Villain Simulator, Ch 58

His physical injuries had long lost their sensation.

But his heart felt as if it were being cut and chopped with knives every second of every minute.

The music behind the screen, which had started out loud and high, gradually became soft and subdued, eventually fading into silence, only to begin its cycle again after a brief pause. Over the course of one night, it repeated itself nine times.

The violinist could not close his eyes, nor could he block out the sounds. His greatest pride in life had been his keen hearing, which could catch the whispers of insects and the trickling of mountain springs.

Now, he wished he were deaf.

…

The ritual continued from midnight until dawn. Only when the morning sun shone upon the screen, burning the violinist's eyes, did the ceremony finally conclude.

Though Lucas was over forty, his body had long surpassed the strength of ordinary men due to years of bathing in the First Cup of Red Wine.

When he stepped out from behind the screen, sunlight bathed his body. His figure, resembling a grand statue, caused the violinist to feel a sense of inferiority.

"Well, well, you've had a tough night," Lucas said as he took two steps forward and easily removed the torture device from the violinist's head with his fingers. "Staying awake all night must have been quite painful, huh?"

Pain?

Yes, it was excruciating!

But more unbearable than the pain in his eyes was the torment in the violinist's heart.

Perhaps due to being forced to stay awake all night, the violinist found himself unable to close his eyes.

His once handsome and elegant face now appeared grotesque and horrifying, with his bloodshot eyes seemingly ready to burst from their sockets.

The violinist remained silent, his gaze falling upon the girl who had haunted his dreams. But whether it was his imagination or not, it seemed as though her face did not show the despair or pain he had expected after the storm, but instead... a more complex expression.

"I keep my promises," Lucas patted the girl's shoulder and smiled. "You can take her away now... Though, honestly, I'm a little reluctant to let her go."

The violinist knew that this was a mockery directed at him. But he no longer cared.

His spirit was on the brink of collapse, and the only thing that could heal him now was the warmth of the girl's embrace. The violinist just wanted to leave this hell with her by his side.

However, just as he reached out his hand to take hers, the girl suddenly took half a step back.

The violinist's outstretched hand hovered in midair, trembling slightly.

"W-What's wrong?" the violinist asked in a daze. "Come with me. I don't care about what happened last night. We… we can start a new life…"

"I'm sorry, but…" the girl gently tugged at Lucas's sleeve, lowering her gaze. "I can no longer leave Lord Eberhart."

Crack...

It was as though Lucas could hear something breaking.

"Ha... hahaha…" The violinist's face twisted into a smile as he muttered, "No… that's impossible… hahaha!"

He stumbled toward the door, like a man who had lost his soul. The guards at the door immediately moved to stop him.

"No need to stop him. Let him go," Lucas waved his hand.

"But…" one of the guards hesitated. "He's a criminal who tried to assassinate you."

"Let the people of Mondstadt see the consequences of defying me," Lucas said with a cold smile, watching the violinist's retreating figure. "Sometimes, the living are more useful than the dead. And sometimes, the dead are more useful than the living."

[Immersive mode ended. Calculating score.]

[Score: S-rank]

[Rewards obtained: "Troupe's Dawnlight," "Bard's Arrow Feather," "Concert's Final Hour," "Wanderer's String-Kettle," "Conductor's Top Hat"]

[Full set of "Wanderer's Troupe" obtained, activating set effect]

[Effect: 1. Increases Elemental Mastery by 80% (Elemental Mastery is the ability to control elements; the higher the value, the greater the control). 2. Increases damage of all ranged attacks by 35%.]

The rewards this time were quite generous.

In previous achievements, I only got one relic at a time, but this time, I was given an entire set.

However, the relic set bonuses seemed a little different from those in the game.

In the game, "Elemental Mastery" increases both elemental damage and elemental reaction damage. But in this world, where you can't frequently switch characters to trigger different elemental reactions, the Elemental Mastery effect has been changed to control over elements.

[You did well, I almost feel like hugging you… if I had hands]

The system gave a fairly blunt evaluation.

"I was just in it for the rewards," Lucas replied, seeming to have grown more and more accustomed to these situations. "Besides, it was all just a performance. Does playing a villain in a movie mean the actor is a bad person in real life?"

Being able to play a role that people hate is a talent in itself. Even Teacher Li, who played a famous villain, was once pelted with rotten eggs.

[You make a good point. Here's to you continuing to grow stronger and reaching new heights]

[Switching to text mode]

[Under your iron rule, the "Wanderer's Troupe Band" was completely dismantled. The conductor's body was taken down, but a mad beggar has now appeared in the town, his appearance terrifying, especially his wide-open eyes, which seem to never close.]

[People know he was once one of the rebels, and this... is the fate of those who resist.]

[Of course, this is not the end. One last member still fights on. Though the sword dancer was made a gladiator slave, she continues to resist, defeating all her opponents. Her bold and graceful form has even earned her the title "Swordsman of the Dawn."]

[This doesn't upset you. After all, she is your gladiator slave. The blood and sweat she sheds will ultimately become your profit. Forcing her to sell her swordsmanship to the very nobles she despises and to kill her own kind—could there be a more fitting punishment?]

