I Am The Game's Villain

"Huh?"

I blinked in disbelief as my eyes adjusted to the dim, flickering light that surrounded the throne. There, seated casually with one leg draped over the other and her cheek resting against a clenched fist, was… a girl?

She looked no older than twelve—small frame, soft features, long dark brown hair cascading over her shoulders. Her expression, though, was anything but childish. She wore the look of someone who'd been bored for centuries.

I turned toward Rodolf, arching an eyebrow.

"I thought you were taking me to meet your mother. Not your kid sister."

Rodolf didn't so much as flinch. "She's not my sister. That is my mother, Queen Beatrice Moonfang."

"Like hell she is!"

A soft sound cut through the air, and the girl turned her head in our direction.

"My son and…" Her piercing yellow eyes, sharp and wolf-like, narrowed as they landed on me. "Who is that?"

"Amael Idea Olphean," Rodolf replied quickly, his usual arrogant tone surprisingly absent. "As promised, I brought him to you, Mother."

Wait. What?

This had to be a joke. A messed-up prank, maybe one of Rodolf's twisted sense of humor things. There was no way—no possible way—that this tiny girl was the mother of Rodolf, Jefer, and Brian Moonfang. She didn't even look as old as Roda.

"Amael Olphean," she said my name slowly, savoring it as her fingers tapped rhythmically against the throne's armrest. Her lips curled into a smirk. "So we finally meet. The infamous traitor of Sancta Vedelia. You look far too clean-cut to be a backstabber."

"And you look far too young to be an old h—a mother," I replied, catching myself just in time. I'd almost called her something else—something far less polite.

Rodolf shot me a glare, but since I saved myself mid-sentence, he let it slide.

"Yes, well, appearances can be deceiving," she said, her tone tinged with irritation. "I don't particularly enjoy looking like this, but unfortunately, it's necessary. I've long lost my natural form's… appeal. So I'm stuck using a grotesque disguise to remind people I'm still the damn Queen."

Honestly, it made sense. No one would take a pint-sized girl seriously as the ruler of a nation called Fangoria. But something in her voice told me the issue went deeper than just appearances.

"I rule this land," she continued, swinging her leg idly. "If the wrong people were to learn of my current condition… well, let's just say it wouldn't end well."

I frowned. "So doesn't it make it kinda risky that I've seen you like this?"

"Very," she said. "It was incredibly foolish of my son to bring you here at such a sensitive time."

She turned her eyes toward Rodolf, who visibly stiffened. He wasn't just sweating bullets—he was drowning in them.

Was this seriously the guy who was supposed to have my back?

Before I could voice that thought, the girl—Queen, apparently—fixed her icy gaze on me again.

"But I assume—and I sincerely hope—you don't have any ill intentions, do you?" She asked and I felt the goosebumps prickle across my skin.

"No, I don't have…" I said.

"Good," she said curtly. "My son told me you could be trusted, and I trust my son."

So Rodolf had vouched for me. Probably during whatever conversation they'd had about the whole Behemoth situation. That explained a lot—and made me wonder what else he might've said behind my back.

Still, something didn't add up.

"I don't get it," I said slowly, watching her. "You say you're the Queen, but Jefer Moonfang is the one acting as Head of the Kingdom?"

She raised an eyebrow, almost amused. "Do I look like I'm in any condition to lead a kingdom publicly?" She asked. "Jefer is more than capable of handling things on his own."

Yeah… 'capable' was one way to put it. So capable he had time to go on some year-long undercover trip with Connor before backstabbing him it seems. Real efficient, that one.

I wanted to say it, I really did but I bit my tongue. No sense in starting unnecessary fires.

"You don't seem nearly as clever as that brat Connor, that much is clear," she added with an annoyingly smug grin.

I returned her smile with one of my own. Forced, but polite. No point rising to the bait.

"You met my brother?" I asked.

"Indeed. Two, maybe three years ago? He visited during an academy trip to my kingdom," she said, the memory flickering in her expression.

"You seem to remember him quite clearly," I noted, a bit surprised by the fondness in her tone.

She let out a low, amused chuckle. "I even asked him to become my next husband," she said, completely serious. "He turned me down, of course. Such a shame… He really had everything going for him."

I visibly grimaced.

Next to me, Rodolf looked like he wanted to curl up and disappear. His face had gone an impressive shade of red, and his fists were clenched tight at his sides. Yeah, awkward family moments—always a blast.

"And now," the Queen continued, "years later, his younger brother is even more famous than him… but for all the wrong reasons."

She leaned forward slightly. "So tell me, Amael Olphean. Do you have anything to say in your defense?"

Was this some kind of test? It felt like it.

I took a breath, meeting her gaze without flinching. "I stand by everything I've done," I said calmly. "And I'm taking full responsibility for it. I have no regrets."

"No regrets?" She repeated, narrowing her eyes. "Even though you're now banished from Sancta Vedelia? Even if my son begged me, I have no intention of going against Jefer's judgment."

I scoffed before I could stop myself. "Not like I have any intention of crawling back to your Kingdom anyway."

That one slipped out. My bad. It was just too hard to bite my tongue this time.

She threw her head back and laughed. "Ahahaha, you're a real piece of work, aren't you? How old are you again?"

"Did you call me here just to ask that?"

The sudden shift in tone was throwing me off. Where was this conversation even going?!

Rodolf, standing silently beside me all this time, finally spoke up—clearly uncomfortable. "Mother, please…"

To my surprise, the so-called Queen puffed her cheeks and pouted. It was weirdly childish—and unsettlingly fitting for her current appearance.

"I called you," she said, tone shifting back to something more serious, "because Rodolf seems to believe there's an imminent attack coming from Behemoth. And from the look in your eyes, you seem to agree with him."

