A Villain's Will to Survive

Chapter 306: Why Is My Time the Only One That’s Messed Up (1)

Epherene was eating in the Mage Tower’s dining hall.

“… This is okay to eat,” Epherene muttered.

The Mage Tower dining hall was decent enough in its own way, though naturally not comparable to Roahawk. The food was delicious, and during lunchtime, the sheer number of mages naturally provided good cover for cloaking or disguise.

“I wanna eat Roahawk so bad.”

Since my account has been frozen anyway, Roahawk is just a pipe dream. But should I ask Sylvia for some money? Epherene thought.

Tap—

As Epherene was lost in thought, a meal tray was placed on the seat opposite her by Sylvia.

“Oh, perfect timing. Hey, Sephine, do you—”

“Why did you come out here on your own without telling me,” Sylvia asked, her face creased with anger.

“Hmm? Why, it’s morning. I came out to eat breakfast—”

“Deculein is pursuing you,” Sylvia said.

However, what Sylvia spoke of was already known, and therefore, Epherene only gave a slight tilt of her head.

“The Purger, too, is pursuing you.”

“… The Purger?” Epherene muttered.

“Yes, the punishment sentenced for you is execution, and Deculein, too, participates in it.”

The spoon in Epherene’s hand dropped. Her mouth fell open, and her wide eyes stared at Sylvia.

“The Purger is already in motion. So,” Sylvia continued, pulling out a thick envelope from within her robes. “You keep doing what you’re doing.”

“What…?”

“What we were studying. The Empress’s Instructor Mage Selection Exam.”

Epherene accepted the Empress’s instructor mage selection exam from Sylvia, but something felt strange.

With the Purger pursuing me, how in the world am I supposed to go to the Imperial Palace? Epherene thought.

“The Purger is an independent agent of the Floating Island and their actions are not under an Imperial Palace decree, and this clause explicitly states that all mages capable of solving the problem are eligible to be selected as instructor mages.”

Given that Deculein and the Imperial Palace prioritize principles, they would neither change the provisions if Epherene passes, nor disqualify her due to her wanted status.

“Therefore, if you pass the examination and enter the Imperial Palace, the Purger will be unable to pursue you and Deculein, too, will not have the authority to cast you out,” Sylvia concluded.

“… I mean, but why would Deculein…”

Epherene genuinely did not understand.

The very person who even said he commended my efforts to save Yulie… why all of a sudden? Epherene thought.

“Why me?” Epherene muttered.

“Because you are dangerous,” Sylvia replied, sighing as she cut her steak.

“Dangerous?”

“Yes, they say that there are two of you.”

“They say that there are two of you.”

As the words were not easy to understand by ear, Epherene blinked in a daze.

“It means that you exist as two in this very timeline,” Sylvia continued, taking a bite of steak and shaking her head. “It’s a paradox of time travel.”

“If you fail to sufficiently control your power, a multitude of temporal paradoxes will inevitably arise. This would inflict severe harm upon the continent, and Deculein is the mage most capable of making a dispassionate choice in such matters. Between a single protégé and the entire continent, he would, naturally, choose the latter.”

At that moment…

Whoooosh…

An artificially generated gust brushed through Epherene and Sylvia’s hair, and in that moment, it felt as if the entire space had frozen, with all the mages in the dining hall focusing their attention on that spot.

“… It is the Purger,” Sylvia said.

Thud—

A strange mana emanated from the three mages in worn robes walking through the dining hall, unlike anything Epherene or Sylvia had ever experienced—an aura distinctive of the Purger, who specializes in assassinating, imprisoning, and abducting mages.

Thud—

Epherene swallowed.

Thud—

The Purger’s steps steadily drew nearer, and it was unclear whether he knew Epherene was there or was merely surveying the area.

The Purger merely walked past the tables one by one…

Thud—

With the sudden cessation of footsteps, small beads of cold sweat formed on Epherene’s and Sylvia’s temples. Not far away—no, within a very close radius of thirty feet—three Purger agents stood still, beginning to scan their surroundings, releasing their mana as if conducting an inspection of the mages.

Whoosh…

The moment that blue mana thread approached Epherene, Sylvia prepared for battle, and…

“That is enough.”

There was a voice, restraining the Purger agents.

“Under whose authority are you conducting arbitrary inspections of the Mage Tower’s mages?”

It was Deculein who appeared at that opportune moment, and Epherene clutched her pounding heart, her body involuntarily leaning toward the table under extreme tension.

“A trace exists here,” the Purger replied, his voice carrying a chilling mana like that of a ghost.

“I recall that I never granted permission for such a haphazard approach. Treating all mages of the Mage Tower as criminals is unacceptable,” Deculein said.

The Purger remained silent.

“Come out. You three must refine your investigative methods. Are you behaving like ruffians? Such crude methods would have driven away even those present here,” Deculein continued, glaring at the three Purgers in turn.

The Purger agents held their stance for a moment, but soon, they exited the dining hall as per Deculein’s command.

