I Am The Game's Villain

Chapter 332  [Event] [Dolphian Kingdom Under Ruins] [18] Disappointed

"Call for the healers!" James' voice reverberated across the chaotic aftermath of the battle.

Among the injured lay two figures, Leire and Adrian, their conditions dire.

"Who are they?" James asked, concern etched into his features.

"They're both stable, but Adrian Dolphis has sustained severe injuries, including multiple fractures," came the response.

"I understand. See to their care," James instructed.

Surveying the scene around him, James took in the devastation that surrounded them.

In all his years of teaching, he had never witnessed an examination match of such intensity and danger. Despite numerous moments where intervention seemed imminent, he had ultimately refrained, grateful that no lives had been lost.

But despite the absence of fatalities...

"He really pushed himself," James mused silently, his gaze settling on Amael, who stood in conversation with Alicia and Martin.

His daughter, Alicia, appeared outwardly composed as always, but James, as her father, could discern the weight that had been lifted from her shoulders.

Amael had emerged victorious, ensuring the dissolution of the engagement that had caused his daughter considerable anguish.

"Mr. Amael," a healer approached, turning his attention to Amael's injuries.

Amael nodded, allowing the healer to examine him. 'He truly proved his strength,' Amael admitted inwardly, acknowledging Adrian's strength. The last time he had faced such strong opposition was during his encounter with Brandon Delavoic, nearly five months prior.

Though he had hoped to retain Trinity Nihil, Adrian's utilization of a Goddess' blessing left Amael with no recourse but to yield.

In the end, there had been no choice but to relent.

'As expected of a Pretender of the Second Game.'

"How about you?" Amael asked of Alicia as they both underwent treatment from the healer, who winced at the sight of Amael's extensive injuries.

"I don't require healing," Alicia responded simply.

"Ah, yes, the perks of being a vampire," Amael remarked with a touch of envy, acknowledging their remarkable regenerative abilities. "Well, let's hope you'll be ready for the Third Round."

Alicia regarded him with an odd expression. "Those should be my words."

Amael shrugged. "I've endured worse. I'll manage."

As Alicia's gaze inadvertently wandered to Amael's bandaged, yet impressively sculpted abs, she couldn't help but notice the network of scars that adorned his torso.

"So many scars..." her thoughts trailed off, momentarily captivated by the juxtaposition of ruggedness and refinement of his abs.

Caught in her observation, Alicia quickly averted her gaze.

"Junior, don't you have something to say?" Amael's voice interrupted her reverie.

"I…I was just seeing the scars…" Alicia justified herself quickly.

"Seeing what?" Amael asked not understanding.

Alicia looked at him, momentarily puzzled before comprehension dawned. It was her misunderstanding. "Thank you, Senior," she responded, her tone somewhat reserved.

Amael grimaced at her response. "That's rather cold."

Confusion clouded Alicia's features. "What do you mean?"

Amael leaned back, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "How about a smile and a blush, accompanied by a heartfelt 'Thank you, Senior Amael'?" he suggested, stroking his chin thoughtfully.

Alicia stared at him, speechless for a moment. "I think I'll take my leave," she finally uttered, feeling the need to escape the teasing banter.

Amael sighed and looked in the tribunes.

'He left huh…'

He thought as Cyril wasn't there anymore.

[<Was it necessary?>]

'I was fairly confident she would loosen up. My mistake.'

[<You expected her to blush in embarrassment, Amael! This isn't some manga you've read!>]

'I recall you blushing over far less, though.'

[<Like?>]

'Every time you catch me undressing or bathing out of nowhere.'

[<H-How would you know? You liar.>]

'I can sense it, Cleenah. No need to deny it.'

[<Hmpf. I am a maiden; such reactions can occur sometimes.>]

'A thousand-year-old maiden, you mean?'

[<I hate you.">]

'And I love you, Cleenah.'

[<You...!>]

'Caught you blushing this time, didn't I?' Amael laughed as he trailed after the healer, exiting the stadium.

[<Ugh…>]

***

"Amazing..." Victor muttered in disbelief, his eyes fixed on Adrian being carried away by the healers, unconscious.

Adrian Dolphis, the Prince of the Dolphis Kingdom, hailed as one of the most promising talents of the future, had been defeated by an outsider from a distant Kingdom.

"He's... strong," Cylien acknowledged with awe.

"No... it's more than that. He defeated Senior Adrian in his awakened bloodline form. I knew Senior was powerful, but this surpasses anything I could have imagined," Roda said, his voice trailing off in astonishment.

"Yeah... he's something else," Celeste murmured, though a faint blush tinged her cheeks, her mind occupied with a different thought.

'It was him...'

Throughout the fight, amidst the flurry of expressions and movements, Celeste couldn't shake the feeling of familiarity with the man she had encountered in the shopping mall and later in her own bedroom.

"I can't believe it..."

"Right! Now my sister is free..." Victor exclaimed, oblivious to Celeste's inner turmoil. "I must thank him!"

"Senior! We still haven't had our match!" Roda interrupted firmly, reminding Victor of their unfinished Round.

"Ah, yes... my apologies..." Victor scratched his head sheepishly. "And what about you?" he turned to Celeste.

Aware that Cylien didn't share a close relationship with Amael, Victor remembered seeing Celeste in conversation with him on a few occasions. It was even rumored that Amael had been invited to her palace for dinner.

Celeste had already concluded her fight and advanced to the next round, granting her the opportunity to inquire about Amael's condition, but...

"No... we're not that close, anyway," Celeste replied with a forced smile, masking her thoughts.

She felt awkward even speaking to him after having heard his words about her last time.

…

"Quite impressive, I must say," Rodolf said, a wide grin stretching across his face. He had been utterly engrossed in the match, a level of excitement he hadn't experienced in quite some time. "It's as if he's inherited Connor's prowess, isn't it?"

