Page 329 of The Villainess Whom I Had Served for 13 Years Has Fallen

Early dawn.

The academy members were climbing the snowy mountain, each step crunching through the thick white snow, their breath visible in the chilly air.

“...”

Trailing behind them, Ruin silently carried the supplies, his breathing ragged.

“Haah... Haah...”

Malik glanced back at Ruin, who was panting heavily, and gave a silent nod.

‘His eyes have changed.’

The empty gaze that had once marked Ruin as aimless now glimmered with resolve. He looked like someone ready to pull his weight, with a newfound fire in his eyes.

Malik allowed himself a small smile as he observed Ruin’s expression, finally looking like someone with purpose.

‘Maybe if I’d pushed him a bit more, he’d have turned out even better, but this will have to do.’

After all, it’d be a waste to drive a strong porter to tears.

“Kugh! I knew I could do it...!”

Ruin didn’t look like someone who’d had a sudden epiphany or undergone some awakening. It was more like he’d pushed through a challenging stage.

Those with strong stubbornness are often the hardest to break. And someone like him, who had once enjoyed privileges and rights that others didn’t, would find it all the more difficult to swallow his pride. But now, the eyes of the Ruin before him...

“Whew... Whew...”

He looked like someone who had climbed that difficult staircase.

Knowing he might not see quick results, especially after such a significant setback, he nevertheless looked better than when he was mired in his past.

‘He looks good.’

The faces of the students were filled with determination.

Yuria, though a healer, had a resolute look on her face, grounded in the conviction that she couldn’t stop. After all, she’d walked these paths thousands of times in training.

—...Nothing’s going to happen, right?

With all the information pointing to the Holy Sword being in the north, the princess bore a heavy burden of responsibility on her shoulders.

—It has to be here. It must be.

Hannah’s face remained calm.

—...

Hannah had some idea that this wouldn’t be an easy journey.

The group marched forward. Slowly, they pressed on toward the temple where the Holy Sword lay.

Behind them, 50 Imperial soldiers chatted about the Holy Sword to dispel their tension.

—Hey, is there really a Holy Sword? —Who knows, but the princess says there is, so we’re going. —Ah... What a pain.

—Quiet, everyone, and keep moving. —Yes, sir...

—By the way, who’s going to get the Holy Sword? —Idiot, whoever draws it gets it.

They trudged along, musing about who might claim the sword if they found it, pushing through the arduous climb with idle chatter.

They were unaware of the danger ahead, their steps lacking the tension they should have had.

“...”

Malik, observing their lack of vigilance, clicked his tongue and recalled Ricardo’s words.

—The heretics have a larger force than expected. —How many? My father’s coming, so we shouldn’t be overwhelmed. —No, we are. They have us outnumbered. —Outnumbered...?

If Ricardo had said something like that, it meant they were facing a formidable opponent. Especially since he’d mentioned Apostles, beings whose power he hadn’t yet encountered.

They didn’t know how strong these Apostles were or what strange abilities they might possess. The terrifying thing about black magic was its unpredictable nature.

So far, they hadn’t sensed any danger, so they could afford a bit of relaxation. But Malik knew that this peace could end abruptly. His father hadn’t joined them yet, after all.

—An issue arose in the capital. I’ll come as quickly as possible, but it might take a while.

‘We’re almost at the summit... but we might need to buy time.’

Malik glanced up at the peak of the snowy mountain and closed his eyes.

‘Looks like I’ll have to hold them off until Father arrives.’

Leading the group, Malik raised his hand, signaling them to stop.

“Hold.”

The group paused, puzzled by Malik’s gesture, but grateful for the chance to catch their breath. The trek since dawn had been exhausting.

“Haah... I’m dead.” “It’s so cold... and I’m hungry.” “Yuria, are we there yet?” “Uh... Not yet...!”

Looking at Yuria, who seemed flustered, Malik asked,

“Yuria.” “Yes, sir!” “How long until we arrive?”

