THE VILLAIN'S POV Chapter 9 9: A Step Towards Hell (3)

Recognizing the heavy air between them, Ada took it upon herself to disrupt the quiet.

"It seems you have been expecting our arrival, Vulcan."

"Correct. I have maintained a close watch over you from the very moment you stepped foot here, Lady Ada."

"I would expect nothing less from the Regent."

'I knew I was being observed...' I let out a mental sigh, struggling to disregard the fixed stare Vulcan directed at me.

The Guardian folded his hands and shifted his weight forward.

"I take it your presence here is for the Lord's ascension ceremony."

I gave a simple nod.

"Following the traditions of the bloodline, Lord Frey shall present himself before the Elders. It will be a grand assembly where the majority of the Starlight family will gather to witness the emergence of their new leader."

Vulcan shifted his focus toward me before adding more details.

"You are allowed to bring a single associate when you stand before the council. At that time, an unrestricted dialogue with the Elders will take place before your formal installation as the Lord of the Starlight family."

"Do you understand the process thus far?"

I nodded once more, finding it difficult to find my voice in the presence of this aged butler.

"Excellent. The council is set to meet tomorrow. For today, a modest banquet has been organized to honor your coming of age, Lord Frey."

"You may use your time as you please. Accommodations have already been made ready for you. That concludes the itinerary I have for your day."

I provided a third nod, while Ada offered a refined smile.

"Indeed. We appreciate it."

Ada then looked toward me.

"Well, I believe our business here is finished, isn't it?"

Feeling the oppressive tension, she gave me a quiet signal to depart. However, just as we prepared to rise, Vulcan spoke up once more.

"Wait... Lady Ada, would it be possible to have a private word with Lord Frey?"

Ada gave a slight flinch before looking my way. I felt just as uneasy—this request was unexpected, and I had no inkling of what the old butler intended.

Regardless, I found myself nodding for a fourth time—this time directed at Ada.

'Fine… I’ll listen to whatever you have to say, old man.'

With obvious reluctance, Ada exited the chamber, leaving me in total solitude with Vulcan.

A thick, suffocating silence filled the space between us.

Even though he was technically a servant, I lacked the courage to speak first. Even if I added the years of my previous life to this one, this man’s lifespan far exceeded mine. Furthermore… he possessed the power to end me with a single motion of his hand.

Vulcan slowly stirred his tea.

"Lord Frey… do you truly recognize who I am?"

I maintained a neutral expression.

"You are the Grand Regent of this household."

"That is accurate," Vulcan agreed with a nod.

"Yet, it is also inaccurate."

"Inaccurate?" I asked, confused by his riddle.

"Yes… others may label me as they wish—Guardian, the warrior Vulcan… but those titles are irrelevant."

"I was, and shall always remain, the servant of the Lord."

"The Lord’s… servant?" I whispered.

"Precisely."

"Meaning… once tomorrow arrives, I will be the one you serve."

An S-rank Awakener… serving me?

I was on the verge of overthinking the weight of that statement when Vulcan interrupted my thoughts.

"Let us discuss the Lords who came before you, Lord Frey."

He rose and paced toward his desk, locking his fingers behind his back.

"I was at the side of the second Lord, Izan Starlight—your grandfather—until his final breath. Following that, I served the third Lord, Abraham Starlight—your father—until the day he fell. Now, my existence is dedicated to serving you. Do you grasp the significance of that?"

I stayed quiet.

My knowledge of the men he mentioned was thin, and I couldn't follow his point.

Thankfully, Vulcan provided the answer himself.

"It signifies that I am a failure as a servant… a useless one who managed to outlive his masters. Not just once, but twice."

Vulcan turned back to face me.

"Your grandfather and father were both legendary warriors—principled men who gave everything for this family… and for this entire world."

"They perished on the field of battle, sacrificing themselves to save a pathetic servant like me—along with countless thousands of others."

Vulcan had moved within a few paces of me. Without me even noticing, he had bridged the gap between us.

He ignored my rising anxiety as he pressed on.

"But what of you, Lord Frey?"

My body went rigid.

"What of me?" I countered with my own query.

"Lord Frey… tell me, what do you see?"

"What do I… see?"

My eyes grew wide with alarm, and my mouth shook as the truth hit me.

The entire chamber began to shake violently as a massive pressure slammed into me—the unrestrained aura of an S-rank warrior.

A tangible energy rippled through the air, cloaking Vulcan. He vanished into the force, leaving only his shimmering eyes to stare through the shroud of pure, chaotic power.

I was paralyzed.