Meanwhile, Allen Teraquin wore a visibly pale expression, realizing that Amael hadn't even exerted half of his true strength during their last encounter. It dawned on him just how strong his opponent truly was.

"E-Elder sister... this man is dangerous," Allen stammered, addressing Alvara with a sense of urgency.

Yet, Alvara remained unperturbed, unimpressed by the display before her. Such skill was merely the baseline for anyone who dared to engage with her. What truly piqued her interest was the elegant white sword Amael wielded in the final moments of the duel.

"Nihil's sword," she murmured, her voice barely audible but filled with a quiet intensity.

…

"I... am sorry, father... mother..." Adrian murmured from the stretcher, unable to meet his parents' gaze.

His face bore bruises, and his body remained under treatment, yet despite his efforts, he had still faltered.

"It's okay, son..." Reiner reassured, offering a gentle pat on Adrian's shoulder with a smile. "You've made us proud, and we will always be proud of you."

"But I lost. After everything I've said, I lost so pathetically. I've dishonored the family," Adrian replied, his expression contorted with self-reproach.

"And to think, I even insulted my dear sister, only to end up losing even more pathetically right after her," Adrian added with a bitter laugh, the weight of his failure heavy upon him.

"I believe you owe her quite the apology now, Adrian," Queen Doria interjected with a smile, her hand tenderly patting her son's hair.

Adrian merely scoffed lightly, averting his gaze in acknowledgment.

Reiner hesitated momentarily before broaching the most pressing matter at hand. "You didn't even mention the bet or Alicia. I must say, I'm rather impressed," he remarked with a chuckle, attempting to lighten the mood. Adrian's infatuation with Alicia was no secret, yet it seemed he was more preoccupied with the perceived dishonor to the family than the loss of Alicia.

Adrian remained silent at his father's observation, a conflicted expression flickering across Queen Doria's features as she regarded her son.

"I know... it's alright," Adrian finally spoke up. "You can tell them that I've called off the engagement... I'm tired of it all."

Reiner offered a small, understanding smile at Adrian's admission. It was evident that his defeat against Amael had rattled him deeply, but amidst the disappointment, a glimmer of maturity shone through.

"Take care of him," Doria warned sternly, her voice carrying a note of command, before she and Reiner departed, leaving Adrian in the care of the healers. The examination was still underway, and their presence was required.

"Damn it..." Adrian muttered under his breath once he was alone, a heavy sigh escaping his lips. Though tears threatened to well up, he staunchly resisted. He was a man, the future heir of his House, and he wouldn't succumb to such weakness.

Suddenly, a crimson aura swept into the healing room, its presence unmistakable. The healers, previously focused on Adrian's care, furrowed their brows before succumbing to unconsciousness.

Adrian's heartbeat quickened as he recognized the source of the aura. He knew what was happening, and dread settled in his stomach.

He blinked twice, and there stood a figure beside him. Crimson hair cascaded down his back, and cold, crimson eyes surveyed the vials arranged on the shelf near Adrian's bed.

"Cyril..." Adrian breathed, his voice tinged with a mixture of fear and resignation.

Yet, Cyril paid him no mind, engrossed in his own actions. He lifted vials, shook them, examined them with meticulous scrutiny, before carefully returning them to their place.

Adrian swallowed hard, his gaze fixed on Cyril, his mind racing with uncertainty.

"I lost…"

At Cyril's words, his gaze finally shifted to Adrian, causing a shiver to run down Adrian's spine. The coldness in Cyril's eyes was unsettling, a stark contrast to the warmth of the healing room.

"Did you know, Adrian?" Cyril's pale hand reached out, hovering over Adrian's stomach. "The Holy Tree of Eden has blessed every single one of us since birth."

Adrian remained silent, his heart pounding in his chest as Cyril's touch sent shivers down his spine.

"It bestowed upon us superhuman abilities—strength, mana—we are inherently superior to the mere mortals scurrying about Sancta Vedelia," Cyril continued, his tone laced with a chilling arrogance.

"But he was stronger than me," Adrian admitted quietly, his gaze fixed on Cyril's penetrating stare.

"A bet," Cyril chuckled darkly, his eyes narrowing with twisted delight. "I offered you Alicia, and this is how you repay me? You've yet to fulfill your end of the bargain, Adrian Dolphis."

"It's over—" Adrian began, but Cyril swiftly cut him off, his crimson aura pulsating with growing intensity.

"It is not," Cyril asserted, his voice cutting through the air like a blade.

Adrian clenched his fists, his resolve firm. "I won't retract my words. I've lost the bet, and I've already broken off the engagement. I will honor my word, Cyril—"

"Shh... it's alright," Cyril whispered, his hand tightening around Adrian's neck.

A strangled gasp escaped Adrian's lips as Cyril's grip constricted, making it increasingly difficult to breathe.

"That's it," Cyril murmured, a perverse ecstasy dancing in his eyes as vertical slits appeared, resembling those of a hungry predator.

"S…Stop!" Adrian choked out, his struggles futile against Cyril's overpowering hold.

"You have...." Cyril's gaze remained cold as he pressed on, ignoring Adrian's futile attempts to resist. With a calculated motion, he extended his left hand toward Adrian's mouth, piercing his finger to draw blood. Adrian squirmed and struggled against the intrusion, but to no avail.

Forcing Adrian's lips apart, Cyril administered the blood, compelling him to drink it against his will. Adrian's initial resistance faded into a desperate struggle, but soon his movements grew weaker, his body succumbing to Cyril's strength. Within moments, his eyes rolled back, and all strength drained from his limbs, leaving him inert and helpless upon the bed.

"...disappointed me."