Page 308 of The Villainess Whom I Had Served for 13 Years Has Fallen

Yung sat on a stone, flashing a twisted smile as he looked at me.

“At first, I didn’t recognize who you were.”

“...”

“You’ve changed too much.”

Yung's gaze lingered on the sword at my waist, Tyrfing.

“You’ve grown too tall, almost unrecognizable.”

“...”

“You’ve become so strong, it’s hard to believe you’re even the same person.”

“...”

He chuckled, clicking his tongue.

“It’s funny. The same time passed for both of us, but while you became a monster, I turned into a washed-up old man.”

Yung clicked his tongue again, this time meeting my eyes directly.

“Seeing you makes life feel so unfair.”

“...”

“I was a successful mercenary once too. But then my parents died... my comrades died before my eyes... the woman I loved ran away... I tried to drink away my memories, but it’s not that easy—”

“Save your sob story.”

“You heartless bastard.”

Yung clicked his tongue once more, letting out a sigh.

“I’ve been thinking it over for a while. The usual ways aren’t fun anymore.”

“...”

“You’ve done plenty to me, both physically and mentally.”

“You deserved it. If anything, accepting your punishment humbly would have been the proper response.”

“Hah...! Easier said than done.”

Yung laughed, nodding his head as if he found it amusing.

“You’re funny.”

“...”

“Really funny.”

“...”

“Since I’m sure you’re curious, I’ll tell you in advance.”

“...”

“I don’t plan on leaving here alive today.”

“That’s the best news I’ve heard all day.”

“You heartless bastard.”

“I’ve always been a bit too capable.”

Yung clicked his tongue, staring at me as he spoke again.

“By the way, I also don’t plan on dying today.”

“That’s unfortunate. I was just trying to figure out the best time to kill you.”

“Then go ahead, try.”

“...”

Yung smiled maliciously, watching me carefully. The fact that he was facing me head-on meant he had a backup plan.

“You can’t, can you?”

“You’re right.”

“Smart of you to hold back, kid. If you’d killed me, that little one would have died, too.”

“...Black magic, then.”

“No, I don’t use such tragic endings in my plays. I prepared something much more direct and certain.”

Yung pulled out a small box from his coat and showed it to me. When I saw what was inside, my fists clenched.

An orb.

A black orb, shaped like a gemstone, something I recognized well. It was an artifact.

“That artifact...”

“Made by the cult leader, right?”

The artifact was capable of causing massive explosions.

I muttered calmly, and Yung let out a loud laugh, nodding confidently.

“That’s right. The cult leader’s magic is sealed inside this artifact. So, I guess you already know what it does.”

“A massive explosion.”

“You really don’t miss a thing, do you? Like someone from the future...”

“The cult leader wouldn’t have just handed this over to you.”

“Of course not. Even for him, making something like this is difficult... so I stole it.”

“...”

“I’m going to die anyway, so what’s there to be afraid of? Isn’t that right, kid?”

Yung’s murderous gaze didn’t seem like a lie. He was ready to sacrifice everything.

“I’ve hidden the leader’s magic-filled orbs all over the basement.”

“That’s cowardly.”

“If you want to enjoy a good show, you have to pay the price, right?”

“...”

“Even if you had taken the kid outside, it would have still exploded. I’ve hidden them on the surface as well.”

“Care to tell me where they’re hidden?”

“You think I’d tell you?”

“That’s unfortunate.”

Yung’s eyes took on a colder tone.

“The trigger...”

He pointed to his neck with his finger.

“My life.”

“...”

“The way to deactivate them is also through my life.”

Yung’s twisted riddle made me frown. What kind of game was this? It was as if the answer and the failure were the same. Even a Sphinx’s riddle had a solution, but Yung’s question was far more convoluted.

Seeing the confusion on my face, Yung reassured me.

“Don’t worry. As long as you don’t kill me, nothing will happen.”

“What are you saying?”

“That.”

Yung gestured to Mikhail, who was clutching the illusion tightly.

“That kid is the key.”

“The key...?”

“If that kid slashes my throat, it’s your victory. But if you get tired of watching him suffer and kill me yourself, I win.”

“You bastard.”

“Does it make you angry?”

“Wouldn’t it make anyone angry?”

Yung breathed out a deep, unsettling laugh from his chest.

“That’s why I’m showing you.”

“...”

“Showing you how your precious thing is breaking.”

“...”

“That silver-haired kid is precious to you, isn’t he?”

“...”

Yung smiled wickedly, his eyebrows twitching.

“If he wasn’t, you wouldn’t have come here. Every time I tried to mess with him, you’d appear, getting in the way...”

“...”

“You made it so obvious. Practically screaming, ‘This is my weakness.’”

“You’re right.”

“That’s why emotions are scary. No matter how strong someone is, if you hit their weak point, they crumble.”

Yung looked me straight in the eye as he boasted about his plan.

