The Genius Villain Dies Tomorrow

[Roughly thirty-seven hours earlier...]

The collision between Sylpheed’s wind and Leviathan’s water had filled the air above Eisenbran with an immeasurable amount of vapor.

But now that things had blown over, the pressure holding them no longer existed, and a torrential downpour started descending onto Eisenbran’s collapsed city.

The streets were destroyed, ripped off their foundations completely. Houses weren’t much better, as they were nothing more than scrap wood under the might of two opposing spirits.

Many were displaced, with mothers holding onto the kids tightly while they cried, and fathers rushing to help with the evacuation and rebuilding effort.

The cavalry had arrived, but after everything had blown over.

Soldiers belonging to the National Army combed throughout the lower districts, rescuing civilians and preventing anyone from approaching the unstable port.

Rosenheim Knights established temporary checkpoints around Central Square, while military healers treated the wounded inside the Main City Hall.

At the center of it all was Duke Adrian Rosenheim, who had arrived less than an hour after Leviathan’s disappearance.

Rain struck the dark cloak draped over his shoulder, but he seemed not to care. An official stood beside him, rapidly scratching each order.

"Deploy the Third and Fourth Companies along the river," Adrian instructed. "No civilian is to approach the water until the remaining foreign mana has been dispersed."

"Yes, Your Grace."

"Establish shelters inside every intact municipal building. Food, blankets, and medicine will be distributed without charge."

"Understood."

"And try not to say too much to the National Army, we don’t know who’s friend or foe just yet."

Charlotte stood several steps away.

The Lowenhardt heiress had abandoned what remained of her ruined dress for a cloak taken from one of her knights. Blood stained the fabric around one sleeve, though the injury beneath it had already been treated.

"You shouldn’t be here," Adrian looked at her wound. "Your Father would think badly of me if he were to see his daughter injured like this."

"My father disagrees whenever I leave the estate without enough knights to conquer a small country."

That comment managed to catch Adrian off-guard, allowing himself to grin softly before getting back to the matter.

"What happened...? Where is Baron Eisenbran?"

"Dead."

"Really?"

"Alicia reached his estate after it was attacked. She believes the Knight Captain killed him before setting fire to the study."

"Don Leyen?"

"That’s what she claimed," Charlotte sighed. "But we have no viable evidence as well as witnesses except her to really confirm such a thing."

"And Felix?"

Charlotte looked toward the frozen port. "Dead as well. Alicia struck him through the heart with the help of Lady Nadine and Rian."

Adrian followed her gaze, only to see the gigantic crater surrounded by dark water. Then he turned back, only one more person that was not accounted for.

"And Rian?"

Charlotte fell silent, shaking her head. "I don’t know...Alicia went after him. Yet, neither had returned."

Adrian looked toward the commander of the Rosenheim Knights.

"Prepare a search party."

"Yes, Your Grace."

"Prioritize the mine and coastline. If they are injured—"

"Your Grace!"

A voice broke through the rain, causing every knight surrounding Adrian to turn towards it. Someone was running toward them from the direction of the port.

Wet, white hair clung to her face and shoulders, while her clothes were completely damaged and filled with holes. Yet she did not care whatsoever.

A motionless person was on her back, wrapped using a black cloak while covered with blood from every possible place.

It was Alicia, with Rian’s arms hanging limply over her shoulders while she sprinted toward them despite her exhaustion.

Two Rosenheim Knights moved to intercept her. "Stop! You cannot approach His Grace without—"

"Let her through."

The knights immediately sheathed their swords once more, before stepping aside just as Alicia stumbled between them.

She had likely crossed the entire lower city without stopping. Her breathing came in ragged gasps, and one of her legs dragged slightly whenever it struck the ground.

At the last stretch, her remaining strength finally gave way. She dropped to one knee, using both arms to keep Rian secured against her back.

Charlotte rushed toward them.

"Rian!"

But as she approached with two knights who tried to move Rian onto a stretcher, Alicia suddenly lashed out.

"Don’t touch him!"

But upon lashing out, she seemed to regain her senses. Slowly, she lowered Rian down onto the stretcher herself before turning back to the Duke.

Adrian noticed that one of Rian’s hands was clenched around the remains of a mana crystal, yet the stone had already turned gray. He looked down at his youngest son, and the desperate maid who carried him here.

"What happened?"

"He defeated Leviathan."

"What? How did he...?"

"There’s no time, my Lord!" Alicia suddenly snapped. "The Young Master’s curse, it’s going to consume him if you don’t do something!"

"What do you mean?"

"Please!" the maid hurried. "Please tell your entourage to begin combing the Eisenbran Crystal Mines for any mana crystals, it’s the only way to save him!"

Adrian looked toward her and the crystal in Rian’s hands once more, but his eyes narrowed, doubtful of it all. "What does that have to do with saving his life?"

However, what happened next was beyond his imagination.

Without hesitation, the maid dropped on her knees and began lowering her head to the ground. Placing both hands against the dirt, she simply begged.

"Please..."

Alicia might have worn a maid’s uniform, but she was no ordinary servant. She had once served as the Second Lady’s personal bodyguard.

She was disciplined, fiercely proud, and among the most capable people Adrian had ever entrusted with another person’s life.

Alicia had served Cordelia for years without once pleading for anything in return or asking for compensation.

Yet, that same woman was prostrating herself before him in the mud, begging for her Young Master’s life.

"Why?" Adrian asked. "Why are you so certain those crystals can save him?"

Alicia’s fingers curled into the mud.

"I cannot tell you."

Several knights stiffened at the refusal, but Alicia lowered her head even further. "You may question me, imprison me, or punish me however you wish afterward. But if you have ever trusted my judgment—please trust it now."

That same woman had thrown away every shred of pride she possessed. Whatever happened between them, her desperation was genuine.

"Search the mines," Adrian ordered at last. "Bring me every mana crystal remaining in Eisenbran as soon as possible.

The Duke simply turned at least. But just before he walked away, Alicia stopped him once more, with her head still down.

"There is one more thing."

Her hair was now slick with wet mud that had been accumulated from the torrential rain and her knees trembled from the pain of having to kneel on raw stone.

But she didn’t give up.

"Your Grace. Even if the crystals save him today, he will continue needing them."

"How many?"

"I don’t know."

"For how long?"

"..."

Adrian looked toward the distant mountains beneath which the crystal mine rested. "You want me to give him the mine?"

Alicia dropped her forehead right on top of the wet mud. "I want you to give him the means to survive, when he had been robbed of it all his life..."

The Duke simply stared at her for a few more seconds, before coming to a conclusion. "Does Rian know you’re asking this?"

"No."

"Huh..."

A look of amusement began to spread on his face as he mounted his horse. "I used to think that brat didn’t have anything but the Rosenheim name and magical talents—"

"But that brat seems to have earned something for himself after all?"

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!