I Am The Game's Villain

Chapter 865: Lioren

Lioren

As the Utopian airship descended toward the Skyport of Lioren, Edward stood near the deck railing and looked across the island below.

Lioren was more popular than he had expected.

Its skyport was busy, with elegant passenger ships arriving from several directions and private vessels resting at the higher platforms. White stone walkways connected the docks to the island’s main district, while tall buildings of glass, pale marble, and metal rose beyond them.

Yet something about the place felt different.

Edward had expected Layla to bring the children somewhere extravagant, an island full of bright attractions, noisy markets, games, and displays built to entertain families. But Lioren did not look like that, from up there.

It looked refined.

Almost too refined.

The people arriving at the skyport were dressed in expensive clothing, carrying designer bags and accompanied by attendants or bodyguards. Edward noticed that most of them were women, many of them wealthy-looking nobles or influential merchants. They moved through the private platforms speaking quietly among themselves.

There was little of the loud, carefree energy he had expected from a place meant for children.

Perhaps he was simply judging it too quickly.

He would see for himself soon enough.

[Master, should we accompany you in our physical bodies as well?]

Edward glanced toward the floating Brain and Jarvis.

"To scare the entire city away?" he replied. "We are attracting enough attention already."

He reached toward his ring.

A brief glow passed over the metal before he pulled out a long black hoodie coat. He slipped it over his clothes and immediately pulled the hood up, hiding his silver hair and obscuring much of his face.

Unfortunately, after his unexpected appearance during the Saintess’s worldwide reveal, his face had become known almost everywhere.

Especially in Edenis Raphiel.

He had no doubt that walking openly through Lioren as the newly revealed Utopian King would create trouble. The moment someone recognized him, people would gather. Then the whispers would begin, followed by questions, cameras, guards, officials, and perhaps even representatives from the island’s rulers.

Edward had no intention of spending the day surrounded by strangers.

And it was not as though he could blend in easily to begin with.

He was tall, pale, and impossible to mistake once people saw his hair and eyes. More importantly, he was traveling with several exceptionally beautiful women. Even if no one recognized Edward himself, the group would still attract attention.

He glanced toward Layla and the others.

Thankfully, they understood the situation.

Layla had put on a broad white sombrero-style hat, which hid part of her dark-pink hair beneath its wide brim. Lunishia, Olga, and Tessara wore hats as well, each one chosen to conceal their more recognizable features. Lunishia’s red hat was especially wide, providing enough room to hide her wolf ears comfortably.

Only Samara had not bothered with anything.

Edward looked over the group again.

Then he exhaled internally.

If all of them wore matching hats while he walked around in a black hoodie during warm weather, they might attract just as much attention as they would without disguises.

Still, it was better than being immediately recognized as the Utopian King less than a day after interrupting a worldwide broadcast.

"Dad, what are you doing?" Tihana asked.

She looked up at Edward with a small pout, clearly unhappy about the hoodie.

"It can become very bothersome if I am recognized," Edward explained.

"But I want to show everyone my dad," Tihana said, crossing her arms. "You are cool."

Before Edward could answer, Orlin shook his head.

"If Dad gets recognized by everyone, then we will not be able to enjoy our day, Tihana," he said.

Tihana looked between the two of them.

"Okay," she mumbled with a disappointed sigh.

"Hey, Edward!"

Lunishia hurried toward him, smiling brightly.

"How is my hat?"

She leaned closer, proudly displaying her red summer hat. It was large enough to hide her wolf ears beneath her hair, though one side had slipped slightly out of place. She wore a light red summer dress that matched the hat perfectly, and the bright color made her look even more lively than usual.

Edward looked at her.

"You look good," he said.

Lunishia’s smile widened instantly.

Then Edward reached up and adjusted the hat, pressing it down slightly so it sat more securely over her ears.

Lunishia’s lips curled at the small gesture.

"How is mine, Honey?" Layla asked next.

Edward turned toward her.

Then he instinctively pulled his head back a little.

Layla’s white sombrero was enormous.