“… You may resume your meal,” Deculein concluded.

Deculein’s manner of speech seemed considerate of the restaurant, which was stunned by the sudden commotion. Meanwhile, watching him exit, Epherene and Sylvia swept their hands over their pounding hearts.

“… Then, Sephine, I suppose I should just stay hidden for a bit, right?” Epherene said.

“The very air speaks of it,” Sylvia replied, nodding.

“I have some work to be done as well. When that’s finished, I’ll return, but until then…”

Mentioning that there was work to be done, Epherene pulled out a wooden pocket watch, and the time was fast approaching.

“I will find out what plump Relin and those professors are up to at the Mage Tower—”

“You don’t need to state the obvious, foolish Epherene,” Sylvia interrupted, handing Epherene a crystal orb. “I’m already spying on them with Wind, even now. If anything happens, I’ll share it with you.”

“… Okay,” Epherene said, pushing herself upright with a bitter expression.

“But,” Sylvia said, adding almost as an afterthought. “Deculein’s punishment and the Purger’s punishment will be different. You know what I mean, right.”

“… What?”

“If you’re going to be caught, try to be caught by Deculein.”

Sylvia’s words offered a slight measure of comfort to Epherene.

“Yes, I know,” Epherene replied, a smile on her lips. “I won’t be caught, but if I am, I’ll do as you say.”

***

… Freyden was being consumed by frost, and from the winter castle on the northern frontier of the Empire, Zeit looked out at the outer landscape with dark eyes.

The whitened land was too harsh for life to sustain itself, and in the high heavens, ultra-low-temperature biting winds raged, threatening to tear apart the very atmosphere. It was perpetual ice, an eternal winter, with nights longer than days, and a cold more biting than the nights themselves.

“… An Ice Age, it is.”

The Ice Age had come.

“Another Ice Age?” Zeit continued, gritting his teeth.

The Ice Age—far beyond mere cold, as the Altar had prophesied—was verily causing Freyden to become transparently frozen like a delicate ornament, slowly dying away.

“Even though matters have come to this, there is no support from the Central,” Zeit muttered, letting out a dry laugh, shaking his head as he turned away. “Then again, I never expected it from them in the first place. But… you are claiming that you have a method?”

“Yes, sir,” replied Belrhan, the subordinate, straightening his back in the chilly room as Zeit questioned him.

“What would that be?”

“The individual known as the mage Berbaldi, sir.”

“… Berbaldi.”

Zeit was familiar with the name Berbaldi, an anonymous mage who had showcased a new paradigm for artifacts at Yuren’s magical expo.

“Yes, sir, the method to overcome this Ice Age would be within that mage’s mind.”

Zeit remained silent.

“All that is required is the creation of an artificial sun,” Belrhan added.

Freyden had, on multiple occasions, attempted to spend money and gather mages, hoping to share at least some warmth with its populace.

However, Freyden’s landmass was too expansive, and even when restricted to the outer wall and its surroundings, they could not overcome this magical winter.

“Berbaldi—it is said that nothing has been revealed about that mage,” Zeit replied.

“We have located an individual who has knowledge of the mage’s particulars.”

“Is that true?” Zeit asked, spinning around.

“Yes, sir, they are within the Ashes.”

The Ashes was a place that, for any noble of the Empire, would cause their brow to furrow upon hearing its name. But for Zeit now, it held no consequence, as the fate of his house depended on this matter. Whether walking on two legs or crawling on all fours, acting while he still could was his duty as the head of Freyden.

“Without delay, we set forth.”

“However…,” muttered the subordinate Belrhan, a clear hesitation in his voice.

Zeit looked at Belrhan, his eyes posing a silent question.

“Concerning Knight Yulie, report is—”

Yulie was Zeit’s sore point, and although his precious younger sibling was losing her life somewhere, nothing was more important than Freyden right now.

“I will hear it later. Addressing the Ice Age is the priority now,” Zeit interrupted.

***

At that moment, Epherene, having returned to the Sanctuary of the Ages by Allen’s Stride, was conducting her conclusive assessment of Yulie.

“Mana stone confirmed. Lantern flower confirmed. Body condition… confirmed. Excellent condition,” Epherene muttered.

Epherene’s assessment was not merely with her eyes but involved a meticulous check using Deculein’s artifact, guaranteeing one hundred percent accuracy and confirming that Yulie’s condition was excellent.

However, it was excellent only when compared to the original expectation for Yulie’s condition, as she was alarmingly thin—like a patient near death—and it was heartbreaking to even glance at her.

“At this point, one could say that you have a very strong will to live, couldn’t they~?” Epherene added, muttering like a doctor as she looked into the cylinder, a pleased smile on Yulie, who lay peacefully within.

“Ready, are we?” Idnik asked, watching from the side with clear interest.

Allen and Idnik were seated at a tea table, eating french fries.

I bought that to eat after I finished my work, Epherene muttered.

