Ch 305: Can’t Even See Through An Illusion? You’re A Pretty Lousy Villain

“What did you do to us?”

Bal glared fiercely at Ingway, his eyes filled with rage. Ingway, sitting on the banister, had shed her previous performance persona; she now appeared more frantic.

“I’ve already submitted a cooperation proposal, but you refused. Not only that, the hero who supposedly saved this place, as sung by the populace, is only this capable? It seems I overestimated your strength. Oh, by the way, I used a Puppeteer’s Secret Technique on you. As long as you cooperate with me, I’ll release you. You still have a choice; choose quickly, heroes who saved Guangyue Town.”

“Wait, you mean as long as we cooperate, we’ll be safe, right?”

Grey, who was hanging upside down, spoke first; he was about to make his decision.

“That’s right. Do you intend to join me?”

“Grey! What are you doing?!”

Bal roared at Grey, but Grey wore the face of a Villain.

“Look at your pathetic state now, and think about Nia; she’s still imprisoned!”

“Hahahahahaha, what a fine dogfight. Mr. Grey, your choice is correct.”

Ingway temporarily released her control over Grey. She helped Grey up and patted his shoulder.

“Welcome aboard, Mr. Grey.”

“I have only one request.”

“Speak.”

“Don’t involve Nia.”

“Fine, I promise you.”

Ingway took out a Bracelet and put it on Grey’s left wrist. This time, Bal shouted even louder.

“What did you do to Grey?!”

“Shh, be quiet. This is merely a token of acceptance for my invitation. Now, you still have a choice: join us or fade into oblivion?”

“…Despicable Villain.”

“Hahahaha, what a wonderful compliment! Thank you. So, your answer is?”

“Hmph, kill me then, provided you have the ability.”

“Tsk…stubborn.”

Ingway moved a finger, and Bal was instantly torn to shreds.

“Miss Fei’er, you’re a smart one.”

“You’re too late.”

“What?”

The next second, blood gushed from Phia’s mouth, and she soon breathed her last.

“What happened?”

“Do you know of this ancient Contract Ritual? It shares the lifespans of both parties, but the cost is that if one party suddenly dies, the other will also die.”

Grey lowered his head, his bangs obscuring his eyes. Ingway couldn’t see his expression, but from his slightly choked voice, it was clear that Bal and Phia were truly dead.

“What a pity. I thought I could recruit at least one High-Rank Adventurer. But there’s still Nia.”

“What do you mean?!”

Grey raised his head and looked at Ingway.

“Didn’t you promise not to harm Nia?”

“You didn’t actually believe me, did you? Nia was merely a tool I used to lure you in. Once a tool loses its function, it has no further purpose.”

“Aren’t you afraid I’ll betray you now?”

“I’m certain you won’t. Because…”

Ingway raised her hand, and Grey raised his corresponding hand, his expression mostly one of surprise.

“Don’t forget, I’m a Puppeteer. I don’t casually release the Threads binding my Game.”

“What is your ultimate goal?”

“I’ll tell you. I want to become the ruler here, using this place as an Outpost to counterattack the Empire. The Empire exiled me, but since I’m still alive, it means my life wasn’t meant to end. So I’ll gradually bring everyone here under my Control. Though those two are a pity, it doesn’t matter. There are plenty of High-Rank Adventurers here; I’ll find the people I need.”

“Why did you target us first?”

“When I first arrived, I heard about Nia. She’s so kind; there are very few people who offer free medical services. And her Miracle Cure is truly effective; even I can’t perfectly replicate it. But I didn’t need to. Nia was just a pawn in achieving my goal. I have to say, the people here are easy to manipulate. Just give them some money, and they’ll help me smear someone. There were no fake medicines; the so-called fake medicines were just a scheme I set up to bring you under my command. Also, I heard you were once an Imperial citizen. Haven’t you ever thought about Revenge?”

“I have, but I’ve already made a new life for myself. Here, I can choose what I like, and the Empire’s injustice is already a thing of the past.”

As he spoke, Grey drew a Short Sword and held it to his neck.

“Want to test whether your Threads or my Short Sword is faster?”

“What are you doing? You’re crazy!”

“Hmph, the moment you decided to abandon Nia, I already had this plan.”

“Tsk…one after another, all stubborn.”

“Now it’s your turn to choose.”

“Choose? My choice has always been only one: Revenge against the Empire!”

“Our paths diverge.”

With that, Grey slit his own throat with the Short Sword, blood spilling onto the ground.

“A lovesick fool, incapable of great things. Forget him. But this situation calls for a new scheme. Who should I target next? The Council Hall; they are all influential figures. Controlling them will pave my rise to power.”

Ingway stepped over Grey’s corpse. As she was about to go upstairs, she heard the sound of the Gate being broken down.

“Who’s there?”

At the Main Gate stood Bal, Phia, and Grey.

“You?! Weren’t you already dead?”

“Hilarious! You couldn’t even see through such simple Illusion, and you wanted to control all of Guangyue Town?”

Phia moved her finger, and Grey, who had fallen, and Bal, who had become fragments, stood up. They transformed into small paper figures and floated back into Phia’s hand.

“You dare to toy with me!”

Ingway tried her old trick again. She was extremely confident in her abilities as a Puppeteer, but this time, she failed.

“What? Trying to control us again?”

Bal dashed from the Main Gate to Ingway’s side. Ingway’s hands had been severed by Bal at some point.

“Aaargh!”

Hearing Ingway’s scream, Bal didn’t stop. He grabbed Ingway’s hair and flung her in front of Phia.

“You! I can’t… I can’t fall here!”

Phia didn’t speak. Her pitch-black Spear descended from above Ingway, and the cross-shaped spearhead severed Ingway’s legs.

“To be fair, I didn’t want to treat you this way. My style isn’t that merciful.”

Phia turned to Grey.

“Did you record everything she said?”

“Don’t worry, it’s all recorded.”

Grey took out the Sound Recording Magic Item from his bosom. Grey was still transmitting!

“Grey!”

“Shut up.”

Grey held the Short Sword to Ingway’s neck as she lay on the ground. His cold eyes, glittering with a chilling light, fixed on Ingway.

“Your biggest mistake was making an enemy of us here. Don’t worry, unlike you, I won’t kill you here. That would be of no benefit to Nia. I will hand you over to the Self-Defense Force, to the Trial, and let the people of Guangyue Town judge you. You will experience the humiliation you suffered in the Empire. That is my Revenge.”

Grey stood up, sheathed his Short Sword, and handed the Sound Recording Magic Item to Bal.

“Take her to the Self-Defense Force, and bring Nia Home.”

“Got it!”

Bal put the Sound Recording Magic Item into his Magic Bag. He hoisted the helpless Ingway, who could no longer offer Resistance, and rushed towards the Self-Defense Force’s Prison, with Phia following behind to prevent Ingway from suddenly Counterattacking.

The next day, Ingway’s Trial arrived. Ingway, along with everyone who took her money, received punishment. Ingway was sentenced to hanging, Eliot was dismissed from his post and exiled to the depths of the Snow Mountain, and the rest of the troublemakers had their ill-gotten gains confiscated and were fined. Nia returned Home. When Bal asked if she would continue saving people, she replied:

“Of course!”