I Became the Villain’s Master - Chapter 24

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Chapter 24

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“Sion?” I called out, my mind filled with the memory of Sion receiving a blessing and being in pain. Could it be that his pain was so intense that he couldn’t ask for help? Negative thoughts overwhelmed me, and I urgently knocked on the door of the prayer room where Sion had entered.

Knock, knock.

“…Sion? Are you there?”

No matter how many times I called, there was no answer; only the echo of my voice reverberating through the corridor was heard. The Grand Temple, which was usually bustling with participants of the founding day festival, now stood eerily quiet, as if everyone had vanished into thin air.

‘Oh my…’

Fear rushed over me, its grip tightening around my trembling body. What was happening? Where did everyone go?

“…Please be here.”

With trembling hands, I grasped the doorknob, but as expected, Sion was nowhere to be found. I staggered, my legs giving way as despair engulfed me.

“What’s going on…?”

In that moment of panic, I couldn’t think straight or take decisive action. It felt as if I had been abandoned, left alone in this desolate world.

My hands shook uncontrollably.

“Kiing!”

At that moment, the fox stared at me, uttering a soft whimper. I reached out and gently stroked the fox while murmuring helplessly.

“…I’m sorry. I don’t know where I am. I need to find Sion quickly.”

The fox buried its face deeper in my arms, whimpering softly.

“Oh, you want me to find the way on my own? Alright, I understand.”

As I watched the adorable fox, my mind started to clear. What good would come from panicking? I needed to act swiftly.

I set off without hesitation. And before long, I found myself standing in awe before a fountain emanating a sacred atmosphere, as if an angel were descending.

“Where am I?”

The sound of water cascading from the ceiling, which seemed to stretch endlessly above, rang out clearly.

“Perhaps this is where the Pope resides?”

“Kiing!”

The fox wriggled in my arms, as if it wanted to show me something. I marveled at every nook and cranny of the surroundings. The Grand Temple, said to be the oldest structure, bore the unmistakable traces of ancient times. After a while of sightseeing, a sudden thought struck me, and I hastened my steps.

“Sion must be waiting. Hey, Fox, do you know the way?”

“Kiing…”

In response to my words, the fox let out a mournful whimper and lightly leaped out of my arms. It turned around, looking at me with its large, round eyes.

“Do you want me to follow you?”

“Kiing!”

The fox trotted cutely, occasionally glancing back at me, and I cautiously followed its lead.

“Where are we…?”

Before I knew it, we were back outside the temple. The bustling crowd outside seemed even livelier than when I had first entered. A sense of relief washed over me as I realized I had returned to where I began.

“What happened?”

“Kiing, Kiing!”

The fox leaned against my leg and emitted another whimpering sound. I looked down at the fox, my head tilted in puzzlement.

“It seems like you understand everything I’m saying.”

Truly, there were many strange aspects to all of this. The sudden appearance of the fox in the prayer room and my own inability to find my way no matter how much I wandered only to come out of the temple promptly with the fox’s guidance.

“Ahh!”

At the fox’s whimper, I turned my head, and, out of nowhere, Sion appeared right before me.

“Sion!”

Disregarding the strange aspects of the situation, I called out to Sion with an exclamation. He widened his eyes and stared at me.

“Sion, I’m sorry. I’m late, aren’t I?”

I spoke gently and approached him. Sion’s beautiful face turned pale, sweat streaming down his brow. It was evident that he had been searching for me. He hurried toward me and extended his hand as if to touch my face, but he hesitated. Then he pressed his lips together and spoke in a subdued voice.

“Mistress…”

“Yes, Sion.”

I smiled softly and replied as Sion enveloped me in a gentle embrace.

“Do you know how worried I was?” Sion’s words hung in the air as he held me tightly, and for a moment, my body stiffened in his embrace. Yet, understanding the depth of Sion’s concern, I awkwardly extended my hand and began gently patting his back.

“It’s alright now. I’m here.”

Time seemed to stretch as I continued to offer solace, my hand rhythmically stroking Sion’s back, soothing him until his trembling gradually subsided. Read ahead here.