Reincarnated As The Villainess's Son

"Himmel." She said, her voice gentle. "I have a favor to ask."

I frowned but nodded nonetheless. "Please speak."

Hm?

Before she could reply, my phone vibrated.

I took it out as I saw the number.

…It was Aries.

My body immediately tensed up as I was well aware why he was calling me now.

'So, they are back.'

I thought as I stared at the screen for a long second.

Before Elife could interrupt, I picked up the phone and placed it to my ear.

"Soren's team…I think they will attack us soon."

Aries didn't waste any time as he immediately told me the news.

"Where?" I asked.

"On the Northern border." He replied. "If I had to say…We only have an hour at best."

"I will be there soon."

I replied and hung up the phone as Elfie kept on staring at me.

"You have a favor to ask." I said, looking into her translucent body. "Speak."

Elife drew in a deep breath as she remained silent for a while.

Finally, she sighed and said,

"I want you to remember your past." She looked into my eyes. "To remember what happened back then."

I tilted my head in confusion. "Why should I?"

"I-I don't know—."

"Don't say that." I cut her off, extending my hand. "Don't try to feed me lies."

Elife looked more conflicted than ever as she stared into my eyes.

Her lips trembled, but no words came out.

I could tell…whatever she wanted to say, it wasn't easy.

And I could vaguely guess what she was trying to achieve.

"So, you want me to remember what tragedy happened with the World Tree, Nymeria and Liam?"

I asked and sure enough she looked visibly uncomfortable by my words.

It wasn't hard to guess that I was also somehow involved with the incident.

Maybe Liam's death had something to do with me.

Or perhaps I killed him.

I know those memories of my childhood aren't good.

There is a reason why Yennefer asked Esmeray to seal them off.

I let off a loud tired sigh. "Are you doing this so I could grow more sympathetic towards the elves and help them?"

Elife's translucent form flickered faintly, as if the question itself made her waver.

"…It's not just about the elves," she said quietly. "It's about you."

I arched a brow. "Me?"

"Yes," she whispered. "You think you're fine without those memories. That you're… safer without them. But you're not. You've been walking forward all this time, Himmel, but with half of yourself missing."

I rubbed my temples as I felt a sudden headache creeping into my mind.

Urgh, I really hate this feeling.

"So, let me get this straight." I said, looking back at her. "You want me to live with the pain and guilt of my past?"

"No." She shook her head in response. "I want you to share your guilt and pain with others."

Saying so, she looked past me and I turned my head as well.

Nymeria silently stood there staring blankly at the World Tree.

'Tch.'

I clicked my tongue as I turned away.

"I don't want to talk anymore." I said to Elife. "And I hope you are free from your duties as the guardian now."

"I can never be free."

Elife whispered more to herself than me.

"….."

I chose to ignore her words as I walked past Nymeria.

She also turned back and began to walk with me.

There was a silence between us as we rushed back to the royal palace.

Nymeria turned her head to look at me.

I frowned. "What?"

"Always the ungrateful one." She replied. "Aren't you?"

I scoffed under my breath. "And you're always the noisy one."

God, I hate this stupid face of hers.

[<...>]

Nymeria didn't stop there as she asked, "Is Himmel your real name?"

"Why do you care?" I scoffed. "Just shut up already."

She didn't reply, but I caught the faintest sadness tugging on her face before she looked away.

'….What's with her?'

The palace gates came into view, guards already moving in and out in a flurry.

I found Mariam standing at the front gate, seemingly waiting for me.

As soon as we reached her she immediately placed both her hands on my chest.

"Himmel."

She said, her voice soft,

"You don't have to do this—."

Is she talking about Soren's team?

"I have already told you, haven't I?" I replied, removing her hands. "I will be the one to kill them."

Mariam's lips tightened, but she didn't move to stop me again.

"You don't have to interfere in the matters of elves—."

"It has nothing to do with elves." I cut her off once again. "Now, please…step aside."

She let out a sigh as she moved away, leaving a clear path for me.

I didn't say anything else as I walked away.

But, just as I turned I found Siersha walking along with me.

"I will—."

"No." I cut her off before she could say anything. "I am going to the battlefield, not on a picnic."

"You need someone to watch your back." She replied, looking into my eyes. "You can't be sure if you would not get injured."

