I Became the Villain’s Master - Chapter 137

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Chapter 137

Snow sent the message with unwavering certainty.

[He can temporarily manipulate minds, hypnotizing them into believing it’s right. It’s Araberus’s power.]

‘Araberus’s power…?’

[Yes, Mistress. But you don’t have to worry. I’m here. ]

Snow boasted, puffing itself up. I lightly dismissed it, my expression hardening.

“Louis.”

“Yes? Lady Rosette.”

“The nobles are being controlled. By Araberus, the Demon King.”

“…?”

Louis’s eyes widened in shock. “What do you mean…?”

“Exactly that. It’s a sign of Araberus’s resurrection. He’s using his power, driving us into a death trap. I need to send a message.”

I prepared to contact Duke Eckart. The war was fast approaching.

***

The night sky was as dark as pitch. A cold, full moon cast its light through the window. In the oppressive darkness, Cedric felt the echo of a voice that had long whispered to him.

[Brother… please save me….]

A fragile voice, as if about to break. And a child, staring at him with empty eyes. Her writhing in pain was pitiful. It tore at his heart.

But he could do nothing. His younger self, so much smaller then, could only weep. He’d pleaded with the Imperial Palace for help, but it was to no avail.

[The Imperial physicians cannot stop the disease from worsening….]

[Request aid from the Magic Tower! Quickly! Father… please save my sister.]

His father, who commanded the world, ignored Lenea. He wouldn’t even glance at Lenea, his half-sister.

Cedric cried out, he prayed. For the illness to vanish. For her to return to her carefree, smiling self. He’d finally forced his father to send for help from the Magic Tower and the Temple, but…

[There’s no news from the Magic Tower or the Temple. It’s so late, I’m not even sure if the message reached them….]

[Brother… cough. Cough.]

Time slipped away, and the physicians were powerless.

[Lenea!]

That day, the poor child, writhing in agony, finally breathed her last. A weak smile on her lips as she held his hand…

The memory of that day, a memory he desperately wanted to forget, replayed like a nightmare. Etched into his mind as if trapped in an inescapable loop of time.

All because he was powerless. He could no longer see Lenea’s innocent face as they played together in the garden, or as she wove flower crowns for him while he toiled with his duties as Crown Prince.

The unbearable truth pierced his heart, making it hard to breathe.

[No!]

The nightmare always ended the same way. With Lenea no longer breathing. What had happened couldn’t be changed, and every night he was tormented.

Cedric could only stare blankly as Lenea died. Helplessness, despair. Negative emotions gnawed at his broken heart.

…But recently, things were different. Since accepting the Demon King Araberus, Lenea, who had been dying, miraculously revived.

[Brother. I’m alright now.]

Lenea smiled serenely, her vitality restored. As if resurrected by Araberus’s power. It was a continuous, sweet dream. He knew it was an illusion, but if he could, he wanted to remain trapped in this blissful fantasy.

“Yes…” Cedric opened his eyes. An impenetrable darkness filled his vision. But Cedric welcomed this darkness.

“If the age of the Demon King arrives… I can bring Lenea back.” In a world that had been nothing but darkness, a single ray of hope shone upon him.

“Isn’t that right, Lord Araberus?” Looking at the swirling darkness around him, Cedric’s lips curled into a smile. Now, all that remained was the destruction of the Magic Tower and the Temple, the objects of his hatred.

“This will be the final war.”

***

A secret meeting convened around a round table in the Magic Tower. At its center was Kiris. And gathered around were Duke Eckart, recently falsely accused of using black magic, Helena, Louis, Pope Noctis, and others who opposed the now-mad Cedric.

“War has been declared, and we’ve been branded as traitors…” Louis mumbled gloomily, his lip trembling.