Saving You, Villain - Chapter 101

It was only then that I managed a small smile. I returned the words Camian had been saying to me over and over.

“Cough… I’m fine.”

Camian, choking back his sobs, gently caressed my neck, the same neck that had once shown bite marks but was now smooth, with no trace left. As he gazed at my unmarred neck, he finally let out the tears he had been holding back.

“Sigh…”

I reached out with trembling hands to stroke his cheek.

“Trust me, Camian… cough…”

The way I chose to protect both the villagers and Camian was by breaking our contract.

According to what I read in Killing Demons, the only way a human could break a contract was through suicide. However, a demon, as the superior in the contract, could terminate it whenever they wished.

‘Break the contract with me.’

‘No.’

He refused without even listening to my explanation. I had expected resistance, but I didn’t think he’d be so firm about it. I even threw in the extreme condition, “I’ll never see you again for the rest of my life,” and yet…

‘Just hear me out first…’

‘There’s no need. It’s not happening. Don’t make me say it twice.’

Of course. This is just how Camian was. Once he said “no,” that was it. I’d forgotten about his stubbornness for a moment, and that was my mistake. His response was so very Camian that I couldn’t help but chuckle a little.

‘Why won’t you do it?’

‘It’ll nullify the binding of the soul. Liv, we only have to wait one more full moon. After 15 years of effort, are you really going to throw it all away? Get that ridiculous idea out of your head.’

‘And what if the entire demon realm comes after you and can’t bring you down? What if you end up killing all the villagers with your own hands and live the rest of your life as a lab rat for Luke? What happens to me? How do you expect me to survive in a world without you or the villagers?’

Camian didn’t respond. He just stared at me with a frightening expression.

‘Even so, no—’

‘Trust me, Camian. After everything is resolved, we can make another contract. I’ll survive, no matter what, until the binding of the soul is complete.’

“……”

‘This is the only way. I made a mistake, so please let me make it right. I’m begging you.’

I had always believed that my recovery was the key to preventing Camian’s descent into darkness and returning to the way things were. From a young age, I had been diligently exercising, eating anything that was good for my body, and living a disciplined life. I even obsessively avoided anything that could harm me, to the point of compulsion. Because of that, I had even managed to build a little muscle.

Even if my life was as fragile as a thread, I just had to hold on. I was convinced that breaking the contract with Camian was the only way for us to find a peaceful resolution.

And once we re-established the contract, we wouldn’t have to wait 15 years like before. It would be faster, like taking a path you’ve already walked rather than forging a new one. The soul-binding would be completed more quickly. However…

‘That time frame isn’t short. What would take just ten days could end up taking ten years.’

Camian spoke in a restrained voice, pushing his emotions down. I knew what he was worried about. But instead of taking it seriously, I smiled cheerfully.

‘Ten years? That’s nothing. I can do it. And if you’re worried about me, why don’t you increase the amount of blood you take? That might make the binding happen even faster.’

I said it lightly, like, “If they don’t have strawberry candy at the store, you can just get apple candy instead.” As expected, Camian let out a deep sigh.

‘Do you really think it’s that simple? If I forcefully take more blood from a weakened body, then…’

Camian hesitated, which was unlike him. A shadow of despair flickered across his face before fading away.

‘Your body won’t be able to handle it.’

His voice was firm, leaving no room for argument.

‘Are you saying I’ll die?’

‘You won’t die during the process of soul-binding, but…’

‘So, I won’t die, but I might end up disabled? Is that what you’re saying?’

‘Forget I said anything.’

Camian, as if not wanting to entertain the idea, cut me off and wrapped his arms around my shoulders. His reaction confirmed my suspicion. Disabled? Would I lose the use of my legs, perhaps? My mind branched off into countless possibilities, creating dozens, even hundreds of scenarios of what could happen to me. But none of it scared me. I was calmer than ever as I pulled away from his embrace.

‘I can handle that.’

‘Stop talking nonsense.’

‘Even if I lose a part of my body, you’ll still love me, won’t you?’

“……”

‘Then I’ll really be fine.’

I tried to comfort myself, telling myself that his unconditional love would make everything okay, even though I was terrified of the bleak future ahead. But Camian wasn’t fooled by my shallow attempt to reassure him. His voice rumbled in his throat, almost in anger.

‘No.’

I had tried to convince him gently, without confrontation, but of course, it was an impossible hope. Now that Camian had made it clear there was no negotiating, I couldn’t help but get caught up in his intensity.

‘Stop saying “no” without reason and think logically, Camian.’

“I am entirely rational. There’s nothing more important to me than your safety.”

“Think of the worst-case scenario. If Luke siphons your blood and I’m unable to bind the soul, I’ll die, and turning back time would’ve been pointless. Even if the soul is bound, what good is it? You wouldn’t even be able to come see me unless Luke gave the order.”

“……”

“So instead, let’s choose the path where, even if my body becomes slightly weaker, we can still be together.”

Camian said nothing, only staring at me with a devastated expression, as if standing on the edge of a cliff. I saw a faint flicker in his eyes.

“I’ll make it to the soul-binding, Camian. No matter what it takes, I will survive. So pull yourself together and increase the amount of blood you take. Don’t let my effort go to waste. Even if my body isn’t the same as before, I won’t ever feel unlucky or miserable.”

I took Camian’s cold, large hand in both of mine, covering it with my warmth.

“Just trust me this once, Camian.”

“……”

“I won’t leave you alone. I won’t die and make the time you’ve spent for me meaningless.”

After my long plea, Camian finally nodded weakly.

“This is truly the last time,” he whispered, pressing his lips to the nape of my neck as he severed the contract.

“I know.”

“Don’t make me walk on the edge of hell.”

