I've Become the King of Villains in the Game

Neil was not killed and silenced by Miller and his son.

His uncle used a peculiar powder to stop his bleeding, even numbing the pain, then roughly sent him back to his residence beside the cesspool.

Before leaving the castle's main building, Miller said faintly behind him:

"Neil, this is just a minor punishment for you... As long as you obediently stay in Black Horn Fortress, I won't kill you. I've watched you grow up and know you're a smart person. You should understand how to choose."

Neil lowered his head, making a strange sound in agreement.

Then the trembling, hunched figure moved away.

"Father, why not kill him?"

Kru Dutte asked in a low voice, brow furrowed.

Under the nightfall, Miller stood with arms crossed at the main building's entrance, saying lightly:

"Nerlucius can't die yet. After all, Black Horn Domain used to be Birch's territory. Several knight domains are not convinced by us rashly killing this kid will only add more variables. Just keep an eye on him..."

"But father!"

Kru said anxiously.

"Kru, you will be master of Black Horn Domain in the future, perhaps even lord of the Jordan Domain and larger areas... You must learn to gauge the timing, not act recklessly."

Miller turned around, looking sternly at his eldest son.

Kru's words got stuck in his throat, and he swallowed them back.

"Rest assured, a month later, you will lead the troops yourself, bring Neil to the battlefield, and join your Uncle Karl in attacking the Jordan Domain... Find an opportunity for that kid to die under the enemy army's blade. In this way, those from Black Horn Domain can't pin anything on us. After all, Nerlucius died in battle. Then we can bury him with honor, and legitimately take over here."

Miller stroked the English Lion Sword's hilt, speaking calmly.

The lion-head decoration on the sword's pommel was bright and smooth, which he particularly loved.

*

*

*

Neil returned to his residence.

As soon as he entered, he fell to his knees in pain.

Opening his mouth, his numb tongue couldn't form complete sentences, as his bloodshot eyes fiercely glared at his right hand.

The maimed hand, missing the thumb.

He could no longer wield a sword, even basic farming was now extremely difficult.

Neil knew that Uncle Miller had ruined him.

They didn't kill him because the time wasn't right.

"Snake... Snake..."

Neil struggled to talk, trying to call upon that great being.

But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't articulate.

Tears fell uncontrollably.

He hated!

Boundless hatred consumed his heart!

He wanted revenge!

Must have revenge!

Otherwise he wouldn't die at peace!

"You are already useless, Nerlucius."

A low, magnetic male voice echoed in his mind.

Neil listened to this phrase but felt without any emotional fluctuation, no ridicule, nor mercy, just a calmness that unnerved him.

He wanted to tell the great lord of snakes that he wasn't dead yet and could still serve Him, but could only stutter, speaking a bunch of odd phrases that were hard to recognize.

Neil panicked.

The lord of snakes was his only chance to turn the tables. If even He left...

Then he would silently await death in this hopeless quagmire.

"What else can you do for me?"

The voice of the lord of snakes came again.

Neil screamed with excitement, standing up and pounding his left chest fiercely, where his heart was.

Bam! Bam!!

He kept pounding, vigorously pounding.

To express his determination.

"You want to give me your heart, your body, even your soul, is that so?"

Chen Lun chuckled gently.

Neil nodded frantically, blood water flowing everywhere from his numb lips, he even crawled on the ground, desperately kowtowing.

"Everything about you is too cheap for me, Neil."

The voice in his mind stated.

Neil stiffened all over.

But soon, the voice continued:

"So for this deal, we need to set new rules. What I give you today, you must repay tenfold, a hundredfold in the future... Can you do it?"

"Woo! Wooo!!"

Neil cried with joy, dancing around in excitement.

"Very good."

As soon as the words fell.

He found a piece of flesh grew in his mouth.

The tongue was regenerated!

Looking down at his hand again, the thumb was back!

"Lord of snakes! Thank you for your gift! Neil will serve you all his life. If there is betrayal, he will not die a good death! He will eternally fall into damnation!"

Neil trembled as he spoke, devotionally and fervently shouting.

Only when lost, does one realize its value.

He made up his mind completely at this moment.

At the same time, the fervor for revenge grew stronger!

"Very good."

Chen Lun was quite satisfied with this guy's determination.

*

*

*

The next day.

Early morning.

Miller Dutte dressed in a set of black cotton clothes, with a cloak over it, accompanied by his eldest son Kru, his second son Fork, and eight other offspring, along with several knights, arrived at a village a few kilometers outside Black Horn Castle.

The Redemption Church of the Black Horn Domain was located at the entrance of the village.

Neil silently followed within the guard team of dozens, walking on the muddy country road, lips tightly closed, with a bandage wrapped around his right thumb, feigning disguise.

He was still under the strict surveillance of the Dutte family. Even for the mass, he had to stick closely with Fork as a knight's attendant.

