The Villainess Whom I Had Served for 13 Years Has Fallen

TLed by NolepGuy

Chapter 21

Inside the dimly lit cathedral.

Since it was untouched by human hands, the walls were covered in green moss, and water drops dripped from the ceiling.

The atmosphere felt like a ghost could appear at any moment.

I should sleep next to the Young Lady when I get home.

“Hey, Malik.”

“Call me Lord Malik.”

“Then, Malik.”

“?”

Malik glared at me at my shortened tone.

My shallow pride wouldn’t allow me to address him as “Lord.” I didn’t even use honorifics for the Young Lady, so why should I call you “Lord”?

A cocky supporting male lead suited informal speech more than honorifics.

I lightly ignored Malik, who was glaring at me as if annoyed, and spoke of my fear, trembling.

“Why did you call me here at such a dead of night? It’s terrifying.”

“We need to avoid people’s eyes. If a civilian were to find out, it would ruin my image.”

“Still, coming to an abandoned cathedral at such a dead of night is a bit scary.”

“Endure it. That’s why you’re being paid a lot.”

Indeed.

Because the boss told me to shut up.

All my doubts were resolved.

A boss who solves everything with money.

I wanted to see that face for a long time.

Money is truly powerful.

Thinking of my soon-to-be-bulging wallet, I gripped my sword.

“Is Pascal here?”

“After the incident, I immediately assigned surveillance. He’s probably been here for about three days.”

“Hmm… Certainly…”

This place suits Pascal’s taste.

In the novel, Pascal liked caves where sunlight didn’t reach or gloomy places. Especially since Pascal’s main ability was dark magic, it might be natural.

Dark magic, as a type of magic, exerts stronger power in darkness.

Crossing the cathedral’s main entrance.

As we entered the chapel, we brushed away the cobwebs filling the building and slowly stepped inside.

The moment we stepped on the chapel’s main door.

“Be careful.”

I grabbed the collar of Malik, who was leading the way, and yanked him back.

Thud.

“What are you doing…?”

Fallen, Malik glared at me fiercely. Instead of answering, I pointed at the chapel door with my finger.

Black arrows were embedded in the door, piercing through the wall.

Gulp.

Malik swallowed hard.

He couldn’t say a word.

If I had been a bit slower, his dream of becoming the head of the family would have ended, and he’d be ascending to heaven.

“Patron, get a grip.”

“…My apologies.”

Malik quickly admitted his mistake.

He felt ashamed for falling into a trap a novice might fall for and for receiving my help.

Without making excuses, Malik placed his hand on the sword handle, ready to draw it at any moment.

He seemed much better than his earlier, careless self.

“I’ll open the door.”

Confirming Malik’s determination, I grabbed the chapel’s doorknob.

-Creeeeak.

Inside the chapel, a giant statue of the goddess welcomed us with raised arms.

The combination of the cobweb-filled chandelier and the moonlight streaming through the collapsed ceiling was quite beautiful, but—

“The statue has no face.”

The lack of expression on the smooth-faced goddess statue ruined the mood.

A chilling atmosphere began to engulf the chapel.

Starting with the expressionless goddess statue.

The completely empty chapel chairs.

It felt like someone might be there.

The atmosphere made it seem as though a ghost could jump out from behind.

Malik walked briskly to the center of the chapel without a hint of fear.

“Did he run away after all?”

Malik muttered softly.

“I don’t think so.”

I answered his words with a brief denial.

For someone who values art, it’s hard to imagine him abandoning such a perfect location.

A place where he could hide bodies.

A place ideal for creating a grim atmosphere.

Especially knowing Pascal’s preferences, I couldn’t believe he’d abandon this place.

Pascal was obsessed with desecrating the sacred.

In the novel, he turned priests and sisters into his art pieces. A place like this would drive him wild.

I stared intently at the empty pulpit.

The pulpit where the pastor gives sermons.

Now, it was welcoming us with a goddess statue resembling an egg ghost, but usually, it was the site of the most active divine work.

I lightly swung my sword toward the goddess statue.

The sword energy silently slashed through, cutting the statue with a sharpening sound.

Malik shouted in irritation at my unilateral action.

“What are you doing?”

“I thought he might be there.”

“Who?”

“Pascal. He’s there.”

-Kikikikik… Oh dear, I’ve been discovered.

A familiar laugh came from behind the severed goddess statue.

Malik quickly drew his sword.

“Who are you!”

“Who else? It’s Pascal.”

Don’t get worked up.

Didn’t you hear what I said earlier?

A black silhouette slowly emerged from behind the goddess statue. Just like in our first encounter, he held two daggers in a reverse grip, resembling a familiar insect.

I took a step back.

Deciding to observe for now.

Malik, as if understanding my intent, also began to distance himself from Pascal.

Pascal let out a small laugh.

“Welcome to my exhibition.”

The mantis bowed politely. His gentlemanly mannerisms resembled a male mantis courting a female.

I raised my hand to question him.

“I didn’t come to see an insect exhibition.”

Pascal quickly raised his head.

Perhaps it was the voice of a benefactor.

His wide-eyed gaze at me was filled with delight.

“Why are you here?”

He rubbed his eyes.

“Huh?”

He rubbed them again.

“What?”

It seemed he didn’t know I was here.

