The Villain is Too Good at Sniping

27. Vanship (1)

When I first saw the message sent by Sion Illeonhart, I thought it was ridiculous.

He was telling us to communicate with the spirits that were trying to harm us.

It’s a completely different story whether you’re watching from the outside or actually fighting on the inside. Sion doesn’t know how urgent the situation is here.

It’s not the time to be casually petting the spirits. He’s saying something ridiculous.

I laughed at Sion, thinking, “Is being second place something to brag about? You’re just hiding and shooting from afar, aren’t you?”

But Esilie Silvergarden, who had thought that way, realized she was wrong.

-Arsene doesn’t have anyone better than me. I’m the only one left, and the remaining four are basically mine too.

-I’ve found the cause of this incident. It’s the ghost that possessed Lara Steelhyden in the Titania Tower, the first ghost.

-In short, it’s complicated, but to put it simply, that guy is the boss.

There was not a single wrong word in what Sion said. The stories we had dismissed earlier were slowly coming true.

Sion said he had good eyesight, but looking back, it was a humble statement.

It wasn’t just about having good eyesight. There’s the phrase “seeing eye” for a reason.

Sion Illeonhart had grasped the entire situation with his innate insight and told us the most optimal course of action.

Even while fighting the spirits, he provided support fire and helped us infiltrate the Titania Tower. If he hadn’t taken on the role of control tower, things wouldn’t have gone so smoothly.

…It’s hard not to acknowledge it.

‘Sion Illeonhart.’

Sion Illeonhart didn’t become second place by chance. He had the skills and qualities to deserve it. Maybe if he had wanted to, he could have taken first place.

So why did he stay in second place? Was it also a part of his humility?

There were many thoughts rising up.

Sion was someone who transcended our understanding, seeing beyond what was in front of him.

Just how far could Sion see? The thought was terrifying.

Eshil Silvergarden was the first to approach the spirit among the three standing there. At first, she was hesitant, but the wind spirit did not reject her gentle approach.

It was like Sion had said, similar to taming a wild animal that was easily frightened.

If we showed hostility, the opponent would become even more panicked. Right now, they were not in their right minds.

However, if we approached them without any hostility, purely and sincerely…

-…Wind Spirit… Rokan.

“Yes. That’s your name.”

-…What happened?

“Someone used you. I don’t know who, but they took over your body.”

Fundamentally, spirits had a good nature, so their sincerity would be conveyed.

-Who could do such a thing?

Wind Spirit Rokan regained his consciousness. The fierce gale that had been raging around him slowly subsided.

Lara Steelhiden, standing in the center, still didn’t move. However, three high-ranking spirits were still guarding her.

Eshil glanced to the side. There, Kyle was facing off against the fire spirit.

To calm down such a powerful spirit, one had to use all their magical power. Eshil was already struggling to stand on two legs.

“Kyle Ivanstear.”

“I know. I saw it all.”

Kyle sheathed his sword.

However, the fire spirit Ifrit continued to fuel the flames. Kyle didn’t back down, calmly extending his hand.

“Let’s make a deal.”

Whoosh!—

But instead of an answer, a fireball shot out. Kyle didn’t dodge, taking the fireball head-on. Although his finger trembled from the intense heat, Kyle maintained his smile.

-…….

Only then did the fire spirit slowly approach. The flames that had engulfed its body gradually subsided.

Kyle, like Eshil, placed the fire spirit on his palm. The burning sensation was intense, but as time passed, it turned into a warm, comforting heat.

“That’s right. Thanks for accepting. Spirit friend.”

Just then, a spark suddenly flew out.

Startled, Kyle jumped back, but still managed to hold onto Ifrit.

The spark that flew out like a firework settled on Kyle’s sword. Unsettled by the unexpected turn of events, Kyle drew his sword with his other hand.

It was still his usual sword. No, it seemed that way, but suddenly a warm sensation emanated from the hilt, and flames erupted from the blade.

However, strangely, the heat was not intense like before. It was a warm, comforting heat like holding a hand warmer.

“What’s going on?”

Kyle swung his sword.

Following the trajectory of his sword, a trail of flames was drawn. Every time he swung his sword, a residual flame followed, and Kyle’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Did I do something? Is this a gift?”

There was no response. Perhaps, unlike Eshil, he couldn’t hear the spirit’s voice because he hadn’t befriended them.

Kyle glanced to the side. There, Ellyn Beonard was averting her gaze.

“…Me? Is it my turn?”

Next was Elin Beauford. He denied that his turn had come, but ultimately trembled as he approached the spirit.

The black spirit stood still, unmoving, as if sensing something similar to Elin’s emotions.

“Did it, did it work?”

“Hmm. It seems that way.”

“Hah, hah, huh…….”

Elin Beauford, who had easily calmed the earth spirit.

Now, only the water spirit Elphin, wandering around Lara, remained. Exhausted, Elin and Esilia were left behind as Kyle stepped forward.

“I’ll do it.”

But the water jet shot out without warning.

Kyle drew his sword to block it, but the heavy water pressure was hard to resist. The flames wrapped around his sword also lost their power against the water pressure.

Clang——!

A dull sound came from behind. It felt like something was collapsing.

Everyone, except for the possessed Lara Stillhaden, turned to look behind them.

The door they had locked was completely destroyed, and the dust rose, spreading out. In the mist formed by the dust, the silhouette of a girl holding a sword appeared faintly.

“I’m here!”

Airy De Sugamond, lightly wielding her sword, swept away the dust in front of her. As a result, she stumbled forward.

“You’re…….”

“I’m Airy, De Sugamond! Nice to meet you!”

As she introduced herself, Airy stood beside Kyle.