The Redemption Church was not large, comparable to a barn warehouse used for storing fodder, with a slanted roof and a flame cross standing atop.

A middle-aged man in a blue robe stood straight at the entrance.

His hair was graying yet he was full of spirit, holding a copy of the Redemption Ring, with bright eyes staring firmly at the approaching group.

"Baron Miller, the weather is nice today, let's hold the mass outside the church…"

The missionary said with a smile.

"Of course, Pastor Jordan."

Miller raised his right hand, put up five fingers, palm pressed against the left shoulder with fingers standing above the shoulder, slightly bowing.

He performed a standard prayer gesture of the Redemption Church.

Soon, Miller arranged his offspring to stand in line, even the guards and knights were not an exception, all would receive Pastor Jordan's blessing and testing.

This was an indispensable procedure in every region of the Morris Kingdom, and even the Brilliant Empire. Once a month during the mass, the Redemption Church would bless and test the residents.

This originated from the decree issued by the Blue Pope from Klein, the Extreme Northern Holy Land —

Demons hide in the world, bringing chaos to the people of redemption. Only with constant vigilance could the peaceful flame of light be spread across the land.

All seven empires worshiping the God of Flame abide by it.

Pastor Jordan opened the Bible with one hand and held a candle with the other, first chanting to Miller:

"The flame illuminates the earth, shadows reveal evil thoughts. Hate me, I judge; love me, I command."

Pop!

Pastor Jordan flicked his finger, and a hot wax drop touched his fingertip, immediately pressed lightly onto Miller's brow.

Miller closed his eyes, presenting a pious expression.

He praised softly:

"Redeem my heart."

Whether it was an illusion or not, everyone seemed to feel that Baron Miller's figure grew purer, more vibrant.

"Good, you're as devout as always."

Pastor Jordan smiled.

Miller bowed in response.

Soon, it was Kru's turn. Following the same process as his father, first Pastor Jordan chanting the prayer, then marking the hot wax on his brow.

Behind them, Neil lowered his eyelids, feeling tense and nervous inside.

"Serpent, won't there be trouble? What if we get discovered?!"

He muttered in his heart.

Chen Lun focused his attention on Pastor Jordan, thinking silently:

'Is this the transcendent of the Redemption Church?'

With the intent to probe the mysterious power of the Outer Continent, he was pleased to have Neil receive the so-called blessing and test, calmly responding:

"No need to panic, just maintain a peaceful mind."

"Alright... I understand, Serpent."

Neil said in his heart.

He breathed a sigh of relief. Since the Serpent was so indifferent, Pastor Jordan probably wouldn't discover his possession by a "demon."

Soon, the direct offspring of the Dutte family had all received the blessing and testing, smiling, feeling invigorated, quickly thanking the pastor.

When it was Neil's turn, he saluted Pastor Jordan, then saw the elderly pastor slightly furrow his brow.

His heart skipped a beat.

"The flame illuminates the earth, shadows reveal evil thoughts. Hate me, I judge; love me, I command."

Pastor Jordan chanted softly.

Then, his finger brushed past the candle, swiftly touching Neil's brow with the wax drop.

But at that moment of contact,

Chen Lun suddenly wielded his strength.

[You activated "Mental Steal"...]

[Willpower calculation in progress...]

[Target "Jordan Dylan" Willpower: 31 Points, your Willpower: 132 Points, calculation passed!]

An invisible strength instantly captured the information in Pastor Jordan's mind, steaing it all into Chen Lun's consciousness.

Apart from some secrets within the Redemption Church, he had obtained the most crucial thing—

Knowledge!

The Redemption Church worshiped the God of Flame "Brufrolin," the mystical strength they summoned and received—an extraordinary path named "Holy Fire Pathway!"

Pastor Jordan was Sequence Nine [Dancer].

Capable of amplifying the body's flexibility, agility, and some affinity for and endurance against the flame.

Moreover, due to Jordan's diligent service in the Black Horn Domain for over a decade, with Klein's Holy Land's permission, the Morris Kingdom's Redemption Church sent knowledge of Sequence Eight last month.

Now, it happened to be stolen by Chen Lun.

Sequence Eight [Commander]!

Building upon the former [Dancer], this sequence not only enhanced the previous traits but also acquired the first Sequence Ability. That was to influence others through body language, commanding the target to perform some basic instructions.

'Interesting...'

Chen Lun thought quietly.

At this moment,

Pastor Jordan lowered his hand, and amid the puzzled gazes, he said solemnly:

"Neil Lucius, have you been disturbed by demons?"

Neil's pupils contracted sharply.

Pastor Jordan lowered his eyelids, holding the candle, continued:

"Do not worry child, you may speak honestly. I shall represent the Redemption Church, offering you protection."