I’m the Main Villain but the Heroines Are Obsessed With Me

23 – 11. Time to Prove (3)

The moment that signaled the start of the war games, Ariel’s party, after securing the minimum amount of rations, launched an immediate attack.

The vanguard was led by the heroic Ariel and the exceptional tank, Dias. The core was managed by Celia Vigneron.

In the rear, there were Reyna, an archery prodigy, and Bianca Martiif, who was not an overstatement to call the next great mage.

This party was not an overstatement to say that it had gathered the most talented individuals from each grade. That was not all.

Ariel had picked out outstanding individuals from the 1st platoon besides her own party.

That caused some gaps in their defense, but she didn’t really mind.

Even if the enemy aimed for the 1st platoon thinking it was an easy target, Ariel’s party would annihilate the invaders before they could snatch their flag.

“Well… fortunately, the 2nd platoon doesn’t seem to have that intention.”

According to rumors, the 2nd platoon had also decided to target the 3rd platoon after assessing the situation.

“They probably don’t think they can beat us even if they take us down, so they’re sending out the 3rd platoon first to compete with us, tired as we’ll be.”

Amused by their cunning tactics, he couldn’t help but smile.

Although their devious behavior wasn’t particularly appealing, he decided to let it slide this time. After all, as long as he could trample on Ian Volkanoft, his goal would be achieved. That was all that mattered.

“Attack!”

Kwaaah!

Ariel’s Holy Sword, Elysium, emitted a blinding light as it unleashed its true power.

The immense blade of light was aimed at the three platoons.

“Shaaargh!”

“Ugh….”

The moment the blade touched them, the majority of the troops turned into light and disappeared. They were deemed to have lost their lives and were expelled from the war game.

Just from the three platoons that had already been killed by Ariel, there were 13 casualties. It was not an exaggeration to say that most of the platoon from the same year had been lost.

The once hopeful heroes, now faced with disaster, left Leia trembling.

Even swinging her sword had become a challenge.

“Haah, what should I do?”

Leia looked at the fallen troops and closed her eyes.

She had lost too many allies. Of course, she had bought some time, but her goal was not to buy time, was it?

It was her duty to defend against the attacks of the 1st Platoon. That was what Leia had to do.

However, she had no idea how to do that.

“No, if I fall here… everyone will be in trouble.”

For a moment, she felt weak, but Leia forced herself to stay composed.

She rose to her feet with great effort and tried to read the situation calmly.

“Stay calm, Leia.”

The situation was as bad as it could get. Ariel and Dias had easily torn through their allies in front of them.

Fortunately, even if they avoided their attacks, Celia’s lance remained.

“Even if we deal with Celia… there are still rear units.”

Leia widened her view to look at what was behind them.

Above the canyon where they were fighting, in a relatively safe area, Reyna and Bianca Matief were preparing to snipe.

It was frustrating. She couldn’t figure out if they would make it out alive.

She tried to keep her composure, but…

“Shaaargh!”

“Ugh!”

Comrades disappearing. Looking at that sight, it felt like her head was going to explode.

Ariel gazed at Leia, who looked like that, and smiled with a cold smirk.

“Where’s Ian Volkano?”

“What, what?”

“Don’t tell me twice. Where is Ian Volkov?”

Ariel’s eyes narrowed at Ariel’s words searching for Ian.

If she didn’t reveal the truth now, she would die.

But Liah wasn’t stupid enough to give away the information the enemy wanted.

Don’t abandon your comrades. Liah did not forget Kaien’s words that he repeated over and over again.

“Do you think I’ll tell you? If you want to know that badly, why don’t you search the island yourself?”

“What?”

“Oh! Now I understand why you want to know Ian’s location so badly. You’re unsure, aren’t you? You don’t have a chance at victory if you fight honestly. You plan to hold us hostage and kill Ian, don’t you?”

“Are you done talking?”

“No, it’s still a long way to go.”

“Ha!”

At Liah’s words, Ariel raised her eyebrows as if she couldn’t believe it.

None of the three units were likable assholes.

“Yeah, if you’re crazy and want to die, I’ll kill you first.”

Of course, before that, they had to call Ian.

But calling Ian was the priority.

Ariel looked at Dias.

“Dias, search her for any devices. There must be a communication network connecting the platoon leaders.”

“If I find it, what should I do afterwards?”

“Not necessary. Figure it out yourself.”

Satisfied with Ariel’s concise answer, Dias bared his teeth and then shifted his gaze towards Liah Hurst.

“How foolish. If you had answered well, you could have stayed alive.”

It’s a pity, but what can you do? It was that light mouth that shortened her own life.

Liah Hurst would have to pay the price for that.

“A commoner like me will overthrow the nobles… Sounds interesting.”

Thunk!

Dias leaped swiftly and approached Liah. The dagger that he held in reverse glinted fiercely.

Liah tried to move to avoid the attack.

Clank!

“Ugh!”

Before she knew it, her legs were tightly bound by Mana chains. It was the work of Bianca Matheif.

Sshh!

A life-or-death situation where one couldn’t move a muscle.

Ria’s vision grew dim as she faced death.

“Ah…”

Ria gasped. This war game held significant importance for her.

Though it wasn’t a matter of academic performance like a midterm exam, it was a gathering of the empire’s nobility, after all.

Ria wanted to prove herself.