Recalling the details, Yuria furrowed her brow and answered,

“It should take about five more hours! It’s noon now, so... If we take the fast route, it’ll be about three hours. If we take the easier path, five hours.” “Five hours... Still a ways to go.”

Five hours. It was tight. Though they could camp if necessary, it would be better to finish within the day.

The longer the journey, the more worn-out the group would become, and if their enemies were counting on that fatigue, they’d need to avoid it at all costs.

Malik sighed and made a decision.

“We’ll take our third break here. Get out the rations. I’ll cook.”

It was now noon.

They needed to conserve their energy.

‘This weight of responsibility...’

The word “responsibility” felt heavier than ever.

“There are so many.”

Alone, hiding near the temple where the Holy Sword lay, I muttered to myself as I frowned. There were more people than I’d anticipated.

Surrounding the temple were around a hundred figures in black robes. Each of them looked like they knew how to handle themselves.

The heretic camp, shrouded in a hazy barrier, was bombarding the temple’s shield with magic.

—Crack! Boom! Boom!

“...They won’t break through that way.”

The entrance to the sanctuary only opens after sunset. Only when the Holy Sword’s light fades do you have a chance to enter freely.

Forcing their way in would be fatal.

—Kraaaagh!!!

They’d burn up and die in the Holy Sword’s light.

A specific time. Definite conditions. The reason no one had found the Holy Sword for centuries was because of the temple’s secrets. Only those destined to wield the sword could enter the temple.

That’s why Yuria had managed to pinpoint the Holy /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ Sword’s location by fulfilling these conditions.

The heretics had been clueless, their methods brute-force. They’d gotten lucky. The academy party, on the other hand, had followed the Holy Sword’s intended path, which was why the heretics were struggling now.

They’d already lost about twenty members to trial and error, but they were relentless.

‘Hmm...’

The heretics had one goal. To claim the Holy Sword first and then eliminate anyone who followed. But the growing impatience on their faces told me that things weren’t going as planned.

“...The Holy Sword, huh.”

But would I be able to draw it? I prided myself on having a heart as pure as any in the world.

‘...Or maybe not.’

Imagining my lady laughing herself silly if she’d heard that, I shut my eyes and watched the setting sun.

“It’s almost time.”

—The barrier has dissipated!

As the hazy barrier surrounding the sanctuary faded, the snowy white temple revealed itself.

The temple gleamed as white as pure snow. I marveled at it, wondering how such a massive structure had gone unnoticed for centuries. It looked just like it had been described in the novel.

‘What a sight.’

How would things play out? According to Elicia, the heretic minions were supposed to deal with the academy’s team as a rear guard.

I looked at the seven figures standing behind the heretic forces.

And then...

“What the...?”

I squinted as I saw another figure emerging from the darkness.

“Eight of them?”

Why was there an extra person?

A figure clad in a cloak was stepping through what looked like a gate. Judging by their slight build, they seemed female, but I couldn’t make out her face.

The one thing I knew for sure was...

—We greet the Apostle of Compassion.

Things had taken a turn.

Over a hundred heretics quickly formed ranks, while the five bishops in white robes addressed the Apostles with raised voices.

“The way is open!”

The Apostle of Temperance raised a hand.

“The hunt begins.”

It had started.

‘A new variable.’

The situation was taking an unexpected turn.

After their rest, the party resumed their climb.

As the temple came into view, they began to breathe sighs of relief.

“The temple!!!” “It really exists?!” “...Your Highness! It’s the temple! The temple!”

Shartia exhaled with relief. Yuria did the same.

They all stared in awe. In the barren north, this grand temple was a sight to behold. They were marveling at the grand structure against the setting sun when...

“Stop...!”

Malik, on high alert, drew his sword.

“Draw your weapons.” “...What?”

Alarmed, the soldiers sensed something off and began unsheathing their swords.

At that moment...

—Craaaaack!!!

The sky seemed to tear apart as a massive ball of energy loomed overhead.

“We’re under attack...”

The one attacking them was a robed woman.

“It’s an elf.”

An elf skilled in both archery and magic.