Struggling as a Villain

Not even in her wildest dreams could she have thought that the Lady she admires so much would have made a contract with the Heavenly Demon. And for no worldly greed but just for the love of her son.

Lilia didn't know how to feel about this; as a human who has been working for humanity's greater good, Lilia should have been upset that the Duchess took the help of the Demon.

...however, she couldn't bring herself to dislike her considering she wanted to keep that person safe, who has become the dearest being for Lilia.

Sitting inside the bedroom she gazed at the two ladies who looked quite the same. Although her master didn't tell her everything and just vaguely stated the reason why they were getting punished, Lilia has discerned most of it.

And now, she had to keep her heart unyielding as iron to let him go on a journey where he would be all alone—surrounded by evil beings who have committed heinous crimes in the past to get themselves a cell granted in that hell hole.

"Here, have this," Taking out the half moon from her pendant, she rested it in her master's hand and continued, "It's a good luck charm which my mother always told me to keep by my side. She gave it to me recently and now I am giving it to you."

Richard was surprised, "You won't say anything to stop me, Lilia?"

Her head was bowed and tears threatened to spill as she slowly mumbled, "I can't tell how barely I am holding myself to just knock you out and take you far away from this place."

Raising her head, she looked at him with a sad smile and added, "But that would grant me a lifetime of hatred from you, knowing that I snatched you from the only chance you had to save your family."

Cupping his cheeks she said, "And I won't be able to live with that guilt, my lord. So, I will pray for you to succeed in your venture and when you return, I, along with your mother and sister, will be waiting for you."

Richard closed his eyes, numerous emotions weighing over his heart as he leaned forward and rested his head against hers.

Softly, he whispered, "I don't know what I would have done without you, Lilia....thank you for becoming a part of my life.

"Mm...I know."

The duo remained seated for a good minute before Lilia asked, "What about Lady Amelia? I have sent a letter to her that you are safe but...what about-"

"I can't tell her about it in person. Neither I have the courage nor any source."

Richard heaved a sigh as he got up and turned around to look at his mother. After a pause, he added, "Amelia isn't as strong as you, Lilia. She will probably do something severe to stop me from going there, and I can't face that."

Lilia also got up and tenderly held his arm before asking, "But....master, she is your partner now and you can't leave like this without telling her."

Richard didn't say anything about that, making Lilia concerned, and rather turned towards the blond magician sitting in a corner while pretending to be ignorant about the exchange between Lilia and Richard just now.

"Allen."

Hearing his name, the blond instantly sprang to his feet and said, "Present!"

"What does it take for you to retain this spell?" Hearing Richard's query, Allen's brows drew closer as he looked at the spell he had recently mastered.

"I know you would find it disgusting, but a dark cultist needs fresh running blood of a dying creature to replenish their energy, and since they absorb Aembr from the surroundings, I won't be running out of gas anytime soon."

Richard nodded and glanced at Lilia, who merely lowered her head.

"Your food, regular and irregular, would be arranged here."

Allen softly smiled but that smile soon broke as he presented the biggest hurdle, "Master Richard, I must tell you that I am only twenty years old and new to magic. That's why I still haven't gained free command over my spells."

Richard frowned, "What do you mean by that?"

Allen heaved a weary sigh and responded, "If I fall asleep or get separated from the dome, I might lose the connection and even a few seconds without the dome can risk-"

"I will make sure that you neither sleep nor have to leave this room." Lilia firmly stated, "Young master, please be rest assured "

Richard heaved a long sigh before nodding, "I will be relying on you, Lilia. Although I have not notified anyone about my mother's condition some people may come to meet her or see her, that's why I will give you an official letter of refusal to show them."

"Understood."

Once said and done, Richard went to his mother's office to write the formal notice and also...a letter for Amelia.

While he was seated and writing he asked the system, "Can I know about Earth, now? I think I have reached enough quest points for that."

There was a long pause from the other end, and since Richard was writing the notice, he didn't ask again.

Finally, there was an answer,

[...Dark Star appeared on Earth after the Host's disappearance. If the apocalypse hadn't descended earlier, no human would have remained alive, host.]

Richard raised his brows, "Why is that?"

[The information is not within the system's reach.]

"Thought so." Richard didn't show any disappointment or anger. He was already too occupied with what he had to do and his plans to mind these small pieces of information which he would eventually discern.

He knows that he is being unfair to Amelia by just writing a letter to her, but he can't meet her to say goodbye. He had to make this decision.

Once he was done writing both of the writings, he got up and asked the system, "I hope my system panel is ready, "

While exiting the office, he growled, "Because I am going on a serious level-up quest."

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Inside the bedroom, Allen was currently reading a book while snacking over bread sticks which Lilia baked for him and Richard. But naturally, Richard didn't eat anything. He doesn't feel the appetite to have anything right now.

Lilia had her head resting on her master's shoulder while their hands remained connected.

No words traveled between them yet Lilia felt those last moments of peace before her master left.

*CLINK*

Richard raised his brows while Lilia's grip tightened around his hand upon seeing the headmaster entering the room.

"You are early?" Richard asked, but not like he was against it. He has to leave; the earlier, the better.

Marcus nodded as he said, "I have to tell you a few things and warn you about a few things."

He invited the duo towards the tea table. Allen was uninvited but he still went, curious to know what it was about.

Marcus didn't mind his presence because the man had already read Allen's mind and went through his memories. And all Marcus felt was pity for the young man.

The oldest one in the room spread a map on the table showing a massive tower of about ten floors.

Richard intently studied the map as he heard the old man saying, "Each floor contains criminals of varying levels. Based on their strength and skills they are positioned from the base to the top. Their crime becomes insignificant after reaching there, that's why this strength based hierarchy was set up."

Looking at Richard seriously, Marcus said, "Don't forget your goal to slaughter criminals, not to pursue the stronger ones. So start from the base floor and if you can accomplish your goal by one or maybe two floors, you don't need to go up."

Richard nodded, "I understand and it's not like I can let my gaze waver from my goal because of the adrenaline rush."

Marcus's gaze softened, "I hope you do that."

Returning to the map, he said, "Now, every thirty days, someone comes for the maintenance check; you need to remain lowkey and hidden around that time. If one of those officers got suspicious of you carrying the mark of evil, you would be sent to a room which every criminal, despite their rank and floor, fears to get into."

Lilia shivered and looked at Richard in panic.

Richard had a frown, as he asked, "But...if I keep on killing others, won't I get unnecessary attention even from those officers?"

Marcus shook his head, "They don't care about prisoners fighting and killing each other; just don't get on their nerves and do whatever they ask you to. If they say kneel, you kneel, understand?"

Richard stiffly nodded; inwardly wishing that he doesn't come across those wardens.

Heaving a sigh, Marcus added, "You also have to shave your head and do something about your eyes. They are quite peculiar."

Richard was unsure, "No spell would last long for two years, sir."

Marcus shook his head, "Don't worry about that; as I said, time travels very strangely in that realm. When you return, your head will remain shaved, and any spell inflicted on you will be in effect for those two years."

Richard nodded and told Lilia, "Lili, if you may?"

Lilia, with a pained look, nodded and went to the bathroom to bring a razor and other things to trim her master's beautiful hair.

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A/N:- Thanks for reading.