Becoming the Terminally-Ill Villain Who Torments His Disciples - Chapter 48.1
“Damn Fixer Guild.”
Seated in the carriage, Cielo recalled Styx, the guild master, with his slick, evasive expression.
“Ahaha, ahahaha. I’m terribly sorry, dear client. One of our VIP clients had already submitted a request for that job…”
In the end, it meant Ryan had known everything from the beginning—that Cielo had been trying to escape the imperial palace for years.
‘And he didn’t even say anything…’
Had he been waiting for Cielo to come clean himself? Or perhaps he had intended to allow him to run away, if only for a little while? Either way, that future was now no longer possible.
“You think I’d let you leave? Where do you think you’re going?”
What he thought had been a flawless plan turned out to be anything but. Everything had been exposed long ago.
Truthfully, Cielo had expected Ryan to oppose him going to the villa in the woods. He imagined Ryan would say, “After everything the Esteban twins have done, how could you go without being properly prepared?”
But after listening to Cielo’s reasons, Ryan had willingly respected his decision.
“Instead, if you’re ever in danger—call my name.”
At those words, Cielo let out a faint laugh. He wasn’t sure if anything would change just by calling Ryan’s name when he wouldn’t even be there. But even so, the words carried genuine concern.
“We’ll be arriving shortly.”
The coachman’s voice came from outside.
Gulp.
Cielo swallowed dryly, tightened his hood, and took a deep breath.
He was scared.
The moment he stepped into that place, would he ever be able to come back out? Fear clung to him like a black leech, gnawing at his heels.
“…No, it’ll be fine.”
Even as he murmured the words, a sharp pain throbbed near his heart, as if to deny them.
“We’ve arrived!”
With that loud call, the carriage door swung open.
The northern forest villa, just as the twins had described, was impressively large—no different from any noble’s mansion.
But perhaps due to years of neglect, wild vines had grown thick along its outer walls, and the garden’s plants had withered. Large, beast-like footprints marred the grounds, as if monsters had passed through.
Gulp.
Swallowing his fear, Cielo stood in front of the door, clenching his trembling fists.
Just as he braced himself to knock—his heart pounding—the door creaked open, as if someone had been waiting. Sol stood there.
“I’ve been waiting, Cielo.”
With a composed face and calm smile, Sol slowly turned and walked into the mansion.
“It must’ve been a long journey. Come in—it must be cold.”
Speaking as if genuinely concerned, Sol led Cielo to the fireplace.
Hesitating slightly, Cielo cautiously scanned his surroundings. The interior of the mansion was dreary, almost uninhabitable.
Though the chandelier lit the room, it still felt oppressively dim, like darkness could descend at any moment.
“You must have a reason for calling me out this far.”
“No need to be so stiff. Sit down.”
“…”
“I said, sit, Cielo.”
The once gentle voice turned sharp in an instant.
Cielo’s chest tightened—but he didn’t back down. He remained standing, staring directly at Sol.
“I came because I have questions, not to sit and make small talk.”
“…”
“The recent monster outbreaks—was that your doing?”
At the question, Sol let out a sigh.
He merely reached for the teacup on the table and took a slow sip, but for some reason, Cielo’s heart began to race.
He was scared. He feared that teacup might come flying at his head any second. But even as sweat beaded in his clenched fists, Cielo kept his gaze steady on Sol, pretending not to waver.
“You’ve gotten disrespectful, Cielo.”
Thump.
The moment their eyes met—Sol’s now narrowed—the courage Cielo had painstakingly built up collapsed.
His body trembled. His vision flickered black and returned again and again. He was breathing, yet it felt like his throat was closing.
“You should sit while I’m still asking nicely.”
Sol’s calm voice compelled Cielo’s body to move on its own.
With difficulty, he sat in the seat opposite. Sol smiled.
“Be good, Cielo. No need to waste your strength.”
“…”
“You asked about the monsters… yes, that’s right. But why ask something you already know?”
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