I Am The Game's Villain

Chapter 840: Gathering in the Veyra’s Forum Crown Terrace [3]

"When the hell is this starting?" Rodolf yawned loudly.

He leaned farther back in his seat and used the control at his side. The lower portion slowly rose beneath his legs until he could stretch out almost completely, turning the luxurious chair into a comfortable lounge.

"Soon, I guess," Victor replied, his attention fixed on one of the enormous screens.

"They are already setting up the stage."

The screen showed the main platform inside the Grand Forum. From a distance, it resembled a theater stage, although it was far broader and grander than any ordinary theater could ever be. Behind it stood a large white building connected to the platform by two covered corridors, one to the left and the other to the right. It was likely where the Saintess and the important guests would wait before making their appearances.

Below, attendants moved quickly across the stage with practiced coordination. They carefully rolled out a long crimson carpet across the pale stone floor, its deep red color standing out vividly beneath the bright daylight. At the front, workers positioned a tall lectern fitted with a voice transmitting device. The microphone was connected to the sound system spread throughout the amphitheater, allowing every person inside the Grand Forum to hear the speeches clearly, even those standing far back among the highest terraces.

White and golden tapestries were then hung on either side of the lectern. Their embroidered patterns caught the light, giving the entire stage a holy and ceremonial appearance. In front of the podium, several scarlet velvet armchairs were placed in neat rows on either sides, four on each sides to be precise. Those seats were clearly meant for the dignitaries who would accompany the Saintess during the ceremony.

Finally, two armored knights stepped onto the stage, carrying something between them with such care that it might as well have been a priceless relic.

It was a large golden chair covered in soft velvet.

They placed it directly behind the lectern, positioned between the seating rows for the guests. Its high back was decorated with fine golden ornaments, and even through the screen it was obvious that the chair had been prepared for one person only.

The Saintess.

"That is quite an exaggerated arrangement for a simple speech," Selene observed, her crimson eyes narrowing faintly as she stared at the scene.

"Well, it probably will not be a simple speech," Victor said. "I think Edenis Raphiel intends to use this as an announcement event too. They might introduce their alliance plans, talk about future projects, and perhaps even interview the Saintess."

"Everything for attention and influence," Rodolf muttered. "But I suppose if all this preparation was only for her to appear and say a few words, the event would end far too quickly."

"It is being broadcast worldwide," John said in an obvious tone. "Of course Edenis Raphiel will make the most of it. Everything is political."

"The world works that way," Victor replied. "Still, I do not want to blame them too much. Edenis Raphiel has at least been making an effort to think about everyone’s welfare with all the cooperation and alliance projects they have proposed."

"That is bullshit," Rodolf snorted. "They still want to stand at the top and be seen as the leading power of the world."

"Maybe," Victor said, turning slightly toward him. "But even if they do, it can still lead to progress. It is better than kingdoms remaining enemies forever, Rodolf."

Rodolf merely scoffed, though he did not have a reply knowing that was it was true. Well he was okay with it if their long speeches would come to a good end in the end.

At that moment, the doors of the Crown Terrace opened again, drawing their attention back toward the entrance.

Jayden and Milleia had finally arrived.

Arete followed closely behind them, while Simon walked a step farther back. The moment Jayden and Milleia entered, several heads turned in their direction. It was hardly surprising. They were not ordinary guests.

The Apostle of Lumen had arrived beside the Daughter of Raphiel.

Victor watched them for a moment before suddenly scratching the back of his blond hair, an uncertain expression crossing his face.

"Do I have to greet them, by the way?"

"What?" John and Rodolf both turned toward him.

"I mean, I am the Apostle of Nihil, right?" Victor said. "Should I not greet the Hero of Celesta, the other Apostle, and the Daughter of Raphiel properly?"

He paused, looking more troubled by the idea than he likely wished to admit.

"Damn it. I still do not know how I am supposed to act in this role. Usually, Alector gramps would have been there to guide me."

