I Became The Villain's Trainer - Chapter 71

Chapter 71 

This mission was practically a volunteer job.

‘D**n Thersion.’

Just hearing about Thersion made his anger and hatred flare up like a raging fire. He was willing to die right here and now if it meant he could slaughter them. If that was the way to punish Thersion for ruining his life, then so be it. He twisted his lips into a bitter smile. The reason he hadn’t dared to cross Thersion’s walls until now was simply that he didn’t have the money to carry it out.

‘I won’t fail.’

This was a life-or-death mission, so at the very least, he had to succeed. The Emperor would have no intention of keeping him alive, whether he succeeded or not. Succeed and die, fail and die… 

‘Then I’ll take them with me on the road to hell.’

He downed his beer in one gulp. Just because he was born with a trace of Thersion’s red hair, he had to lose everything from the moment he was born. The mother who bore him alone was stoned to death, and he was sent to an orphanage. All because he had Thersion blood in him!

Yet, Thersion had never accepted him. It was because he wasn’t born within Thersion’s walls. His pure fury, left with nowhere to go, settled deep in the shadows, turning into a murderous intent directed at Thersion.

* * *

The day of the festival dawned. Unlike the usual celebrations, this festival was meticulously planned with Thersion’s future in mind. Yet, despite knowing this, it was impossible to suppress the excitement.

‘Did he say ten days?’

Carlisle had boldly planned a rather long festival – long and splendid. Alexa was once again reminded of Thersion’s immense wealth.

“Wow…”

Alexa exclaimed, poking her head out of the carriage window. Essellia, who had personally brought the children out today, smiled softly.

“Does it look good? Bursten worked hard on this in a short amount of time.”

“Yes… it’s truly amazing!”

Is this what it means to flaunt one’s wealth? While Alexa gaped in awe, the carriage sped along. Seeing Alexa gradually lean out further, Ysildus gently tugged at her sleeve.

“Huh?”

“It’s dangerous. You might fall out.”

Alexa burst into a peal of laughter. There was a sense of pride in seeing Ysildus genuinely concerned – like the feeling of watching a grown child. Alexa playfully shook Ysildus’s hand.

“Then Ysildus can just hold on to me like this, right?”

She released his hand. Only then did Alexa notice something new: Ysildus’s hand had grown larger than hers. Until recently, he had been in his wolf form, and it hadn’t been long since he’d returned to human form. This was the first time they had such close contact since then. Feeling flustered, Alexa turned her head back toward the window.

‘This is strange. It didn’t feel like this before.’

What had once been soft and fluffy now felt smooth and long… Alexa rubbed her cheek.

‘Am I really blushing just from holding hands?’

She couldn’t believe herself. Despite her younger appearance, the person inside was Han Yu-hee. Adult Han Yu-hee! There was no reason to blush over something as trivial as this. Then again, come to think of it, Han Yu-hee had never really experienced a proper relationship. She had been too busy studying, focused on becoming a veterinarian, and then worked tirelessly just to survive.

‘Now that I think about it, I’ve never dated anyone…’

She suddenly felt dazed. How could life be so futile? It dawned on her that Alexa was essentially a maiden ghost. No wonder her face flushed just from holding hands. Alexa chuckled at her own innocence. It seemed like she needed to set a new goal. All of her previous resolutions had been misguided. From now on, she will enjoy life to the fullest and pursue love as well! Alexa clenched her teeth with determination.

Of course, that would be after she left this castle and settled elsewhere. While Alexa was lost in these idle thoughts, Ysildus was intently watching her back. His heart raced from the unexpected hand-holding. Normally, he didn’t even notice its presence, but now it thudded in his chest.

This kind of touch was new to him. More thrilling than a hand on his cheek or a pat on his head was this light, fleeting contact. Ysildus clenched his hand, trying to retain the warmth that lingered. His lips curved softly, like a flower blooming in spring. Essellia clicked her tongue as she watched Ysildus’s glowing expression.

Terrun turned his head away with a sullen face. He felt pitiful, unable to do anything under Ysildus’s overwhelming presence. Yet, he didn’t want to disrupt this peace. Although he didn’t want to admit it, he might have unknowingly developed feelings for Ysildus.