“I wanted to show that House Hirst, too, can produce exceptional swordsmen…”

House Hirst, her family, had gained great renown in the business of leather craftsmanship. But Ria wasn’t particularly fond of it.

Of course, there was no shame in the family’s business. How could one be ashamed of the noble work crafted with the sweat and toil of artisans?

She just wanted to make it known that House Hirst wasn’t solely about leather.

She wanted the empire to recognize the hidden strength within.

“But… to be the very first to be eliminated…”

Of course, it was a story that could no longer come true.

If she were to be eliminated, then the defense mission would undoubtedly fail.

It would be no different from getting the worst possible outcome. People would mock House Hirst, saying that leather was all they had.

But for some reason, even though it was the worst situation, she felt strangely at ease.

“I did my best.”

She didn’t abandon her comrades. With that alone, Ria could peacefully close her eyes.

As she calmed her mind, it was at that moment she had been waiting for her own death.

Boom!

“Kuh! Hek!”

A powerful gust of wind and a deafening sound. It felt like Dias’ attack had covered her, but strangely, there was no pain.

Sensing something amiss, she opened her eyes. And she could see.

“I didn’t expect you to come searching for me yourself. If dying is your wish, then I suppose I should grant it.”

“Ugh!”

“I-Ian?”

The sight of Ian, holding Dias’ throat with one hand, as if to kill him.

Dias, who had leaped into the air to save himself, kicked his feet in desperation. However, Ian held him firmly, even more so as he struggled.

Thud!

“Kuh-uh!”

At that moment, an unmistakable sound filled the air, and Dias’s body slowly began to transform into light, vanishing.

Ian cast a cold glance at the bewildered members of the 1st platoon.

“Come at me.”

Ian Volkanoft. The moment of his appearance had arrived.

***

The footsteps of the 1st platoon members froze upon Ian Volkanoft’s entrance.

Their goal was to lead him here, but they never expected Ian to appear while killing Dias.

The surprise was not limited to just the 1st platoon.

“Huh? How did you get here?”

Lia Hurst. She, too, widened her eyes when she saw Ian.

She hadn’t even requested assistance. How could he arrive at the perfect moment like this?

Lia’s curiosity was satisfied when Ian handed her the device.

Nonchalantly receiving the device he tossed to her, Lia let out an exclamation of relief.

A device with a leather keychain attached. It was undoubtedly hers.

“Why do you have this?”

“I left it in the barracks. Don’t be so careless next time, as a platoon leader.”

“Sorry. It was my fault.”

“But you did well this time.”

If Lia hadn’t delayed time, it would have been impossible to corral the 1st platoon in one place.

There were minor mistakes, but they actually worked in their favor.

Ariel’s eyes trembled at Ian’s sudden appearance.

However, Ariel gripped her sword once again. Ian’s entrance was what she had hoped for. It was time to follow the plan.

“I didn’t expect you to find your way here by yourself.”

“Colleagues requested a rescue. Isn’t it natural to come?”

“Since when did you start caring about colleagues? Do you think you can make up for ruining the Hero Party by acting like this now? Do you still not realize your mistake?”

“Maybe you won’t understand. Why I did what I did to you. Why I disrupted the party.”

“Shut up! If you want to die that badly, I’ll kill you right here!”

In response to Ian’s nonchalant reaction, Ariel ground her teeth.

Even though losing Dias was a clearly painful loss, it wouldn’t bring down First Platoon alone.

They still had their ultimate weapon.

By eliminating Ian Volkanov here, they would achieve their objective!

aaargh!

Ariel began to manipulate pure white mana. Mana like white liquid enveloped her sword as she prepared for another strike.

But that wasn’t the end of it.

Up above in the ravine, there was a powerful surge of mana.

First Platoon’s rear was preparing something.

Ria screamed while looking at Ian.

“Ian! You have to get out of here! I may struggle, but you…”

“No. There’s no need for that.”

“Are you saying you’ll die here? If you get disqualified…”

“Are we fighting with the assumption that we won’t die, Ria?”

“What?”

Ria seemed confused. Ian glanced at her and then turned back to face the front.

Certainly, a readiness to die wasn’t a bad attitude. What was there to fear with such determination?

But that was the problem with Ria.

She didn’t understand the importance of the position of Platoon Leader and always tried to sacrifice herself.

On the contrary, Ian knew how precious the role of Platoon Leader was.

“I won’t die here, and neither will you.”

…

In the meantime, an immense amount of mana began to fill the ravine. Breathing became difficult under the oppressive pressure.

A storm of massive mana. Ria stood there, utterly bewildered as she stared at it.

What kind of thoughts could possibly lead someone to stand in front of that like it was nothing?

Eventually, with all preparations complete, Ariel unleashed her strike.

Kwaaang!

Tremendous attacks converged into one: a massive fireball that could be likened to the sun itself, arrows suffused with the essence of nature, and a devastating strike imbued with power.

All came together and were directed at Ian.

He stood before the attack, unaffected by it. He simply murmured.

“Ro Aires.”

At that moment, a large shield appeared around Ian.

Kwaaang!

It perfectly blocked the full-force strike of a platoon.

Standing still in the dusty canyon, Ian looked at the system window in front of him.

[The seventh shield has been used. Six shields remaining.]

The members of the platoon looked at him in disbelief. Smirking at them, Ian spoke.

“Aether.”

With those words, Ian disappeared from their sight.

Kwaaang!

“aaah!”

The calamity began.