Reborn As The Villain-Chapter 345: SS - 27: Rest First, Revenge Later

Kohana didn't know what happened after she lost consciousness. She only remembered being lifted, cradled in strong arms, before darkness pulled her under.

When she woke up, the world felt distant. The room was dimly lit, its shadows stretching long across the walls. The air was thick with the scent of aged wood and faint traces of incense. The muffled noise outside—the distant clatter of armor, hushed voices—told her the fighting had stopped.

She blinked, adjusting to the dim glow of the lantern flickering beside the bed. Next to the lantern were several empty potion bottles.

This room...

Slowly, she sat up, her fingers sinking into the silk sheets. The heavy curtains, the ornate wooden dresser, the lacquered wardrobe—it was all the same.

Nothing has changed.

This was her parents' bedroom.

How long has it been since she was in this room?

A memory washed over her.

She remembered a chilly night, curled up under these very blankets, snuggled against her father's warmth. His voice, deep and steady, wove stories of the great Martial Gods—their trials, their triumphs, their unwavering resolve.

"A true warrior does not wield strength for destruction, but to protect."

That was what he had told her, stroking her hair as her eyelids grew heavy.

After her mother's death, these nights became routine. She had slipped into his bed every evening, burying herself against him, afraid that if she let go, he would disappear too.

And then, one morning, she woke up alone.

The sheets were cold beside her.

The halls outside had been filled with hurried footsteps, frantic voices. Servants rushed past, their expressions tense, their gazes avoiding hers. Martial warriors in dark robes lined the corridors, their presence suffocating.

Kohana had been too young to understand.

She had searched for him, calling his name. Tugging at sleeves.

"Where is Father?"

Someone finally answered.

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"An emergency request. The border."

That was the last time she saw him.

The whispers followed soon after. The ones she wasn't meant to hear.

Ko's massacre had already begun. It didn't start in this empire—it started across the border, in a neighboring town. Thousands dead. No ransom, no demands. Just bodies left in his wake.

And among them—

Her father.

Her heart clenched. She squeezed her eyes shut, willing herself not to cry.

It's been five years.

Five years since he was taken from her. Five years since she had last heard his voice, felt the warmth of his arms around her.

And now... the very people her family had protected for centuries refused to even listen to her.

She had poured her heart out, pleaded with them, tried to reassure them that Ko would never haunt them again. She only wanted them to see—I am not your enemy.

But they hadn't.

Maybe it was the way she arrived. The way it must have looked as if she had stood with Funiji. The timing had been too cruel. Too damning.

She could have explained. If only they had let her. If only they had believed in her, not went straight to punching her in the face.

A choked sound escaped her lips.

She pressed her hands to her face, trying to suppress the sobs wracking her body.

The tears came regardless. Silent weeping turned into shaking, gasping sobs.

She clutched the sheets, knuckles white. Then, without thinking, she swung her fist.

The pillow crumpled beneath the blow. But it wasn't enough.

She hit it again. And again.

Her breath came in ragged gasps. Then she screamed.

A raw, broken sound ripped from her throat, filling the room, bouncing off the walls.

She screamed until her voice cracked, until her chest ached, until there was nothing left inside her but emptiness.

And then... silence.

She slumped forward, forehead pressed against the mattress, shoulders trembling.

While her head was facing the nightstand next to the bed, she noticed a knife lying next to cut-up apples. Slowly, she crawled out of bed and grabbed the knife. Her whole body was trembling but strangely enough the hand gripping the knife, did not.

Lifting the knife, it was inches away from her throat.

Then suddenly it fell down after she recalled Rasuke's face if he were to find out that the person he looked up to the most killed herself. Immediately, the tears started to flow again.

◊◊

As the battle far east of here began to slow down, the blue robed individuals retreated, only a few casualties resulting from their ambush.

In comparison, more than half of the palace guards were killed and two Inner Martials were killed by Chief Soryu, who was at his last legs so Rasuke had to help him escape.

The crowd, still terrified at the scene left behind by the assailants, were escorted out of the palace by the guards once they confirmed it was safe.

Besides Nova murdering a bunch of people in the banquet hall and some being trampled to death in this crowd during the frenzy, only a small percentage of common folk were injured, mostly from stray throwables, tools, and even falling over each other.

"—Your Majesties."

Ruria appeared in Sing's room, finding the mother and daughter huddled together on the bed. The windows were barricaded—not that it would make a difference. The barrier in this room extended even to the balcony. But Ruria couldn't blame them for their caution.

