Reincarnated As The Villainess's Son

[Two Days Later]

"...."

The wind bristled past my face as I sat down in front of a newly formed grave.

There was nothing special about it… it's just that it's the grave of someone I knew.

Thousands have died in the war, and all of them were "honoured" to be buried close to the World Tree.

But honour didn't matter much now, not when death has consumed you.

I placed a single stone on the grave.

It was smooth and grey, just like all the others around it.

There was a name carved on it along with a message for everyone to see.

Wilhelm Gerald.

"A loving husband, a proud father and the hero whom Elves will never forget."

It was a ridiculous thing to write on his grave.

He wasn't a loving father—no father would risk his life on the frontline knowing there won't be anyone to look after her if he was gone.

He wasn't a hero either… not to me, at least.

He was just… Wilhelm.

Loud, stubborn, and always too proud for his own good.

"Idiot," I muttered under my breath.

There were no flowers on his grave. He wouldn't have liked them anyway.

So I left the stone and stood up.

Around me, rows of graves stretched endlessly across the hill, each marked with the same polished stones and careful lies.

So many names. So many words that meant nothing now.

I looked up.

The World Tree stood tall in the distance, its bark blackened, its leaves fewer than ever.

Even its glow had dimmed. The elves still called it sacred, but it felt hollow now.

There wasn't anyone around his grave, everyone is too busy with the escalating war.

"He was a good man."

A voice echoed from behind me and I knew who she was.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, turning back to look at Mariam.

Mariam stepped closer, her long cloak fluttering gently in the wind.

Her eyes were fixed on the grave, on the name carved into the cold stone.

"I came to pay my respects," she said quietly. "He was a kid to me… when he learned along with Ragnar."

"..."

I remained silent as I stared at her for a while.

"It was Pasithea's idea to bury those who died in the war here." Mariam said, looking up at the World Tree. "Only the royal elves were honoured for this before."

"Dying is no fucking honour." I said simply.

"Maybe not for you." She replied. "But it is for every elf."

"..."

Without replying, I began to walk past her.

"The Demiurges are advancing now." She replied softly. "They are going to take over the area that Wilhelm was stationed at."

I closed my eyes as I felt another anger once again cloud my judgement.

Taking in a small breath, I looked back at her. "Inform me, when you see Soren's group." I ordered. "They are mine to kill."

"I can't do that." She replied, turning towards me. "This isn't your war, Himmel."

My reasoning snapped as I walked towards her.

Mariam didn't flinch as I stepped closer.

"This is my war," I said coldly.

"They made it mine the moment they killed him."

Mariam looked at me, her eyes distant but sharp. "Don't make the foolish—."

"Shut up!" I yelled, making her stop. "I will say it again, Mariam. Inform me when—."

"I cannot let you repeat what happened back then." She cut in my words. "Please stay out of this."

My mind cooled down as her words made me halt.

I have been asking the same question to myself as well.

"What happened back then?" I asked her. "What did I do? How did Liam even die?"

Mariam didn't reply; instead, she walked forward and gently hugged me.

"Whatever happened…" She whispered. "It wasn't your fault, Himmel."

I stood there frozen as Mariam held me.

Her embrace was gentle, not the kind that forced comfort.

I didn't return the hug… I just stood there.

Mariam pulled back slightly, enough to look me in the eyes.

Her hand rested lightly on my shoulder.

"You already have too much on yourself." She said. "Don't burden yourself anymore."

I looked away. "I don't want sympathy."

"It's not sympathy," she said gently. "It's truth."

I shrugged her hand off. "I will still kill Soren."

"Himmel—"

"I already gave you my answer," I said, my voice sharp. "If you try to stop me, I won't hold back."

Mariam sighed; she didn't move to stop me again.

I made my way out of the graveyard, still lost in my own thoughts.

[<Qais.>]

'Hmm.'

[<Are you alright?>]

'…Yeah.'

I have lost much more important people in my life.

Wilhelm wasn't that close to me anyway.

My emotions are already too numb for mourning someone's death.

"….."

I stopped in my place as something suddenly hit me.

Am I slowly becoming like my mother?

[<Do not compare yourself with that monster. You are nothing like her.>]

"..."

I drew in a deep breath as I nodded softly.

I am not like her… I am nothing like that woman.

Consulting myself, I began to walk out of the place once again.

[<Qais.>]

'Yes?'

[<…Are you going to help Yennefer?>]

'I am going to help Zenith,' I replied to her query. 'Not Yennefer.'

Yennefer has already gone too far to be redeemed.

Even though she has a damn well reason for all of it.

…I just can't forgive her right now.

No… I could never forgive her.

'But that doesn't mean I would let Zenith die.'

I care a little too much for her to just let her be used or die.

Even though I wanted to not bring her pain in order to free her, I don't think I have any other options.

[<In that case, you should work on El's blessing. Especially your abilities as the "Guardian of Oracle.">]

'….Why is that?'

[<Just trust me on this. It will be helpful.>]

'..We will talk later.'

My steps slowed down as I reached out of the graveyard.

There weren't many people here, but a few were recognizable.

