Reincarnated As The Villainess's Son

Chapter 258  [End] [He Who Shouldn't Exist] [0]

The capital city of the Pargoina Empire buzzed with murmurs.

The sun brightened up the place, draping it in its light.

The streets were filled with a crowd, all excited for the official announcement of the rumored summit and its content.

For most common people, it might just be a show for them to enjoy, but for those at the borders, it was a dream come true.

The conflict between the empires had never ceased to exist.

Hundreds of soldiers died every week.

Even though there wasn't much hostility left among the people themselves,

...The egos of the generals kept small-scale wars happening every now and then along the borders.

But that would all end with the truce between the empires and the kingdom.

"Know what happened at the summit yesterday?!"

People gathered in the central part of the streets.

A man shouted at the top of his lungs, holding up a printed newspaper for everyone to see.

Newspapers weren't a rare sight for the people of the empire, but what surprised them was that this one wasn't affiliated with Pargoina News.

The only news company known for confirming the authenticity of information within the empire.

"The Church got humiliated!"

The man shouted, earning glaring looks from everyone.

But he didn't care, a smile plastered on his face.

"Read how "he" once again proved to be the [Exiled Prince]!"

"He?"

"Is he talking about Lady Duchess's son?"

"...Really?"

His words grabbed the attention he needed, and people slowly swarmed toward him, buying the newspaper.

"Know how he tried to humiliate Lady Helena!"

The man shouted again, attracting another group of people toward him.

"What's the commotion?!"

But the man's face paled as he heard the deep voice.

Without thinking for even a second, he packed up his things and ran away before the guards could arrive.

The people slowly began to disperse, some holding the newspaper while others were left empty-handed.

"Tch, he's at it again," a man in his early thirties muttered, clicking his tongue.

"It's beyond my understanding how Lady Duchess could give birth to such a disgrace."

"It's not her fault," his wife whispered, disappointed. "Though she should really stop protecting him from everything."

"Is he really that bad?" the child in her arms asked curiously.

"Of course he is," she replied, hugging him. "Never be like him, my boy."

"Is he strong?" the boy asked.

"He's a weak, fraudulent person," his father scoffed. "Let alone kill an Avatar, I bet he can't even stand in front of one without whining."

"And even if he is strong, angels will always protect you if you remain a good boy," his mother said with a smile, gently patting his head.

A buzzing sound echoed across the capital.

A hologram slowly started to materialize in the sky, higher than the buildings.

It flickered before gaining form, covering most parts of the capital.

A figure began to emerge within the hologram.

The hologram expanded, and more figures standing beside the man became clear.

"The Emperor!"

The capital city buzzed with excitement as they all recognized Quinton Nara Pargoina.

...Their ruler.

Many soon began to recognize others within the hologram.

The other rulers, the Holy Lady Irisveil, and her disciple Helena.

They all stood, oozing confidence that left the people in awe.

"Silence."

Quinton spoke solemnly.

His voice instantly made the crowd quiet down.

Everyone waited eagerly for the man's next words.

"Right now, we are live not only in the Pargoina Empire but also in the Mizraim Empire and the Ekari Kingdom,"

Quinton announced. His expression calm, he drew in a breath before speaking again.

"From now on, there will be no war." ***

***

"Urgh."

The throbbing pain hit my head like a boulder crashing on it.

It felt unbearable, the sense of nausea kept on kicking in.

[I told you not to drink so much last night.]

'Can you be quiet, El?' I groaned, rubbing my forehead to alleviate some pain.

I leaned back on the bench I sat on, looking around the place.

The students returned to their usual selves, walking at the edge of the park.

"Sigh."

I sighed, leaning back against the bench as I placed my arm over my eyes to cover it from sunlight.

Tock! Tock! The sound of my feet hitting the edge of the bench echoed rhythmically.

[Are you alright?]

I stopped.

'What do you think?' [Your condition is bad.]

'....Maybe.' [...You seem to be at your breaking point.]

'Come on, it's not that bad.' I replied, chuckling as my feet started to move again.

'.....'

The dream that I saw last night.

It flashed past my eyes once again.

Even though I sat within the sunlight, I felt my body turning cold.

I tried to keep myself calm but felt it hard to do so.

'....Why?' I asked myself.

'... Fucking Why!?' All I wanted was just a normal life, nothing more.

Everyone I cared about all my life died right in front of me.

They died because of something they had no control of.

'...What was even that?' I grimaced, clenching my trembling hand.