"Lily—"

"—I'm sorry." Before Zhoming could say anything, Ruria lowered her head. "Miss Lian and I are involved in the Revolution."

The words landed like a thunderclap. Zhoming's breath hitched. Without hesitation, she grabbed the fruit knife from the table, stepping in front of Sing.

"M-Mommy, she's going to hurt us, isn't she...?" Sing sobbed, clinging desperately to her mother's dress.

"I will protect you, my sweet girl." Zhoming's voice wavered, but her grip on the knife remained firm. She gently placed a hand over Sing's trembling fingers, offering what little reassurance she could.

"I am not here to hurt you..." Ruria spoke softly, cautiously, as if any sudden movement would shatter the fragile trust in the air. She reached for the hem of her maid dress, lifting it slightly to reveal the leotard hugging her thighs. Then, one by one, she unfastened her utility belt and let it drop to the floor with a dull thud. Her hidden weapons followed—daggers, vials, throwing needles—all tossed aside.

"Stay back!"

"Do you want me to strip naked to prove I have no weapons?" Her voice held frustration now, but her posture remained open, non-threatening.

"W-What do you want from us?! Where is my husband?!"

"—Your husband is alive but barely breathing."

The voice came from the door.

Zhoming flinched, spinning toward the sound. Sing gasped, burying herself further behind her mother.

A tall figure leaned lazily against the doorframe, arms crossed, a smirk playing on her lips.

"L-Lady Mian Xi...?" Sing's small voice was laced with confusion.

"You?" Ruria's body tensed. In a flash, she grabbed her utility belt, fingers wrapping around the hilt of a dagger.

"Oh, don't give me that look." Mian Xi stepped forward, unconcerned by the hostility. "Just like you, I'm not here to harm anyone. Oh, and my master is looking for the book." She puffed out her chest as if expecting applause.

Ruria narrowed her eyes. "Lian has it. Wait—what do you mean by your master...?"

A sick feeling twisted in her gut. Was she working for Funiji? Had he somehow uncovered everything?

"Ara, do you not know?" Mian Xi's smirk widened. "I am now Lord Nova's subordinate. The first member of his organization tasked with killing Oriel!"

"WHAT!?"

The words burst out before Ruria could stop herself.

Zhoming and Sing exchanged a glance.

"Since when!? How even!?" Ruria's thoughts reeled. Just yesterday, they had been fighting!

Who is Oriel even, was what she was about to asked before Mian Xi replied:

"Forget the details, Thief." Mian Xi waved a dismissive hand. "I received a transmission from Master. He wants me to take the former princess and empress to the City Square, where the gallows are."

Silence fell.

Zhoming's fingers twitched against the knife's handle.

Sing whimpered, her grip tightening on her mother's dress.

It... It couldn't be that, right?

**

Kohana stood on the edge of the balcony.

During her youth, she used to watch the festivals and lively city from this very balcony.

-"I will rule these people someday." Used to bring her so much joy.

The expectations of the people, the responsibilities as Emperor, and the hope as a leader to her people—she wanted to answer them all and exceeded what was expected of her.

During her sleepless nights preparing for the eventual Revolution, she never once hesitated or got cold feet. But maybe it was due to how fast everything was going that she thought she couldn't face the road ahead? Or was it merely Arnold's presence in this situation that unintentionally made her want to rely on him?

The ferocious battle that will be sung in legends even a thousand years from now, calmed down and the earth stopped trembling.

To think, a man more powerful than Ko Johun was on their side and never once had he expressed the desire to trample on them as Ko did. Would things have been the same if the book wasn't the reason he was here?

Maybe to others but Kohana believed Arnold isn't someone who just becomes evil for his own enjoyment. As someone who has read many stories about heroic martials—even wishing she could be embraced by such a powerful man—she knew firsthand what it takes to bring a man to change so much that he seeks to destroy and trample upon others.

But that doesn't mean it's justified.

She doesn't know what man Arnold will become in the future but for now she'll believe he was the better of the two evils.

"—The fight is over, Empress."

"Eh?" hearing that voice, Kohana turned around, seeing Arnold standing there still in Funiji's robes.

Only Arnold stood there. Not even her brother was here for her, which left her feeling a little empty.

She tried to be happy and smile but after what happened, she couldn't even do that to show her savior how grateful she was.

Silently, he approached her. she thought he was about to hug her, to comfort her, which she desperately wanted right now... But he leaned on the balcony.

A sigh came out of him, one to express his exhaustion. He didn't seem to be injured from a glance but the robes were quite tattered.

"Do you want to know why Ko destroyed the five great sects and killed your father?"

"I... I don't know..."

