I Am The Game's Villain

Chapter 374  [Elizabeth's Engagement Party] [9] The Girl Named Emilia Raonpherys

"Why did you call me? I don't have time to discuss anything with you," Myrcella said, her tone laced with annoyance.

A chuckle rang out from an old man, his eyes twinkling with amusement. He was none other than Alector, the Guardian of the Holy Tree of Eden. In Claudia's absence, he had taken on the responsibility of caring for it. However, today he was present at the engagement party between Amael and Elizabeth.

Upon seeing Myrcella, he had requested a private conversation, prompting her to separate from the others.

"I never imagined you as someone who would attend such parties, Myrcella," Alector said.

"Don't pretend you know me," Myrcella retorted coldly. "You know nothing about me."

Alector smiled, not upset by her hostility. "On the contrary, you are mistaken. I know you quite well. Years ago, Kleines sought my help. He had found a young girl in a dire state and asked for my silence and protection. I swore to the Tree that I wouldn't utter a word to your father. Yet, in the end, you chose of your own volition to leave in pursuit of vengeance."

Myrcella remained silent, her expression unreadable.

If she claimed she had no regrets about her decision, it would be a lie. If she had stayed, perhaps she could have prevented their deaths. Now, while Kleines seemed to be alive, Connor was gone. But she couldn't change the past. Her nightmares about her time with the Iris Project still haunted her. The screams of her fellow subjects echoed in her ears even now. She wanted to end everything, to find peace for herself and others.

"You should have followed Emilia's example and stayed back," Alector said.

Myrcella laughed, a harsh sound. "If you think Emilia is staying back, then you're completely wrong."

There was a tense silence before Alector spoke again, his voice softer. "How is she?"

"You don't need to know that," Myrcella replied curtly.

"I have the right to know. She is my granddaughter," Alector said, his glare hardening.

"She can open the gates between worlds," Myrcella cut him off.

Alector's eyes widened in shock. He glanced around, making sure no one had overheard their conversation.

"You might think that, but believe me, Emilia thinks nothing of you or anyone else in this world. The Queen that the Raonpherys nurtured out of pure selfishness to be your perfect puppet is gone," Myrcella said.

"You don't understand the precariousness of her situation. This child can—"

"She can open the gates between worlds," Myrcella cut him off.

Alector's eyes widened in shock. He glanced around, making sure no one had overheard their conversation.

"No one heard it. I soundproofed this whole, useless conversation," Myrcella replied.

"You know..." Alector trailed off, dumbfounded.

"I know about her and why you're so obsessed with her," Myrcella began. "A year ago, the Key to the Holy Garden of Eden was stolen, yet you showed no reaction. None of the other Heads did anything to help Celesta either."

Alector remained silent, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Myrcella scoffed, a sound filled with disdain. "The Key wasn't an object. It was always a person. The Key to Open World-Gates. Emilia Raonpherys. I don't know what Key Ante-Eden was after, but I do know that the true Key was stolen centuries ago by Dorian Celesta, the Founder King of Celesta. The First Holy War was all about the Key, the Key to open World-Gates."

Alector could no longer hide his shock. The depth of Myrcella's knowledge was unsettling.

"I don't know what exactly transpired during the First Holy War, but Dorian Celesta committed a great sin," she continued, her voice tinged with disgust. "Then, a hundred years later, another war broke out between Celesta and Arvatra, the Second Great Holy War. It wasn't just a mere quarrel; it was about the Key once again. The woman who possessed the Key had been taken from the Holy Garden. Years later, the Blood Moon War began. The Head of the Falkrona House died, and Alphonse Celesta and Lisandra Arvatra vanished, along with the woman who held the Key. Nineteen years ago, the Prince of Raonpherys found his perfect match—a very beautiful woman, or so I've heard. Is that just a coincidence? Their child, a girl blessed by the Mother of All and loved by Enigma Beasts, Emilia Raonpherys, now possesses a power surpassing anything that has ever existed: the Key to open World Gates."

Alector's shock deepened. Myrcella's knowledge was not only extensive but dangerously accurate.

"The First Holy War, the Second Great Holy War, probably even the Blood Moon War—each of these conflicts centered around the Key," Myrcella pressed on. "And now, Emilia Raonpherys is the current bearer of this immense power. Her existence alone is enough to shift the balance of our world."

Myrcella stopped and glared at Alector. "Tell your family to abandon whatever plans they have for Emilia. She is blessed by the Mother of All, Ymir, and is protected by her Three Holy Beasts."

Alector gritted his teeth. "I care about her. I don't need—"

"I don't care about what you think. I just want the Raonpherys to know that Emilia is untouchable. If you touch her, you will be erased from existence," Myrcella said. With that, she turned on her heel and left promptly.

***

"Hey, Elizabeth!" Celeste and her group joined us as soon as they saw us.

