Chapter 3.10
Chapter 3.10
Although he has been taken prisoner, with Osmund there, the treatment he receives can be considered not bad at all.
Besides being bound by holy chains for the duration of his confinement, nothing else bothers him as he is already long accustomed to the endless looks of contempt directed to him. He is allowed to rest on a soft, cosy bed, eat fine meals, and as long as it is not dangerous objects, whatever else he requests for will be promptly delivered. The only thing that annoys him is being hugged, kissed and held by Osmund every day! Fortunately, he is already used to this level of intimacy in the second world, or else he would have long lost his patience.
But of course, he is still grieving over the plot…
As proven by the main leads themselves, the thought of them becoming a couple existed only in his imagination. Sui Yuan's elation is thus cruelly dragged down and tossed into the abyss. Once again having his plans destroyed by this male lead causes him to feel so sad that his throat clogs.
As of today, he only has one sole comfort. Even if he walked down the wrong fork of the road, having directly walked through several winding paths and bypassed a few small events in the plot, he has finally reached the exact same ending as the original text. Imprisonment…
In the story, because Nardred kidnapped the female lead and invades the nearest country, hence snatching away a large piece of land, he drew the resentment of the major races as well as the male lead's ire. After failing to rescue Aurora by himself, the male lead uses Nardred as the common enemy as well as his charisma to rally a huge army. This formidable force slaughtered their way through the dark forces, arriving at the villain's castle where a showdown between kings unfold.
Powerful as Nardred has become, he is no match for Osmund and is thereby defeated. After rescuing the female lead, he drags Nardred back in chains to be put on trial.
Nardred's crimes are extremely grave, so naturally, the only thing awaiting him is death. Before execution, however, he must be purified in order to prevent his soul returning as a sinister lich.
Before the purification can conclude, Nardred staked his all in one last escape attempt, unwilling to give up this last chance of survival. However, he is cleanly beheaded by Osmund, who had his guard up the entire time, waiting for the villain to make his move. In the end, the villain BOSS meets a fitting end. This last scene for Nardred is Sui Yuan's remaining ray of light in the darkness.
Even if Osmund doesn't plan to kill him after the purification process, as the villain BOSS, Sui Yuan cannot possibly be willing to have everything he gained so far stripped from him, right? Therefore, he most definitely has to act out that final resistance, then force Osmund's hand during that short amount of time. This way, the suspense in the climax of the plot will play out nicely!
Thinking thus, Sui Yuan's erratic emotions settle. Although his Dark Kingdom hasn't expanded all that much, and he failed to kidnap the female lead, the main plot of the story is still on track. So he needs to ensure his death scene doesn't derail either. The lowest positive score possible…he can still achieve that at minimum, right?
Sui Yuan really feels that his requests in life have dropped significantly…
During the journey from Obsidian City to the kingdom's capital, Sui Yuan's subordinates attempt time and again to rescue their king. However, they are repeatedly beaten back by Osmund and the small group of Heavenly race members under his command. By the time the large group reaches the city, Sui Yuan is still being held prisoner. The next day following his entry into the capital is the day of his trial.
When Sui Yuan is just about to walk into his prisoner's cart, Aurora suddenly dashes over and grips his arm tightly. Sui Yuan stiffens, glancing at her only to see tears in her eyes as she chokes with emotion. "I'm sorry, I'm very sorry, Nardred. Forcing you to endure so much suffering…but please bear with it a little longer. You will definitely be okay. Osmund and I will always be by your side. We believe in you, believe that you are still good and kind at heart. That's why, you don't need to care about what others think of you!"
Sui Yuan frowns, still unable to make heads or tails of Aurora's words. Still, he cannot simply remain silent. "I have never cared about others."
"That's good, then." Aurora offers a soft, comforting smile, not bothered by Sui Yuan's cold words and indifference. Stepping closer, she hugs him tightly. "You will return. You will definitely return to the Nardred we travelled, fought alongside and laughed happily with. We will wait for you…"
Sui Yuan drops his gaze to his feet but otherwise remains motionless, outwardly unmoved even when faced with Aurora's fierce resolve and emotional hug. This continues for who knows how long before the black-faced guards separate them impatiently, then shove Sui Yuan into the prisoner's cart.
