The Baby Villain Dreams of Conquering the World

Chapter 118

Episode 118

After learning that Basilian couldn't accompany them to the Eisollen Marquisate, Flora, claiming she felt unwell after dinner, dragged him out for a walk.

She led him deep into the garden to a secluded bench, her face so serious it seemed something was wrong. Then, with a grave expression, she suddenly began a lecture.

"Think of gently releasing the power in your body and swinging it."

"Okay."

"Sometimes it feels blocked, but when that happens, imagine pushing through it with force."

"Okay."

"And..."

Flora propped her chin on her hand and closed her eyes. Seeing her lost in thought, pondering what to teach him, Basilian smiled faintly while her eyes were closed.

She had promised to help him systematically train his demonic power step by step upon returning to the North, but now that he couldn't accompany her to the Eisollen Marquisate, her rush to impart knowledge showed her sense of responsibility and affection for him.

He didn't tell her that he had met Marquis Eisollen a few times as a child, so there was a risk of his identity being exposed, which was why he couldn't go.

'Thanks to the Young Duke Lucifer, I have a natural excuse not to attend. It's a relief.'

Meanwhile, Flora seemed to have finished her thoughts and opened her eyes wide. Her face showed frustration.

"Trying to explain it suddenly, I don't know how to put it into words. Have you ever found anything difficult when using it?"

"Hmm, whenever I try to use the power, I get dizzy and it's hard to hold onto my reason. It feels like I'm becoming a completely different person?"

"Ah, that's probably because your body is still young compared to your strong power. The power is trying to devour your reason and dominate you. So you have to be careful not to be consumed by it."

"That's exactly why I didn't use it..."

Basilian recalled the day he first properly controlled his demonic power.

He had moved instinctively to save Flora from danger.

He suppressed the immense power trying to gnaw at his mind, wrapped it around the tip of his sword, and succeeded in cutting down the monster attacking Flora.

Perhaps he found comfort in seeing Flora, his only friend, handle demonic power so effortlessly, because in that moment, the terrifying power didn't feel frightening.

The relief and joy of not being alone, combined with the ecstasy coursing through his body, granted him the ability to control the demonic power.

When he realized he had saved Flora safely using his own strength, the thrill running through his body at that moment was indescribable.

That's why he had hugged Flora immediately, intoxicated with joy. Unaware of the demon's approach.

How pathetic he had felt when he collapsed powerless and regained consciousness.

Even if the enemy was an entity beyond his capabilities, he was ashamed of being caught off guard, reveling in a moment of joy.

'...I'm still far from ready.'

This was only his first success.

Constant effort was needed to handle this power, and the Holy Sword would also respond to his will again.

To rightfully reclaim his place, he needed to put in even more grueling effort.

"You had something? What was it?"

As he remained lost in thought for too long, Flora couldn't hold back and urged him. Seeing her face full of curiosity, Basilian's eyes widened for a moment before he chuckled.

"I think I understand the feeling now that I've succeeded once. I just need to practice hard."

"Hmm, well, if you encounter any blocks during practice, remember them. I'll help you look at them when we return to the North."

"I'd be grateful."

Flora looked up at the sky with a regretful expression. Looking at the stars dotting the black sky, her heart felt strangely unsettled.

"Basil, are you sure you really can't come?"

"...Anyone watching would think we're parting forever. I'm just returning to the North first, that's all."

At Basilian's answer, Flora pouted.

"I know, but it just feels a bit off. We finally met and started being together, and now we have to separate again."

Flora propped her chin with both hands and let out a low sigh.

Seeing her so deflated, unlike her usual lively and passionate self, made Basilian feel a bit flustered.

"Are you upset?"

"Hmm."

After a moment's thought, Flora nodded, still propping her chin.

"I think I am upset. That I can't always be with you, Basil, when you're so precious to me."

He knew Flora's words held no ulterior motive, but Basilian's heart began to beat faster than before.

Flora was his only friend and more. He had even hidden his true identity from her because she hated the Imperial family and he didn't want to be hated.

He was happy that she considered him a precious person too, but on the other hand, his heart felt heavy.