....I know my mother.

She would never try to kill me, no matter what!

Whatever she did was because someone influenced her.

...But who? Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Whoever that being is, he can definitely influence people from other worlds.

When I was on Earth, I never thought about connecting my family's death to the game.

How could I?

It was beyond stupid to think that way.

In the first place...

'...What is the connection between Earth and Lumina?' What does a place filled with manaless beings who don't even live for a hundred years have to do with a place filled with gods?

'...Pleroma.' My mother said something about an angel.

...Angel.

My mind started to fill with dark thoughts, anger swelling up in my chest, making my breath ragged.

[...Keep yourself in check, Az.]

But I quickly shook those thoughts away as I heard El's voice.

'...Yeah.' One step at a time.

I need to get out of this shitty empire first.

I sighed once again as I stood up from the bench.

A commotion rose, alerting me of the ceremony that was about to be held.

'I should talk with Nathan before leaving.' I thought as I walked towards the open field.

...That man is having a hard life already.

The least I could do is tell him about his family.

...How his daughter died.

"..."

As I walked towards the place where the ceremony was going to be held,

I couldn't help but notice the gazes of the students around me.

'...They seem frightened.' I mused, gazing at them, which made them look away.

But as I looked around, I found a familiar face walking towards me.

"Still alive?" Aimar asked with a smile.

"Barely." I replied with a tired smile.

"Shouldn't have drunk too much wine." He criticized, walking beside me.

"...Yeah." I mumbled, too tired to argue.

"...Where is Christina?" He asked, looking around.

"She should already be present at the stadium." I replied, shrugging. "Why do you ask?"

"..Nothing particular." He replied, glancing at me. "...It's odd for you to be walking without her...or Shyamal."

"...."

I kept my mouth shut as I looked around.

....Well, I have been spending too much time with them.

"Where is Arianell?" He asked, making me halt. "...Haven't seen her since last night."

....Right.

She should be at the island where Moshel's Tomb is located by now.

"What happened?" Aimar asked, turning back to look at me.

"Nothing." I replied, suppressing my emotions. "...She should be fine, and I will probably see her soon."

"Only you?" He asked, squinting his eyes.

"Don't mind me." I replied as we arrived at the open field.

My gaze moved around until it landed on the stage.

Christina stood there talking with a teacher.

From the corner of her eyes, she glanced at me before her head turned.

She smiled softly, waving her hand.

...I waved back.

But as I looked at her, my gaze landed on the boy standing at the side, surrounded by a group of nobles.

...Ethan talked with them, but his gaze still moved towards Christina from time to time.

'...'

...Should I break some of his bones?

"Is that Shyamal?" My head turned towards my side as I heard Aimar's words.

"....What happened to her?" I mumbled, looking at the girl.

She looked oddly glum.

Her body oozed an aura like she didn't want to be approached.

"....Az?"

I looked at my side as someone grabbed my sleeve.

"Ashlyn?" I tilted my head in confusion. "What happened?"

...She seems to have aged a lot since I last saw her.

There were clear tear marks on her face, and even her eyes were bloodshot.

"You guys talk."

....Aimar mumbled as he stepped back, leaving both of us alone.

"What happene—?"

My words died down by an unpleasant sound.

A sound of static—a hologram forming.

"Huh?"

"Was the summit also shown to the students?"

"I don't think so?"

Everyone's gaze turned to look at the hologram flickering in the sky.

And so did mine.

"Doesn't that look like Drath Island?"

One of the first-year students mumbled.

And immediately, the place turned silent.

The hologram showed a boy from afar, but I recognized him in an instant.

"...O-Oliver."

I whispered weakly as I stared at the boy holding a sword.

But my happiness caught in my throat as a sword pierced his chest the next instant.

The hologram flickered before showing the image of the boy who did it.

"..."

My mind turned numb as I looked at Oliver staggering back.

I could also see Aaliyah held hostage just behind him by Ruby.

Something snapped within me as I turned my head towards Ethan, who looked at the screen in horror.

"...Az."

I heard Ashlyn's voice, but I ignored it.

I blinked.

My body moved on its own towards Ethan.

A blade of ice conjured in my hand.

Aimar appeared beside me in an instant.

Ethan pushed the nobles aside as a grey mark appeared on his body.

[Azariah!!]

But just as my sword reached his neck,

The mana around me trembled.

A teleportation magic circle emerged.

The next instant, a bright light engulfed the entire academy.