Page 331 of The Villainess Whom I Had Served for 13 Years Has Fallen

A fierce wind blows.

A cold gust emanates from the massive sword that Valak wields. It was unmistakable—his blade was sharper than during their first encounter.

Yuria and Mikhail swallowed hard as they watched Valak walk towards the battlefield.

"Move, youngsters." "..." "Keep your past mistakes buried and press forward."

Valak moved lightly towards the battlefield, leaving a trail of thick bloodstains behind him.

—Why are you...!

His stride was ruthless, truly embodying the path of a conqueror.

"...Ruin."

A small voice echoed in Ruin’s ear as he ran, almost out of breath.

"...Damn it."

He came to a halt, shoulders flinching as the voice reverberated softly in the steam-filled space. Ruin had intended to handle some grunts, but the ominous feeling from the one calling his name warned him it wouldn’t be easy.

"Sh*t."

He cursed, letting his backpack drop to the ground.

"Who is it?" "Oh my, did you forget my voice?" "I don’t know." "That’s upsetting." "Go to hell." "Hm~ Well, we can save greetings for later."

The woman’s voice beyond the steam asked icily, exuding a weighty presence.

"Where are you rushing off to?"

A chill ran down his spine. There was malice, a murderous intent, in the subtle sweetness of her voice.

"You need to talk to your teacher."

Recognizing the clue in how she referred to herself, Ruin gritted his teeth, his voice a low growl.

"Professor Shulia." "...Oh, you remember me." "Why is the runaway here?" "Runaway? I simply stepped aside because the Tower Lord interfered." "...What bullsh*t." "Heheh..."

Ruin clenched his fists and pondered. The Archbishop of Verbal Assault—could he really win against her? She was strong enough to escape the Tower Lord's pursuit and had once been a professor of mental magic at the Academy. Though mentally fragile himself, he feared this battle would drive him insane.

"..." "Why so scared?" "..." "Did you get caught while running away?" "Shut up, you senile hag." "That’s no way to talk to your teacher."

As Shulia's casual response came, Ruin tightened his fists and raised his head proudly.

"Come on, if you don’t want to die."

He wouldn’t break. He’d barely managed to pull himself together and wasn’t about to fall apart again.

"Ha..."

Shulia walked slowly towards the frightened Ruin, hands behind her back. As she emerged from the mist, Ruin clenched his fist over his chest, steadying himself.

"Hoo..." "What’s wrong? You know, don’t you? That you’re a worthless piece of trash right now." "..." "Can’t even cast basic spells because your talent was stolen by a friend." "..." "A dimwit who can’t perform the simplest magic, thinking he can do something." "..." "You’re a talentless fool. Why keep struggling? Wouldn’t it be easier to just accept it?"

Ruin squeezed his eyes shut as Shulia’s harsh words worked him over. She spoke as if offering solace, lacing her words with magic that made them seem comforting.

"Just give up." "..." "It’ll be easier if you give up."

As Ruin’s head began to drop, a smile spread across Shulia's face, watching his willpower drain away.

-Tap, tap.

Shulia stifled a laugh as Ruin, now weakened, began walking towards her.

"Yes... you’ve been through a lot, haven’t you?" "..." "Dealing with hardships, being disregarded." "..." "Yes, come to your teacher." "..." "Your teacher can make things easier for you."

Just as he was about to fall into Shulia’s arms, Ruin let out a quiet, strong voice, infused with his wounded pride.

"Ugh... damn it."

"What was that...?" "Stop the bullsh*t, old woman."

Shulia underestimated him. Or perhaps she underestimated the entire war, believing only someone like the Tower Lord could challenge her.

However.

-Tap.

Ruin was no pushover.

Just as he was about to close in, he began whispering a familiar incantation, one that all magicians knew.

"Fireball."

The moment Ruin uttered the brief incantation, Shulia’s eyes widened as she spun a thread of magic. Meanwhile, Ruin pulled her in close, gritting his teeth.

"Everyone keeps talking crap to me!" "...You should’ve been under a mind control spell...!" "Do you think I’d fall for some ugly hag?" "You bastard!"

Ruin smiled, enduring the stinging pain of the magical threads digging into his skin.

"I won’t run away anymore." "..." "Never again." "..." "Even if I take someone down with me..."

-Boom!

A fireball, amplified to its full strength, exploded from his abdomen, causing Shulia to wince. Even without his innate fire talent, Ruin’s magical prowess was ? Nоvеl?g?t ? (Official version) genuine.

Trading accuracy for power—this was his strongest weapon now.

Ruin shouted, enduring the searing pain.

"Fireball!!!!" "Kyaaa! Let go!" "Why? Can’t you cut me off with that magic thread?" "Let go!!!" "You can’t control it, right? If you cut through me, you’ll cut through yourself too."

Shulia stammered, caught off guard by his magic.

"Clever...! But that pathetic magic won’t kill me!" "...I know!" "You know...?!"

Ruin’s laugh was tainted with madness.

"So what if it can’t kill you? It’s enough to cripple you." "Don’t act tough; you can’t hold out much longer..." "Even so, I’m doing my part!"

With all his strength, Ruin shouted.

"Fireball!!!!" "You crazy bastard!"

Shulia shoved Ruin away, putting distance between them. She laughed as she saw his ragged state.

-Drip... drip...

With his hands battered and bloody from the close-range spell’s aftermath, Ruin dropped to his knees, panting.

Shulia burst out laughing, chiding him, saying he was hopelessly stupid.

"...You tried to act tough, but now what? You must be out of tricks." "..." "I was going to spare you because I like your face, but you’ve just shortened your own life." "...Screw you."

Ruin sneered, summoning his magic once more.

"Don’t preach to me. I know... it’s crap."

He knew.

He knew that right now he was useless, a burden to everyone. But it was better to fight like a fool and lose than to run away and endure the humiliation alone. Ruin clenched his fists.

"If it comes down to it, I’ll ask for help." "Do you think anyone will help you? Everyone’s too busy running away." "Heh... Dumbass." "Praying to some god, are you?"

Ruin raised his hand towards the sky with a wry smile.

"There is one."

Shulia frowned, looking skyward.

"What are you talking about...!" "Just wait. It’ll show up."

Ruin acknowledged it.

He knew the gap between him and his rival was vast. But rather than give up, he was willing to try and catch up. At least...

He was, after all, his rival.

-Rumble.

A bolt of red lightning descended on Shulia’s head, and Ruin chuckled.

"Bastard."

He’s damn strong.

Malik sighed.

"He’s disgustingly strong."

Struggling in a fight against someone beyond his level, he realized that simply staying alive was his best effort.

The Elf raised his hand, forming a glowing bow.

"Thea Toxevtria. (Divine Archer.)"

Malik laughed dryly, bowing his head. The sight of the weapon alone made his knees weak; even without arrows, it could pierce his heart.

"A monster."

He gripped his sword as the Elf drew the bowstring.

The Elf infused the arrow with explosive power, distorting space around it as it built up. Malik closed his eyes and murmured softly.

"Should’ve made a second Fairy 2."

A life full of regrets.

The Elf released the arrow without hesitation, giving Malik no time for last words.

Age means nothing to these old beings. Malik made his evaluation, readying his sword.

"Come at me."

As the arrow neared his sword, a familiar voice echoed in his ear, and he opened his eyes.

-Fsss...

"Scared, huh?"

Red lightning fell on the Elf, followed by more strikes.

Malik laughed, exhausted.

"Thought I was a goner." "Not over something like this." "..." "Probably...?"

Really, he was such an unfeeling bastard.