I Became a Dark Fantasy Villain

Amidst the tranquility, the sound of wood burning echoed dryly, spreading its resonance throughout the silence. It was the crackling fire that Philip had kindled. The flickering firelight faintly outlined the surroundings, painting a hazy picture of the landscape.

It was a nightmarish scene, countless wolf corpses lay severed, their limbs and entrails scattered and entangled. However, amidst this chaos, Maeve stood still like a statue, her eyes showing a hint of unease. Thankfully, the silence didn’t last long.

“Ian? Is that you?” Maevee asked as she stared into the darkness.

Philip, who had been flipping logs, also turned his head abruptly. Through the darkness, the faint outlines of an approaching figure emerged.

“Yes. I’m unharmed,” a slow reply followed. The voice was as languid as Maevee’s sluggish state from waiting.

Maeve took a step forward. “What was that thing from earlier-“

“Have the wolves all retreated?” Interrupting Maevee’s question, Ian finally furrowed his brows.

Taking a long breath, she answered,”Yes. Not long after you entered the forest, they scattered in all directions. But more importantly, you should explain what that was all about-” Once again, she couldn’t finish her sentence properly. Ian’s lack of response registered in Maevee’s eyes belatedly. “You don’t need to explain.”

Ian retorted as he took a step forward. “It’s exactly how it seems.” With a swift motion, he tossed something in his hand towards the fire. The blurry trajectory landed near the bonfire, rolling towards Philip who sat crouched nearby. It was Andolf’s severed head, with its tongue sticking out.

“By Lou Sola’s mercy!” Philip exclaimed, falling onto his butt, “What is this?”

“A werewolf. He was the one leading the pack of wolves.” Ian’s response halted his words.

Maeve, who had been scrutinizing Andolf’s head, turned to look at him with surprise. Ian’s lips twitched slightly as their gazes met.

“How did you know that such a monster was leading that pack of wolves?”

“I didn’t know, but I heard rumors. They said that a pack of wolves were roaming this area that only hunted people. Haven’t you heard the stories?” Ian spoke slowly, “Even rumors that seem absurd are bound to be mingled with the truth, especially these days.” He shrugged, “But these mutts are just big, there was nothing special about them. That’s why I decided to cut the boss off.”

He didn’t need to say anything more, his expression spoke volumes. It wasn’t just empty bravado. Ian looked like he had just left a river of blood and flesh. He had, indeed, confronted the werewolf and returned victorious. It also meant that he had been in a grueling fight by himself in that forest.

With that realization, Maeve regarded him with new eyes, a gaze of genuine surprise. She realized that the claim he had single-handedly annihilated the kobold camp was neither exaggerated nor a mere stroke of luck. Perhaps Ian truly had the ability to track down the warlock. “It was still reckless.” Maeve’s voice remained grave. “If that creature had been stronger than the werewolves, you could have died. You should have moved with me.” Putting aside personal considerations, Ian must not die. He had to arrive safely in the capital. For that, such impulsive actions couldn’t be repeated.

Scratching his jaw, Ian glanced at her. “I don’t think you would’ve been very helpful chasing him down in that outfit..”

Maeve’s eyebrow twitched upward at his audacity. Her voice carried a newfound strength. “I am faster than you think, even in this state.”

“Of course.” Ian replied with a sly grin. “He would’ve sensed you as a threat. I moved alone to bait him, otherwise, he might have fled. If he did, we would’ve lost him, and we wouldn’t know when he’d come after us again. We can’t let that threat linger.”

“Even if that’s true, it’s nothing but speculation.”

“Then why do you think he was hiding and watching us ready to spring into action. He must’ve felt the danger, besides he’s not as formidable as he appears. So I went alone.”

Maeve fell silent for a moment.

Ian’s calm tone made an impact. “Your concern is understood, but above all, my life is precious. I’m not loyal or noble enough to throw my life away for someone else. That’s the virtue of a knight, not a mercenary like me.”

Maeve eventually found herself at a loss for words. She had to admit that she would never be able to defeat Ian in an argument. Ian’s proclamation that he wasn’t loyal or noble had never been stated so directly, especially in the presence of someone like her, a knight. Most mercenaries were like that, even if it wasn’t articulated in such a manner. However, for Ian to declare it so confidently was something new, he had demonstrated his skills in various ways within just a day.

Maeve’s eyes shifted to Ian, her gaze tinged with curiosity. If she were to draw her sword, Ian would surely face her in combat or flee, but neither outcome was desirable. After a brief contemplation, Maeve reluctantly reached a decision she didn’t want to make. It was a simple request. Although she was worried about revealing her intentions and being manipulated by the rude mercenary, she couldn’t think of another way. “Understood. But in the future, if you make plans, please inform me in advance. Don’t keep it to yourself.”

Ian’s response was unexpected. “I understand. I’ll do that.” He nodded obediently, saying nothing more.

Instead, it was Maeve who felt a bit awkward as she glanced away from his gaze. “Very well.” Perhaps she was too distrustful of her opponent, having to swallow her pride left her with an uncomfortable feeling.