'I can't hide it forever.'

Perhaps now was the right time.

'It's an important story, so I'll need time to think it over alone.'

He wasn't confident he could bear seeing Flora angry and turning her back on him. Growing fear made him rationalize that this was an opportunity to have some time apart to think.

"Flora, actually..."

Just as he was about to speak.

"Ah, so here you are."

Someone appeared in the secluded spot. Walter, the boy who resembled the surrounding greenery, stepped forward before them with a grin.

"You weren't in your room, so I looked for you everywhere. Were you taking a walk?"

Walter's question was directed at Flora. Seeing him not even glance at Basilian, Flora answered indifferently.

"Is it any of your business?"

"Haha, have I earned your dislike?"

Saying this, Walter now looked directly at Basilian.

"I apologize for this afternoon. I was frustrated that our time together seemed interrupted and lost my temper without realizing it."

"...Our time together?"

"Ah, I mean as friends."

When Basilian asked back with a displeased expression, Walter smoothly deflected his discontent with a smile.

"I just made a new friend, and hearing you're leaving tomorrow made me feel disappointed. I came to say goodbye, but I didn't expect you to be together."

But at his following words, Basilian's face stiffened.

When Walter naturally used formal speech, as if he knew his original status, sweat instantly broke out on his palms.

Just as Basilian was about to speak, thinking he must silence this person first…

"What, are you mocking someone right now?"

Flora, sitting beside him, sprang to her feet.

"I told you not to look down on him, when did I say you could mock him like this? You're really something else."

Flora flared up in anger instead and grabbed Basilian's hand.

"Let's go, Basil. No need to listen to this and be made fun of. We're leaving tomorrow anyway, don't even bother being polite!"

Seeing her thoroughly angered, Basilian's mouth twitched. It seemed she had interpreted Walter's actions as an insult towards him.

'What should I do?'

Basilian held onto Flora's hand as she led him and followed. As they walked quickly away, he glanced back and saw Walter standing still in place, bowing his head politely with perfect etiquette.

'He's figured it out.'

His discernment was indeed extraordinary. It seemed he had guessed his identity from their brief encounter this afternoon.

'All the days I spent avoiding meeting Duke Bellasia feel meaningless now.'

If he had been discovered by Marquis Eisollen instead, being the head of a neutral family, he might have received help.

'Of all people, to be found out by the Young Lord Bellasia...'

The fact that Duke Bellasia hadn't come for him immediately suggested Walter hadn't informed him yet, but it was only a matter of time.

'If the Young Lord tells the Duke before we leave tomorrow...'

His identity would be forcibly exposed in front of Flora, and he would be led back to the Imperial family by their hands.

Now that he knew how to wield the Holy Sword, he wouldn't be treated as poorly as before, but the timing was still too early.

'Damn it.'

It was his fault for not acting more meticulously. In his frustration, Basilian unknowingly tightened his grip on their joined hands.

"Ow!"

Flora, who had been striding ahead angrily, cried out in surprise at the sudden pressure. She stopped and looked up at him with wide eyes.

"...Ah, sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you."

At his immediate apology, Flora instead shook her head.

"No, even someone as kind as you would be rightfully angry. How dare he mock someone like that, just because he's a Young Lord? It's ridiculous."

Seeing Flora get angry on his behalf as if it were her own matter, guilt weighed heavily on his heart again.

Perhaps speaking now was the right thing to do.

Keeping it hidden any longer would be completely deceiving Flora.

'But it's strange. I know it in my head, but the words won't come out.'

He felt so frustrated he could almost cry.

Perhaps noticing Basilian's poor expression, Flora came closer and looked up at him.

"Are you very upset? You don't look well."

Her eyes, filled with genuine concern, sparkled luminously even in the night.

While he was happy to have someone who cared for him, the situation of being unable to be honest with her was too painful.

But the thought of seeing hatred and contempt cloud those eyes directed at him was even more agonizing.

"...No, I'm fine. Even though it's summer, it's getting cold. Let's go back inside."

In the end, Basilian couldn't bring himself to speak about his true identity.