I Am The Game's Villain

Chapter 536: [Event] [Elven Utopian War] [75] Freeing Bryelle

"Look at me."

Bryelle flinched at first, hesitating before slowly raising her gaze. Her eyes, wide and filled with fear, darted around before settling on the pendant hanging from my neck. The moment recognition dawned, she opened her mouth.

I took a step closer, closing the distance between us. Before she could react, I gently placed a hand over her mouth.

She stiffened, her entire body trembling in fright, but I leaned in and whispered, "It’s me, Amael."

Her reaction was immediate. The terror in her eyes gave way to shock, then something softer—relief. The tension in her body melted, though she still looked slightly dazed.

At least try to doubt me.

I gave her a reassuring smile.

"I’m infiltrating this place, but I need your help. If you cooperate, I’ll bring you to your sister. Do you understand?"

Tears welled in her eyes again, but this time, they weren’t just from fear. She nodded slowly, her lips quivering.

"Good." I reached out and wiped away the tears trailing down her cheeks. "Stay silent and leave the rest to me, alright?"

Bryelle inhaled shakily before nodding again.

I exhaled and straightened up, turning toward the door. Without hesitation, I pushed it open and stepped outside.

"I’m taking Bryelle Teraquin with me. I need her to make Alvara Teraquin comply."

The guard at the door hesitated, shifting uncomfortably. His gaze flickered between me and Bryelle.

But in the end, he gave a small nod.

My current status was higher than Lykhor, as shocking as it might seem, and after the battles I had won for Elyen Kiora, my trustworthiness had significantly improved—especially with Freyja’s support. It was enough to make them trust my word.

Bryelle hesitated for only a moment before following, carefully spinning the wheels of her chair as she moved beside me.

We walked through the dimly lit corridors in silence until we arrived back at the place where Harvey was being held.

The moment we stepped inside, I found James Raven in the middle of a heated argument with a guard.

"I need to take him to the Tower," James insisted with a cold stare. "His Majesty wants to see him personally."

The guard, unimpressed, crossed his arms. "That won’t be possible. Harvey Indi Zestella is a high-value hostage. Unless His Majesty himself comes to claim him, he isn’t leaving this place."

James’ hands curled into fists. . I could see the wheels turning in his head, the way his muscles tensed with the urge to do something reckless.

Shit.

For a brief second, I could see him contemplating an all-out fight—taking down every single guard in the room just to get to Harvey. The mere thought sent a cold sweat dripping down my back.

Before things could escalate, I let out a heavy sigh and casually stepped forward.

"You’ve done what you came here to do, haven’t you? No need to cause trouble. Let’s not waste the time of these fine, hardworking guards."

Then, without waiting for a response, I walked past him, to leave.

Bryelle followed suit.

James blinked, momentarily dumbfounded. He looked at me, then at the guards, and I could almost see the battle raging inside his head. Would he fight? Would he throw caution to the wind?

Please don’t.

After what felt like an eternity, he let out a slow breath and reluctantly fell in step behind us.

I smirked. "No, I know you better than that."

He nodded. "Good. Since I’ve come this far, I’ll make sure Utopia crumbles from the inside."

That was exactly what I expected from him.

"I know," I said, chuckling a bit. "I just need you to keep Bryelle safe until I bring Alvara and my mother to you. Once they’re all together, we can send them back."

James blinked, processing my words.

"Wait...you’re not leaving with your mother?"

"Not really." I gave him a knowing look. "Since I’ve come this far, I’ll make sure Utopia crumbles from the inside."

James was momentarily taken aback, but then a slow grin spread across his face.

"You really are something else," he muttered.

Beside me, Bryelle shifted in her chair, looking up at me with wide, worried eyes. "You’re not coming with us, Lord Amael?"

I crouched slightly, meeting her gaze with a reassuring smile. "I will. But not yet. Until then, stay with Professor Raven. I’ll bring Alvara back to you."

Bryelle hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Okay..."

I straightened up, turning to leave, but then paused.

I reached out a hand toward James. "I need your disguise pendant, Professor."

He frowned. "Huh? Don’t you already have one?"

I glanced at Bryelle’s pendant, still resting against her chest. "Yeah. But I need another one for Alvara."

James sighed, realization dawning. "Oh..." He reached into his coat and pulled out the pendant, but hesitated before handing it over.

I grinned. "Don’t worry, Master. You won’t need it. You just have to say you’re James Raven, and soon enough, their ally—the man whose family sold out Sancta Vedelia."

James shot me a sharp glare but eventually gave in, shoving the pendant into my palm. "That thing is extremely rare and expensive. Don’t lose it."

"I know, I know," I said, waving him off before turning to Bryelle. I held up her pendant. "Sorry, Princess. I’ll need to keep this a little longer."

Bryelle smiled warmly. "It’s fine. You can even keep it."

Seeing how strained her smile was, I let out a quiet sigh before reaching out and gently patting her head. Bryelle flinched slightly, caught off guard by the unexpected gesture.

"You’re not responsible for what happened to your sister," I said, looking directly into her watery eyes. "There’s no reason for you to feel guilty about anything. The only one to blame is Durathiel Ruvelion."

Bryelle’s lower lip trembled. "I–I..." Her voice cracked as her eyes shimmered with unshed tears.

"When you see Alvara, don’t waste time apologizing," I continued. "She’s the one who feels the most guilt about all of this. If you apologize, you’ll only make it worse for her. Understand?"

She hesitated, then gave a small nod. "Y–Yes... thank you." Her voice was barely above a whisper as she bit her lip, the tears spilling over and trailing down her cheeks.

I offered her a reassuring smile before turning to James Raven, who met my gaze and nodded in silent agreement.

I took a deep breath and turned away, my hands tightening into fists.

Finally.

It was time to release my mother.

But first, Alvara.