A Villain's Will to Survive

Chapter 25: Trace (4)

Chapter 25: Trace (4)

The continent's knight orders are divided into three main categories.

The first category consists of national knight orders operated by the imperial or royal family. These national knight orders are very large.

Not only knights, but many university-educated researchers specializing in demonic beasts and dungeons also work there. In times of emergency, the knights are mobilized as state officers. Only the most talented cadets from knight academies can join these knight orders.

The second category consists of knight orders operated by noble families. As one might expect, only the wealthiest territories can afford to maintain a knights order. Families with extensive lands, frequent appearances of demonic beasts, and a high likelihood of dungeon formation are able to sustain such orders.

Among these, the Yukline family's Hadecaine Knights Order is particularly favored by cadets due to its excellent location and the benefits of being in a major city.

The third category consists of private knights' orders. Over half of the 108 knights orders across the Empire fall into this category. Unlike national and noble family knights orders, which are often tied to specific regions, private knights orders usually have bases in major cities and embark on expeditions two or three times a month.

They undertake missions such as hunting demonic beasts in rural areas, destroying monster camps, and conquering dungeons, funding their operations through the spoils and sponsorships they receive. However, the requirements for establishing a knights order are very strict, so only one or two new knights orders are established each year.

The headquarters of the newly established Freyhem Knights Order, which falls into this third category, was bustling with activity. Yulie, looking over the accounts, let out a sigh of relief. This first half of the year seemed to be ending in surplus. The monster camp eradications and dungeon conquests had gone well, and it seemed luck was on their side this year.

"Alright, we just need to keep working hard like this," Yulie said to herself, leaning back in her chair and enjoying a moment of satisfaction.

Knock, knock—

Someone knocked on the office door and entered.

"Grand Knight Yulie," said Rockfell, her senior knight and the current deputy knight of Freyhem.

"Yes, Sir Rockfell. What is it?"

"The Terh Corporation has requested an escort for their Express Train," Rockfell said, handing over some documents while stroking his rough beard.

"Is it for the Berhert meeting?"

"Yes."

Private knights orders occasionally take on missions similar to adventure teams, but the level of trust required between the parties is much higher. Knights orders only accept missions from verified institutions or state entities, usually those with a strong public interest.

The Terh Express Train was a Magitech Marvel that traveled precariously along the cliffs of the Berhert Mountains, the only means of reaching the highest altitude near Berhert.

"It's been fifteen years since the last Berhert meeting, and now we have been called,” Rockfell said, looking displeased. "I don't know why this request came to us."

The knights of Yulie's order had a deep-seated animosity toward Deculein. It was no surprise that they shuddered at the thought of him attending the Berhert meeting.

"It's fine. You don't have to decline the mission."

"Really?" Rockfell said, his eyes widened. "Are you sure? Veron did mention that he wanted to take this mission."

"Veron did?" Yulie asked sternly. In professional settings, she was always a strict and upright leader.

"Yes. The mission specifically requested Veron. He has been excelling in VIP protection lately."

Veron was a knight who hadn't even graduated from university, but his exceptional knightly spirit and tremendous effort had elevated his skills to the level of imperial knights his age. Though he sometimes had a habit of solitary contemplation, his bravery and dedication to his comrades, demonstrated in the Graknen Dungeon, were well known to Yulie.

"That's great. If it's Veron, he will handle it well. I approve.”

In summary, Veron was the most trusted knight among all the members of the Freyhem Knights Order, including Yulie. Even the discerning Zeit had praised him a while ago, saying, "He has the rare old-school spirit."

"But are you really okay with this?"

"Yes, I am totally fine with it."

"Really? Veron is practically like one of our own children," Rockfell said, concern evident in his voice.

"... Sir Rockfell, if you keep questioning me, I might get angry," Yulie said, narrowing her eyes. The more Rockfell pressed her, the more annoyed she became, even though she was genuinely fine with it. "You know that escorting the Express Train is a significant mission. If Veron handles it well, it will boost both our knights order's reputation and his career."

"Yes, that's true, but..." Rockfell said, pausing to ponder for a moment.

Could it be that Grand Knight Yulie has reconciled with Deculein? I heard about a meeting yesterday. Or perhaps... Did Zeit beat Deculein? That must be it; there's no other explanation.

"Don't even entertain such ridiculous thoughts," Yulie said sharply, noticing his speculative and unfounded ideas.

"Ah, yes. Ahem. By the way, Grand Knight, do you have any plans for tonight?"

"I have somewhere to visit."

