Villain Simulator, Ch 80

What should he do?

Suddenly, a flash of inspiration hit Lucas. He grabbed Ursa's shoulders excitedly and asked, "Ursa, in the past thousand years... have you shed your skin?"

It was said that dragons would molt when they reached a certain stage of growth or suffered severe damage, allowing their bodies to regenerate and gain a "new life."

If shedding her skin could repair all the damages to her body, then it might be able to fix what was "broken" too. That would mean Lucas's special talent, [First Glass of Red Wine], could take effect on Ursa once again.

"I have, yeah," Ursa nodded, tilting her head slightly. "Sometimes, when I get bored, I molt for fun."

"Perfect!"

Without hesitation, Lucas began undoing his collar. "Let's get started then!"

"S-Started?" Ursa seemed to catch on to what Lucas was suggesting, and her face flushed a bright red. "W-Wait, is this really the time for something like that?"

"We don't have time to explain!" Lucas, now taking the initiative, gently but firmly pushed Ursa down onto the ground. His expression was dead serious as he declared, "This is to protect Mondstadt's future!"

If Barbatos knew that Mondstadt's future would be protected in such a way, who knows what expression he would have...

"Even though I don't fully understand," Ursa murmured while gazing up at the temple's ceiling decorations with a slight blush on her face, "it sounds… really important."

"Protecting Mondstadt's future… feels so good."

[Talent: "First Glass of Red Wine" activated. Reward: All attributes increased by 200%]

Lucas's gamble had paid off!

Ursa's molting not only gave him a second chance to absorb her power but also provided a strength far surpassing the first time! The process of absorbing immense power and refreshing abilities through molting made Ursa a true exploit of the [First Glass of Red Wine] ability.

"Fire and Ice Dance!"

Lucas unleashed both fire and ice simultaneously, blasting them against the massive iron doors. The rapid alternation between extreme heat and cold weakened the metal significantly. Seizing the opportunity, Lucas leapt forward and struck the weakened door with all his might.

With a resounding crash, the door shattered, and the path to freedom was opened.

"You're... leaving?" 

Ursa's voice held a trace of reluctance as she watched Lucas's figure. Because of her contract with Barbatos, she was bound to remain in the temple for another three years.

Still, she felt that it was all worth it.

If she had survived a thousand years of waiting, what was three more?

"I might know how to free you from this place," Lucas murmured. "If Barbatos set this seal, I could use his Gnosis to break it. Ursa, where is my old body buried?"

"You… didn't you tell me to eat your body?" Ursa replied earnestly. "After a thousand years, whatever I digested is probably fossilized by now."

"Huh…"

Lucas's mouth fell open in shock. "You actually ate it?"

In reality, the Gnosis of Barbatos—one of the game's system rewards—was already in Lucas's inventory in the real world. But in the simulation, the Gnosis was still housed within Eberhart's former body.

Seeing Lucas's horrified expression, Ursa couldn't hold back any longer and burst into laughter, clutching her sides. "Of course not, dummy! How could I even eat it? Your body, along with that chess piece-looking thing, is buried in the nest where we first met."

"You nearly scared me to death…" Lucas said, patting his chest with relief. "If I can retrieve that, I might be able to get you out of here sooner."

"Really?" Ursa's eyes lit up with excitement. "Are we going to fight together in Mondstadt, like a thousand years ago?"

For Ursa, the ruthless carnage of that battle had been one of the highlights of her dragon life.

"You will have a part to play," Lucas said with a mischievous grin, "and it's going to be the main attraction of the finale!"

With the power of the evil dragon, Ursa, combined with Lucas's newly enhanced abilities, he could easily sweep away Seamus's forces. But revealing Ursa's involvement would lend too much credibility to the "Millennium Lie" claims about the Lawrence family.

Instead, Lucas had other plans to not only win but also clear the Lawrence family's name once and for all.

"Father-in-law, you think your plan is flawless?" Lucas stepped out of the temple, a cold smirk on his lips. "Now it's my turn to strike back!"

...