"Yes," I said. "I'm absolutely sure of it."

She watched me for a moment, assessing. "I don't put much trust in words alone. But I won't dismiss something this serious either. Bring me proof, and I'll take the appropriate actions."

My brows furrowed. "Proof? I'm warning you about a threat to your kingdom's safety. Isn't that enough?"

She gave me a knowing smile. "Don't pretend you care about Fangoria. I'm not some naive little girl, despite how I may look."

That stung a little. My fists clenched instinctively.

"Regardless," I said through my teeth, "your people are in danger too."

"I'm aware. And I will take precautions," she said. "But in return, I want something else."

"Something else?"

"For a few years now, a strange type of pill has been circulating throughout Fangoria. A drug that allows werewolves to forcefully awaken their beastial form—massively increasing their strength."

Yeah, it was familiar to me. The werewolves I had fought in Dolphis… the ones whose bodies twisted unnaturally, who fought like wild berserkers.

"I think I know what you're talking about," I said slowly, nodding as the memory surfaced.

"Those pills are destroying lives—families. They're turning my people into addicts and weapons. I want that stopped," she said.

I blinked, caught off guard. "Wait… are you asking me to shut down the entire operation behind that drug?"

She shook her head. "Not at all. Shutting it down would mean the source destroyed. That means eliminating the one manufacturing them—and burning down the lab they own which is impossible currently."

Huh… Well, that was awkward.

Already done.

I didn't say anything, though.

But I was pretty sure Medusa was the one behind that pill or anyone else working in her lab. I remembered at least that.

"Then what do you want?" I asked.

At my words, her emotions vanished from her face.

"I want Braham Moonfang to come out," she said coldly.

"The Leader of Behemoth… he'll show himself when the attack begins—"

"No," Queen Beatrice interrupted me. "I want him to come out before that."

Her tone left no room for argument. Her expression was cold and maybe disdain was there as well. She wasn't just being strategic; she wanted Braham Moonfang out of the picture. Personally.

I blinked. Wait a second—wasn't Braham supposed to be her adopted son? Or maybe a stepson? The exact nature of their relationship was vague, but still… this level of animosity didn't feel motherly.

So if she wanted him out early, it wasn't to talk. She wanted him exposed—vulnerable. Probably dead.

Not that I was complaining. If I could lure him out ahead of schedule, and someone else—someone better suited—could strike him down, we'd have a major advantage.

I hadn't been too eager when I first heard the idea. But right now?

Yeah. I was warming up to it.

"How are you so sure he'll show himself?" I asked. "And more importantly… how do I drag him out?"

Beatrice leaned back on her throne with a knowing smirk.

"I know Braham better than he thinks I do," she said. "His main base of operations—the one where they distribute those pills, it's right here, in the capital. And the one managing it is his younger brother."

"Younger brother?!" Rodolf blurted out, visibly stunned. "Wait—mother?"

Apparently even he hadn't heard of this before.

"When I adopted Braham. I did it for the sake of our family. Brian hadn't awakened his Bestial Form, and Jefer was still too young. Braham showed promise—raw power, intelligence, control. He had potential. But his brother? He was talentless. Useless. So I left him behind."

Well, she did her job as Queen I guess…

"But I know Braham still cares about him," she added. "Find that brother, bring him to me—and that ungrateful brat will crawl out of whatever hole he's hiding in."

I met her gaze and smiled. "With pleasure."

It was a solid plan. Risky, sure—but clever.

Rodolf, on the other hand, looked dumbfounded. "Oi, are you serious right now?"

"Dead serious," I said, nodding. "This might be the chance to flip the board by taking down the Leader of Behemoth himself. I'm not letting it pass."

Beatrice actually clapped her hands together, delighted. "Well said!"

Why did she look so… giddy?

"Mind if I borrow Rodolf for this?" I asked casually. "I might need his title to get through some doors."

"Wait, what?!" Rodolf protested immediately, snapping out of his stupor.

He clearly had other plans—probably involving Cylien and a lot of showing off.

But Beatrice was already laughing. "Of course. Take my son."

"Mother?! I have an evaluation after this trip!" Rodolf yelped, panicking.

Beatrice's expression turned ever so slightly more serious. "Then both of you will have to be very careful. But… if you do bring me Braham's brother," she added, her voice turning teasingly toward her son, "I'll consider speaking to Namys about that elf girl you're so hopelessly in love with."

Rodolf's eyes lit up like a child promised candy. "Hell yeah! I'm going ahead, buddy!" He shouted, patting me on the shoulder before bolting out of the room.

I watched him leave, grimacing. No matter how many lives that guy had, he was still a muscle-head through and through. But hey—at least I wouldn't be facing this alone. Plus, traveling with the Moonfang prince himself meant fewer complications if things got dicey.

"Then—" I turned to give a polite goodbye—

But Beatrice was suddenly right in front of me.

She moved fast—quieter than expected. She was shorter than me, barely reaching my chest, but she stood close. Too close. Her eyes stared up at me with quite intensity.

"W–What?" I asked, instinctively trying to step back—

But she didn't let me.

Instead, she grabbed a handful of my shirt and leaned in, her nose brushing against the fabric as she… sniffed me?

What?

"You smell like my granddaughter," she muttered with a dark gaze.

My brain froze. "Huh? I—I ran into her before leaving the academy," I said quickly, suddenly feeling sweat bead at the back of my neck.

Beatrice closed her eyes and inhaled again, like she was savoring it. "Your natural scent… is quite delightful. Almost intoxicating."

"Thanks?" I edged back a bit. "But I really need to—"

"But you are not in a very good health," she added softly.

"…!"

I flinched as she suddenly leaned forward—and licked my cheek.

The hairs on the back of my neck shot straight up.

What the hell?!