The Villain Dreams Of World Peace

Episode 70: Where Time Stands Still

 

“No thanks! I want to live long and plainly. Why would I willingly work with Muriel Storm?”

 

Debbie snorted coyly, quickly picked up her book, and headed towards her research lab. She walked briskly, but Muriel effortlessly kept up with her. Huh? Debbie tried to speed up, clenching her buttocks, but she was no match. It wasn’t that Muriel was exceptionally fast; it was because Debbie’s stamina was a mess.

 

“It’s an interesting task. It’s meaningful work. No one forced you to come all the way up to the plateau and become a black wizard just to live ‘long and plainly’ right? You want to study useful magic.”

 

“Shut up… Just shut up!”

 

Debbie finally stopped, out of breath, and glared at Muriel with an annoyed expression.

 

“Question. What would happen if we built a monster-infested wall surrounding an abandoned estate due to demons?”

 

Muriel grinned with a funny look that was funny and couldn’t be ignored. Debbie found Muriel’s reaction absurd, but it was also true that she was curious about her words.

 

“What.would.happen?”

 

Debbie groaned and eventually surrendered, shouting in frustration.

 

“Is that the problem?! The real question is how to build that fortress! To protect the entire estate, we would need a massive number of monsters, and it won’t be easy to build a wall that can properly contain all those guys!”

 

“Will it be hard?”

 

“Of course it is! Those monsters were once spirits. If you underestimate their power, the fortress will crumble in an instant. You’ll end up being devoured by the monsters while trying to chase away the demons.”

“Then we need a good wizard, don’t we? For example, someone like you, my lady?”

 

Debbie only then realized that she had been too riled up. Worried that she might stumble into the shallow waters by the words of the blue-haired nymph, she took a deep breath and calmed down.

 

“…What do you mean, ‘my lady’. It’s Debbie Calliger. Just call me Debbie. I’m not some noble, so it’s fine if I just call you Muriel, right? You’ll only be treated as an aristocrat in the kingdom.”

 

“Yeah, Debbie. So, is Debbie a wizard skilled enough to create a magic fortress of monsters?”

 

“Don’t try to flatter me. I won’t be tempted.”

 

“Is it because you’re afraid of Sharan? It’s unfair that you have to hide in the plateau just because you use black magic. Don’t you want to prove that black wizards aren’t followers of darkness or minions of the Demon King?”

 

“Such a thing… It’s impossible until the Demon King is captured. How can black magic suddenly be accepted in the kingdom when everyone is afraid of the Demon King… I’m gonna die on the plateau. It’s not unfair since I was born here. Rather, It would be more unfair to lose my pacio to the Demon King and die foolishly after making a mistake.”

 

Unintentionally, Muriel glanced at the white furball beside her. She didn’t intend to let Kaiton hear this, but she ended up making him face tiresome prejudice once again.

 

“…The Demon King doesn’t just grab anyone and steal their pacio. Besides, Ur is just an ordinary black wizard. You know that, Debbie.”

 

“Ordinary? He created a magic that can steal pacio as desired. You can’t call that ordinary. It’s because of his overwhelming power that he’s called the Demon King.”

 

“But it wasn’t the current Ur who created the sculpture of Ur, was it?”

 

“Well, that may be true… But isn’t Ur also overwhelmingly powerful now? Do you think it’s easy to split the sculpture into seven pieces?”

 

Muriel glanced at the white beast’s eyes once again. Kaiton was already looking at Muriel. His eyes were cold as if he knew what she was about to say. Although his eyes, which had turned into Fen’s, were blue, Muriel could seem to see Kaiton’s own eyes in them.

 

“If you’re afraid of Kaiton because he has overwhelmingly strong power, then it’s not Kaiton’s fault, but ours. I’m not scared of Kaiton. I think it’s amazing that Kaiton is strong.”

 

Right?

 

Muriel smiled as if seeking approval from Kaiton, but he turned his head away.

Debbie looked at Muriel with a strange expression. Her outstretched finger towards Muriel was trembling slightly, as if she was scared.

 

“Surely, that Kaiton… isn’t the same as the current Ur, right?”

 

“That’s right. That’s Ur’s name. Kaiton Ur. Debbie, I want to give Kaiton Ur a chance. A proper opportunity for Kaiton to fully demonstrate his abilities, rather than being pushed and forced to become a demon king. If such an opportunity arises, Kaiton will definitely choose the right path.”

 

“You’re not saying the Demon King will come forward to save the world, are you?”

 

“Kaiton is strong, so there’s no reason for him to choose a despicable path.”

 

“….”

 

“That’s why I want to make the Ghost Estate into a good place. It will be the beginning of everything. The first step in giving Kaiton Ur a new chance. The first step in dispelling the stigma around black wizards. Won’t you join me?”

 

“…You want me to help Kaiton Ur?”

 

“As long as Kaiton Ur is branded as the Demon King, it’ll be hard for black wizards to be accepted.”

 

Debbie, who received her own words back, stared at Muriel with a disapproving look. After a moment of contemplation, she clicked her tongue and shook her head.

 

“It’s best not to associate with someone who can easily take away someone’s pacio at will. Besides… what about Sharan? Sharan’s entire purpose is to prevent the evil deeds of the Demon King. Do you think that greedy king will give up all the power he has now? Sharan will do whatever it takes to keep Kaiton as the Demon King.”

 

“If it’s that…!”

 

“Muriel Storm. You are confident that Kaiton Ur would choose the right path because he’s strong, right? Likewise, I’m confident that Sharan Kasal, being weak and insignificant, will definitely choose the evil and despicable path. You can never restore the honor of the black wizards.”

 

“Just wait a moment. I have something to say.”

 

There’s a new Sharan!