As Lucas predicted, Seamus had taken advantage of his unconsciousness to launch an all-out rebellion against the Lawrence family. He grandly declared it a "war to overthrow the lies and reveal the truth."

Thanks to the widespread distribution of "The Millennium Lie," the Lawrence family's reputation had hit rock bottom. The deceived followers of "truth" rallied behind Seamus in overwhelming numbers, catching the Lawrences off guard.

Nobles across Mondstadt were forced to pick sides. Even some who had previously allied with the Lawrences switched sides, further weakening the family's power.

Though Eula led a valiant resistance, the Lawrence family's forces were steadily losing ground.

However, Lucas didn't immediately join the war. Instead, he sought out another group for help.

At the Goth Grand Hotel.

Even though the civil war raged across Mondstadt, this hotel—essentially the Snezhnayan Embassy—remained untouched. Neither the Lawrence nor Gunnhildr family dared to provoke the Fatui stationed there. Even a single arrow striking the hotel's window would be considered a declaration of war against Snezhnaya.

"Fascinating," said a handsome, orange-haired man standing by the window, watching the battle unfold below. "This so-called 'war' in this country is less impressive than a military drill in my school days."

This man was none other than Tartaglia, the Eleventh Harbinger of the Fatui.

"Are you talking about the second-year drill?" A light, teasing voice came from behind him. "I remember that ended with everyone brawling shirtless. Poor Tonia was scared out of her wits."

"Haha, good times!" Tartaglia laughed, turning to face the man sitting behind him—Lucas. "I've been in Mondstadt for over a month now, and you only just came to see me. That's not very friendly, now is it?"

Indeed, Tartaglia had arrived in Mondstadt over a month ago, even sending Lucas a letter to arrange a meeting. However, due to various circumstances, Lucas had avoided the meeting until now.

"You've seen the situation outside," Lucas said, shrugging. "If you still consider me a friend, I hope you'll lend Lawrence some assistance by sending the Fatui stationed here."

"This is your country's war, not ours. Snezhnaya can't afford to intervene," Tartaglia replied with a serious tone. "If Her Majesty the Tsaritsa found out I sent troops for personal reasons, I'd be severely punished."

"I don't expect you to help for free." Lucas smiled and handed Tartaglia a document. "This is the defense layout for Mondstadt. With it, Mondstadt would be like an unguarded infant before Snezhnaya."

"Mr. Lawrence…" Tartaglia's expression suddenly became deadly serious. "You realize that by doing this, you'll be branded a traitor to your nation."

Though Tartaglia often appeared carefree and nonchalant, when it came to serious matters, he never wavered.

This was no trivial affair. If word got out, Lucas would truly be branded a traitor for all eternity in Mondstadt.

"A traitor?" Lucas murmured to himself as if unbothered. "Of all the crimes I've committed, this might be the lightest."

To be honest, handing over Mondstadt's defense plans to the Fatui was something Lucas's father, Schubert, had done in the game's storyline. It seemed Lucas had inadvertently followed in his father's footsteps.

"This defense map is merely a bargaining chip for the Tsaritsa," Lucas said calmly. "As long as it's not activated, no one will know what it contains."

Tartaglia paused before bursting into laughter. "Haha, that's just like you, Lucas. Very well, I'll take this 'defense map.' If anything goes wrong, I'll report to Her Majesty that I was just a poor, deceived fool."

The two men exchanged knowing smiles.

"You always make sure you get something out of a deal," Lucas sighed. "Now that the deal's done, send me the troops."

"I've already arranged everything," Tartaglia said with a grin. "In addition, I'll be sending an officer to assist with the reinforcements."

"Oh, come on, who do you think you're underestimating?" Lucas chuckled. "I graduated at the top of my class from Snezhnaya's military academy. Leading a squad is no problem for me."

"I'll leave it to you two to discuss," Tartaglia said, snapping his fingers. "Lieutenant Tonia, come in."

As his words fell, the door to the room opened, and a tall, straight-backed female officer in Snezhnayan military uniform walked in, smiling. "Commander, what are your orders?"

