The Tale of the Redeeming Villain

[Blake's POV:]

Carlson is a strange guy.

I thought I knew about him since I read the novel from his perspective but knowing someone through a book and assessing them in person are two completely different things.

The moment I was getting chained up by Carlson, I sensed something was up. He was particularly keeping the chains loose enough so that my limbs wouldn't go numb. His boasting and cringe dialogues seemed out of place but I didn't form any judgment based on it.

However, the moment he grabbed my throat, my thinking about him took a one-eighty degree.

"Do we feed him, commander?" One of the soldiers, who along with his comrades was having dinner, asked while pointing toward me.

The said commander looked complicated about whether to give me food or not when suddenly the 'ultimate judge' voiced out his decision, "Feeding a criminal? Are you guys growing soft now?"

Hearing that taunt the commander frowned before he formed his decision, "Sir Carlson is right. There is no point in feeding someone that is about to get slaughtered."

And thus, I was left alone.

Well, if they had tried to feed me, it would have become problematic. After all, there was something stored inside my mouth that I could not let them see nor could I swallow it.

It was the key of my cuffs which was stuffed in my mouth by none other than the Dragon of Ragnarok.

To say I was shocked would be a huge understatement. I was taken aback when I found the thing he forcibly pushed into my mouth under the pretense of threatening me.

Now that I think about it, all this time, whenever Carlson insulted me he was shouting and letting everyone hear how much he hated me.

'It means he is being forced by the Emperor...or the Pope...' Either case can be correct since the Emperor has the ultimate authority and the Pope has someone dear to Clarson as his hostage.

Regardless, it was a fact that in the eyes of the people around us, Carlson was hateful towards me but in reality, he was trying to help me escape.

'Haha...this plot twist was never in my expectation.' I thought that this world was trying to send me off since I lived past my original death date. However, I was wrong. Carlson was indeed the protagonist of this world.

But the question was, when I would be using this key to gain my freedom? I do not doubt that for the whole night, some of the soldiers would be stationed to look out for me and guard the tents from any monster invasion.

'I need to be quick and discreet about this...' If Carlson was being blackmailed by someone then I couldn't let them know that Carlson never intended to get me executed. That's why, if I couldn't find any opening to escape through the normal route, I would go berserk by the system's buff.

******

[Some hours later]

Dark skies have completely enshrouded the lands and occasional noises of the nocturnals resonated across the dense forest.

I was bound by the chains and haven't spoken a single word after my 'confrontation' with Carlson.

The people from the church have gone to sleep and some of the soldiers as well. The commander was amongst them as well.

There were around thirty soldiers still stationed around the camp and were patrolling around.

Naturally, I was in their field of vision all the time and there was one who was doing nothing but to stare at me while sitting just parallel to me.

It was Carlson.

He has taken the role of keeping an eye on me for some hours until the commander doesn't get some hours of sleep.

Undoubtedly, I didn't say anything to Carlson or it would have raised suspicion. And it was the same for him as well.

I was waiting for some kind of signal or anything. I was hoping I could escape before sunrise or this would become tricky in front of the priests who can use the energy of the sun to enhance their skills.

'Huh?' Suddenly, for a moment, I found the red flame-like eyes of the Protagonist shining in the darkness.

It was ominous and could easily spook someone—however, rather than being petrified, I was shocked.

The skill, from my knowledge, which he was using was called 'Provoke'.

As the name suggests, it is used to attract the attention of entities around the caster—sending signals that could provoke them for a battle.

However, since it was Carlson who was using this skill, the only entities who would feel this spell were—

"*GRRUUUUUUUOOOOOGH*"

"*Grrrrrrrrr*"

*Thump* *Thump*

Everyone in the camp froze upon hearing numerous movements coming alive around them.

The mighty roar of a bear, the growling of a feline beast, the heavy footsteps of a jungle ape...I could already guess that this was my chance.

"What was that?!" The commander darted out of his tent, stress etched deeply into his features. One by one, the other members of the battalion and the church emerged from their tents, their expressions a mixture of confusion, concern, and determination. Some clutched weapons tightly, while others murmured prayers under their breath, their eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of danger.

I got myself into work as I spat the key into my palm. Naturally, no one saw me doing it as I inserted the key into the keyhole.

Since only my wrists were cuffed, I was able to bend my hand to the point where I could easily twist and rotate the key inside the lock.

The sound of numerous beasts was nearing at a terrifying pace and the soldiers were panicking all over the place.

"Get in formation! We have to defend ourselves and make an escape! It seems we are in the way of a stampede."

The true actor of the year—Carlson—gave a strong command to the soldiers. At the sound of his voice, they immediately snapped to attention, understanding their roles with a newfound clarity and purpose.

'Ah...it's open...' I didn't immediately drop my cuffs once I unlocked them. If I move now they would notice. Carlson has created an opening I just need to utilise it.

"Here it comes!" Just as the commander shouted, an eight-foot-tall bear appeared before the battalion with its eyes burning red in fury.

"*GRUUUUUUOOOOGH*" It landed its massive paw towards the soldiers who were standing in front. Two of them dashed around to attack the bear from either side while the other soldiers remained rooted at their place to fight against the other beasts.

Soon, the once peaceful camp was enveloped in utter chaos as numerous beasts of varying sizes began to attack from here and there. Every person was involved in battle or supporting the vanguards.

Since there was no one looking at me, slowly dropped the cuffs and held the loose chain with my hand before lifting it above my head and separating myself.

Just as I was about to run away, my eyes met with Carlson, and for a brief moment, I found him smirking.

Since he resumed battling I didn't linger there for long a

nd without looking behind I ran away.

**********

A/N:- Ah...well, it wasn't like it was unexpected.