I Am The Game's Villain

"Ah... ah..."

Looking around my room in a rush, I realized that the space seemed to overlap with Layla\'s room, adding to my confusion.

"I... I\'m recovering my childhood memories more clearly than ever," I muttered, recalling the events of the past month since the birthday party.

It all started a month ago when I first tapped into Laima\'s ability. Since then, I felt a shift within myself, as if something was changing.

"System."

=======

[Edward Amael Falkrona] [16]

[5th Ascension]

[Amael Idea Olphean Synchronization: 24%]

[Nyrel Loyster Synchronization: 33%]

[Charm: 44]

[Affection Points: 733]

[Falkrona Bloodline 5th Wing]

[Vysindra\'s Oath 5th Ring]

[Spirit Lords 4th Anima\'s Core]

[???]

=======

Once again, those new lines appeared, filled with cryptic information that eluded my understanding.

If I had to make an educated guess, the Synchronization percentages likely referred to the merging of memories from both of my lives.

Some of my childhood memories still remained hazy, particularly those revolving around my mother and the more traumatic days of my past...

"Mother..." I held onto the pendant she had given me, my grip tightening.

How...?

Even her face seems to fade from my memory.

All I can recall are her amber eyes brimming with kindness and her warm smile.

Standing up, I took a fast shower and changed my clothes.

I looked through the window and as expected, outside, it was lively.

The last Arc of the First Game.

The Closing Ceremony starts now.

….

….

Coming out of my room, I grabbed my phone, intending to call Eric, but to my surprise, he was already waiting for me.

"Oh, I thought you might have left," I said.

Eric shook his head nervously. "This is the last event, Edward. I couldn\'t sleep, and I\'m freaking scared."

I couldn\'t blame him; I was feeling the same way. If Brandon wins, it\'s not just the kingdom that\'s in trouble, but the whole world.

"We should try to stay calm," I advised.

"You bet," Eric replied. "But honestly, I feel a bit better knowing you have Nihil\'s sword with you."

Eric was aware that I obtained Trinity Nihil after the Dungeon Incident. It was a powerful weapon, but I still didn\'t know how to wield it properly.

"True, but let\'s not rely on it too much. I still have a lot to learn," I said.

"You know... John and I were also reincarnated, but you\'re the one with the most advantages... isn\'t that strange?"

"Blame Nihil for that. He brought me here and sealed my memories," I snorted, still harboring resentment towards that enigmatic figure.

"No one brought John or me here. We both transmigrated while sleeping."

"At least you weren\'t frozen and brainwashed before coming here," I said, recalling the horrifying ordeal when I was brought into this world.

But the biggest mystery still remained—Ephera. I had no clue about her whereabouts or what happened to her.

It was frustrating not having all the answers.

As my memories of my past life returned, so did my love for Ephera. She meant everything to me.

"Speaking of John, I think he\'s going to kill Alfred."

I couldn\'t help but laugh at Eric\'s words. "I think his patience has run out. Alfred shouldn\'t have mentioned Aunt Alyssa and Layla that day."

"He\'s obsessed with Milleia, and it\'s only getting worse," Eric added.

"What can I do about it? I don\'t even have time to talk to her anymore."

It was true; I had stopped hanging out with Milleia and Jayden, solely focused on training and preparing for the impending event, which had already begun.

"But you talk a lot with Miranda," Eric teased, sporting a mischievous smirk.

I felt a small smile tugging at my lips. "Well, I feel more comfortable talking to her than the others. No pretenses or hypocrisy."

It was the truth.

I was tired of pretending to be the good guy, and the few people with whom I could be my true self were Cleenah, Laima, Aunt Belle, Elona, Eric, and lately, Miranda, who had started speaking to me again a month ago.

"I\'m worried about Layla, Edward. It seems like she might be going down the antagonist route like in the game," Eric expressed his concern.

"Layla..." I sighed, thinking about her.

That girl... no matter what happens, I can\'t bring myself to give up on her.

When I was a child and sick, Layla was the one who visited me almost every day. Even though our mothers were close friends, she didn\'t have to come so often. Maybe that\'s why I developed a crush on her.

