The Villain Wants to Change Genres

Chapter 54

How many times had he faced death in his life? Too many to count on his fingers. The boss had always lived on the precarious boundary between life and death.

Falsely accused, abandoned, taking the blame for others’ crimes. That’s how these people had gathered. The world had been too cruel to them. The boss couldn’t ignore those who shared his pain.

As more people joined, it became harder to protect them. And finally, this disaster struck.

‘You’re too much, boss. Is this how you treat someone who came to save your life?’

It was a first. Someone saying they would save them. He thought it was either an ineffective statement from an ignorant noble brat or just entertainment, but he was happy to hear someone offer help without prejudice.

Experiencing it, he found the young master to be more fussy and sensitive than expected, a typical noble, but it was also surprising how well he got along with the subordinates.

‘It’s funny how he cherishes a mere servant like his own life, but I’m grateful that he wants to clear Taran’s name and teach him.’

He thought it might not be so bad to keep one such noble in the world.

‘Well, if it weren’t for the young master, we might all have died at the Duke’s mansion or scattered while fleeing.’

Though it had become difficult to predict the future, it was enough that they could save the young master and the two kids.

‘Children should live. Yes. So, young master, please take good care of our little one.’

In truth, he had tried to shake off the pursuers, but he thought they would be caught anytime if that great person set his mind to it. He had prepared to smuggle out at least the young master in case that happened.

‘It might actually be better that this guy came.’

They were the type who would insist on staying here with their comrades rather than running away. That’s why he had no intention of meekly surrendering.

“Pack your things and go. We’re about to get busy.”

* * *

In his hazy consciousness, he felt his body swaying. Even forcing his sluggish mind to work, he couldn’t understand why he was in this state. The last time he opened his eyes, he was sure it was in the boss’s tent. He also remembered Luwen looking down at him with concern.

‘I don’t think I’m lying down now.’

He forced open his heavy eyelids. Seeing the scenery changing rapidly made his head spin. His exhaled breath was hot.

“Ugh…”

“Young master? Are you conscious?”

“Stop for a moment. I’m dizzy…”

He was on horseback. He was in Luwen’s arms. Unable to hold his head up, he had no choice but to lean against Luwen’s chest.

The horse’s speed gradually slowed and then stopped. Luwen, holding the reins tightly, examined his complexion.

“Why are we here?”

He asked the most important question first.

“Taran.”

“Why are we stopping? Oh? Young master! Are you feeling better?”

Taran approached with a bright face, leading a horse.

“I thought we could rest here for a bit. Could you scout the area? I’ll protect the young master.”

“Oh, alright.”

Huh? He was left out of the conversation between the two? When did they become so close?

Taran jumped off the horse and handed the reins to Luwen.

“I’ll look for any dangerous monsters around and try to find some herbs too. The horse would be in the way, so please take care of it.”

“Okay.”

Luwen carefully dismounted while holding me and took the reins of both horses.

Taran’s footsteps were light as he walked away. In contrast, Luwen’s expression was heavy. I could guess why he had sent Taran away first without answering my question.

Luwen spread a cloak on the ground and sat me on it. I could only sit upright by leaning against a tree trunk. I calmly caught my breath, and after confirming Taran had gone far enough, I said:

“We’ve been detected by the pursuit team, haven’t we?”

“…It’s because of me.”

Luwen explained what had happened while I was unconscious. That Taran still didn’t know anything. That the boss had entrusted that child to us.

“Show me the map.”

Luwen handed over a rolled-up leather. …This looks suspiciously like monster skin. I felt a bit uneasy, but what could I do? It would be easier for the Kans to obtain this than paper.

“If I had just stayed put… The Honey Grive wouldn’t have left its territory, and you wouldn’t have been hurt, young master. They discovered the hideout because of the traces I left behind. It’s all my fault.”

“Do you remember when I ground the Odrif stems and flower petals?”

Luwen nodded, saying how could he forget.

“It seems that scent stimulated the Honey Grive. So in the end, it was me who revealed our location. It was my mistake.”

“You didn’t do anything wrong, young master. You didn’t know such a creature was there.”

“What about Luwen?”

“I also… didn’t know this would happen.”

Sometimes there’s ignorance that can’t be forgiven. But this incident was sufficiently manageable, and Luwen couldn’t have predicted it, so I hoped he wouldn’t blame himself.

“Right? There’s no need to feel guilty. From now on, we just need to save the Kans.”

“Us? How?”

I pointed out the path we needed to take on the map and said:

“We’re only going through the forest now because of the risk of being tailed. Let’s get onto the main road and head straight for the mansion.”

The First Prince has made a move, so Irene won’t sit still. The Second Prince and my sister must have received authority to investigate and rescue regarding this incident, so they must have set out leading the knights of the mansion. Officially to rescue me.

The pursuers are following Luwen’s traces. And those traces are the path we took. The boss, expecting to be tailed, took a winding route. So it will take time for the pursuers to reach the cliff, and it will take more time to find the entrance nearby. It wasn’t hidden carelessly.

Above all, that clearing resembles an impregnable fortress. You can only infiltrate through a narrow cliff path, which is advantageous when fighting against multiple opponents.

I’m not sure if it’s good luck or bad, but they were happy about catching the Honey Grive and securing a lot of meat, so they should be able to hold out for a while.

“If we get caught by the pursuit team, the boss told us to sell their information. But young master, I don’t want to do that.”

Did the boss deceive Luwen?

If we get caught by the First Prince first, they will surely try to kill me. To the First Prince, I could be an innocent victim who knows nothing, but I could also be an informant who has approached the truth. A person with no affection for me wouldn’t take such a gamble. It’s easier to just kill and get rid of me.

Above all, this is a good situation to kill me and wash their hands of it. The boss must know these facts too.

‘Yes, it seems he deceived Luwen, hoping he would leave with Taran.’

Telling him to act like a victim.

If that’s the case, we needed to hurry. If they intend to buy time for us to escape, they might have even widely opened the carefully hidden entrance. No, they definitely would have done so. You need to drop a tasty cookie to keep them from straying elsewhere.

There’s no need to… tell him these facts, right?

“We should hurry. Call Taran. Let’s leave right away.”

“But your fever hasn’t gone down yet, young master.”

“This much is fine. We need to save the Kans.”

They are valuable witnesses. Not only that, but they might become my jokers later. I couldn’t lose them because of this mere fever.

As I staggered to my feet, Luwen quickly supported me.

“…I’m sorry.”

“It’s not your fault. If we’re assigning blame, it’s the fault of those who chased the Honey Grive out of its territory.”

I said that, but even I had some resentment left in my heart. The fact that I had used Odrif leaves to stimulate the Honey Grive. It’s fortunate that we both ended up safe, but if we hadn’t, I don’t even want to think about it.

Luwen, looking dejected, nodded slowly. He seemed to understand my explanation but found it hard to accept. Still, I couldn’t show my true feelings, so I stroked Luwen’s head with a smiling face. Like my usual self.

I felt sorry that this was all I could do, but maybe it helped a little? Luwen’s expression became more relaxed.

* * *

Luwen followed my words and turned towards the main road. We rode like that for a whole day. It was a harsh journey, to the point where I could feel the horse stumbling. Not only did my fever not subside, but now my body started shaking.

Honestly, it was painful and very difficult. It was the same when we rode the boss’s horse, but it wasn’t as agonizing as now. Maybe because my whole body wasn’t normal, I naturally thought about giving up everything.

‘I want to rest right now…’

I just wanted to lie down flat and sleep. If only my life was at stake, I might have given up by now. But since it’s not, I had no choice but to endure desperately.