I Became a Dark Fantasy Villain

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In the middle of the foothills.

As the carriage loaded with luggage moved along the road stretching along the ridge, the other side of the mountain was finally unveiled before them.

“…Good. Fortunately, it is in sight.”

Miguel, who had been squinting his eyes to examine the area, raised his hand.

Beyond the winding and gentle valleys and ridges.

A pale blue light peeked out, shyly poking out its head from behind the foothills.

“That river over there is the border. If we go down this road and cross the river over there…”

As Miguel moved his gaze and spoke, his brow suddenly furrowed.

Luci, who had been looking at the scenery, turned to look at him. “something wrong?”

“No, that area beyond is an abandoned land but my memory seems a bit different.”

Miguel, stroking his bearded cheek, added. “I remember there was a road along the riverbank, and barren land stretched out next to it. The forest was beyond that barren land… But now, I see the forest right across the river.”

“…….”

Luci narrowed her eyes, taking in the landscape across the river.

The pale land and trees faintly came into view.

“Could it be… That the trees grew?”

“In just about 10 years?”

Ian cut in. “Nothing strange can happen in abandoned land, you said. Besides, what I see looks… ”

His murmuring voice strangely darkened.

“Looks like what?”

“…I don’t think it would be good for you to know.”

Ian soon withdrew his gaze, leaning back against his seat.

Miguel then murmured with a sigh. “Well, ignorance is bliss. We’ve come this far, so no use turning back even if it’s ominous.”

Luci blankly looked at Miguel’s profile.

Although it wasn’t noticeable due to his ferocious appearance and thick beard, his face was much more haggard and weary compared to before.

Although he never verbalized it, Luci already knew he was exhausted.

It was the same for Ian.

Although there didn’t seem to be any noticeable difference on the outside, there was no way he wasn’t tired after blazing the trail ahead of them.

Luci, who did nothing but sit and lie down, felt drained herself, so how much more difficult it must have been for them.

‘After all, it’s all because of me.’

Luci came to the same conclusion again.

I’m just a burden.

The fact weighed down her heart more and more.

Being young and weak could never be an excuse.

Of course, Ian and Miguel would never think so.

That was why she wanted to be of help to them, even a little.

But she didn’t verbalize that wish.

It would only be a naive remark of a young child.

“…….”

So Luci just looked down at her own hands.

Her palms, which couldn’t even produce a single spark.

The fact was not only frustrating, but was becoming resentful.

‘I can do it. I have to.’

As Luci clenched her teeth and concentrated once more,

“Just in case,” Ian, leaning against his seat with the back of his head, suddenly spoke up. “Even if I get left behind at any point, keep running without stopping.”

“…Why are you saying such ominous things again?” Miguel frowned.

Ian casually added. “I have a bad feeling. It’s been too quiet these past few days. Usually that means something big is coming.”

“Sir, please…. Ahh….” Miguel squeezed his eyes shut.

Ian had been spewing one ominous thing after another the whole time, so it was a natural reaction.

“Those guys chasing us probably know enough about us by now. So there must be someone among them who thinks they can capture Luci if I’m not around.”

“…….”

“So even if I get separated for whatever reason, keep running without stopping. Even if the carriage gets smashed to pieces….”

Ian swiftly handed the backpack next to him over to Miguel.

“Take Luci in your arms, get on the horse, and bolt. What I packed in there will last you a few days.”

Only then did Miguel realize the purpose of the backpack Ian had prepared earlier, raising an eyebrow.

“Then… what about you?”

“I’m not planning to die so don’t give me that.”

“Oh I see.”

“I’ll take care of the situation then catch up. So escape by any means. And when your life is in critical danger…. Use what’s in your boots.”

“……!” Miguel held his breath for a moment before letting out. “You knew?”

“Whenever something happens, you check your ankles first. How could I not know?”

Ian scoffed. “No matter who those guys are, they won’t hurt Luci. But not you. So when the inevitable moment comes, use it and find your way to the Temple of Furnace yourself.”

“Then… Luci…?”

“I’ll come back for her. So the longer you last out there, the easier for me. Best if you don’t get caught at all.”

In the worst case scenario, each had to sacrifice a little.

Despite seeming cold-hearted on the surface, Miguel silently nodded at Ian’s words filled with trust in Luci.

A brief moment of silence followed.

What broke the silence wasn’t a voice.

Hwak-

“……!”

A small flame blazed up from Luci’s palm.

Luci’s eyes grew wide.

Ian and Miguel simultaneously turned their eyes to her hand.

“I… I did it…! I made it…!”

Unable to hide the shaking in her pupils, Luci looked back at them.

“Well, I’m not surprised since I expected you’d make it, but congratulations, young lady.”

As Miguel grinned brightly contrary to his words, Ian clicked his tongue.

“So how did you do it?”

“Somehow… it’s done. I was so frustrated and angry, but suddenly I felt like it was going to be okay.”

Whoosh-

The flames died down right after Luci answered.

Staring at her blankly staring at her hands, Ian smiled. “It seems your emotions are affecting it.”

“My… emotions?”

“Just a guess. It’s still unstable. Are you not dizzy?”

“No. Last time I was… but now I really don’t feel anything.”

“Oh….”

Ian was amazed again.

In fact, he didn’t feel any magical power from Luci at all.

Even while igniting the flames, there was no magical power condensed in her pupils.

‘She’s directly pulling the magical power in the air and combusting it.’

He couldn’t help but admire her.

Because he didn’t know how that was possible.

…That’s why I should have recorded characteristics like elemental affinity and magical veins.

As he thought that, Ian’s hand stroking Luci’s head soon stopped.

Looking back at the shallow valley winding behind the carriage, a bitter smile formed on his lips.

“I feel like… I should say this now.”

In this sense, physical perception may be a useful trait to have.

Miguel turned to look at him.

“Could it be…”

“Yes. Speed up the carriage, Miguel. And get the magic stones ready.”

“But Sir, we only have enough spare magic stones for one more use.”

“That’s plenty. This will be settled in half a day at most.”

Said Ian as he got up.

The line of knights who revealed themselves on the ridge in the distance started running as if they sensed his gaze.

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Ippotranslation

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Translator; ippo

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