A Regressed Villain: Heroines, Villainesses and Me?

Chapter 63: Chapter 65 - Harsh Reality

"Arrrghh..." Leo groaned in pain as he lay in the back seat of a sleek black sports car, zooming down the road. The rush of adrenaline had finally worn off, leaving his body reeling and struggling to maintain consciousness.

It was nothing short of a miracle that he was still awake—especially after the impact with the mini truck.

"The nearest hospital is still six miles away," Aecilia said, her voice tense as she tapped the screen embedded in the dashboard to track their location. She glanced at the display, noting the distance remaining.

They would have pushed the car to go even faster, but the increasing density of traffic on the highway forced her to keep their speed below a hundred.

"It's fine; we did our best. And even if he dies, does it really matter?" Avendial remarked, matter-of-factly. His words cut through the tension in the car, blunt and unyielding, as he aimed to clarify a few harsh truths to Aecilia, showing no mercy for the wounded man they were racing to save.

Avendial had already recognized that Leo was plagued by an inferiority complex—a common affliction among those crushed by the weight of society and the heavy burdens of responsibility, leading them to doubt their own worth.

Of course, Avendial wasn't going to provide any psychological support, but while they were inside the car and on the move, he thought it would at least be considerate to help the man clear his mind. As he typed the names of a few remaining traitors within the Croceaus family, he waited for Aecilia to continue, who was focused on driving.

"...Indeed, he seems like a construction worker," Aecilia remarked, steering the vehicle as they exited the main highway onto a lane leading to one of the medical facilities in Sector 18. Hearing Avendial's words, she picked up on his intent and played along, responding with a nonchalant tone, "Not much of a value."

"Do you have any money on you?" Avendial asked. After sending the message containing more than a thousand names—traitors of the Croceaus family he could never forget—he tucked his phone into his pocket.

Stay with m_vl_em_p_yr

While he could easily make payments through UPI or other mobile transactions, he still found it relevant to ask about cash in front of the injured man.

"I'll have to check," Aecilia replied as they covered a mile of distance. Thanks to her skills, the car remained remarkably steady, and she brushed off the issue of money since all three CEOs had left their exclusive black and golden cards in the car's dashboard.

Even if they hadn't, their security detail—the personal bodyguards and intelligence agency from the Sertsul family—were keeping a close watch on her whereabouts.

They efficiently eliminated any potential problems along the way, including any issues that might arise when dealing with the hospital they were approaching.

The sheer manpower—or rather, womanpower—of the Sertsul family was phenomenal.

They possessed enough resources to ensure they had access to satellites, allowing them to track her movements meticulously.

It felt as though she was in her own home, given the level of control the Sertsul family had over the Free Cities.

While their influence may not have matched that of other noble families, being the only noble family with ties to the Free Cities put them at a distinct advantage.

In summary, a small army of female operatives, including nightcrawlers—an assassination group under the Sertsul family—was monitoring her from a distance since the moment she had landed in the Free City.

"I… Hah…ave m…oney," the man in the backseat managed to stammer.

He observed how both of those who helped him seemed to weigh someone's worth based on their own lofty standards, but he didn't feel disheartened or resentful.

He understood that this was the reality of life, where humanity often gauged the value of helping others against what they stood to gain from their actions.

When someone rescues a stray cat and brings it home, they are not just acting out of compassion; they are also addressing their own feelings of satisfaction and their desire to combat loneliness.

Similarly, a firefighter who risks their life to protect citizens is often driven by a deep sense of duty and a genuine desire to help others.

In this scenario, the firefighter's motivation isn't about seeking personal gain or anticipating accolades from others; instead, it's centered on finding fulfillment and peace of mind through their courageous actions.

Both situations highlight how individuals can meet their own inner needs while simultaneously making a positive impact on the lives of others.

In this context, the person in question didn't judge those who made an effort to help him. Instead, he recognized that they were being honest about their feelings and not merely putting on a façade of pure kindness.

Even though their actions were motivated by a desire to satisfy their own inner needs, at least they contributed positively to the world around them.

As a result, he chose to stay on the sidelines, not wanting to burden them with his own troubles while acknowledging the value of their intentions.

"Hm, now that's convenient," Avendial muttered as he folded his hands and gazed out the window. He considered the injured man to be smart enough, realizing that he was not the type to miss social cues.

The fact that he didn't back down and instead chose to highlight his own worth by mentioning money suggested a level of intelligence that Avendial found somewhat admirable, though he still deemed him far from being genuinely helpful.

"Haah... Haaah." As he heard those words escape Avendial's mouth, Leo took a deep breath, closing his eyes as a wave of exhaustion washed over him.

He felt internally fractured, struggling to hold himself together while his body was assaulted by intense pain.

Yet, he managed to endure it—pain was hardly a stranger to him.

----

Outside a towering building that soared at least 20 stories high, its entire façade shimmering with glass, several ambulances were parked in the lot.

This imposing structure was a bustling city hospital; while it might not showcase the highest tech advancements, it certainly played a vital role in the community.

Vrooom!

A sleek, black Onyx car came barreling to a stop at the hospital's entrance, racing through the gates without pausing for even a moment.

People instinctively leaped out of the way, narrowly avoiding being caught in the path of the speeding vehicle, which left a distinctive trail of tire marks on the pavement.

"Wow, isn't that the latest model from the RV series?" murmured bystanders, excitement palpable as they gushed about the car's exclusivity. Known as a luxurious sports vehicle, it surprisingly had room for a family, boasting four seats.

The sight sent a buzz through the crowd, drawing in admirers eager to take in its sleek lines and glossy finish.

Speculations flew about who might be inside, someone clearly deserving of such a grand entrance. An electric atmosphere filled the air around the hospital, charged with curiosity and excitement.

"Step aside! Bring the stretcher right now!" The appearance of such an extravagant vehicle stirred the staff into action, as they recognized that it likely announced the arrival of someone influential.

Doctors, who had been enjoying their break, rushed to the entrance, understanding well that a car valued at 2 million Imperial Crowns commanded attention.