In the brief pause, as Maeve swallowed her irritation, Philip interjected. “How about discussing your heroic battle with that monster over a meal?” He seemed eager, as if he had been waiting to change the uncomfortable subject of Andolf’s severed head.

Ian grinned and inclined his head. “Later, Philip.”

“Is there still work to be done?” Philip asked.

“I’m not hungry and I’m definitely not tired either.” Ian motioned around them as he spoke.

“Ah.” Understanding dawned on Philip’s face. It made sense. Aside from being a gruesome sight of wolf corpses littering the surroundings, the smell of blood and decay permeated the air.

“There’s a stream in the center of the forest. It might be good to set up camp there. What do you think, Knight?” Ian asked.

Maeve, who had regained her composure, nodded in agreement. “Good idea. Do it that way.”

“Bring the horses, Phillip.” It was a very natural command from Ian.

“Yes, sir,” Phillip replied immediately. Neither Maeve nor Philip seemed to feel odd about Ian taking charge for the moment.

Phillip ran towards the three tethered horses. The most incredible part of what had happened today was that Ian’s old horse had been saved. It was expected that the seasoned warhorses would be alright following the battle, but seeing the old horse still alive was surprising.

When Phillip took the reins, the horses pranced excitedly. “Did these guys suddenly get scared? Come peacefully.” Phillip pulled the reins with a soothing voice, the two warhorses followed obediently while Ian’s horse was dragged along. They had only gone a few steps when Ian’s horse huffed and stumbled, falling to it’s side.

Philip exclaimed in shock “Did it die?” He crouched to examine the horse’s condition. Philip’s face fell, “I’m sorry, Sir. I must have made a mistake.”

Maeve scolded Philip, “You should have been more careful, Philip. There are so many wolf corpses around.” She turned to Ian, “I will pay the price for your horse. I’m sorry.”

Ian shrugged and gazed at the dead horse suddenly realizing, “This might be because of the wolf’s blood on me.” Already under immense stress, and with the strong scent of werewolf blood wafting through the air, Ian’s old horse couldn’t withstand it. “Well, it was a miracle that the fellow survived from the beginning, but-” Ian’s laid-back voice lowered as he looked at Phillip’s forehead. “I don’t really feel like walking.”

“Excuse me?” Phillip raised his head and asked.

“I’m tired.” Ian added.

Philip’s bewildered face looked between Ian and the horses, letting out a defeated sigh when the realization dawned on him, “Of course, I should be the one who walks.”

——-

After a couple of hours of travel, the group unpacked by a stream that crossed the center of the forest. While Phillip prepared the campfire, Ian leisurely got off the horse. Phillip’s horse was much more comfortable than Ian’s old horse that he had been riding.

When he got off, the headpiece of Andorf, tied to the saddle next to it, swung loosely. It was Phillip’s work, although Ian wondered why he had brought it in the first place, he turned his gaze to the stream. What was important right now wasn’t that headpiece, he had only thought the stream would be so small that he could only wash his face, but the stream, which roughly imitated a river, was quite strong.

As Ian sat down on a nearby rock and started to loosen his armor straps, Maeve raised her head and asked, “What are you doing?”

“As you can see. I’m taking off my armor.”

“And what if we get attacked again?”

“You didn’t feel it on the way here? There probably isn’t even a single deer left in this forest.” Ian shrugged his shoulders. “The werewolves occupied the forest, remember? If there was anything around here, they probably all fled.” Even if there was something in the forest, he needed to wash off. Muttering to himself, Ian took off his armor and shoulder pads with some difficulty. His whole body was sticky with sweat and blood.

“Oh, I see. That’s true.” Maeve mumbled as she scratched her head.

“Ian, are you planning to wash up now?” Phillip, who had already set up a campfire and laid out the ground, asked suddenly.

Ian was struggling to peel off his shirt, which was sticking to him, along with the armor that didn’t come off easily. “Of course!”

Phillip’s face turned red as he heard this. Ian glanced at him with a strange look. And then he took out a bundle from his bag as if he had suddenly thought of something. It was the smoked ham, cheese and wheat bread from the maid. “Take half of it and prepare it for tonight. We will finish it tomorrow.”

“Yes! I’ll prepare it right away.”

“Wash your hands first. After the food is ready, wash my armor off too.”

“Yes!” Philip hurried to the creek.

Ian smirked at his back as he hurried away. He added, as if suddenly remembering, “I’ll ask for your understanding in advance. I’m going to take off my clothes. I’m planning to wash my body as well.”

“As long as I don’t see it, I don’t care.” Maeve calmly replied as she nonchalantly took off her helmet, then her steel gloves one by one, and put her hands through the armholes of the elbow guards.

Ian said. “I thought you were going to sleep in that armor.”

“I’m planning to wash my body too.” Maeve casually replied.

“Are you serious?”

Maeve looked at him. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, you’re going to wash your body now?”

“Of course. Is there a problem?”

Oddly, a flustered expression appeared on Ian’s face.