Living As the Villainess Queen

“Jin, I told you once to use a monster to catch a monster.”

“Yes, I encountered Mara. Mara holds a deep-seated animosity towards Sang-je. He pledged his cooperation in eliminating that wretched being. But I cannot fully trust him. Who knows what schemes Mara might be concealing.”

Alber marveled, “So much has transpired in such a brief span.”

Suddenly, Alber felt as though time, frozen in place, began to flow once more. She realized she had foolishly confined herself to the shackles of ancient traditions, relying solely on magic. Meeting Jin through a mere dream had sparked a change within her.

No, it was more than just a dream.

Realizing that nothing would change if she remained passive, Alber embarked on an uncertain adventure, risking everything to meet Jin.

Her most significant journey in life involved forming an alliance with a creature. Following the bitter failure of that endeavor, she shied away from further adventures, convinced that the future was already predetermined, relying solely on magic to glimpse its path.

“Are you proposing we enlist Mara’s help?” Jin’s question broke Alber’s reverie.

“The Holy City falls under Sang-je’s jurisdiction, and most larks instinctively avoid it. But Mara might be able to infiltrate,” Alber explained.

“So if larks breaches the defensive barrier, it could create an opening for the kings to enter the Holy City…” Jin mused.

“The longer larks remains within the barrier, the greater the likelihood of such an opening,” Alber affirmed.

“Then, if more larks enter the Holy City, the probability increases?” Jin inquired further.

“Exactly,” Alber confirmed.

“What about using magic to control larks?” Eugene interjected, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

“Control larks? What do you mean?” Alber replied, surprised by Eugene’s suggestion.

“Mara mentioned a spell among the stolen ones from the tribe’s archives that could control larks,” Eugene clarified.

Alber’s eyes widened gradually. “Ah, yes. Such a spell does exist,” she confirmed, still visibly astonished. “And Mara possesses it? That’s one of the sealed spells I had forgotten about. However, specific conditions must be met to utilize it.”

“Only descendants of the vanished ancient tribe can wield the magic, right? So Anika can use it. Mara kept it as a secret weapon against the monster of the Holy City,” Eugene concluded.

Alber chuckled ruefully. “It brings to mind the ancient sins that resurrected those creatures. The monsters are toying with fate, looming over humanity. It’s the future that worries me.”

“I don’t share that outlook, elder. The worst-case scenario would be those two monsters uniting forces. But the tide seems to be subtly turning in our favor. Once we navigate through this crisis, we’ll glean valuable lessons, preventing a recurrence.”

Alber observed Eugene silently for a moment before nodding. Suddenly, a profound realization dawned on her: the hope for a brighter tomorrow. That hope was the driving force behind humanity, and it, in turn, shaped the future.

***

Six kings convened near the walls of the Holy City’s fortress.

“Allow me to attempt it,” Riner declared, plucking a seed from his pouch and hurling it towards the wall. The kings watched in astonishment as the seed breached the invisible barrier, landing inside the fortress.

After Kasser revealed the existence of this magic, a solemn silence enveloped the gathering of kings. However, they swiftly regrouped, determined to unravel the mystery and break the enchantment. The ability of lark seeds to penetrate the wall stood as their most promising lead.

“I shall follow suit,” Nicholas announced, casting his seed towards the wall, which also passed through.

“What if we apply more force? Enough to embed the seed into the wall,” Akil proposed, drawing a seed from his pouch. As he prepared to throw, a surge of green energy emanated from his palm, but he soon realized his error. With a disappointed exhalation, he opened his hand, revealing the seed reduced to dust. It couldn’t withstand the magic.

“The seeds can breach the barrier, yet Hwansus cannot enter… Then, what about larks?” Richard pondered aloud, prompting nods of agreement from the others. Kasser, having discovered this crucial clue, had devoted more time to contemplation and had thus pinpointed the issue. It was time for him to voice his thoughts.

“We must find a way to draw larks inside. The seeds won’t shatter within the buffer zone,” Kasser emphasized.

“So, we must destroy the seeds beyond the buffer zone to entice larks here,” Akil concluded.

“Just bring one here, then? Shall I fetch one immediately?” Riner proposed eagerly. However, Richard shook his head in response.

“It’s not as simple as that. The distance from outside the buffer zone to here is considerable. It’s no easy feat to subdue a rampaging larks and bring it here. Besides, I doubt any of us kings have ever captured a lark; we’ve only ever hunted them.”