The Strongest Villain, Who Had Secluded Himself Deep in the Mountains To Avoid the Destruction Flag, Is Forced Onto the Main Stage by the Heroine He Helped

Yuris arrived at the destination after following the demonic beast which was a ruined building on the outskirts of the royal capital.

Looking at its condition one could easily notice that it had been neglected. The outer walls were crumbling in places, and the outline was barely discernible in the sections that had been somewhat maintained.

There was no sign of human activity, and the rustling of the surrounding trees gave an eerie atmosphere.

Cautiously, Yuris peered inside from the shadow of the collapsed outer wall.

There, several individuals wearing robes were waiting, each in their own place. In a corner, a small unfamiliar girl was chained, while at the center stood a wolf-like creature with the form of a demonic beast, Sheria on its back, and a brown-haired woman removing her hood.

However, as the wolfish creature set Sheria down, it immediately transformed into a human form.

The appearance of the transformed beast was somewhat familiar…

‘Isn’t that Mina-san…?!’

‘Why? How did she end up here? No, more importantly, why did she transform into a creature like that…’ Yuris struggled to contain his astonishment silently.

Ignoring this surprise, Mina turned to the robed woman.

“…Is this alright?”

“Yeah, as everything was planned. You’ve done the unexpected, but I’m glad you brought her safely.”

“…What about my sister?”

“Don’t worry about that. She’s over there safe and sound, right?”

The woman pointed to a corner.

Given the current context, the girl chained there appeared to be Mina’s sister.

“Then release her quickly…!”

“Well, calm down. The ultimate contract is for you to assist us until we achieve our goals, right?”

With a suggestive smile, the woman patted Mina’s shoulder.

“We’ll need your cooperation until we’ve killed that damn divine messenger. Don’t forget, we’ll uphold our end of the bargain.”

“Tch.”

“Don’t worry, we’ll stick to the promise.”

“Even though it’s a bit strange for the people who killed my family to say that.”

“That’s not part of the deal, right? Well, it might be helpful if you keep watch outside, just in case someone comes after you.”

Mina glared at the woman with evident displeasure and then promptly turned and left the ruins.

She headed in a different direction from Yuris, ensuring she wouldn’t be found.

‘…I’m starting to understand the situation.’

Mina’s sister was taken hostage, and Sheria was kidnapped.

The objective of this group was to kill Sheria, the saintess.

Yuris didn’t know why they wanted to kill Sheria, but he understood why this kind-hearted girl ended up being kidnapped.

‘Damn it…!’

His normally empathetic disposition ignited a fierce rage within Yuris.

Yet, he managed to endure it by biting his lips hard.

‘…Calm down. Giving in to emotions and losing control won’t help.’

He had left the academy to protect his benefactor and the person dear to him.

Rushing into the situation now wouldn’t be wise. He didn’t believe he could defeat that many people. Instead, he’d likely worsen the situation and put them in danger.

Realistically and logically, he needed to come up with the best course of action.

‘I’ve informed Alice of this place. She also has come in contact with Alba-kun and he might be on his way here. He’ll arrive soon.’

So, for now, he needed to be patient.

He would intervene only when Sheria faced a genuine crisis, and he would buy time until Alba arrived.

What happened to him wasn’t a priority.

‘I’ll save Sheria-san. And Mina-san’s sister… absolutely. That’s why I’ll focus on buying time.’

It wasn’t the right moment yet.

Yuris hid in the shadows, waiting and observing for the right opportunity.

☆☆☆☆☆☆

[PoV] Mina :

As the deep red-colored sun began to sink, gradually casting darkness.

In the chill of the night breeze, her hair fluttering, Mina suddenly looked up at the sky, her mind lost in various thoughts.

‘I messed up.’

She ended up transporting Sheria down there with them.

If that’s the case, there’s no going back now—Sheria, the saint, will be killed, and in exchange, she can save my sister.

Now, if she gives it all and charges at them, she’ll probably win.

But just winning won’t cut it. Those people who didn’t hesitate to kill even her parents might kill her sister before she could even initiate her plan.

So, Mina can’t defy them. If there’s even a slight chance that her sister might be killed, she can’t step forward while ignoring that possibility.

‘I’m the worst, aren’t I?’

Honestly, Mina no longer had the desire to return to a peaceful daily life.

Rescuing her sister, leaving her at the orphanage, and then maybe jump off a cliff to commit suicide.

To kill a friend and then blend into a peaceful life — she couldn’t forgive myself for the sins. Since she is already a heretic, she is just a target for elimination by those around her. They might even be thankful for her death.

But before that, she needs to apologize to Alba. Maybe it’s better to apologize and let him be the one to kill her.

She knows that he treasures Sheria.

So, even though he’s probably kind and somewhat cool, he’d want to take revenge on the person who harmed someone dear to him.

“Alba-kun.”

Looking at the rising moon, tears suddenly fell.

How many times today has she cried? She has already lost count.

Where did her life go wrong? If she had to protect her sister? From the moment she started cooperating with them to protect her? No, if only she hadn’t been taken in by a loving family. No, no, if only she hadn’t been born at all in this world…

“…Alba-kun.”

However, now that she has come this far, she can’t turn back.

Even if she has to die, she can’t let anyone proceed beyond this point.

Even if…

“Hey there, Mina-san.”

Even if a kind boy appeared with a dazzling flash of blue light.

“I’ve come to help you both.”

In the blink of an eye, he was standing there with a gentle smile on his face

In the span of a single blink, the light raining down from above created craters all around, and a dazzling pale-blue light filled the surroundings.

The first time she met him, it was a scene like this too.

Yes, at that time, he was at the center of it…

“…I won’t let you pass, Alba-kun.”