Having greeted many nobles already, I felt it was acceptable to converse with them.

Victor, however, had been dragged away by Selene halfway through.

A pang of jealousy hit me again.

Why did I have to witness two perfect couples today?

First John and Amelia, and now Victor and Selene.

I wished I could have such moments with Layla or Miranda.

No, I shouldn't think about that.

Today I was with Elizabeth, and feeling this way seemed disrespectful.

[<Maybe you're just scared to anger Elizabeth again?>]

Regardless, I greeted them.

"Celeste, you put a lot of effort into your appearance today," Elizabeth said with a giggle.

Really?

I stared at Celeste.

She wore a white and blue gown that beautifully revealed her fair shoulders. Despite sounding rough when speaking, she was quite delicate in appearance.

"Right?! I thought so too!" Amelia nodded enthusiastically. "Usually, she would wear a plain dress, claiming she felt uncomfortable, but today she picked amazing clothes! Look at how her dress clings to her body. She is truly the most blessed of us in that area," Amelia said, eyeing Celeste's ample chest.

I couldn't help but agree about Celeste being blessed in that area, but Miss Amelia, I am standing right here, you know?

Amelia behaved as if she were alone with the girls.

John was also there, but I didn't count the sis-con tsundere as a man. He seemed focused or perhaps curious about Victor and Selene's conversation. Was he trying to learn about other couples?

That's adorable, Johnny.

While I smirked at this thought, Celeste blushed as I continued to stare at her, lost in my thoughts. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"I—I just thought some change might be good," she said, twirling her white hair between her fingers.

Isn't she cute like that?

Now, I started to understand why she was the most popular girl in the entire Academy. The only ones capable of rivaling her were Alvara and Elizabeth. But Alvara was a racist with dangerous megalomaniac tendencies, while Elizabeth had some unpredictable mood swings.

"Amael, shouldn't you say something?" Elizabeth nudged my side.

"Huh? Say what?" I asked, confused.

[<I thought you made some wonderful progress after Milleia, but I suppose you are still as dense as a black hole, Amael.>]

I grimaced and looked at Elizabeth for help.

Elizabeth thankfully whispered, "A man should compliment a woman's attire. Look, Celeste made a lot of effort after all."

"Really? Even though I am with you?" I asked.

Elizabeth giggled softly, her breath tickling my ear. "You are too innocent, Amael. You are close friends with Celeste, right? She made an effort so you could compliment her. And it's not like I am your wife. We are acting, remember?"

Right.

Celeste was quite a close friend of mine after everything we had gone through.

I was too stuck up since I was the center of attention, and it was my first engagement party.

I looked at Celeste.

For some reason, she flinched a bit, averting her gaze.

"Come on, don't be so upset about it. I think you look truly beautiful today, Celes. You should wear dresses like that more often," I said with a smile.

Celeste scoffed before pouting. "You only thought of praising me after Elizabeth gave you a hand."

"Did Victor praise you?" I asked, a bit curious.

In the game, during the two weeks of breaks, it was the perfect moment for Victor and Celeste to get closer, so I was curious. There was still time and some events for her to fall for Victor, after all. I was quite curious how she would end up, honestly.

"What about Victor?" Celeste seemed even more upset now.

Come on, just because of one mistake?

I'm not used to giving compliments or understanding women's feelings.

[<Reason why Milleia and Layla at each other's throats currently.>]

Can you say something positive for once, Cleenah?

I scratched my head, seeing Celeste's expression turn slightly sad. It tugged at something within me. Whatever it was called, I didn't like seeing her upset since she was usually the smiling and cheerful one.

"I admit I'm clueless about etiquette, but that doesn't change the fact that you look truly beautiful today," I said, trying to repair my mistake.

"Yeah, fine…" Celeste nodded, but I wasn't satisfied with her answer.

"You are hot."

Celeste's brooding face froze at my words as she raised her gaze. "W-What?" she stuttered.

I grinned. She was so easy to fluster, despite being used to compliments.

"I said you are hella hot, Celes. Beautiful isn't quite the right word for you," I said, scanning her body. "Hot is the fitting word."

"W-Wha…whaaa!!" Celeste's face turned bright red as she mumbled some incomprehensible words before storming away.

I was a bit at a loss for words at her reaction. Why was she acting like a teenage girl in love?

Taking a glass of whatever was available, I sipped a little, thinking a bit.

I suppose it's the first time she heard someone calling her hot.

[<Blockhead.>]

Shaddap.

"What?" I looked at Amelia, who was staring at me with her mouth wide open. What's with her reaction?

"I-I can't believe it! Celes!!" She yelled before running after Celeste.

What the hell is happening?

Someone explain to me.

"..."

I turned toward John, who was staring back at me.

"..."

He sipped from his glass while staring at me, then put his glass away and left.

Useless brother-in-law.