Kyle’s sword, still resisting the water jet, was supported by Airy from behind. With a physique similar to Kyle’s, she was not pushed back by the heavy water pressure.

Ka-a-a-ang——!

A heavy, crushing pressure, like hitting a massive iron ball.

Just a moment ago, Kyle’s sword was on the verge of being overwhelmed, but it slowly began to push back the water jet.

The divided sword sliced through the water jet, leaving a red and blue trajectory like an afterimage.

“How dare you…… interrupt me?”

Lara Stillhaden was enraged. Or rather, the banshee possessing her body was enraged.

Qua-a-ang——!

Lara Stillhaden struck the ground with her staff.

An unusual magical power stirred. The power, like a crawling insect, formed a sphere on the ground.

The massive magical sphere rising behind Lara looked like another full moon.

It was obvious that an unstoppable shock would come when it was complete.

Kyle checked his watch. Zion had sent only a brief message.

……Don’t try to flee, and charge forward instead.

Kyle burst out laughing. He had thought as much without needing to be told.

Kyle glanced at Airy, who was standing beside him. Elin Beauford and Esilia Silvergarden, who had recovered some of their strength, approached one by one.

“…You think that if the four of us gather, we can do something?”

Lara Stillhaden sneered at the four of them gathered together. The magical power surging at the tip of her staff was aimed at Kyle.

“You novice idols can’t do anything. You can’t stop us. You’re just insects that will be crushed to death for not knowing your place.”

“We may be novices, but the result will depend on what we do.”

Kyle gripped his sword tightly. Airy, standing beside him, lowered her body.

Ellin took a stance with both hands, and Esil aimed her bow.

Lara Steelhaiden, who was facing the four of them, still didn’t flinch, only pointing her staff.

The starting line was crossed simultaneously.

Kail Ivanstear, who stomped the ground, and Lara Steelhaiden, who unleashed a brainwave attack.

“……!”

However, the brainwave attack didn’t hit Kail’s sword, but instead struck an unexpected place. Kail dodged the attack, and Elina Beonard took the hit with her body.

Kail was still running. Lara Steelhaiden swung her staff again.

A strong gust of wind blew. But amidst the wind, a single arrow flew, calming the fierce storm.

Esil’s arrow, one of her trademark spirit arrows. Esil used the power of the wind spirit to neutralize the strong wind.

Only about ten meters left.

Lara Steelhaiden struck the ground with her staff. Vines sprouted from the cracked tile seams, trying to grab Kail’s ankles.

Kwa-jik—!

But just as the vines were about to grab Kail’s ankles, Aira swung her sword. The impact made the ground tremble, and Kail leapt forward.

Now, only a few meters were left. If he stretched out his sword, he could reach.

Kail jumped up, holding his sword high, and struck it vertically. Lara countered with her left hand.

Kaang———!

A translucent barrier blocked Kail’s path. The barrier, which didn’t budge even when hit with immense force, made Kail clench his teeth.

He had almost reached. But a single sheet of paper blocked his way.

He struck again. The barrier still didn’t budge.

“I told you. You’ll only get crushed to death.”

Instead, the barrier grew thicker. It began to push Kail back with a force that could crush him.

Tak—!

At the same time, Lara snapped her fingers.

In an instant, Kail’s vision turned dark.

***

When he opened his eyes, Kail was in a dark corridor.

He drew his sword. The flames that always burned on the sword’s blade flickered to life, illuminating the dark path ahead.

The unfamiliar yet strangely familiar space. Kail advanced, feeling his way along the wall, until he reached a closed door.

“……!”

He sensed someone’s presence on the other side of the door.

Kail tried to turn the doorknob, but instead, he slowly pushed the door open. The lock wasn’t engaged.

The scene visible through the door crack was the Grand Saint Hall from the past. The walls were old and worn, with faded wallpaper peeling off, and a man stood in the center.

But there was someone else in front of the man. A maid, no, a bound maid, was visible over his shoulder.

Kail’s eyes widened. A mix of emotions surged in his chest.

“…Why are you doing this to me?”

A faint, trembling voice.

The maid, who seemed to have lost all strength to resist, hung her head low. Meanwhile, the man had a blank expression, only fiddling with a vial.

“Was it a problem that I broke the plate? Or was it a problem that I ruined the meeting? Or is it just that I didn’t appeal to you?”

“…….”

“Please tell me. I beg of you.”

The bound maid trembled. The iron chains tied to her hands faintly vibrated.

However, the man remained expressionless, like a person without emotions, repeating the same actions mechanically.

“You have no guilt.”

Finally, the mixture was complete, and he injected the syringe into the maid’s arm. The crimson liquid filled the syringe.

“If there’s guilt, it’s because you met me. If you want to blame someone, blame Arsen. And blame your own eyes for not noticing earlier.”

“Head butler…”

“When there were frequent personnel changes and external orders, you should have left Arsen. If you didn’t cling to him unnecessarily, you might have become the next head butler.”

The man grabbed the maid’s arm.

“Don’t call me head butler. Even in this situation, you still call me head butler?”

The man injected the syringe into the maid’s arm without hesitation. The crimson liquid was fully administered.

“I am not the head butler, but Eltus van Zigheim, the director of the Berhan Research Institute. Remember my name in the underworld. It’s the reward for your hard work.”

———

The maid lost consciousness, right after the man pulled out the syringe.

“You were passionate, so maybe you could have become the head butler there.”

The head butler touched the maid’s hair, now unconscious.

It was an arrogant and rude gesture. The head butler withdrew his hand, a mechanical movement without any emotion.

Kwaaang—

And that was the moment when Kyle’s patience snapped.