go to hell~!

As soon as the match started, Ricardo effortlessly defeated Ruin, who was stunned by the reversal of his eyes. And then...

-Surrender.

As he wiped away the sweat that had gathered on his forehead, the guy seemed to have given up, as if all his stress had been relieved.

From that day on, Ruen hated Ricardo. He had disliked him from the beginning, but after that incident, it turned into intense hatred.

He couldn’t understand what kind of person he was living as.

He wasn’t curious about what he was thinking.

Ruen would feel a tremendous sense of betrayal from his visit. Because it was Ruen...

Because Ricardo was the strongest and most outspoken student Ruen knew.

He felt it while fighting.

That guy’s strength was incomparable to Mikhail. Ruen knew that he was on an entirely different level. That’s why Ruen had no choice but to seek out Ricardo.

His pride wouldn’t allow him to ask Mikhail for help, and Inspiration’s mind was currently too sharp to ask for his assistance.

Ruen had come to ask Ricardo, who had relatively fewer connections. Rather than being caught up in unnecessary gossip, he could prevent rumors from spreading by asking his friendless Ricardo.

So.

“Damn it... just a little.”

Fall for it. Ricardo.

*

“Hmm.”

I sighed as I looked at the bowed head of the Nokjo.

I wondered if he knew what he was saying right now.

Cockatrice.

The monster with a snake’s tail attached to a chicken’s head was treated as a superior demon in this world.

Although I don’t live in a group, it’s because of my personal powerlessness, you see.

If our eyes meet for five seconds, I’ll turn you to stone, and with my sharp claws dipped in venom, the Cockatrice was a troublesome opponent.

And.

The current Ruin was someone who could never be captured.

If the Cockatrice pecks with its beak, it will surely become a delicious delicacy. It was a cold evaluation, but it was also a generous score.

With a small “hmm” smile, I looked at Ruin.

How did this guy know the location of the Cockatrice, I wondered.

The tears of the Cockatrice in the novel.

In other words, Fabia’s gem played a significant role. It was partly because it was beautiful, but also because the location of the Cockatrice was shrouded in mystery.

I don’t even know the Cockatrice’s location, so how does this guy know?

In this intriguing situation, I tightly held the handle of the teacup.

Something feels fishy.

It’s as if someone intentionally left clues for Ruin. Or maybe there’s something else.

Ruin’s expression was serious.

He seemed to be aware that he was in a position of asking for a favor, and despite the dismissive attitude, he firmly held his ground.

Cockatrice...

Certainly, it’s a demon that can be dealt with easily... but something feels off.

It didn’t sit right with me.

It felt fishy.

At the same time, I couldn’t trust him.

Who will help him, without any hesitation?

It’s an unbelievable story.

I hoped for a more constructive conversation. Depending on the proposal that he presents, it might change whether I will help Ruin or not.

I calmly opened my eyes and looked at Ruin.

“What’s the compensation?”

From Noble mtl dot com

“...I’ll give you whatever you ask for.”

“How much do you think I’ll ask for?”

“You can ask for however much you want. If you keep the secret, I’ll even add extra money. It’s a good offer since you don’t have any money.”

“I think it would be better to use the money to live rather than hiring me.”

Ruin said nothing.

He just tightly shut his mouth and waited eagerly for what I would say.

That’s why I smiled at Ruin.

“Let me ask you one thing. Who told you the location of the Cockatrice?”

Ruin couldn’t answer the question about the location of the Cockatrice. He probably didn’t expect me, someone who would do anything for money, to ask such a question.

Feeling confident, I voiced the questions that came to mind.

“I know that finding the habitat of the Cockatrice is extremely difficult. It’s even worth a high price just to pass on the location among adventurers.”

“But... who did you hear this valuable information from?”

A bitter smile was directed towards Ruin.

“I’m really curious, you know.”

Ruin didn’t open his mouth. He just tightly held the handle of the teacup and bowed his head. That was all.

An awkward silence filled the air.

Ruin muttered to me in an annoyed voice.

“If you don’t want to do it, just say so. Why the hell are you being like this?”

“Well... that’s true.”

I responded with a calm smile to Ruin’s cold threat. Hedgehogs don’t raise their spines to kill their opponents.

Ruin’s cold threat, which seemed like a defense mechanism, was futile against a hedgehog that could simply avoid it.

I looked at Ruin and voiced my opinion. There was only one way he could have heard this high-level information.

He must have a really bad friend.

“Did you hear it from Hans?”

“...Shut up.”

“That’s right.”

As expected, it was like that.

It was strange that Ruin suddenly showed up.

I spoke to him as if I were handling an amusing toy.

“Do you enjoy life in Matop?”

“What?”

“Just curious, that’s all.”

“Well... I guess.”

Ruin’s face turned pale as he muttered incomprehensible words. He was definitely saying something, but Ruin was too flustered to speak properly.

How amusing.

I smiled at Ruin.

“Leave.”

I didn’t want to talk for long.

*

Walking down a dark alley, Ruin roughly ran his hand through his hair.

“Damn it. It’s not working.”

As he shook his hand, the noise started.

Slowly.

Very slowly.

Ruin’s face began to distort.

His green hair changed from a monotonous black.

His fierce expression gradually transformed into that of a well-behaved student.

“Sigh...”

The man took out black-rimmed glasses from his pocket and let out a sigh.

“You noticed, huh.”

Hans.

Hans, who had barely escaped from Matop, smiled bitterly as he thought of Ricardo, who had captured him.

He tried his best to act like Ruin.

And he thought he had a convincing reason.

But Ricardo’s wall was much higher than he had imagined.

“Crazy bastard.”

I thought it was a perfect trap, you know.

I thought that if it was money, I could lure him to the nest I had prepared. If I persuaded him slowly and naturally, Ricardo seemed like he would come over.

But.

Ricardo, who is quick-witted, didn’t come over.

“Should I catch Olivia?”

But if I touch her, Desmont won’t stay still, so I can’t even dare to try.

If Desmont, who has maintained neutrality, starts moving in earnest, the damage to the heretics would be unimaginably large.

I had to endure distorting principles due to personal revenge.

Hans smiled sadly and recited a toast.

“Teleport.”

*

And in the place where Hans disappeared.

“Hmm...”

A man with red hair stood there, smiling.

“It’s interesting.”