Living As the Villainess Queen (Web Novel KR)-Chapter 421.1

Screeeeech!

The giant serpent unleashed a deafening, ear-piercing shriek, writhing violently. Kasser flinched, grimacing as he clutched his ears with both hands. It wasn’t just the volume—it was the harsh, abrasive quality of the sound that burrowed deep into his skull, gnawing at his senses.

He ate the seed!

The moment Kasser swallowed it, the king's Praz fused with the seed, now imbued with Mara’s energy.

Mahar convulsed in agony, his body wracked with pain as though every corner of him were being pierced by sharp thorns. While not fatal, the agony was severe enough that, had Mahar been in his sealed state, the spell would have shattered instantly.

Mahar had never been overly concerned about retrieving the missing seed, dismissing its loss as insignificant.

Among the seeds Mahar had created, the Ramita measurement seed held the faintest energy. Its only purpose was to measure Ramita. Unlike the seeds given to knights, consuming this one had no immediate effect. It would simply crumble to dust and vanish after about a year.

But when consumed by a king, it became something entirely different. The experience was like being struck by the venomous fangs of Praz, the king's unique toxin. Through the seed, the Praz infiltrated the body of the lark, transmitting vital information back to the king, who would use it to locate the core.

The humans Mahar had observed—especially those in positions of power—would never recklessly risk their bodies in such a way. That meant the king had consumed the seed knowingly. And the only one who could have provided such information was Mara. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Mara… You’ve truly gone mad!

Mara’s actions were nothing short of self-sabotage, like exposing his own neck to an enemy’s strike.

Despite Mara’s betrayal—whether through allying with humans or any number of reckless decisions—Mahar had always believed Mara would maintain at least one line of propriety. Not because Mahar trusted him, but because he assumed Mara’s ultimate ambition was to usurp his position.

All of Mara’s methods—seeking the aid of sorcerers, forming cults to deceive humans—were techniques Mahar himself had taught him.

Thus, while Mahar remained wary of Mara, he also held him in contempt, dismissing his schemes with a derisive scoff. Your tricks are nothing more than lessons I’ve imparted to you. No matter how much you struggle, you’re still within the palm of my hand, he had foolishly thought.

Mahar had never imagined that Mara’s actions were fueled by a grudge. Among the lark, survival of the fittest was an instinct, not a matter of emotion. Clinging to feelings was foreign to them.

"Judging by his condition, it does seem effective," Kasser remarked, his voice tinged with uncertainty as he scanned the writhing creature before him.

The sight of the beast, twisting and convulsing, reminded him of a worm tossed onto a salt field, evoking a small chuckle from his lips.

As the blinding lights that had been bothering him finally faded, Kasser’s gaze sharpened. He noticed the creature’s scales, shimmering in a breathtaking array of colors. Not only did the hues shift, but the scales themselves seemed to change shades depending on the angle of the reflected light, almost as if the creature were screaming, "I’m a venomous viper!"

"I can’t see it," Kasser muttered, his brow furrowing in frustration.

The creature was too vast, its core likely concealed in a blind spot. Maybe it was hidden in the part of its body still submerged in the pit, or along its underside, or buried deep within its innards. If it was inside, he would have to carve his way in.

***

I have to escape.

Mahar's thoughts were thick with panic as if cold sweat poured down his body. The calm composure he’d maintained moments ago, while plotting his next moves, had completely evaporated. Now, regret consumed him.

I should have created a defensive barrier, broken the sealing spell, and burrowed underground to hide immediately.

To dig deep enough to conceal his massive form, the ground would have to be softer, but the strata around the palace were unforgivingly solid.

Magical beasts grew stronger and larger with age. It was inevitable that Mahar’s true form, buried beneath the palace, had grown significantly over the years. To maintain the palace’s stability, the land beneath had to be firm—an area carefully chosen for its strength. Who would have thought that this prudent decision would later turn into his greatest obstacle?

Reducing his size wasn’t an option either. If he did, his core would be exposed before he could even begin to dig. In the end, his only choice was to flee.

Where is it? Where are you?

Even as the cold reality settled in, Mahar couldn’t shake off the last flicker of hope. His eyes darted, strained to detect the direction of Jin.

The water illusions that had once engulfed the capital had vanished, but the scent of Ramita lingered heavily in the air. Humans couldn’t perceive it, but to Mahar, it was so pungent it stung his nostrils. The aroma surrounded him in all directions, making it impossible to pinpoint the source. Frustration and unease gnawed at him relentlessly.

I’ll get out of here and head to the plaza.

With a growl, Mahar opened his jaws wide and lunged toward the Fourth King. Kasser’s eyes narrowed as he tightened his grip on his sword. Blue energy crackled around the blade, ready for the strike. But then, Mahar suddenly veered off, shifting direction in an instant.

The serpent’s scales shimmered, creating hypnotic optical illusions. The fluid, undulating movements mimicked the posture of an attack, throwing the kings into a momentary hesitation. Seizing the opportunity, Mahar darted toward the spot where the Dark King’s energy emanated, slipping through the gap with ruthless precision.

— Dark King, the treasure is all yours.

Mahar’s words echoed in his mind as he recalled the deal he’d just made with the Dark King. The brief hesitation from the kings would be his opportunity to exploit. New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on n͟o͟v͟e͟l͟f͟i͟r͟e͟.net

Come. Come at me. Pered's lips curled into a sinister smile as he stepped forward.

The moment Riner realized the monster was attempting to flee, he sprang into action. Without a second thought, he leapt into the gaping pit where the creature had been buried.