[The gladiator arena is a space reserved for the entertainment of nobles. Nothing better showcases the nobility's superiority than watching the lowly fight for their lives to provide amusement.]

[At the same time, the arena is also a place for nobles to display their wealth. The wealthier the family, the more expensive and powerful the gladiator slaves they can afford, winning battle after battle.]

[As the most prominent noble family in Mondstadt, the Lawrence family holds significant influence in the arena. Under your command are many skilled gladiators.]

[Today, you've hidden your identity and entered the arena to watch the sword dancer's battle. After all, watching as the head of the Lawrence family would surely draw unwanted attention. Upon entering, however, you spot a familiar figure—a white-haired old gladiator.]

[He was the first gladiator to submit to you thirty years ago. Even then, he was already old, and now he is over eighty. Though you long ago granted him his freedom, he chose to remain in the arena, doing odd jobs.]

[Much like a prisoner who has spent too long in jail and cannot adapt to the outside world, the old gladiator has become a slave to the system. Whenever he sees you, he still respectfully calls you "Master" as a sign of his loyalty.]

[The gladiatorial match soon begins, and at last, you see the sword dancer's elegant form. Although she is no match for you, her graceful and agile swordsmanship, like a dance, has earned her victory after victory.]

[You once promised her an almost impossible task—if she won one hundred battles, you would grant her freedom.]

[She does not fear death, but she craves freedom. Freedom would mean a chance to seek revenge against you.]

[Her next match will be her one-hundredth. You are not afraid that she will win and gain her freedom—you can give her freedom and still have a thousand ways to make her a slave again.]

[Her opponent steps into the ring. The moment you see her, your gaze is immediately drawn to her.]

[She is a red-haired woman with tan skin, seemingly from the nomadic Natlan tribe. Due to the dragon Ursa's attacks, many Natlan people fled to Mondstadt, where they were enslaved.]

[You've never seen her before, but you sense an extraordinary potential in her.]

[A prophecy flashes in your mind—your rule will be overthrown by a red-haired warrior!]

[The battle begins, with the sword dancer and the red-haired swordswoman clashing fiercely. Both are highly skilled, and as they exchange blows, you sense a mutual admiration between them.]

[Both are young, both resentful of the nobility, both possessing exceptional swordsmanship. The sword dancer's technique is graceful and elegant, while the red-haired warrior's style is fierce and relentless. Even a layperson would be captivated by such a brilliant fight, let alone you, someone who has studied how to counter sword techniques from a young age.]

[Both of them are rare swordsmanship talents, but unfortunately, in the gladiator arena, only one can survive.]

[In the end, the red-haired swordswoman gains the upper hand, finding an opening in the sword dancer's technique and driving her sword into her chest. Blood splatters across the red-haired warrior's face, adding a solemn air to her exotic features.]

[As the sword dancer's life fades, the red-haired warrior says something. You can't hear it, but with your hawk-like eyesight, you read her lips: "I will carry on your will to resist."]

[That's right! It's her! With her great strength, her will to resist, and her warrior-like spirit, she is the one destined to overthrow your rule.]

[But you are not afraid. Since you've already stopped one prophecy, you can certainly stop another. You decide to:]

[1. Buy the red-haired swordswoman and kill her]

[2. Order the noble who owns her to kill her]

[3. Find a stronger gladiator to kill her]

"I choose the first!"

After a moment of thought, Lucas made his decision.

Gladiator slaves are the private property of nobles. Even as the head of the Lawrence family, you cannot simply demand the destruction of someone else's property. Such an action would raise suspicions and unnecessary attention.

As for the third option, Lucas suspected that the red-haired warrior was likely Vennessa, the "Lionfang Knight" from history, who overthrew the Mondstadt aristocracy and founded the Knights of Favonius. Finding a gladiator strong enough to defeat her would be nearly impossible.

Quietly buying her and then killing her would be far easier. After all, the Lawrence family never lacked money.

[You decide to find the owner of the red-haired swordswoman and buy her. Just as you're about to leave the arena, someone taps you on the shoulder. You turn around and are surprised to see that the person is the red-haired woman you encountered at the tavern, the one who is likely your illegitimate daughter.]

[You're surprised because only nobles are allowed inside the arena. The red-haired woman seems to notice your surprise and explains that she has inherited her grandfather's job and become a squire. She then asks you why you are here.]

[Since you are hiding your identity, you casually tell her that you're just a worker at the arena. The red-haired woman seems to believe you completely and even asks if you could give the "Swordsman of the Dawn" a proper burial.]

["Uncle, that final sword dance of the Swordsman of the Dawn really moved me. If I ever become a true knight, I want to name myself in her honor! I'll call myself…" the red-haired girl excitedly declared, "the Dawn Knight!"]

No way!

Lucas smacked his forehead.

He had previously wondered whether the ancestor of the Ragnvindr family a thousand years later might be this red-haired woman's brother, but now it seemed she was indeed the one!