I slowly walked towards a boy with red hair who was playing with a little girl.

Elijah also noticed me as he smiled softly… a smile that hid his sadness.

"Look, Izara." He said, pointing at me. "Uncle Himmel is here!"

The little girl's shining green eyes turned towards me.

She blinked up at me, curious and unsure, still holding a small toy in her tiny hands.

I felt something tighten in my chest.

She had Wilhelm's eyes.

I crouched down, smiling softly at her. "Hey, Izara."

She tilted her head, still staring. "Did you come to play?"

Elijah chuckled lightly from behind her. "Of course."

The little girl beamed at his words. "Yeah!"

But immediately after, her face turned sad.

"I wish Papa also came to play with me." She mumbled. "I haven't seen him in a while."

I couldn't reply to her; all I could do was softly pat her head.

"Ahem."

A fake cough took my attention to the young man who stood on the side.

I stood up as I looked at him, but there wasn't much to see.

His face was covered in bandages, making it hard to recognize him.

"Who are you?" I asked cautiously.

"Uh, I am Aries." He replied, shifting between bowing and handshake. "Uh, can I have a few minutes of your time? Alone."

Though still suspicious, I nodded. "Sure."

He nodded and we both moved a few steps away from Elijah and Izara.

Aries immediately bowed in front of me. "You may not know, but I was the second in command for the army led by Sir Wilhelm."

He said, his voice deep and serious.

"I sincerely thank you for saving my and my comrades' lives."

"I did no such thing." I replied, shaking my head. "I wasn't there to save you or your people."

"Still, you did, even though it wasn't your intention."

He said, straightening his back.

"Anyway, I will get to the point. I have been assigned as the head of war intel and news."

I tilted my head. "And?"

"Is there a way to contact you?" He asked seriously. "I will inform you when Soren's team is next spotted."

"..."

I looked at him for a second before I asked. "You could lose your job for this."

"I know." He replied firmly. "But you are the only one who can avenge Sir Wilhelm."

I rubbed my temples as I let out a sigh. "Come with me."

He looked confused but followed me anyway as I walked towards Izara.

"Hey, Izara." I said, crouching down. "Do you feel unwell?"

She nodded her head slightly. "It hurts when I sleep."

"..."

I looked at her face that was abnormally pale and sickly.

'….She won't live long if things go on like this.'

I sighed as I closed my eyes.

In the corner of my thoughts, I looked back at my blessings.

To be more precise, the blessing given by Amun-Ra.

It's been a while since I used it, but that doesn't mean it wasn't growing.

Maybe I would have used another way, but I have more than enough life energy to spare.

"Huff…"

I opened my eyes and touched Izara's forehead, sending a gentle jolt of mana.

She immediately fell asleep and Elijah quickly grabbed her.

"Himme—."

"Keep her still." I said, as I looked at him.

Elijah hesitantly nodded as I turned back to Aries.

The young man stood by my side, confused.

I exhaled softly as I whispered.

"In the name of Amun-Ra…

…I summon your blessing, my daughter."

In an instant, I felt my body tremble as fatigue grappled me.

But it was only for a fleeting moment before I felt a small spark of divinity.

The divinity that belonged to Goddess Hathor.

A warm breeze rolled across the field, a greenish hue covered my body, elevating me above the ground.

Elijah looked down at Izara in his arms, panic flickering across his face.

"Himmel… what's happening?"

"She's fine," I said calmly, my voice steady despite the divine energy now coursing through my veins. "Don't move."

I turned to look at Aries, who was already on his knees looking at me in awe.

"G… Goddess."

'Ah, right.'

Hathor was the one who blessed elves as well; they have a special connection with her.

I raised my hand and a gentle green hue covered him.

It was a mix of Hathor's divinity, Muspelh, and Neplh.

Unlike the harsh flames I usually wielded, it was much more gentle.

This light was something else. It hummed with life, not destruction. Warmth, not fire.

Almost immediately, his body healed completely as the bandages fell down.

'Alright, I get the gist of it.'

I am sure it won't hurt Izara in any way.

I floated above even more as I raised my hand towards the child.

But…

It wasn't long before I began feeling the presence of Elves coming from all around.

I ignored them all.

The glow expanded, wrapping around Izara like a blanket of sunlight.

She stirred slightly, her tiny fingers twitching, but didn't wake.

"She's smiling…" Elijah whispered, his voice cracking.

Aries stood frozen beside me, his eyes wide beneath the loose bandages.

"This… this is…"

"The Blessing of Hathor," I said quietly. "A gift of healing… of life."

Izara's body floated towards me, lowering my hand to her chest.

The light flowed into her, steady and slow. Her breathing deepened, the shallow gasps fading into calm.

Her pale skin began to flush with color. Her lips weren't blue anymore and the dark rings under her eyes softened.

It kept on going for a few moments before she was completely healed.

Her body lowered down as she now slept peacefully in Elijah's arms.

The fatigue crept in again, a dull weight settling on my shoulders.

"Huff…"

I looked around me as I found something unexpected.

Hundreds of elves now knelt in front of me.