Its brim extended so widely that it nearly obscured half her face whenever she tilted her head. The hat itself was elegant, decorated with a soft pale ribbon, but it looked more suited for a dramatic beach portrait than a discreet trip through Lioren.

"Too wide," Edward said.

Layla blinked.

"Oh."

Then she giggled softly and let out a small sigh.

"So it will be difficult to kiss Honey today."

"You can still kiss Edward," Olga said calmly. "You simply have to remove the hat first."

Layla looked down at the broad brim surrounding her face.

"Very cumbersome," she said with exaggerated sorrow. "But it is what it is."

"I can kiss Edward for you, Layla!" Lunishia declared, raising her hand eagerly.

She was already stepping forward when Olga caught her by the tail and pulled her back.

"Hyaa!"

Lunishia blushed immediately.

"Olga! Do not pull my tail!"

She rubbed the base of it with both hands, her ears flattening slightly beneath her hat.

"Only Edward can pull it when we are being lovey-dovey!"

"You are a pervert, Lunishia," Tihana said, giggling.

"I am simply honest about my feelings," Lunishia said proudly.

Then she pointed across the deck.

"And Tessara right there is far more obsessed with Edward than I am!"

The attention of everyone nearby turned toward Tessara.

Tessara froze.

She had been standing quietly at the edge of the group, holding the brim of her own hat close to her face. Her eyes widened as she realized everyone was looking at her.

For a moment, she seemed entirely caught off guard.

Then she hid more of her face behind the hat, only her eyes visible as they glanced toward Edward from the side.

Edward appeared to be having a private discussion with Jarvis, who was complaining that he and Brain were always being left behind whenever the family went somewhere. Only for Edward to point out dryly the stupidity as they were both always within him and the robots were just their bodies to do more and interact with the outside.

Tessara’s cheeks gradually turned red.

She quickly looked away.

One hand rose to her chest as she felt her heart beating too quickly. Her breathing became faintly ragged, and for an instant, her eyes flickered toward something no one else seemed to notice, a dangerous pair of black-red eyes lingering at the edge of her thoughts.

She took a small breath.

The image disappeared.

Tessara lowered her gaze, trying to calm herself.

Lunishia watched her with a knowing smirk.

Then someone pulled Lunishia’s tail again.

"Samara!"

This time, it was Samara.

She held Lunishia’s tail without any visible guilt.

"Stop teasing others," Samara said sternly.

Lunishia puffed out her cheeks.

"My Lord."

A small group of Falkrona Knights approached Edward just as the family finished preparing to leave the private skyport platform.

They had arrived with Belle in Edenis Raphiel. Though Belle herself had not accompanied Edward on the trip, she had insisted on sending several knights to remain nearby. With Edward’s identity now known across the world, she clearly did not intend to take unnecessary risks.

Thought it might be more like she wanted to avoid Edward dealing with potential troubles directly thanks to bodyguards watching over them.

Edward looked at them for a moment.

"Stay inside and watch over the ship," he said.

The knights bowed their heads.

"Yes, my Lord."

Then they turned and returned toward the Utopian airship.

Edward did not need an escort walking at his side today. Guards would only draw more attention to them, and the entire purpose of the trip was to spend private time with his family.

With that decided, the group left the platform together and headed toward the exit of Lioren’s skyport.

As expected, they received attention.

It had been foolish to hope otherwise.

The hats helped conceal some of their features, but there was only so much they could do. Lunishia was too energetic to remain unnoticed for long, constantly reacting to everything she saw with bright curiosity. Tihana was no better, asking questions and turning her head in every direction as though the island itself were a new world waiting to be explored.

And even when they were quiet, the group stood out.

A tall man in a black hoodie walking beside several beautiful women and two children was bound to attract looks.

Still, the attention remained manageable.

Most people merely gave them curious glances before continuing on their way. Others looked at them with admiration, perhaps assuming they were a wealthy noble family visiting Lioren. The skyport was busy enough that no one lingered too long.

"Here," Layla said, looking down at her phone. "I already prepared a private car for us."

Edward glanced at her.