"Hmm. I was thinking about arranging a team dinner, but if you have other plans, that's fine. I'll be leaving now," Rockfell said, scratching the back of his neck as he left the room.

Yulie sighed and glanced under her desk. There lay a bouquet of flowers she planned to give to someone today. She didn't know the person's face or name, but she felt it was the right thing to do, so she bought the flowers.

"I still can't trust him completely..."

Of course, trusting Deculein was out of the question for her. But if he truly kept his word and followed through, if he changed so much that he eventually confessed and apologized for his sins...

Yulie looked around. There was nothing in the room that could serve as a mirror. She had never cared much about her appearance. She picked up the nameplate on her desk instead. It reflected enough for her to see herself.

She puffed out her cheeks and tried to smile. Her lips trembled as she stretched them into a smile. It felt awkward. She hadn't genuinely smiled in almost three years.

"Oh, I forgot to mention, Grand Knight...?" Rockfell said, reentering the room and seeing Yulie holding the long nameplate to her face, smiling oddly.

They blinked at each other before Rockfell quietly left again. Yulie set the nameplate down and crossed her arms, acting as if nothing had happened. The Express Train escort was an opportunity. Veron would protect them well and demonstrate his underestimated abilities.

If the Imperial Knights Order scouted him, I would gladly let him go...

Knock, knock—

This time, after a proper knock on the door, Rockfell entered again.

"Grand Knight, there's one more thing to report."

"Yes, what is it? Go ahead."

Rockfell spoke as if nothing had happened, and Yulie replied as if she had been expecting it, though both of their faces were still slightly flushed.

***

The atmosphere of a cemetery always stirs profound emotions in me. Though it's just a field scattered with headstones, the breeze feels like a gentle touch, and the chirping of insects resembles whispers from another realm. Standing alone in such a place, I felt nothing but solitude, overwhelming solitude.

As I walked through the cemetery, I searched for someone—Deculein’s deceased fiancée. I didn't know her name or face, but knowing him, I was sure her grave would stand out. I scanned the area, stepping on the grass. Ornate graves, simple plaques, well-tended headstones, and those overgrown with weeds—all held stories of the departed.

“Hmm?”

Under the pink-streaked sky of the setting sun, I noticed a freshly placed bouquet. The scent was familiar, reminiscent of the fragrance I had smelled that morning—Yeriel’s perfume.

"... Looks like Yeriel has already been here."

Smiling bitterly, I stood before the gravestone adorned with the bouquet. The surface was still damp from the afternoon rain. I stared at the name etched into the small, modest headstone for a long time. I couldn’t look away.

"You really are something..." I muttered, unsure whether to find it clever or excessive. It felt ironic. The name on the headstone, just a few letters, stirred a profound sadness within me. “... Why.”

This grief wasn’t Deculein’s; it was mine, entirely my own. It started in my heart and spread through my entire being. Everything I had tried to forget came rushing back. It felt like my flesh was being cut, and I could hardly breathe, as if something were tightening around my throat. All because of the name on this headstone.

Yuara von Vergiss meinnicht

Always thankful to you

It seemed like an Easter egg, just as Deculein’s character was modeled after me, Kim Woo-Jin. She must have secretly included her own name. I felt a mix of bafflement, anger, and curiosity.

Why did she give her name to Deculein’s deceased fiancée? And why was she thankful to me?

"... Thankful? Did she add this before we broke up?" I muttered jokingly, but the ripples of emotion continued to spread.

My hands trembled, and my heart pounded with memories of the past. When I closed my eyes, it all came back vividly, as if it had happened yesterday.

You, who once shyly complimented my drawings, who gave me your coat on a cold winter night, who told me you loved me as you hugged me, who lifted me up when I was emotionally broken, who stayed by my side through seven years of tears and anger, who always laughed with me, who were my only support when I lost everyone in my family...

Even now, my heart races at the thought of you. It's as if you’ve blanketed my heart like late-falling snow, or rather, like snow that has been accumulating for years.

I knelt down and took off my gloves, wiping the moisture from the headstone. Your name appeared even more clearly. You wouldn’t know. You just embraced your name as a joke. But this name... it was too much for me to bear in this world.

I struggled to breathe, and my vision blurred. I had never felt this way before. At this moment, I was not Deculein but Kim Woo-Jin... still in love with you.

Crunch—

A sharp rustling of leaves interrupted my thoughts. I quickly stood up, wiping away the tear that had slipped down my cheek. My disheveled hair brushed against my eyes. Someone was watching me.

"... You," I said instinctively, frowning.

She just stood there, her face showing a rare expression of surprise. As I returned to the present, a wave of embarrassment washed over me.