Rise Of The Villain : In a World Ruled By Anomalies

Luna spoke first, her tone calm but serious.

"The first blessing is the blessing of Gaia, the Goddess of Nature," Luna said. "But we don’t need to worry about that one. Erica was born with it."

She glanced at Erica, who gave a small nod.

"The second is the blessing of Elysara, the Goddess of Rebirth," Luna continued. "That will be the most difficult one to obtain."

Arthur listened quietly.

"The third person we need," Luna said, "is a saintess blessed by the Goddess of Life and Light. The only place we can find someone like that is in the Holy Kingdom."

Her expression darkened slightly.

"And the last blessing belongs to the Goddess of Moonlight," Luna said. "That will be the hardest of all. It’s been centuries since anyone received her blessing."

Arthur fell silent.

He lowered his head, carefully thinking over every word she had said.

Luna noticed his expression and folded her arms.

"Now you understand," Luna said. "It’s almost impossible to give birth to a new World Tree. That’s why I was buying time, waiting until I could find people with these blessings."

Yuna let out a slow breath.

"It really does sound impossible," Yuna said. "Especially with the little time we have. Not to mention, why would the saintess help us when the Holy Kingdom is already planning to attack us?"

Erica nodded, her lips pressed into a thin line.

"She’s right," Erica said. "We don’t have enough time. It could take years just to find people with these blessings."

She glanced at Luna before turning to Arthur.

"But if we somehow manage to awaken the new World Tree and let it take root..."

Arthur finished her sentence.

"The elves will become several times stronger than they are now."

Luna and Erica both nodded.

Arthur suddenly stood up.

"Alright," he said. "We already have Erica, who possesses the blessing of the Goddess of Nature."

Yuna crossed her arms.

"What about the other three?" she asked.

Arthur smiled.

"Don’t worry," he said. "I already know where to find them. Leave the other three to me."

Everyone stared at him.

Their mouths nearly fell open.

"You already know where to find the other three?" Luna asked. "But how?"

Erica nodded repeatedly, looking almost adorable in her surprise.

Yuna simply looked at Arthur.

"Are you confident you can convince them?" she asked.

Arthur shrugged.

"Who knows?" he replied. "I’ll only know after I meet them."

Yuna sighed.

"Looks like you’re about to throw yourself into danger again," she said.

Arthur looked at her.

"Are you going to stop me, Master?" he asked.

Yuna’s expression softened.

"No," she said. "I’ve realized one thing about you. Every time you throw yourself into danger, you come back stronger. I’ll never understand how you grow so quickly."

She looked him straight in the eyes.

"You can walk your own path," Yuna said, "but promise me you’ll stay alive. Because if you die before me, I’ll chase you all the way to hell."

A chill ran down Arthur’s spine.

"Don’t worry," Arthur said quickly. "No one’s going to die. Not you, and not me. Have you ever known me to lie?"

Yuna and Erica answered without the slightest hesitation.

"Always."

Arthur’s mouth twitched.

He chose to ignore them.

Instead, he turned toward Erica.

"Alright," Arthur said. "It’s settled. You and Luna will gather everything we need here, while I’ll obtain the remaining blessings."

He looked at both Erica and Yuna.

"And if the Holy Kingdom makes any move, report it to me immediately."

Yuna tilted her head.

"Are you leaving already?" she asked.

Arthur nodded.

"I have to," he said. "There’s still a lot I need to do."

A faint grin appeared on his face.

"But don’t worry. I can at least tell you where I’m going next."

He looked out the window.

"I’m heading back to Celestia Academy," Arthur said. "One of the people we need is there."

Yuna let out a sigh of relief.

"That’s good," she said. "At least you’ll be safe there."

Then she narrowed her eyes.

"But... are you sure you’re still a student there?"

Arthur shrugged.

"I guess we’ll find out when I get there."

Yuna nodded.

Arthur looked at her again.

"Do you like it here, Master?" he asked.

A gentle smile appeared on Yuna’s face.

"I do," she replied. "It’s a wonderful place. The people are kind, and the training facilities here are even better than the ones back on our continent."

She glanced at Erica.