"Tonia?" Lucas's face lit up with a grin. He stepped forward and threw his arms around her in an excited embrace. "Wow! You've moved up the ranks fast!"

"I could've climbed higher," Tonia said, returning the hug. "But to avoid suspicion, I had to take it slow."

"Don't make it sound like I held you back," Tartaglia laughed. "You're already the youngest female lieutenant in Snezhnaya's history. If you stood out any more, I'd have to give up my position as the last Harbinger."

Laughter filled the room, momentarily taking them back to their days at the Snezhnayan military academy. Though it hadn't been an easy time, it was one of the few carefree moments in Lucas's simulation.

"Thank you, Tonia," Lucas said softly.

"No need to thank me just yet," Tonia smiled slyly. "I never said I'd help you for free."

...

"Get out of the way!"

Mondstadt's once lively and bustling square had become a battlefield between the Lawrence and Gunnhildr families.

Eula, wielding a massive greatsword, fought like a valkyrie, fending off waves of enemies. However, the battle was far from fair. The Lawrence family wasn't just up against warriors from the Gunnhildr family, but also the townspeople Seamus had swayed to his cause.

Eula found herself holding back while fighting against the brainwashed civilians. But her enemies showed no such restraint.

"Eula Lawrence, whose blood flows with the sins of her ancestors," a voice called out.

Seamus Gunnhildr, dressed in a white robe, emerged from the crowd, his face adorned with a smile of false compassion. "There's no point in resisting any longer. The truth is out for all to see. Your family's deception can no longer fool the righteous."

"Seamus…" Eula's eyes burned with fury. "Where is Lucas?"

"Your spy? He's already paid for his sins. You'll be reunited with him soon enough."

"Die!" 

Without hesitation, Eula gripped her greatsword and leaped toward Seamus, ice gathering around the blade to form a massive sword of frozen energy.

She held nothing back this time.

However, Seamus simply raised his hands and caught the enormous ice blade with ease.

Twenty years ago, Seamus had already begun enhancing his body with Ursa's dragon scales. He'd used more than one, granting him strength on par with those who wielded Visions. 

Meanwhile, Eula was exhausted from hours of continuous fighting, clearly no match for Seamus in her current state.

With a loud *snap*, Seamus's dragon-scaled hand crushed Eula's ice blade into shards.

"Ha…" 

The impact sent a shockwave through Eula's body, causing her to cough up blood. She planted her sword into the ground to steady herself.

"Everyone, bear witness!" Seamus stood over her, raising an arm. "The sins of the Lawrence family shall be ended here by the Gunnhildrs!"

Just as Seamus was about to strike, a bullet whizzed through the air, piercing his hand and leaving a gaping hole.

"Ugh!" Seamus recoiled, but his inherited healing abilities from the dragon scales quickly began to regenerate his hand.

From dozens of meters away, Tonia stood holding a musket, her voice loud and clear. "Seamus Gunnhildr! I am Lieutenant Tonia of Snezhnaya. Your actions have jeopardized the safety of Mondstadt's people and its stability… You know what? Forget the speech. Surrender, or the next bullet goes straight through your skull!"

It seemed her years in Snezhnaya's military had rubbed off on her, giving her a sharper edge.

"Snezhnaya?" Seamus's face darkened. "You have no right to interfere in our internal affairs."

"Who said they don't have the right?" 

A figure suddenly dropped from the sky, landing beside Eula and gently helping her up. "They're my reinforcements. If you don't like it, Seamus, go find your own."

The familiar voice made tears well up in Eula's eyes.

"Sorry I'm late, Sister Eula," Lucas said with an awkward smile. "I wanted to come sooner, but I got… held up."

Lucas had expected a long-awaited embrace after their reunion.

However, Eula, mustering all her remaining strength, simply gave Lucas a light punch.

----

Author's Note: If you are getting the chapter late then blame my shitty luck and mobile data as it disconnects every 2 second! Well cuz I am train...

Anyways MINORS get back to work! We need stones.