“The script I’ve prepared won’t be boring.”

It was a tragedy.

Heartbreaking, infuriating.

Impressed by how well Yung had orchestrated his scheme, I nodded slowly.

“I thought long and hard about what the best revenge an old man could take would be.”

Raaaah!!!

Yung looked over at Mikhail, who was losing his mind and charging toward us.

“This.”

I’ll kill you!!!

“The best revenge is watching someone you care about fall apart.”

“...”

“The person you cherish most, breaking down right before your eyes.”

“...”

Yung grinned sadistically as he watched me.

“I told you, I can’t beat you.”

Mikhail, sword drawn, was slashing wildly at the air.

“Youuu!!!”

Even though Yung was standing right next to him.

Yung chuckled at the sight of Mikhail’s aimless attack, then glanced at me with a sly grin.

“It’s cowardly, but I had no choice.”

“...”

“Endure it, kid.”

Swish!

Mikhail’s blade sliced through the air meaninglessly, as though he were attacking a ghost.

Yung watched him for a moment before speaking again.

“Watch carefully.”

“Isn’t this a familiar scene?”

“...”

“You have to watch closely.”

“You really do love your cruel games.”

“Indeed.”

Yung, still smiling awkwardly, spoke with chilling intent.

“What do you think will happen when that sword is pointed at you?”

“You’re saying you’ll change the target?”

“I have to show the script I’ve prepared properly, don’t I? I’m sure you’re expecting something.”

There was something I was curious about.

“But...”

“Hm?”

“Why do you think I can’t kill you?”

“What?”

“If I kill you and deactivate the magic, it would solve everything, wouldn’t it?”

“I told you I hid the orbs. Didn’t you hear me? You want to be buried alive?”

“You said you’re here to die anyway.”

“...”

“Even if Mikhail beats you, you’ll blow everything up, so it’s pointless.”

“...”

“I’d rather take out my frustration and save my friend.”

I glanced at Mikhail, who was still slashing at nothing, and muttered softly.

“I admit it. That person you call a kid is important to me. You’re right—he’s my weakness.”

“...”

“But I’d rather bet on a future with a glimmer of hope than one with no chance at all.”

“You’re insane.”

I slowly drew my sword and began walking toward Yung. At the same time, Mikhail’s gaze shifted toward me, his eyes filled with rage.

As if he were blind with anger, Mikhail pointed his sword in my direction. I let out a deep sigh.

“You killed him.”

“...This is troublesome.”

“You killed him!”

“Hah...”

Yung was clearly caught off guard. He hadn’t # Nоvеlight # anticipated this turn of events. His plans, carefully laid out, were crumbling before his eyes.

He wanted to watch.

He wanted to escape.

He had thought about dying with us, but now that I was threatening to ruin everything, fear flickered in his eyes.

“If you don’t follow my rules, that kid is going to die.”

“Seems like it.”

“Do you think that kid can handle the cult leader’s power?”

“Probably not.”

“Then—”

“I can handle it. I’ll take the shock instead.”

I glanced between Mikhail and Yung, my voice cold.

“The picture you’ve painted isn’t quite as beautiful as you’d hoped, is it?”

Clang...!

“You tried to sound all ominous, but honestly, you’re a bit underwhelming, Archbishop of Forgetfulness.”

Yung gritted his teeth.

“Let’s see how long you can keep up that smug face.”

Snap!

Yung snapped his fingers.

And suddenly—

“Huh...?”

Mikhail stood before me, sword in hand, still looking disoriented.

“How... how is this possible?”

I smiled as I watched his eyes tremble with confusion.

“You’re awake?”

“Where... where am I? I was just... with that man...”

“Shh.”

A bright red spark flew through the air, and Yung watched it flash past him, gazing at the shattered wall beside him. He let out a deep sigh, muttering under his breath how there was no monster like this one.

“Don’t think too much.”

“No... no, wait.”

“It’s just a dream. Don’t dwell on it, and don’t try to remember it.”

Mikhail looked at me, his eyes shaking, as if searching for an answer to something he couldn’t comprehend.

I gently parried his sword away, offering him a soft smile. Sometimes, words weren’t needed—just an inexplicable smile to ease someone’s mind.

“I don’t want this...”

“...”

“I don’t want this anymore...”

I called out to Mikhail, infusing my words with gravity, reminding him of his role, grounding him.

“Misa.”

“Huh?”

“That’s right. Misa.”

Clang!

Once again, the clash of our swords rang in the air, the reverberation echoing in my ears. The stinging pain that shot up Mikhail’s arm reflected on his face, his expression changing drastically.

“Stop it...”

Clang!

“Stop it!!”

Crash!

“Please, just stop!!!”

Mikhail was beginning to panic, horrified by the fact that his body wasn’t responding to his will.

“My body won’t listen to me!”

“I know.”

“I want to stop... but my body...!”

“I understand.”

Mikhail was trembling in fear.

“Please...!”