But I am sure though.

There is no way they can kill me unless they got much stronger than before.

"Wait, what are you guys talking about?" Nymeria asked, frowning in confusion.

I glanced at her but didn't bother to reply; instead I looked at Siersha.

Much to my annoyance, she looked pretty determined to follow me even if I was to jump into hell.

"Urgh, fine." I said, rubbing my temples. "I don't have time for all this."

She just gave a quick nod as I began to walk.

Nymeria was also following us but I had no intention to talk to her.

I just need to reach the Northern border as soon as possible.

---

[Northern Border, Alfheim]

Unlike the plain central border, the northern one was much more secure.

There were hundreds of soldiers rushing around the place as I walked down the rough pathway.

Even though we spent a lot of time travelling, looks like we aren't late.

A soldier quickly rushed towards me and bowed. "Sir Aries is waiting for you."

I just nodded and gestured for him to lead the way.

The soldier moved past a myriad number of tents before he reached the middle one.

When we stepped inside, Aries was talking with a few of his soldiers.

He quickly stood up when he saw me. "Sir Himmel."

I gave him a nod as I asked, "Where are they?"

He walked towards me. "There is movement in the front." He replied. "Let me lead you."

I nodded before I looked at Siersha and Nymeria standing behind me.

"Stay here." I ordered and I was in no mood to hear no.

Siersha seemed reluctant but she nodded nonetheless.

Aries walked out of the tent and I followed right behind him.

"They're not hiding," Aries muttered, his tone sharp. "They want us to see them."

I narrowed my eyes.

Yeah… that was Soren's style. Loud, cocky, and always convinced he was in control.

"Any changes in their numbers?" I asked.

"A small team," Aries replied. "No army with them… like always."

"They're confident," I said flatly.

We descended the slope until the ground leveled out near the forward barricades.

Soldiers straightened as we passed, weapons clutched tighter.

Some whispered my name. Others just stepped back.

The smell of death and decaying soil mixed with the faint scent of smoke.

The tension in the air was almost visible.

"How far out?" I asked.

"Half a mile, maybe less. They'll be here soon." Aries adjusted the straps on his armor. "You want me to engage first?"

"No." I said, stepping forward past the barricade. "Take your soldiers and get out."

Aries frowned but didn't argue. He knew better.

"I will be close by in case you need help." He replied with a deep bow.

I didn't reply as I kept on walking further into the empty land.

A flicker of movement caught my eye and then another.

…They were here.

Phenex emerged first along with Imri who quickly hid as soon as he saw me.

Dagan followed, resting his axe on his shoulder, grinning as if he'd been waiting for this.

Valerius came next, his mouth set in a grim line, still favoring the side I'd struck last time.

And finally… Soren.

He strolled out of the trees with that same infuriating calm.

"We meet again, Himmel." he said, as if greeting an old friend.

I looked at him with a smile. "Why are you not nervous?"

"We are." He replied. "But we are also confident in killing you this time."

I chuckled at the absurd words that came out of his mouth.

Behind me, I heard soldiers shifting nervously.

'…These stupid fuckers.'

Even though I told them to get away, more and more of them were gathering to look at the show.

'…Urgh, whatever.'

I relaxed my body as I took out the halberd and formed a sword with mana.

"Hey Soren, I will give you a head start." I said, as I looked at him. "Open your kingdom."

He tilted his head. "Why should I?"

I leaned forward as I stared into his eyes. "I don't want you to run like before."

He laughed at my words as he replied, "It won't happen this time."

"Why are you taking so much time." Imri chimed in from behind Phenex. "Just kill him."

I gave Imri a flat look. "Keep barking, flower boy. I'll deal with you soon enough."

His jaw tightened, but Phenex put a hand on his shoulder before he could spit more words.

Soren, on the other hand, kept smiling. "We have given enough courtesy." He said. "Your death—."

I exhaled as I completely submerged my mind with mana.

A clear path appeared in front of me leading to their weakest link.

The place shifted in a purple flash, and I appeared just beside Phenex and behind Imri.

Imri barely had time to widen his eyes before my hand clamped around his throat.

His scream was muffled as I crushed his entire neck.

Bloody and crushed bones dripped down my hands as Imri's body fell down.

"HIMMEL!!!"