"I see. I'll tell you anyway... He did it all for power."

"What do you mean...?"

"The Death God bestows wishes to mortals who bring him offerings. You don't need to go to the River of Souls for this. All you need to do is slaughter about a thousand people and call out his name while covered in their blood. If you don't pledge the dead to him, then the souls of the dead will get lost in the River of Souls, meaning he won't be able to use the souls for his own benefit. He is only a guardian of the river and benefits from its power but to him power isn't what he wants."

Kohana silently listened to Arnold.

"He can't influence the real world—just like any other god besides the Goddess of Fate who controls and sees every event in our lives. Without this, he can't take people's souls from them. But he can let others do it for him and in return he gives them power. But this power triggers destiny because the person looking for this power did not get it naturally, only through death of others. You could call fate a road that plans out your whole life but one side dirt road can disturb the peace. If you walk through that road alone—meaning if you make a wish for your own benefit—then your vision will be darkened. But if you walk with others behind you, then their vision will be darkened. The thing is that you can't look back if those people behind you fall into a pit of spikes or take a wrong turn and walk into a horde of monsters that end up killing them. Ko wished for power to protect others. And this is what took away his one motivation to finding more strength."

What would be so precious to him that he would sacrifice thousands for his selfish wish for strength...?

"I won't talk about Ko as if I understand him because I would never seek strength to protect others, only myself. If I did... I'd be just like Arthur."

The railing he was gripping crumbled in his hand like sand. His expression was composed but his trembling hand told a different story.

Kohana timidly placed her hand above his. Even in this moment, standing beside the man who saved her nation, she was trembling.

Arnold just continued talking, "...The consequences that resulted from that war is why he sought even more strength and an army strong enough to aid him. But this would've changed nothing because he was still selfish and would've sacrificed more lives just for his goal. It is also due to this," Arnold stood back up, "—why I must kill him."

"W-What?"

"He wants to offer the souls of dragon lords to the to the Death God. You should know that even a billion mortal souls isn't worth even one Dragon Lord's soul. If there is really no limit to how much power the Death God can you give then Ko would've become an unstoppable force."

Just killing Suarif Elipis alone wouldn't create as big a problem as killing more than half of them and taking away the surviving one's soul.

All leaving one survivor will do is place a bandage over a severed arm.

"No way... he wants more strength...? How could anyone ever hope to beat him if he went through with that... Y-You said you want to kill him but what about the person we talked about...?"

"We still need him for Funiji. I hear Funiji's army is tenfold what Ko possesses, right? I'm not going to war with that many armies when all I came here to do was to get that book."

He continued, changing the subject. "Another thing..."

"Ko is at the gallows in the City Square."

Kohana gulped.

A day she never thought would come... A day where Ko will be on his knees, his head seconds away from rolling.

It was a day she dreamt of many times but it always seemed so far away.

"Put on some clothes and I'll take you there. As the Empress of this empire and the head of the Zhurosan Family, you should be there to witness the execution."

"...." Kohana lowered her head.

"...I know what happened at the banquet hall. They didn't welcome you with open arms."

"..."

The two of them stared at each other. Kohana's eyes began tear up. She gripped the hem of her night gown, the tears silently falling. In an attempt to hide them, she turned around and began to furiously wipe her face.

Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to bring that up...

Just when he was about to say he'll give her some time and postpone Ko's execution, she turned around.

"—Lord Arnold!" then suddenly she grabbed his hand, "Please marry me and become this nation's Emperor!"

"W-What?"

Even he was taken aback by this sudden "request" of hers. She quickly took off her robes and showed him her naked body, a beautiful and supple youthful form that glistened in the moonlight.

"As your wife, I promise to serve you until my dying breath, to follow every order, listen to all your troubles and help you fix them, bear strong children who you can be proud of—"

"Princess—" before he could get a word in, she put her arms around him.

"With you, they will kneel. With you, I won't be weak. With you, I'll have the strength to continue on this path as Empress...!"

"What will you do if I refuse? Kill yourself?"

Her breath hitched in her throat.

"...Arnold." She looked up at him with red-rimmed eyes. "Please. Stay with me."

Instead of answering her, he closed his eyes for a second and sighed softly before looking behind her and calling out—

"Mian Xi."

"Yes, My Master." Mian, now dressed in her usual purple attire that exposed more than even the attire of a high-class courtesan, appeared out of thin air.

"E-Eh? The lady who was in the tournament?" Kohana looked between the two in confusion.

"You swore to devote yourself to me, right?"

"Arnold...?"