"Do not bother too much," John replied without hesitation. "If you are not a woman, the Apostle of lust probably does not give a shit about you."

Rodolf, who had just opened a bottle of water, looked over with raised brows.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"He has sixty seven wives."

"Pffft!"

Rodolf spat out the water he had just swallowed. It sprayed across the empty seat directly in front of him. Thankfully, no one was sitting there, though Aerinwyn occupied a row a little farther ahead and had clearly heard everything.

She turned around slowly and gave Rodolf a cold stare.

Rodolf immediately averted his gaze.

Victor remained silent for several seconds, his expression completely blank with disbelief. Even Selene’s calm face showed the smallest crack of surprise.

"Sixty seven?" Victor finally asked.

John nodded without changing his expression.

"How the hell did that even happen?" Rodolf asked, still staring at John as if he had just heard the most unbelievable thing in the world.

Amelia leaned forward from the row behind them, resting lightly against John’s shoulder as she joined the conversation.

"Well, he is an Apostle," she said thoughtfully. "He probably received countless marriage proposals. That must be the reason, right?"

"No, I get that, receiving proposals," Victor said with a slow nod. "I received a ridiculous number of them too, especially after people found out I had become Nihil’s Apostle."

He glanced briefly at Selene beside him, then continued with a faintly embarrassed smile.

"But I refused all of them. I already have Selene, and hopefully things will work out with Roda too. I am not going to marry women simply because they are offered to me."

"What about Jennyfer?" Cylien asked suddenly, a playful smile appearing on her face.

Victor stiffened for half a second.

"W-Well," he began, turning slightly red. "Things are going well. We have both been busy, that is all. We will see what happens."

Selene slowly turned her crimson gaze toward him.

She did not say a single word, yet the coldness in her expression was more than enough to make Victor sit a little straighter in his seat.

"Well, Jennyfer is the older sister of the Apostle of Lumen, right?" Amelia said, her voice full of gentle teasing. "Perhaps you should greet your future brother in law."

"R-Right. I should probably do that," Victor replied, beginning to rise from his seat, wondering maybe Jennyfer would show up as well soon.

Before he could take even one step, the doors of the Crown Terrace opened once more.

The new arrivals immediately drew the attention of nearly everyone in the room.

Five people entered together, led by a handsome young man with auburn hair and vivid tangerine eyes.

He was Kornel Edenis Gabriel, the son of Aslan Edenis Raphiel, one of the Four Kings who ruled the floating archipelago.

Behind him came a face that was especially familiar to those from Celesta.

Miranda Edenis Gabriel.

The moment she stepped into the room, attention shifted toward her. Her beautiful dark green hair was tied neatly behind her back, and her tangerine eyes reflected the soft light of the Crown Terrace. More than three years had passed since she had been swiftly taken from Celesta after the incident there. Since then, she had lived in Edenis Raphiel with her uncle’s family and had become recognized as one of its princesses.

John watched her with a peculiar expression.

It felt almost unreal seeing her again after so much time. The Miranda he remembered had been different. Now she seemed more accustomed to the customs and presence of Edenis Raphiel’s royalty. She wore a graceful white robe dress, elegant and feminine, flowing around her with quiet refinement. It was the sort of clothing John would never have imagined Miranda choosing before, yet somehow it suited her perfectly.

Beside her walked another young woman who was every bit as eye catching.

She had long auburn hair and the same beautiful tangerine eyes associated with the Gabriel family. She was a little shorter than Miranda. Where Miranda’s expression remained calm and reserved, this girl possessed a softer, brighter complexion. Her face held an open warmth that made her seem both adorable and approachable despite the royal aura surrounding her.

John’s phone suddenly buzzed in his hand.

He looked down at the screen.

A message from Eric had appeared.

[The girl next to Miranda is Gisla Edenis Gabriel. Sub Heroine of the Third Game.]

John’s gaze slowly lifted from the message to the auburn haired girl.

Gisla Edenis Gabriel.