I stood there, unable to move, peering into the void in front of me.

For the first time since arriving in this world… I felt genuine terror.

"Frey Starlight… this aged servant has only one desire left in his life."

"This time… I wish to perish before my Lord does."

"However, mark my words… if, in any manner…"

The crushing weight grew with every syllable, threatening to turn my F-rank frame into powder.

"If you lead this family to destruction—if you shaming their heritage—if you foul their reputation…"

"Then be certain of this."

"I will end your life… and then I will end my own."

My breath caught as I looked at this titan. My heart hammered against my ribs, and my limbs shook without control.

Then…

"Ha… Ha-ha ha ha…"

The door shook as Ada attempted to burst inside, but Vulcan’s heavy aura acted as a barrier.

Then came the sound of laughter—empty and crazed. But it didn't come from Vulcan. Instead, the old man’s scowl deepened. Oh. That laughter… it was coming from me.

It appeared I was the one laughing.

What did he just threaten? To kill me… ah, that’s right.

I threw my arms wide and yelled with all my might:

"Go ahead! Do it! Kill me!"

"What…?" Vulcan looked on in utter disbelief.

You old bastard… who ever told you I wanted to be alive in the first place?!

I’m merely someone holding onto a thin string of hope, a lunatic sprinting toward a tiny speck of light at the end of a pitch-black tunnel…

"You think I have a desire to stay in this wretched world? Do it!… at least then, I won’t have to follow through with the madness I’m planning."

I fought the shaking in my muscles and plastered a ghastly grin on my face.

"Come on, you bastard… do it!"

To hell with you and your masters.

Suddenly, Vulcan withdrew his power, and the crushing weight vanished instantly. In a flash, he bowed at a perfect ninety-degree angle and spoke with a loud voice:

"My sincerest apologies, Lord Starlight! Please punish me as you see fit!"

He offered an immediate apology, his face still showing traces of shock. He had never anticipated such a response—certainly not from a coward like Frey.

"Punish you? Stand up, old man… I am not your lord."

Vulcan looked up as I rose from my chair. Ada had also managed to rush into the room.

I directed a freezing stare toward Vulcan.

"I have no need for a servant, and I never wanted one… don’t worry, I won’t be taking the title of lord anyway."

The old man winced.

"What are you saying?"

"You will have your answer tomorrow."

Without waiting for him to reply, I walked out, leaving Vulcan behind.

"Vulcan…"

Ada spoke to the old servant, her tone filled with contempt. "You dared to threaten my brother… make no mistake, I will remember this."

Without saying another word, she followed me, leaving Vulcan standing there in a state of bewilderment.

He kept his eyes on my retreating figure until I was gone.

A single question repeated in his mind—'What has happened to Lord Frey?'

...

...

...

"Bastards."

I hurried through the massive corridors of this cursed estate, hearing Ada’s footsteps as she struggled to keep pace.

My heart was racing, refusing to settle down. That was terrifying…

How did I even find the nerve to talk back like that? I had been shivering the entire time…

Perhaps I really was losing my mind.

Well… it didn’t matter now.

"Frey! Stop!"

I turned toward my sister. "Yes? What?"

"Are you alright? Did he cause you any harm?"

I gave a cynical laugh. "Since when did my health become a concern of yours, Ada? I assumed you’d enjoy seeing that."

Ada’s brow furrowed.

"I’m not concerned about you. But what occurred back there could damage our reputation. We are the primary branch, and they are merely a side branch—remember that. That is why I will ensure he learns his place."

I noticed the spite in her eyes and felt a moment of pity for Vulcan, who would eventually be her subordinate.

"Hah… save me the family lecture."

I had reached the chamber assigned to me. As I reached for the handle, Ada stopped me.

"What are you doing? A celebration is being held for you, and the whole family is here… You need to show your face."

~Pfft~

I chuckled.

"A banquet for me?"

"Let’s be real, Ada… those bastards—when have they ever treated me with anything but scorn? And now, because I’m about to be Lord, they want to play nice?"

"It’s a joke… Not a single Elder even bothered to show up. They just sent Vulcan instead."

Ada went quiet. She couldn't argue with the truth of my words.

"I’ll be in my room until the council meets. Until then, they can celebrate me or anyone else—I don’t give a damn."

I entered the room and pulled the door shut, leaving my sister standing alone in the hall.

Perhaps I had been too kind to her lately. But Vulcan’s threat served as a reminder of my true path…

These people were merely characters I had designed. At their core, they were just tools.

The only thing that mattered was reaching my objective. That was all.