Villain Retirement

Chapter 1157: Meeting An Old Friend So Soon



Chapter 1157: Meeting An Old Friend So Soon

Chapter 1157: Meeting An Old Friend So Soon

"This is your handwriting…"

Louis's hands trembled as he held the letter, his eyes scanning its contents over and over again. The words were clear.

It showed a detailed information of when and where their carriage would pass through the clearing. They even marked the best place to launch their attack—and judging from this letter, they weren't actually bandits at all… but assassins.

"No…" Louis whispered, his breaths trembling as he glanced at his butler, who stood a few feet away with wide, nervous eyes. "This… this can't be right. You've taken care of me my whole life, Felix. Why would you… why would you do this?"

"I didn't!" Felix stepped forward as he showed both his palms in surrender, "I swear to you, Young Master! I had nothing to do with this!"

Louis's brow furrowed deeper as he looked back at the letter. The handwriting was unmistakable—it was Felix's.

"It was him!" Felix violently pointed a finger at Riley, his voice growing frantic. "He must have planted this to make it look like I was involved! He set this whole thing up! Look at him—he doesn't even deny it! He's too quiet."

Riley remained silent, just tilting his head to the side as he glanced at Felix.

Louis, however, just shook his head, his shoulders slumping as he exhaled deeply. "Felix… you've been like family to me. But if this is true… I can't forgive you. Leave now. That's the mercy I'm giving you."

"Young Master, please!" Felix dropped to his knees, his hands clasped together as he pleaded. "I'm telling the truth! I would never betray you! I don't have anything to do with these… these hooligans!"

"Felix, just—"

"Shall we test it, then?" And before Louis could utter his next words, Riley finally made a move as he approached the groveling butler. He then grabbed him by the back of his neck and lifted him like a trash bag.

"Kh!?" A small gasp escaped Felix's lips, but that was it—that was all that escaped as his neck was now almost caving in as his feet dangled helplessly. He tried to claw at Riley's hand, gasping for breath but failing all the same.

"Riley!" Louis shouted, stepping back in alarm. "What are you doing!?"

"What do you do with people who betray you, Young Master Louis?" Riley asked, a hint of a smile crawling on his face as he looked Louis in the eyes, "Since it is you, then you should know the answer by now."

"I… I don't…" Louis stammered, his eyes darting between Felix and Riley. "Felix isn't a bad person! He took care of me! Just let him go! Don't… don't do this!"

"Not a bad person, hm?" Riley's lips curled even further. "We'll let this world decide, then. Whether he is considered good or evil."

"Wh—"

And before Louis could respond, Riley tightened his grip. A sickening crunch echoed through the forest as Felix's neck caved in under Riley's strength. Blood sprayed from the butler's mouth as Riley casually crushed his throat.

And like a meatloaf, Felix's flesh was mangled to the point that his head was now just hanging by his shoulder. And with a casual shake, Riley ripped Felix's head clean off, tossing it aside like a piece of garbage.

Louis gasped, stumbling backward as his face paled. "Why… why would you do that!?"

Riley did not respond to him at all and just stretched his arms to the side. He then tilted his head back to look at the sky, the smile on his face wider than it was before. He stayed like that for a moment, waiting for something to happen.

But even after several seconds had passed, there was nothing.

"It would seem this world has deemed him evil, Young Master." Riley nodded to himself in satisfaction as he finally lowered his arms, "I would say, though. Monkeh was right, this world truly is fun—there is no pretense here, just one absolute law."

"Wh… wha…" Louis stood frozen, unable to speak as his gaze flicked between Riley and the headless corpse of Felix. Riley, on the other hand, calmly crouched down, pulling out Felix's handkerchief and wiping the blood from his hands.

"Should we go?" Riley asked casually as he made his way inside the carriage, settling inside the seats comfortably as he gestured to Louis to move.

"G…go?" Louis stammered. He was still staring at Felix's lifeless body on the ground, his hands trembling, "Go… where?"