‘I’ve been brainwashed.’ 

Terrun muttered to himself. After hearing Alexa call [Ysildus] cute so many times, it was only natural. While Ysildus was still as detestable and devilish as ever, it seemed he couldn’t help but grow fond of him.

(T/N: I was wondering why Terrun would develop feelings for Ysildus. I forgot that they are technically cousins hahaha)

* * *

“So, is it today?”

Girion asked anxiously, his eyes on the scruffy-haired man. This man, known only as Scruffy Hair, didn’t even have a proper name. Whether he was deaf or simply chose to ignore him, Scruffy Hair only answered about half of the questions thrown his way. Girion forced a smile.

Living together, Girion had realized just how dangerous Scruffy Hair really was. The rumors of Scruffy Hair being an ace were indeed true – there were many who sought his services. Often, clients came all the way down to the Thersion estate to find Scruffy Hair.

For the right price, Scruffy Hair would do anything. In a short period, he had completed three jobs, meaning three people had lost their lives at his hands. The clients made sure to provide Scruffy Hair with whatever he needed.

A teleportation scroll was, of course, one of those things. Every time Scruffy Hair returned to their room drenched in blood, Girion would be horrified. He had thought he had seen it all, but…

“Just tell me. Is it happening today? How are you going to get past Thersion’s walls?”

Scruffy Hair glanced at Girion and sighed. He had his own ways of doing things, so why was Girion so curious? Scruffy Hair was the one doing the job, yet Girion kept demanding reports. Did he not realize how annoying that was?

‘Should I just kill him?’

Scruffy Hair looked at Girion with a strange expression before clicking his tongue. He then shifted his gaze back to the sword he was sharpening. The blade, glowing with a cold blue light, was beautiful. Slowly, Scruffy Hair spoke.

“My half-sibling is inside. Getting in won’t be difficult.”

“Not difficult?”

“They’re inviting the knights’ families to the festival. I qualify, so I can get in. I’ve already received an invitation from my brother.”

“I thought you were an orphan?”

“I’m also my father’s blood.”

When Scruffy Hair lost his mother as a child and went to them, they had cruelly severed ties and cast him out. Yet, to accomplish this task, he had reached out to them again. Fortunately, the youngest, the softest-hearted, responded. That was how Scruffy Hair obtained an invitation.

“So, being of Thersion blood comes in handy at times like this. So, is tomorrow the day?”

“I wouldn’t be so certain.”

Scruffy Hair’s response was curt, and he glanced at Girion with a look of disdain, as if to ask whether he thought killing someone was that easy. Embarrassed, Girion stepped back.

“Finding the whereabouts of the wolf won’t be easy either. Do you know how many eyes are on that little wolf? He’s the heir of Thersion.”

“If you fail…”

“Either way, I won’t be coming back alive, so your concern is misplaced.”

Even if he succeeded, the odds of surviving were slim. Scruffy Hair fell silent and resumed sharpening his sword. Girion also fell silent, shoving the bread and bacon from breakfast into his mouth. Since he wasn’t getting any responses, he decided to just finish his meal.

Girion glanced at the sword Scruffy Hair was working on. Scruffy Hair was strong in close combat. He could make men twice his size fall with just two daggers. With a blade that sharp, even the toughest wolf hide would be no match. The little wolf’s days were numbered.

Girion couldn’t wait for this to be over so he could return to the capital. He planned to flee the moment he received the money from the Emperor. The Emperor wouldn’t leave Girion alive, not with all the secrets he knew.

‘Such a troublesome master.’

Girion clicked his tongue and bit into the roasted vegetables. Downstairs, the innkeeper who had prepared their breakfast was grumbling as she swept the floor.

“Really now. When is Alexa coming back? My back is killing me.”

“Then just hire someone else already. Aren’t you tired of saying the same thing every day? The name Alexa is about to stick to you like glue.”

Another guest staying at the inn chimed in.

“Oh, come on! That’s so heartless. Alexa was so meticulous with her work… We need to have a place for those with nowhere to go.”

The innkeeper snapped back and picked up her broom again.