The moment he saw my face hidden in the darkness.

-Bang!

Black Arrows loomed before my eyes.

[‘Dark Magic Resistance’ cancels out Pascal’s magic.]

“No matter how happy you are to see me, responding like this is a bit troublesome.”

“You… it really is you? I thought it was a dream.”

“I thought it was a dream too. Missing you would’ve been quite problematic.”

Hoo. Pascal let out a Deep Sigh.

He exhaled deeper than a man who had smoked for decades.

“Do you know how much my perfect art was ruined because of you?”

“Perhaps it improved?”

When I answered with sarcasm, Pascal’s Voice grew increasingly agitated.

“Improved? Did you just say improved?”

“Yes.”

“…You bastard.”

Pascal gave no reply.

Perhaps he hadn’t fully realized the Truth yet.

I spoke to him with a faint sense of pity.

“Are you still hiding the Mirror? I may not be confident in plastic surgery, but I think I can turn you into a stag beetle, which is at least better than a mantis.”

“…Are you joking with me right now?”

“Oh…! Don’t scowl! You look like a mantis, and it’s disgusting.”

Bang…!

Once again, Black Arrows flew at me, but they still didn’t work on me.

“What on earth are you! Magic doesn’t work on you…! Even Dark Magic doesn’t work. Are you a Monster?”

Malik also looked at me with eyes full of agreement.

A body immune to magic? Such a Monster couldn’t exist. But seeing my calm demeanor, Malik couldn’t hide his confusion.

“Who are you, really? Are you a vampire or part of a dragon race?”

“No. I’m just an ordinary Butler.”

“A guy capable of this is a Butler?”

Isn’t making this possible what a Possessor does?

I kindly explained to Malik in Histania’s way of thinking.

“It’s Talent. Overwhelming Talent.”

Malik glared at me with eyes full of resentment, but I simply shrugged in response.

“Don’t act so smug.”

“Yes.”

Kugugugu….

Darkness began to settle in the Cathedral.

Pascal’s anger seemed to pierce the heavens.

“Don’t… ignore me.”

A dark aura began to coat Pascal’s Dagger.

It seemed he was about to showcase his Mantis Fist in earnest.

I jabbed Malik in the Side.

“It’s coming now. Get ready.”

“Alright.”

“Don’t let your guard down.”

With Pascal’s current level of Martial Arts, how strong could he be? Perhaps as strong as Hanna, who had awakened her Aura.

The strength of Aura was absolute.

It could cut through anything.

If an Aura User could unleash explosive power, they might be on par with the current Pascal.

Of course, when he was known as the Archbishop of Madness, he was stronger than both me and Hanna. But during his days as an Adventurer Hunter, Pascal was someone Malik could reasonably contend with.

Perhaps Malik even had a chance of winning. If he knew how to counter Dark Magic, that is.

The scariest part of Dark Magic was its unpredictability.

You could tell just by looking at the Young Lady’s Brainwashing magic.

Since I knew the Novel’s plot, I could anticipate what kind of Dark Magic Pascal would use and what his weaknesses were. But for ordinary people, they’d be caught off guard and defeated instantly.

Unlike ordinary magic.

Fire Magic would bring heat and explosions.

Ice-based spells would deliver cold and aggressive constructs.

Wind-based spells would involve sharp attacks, but Dark Magic was different.

It could have corrosive effects.

It could be a Curse.

It could create unforeseen variables.

It was extremely tricky to deal with.

That didn’t mean Dark Magic was the strongest.

Even the Master of the Magic Tower or Desmond’s family head possessed magic that could crush Dark Sorcerers.

A Meteor spell or freezing the surroundings would annihilate even the most skilled Dark Sorcerer.

Dark Magic was simply easier to learn and produced stronger effects compared to ordinary magic.

But with great power always came a price.

The Risk of failure was also extremely high.

Just like with the Young Lady.

As with any field.

The one who excels is the strongest.

The one with Talent becomes the victor.

In conclusion, Pascal was still immature.

Before Pascal fully delved into the Heretics, Malik could defeat him with some support.

I waited patiently for Malik’s battle.

How far could Malik go now? When would I need to step in? I pondered deeply.

Malik’s shoulders were trembling.

He seemed scared of Pascal’s madness.

“How about it? Do you think you can do it?”

“…Of course, I can.”

I provoked Malik.

Hoping that his passive nature would turn into excitement and help him relax.

“Really? Against that guy?”

Pascal, glaring fiercely.

He was staring straight at us.

“Give Up. Hanna might be able to do it, but Malik? Impossible.”

“I can do it.”

“Are you planning to die and not pay me my commission?”

“Shut up.”

Malik glared at me.

He seemed to have resolved himself.

“Histania never breaks a Promise once made…”

“Considering what you showed Hanna, that’s a bit….”

“I just have to keep it from now on.”

Malik briskly walked into the chapel.

-Bang!

Black Arrows burst through the wall.

Malik simply dodged them with a slight tilt of his head.

“That mantis bastard….”

“Why do you also call me a mantis!”

“Well, because you resemble a mantis… Sorry. I shouldn’t mock someone for the face they were born with.”

Malik closed his mouth.

“You too… Let me turn you into my masterpiece.”

Pascal’s body soared like a mantis.