"Yes, what you have given me is worth more than any reward in the entire nine realms. Simply teaching you my martial art was not enough to repay such a gift."

"You made an oath to me—what was it?"

"I swore to serve you until I help you defeat the Failed King, Demon Lord Oriel and take his soul from your body."

"And you are willing to do anything until that day comes?"

"Yes, if you wish for my arm, then I will cut it off. If you wish for my body, then I shall give it to you. If you wish to use my womb, then I shall bear your children. If you want me to humiliate myself naked in the streets of Zhurosan then I shall do it without hesitation."

"That pleases me."

A smile appeared on Mian Xi's beautiful face.

"Mian Xi, I have two tasks for you and expect you to follow them without complaint."

"Yes."

"First." Arnold looked down at Kohana who was still clutching his hand, "You will serve Kohana and offer her guidance. As someone who has lived hundreds of years, you should have some wisdom to share. You will listen to each and every one of her orders and you will kill those who want to harm her."

"As you command, My Master."

"Second, you will look through all the dungeons and relic tombs that Ko sealed off and search for Cardinal Artifacts and magical artifacts crafted by Goddess Urion."

"Yes."

Since she's a Yokai, she should be able to split up her physical form at the cost of reducing her powers. On one hand, she can protect Kohana and on the other, she can look for artifacts.

Goddess Urion was one of the most prominent magicians in the Divine Realm's history and has crafted many artifacts specifically suited for magicians. Her creations were also his max level equipment in the game.

Arnold still hasn't given up on magic. He'll get that intelligent stat no matter what.

"When the time comes for us to face Oriel, I will come get you. Until then, you will stay by Kohana's side."

"As you command, My Master."

"Dismissed." She disappeared without a word as soon as he dismissed her.

Feeling the princess—no, Empress—squeezing his hand, he looked down at her, "I will not stay here in this world now that I've found what I've been looking for."

"...You're mean..." the Empress bopped her head on his chest.

"All the people are gathering in the City Square. We need to hurry before your brother gets impatient and cuts off Ko's head."

"Right... Please give me a few minutes..."

Soon, Kohana let go of him and silently picked up her nightdress and gown before retreating back inside.

"Ahhh.... This journey finally came to an end after so long." Arnold said that but he was barely gone a month in his world. It felt as long as a year, though.

He had met the cold elf, Rafaela. Then the Ice Mage Queen, Siana, and her army. He had fought a demigod-level threat and miraculously won using a power meant for nothing more than deflecting arrows.

After that, he obtained the relic Gergois, a tool capable of utilizing runes to enhance abilities and heal its wearer.

Then came Gederick, the one who could track him by scent alone. Their battle had nearly ended in his demise—until a dungeon storm pulled him away to safety.

And then... he reunited with Arthur and the others. That almost ended in the largest genocide known to both mankind and godkind, had Madilith not been killed.

-"Will you truly kill Arthur once you find him, Master?"

"Since when can you talk?" he looked down at Luxtivin.

-"The human form allowed me to control my vocal cords."

"That doesn't make any sense..." thinking back to Luxtivin's question—

"I want to. But how will I face Anais again after I kill her brother? She won't forgive me for killing the man she loves and the brother she grew up with."

-"Why do you care what she thinks of you? Are you afraid she may take revenge? She is no threat to the strongest human in the realms."

"I know that."

But that doesn't eliminate her eventual [Death Flag]. Arnold wants to avoid collecting those.

-"What if she tries to stop you?"

"I don't know..."

-"I can feel that you will not be able to go through with killing her so why not overwrite that love she has for her brother? Make her depend on you more, make her want to defend you more, give her more attention than her brother ever will, create a rift between the two that creates a distance that will only expand..."

"...."

-"Well, I will not attempt to put you on the spot. You have more than enough time at your leisure so relax for now and we can continue this conversation again."

The sword went silent.

Right, he had time to relax now. Leave Arthur for when he's had some rest.

What else does he have to do after this? There's no way he's doing anything other than resting. Oh, that's right he still has to visit his city for Siana... Caerwyn also wants to cut his hair. What awaits him after his "date" and trip to the barber is a life of relaxation and debauchery.

Just thinking of tearing apart Victoria's clothes and finally seeing her breasts again after so long...

Forcing his lewd thoughts to go away, he reminded him that there were things to wrap up.

And that wasn't just getting the martial book.

Rafaela's face appeared in his mind when he closed his eyes.

"Before I kill Arthur and Suarif Elipus, I'll try living a slow life for now."

The strongest human in all the nine realms, decided from that moment forth, he will take things easy before getting his revenge.