World’s Strongest Became the Game’s Weakest Villain

I and the Marquis sipped on our teas as we faced each other in his office again. Thankfully, much of the papers and clutter here was removed and it's crisp smell had gone right out of the window.

It had already been 2 days since the founding festival concluded. His work must have been reduced greatly as well.

Today was the day Lady Sophia was also to go back, there wasn't much else to do here for me.

I had something else in mind.

Not standing the silence, the Marquis spoke again.

"Did you enjoy?" He asked.

"Yes, it was a splendid celebration. Especially the city wide act."

"Do you leave even a single opportunity to praise yourself?"

"Never."

Both of us glared at each other for a few seconds before sipping on our teas again.

"About the party," I placed my cup down. "There was a guest of yours, Kai."

"Kai? Who's that?"

Oh?

"He said he was an adventurer—"

"Kai...? Ah! That guy..." The Marquis suddenly grabbed his head and sighed. "Just... Stay away from him, ok? He's a weirdo."

"Is that so...?"

If a weirdo was calling him a weirdo, then surely my normal friend was normal after all. I nodded with my arms crossed, satisfied.

It was about time to move now.

"Then, I should be going—"

"Wait."

The Marquis stopped me.

He shuffled his hands over a few of the papers on his desk and picked out a scroll.

"Take this."

"Sorry, I don't take shady things."

"Brat."

I cackled and took the scroll. Opening it up, my eyes fell on the imperial stamp pasted at the bottom.

"The land of Apollon now belongs to you."

"Yes?"

"You're no longer a regent but the lord. Of course, it's still under my influence. You'll be reporting to me for all the matters, but not as a regent but the lord."

"Is that so..." I stared at the document in my hands.

This guy was acting kind all of a sudden. This was very helpful for me. Especially for my future plans, this solved the biggest problem on my mind.

"I heard everything from Lady Sophia."

Those words made me look at the Marquis. Seriously, for apparent enemies they were way too close. This made it clear that all the rumors were false. But why. I was curious, but not curious enough to ask.

"Hide that you're a dual core."

"What? Why?"

How did he know in the first place this bastard. Keith must've spilled that rat.

"A dual core is rare, sure, but they're also useless. If people find out someone can reach Projectile Ki stage and pull Advanced Grade spells it'll be very troublesome for you. Get some status and then come up front."

"Status, huh? That's strength too so that was my plan anyway. I'll consider your words."

"That's good enough."

I was about to get up when the Marquis stopped me with his hands again.

He opened the drawer of his desk and brought out a box.

"Take this as well."

This weirdo. Was he doing all this out of guilt? Well, as the one on the received party, I didn't have many complaints.

"What is this?" I asked.

"It's the core of a fae."

"A what!?"

The Marquis laughed, enjoying my surprise.

A fae? This bastard was handing out the core of a legendary magical being just like this? It would go for billions!

"You are trying to concentrate your mana into Aether, right? This will help."

"Are you ok in the head? Did you hit it somewhere?"

"What, I have no use of it."

"What about your children then?"

"I've got more for them. Consider this an investment on a promising figure—"

I swiped the box on the table and pushed it in the pockets of my coat.

The Marquis looked at my hands and clicked his tongue. He did say he was fine so who am I to reject it?

"I am most thankful, Marquis," I said. "I'll not forget this goodwill of yours."

I said that and stood up—

"Kid."

Fuck.

I sat back down as he gestured at me to.

"Do you truly not want to hear about your mother?"

"I don't care," I said. "I'll care about it if it affects me. As far as her adoptive family goes, they can try coming at me. I'll clear them away."

The Marquis seemed slightly shocked.

"You already know a bit."

I nodded. I already knew how this bit added up. He wasn't one to give me a family, but he kept his responsibility as a parent.

I, the one earlier, Eugene Hall, the child and the minor villain of that game. He was being protected by his father.

"You can stop holding them back. I'll be fine."

The Marquis struggled a nod out of himself.

"I won't be stopping," he said.

Then, the man reached into his pockets.

Yes! My giving tree was giving more!!

The Marquis pulled out another box from his pockets, a small ring box. He opened it up and revealed the beautiful purple stone ring. It's black body with silver embossments paired exceptionally well with the purple stone on it.

"It's your mother's. I have no idea what it does or what it's made of. But she asked me to hand it to her heir when the time is right."

"I see..."

A gift from the dead.

"I don't what she meant by the right time, but I'm guessing it must be when you are strong enough to protect it."

"I understand," I said, taking the ring out and putting it on my finger. To my surprise, the ring fit perfectly on my middle finger on the right hand, almost as if it were changing shape to fit me.

"Do you want to know if I find out anything?" I asked, feeling kind.

The Marquis shook his head. "I'd rather not know anything else about that woman."

"Alright. Thank you again."

I kept sitting on his chair.

The Marquis stared at me, and I stared back.

"What?" He asked.

"Nothing else?"

"Get lost you brat!"

The Marquis growled and I jumped out of the seat.

"Hormonal imbalanced old bastard."

"You said that out loud!"

I stuck my tongue out and rushed to door.

"Well then, faaaather! Till next time!"

"Get lost."

I laughed and swung out of the door.

"We'll meet when you go to school anyway."

I think I heard something stupid, but didn't care much about it as I left.

Maybe I could get along with that guy a tiny bit.

Just a tiny bit.