The Villain Bought the Female Lead - Ch. 15
All the enemies had been eliminated.
It wasn’t particularly difficult. The enemies were low-level, and Vargan’s basic specifications were exceptionally high, so there was no need to mention that.
Over the past five months or so, they were suitable test subjects to experiment with until I could use everything perfectly naturally.
The artifact I obtained from the secret dungeon this time was also quite useful. Compared to the splendid artifacts stored in the mansion’s warehouse, it was equal to or even superior. The significant difference was that this artifact belonged entirely to me.
“Shall I guess your train of thought?”
In the now silent battlefield, reeking of blood, I spoke to Alicia, who was barely standing on her two feet. She seemed dispirited, probably due to the intense experience she had just gone through.
“First and foremost, relief. The sense of liberation from narrowly escaping death.”
The most fundamental desire of any being was survival. Most creatures reacted strongly when this was even slightly threatened, and Alicia was in a situation where it wasn’t just threatened but thoroughly shaken. Among the myriad thoughts swirling in her mind, this was the most prominent.
I continued, counting on my fingers.
“Next, awe towards me. With your eyes now open, you must have clearly felt it. It’s similar to someone who has only seen a stream their whole life finally witnessing the ocean.”
Once she felt safe, the emotions related to the immediate situation surfaced. Especially for someone with knowledge of it, it was impossible to look away.
“And lastly, questions and interpretations. Your judgments and feelings about today’s events.”
This last part was the most crucial. The previous emotions had either passed her by or left only remnants.
Next came the analysis of why things happened as they did. Alicia’s personality didn’t matter; this was a fundamental thought process.
There were other mixed emotions, but these were the main branches. Her reactions this time would determine future detailed plans.
“… Master, may I ask you one thing?”
Alicia spoke up. Her gaze was serious and sharp.
“You may.”
Upon receiving permission, Alicia bowed her head briefly in gratitude, then looked at me again.
“Was it you who summoned the monsters to this village?”
Alicia asked, unsure if it was possible but indicating that this was the most important matter to her.
“No.”
I answered decisively. It was true that I had trapped her in a loop, but I had merely used the timing and did not summon those vile creatures. I couldn’t even do such a thing if I wanted to, but there was no need to say that out loud.
Alicia, who had been staring at me with clear eyes as if trying to penetrate me, nodded after confirming my answer. It seemed she had her way of verifying the truth of my words.
“Now that your curiosity is satisfied, it’s your turn to answer, Alicia.”
Alicia remained silent; her head bowed. She seemed to be organizing her thoughts, reflecting on our conversation, and carefully considering what to say next. Finally, she quietly lifted her head.
“… when I first encountered the monsters, I was so terrified that I couldn’t think at all. I couldn’t resist or think, and I died pathetically.”
I knew that.
I expected it and it had to be that way.
Alicia began recounting her memories from when she could make judgments about her situation. As her space filled with fear, several questions arose, which then turned into certainty.
“At the brink of death, I realized that the situation I faced was similar to past experiences, making me guess that this was an illusion created by you, Master.”
I was the only one she had confided her past to, and shortly after our conversation, she found herself in a life-and-death situation.
Anyone capable of thought would realize it was I who had put her in danger.
“But… even knowing that didn’t change anything.”
Yes, this was the crucial point. Knowing that fact didn’t change anything. To her, every moment was real and painful.
To break it down.
One only realized it wasn’t real upon reaching the brink of death. One sensed that the recent experience was an illusion and fake. But this time? Was there proof that this revival wasn’t another illusion?
She might have noticed differences in her condition or the surrounding mana at the brink of each loop, but until then, she couldn’t even guess. This was partly because I made it difficult to sense my energy, but it was also due to touching on human instinct.
So, one might ask.
In the final moments of the loop, couldn’t she calculate the remaining lives and confirm the count of deaths? She could sense the total amount of mana.
However, consider the boundary between reality and illusion had collapsed. Could anyone count the exact number of dreams they had in one night? No. In a distorted sense of reality, it was impossible to accurately grasp the previous state.
Thus, Alicia was minimizing her fear-induced memories. She wasn’t avoiding them because they were too terrifying but because she didn’t know enough to speak about them.
“In some lives, I even harbored a faint hope that you, Master, might save me. That you might come if I were truly at death’s door.”
But in the unending agony, such hope quickly faded. In the end, she was burnt with a fierce desire to survive, realizing that her mana and physical state were rapidly depleting.
Unlike previous illusions, she could verify the total mana amount, understanding her dire situation.
Ultimately, there was no fake time for her. It was all real, dense time.
“Yes, after much agony, you chose to fight the monsters, surrounding yourself with aura and cutting them down. The motivation behind this decision must have been a desire to <save people>.”
I must thank Edel and Freesia for guiding her so she could walk straight despite her blindness.
“What do you mean to say? Your words are too roundabout and difficult to interpret. Summarize it briefly.”
I knew Alicia’s intent. The words she needed to speak were clear to me. Knowing this, I prompted her.
Her blue eyes deepened, resembling the sea. As she spoke, the windstorm within her calmed. Her voice, connected from her throat, was firm and resolute.
“Please, allow me to stay by your side, Master.”
Though she was making a request, her tone and demeanor were flawless and concise.
“Please continue to teach me and awaken my dull mind.”