She had evidently begun arranging everything the moment he allowed her to choose their destination.

Layla had not merely picked Lioren.

She had planned the day it seems.

They reached the private parking area outside the skyport, where a long white vehicle was waiting near the entrance.

Orlin stopped.

"This is the car, Layla?"

The vehicle looked less like an ordinary car and more like a luxurious limousine. Its body was smooth and gleaming, its windows darkened, and its size was large enough to comfortably carry the entire group. Silver patterns ran along the sides, while the front bore the elegant emblem of its manufacturer.

More noticeably, the vehicle did not rest entirely on the ground.

It hovered several inches above the pavement.

It was an Edenis Raphiel model, designed for smoother movement across the varied terrain of Edenis Raphiel. Rather than relying only on wheels, the vehicle used hovering technology to glide over uneven roads, sharp turns, and elevated city paths with ease.

"Wonderful, right?" Layla asked with a proud smile.

Orlin looked at the limousine again.

"It is... very large."

"That is because there are many of us," Layla replied.

She walked to the side of the vehicle and held her phone near a small panel beside the door. A soft light flashed once.

With a quiet mechanical sound, the limousine doors opened.

Everyone climbed inside.

The interior was even more extravagant than the exterior. Plush pale seats faced one another, leaving a wide space in the center. The windows were large but shaded enough to keep outsiders from looking in. Small screens were built into the walls, and a table near the back held glasses, fruit, and several refreshments prepared for the passengers.

Layla sat down beside Edward.

She immediately began entering their destination into her phone, her fingers moving quickly over the screen. Once she finished, the doors closed automatically.

A moment later, the limousine began to move.

There was no driver.

The vehicle glided smoothly out of the parking area on its own, floating silently above the road.

Tihana pressed herself closer to the window, her eyes wide.

"That is amazing..."

She had never seen anything like it in Celesta.

"Of course it is," Layla said, looking pleased with herself. "I chose the best one for us. It is from the Arclight brand."

"Arclight," Edward repeated.

He remembered the name.

Brain had given him a briefing after the Saintess’s reveal, going over the important figures who had appeared during the event. Among them had been an elderly woman connected to the rapidly growing Arclight Industries.

"Yes," Layla said. "Her company only entered the Edenis Raphiel market recently, but it is already becoming very successful. Their products are worth the money. They offer the best quality."

"Hm."

Edward looked out the window as Lioren passed by.

The world truly was changing.

This world had already been strangely advanced in many ways, especially within Edenis Raphiel. But Arclight Industries seemed to be pushing it into another era entirely. Their vehicles, machines, and technology were spreading quickly, and if that growth continued, the world might look completely different within a decade.

The limousine drifted through the city streets, passing beneath white bridges and alongside rows of elegant buildings.

"So where is our first destination, Layla?" Tihana asked excitedly.

Layla smiled.

"A nice place. You will love it."

Orlin leaned back in his seat.

"I hope it is not an entertainment park."

Layla looked offended.

"Come on. I am not that obvious."

"What is wrong with parks?" Tihana asked before turning toward her brother with a teasing grin. "Oh, right. You do not like the hard rides."

Orlin immediately glared at her, his face growing slightly red.

"I do not dislike them."

"Yes, you do," Tihana said. "You always look scared."

"I do not."

"There is no need to be embarrassed," Layla said sweetly. "Edward does not like them either."

Edward turned toward her.

Layla was already smiling too much.

"When we went on that ride in Central Vedelia," she continued, "he was very scared. He held onto me tightly the entire time while pretending to comfort me."

Tihana gasped.

Orlin’s expression brightened slightly.

Edward grimaced.

"That was not my real body."

"Oh, Honey," Layla said, leaning closer with a fond smile. "You are so cute when you blame that poor body for every little thing."

Before Edward could move away, Layla reached up and gently pulled at both his cheeks.

Edward gave her a flat look while Layla only giggled.

Across from them, Orlin’s mood visibly improved.

Knowing that his dad also found dangerous rides unpleasant made him feel a little less embarrassed.