The Tale of the Redeeming Villain

"The Deities are manipulating him?" Blake frowned, not able to believe what he just heard.

"Yeah, one of the deities is manipulating the Emperor to capture you and blackmail Cathy," Carlson responded. Gulping another spoonful of the vegetable soup Catherine prepared, he added, "The Deities couldn't afford to have Catherine lose focus from me. After all, they are aware of the crisis I could bring if Catherine doesn't stop me when the time comes."

Catherine glanced at Blake and found him looking at her as well, before the former asked, "That's why he has been continuously sending troops to capture Blake."

That's right—Carlson said before he drank the remaining content from the bowl and thanked Catherine.

Blake had a bowl in his hand as well, however, he was far from being hungry at the moment. His whole world had flipped upside down after Carlson appeared.

Thinking a little closely, Blake asked, "So...I get captured next month during the competition, Catherine gets blackmailed...then why didn't the deities protect her and let her die?"

Carlson heaved a sigh, "The one who killed Catherine is one of the seven Archdemons who had taken the form of the security chief of the Hell's Gate." With his gaze falling, Carlson said, "That was the only place where Catherine never allowed anyone to follow her even in the name of security. And that's why it was the only place she could have gotten targeted."

Blake clenched his fist in annoyance. He couldn't believe that not only his plan failed but he ended up becoming the reason for her death.

The girl he just took an oath to protect his whole life...was...

Catherine rested her hand on Blake's clenched fist, attracting his eyes to her warm ones. The smile she wore slowly made him lose the strength in his arms and his clenched fist loosened up.

Catherine brought his hand on her cheek, and leaned her face before whispering, "I am still here...right by your side."

Blake's heart regained the composure it lost the moment he saw Carlson.

Heaving a sigh, he nodded to her and slowly turned his head towards Carlson.

The look Carlson wore on his face was akin to how a father looks at his children.

Blake coughed in his fist, helping Carlson to get himself back to reality, before he asked, "So tell me, Carlson, you walked back into the past; don't you fear the deities to notice you?"

Carlson seemed nonchalant, "I have the blessings of the Supreme Mother. Until I don't make some massive moves, they won't notice me."

"That's a relief."

The conversation came to a pause. Carlson drank some water and Blake had enough composure on his side to finish the meal Catherine prepared.

Once he was done, Blake asked Carlson, "So...you are here to warn me to not attack the Emperor? But other than that, what can I do? Now that you have explained things to us, I don't find any other option than to just live like a nomad."

"Exactly, you have to do that," Carlson replied instantly.

He glanced at Catherine before suggesting, "You have to leave her behind and just disappear for the-"

"Wait, what?! I am not going to live here anymore if they can't accept Blake." Catherine instantly retorted.

Carlson sighed, "I knew you would say something like that, that's why I have thought of another method."

"And that is?"

Carlson side gazed at the black-haired boy before he said, "You both have to run away and forget about your friends and family for the whole year. Live somewhere secretly until the great war begins; then you will know what you have to do."

Catherine's eyes sparkled hearing this option. She was more than okay to just run away with Blake and start a new life. It sounded so much better than any other alternative.

However, before taking such a massive step, Blake had to ensure some of the things, "Are you sure about this? Many battles Carlson has to face before the war and without Catherine..."

"You don't have to worry about it. I know myself more than anyone else, and after losing Catherine, my younger self would be devastated enough to exterminate whatever comes his way."

Blake's raised finger of objection lost its strength. That...was true. The dragon was really sentimental. After all, in a fit of rage, he nearly engulfed the very fabric of reality.

Blake looked at Catherine, and she looked back at him. They both talked wordlessly with their eyes. Whatever questions Blake asked were answered positively and there was a strange excitement in Catherine's eyes that told him that this should be their final decision.

"Okay, we will do that."

Carlson breathed heavily in relief. This was the most crucial moment and decision which could decide the future of this world.

Carlson could have gone back a little more in time and could have stopped Catherine's abduction which would have never allowed her to fall for Blake...but he chose not to.

Catherine was never meant to be with him. In this world, if she could fall for someone then it was Blake.

"Uh, yeah....Blake, here you go." Suddenly Carlson handed Blake a brown leather pouch and said, "You are smart enough to understand what is in there."

Blake nodded and didn't open the pouch right away.

Carlson got up from his seat and so did the other two.

Gazing at the night sky, which had begun to brighten up, he said, "I guess it's time for me to return."

Stepping forward Carlson spread his arms and lightly hugged Catherine, which the latter returned.

Separating from her, he warmly smiled at his best friend before stating, "Whatever happens now, you have to think of yourself and your happiness first, okay?"

Catherine nodded with a soft smile on her face before replying, "Take care."

Shifting to the left, Carlson got face to face with the person for whom he had felt numerous emotions. Disgust, anger, jealousy and in the end, nothing but regret remained.

Exhaling a heavy breath, he offered his hand.

Blake grabbed the hand and shook it slightly as he heard Carlson saying, "Give her your utmost priority, Blake. The world is on one side, and Cathy is on one side. You can't take care of both so be a responsible man and take care of her only."

Today, when he woke up, Blake never could have expected that he would hear these words from Carlson...more so, from the one belonging to the future.

Regardless, he nodded diligently and said, "I will take care of her until my last breath."

Blake felt a little warmth seeping inside his hand however, he didn't think about it for long and waved at Carlson as he walked into a portal soon after.

Staring at the spot where once the portal hung, Blake muttered under his breath,

'Fuck the plot, now I am going to live however I want...'

***********

A/N:- Hell yeaaaaaaaahhhhh!!