Living As the Villainess Queen (Web Novel KR)-Chapter 420.2

After that encounter, Mara began to visit the small, remote village where the girl lived. During one of his visits, he saved the villagers from a lark’s attack during its active phase, earning their reverence as the village’s guardian deity. Seeing their struggles with food shortages, Mara often hunted animals and left the prey for them, ensuring they had enough to eat.

The more time Mara spent with the villagers, the more his faith in Mahar wavered. Contrary to Mahar’s warnings, humans were neither cunning nor threatening. They were fragile, pure, and full of warmth. Through Jera, a friend who shared emotions—a concept foreign in the cold, predatory world Mara had known—he discovered the joy of living.

Yet, Mara’s growing doubts about Mahar should have made him more cautious. Mahar, perceptive as ever, began to notice Mara’s frequent outings and prolonged absences. Suspicion took root.

Then, one day, it happened. Inquisitors, armed with an execution order, arrived in the village Mara had come to treasure.

While Mara was lost in old memories, the elders’ story drew to a close.

"The grudge… it wasn’t a lie," Aldrit murmured. Mara had once confided in him about holding a deep-seated grudge against the monster of the Holy City. At the time, Aldrit hadn’t fully believed him.

But now, hearing about Mara’s precious friends and how they were all lost to that monster, Aldrit felt the weight of it. The revelation that a lark and humans could share such a profound bond shocked him. It made him question the long-held prejudice that larks were inherently harmful to humans.

"We agreed to help with the revenge in exchange for sanctuary. Back then, it felt like the righteous thing to do—to take down the monster deceiving the world. But…"

One of the elders trailed off, letting out a bitter chuckle.

"We were young back then. The power gap was so vast that a direct confrontation was hopeless."

"So you helped Mara use sorcery?" Aldrit asked hesitantly.

"That creature was using human methods. We thought the only way to counter it was to fight with human methods."

"…But there were innocent victims caught in the cult Mara created," Aldrit said, his voice heavy with disapproval.

The elders sighed deeply, their expressions shadowed with regret.

"That’s something we can’t excuse," one admitted. "The cult was a ruse to divert the monster’s attention from us."

Hearing this revelation, Aldrit’s gaze faltered.

"If Mara hadn’t created the cult to deceive it, the monster would have discovered long ago that we were aiding him," another elder explained.

"We still failed to deceive it completely, and our clan began to be hunted," a third added.

"Even if we had stopped midway, that ruthless creature wouldn’t have relented. It would have wiped us out."

"Why didn’t you tell me all of this from the start?" Aldrit’s voice wavered. "You said it was just for sanctuary, so I…"

"We thought that reason alone was enough for you to decide whether to maintain the sorcery," one elder replied solemnly. "We didn’t want you to feel burdened by the terrifying fight we started. But now… I don’t know. Maybe we should’ve told you everything."

Aldrit fell silent, closing his eyes as the weight of their words settled over him.

Though the elders had initiated the battle, the choice to continue it had been made by their descendants. Aldrit felt ashamed of the resentment he had harbored toward them. Yet, he couldn’t ignore the flicker of pride stirring within him.

When the monster of the Holy City roamed freely, deceiving the world at will, their clan had stood against it—fighting an isolated, lonely battle.

“We’ve arrived.”

Aldrit startled and looked up, his gaze piercing the dark void surrounding them.

"We’re at the Holy City?"

The long story had engrossed him so thoroughly that he’d lost track of time. By his reckoning, only a few hours should have passed.

“Not the Holy City.”

"Then where?"

“Aldrit, go fetch the Anika of the kingdom.”

Aldrit stiffened, his voice betraying disbelief. "…Surely not the Hashi Kingdom?"

Even if it was the Hashi Kingdom, the speed at which they had crossed the vast distance from their refuge was astonishing—unreal, even. But that wasn’t the most pressing matter. Discover more novels at ɴovelfire.net

"What are you planning? Weren’t you supposed to seek help from the sorcerer of the Holy City?"

“If I go straight to the Holy City, the kings will all rush to capture me.”

"You haven’t even tried talking to them!"

“I don’t trust them. That’s why I need insurance.”

Aldrit’s frown deepened. "Insurance? Are you calling Her Majesty ‘insurance’? Are you planning to take her to the Holy City? That’s absurd!"

“And if it is? Will you stand idly by and watch as all the elders die here? Your ancestors gave up everything for their descendants. Don’t hesitate—go quickly. There’s no time.” 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Aldrit’s breath caught. He struggled to respond. At that moment, a faint light pierced the pitch-black darkness in the distance, catching his eye. His gaze wavered as he grappled with the weight of the decision before him.