“Yes, preparations are complete,” Epherene replied, nodding and taking a deep breath, neatly arranging the circuits within her body. “Now, if only I can properly activate my spell.”

“How is your condition?”

“One hundred percent. Today, I heard something rather shocking, but I am fine.”

“Shocking?”

“Yes, I was told the Purgers are pursuing me.”

“Oh…” Idnik muttered, her eyebrows rising. “You’ve become a prominent figure, with even the Purger pursuing you.”

Without a word, Epherene inspected her body—her mana reserves ample, the magic circle beneath her feet stable, and Yulie’s condition likewise excellent—leaving no cause for hesitation or doubt.

“… I will start immediately.”

The magic Epherene sought to manifest was indistinguishable from a miracle, and the attempt to scientifically observe and magically rewind time was an act that defied nature itself, bordering on God’s authority. That very first step was about to occur in this very place at this moment…

“Hup!”

Epherene preheated the circuits throughout her body, and the Wood Steel at her shoulder trembled as if in response.

Fwooooosh—!

At that moment, ashen mana bloomed throughout the Ages, dyeing the entire space in Epherene’s shade.

Swoooooosh—

The mana current, which at first merely wavered like a breeze, then rushed like a maelstrom and was drawn into Yulie’s cylinder, whereupon the magic circle beneath her feet flashed with an ashen brilliance.

It is now ready, Epherene thought.

Booom—!

Immediately after, the first explosion triggered the time rewind, but the agitation of the moment was as intense as a massive earthquake. Epherene raised both hands to control the fluctuating mana, guiding the path of Time like a conductor leading an orchestra.

Booom—!

The second explosion served as the reverberation that stabilized Time, immovably securing the spell she had moderately controlled. Epherene gritted her teeth through a headache that felt as if her head would split open, strengthening the magic’s framework and focusing all the mana pulsing within her body on Yulie’s Time.

Booom—!

The third explosion was the ultimate phase of the time rewind, and at this point, Epherene infused Yulie with her own spell.

Whooooosh…

The cylinder billowed with blossoming time magic as Epherene’s ashen magic worked to rewind Yulie. The curse that had tormented her for almost a decade was caught within that time, gradually diminishing until it ultimately disappeared.

“Now…”

Concurrently, all of Yulie’s memories, emotions, and recollections of nearly ten years rewound repeatedly… until they fade away forever and disappear beyond reach, culminating in Deculein’s desired peace for Yulie.

“Be at ease,” Epherene concluded, opening her eyes once more and distinctly sensing the hollow mana within her body, contrasted by the abundant magic surrounding her.

The moment Epherene wondered if she had met with success…

Booom—!

… Fourth explosion?

“What?” Epherene muttered, jumping a little. “Why another explosion?”

As Epherene continued her murmuring…

Booom—!

Fifth explosion?

“… But, wait. Two more explosions?”

But there was nothing wrong with the magic circle, and the manifestation was well executed, Epherene thought.

“Oh?” Epherene murmured, her eyes sweeping across her surroundings.

There were two unexpected explosions, yet there were no significant problems because the ground did not collapse, no equipment was destroyed, and everything remained entirely undamaged.

“… Is it nothing, then?” Epherene muttered, her eyes drawn to Yulie’s cylinder.

First and foremost, Knight Yulie’s complexion appeared healthy, as the almost skeletal appearance of someone who had been dying daily within the cylinder was no longer present. That alone guaranteed success, causing Epherene’s lips to curve into an involuntary smile.

Knock, knock—

“Knight Yulie~?” Epherene called, tapping on the glass surface of the cylinder. “Knight Yulie~ Are you alright~? Are you so alright that you can’t even answer~?”

Even though Epherene called her repeatedly, Yulie did not answer and would not awaken.

“… Oh?”

No, it was more than merely not waking.

“Wait a second.”

Epherene’s realization came too late because Yulie was in a very strange condition, and her face, heart, eyes, and especially her pulse were problematic.

“There is no breath within her.”

Yulie had neither pulse nor even breath, and like a figure of wax, she remained completely still as though time had frozen around her.

“Oh, dang it! This is super bad! Mage Idnik! Please come here and help me!” Epherene shouted, turning to Idnik. “Mage Idnik! Assistant Professor Allen!”

No matter how Epherene shouted again and again, Idnik offered no reply.

“Hello?! Mage Idnik?!”

Epherene desperately called Idnik’s name, but there was silence—not only from Idnik and Allen, but from the entire space of the Ages itself.

“Mage… Idnik?” Epherene muttered, turning to look at Idnik and Allen. “… Oh.”

Idnik and Allen, seated at the table and watching Epherene, were likewise frozen like statues, their eyes wide open, staring at her as though time had indeed stopped flowing.

… Wait, perhaps time has really stopped.

Gulp—

Epherene swallowed, then raised her trembling wrist, revealing the watch fastened there.

“What…”

However, the moment Epherene saw that the second hand—let alone the minute hand—on her wristwatch was not moving, she immediately understood.

“… I’m fucked.”

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