What kind of expression would Master Diluc have if he found out that his ancestor was connected to the Lawrence family's tyrant?

Thankfully, this is just a simulation.

[So, she's been inspired by the spirit of the rebels? If it were anyone else, you would have immediately ordered their capture. But in the end, you can't bring yourself to harm your daughter.]

[After all, it's not unusual for young people to admire heroic figures. Once she matures, she'll come to realize how foolish she once was.]

[The only thing you need to do now is eliminate that red-haired swordswoman!]

[You found the owner of the red-haired swordswoman. He was also a noble of Mondstadt, not as powerful as the Lawrence family, but still quite influential, though he had always been overshadowed by the Lawrences.]

[You inquired about the red-haired swordswoman and learned that her name was Vennessa, a refugee from the Munata tribe who had come to Mondstadt. Because of her impressive swordsmanship, she was made into a gladiator.]

[You expressed your desire to buy Vennessa, but to your surprise, the noble refused. As it turns out, this noble family had long been passionate about the gladiatorial arena business, but they could never surpass the Lawrence family. Now that they had a powerful gladiator like Vennessa, they saw her as their chance to become the champions of the arena. There was no way they would sell her to another family.]

[Although the Lawrence family held immense power in Mondstadt, the city's aristocracy was deeply interconnected. They had no issue with how you exploited the commoners, but when their interests were at stake, they wouldn't agree easily.]

[Faced with the looming threat of being overthrown, you weren't about to give up so easily. An insidious plan came to mind that would allow you to get your hands on Vennessa... Killing her outright would be a waste. You felt a fiery power within her that, if absorbed, would greatly enhance your own fire elemental strength.]

[You summoned your loyal gladiators and asked if any were willing to participate in a battle they were sure to die in. If they accepted, their families would receive a substantial reward.]

[The gladiators hesitated. After all, most of them were loners fighting for their freedom, hoping to win enough matches to return to a life of liberty. Who would willingly give up their life?]

[At that moment, a sturdy figure knelt before you, offering to take on the task.]

[It was none other than the old gladiator who had served you for thirty years. He was now quite elderly, but his clouded eyes still shone with unwavering determination.]

[Your feelings were complicated. Though just a slave, the gladiator had been your first teacher in spear techniques. He had devoted nearly half his life to serving you, while others around you had left, yet he had remained loyal.]

["Don't feel troubled, my lord. I am old. Rather than waiting silently for death, I would prefer to die fighting in the arena," the gladiator carefully pulled a glass-encased flower from his pocket. The flower had long since withered and turned black—it was the one you casually gave him years ago. "This old servant swore an oath to Lord Eberhart and is ready to shed my last drop of blood for him!"]

[While everyone now called you "Lord," the gladiator still addressed you as "Young Master." To him, you were still the young boy who gave him a boutonnière and practiced spear techniques under the moonlit sky.]

[With a sigh, you accepted the gladiator's request. Three days later, the "special" duel began. On one side stood the arena's rising star, the foreign swordswoman Vennessa, known as the "Battle Demon," while on the other was an old spearman, barely able to stand.]

[The gladiator's final battle was not greeted with flowers and applause, but with mockery and scorn. Everyone thought the Lawrence family had gone mad for sending an old man to face the strongest gladiator in the arena.]

[But the old gladiator still held his iron spear firmly, standing tall in front of Vennessa, and she, in return, offered him her utmost respect.]

[What was expected to be an easy battle turned out to be anything but. The old gladiator's spear techniques were elusive and masterful, keeping Vennessa at bay for quite some time.]

[Experience outweighs youth, and a stick in the hands of an elder is more dangerous than fists of the young. Years of battle experience had refined the gladiator's skills to their purest form. He had given most of his life to the arena, and this final performance would be nothing short of perfect.]

[The audience, including you, were stunned by the spectacle. No one had expected the old man, who usually swept the grounds, to be so powerful. Gradually, the crowd began to cheer for him.]

[However, the gladiator was simply too old. Though his spear techniques were unmatched, his stamina was quickly depleted. Vennessa knew that all she had to do was wait.]

[Finally, the old gladiator reached his limit. The iron spear in his frail hands felt as heavy as a thousand pounds, and he could no longer lift it.]

["Kill me," the gladiator whispered his final request. "It is my last wish."]

[Vennessa nodded. With a single thrust, her sword pierced the old man's heart. "You were an honorable opponent," she said softly.]

["No, I wasn't," the gladiator muttered. With his remaining strength, he grabbed the blade of Vennessa's sword and smeared the poison he had hidden in his palm onto the blade. "I'm sorry, but this was my duty."]

[Vennessa's eyes widened in shock as she quickly withdrew her sword from the gladiator's chest, but it was too late. Black blood was already trickling from the old man's lips.]

["Poison! There's poison on the sword!" someone in the crowd shouted, and soon a group of soldiers rushed in, seizing the stunned Vennessa.]

-----

Author's Note: I wasn't joking when I said he'll do worse things in this simulation compared to barbara one....

Well we did not reach 800 ps so only 1 chap!