“You’re making it sound so ominous, telling me not to die.”

“I’m bound to a god now, so even if you die, I won’t be able to follow you.”

“What? I thought you were new, but turns out you already have an owner? Feels like I’m just borrowing something someone else has used.”

“Liv.”

“I’m kidding, just kidding.”

I gently wiped the tears from Camian’s damp eyes with my thumb.

“I will never leave your side, Camian.”

By accepting my proposal, Camian threw away fifteen years of effort. No, perhaps even centuries of effort that I couldn’t begin to fathom.

Unable to cry out loud, he simply shed silent, sorrowful tears, and I embraced him.

“Trust me, Camian.”

***

Now that the contract was broken, it was natural that Camian no longer reacted to my blood. Unaware of this, Luke grew visibly more flustered, shouting increasingly desperate and meaningless commands.

“Reveal your true self, filthy demon!”

The classroom grew noisier as students’ expressions twisted in open disapproval, many now pointing accusingly at Luke. Tessa was the angriest among them.

“Celdric! Go tell Professor Varian what’s happening here!”

Tessa’s voice trembled with fury as she gave the order. Professor Varian, the academy’s dean and a professor of theology, rarely taught classes, but with the shortage of faculty, it wasn’t unheard of here.

Celdric responded confidently with a quick “On it!” before casting a glare at Luke and running out of the room. Tessa then stepped protectively in front of Camian and me, shielding us.

“Instead of taking care of a sick student, what are you doing spewing nonsense like this?”

“This… this can’t be happening. This is impossible,” Luke muttered in a panic, seemingly not hearing Tessa’s words. His eyes darted between Camian and me, clenching his teeth in frustration.

“What have you done?!”

Camian didn’t respond. He only kept a worried eye on me as my coughing began to subside.

“CAMIAN!” Luke, unable to accept the reality in front of him, stalked towards us with bloodshot eyes. I saw Camian’s face darken dangerously, and quickly grabbed his sleeve, shaking my head. Camian barely managed to push me aside before Luke reached him.

“Tell me! Why isn’t the contractor’s blood working?”

Luke grabbed Camian’s shoulder roughly, causing Tessa to shout from behind, “What do you think you’re doing?!” Other students chimed in, telling Luke to stop, turning the classroom into a chaotic market.

“I promised to hand you over to Prince Gloran, and yet…!”

“What is the meaning of this, Professor Luke Florence?!”

The theology professor’s voice rang out as he entered the classroom, louder and more commanding than the gentle tone he usually used in lectures. The students, including Tessa, were visibly shocked by this rare outburst.

“Camian, a demon? What nonsense is this? Did I hear that right?” the professor demanded, his calm demeanor returning despite the accusation’s weight.

Luke, releasing Camian, tried to restrain his rage as he answered, “Yes. He has been hiding among us for a long time, an insidious and vile demon.”

The theology professor clearly didn’t believe Luke. His expression showed disdain for Luke’s comparison of one of his students to a demon. However, as a seasoned and wise professor, he didn’t let his emotions show too openly, maintaining a composed demeanor.

“If Camian were a demon, there’s no way I wouldn’t have noticed.”

“He’s of a rank that ordinary holy power cannot suppress!”

“Since Professor Luke Florence insists so strongly, we’ll determine whether Camian is truly a demon. That will be the most accurate way.”

The theology professor called for his assistant. The assistant promptly handed him a relic and a vial of holy water.

“Camian, I hope you don’t find this offensive.”

Camian nodded once, and the professor placed the relic in his hand. Nothing happened. Then, the professor dripped a small amount of holy water onto Camian’s palm. As I had seen before, the water merely dampened his skin, leaving no burns or redness.

“I’m sorry,” the professor said quietly, apologizing. Camian gently shook the water off his hand and, with his long arm, wrapped it protectively around my shoulder. He then carefully wiped the blood from my face.

Watching this, the theology professor took a deep breath, trying to calm his anger.

“The demon is deceiving you, Professor!” Luke shouted.

“Enough, Professor Luke Florence,” the professor responded firmly.

“…….”

“I appreciate that you voluntarily took the position of swordsmanship professor at our academy. However, I cannot overlook the fact that you humiliated one of our precious students by accusing him of being a demon. Please step down from your teaching post. Our students will no longer wish to learn from you.”

Despite Luke’s desperate protests, no one was willing to listen to him anymore. And so, that stormy day finally came to an end.

***

After Luke left the village in disgrace, peace returned. Camian and I sat across from each other, preparing to deal with an important matter we had postponed for too long—our contract. I had spent the entire week crafting my perfect wish.

“Lord Demon, my wish is… that you never nag me,” I declared with confidence.

Camian raised an eyebrow, arms crossed, clearly displeased. His silence was an unmistakable refusal. Frustrated, I slapped the bed in protest.

“Something else,” he said firmly, shaking his head before standing up from his chair. He tapped my cheek with the back of his hand as he lazily sprawled out on the bed. I turned to glare at him, but Camian just mouthed, “What?” as if nothing was wrong.

Just a few days ago, he had been begging me to stay by his side, crying like the world was ending. Now, this sudden shift in attitude? It annoyed me, so I punched him lightly in the stomach. Camian groaned, clutching his abdomen and curling up, but I wasn’t concerned in the slightest.

“You said you’d grant any wish as long as it wasn’t about life or death! I didn’t ask you to pile up gold bars the size of a house, or to make me the king of this country! I just don’t want you to nag me. Is that so hard to grant?”

Seeing that I wasn’t reacting to his fake groans, Camian quickly wiped the pained look off his face.

“Honestly, you’d be better off asking to become king or for a mountain of gold.”

“I don’t need that!”

“Too bad,” he replied with a smirk.