She expressed her true desire, realized in the repetitive loop. Her deep hatred for her own incompetence on that fateful day.
“Please help me become a hero.”
‘If you permit this, I will dedicate all the glory and wealth I gain to you, Master.’ With that final sentence, Alicia closed her mouth.
She was offering her future value. Recognizing her potential, she used it as a bargaining chip.
Of course, this wasn’t a fair exchange. Being subordinate to me meant I already controlled her future. There was no need to go to such lengths to state the obvious. So, what was Alicia truly trying to convey?
A declaration of will.
Alicia knew I would accept her offer. Indeed, I had used the term <pass>, and having achieved my goal, dismissing her would be illogical.
In other words, Alicia was showing her resolve. Through this ordeal, she had overcome her trauma and wanted to convey that her desire to become a hero was now her own, not influenced by me.
“Very well. Your answer is satisfactory, Alicia. You are correct. I will not abandon you and will continue to support you as I have.”
This was how it should be.
Yes, this was the appearance closest to my goal.
She had successfully overcome her trauma through this experience. Look at those determined eyes! No longer could one find the disgrace of <cowardly Alicia> from Academia. Though the scars remained, she wouldn’t hesitate to cut down her enemies.
That sufficed.
That was what I aimed to achieve this time!
“You have changed significantly through this experience. It must not have been easy to reach this point… to celebrate, I shall give you a gift.”
I removed the object that had been cumbersome during movement and threw it to her. I had prepared it to hand over once I confirmed her resolve.
Clank.
The object landed in Alicia’s arms, making a metallic sound. Her head followed the sword, then her eyes widened in realization.
“Master… this is…! You are giving this to me…?”
What an excellent reaction. There was no need to exaggerate your surprise with your whole body.
“Yes, it is of no use to me. You are the most suitable person to wield it, Alicia.”
Even without aura, the sword’s entire body shone with a clear blue light. While Alicia was dying in the village, I took Paula and Bram and entered the secret dungeon of Naias, retrieving its only artifact, that sword.
A first-grade artifact, Naias.
The sword contained the spirit of Naias, the water spirit who was once the Spirit King.
If the protagonist Liam had found it later, the spirit would have been dead, degrading it to second grade. But now, the spirit inside was regaining its lost power.
When fully restored, it would undoubtedly demonstrate the power of a first-grade artifact, the highest grade in essence.
“You mean… you ventured into the dungeon personally for me?”
Tsk, tsk.
What a thought. Why not ask if I live solely for your sake?
“Although you usually have a gloomy demeanor, you sometimes are overly optimistic. Of course, I moved because it benefited me in the end.”
Upon hearing my words, Alicia’s stiff eyes began to tremble, as if trying to hold back something. Then, unable to endure, she took a deep breath, barely regaining her composure, and expressed her view.
She said that even though she was blind, she could tell it was an extraordinary object and thus couldn’t accept it. She added that she had already caused me enough trouble and couldn’t trouble me further, feeling it was too much to receive this.
“Ah!”
After a long time, I flicked Alicia on the forehead. Even though her spirit had been renewed, she hadn’t changed a bit.
“Why do you ramble on so much? Just quietly accept it. This is a kind of earnest money for the formal contract we’re about to make, so stop chattering.”
“A contract…? Haven’t we already established a master-servant contract?”
“That piece of paper is just a wrapping. We’re going to establish something more direct and substantial. This is a kind of curse, a magic contract with definite efficacy.”
Alicia straightened her posture. She looked at me unwaveringly.
“You will formally contract with me to establish a new relationship. Although it won’t feel much different from before, one thing is certain.”
“What…”
“Control.”
From now on, Alicia’s talent would run wild like an unbridled horse. Therefore, we needed to set up an irresistible special device to control it.
“I’m a very cautious person. I need insurance to make sure your blade isn’t pointed at me. Naturally, there’s no refusal.”
She had already uttered irrevocable words. Given her position and the words she had spoken…
“I will accept the contract.”
Without a moment’s hesitation, she answered. I was going to explain a lot, but her resolute response showed that wasn’t necessary.
“… did you agree even knowing it’s a curse?”
Even though she could die if she betrayed me? Even though it was the epitome of inequality with no escape?
“I know. But if that’s what you want, I’ll accept it. Isn’t that the first promise we made?”
That was true.
But still….
Alicia was more sincere than ever. Her expression was firm, and she was fully resolved. Although I felt her determination, I didn’t expect her to remain so unchanged even after hearing the word <curse>.
“What an unbelievable person.”
When she mentioned the moment in the carriage, memories of that scene resurfaced. Indeed, it was because of her that I felt flustered back then. There weren’t many, but all the moments I felt bewildered in this world were related to Alicia.
“It seems the expression <crazy> suits your mind.”
Alicia knelt on one knee, showing utmost respect. She was fully prepared, strongly asserting that she was ready whenever I was.
The fearful Alicia I saw in the carriage was nowhere to be found. That fragile appearance had melted away and disappeared.
Step.
I walked forward.
I lifted Alicia’s chin as she bowed her head. The blue eyes, closer to the moon than the sun, stood out.
Just like the first day we met, her appearance was incredibly stunning. She looked nothing like an ordinary farmer’s daughter, as if deliberately designed that way.
Looking into her most beautifully shining eyes, I spoke. There was no reason to delay any longer.
“I accept you.”
My servant, Alicia.