Unable to say that, Muriel quickly grabbed Debbie and locked eyes with Kaiton, who had his ears perked between the two. Since Fen’s size was large to begin with, she didn’t need to bend down to talk to him.

 

“F-Fen..? Can you wait here for a moment? I’ll go talk to Debbie.”

 

“….”

 

Kaiton approached as if it was impossible and stood next to Muriel.

 

“It’ll only take a moment. Can you wait here for a second?”

“What does a beast understand? Just say it.”

 

Debbie said annoyingly, shaking off the arm held by Muriel. It seemed that she was annoyed that she could not escape Muriel’s grip.

 

“Oh, that’s… Fen understands. He’s pretty smart…”

“Hmph. All owners say that. It’s just a beast. It doesn’t even understand, yet you’re making such a fuss. Let go of me. Either speak quickly or tie it up and leave.”

 

Beast…

 

It was true that Muriel had been treating Kaiton as if he were really Fen, but when saw him being treated like a beast by someone else, she felt guilty for no reason. It was strangely funny, so she felt even more sorry.

 

“Tie him up to that tree and come back later.”

“No, that’s not necessary. Fen will wait outside on his own.”

 

“What? Do you know how many thieves there are in the plateau? If a stranger brings meat to tempt it, it’ll chase after them easily. I’ll cast a spell that only you can undo, so tie him up properly and come back.”

 

“No, it’s really okay!”

 

While Muriel was trying to hold back her laughter, Debbie pushed Muriel’s hand away and approached Kaiton with a rope that had fallen nearby the house.

 

-Crrrrrr

“What the… Muriel, this guy isn’t going to bite all of a sudden, is he? No, hey! Sit! Wait! No, go! I said go!”

Ah… Kaiton.

 

Was he worried he’d be caught if he just up and said ‘Don’t come’? When Muriel saw Kaiton, who couldn’t speak properly and bared his teeth like Fen, she burst into laughter. Sit down. Wait. she couldn’t stand it anymore.

 

“Pahahaha!”

 

Kaiton glared at Muriel with a firm face, but she couldn’t stop laughing. She laughed so hard that she was out of breath and rolled around on the plateau’s cold ground, clutching her aching stomach. The dirty look Kaiton gave Debbie was one that seemed like she’d never forget.

 

“Hehe… Huk… Ah… Hahaha!”

“Why are you laughing? Is it not a dog, but a wolf? W-What’s up?”

 

Debbie asked Muriel, holding the rope awkwardly and pointing it towards her.

 

“Debbie… Debbie… Haah. Khehehe…! Haha. Just come. Fen… needs some alone time now.”

“Even if you won’t know who stole it?”

“Yeah. It’s okay. Fen… you’re okay alone, right? Even if it’s embarrassing, don’t disappear by yourself. You’re Fen right now…”

 

“….”

 

Fen shot Muriel a sharp look and grazed his teeth at her before going under the tree where Debbie had tried to tie him up and laid down. Before that, he didn’t forget to snudge Debbie and make her roll in the snow. Muriel laughed again, thinking that his pained side was just like Fen too.

 

“There’s a new Sharan. One day, when all the preparations are complete, he is the one who will call back all the black wizards into the kingdom.”

 

Muriel went straight to the point as soon as she entered Debbie’s house, without even giving her a chance to catch her breath. It was because knew that Debbie’s heart was already leaning towards her proposition, and she wanted to go and soothe Kaiton, who was struggling with embarrassment alone.

 

“You’ll know when you go to the state. The new Sharan… it’s more accurate to say he’s the real Sharan. His true identity will be an absolute secret until everything is ready, but I’m telling you because you’ll be our comrade.”

 

“Wait, wait. The real Sharan? What are you talking about… Why are you telling me this?”

 

“Because you are not someone who shares our destiny. I can’t ask you to risk your fate when you know nothing, can you? We, you and me, Kaiton and Ondal, are now destined to join forces and do well together.”

 

“Ondal… Who is that?”

 

“Muriel…!”

 

The door swung open, and as if pouring down, a cascade of white hair covered Muriel.

 

“!”

 

Suddenly, Ondal came running and pulled Muriel into his arms. Due to Ondal’s immense strength and the momentum of his charge, Muriel couldn’t overcome the force when they collided and fell backward with Ondal.

 

“Ugh…!”

 

“Muriel… Muriel…”

 

Ondal clung frantically to her as if she were about to disappear. Considering the impact of the fall and Ondal’s powerful embrace that could have snapped her waist due to the shock, Muriel thought it was rather fortunate that she couldn’t feel pain.

 

“How did you end up here… Ondal, what’s wrong? What happened?”

 

Muriel rose as she swept aside Ondal’s cascading white hair from his face. In fact, it would be more accurate to say that she escaped from Ondal’s embrace, as he showed no intention of letting her go and clung tightly to her waist.

 

“…Are you saying this person is Sharan?”

As Muriel tried to calm Ondal down and managed to sit up, Debbie approached. She glanced curiously at Ondal, who was still glued to Muriel.

 

“Yes. The real Sharan with Sharan’s eyes. That’s right…”

 

As Muriel nodded towards Debbie, who froze in place, she swept back her disheveled hair.

“Debbie! What is this dog?! I brought it because I was afraid someone would steal him, but do you know this dog?”

 

There was Kaiton. On the doorstep that Ondal had left open, along with the kind-hearted black wizard who mistook him for an abandoned dog. Kaiton’s gaze was fixed exactly on Ondal. He finally knew exactly who Ondal was.

—

I’ll be using the volume version of the raws from this chapter on which means the titles won’t be there  (where time stands still) etc just chapter numbers which I carve outt

ofc, the chapter names are really just volume names so when there’s a volume change name I’ll put that in!