Once they enter the capital's gates, Sui Yuan finally understands why Aurora looked so distressed.
As the villain BOSS, he has ordered the death of countless innocents, slaughtered numerous 'soldiers of Justice' and destroyed innumerable homes. Naturally, his actions incurred the wrath and fury of the citizens. Lining both sides of the road, they bombard him with curses. With holy chains binding him, Sui Yuan is incapable of resisting, only able to lift his chin haughtily and bear the verbal abuse. His scarlet eyes narrow in a poisonous glower, the scorn within razor-sharp. If looks can kill, every single citizen out here would have fallen dead. Muscles stretch taunt and a feral smirk playing on his lips, Sui Yuan truly resembles a savage panther. Having immersed himself in the role of a villain BOSS for quite a long period of time, Sui Yuan already has a firm grasp on the various expressions a villain needs to have.
Parading a hated prisoner through the streets on the eve of their sentence is something every ruler loves to do. On one hand, it serves as a public declaration of their victory and on the other, it gives the people an object to vent their emotions at in order to prevent the implication of an incompetent ruler.
Silently looking over the original text, he discovers that after this chaotic scene, everything will return to its usual calm. As long as he continues walking down the right path, there is no need to fear anything.
It's just…next to his cart and riding a unicorn, Osmund's face is extremely frosty, no trace of his usual gentle nature can be seen, making Sui Yuan constantly itch to remind him not to be out of character.
Probably guessing that simply cussing him out is no use, stones, rotten vegetables and such items begin smashing onto the prisoner cart. Subconsciously, Sui Yuan wants to evade the thrown items, but after realising this cart is too narrow to completely evade anything, he can't be bothered anymore. Hence, he remains cold and indifferent. Even if he has been defeated, crushed underfoot and suffering abuse, he is still proud and unyielding - this is the proper, dignified bearing of a villain BOSS!
"Enough!" A voice full of agony and sorrow rings out, and Sui Yuan's vision is abruptly filled with white. Immediately following that, he is drawn into an embrace, hidden beneath white robes.
The Holy Son of the Heavenly race holds the dark elf in his arms, using his body as a shield to obstruct this humiliating attack. The originally snow white garment is quickly stained with mud and junk, but he is not bothered in the slightest, remaining as firm as any wall, guarding the person in his embrace.
A startled expression appears on the frail-looking elf's face for a moment, then reverts back to that cold, apathetic state. He raises his head, but a hand cupping the back of his head presses gently, pushing down so his forehead rests against Osmund's chest.
Shocked by this spectacle, a stifled, bewildered silence settles over the crowd. Every arm lifted with the intention to throw more things towards the cart is slowly lowered.
The Holy Son is the Heavenly race's treasure, respected and loved beyond words. He selflessly provides assistance to anyone who requires it, spreading his grace to every corner of the land. Gentle and warm, noble and honourable… In the hearts of the common people, he is a living god. And today, this very person used his body as a shield to protect an evil being, even lying down his dignity for the elf.
"What is going on? Why would Lord Osmund…?" Whispered conversations being to rise from amongst the gathered mass, full of doubt, worry and panic.
"I heard that this evil elf was Lord Osmund's lover before he fell to the darkness…"
"Good Heavens! How is that possible?! Lord Osmund would never fall in love with such a vile existence!"
"But looking at this scene, who can still claim that rumour is a phoney?!"
"It is said that this elf also loves Lord Osmund. The reason why he was captured so easily is because of this lingering affection. Lord Osmund used himself as a bait to entice the elf, forcing him to submit to purification, this sacrificing his love…"
"Perhaps this elf is also a victim. The source of darkness erases its victim's original personality. I don't believe Lord Osmund will love a genuinely evil being…"
"Even if he is not naturally evil, even if he was simply controlled by the darkness, his subordinates have already claimed the lives of countless people. There are no other alternatives. A debt of blood must be repaid in blood!"
"Wuu…poor Lord Osmund…how can he endure this kind of thing…"
As an elf with naturally keen hearing, Sui Yuan's pointed ears tremble faintly, the face buried in Osmund's chest filled with black lines.
5237: "……Actually, I feel that you should already be accustomed to this kind of situation."
Sui Yuan: "……Even if I am used to it, I still feel so worried…"
5237: "……Un, I understand……"