"Yes," Riley nodded. "Wherever you and Felix were going before."

Louis opened his mouth to respond, but no words came out. Instead, he just looked at Riley, his eyes wide with disbelief. If he refused here, would Riley just kill him?

"But… who will drive?" Louis asked.

"I am the one inside—then is it not obvious that it would be you?" Riley said as he closed the carriage door.

"M… Me?" Louis's eyes twitched, "But I'm supposed to be the young master?"

Louis asked, but the only ones that answered him were the horses neighing and clapping their hooves on the ground. And so, with his head down, he just sat on the coach and flicked the reins.

***

It wasn't long before the city came into view, its tall limestone walls gleaming under the midday sun. The massive wooden gates at the entrance were adorned with an intricate emblem—a crest that immediately marked the city as one of wealth and influence.

The path leading to the gates was packed with people. Farmers with carts of produce, traders with exotic goods, and common folk seeking entry were all gathered in a disorderly line. The air buzzed with noise as the guards stationed at the gates barked orders.

Riley stared at this sight from inside the carriage, remembering the time that he mindlessly created a world of his own with Aerith's corpse in it. Everything looked the same here, except he was completely sane and there was no Aerith at all.

"Move along! You'll wait like everyone else!"

"Back off! This isn't a place for beggars!"

The guards shoved some people aside, while others were told to wait at the edge of the road. Tensions rose as the crowd jostled for space, but as soon as the guards caught sight of the Louis and the carriage, or rather the insignia plastered on the carriage, their behavior changed instantly.

"Zimmer family carriage approaching!" one of the guards shouted, his voice cutting through the noise.

At once, the guards began pushing people aside, forcing them off the road to clear a path. Those in the crowd grumbled and whispered among themselves, their frustration evident, but none dared protest. The carriage rolled forward unhindered, the emblem gleaming in the sunlight as it passed by.

Two guards stepped up to meet them at the gate. "You're from the Zimmer family?" one of them asked, his eyes on the insignia.

"Y… Yes. I am Louis Zimmer, 7th Son of the Count of Zimmer" Louis replied with a slight nod.

"You…? But why are you driving?" The guards exchanged glances in confusion.

"It is a long story above your station." Louis sighed; the tone of his voice completely different from when he was talking with Riley, "We were attacked on the way, I will leave it at that."

The guards exchanged glances again, then quickly motioned for the gates to be opened. "This way," one of them said as they began escorting the carriage inside.

The moment the carriage entered the city, the bustling streets seemed to fall eerily quiet. Merchants paused in the middle of their sales, and passersby stopped to stare. Their voices turned to whispers, and their faces darkened with frowns as they caught sight of the Zimmer insignia.

Louis sat in silence, his hands clenched tightly around the reins as he avoided looking at the people.

"It would seem you are not entirely welcome here, Young Master Louis." Riley opened the small window behind Louis, "You were here for a political marriage, correct?"

"...They were promised my older brother." Louis shook his head, "I'm… sadly not even 2nd choice."

"I am almost starting to feel sorry for you. Neglected once again." Riley sighed, "Did you at least carry over your powers, Young Master Louis?"

"Huh…? What are you saying?" Louis glanced back, his head clearly trying its best not to tremble.

"Since you have been gone, I have actually gained the ability to read thoughts—courtesy of an intergalactic pirate queen and a variant of Father." Riley let out a small and amused chuckle; his eyes from the tiny windows, as if staring at Louis's soul.

"What are you even talking about, H…Hero?" Louis tried his best to sound calm, but his stuttering breaths completely gave him away, "I… don't know most of the words you said just now."

"Sometimes I actually regret what I did to you—I did not even get the reaction I wanted from her too, such a shame and such a waste." Riley sighed, "I could let this go on for several more days or even weeks, but I wanted to talk to you as you."

"Huh…? What are you—"

"I know it's you, Gary."


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