Living As the Villainess Queen

Aldrit responded cautiously, his brow furrowing in thought. “Apart from the name, do you have any other details? In our tribe, it’s quite common for multiple individuals to share the same name, as we often pay homage to our ancestors in such a manner.”

“He was a man, and in terms of age… Although he has passed away, if he were alive today, he’d be in his early sixties.”

Aldrit strained his memory, but no one fitting that description came to mind. Being relatively young himself, his recollections of the past were limited, especially concerning older members of the tribe who had since departed. He resolved to consult the elder members back at the hideout.

“He left home at a young age, and I’ve heard he had a younger brother named Mur.”

Aldrit struggled to respond, his words coming out in hesitant fragments as he tried to recall. Yet, when Pered mentioned the name, Aldrit was taken aback.

“Mur?”

The name resonated deeply within Aldrit, akin to hearing the name of his own father or the former chieftain of the tribe. Mur, in his mid-fifties, matched the approximate age, and Aldrit knew he had an older brother who had long passed away. Aldrit often heard Mur speak fondly of his late brother.

“Aldrit, seeing you reminds me of my brother. You share many traits with him. I’m not referring to your appearance, but your character. My brother, much like you, displayed maturity beyond his years from a young age.”

There had to be a reason why Mur held Aldrit in such high regard, appointing him as his successor.

“If my brother were alive, he would have ascended to chieftaincy without a doubt. He possessed immense potential. Despite his progressive views, he had a remarkable ability to navigate disagreements without conflict. That was his unique gift. If Taon had assumed leadership, our tribe could have witnessed significant transformations,” Aldrit reminisced, recalling a drunken conversation he had once overheard from Mur.

A faint memory sparked in Aldrit’s mind as Pered spoke. “I believe I might know of whom you speak. That individual’s sibling currently serves as one of our esteemed elders.”

“Is that so? Then I entrust this to you. Please, deliver it,” Pered replied, opening a pouch secured at his waist. As it widened, a small monkey emerged, perching on his shoulder. Delving into the pouch, Pered retrieved a jar-like container, resembling a medicinal vessel, and placed it before Aldrit in solemn silence.

“These are Taon’s remains,” Pered revealed.

Aldrit’s breath caught in his throat. “Ah…”

“He carried the weight of abandoning his homeland with him. He rests in a separate grave, and only a portion of his remains could be recovered. Perhaps his spirit will find solace resting in his native soil,” Pered expressed somberly.

Aldrit gazed at the small urn, a heaviness settling in his heart. Though he had never met Taon, he understood the depth of Mur’s longing for his lost brother. He could already envision Mur’s emotional reaction upon receiving the urn, perhaps shedding tears like a grieving child.

“When did you last see him?” inquired Pered.

“It has been approximately seventeen years,” Aldrit replied. Mur’s brother vanished when he was in his twenties, likely prompting his funeral. However, according to Pered, Taon had endured for over four decades beyond that disappearance.

“If there’s any additional information you can provide about him, I’d appreciate it,” Pered requested.

“He had a wife and a daughter. But his wife wasn’t from our tribe,” Aldrit disclosed. For Taon to marry outside the tribe was a significant departure from tradition. Returning to the tribe would mean bringing back only his offspring.

Aldrit surmised why Taon hadn’t returned. Perhaps he couldn’t bear to forsake his wife or subject his children to the fate of wanderers. Without delving into Taon’s family matters, Aldrit accepted the urn.

“I’ll deliver this to his brother. Thank you for trusting me with it. May I ask one more thing? Did he find peace in his final moments?” Aldrit inquired.

Pered remained silent, but Aldrit noticed tears gathering in his violet eyes.

“I’ll shoulder his debt,” Pered declared with a chilling determination in his somber tone. Aldrit simply nodded in understanding.

***

Following the meeting with Eugene and the revenants, the six kings convened once more. This time, they gathered to exchange the six volumes of spellbooks crafted by Eugene and Aldrit.

Although the volumes were still incomplete, the final step of the spell necessitated the user’s registration, prompting Aldrit’s attendance for that purpose.

Remarkable. Truly remarkable, Eugene thought inwardly, feigning disinterest while discreetly observing the six resolute kings. It marked the first occasion she had witnessed all six assembled since the encounter with the revenants, with the Dark King notably absent.

Each of the six kings bore a distinct appearance, characterized by sharp features and intense gazes. There was no resemblance among them, presenting a selection akin to choosing among six handsome men, each with their own allure. Even the eldest among them, Richard, exuded a dignified charm that rivaled that of the younger kings.