It was just a childish infatuation, but even after my mother\'s death, she and Miranda were among the few who continued to support me. Aunt Alyssa, Aunt Olivia, and my mother were always close, and our families were bonded by that connection, but tragically, all our mothers ended up dying.

"Keep a close eye on Milleia and Layla, I will do the same, Eric."

"Yeah," Eric nodded seriously.

"Let\'s just hope that that bastard of Leon doesn\'t show up."

"Eh?" Eric was confused at my words.

"Leon. This is the name of the guy I met on the last floor. He is dangerous." I explained.

"His name…is Leon?" Eric reacted weirdly.

"What?" I asked with a frown.

"A-Ah…nothing…might be a coincidence…" Eric trailed off.

[<Don\'t worry about him. Even if he comes, he won\'t be able to do anything. Nevia injured him in his weakened state after all.>]

Cleena\'s words reassured me.

I should deal carefully with him.

"Did you get any evidences against Walter Celesta, Edward?" Eric asked.

"No," I replied a little annoyed. "This guy nearly had me killed but in the last months, we found nothing against him. Without evidences we can\'t even speak about him to the King was his brother."

What can I do?

I have to get rid of him before going to Sancta Vedelia.

….

….

"I would have never thought that you would call me personally," I said, glancing at my father, who was seated behind his desk.

"You rejected all the envoys I sent to you, Edward."

"Well, you\'re probably the only father who sends envoys to call his own son," I scoffed.

Father remained silent for a moment before setting down his quill. "Where did you get the Holy Sword of Lord Nihil?"

"In the Enigma Dungeon," I replied.

My father seemed surprised by my straightforward response, considering I had been keeping everything hidden from them for a month. "During the incident?" he asked.

"Yes."

"The King and the Pope are pressing me daily to get a glimpse of the Holy Sword, but you—"

"I refuse," I interrupted firmly. "The sword chose me. What more do they want? Frankly, I don\'t trust any of them."

Who could trust a corrupted Pope or a father willing to sell his own daughter?

"The Holy Sword of Nihil belongs to the Kingdom. To the world. The sword—"

"The sword belongs to me," I cut him off. "Because I am the only one who can wield it."

In an instant, Trinity Nihil appeared in my hand, surrounded by a flash of light.

"And I am the only one who can return it to its resting place," I declared as the sword vanished.

"..."

I sighed at my father\'s unyielding gaze. "When I told Aunt Belle about having the sword, she was happy for me and didn\'t pry for any details. She trusts me that much. But you, Father?" I couldn\'t help but laugh. "You summoned me here just to hand over the sword so you can please the Pope and the King."

"Edward."

"Will you resort to torturing me if I say no?" I asked, genuinely curious. "You know what. Forget that. I also want to ask you something. Did you really kill Simon\'s parents?"

"Who told you that? Elona?" Father asked.

"Yeah, she\'s worried and keeps complaining to me. What a great father and foster brother you are," I retorted sarcastically.

Father\'s lips curved into a slight smile at my remark. "Coming from you, it\'s rather ironic, Edward."

I grimaced, not denying his observation. "I never claimed to be a good brother, but if Mother were here, she would have been better at parenting her children than you."

Father\'s smile disappeared as I mentioned Mother, and he leaned back in his chair. After a moment of silence, he spoke. "I killed Matthew, but I didn\'t kill his wife."

"You killed them because they were part of Ante-Eden, and they were indirectly responsible for Mother\'s death, right?"

Father seemed surprised that I knew about that, but he shook his head. "Matthew\'s mother was killed by Conrad. I killed Matthew because he was dying and asked me to end him to atone for his sins. I did so, maybe out of pity or anger."

"I see..." It was clearer to me now.

"Oryanna..." Father\'s gaze drifted to a frame on his desk. "Oryanna meant a lot to me. She asked me in the end to take care of you and Elona, but I suppose that I have been a bad father."

"Yes," I replied without hesitation.

Father chuckled at my straightforward response. "We have really nothing in common, Edward. You took a lot from your mother, even though you didn\'t awaken her bloodline..."

I fell silent, not quite understanding what he meant.

Then, with a serious expression, my father spoke, "After the ceremony ends, come back here. I will tell you everything."