"And I like Erica," Yuna added. "After everything we’ve been through together in this kingdom, she’s become like family to me. She’s like the little sister I never had."

The moment Erica heard those words, tears welled up in her eyes.

She remembered every hardship she and Luna had endured.

Running from one place to another.

Barely surviving.

Never knowing whether they would live to see another sunrise.

Yet now, looking at Yuna, she could tell every word came from the bottom of her heart.

Her own heart trembled.

She stepped forward and wrapped Yuna in a tight embrace.

Tears streamed down her cheeks as she spoke.

"Thank you," Erica whispered. "Thank you, Miss Yuna. I’ll never be able to repay everything you’ve done for me. I’m truly grateful that you think of me that way."

Yuna smiled warmly and hugged her back.

"Don’t worry," Yuna said. "You don’t have to carry everything by yourself anymore. If you ever need help, just ask."

Arthur smiled to himself.

’Looks like she sees a reflection of herself in Erica,’ he thought.

Yuna then turned back toward Arthur.

"When are you leaving?" she asked.

"Tomorrow," Arthur replied.

Yuna nodded.

"Then come back soon."

Arthur smiled.

"Don’t worry. I’ll be back before you know it. Just don’t miss me too much."

Yuna narrowed her eyes.

"Don’t worry," she replied. "I won’t. Just make sure you stay alive and let me know you’re still breathing... unlike last time."

Another chill ran down Arthur’s spine.

"I will, Master," Arthur said obediently.

He then turned toward Elizabeth.

"And you," Arthur said, pointing at her. "Useless woman. I have another task for you."

Elizabeth’s mouth twitched.

Even so, she maintained her elegant smile.

"What is it?" she asked.

Arthur’s expression turned serious.

"I want you to investigate the Holy Empire," he said. "Don’t get caught. Find out everything you can—their troop movements, the strength of their forces, and when they’re planning to attack."

Elizabeth thought for a moment.

"What about your safety?" she asked. "Who’s going to protect you?"

Arthur waved his hand casually.

"Don’t worry," he said. "I already have someone else for that."

Elizabeth’s expression darkened slightly.

She remained silent for a few moments before clicking her tongue.

"I’ll do as you command."

Arthur ignored her reaction.

"Good," he said. "Then it’s settled."

He looked around the room.

"Everyone has their own task now. Make sure you complete it."

Everyone nodded.

Then Erica stepped forward.

"Arthur..." she said softly. "Why are you going this far for us?"

Arthur immediately struck the most heroic pose he could think of.

He looked noble.

Serious.

Reliable.

"You saved my life once," he said. "And I always repay my debts."

Inside his mind, however, an entirely different thought appeared.

’Also... to gain a kingdom of slav—I mean, loyal allies...’

Erica was deeply moved.

Only Yuna and Elizabeth noticed the subtle change in his expression.

They could already tell he was plotting something.

Neither of them bothered pointing it out.

───────────────

The rest of the day passed peacefully.

Arthur spent time with Yuna and Elizabeth, chatting about trivial things while Erica showed them around the Kingdom of Elvania.

For the first time in a long while, everyone allowed themselves to relax.

They laughed.

They talked.

They wandered through the kingdom like ordinary people instead of individuals standing on the brink of war.

Yet beneath those smiles, they all understood one thing.

This peace was fragile.

It could shatter at any moment.

So they treasured it while it lasted.

───────────────

The following night, Yuna quietly entered Arthur’s room without knocking.

She pushed the door open.

The room was empty.

She looked around once before lowering her gaze.

"Take care of yourself," she whispered softly.

───────────────

That night, deep within Elvania’s forest, Arthur walked alone.

The dead stirred around him.

Skeletons.

Corpses.

Half-buried undead.

The moment they sensed his presence, they silently moved aside, as though the forest itself recognised that he belonged elsewhere.

Arthur still found the sight unsettling.

He continued deeper into the forest, making his way toward the World Tree, where Astarte was waiting for him.

As Arthur arrived before the enormous trunk at the heart of the forest, a familiar voice echoed from behind him.

"You really are a man of your word."

Arthur smiled the moment he heard it.