The Tale of the Redeeming Villain

[Lana's POV:]

"Madame Lana, he is here." Hearing the security guard's words, everyone in the conference room shared a glance. Naturally, as his secretary(?) it was my duty to pick him up from the entrance.

"Hmm." Getting up, I walked out of the room and descended to the ground floor.

Today, the company would denounce Blake and would tell him to leave the company. This decision was something that wasn't formed because of what Blake did with the Saintess. Rather, this incident just boosted up the process.

Blake's misdeeds and his rudeness towards his subordinates have brought this decision and now with this Saintess situation, the council of directors got the perfect opportunity to kick him out.

'How would he react?' I wouldn't say that I am not excited to see him throwing a tantrum here—only to get nothing out of it. There was nothing that Blake could change how much he wanted to. The decision was final and he had to leave.

With the humiliation he has made me go through, I have the right to enjoy his helpless state as well.

*Click*

As I opened the door, I found him standing there—hiding his face behind a hood. Well, considering what grave sin he has committed, I wasn't surprised.

"Lana...long time." His awkward greeting surprised me a bit. Is it that, he knows about today's meeting's agenda, that's why his behaviour towards me changed?

Doubt.

"Let's go. Everyone is waiting." Regardless, I didn't have any intention of forgiving him or suddenly becoming chummy with him.

After saying so I began to lead him inside.

It was strange that he was so silent. Most of the time, he finds a way to insult me, by asking if I have done this or that. But today, he was quite different.

'Maybe he got tortured by the church?' It wouldn't be surprising that the church might have punished him for kidnapping their precious Saintess.

The short-lived silence was broken as we entered the conference room and everyone shifted uncomfortably in their seats.

No one, I repeat, no one in the office had a good relationship with Blake.

Sometimes his rude behavior and antisocial personality made me wonder if he deliberately tries to keep his distance from others by saying some of the meanest things. But naturally, I never bothered to think about it.

The seat where Blake usually sat was currently occupied by Sir Gary—the new director of the company.

Seeing him seated there, I hoped that Blake would fly in rage. I wished to see him humiliating himself in front of others. It would give my heart some relief.

However,

*Shlink*

Wordlessly he took the seat left vacant for him and sat down.

I was taken aback. This was not what I expected him to do, and looking at others' expressions, I could tell that it was the same for them as well.

'Has he really changed....no.' I inwardly shook my head and decided to not jump to any conclusion. He might be acting patiently and calmly now but once the meeting begins and the resignation form is offered to him, the real face of Blake would surely surface.

"Ladies and gentlemen..." Sir Emberg began with his opening speech. He addressed the current situation of the company and the probable growth we would be enjoying.

However, the progress would be stagnant and maybe the company might face loss if Blake remains a part of this firm.

"We know you have done a lot for this company, but because of your misdeeds we cannot afford to have you in the company."

Sir Garu finally landed the bomb as he forwarded the resignation form and asked Blake to leave the company, straight and simple.

Everyone watched Blake with varying looks. Some feared that he might create a ruckus, some seemed curious as to how he would react—including me—and some remained purely indifferent.

However, against everyone's expectation, Blake simply took the document and after checking it briefly he took out his pen and signed on it.

My lips parted agape in shock.

W-what....the heck? He....signed it? Just like that?

"Okay then gentlemen, it has been a great time working with you. Goodbye." He got up from his seat and just left.

"..."

Silence ensued in the office room before Sir Emberg hurriedly asked me, "Check if he has used some different signature."

I nodded to him and instantly raised the document. Placing my glasses on my nose, I narrowed my eyes and checked the signature from very close.

I took some seconds to assess his signature. I was the only one who had seen it quite many times so I remember it vividly. And despite how much I tried to find any difference...there was none.

"It's...valid."

"Huh?" Sir Emberg fell on his chair with an unbelieving sound escaping his lips. I had the same reaction as I put the documents back on the table.

"Did he not understand what those documents meant?" Lady Diana asked while glancing around.

"I have never seen anyone more careful and attentive to each document they sign than Blake." Sir Gary's words silenced everyone's doubts. He was the closest person to Blake when he was working in this company. And to some extent, their relationship has been good.

And just as Sir Gary said, I also have seen Blake reading even those papers relating to trivial matters like transport or labour before he signs on them. One could say that Blake doesn't believe in anyone, however, it is one of the most fundamental qualities of an ideal businessman.

I looked at the door from where he exited and could not help but think, 'What has happened...that changed you so much?'

*******

[Blake's POV:]

After leaving the building of my ex-working place, I decided to leave immediately.

For the time being, I need to remain inside the Academy. The situation with Catherine will take some time to settle down. I either have to stay hidden for about six months or hope for a major incident to occur that diverts attention away from me.

'The laws of the company are different here...' Remembering the terms I saw on those documents which I signed before, I sighed.

In my last life, retiring or resigning gives some benefits to the person unless they have done some crime. However, even though my crime was not proven I was being treated like a criminal. And from the bank, I could no longer retrieve my money.

'Haah...system, is there any way for me to earn money by performing tasks?'

[Negative. The host can only gain skills and tools from the System through points.]

Not the answer which I didn't expect, but definitely not the answer I wanted to hear.

For a start-up, I have decided to open a restaurant somehow. I know cooking well and some of the dishes were unknown to this world which would become surely famous.

However, to afford a place, helpers, utensils, and furniture, I need triple the amount of money I have right now.

'Haah...if I just get my hands on some mana core....' Opting for the life of a hunter was not a choice until I was studying at the Academy. As such, I have to rely on the group raids which the school conducts once in two weeks. If I get some mana core, then I will try to magicraft the weapon I have and sell it for a high price.

With such thoughts, I was heading toward the forest after leaving the town behind.

It was then, that I suddenly heard some faint rustling of bushes nearby.

'Ambush? Most likely the church...' I didn't show any reaction to that sound and kept my steps steady. If they were here to attack me then there was a high chance an archer would be continuously tracking my movements—and the slightest change in my movements would allow him to shoot at me.

I kept on walking further and now could hear the sound of some people following me. They no longer were hiding their presence so I guess they surrounded me.

'Damn...as I thought, one of those bastards informed the church...' Cursing inwardly I formulated a plan for my escape.

However, before I could have made a move, a loud voice reverberated,

"Why are you guys being a wuss? Just get him, already."

I paused in my tracks upon hearing that familiar voice.

I turned to look to my left and found that not only the people from the church but the soldiers from the Empire had su

rrounded me as well. And the person who was leading them was none other than...

"Carlson?"

*******

A/N:- Drop a comment.