A Regressed Villain: Heroines, Villainesses and Me?

Chapter 158 Chapter 160- Rivia VS Leo (1)

"Master, Sir Leo has arrived back," Alfred announced as he entered the guest room, his demeanor professional and composed.

He placed his hand on his chest with a slight bow as he greeted Marquess, deliberately ignoring the gathered mayors whose downcast expressions betrayed the turmoil they had just experienced.

"Soon enough, I see," Avendial remarked slowly, rising from his chair.

He opened his suit jacket and tossed it to Aria, who caught it deftly.

Yet, it was not just the jacket that captured her attention; her heart raced as he rolled up his sleeves and ran a hand through his hair before making his exit from the room.

Aria followed him closely, her steps steady and purposeful.

Behind them trailed Rivia, her expression as composed and impassive as ever, which complemented her usual demeanor.

She cast one last glance back at the room, now a chaotic scene marked by remnants of blood.

Following this, they approached the door, where medical staff—always on standby—swiftly moved in alongside the maids to attend to the injured mayors who were groaning in pain.

They worked diligently to provide immediate medical care.

When Avendial headed out, flanked by the two women and Alfred, who was keeping his professional act together but had his eyes closed, he caught a glimpse of his bronze button near his suit's wrist turning to dust as Aria walked past him.

He chose to ignore it as the scene shifted to a whirlwind of activity, following along behind.

The maids and a bustling team of doctors and nurses filled the guest room, working to restore order amid the chaos.

"You did well, Rivia," Avendial remarked, turning toward the corridor and loosening his tie as he offered his praise.

He had employed a stick-and-carrot approach, and considering Rivia's commendable performance over the past few days, it was clear that fear had etched itself onto the faces of the mayors.

'!'

"...Yes," Rivia replied, her expression hollow, with her gaze fixed ahead.

The familiar voice directed at her elicited a flicker of warmth within her heart, a beacon amidst the turmoil of doubt about her actions and their potential to shatter any remnants of faith Avendial might have in her.

For now, though, she relished the moment, her hand clutching her sword while maintaining that same inscrutable expression.

'This place...,' Aria mused as she grappled with a whirlwind of emotions.

After all, he possessed the skill to elevate them to their full potential.

"Had Leo met his mother?" Avendial inquired, recalling that the distance between the hospital and the mansion was a mere mile—a location specifically designed for emergency situations for the family head.

Just fifteen minutes after starting his conversation with his mother—where Avendial had anticipated a lengthy discussion—Leo demonstrated that he understood his priorities clearly.

"Yes, but they only exchanged a few words, and then he left abruptly," Alfred noted.

Although he had been ordered by the Marquess to send someone with Leo to the hospital, he preferred to go himself.

This decision stemmed from his realization that Leo was an Empyreal.

When Alfred had initially approached Leo as instructed by the Marquess, a strange occurrence took place.

As he shook hands with Leo, a small copper button on his uniform's wrist disintegrated instantly.

This unexpected reaction drew his attention to Leo's synergy, indicating that the man brought by his master possessed a remarkable energy.

Moreover, the Marquess had tasked Alfred with bringing Leo to the hospital where his mother was staying.

This made Alfred aware that the Marquess likely intended to test Leo's loyalty by involving the woman in this situation.

As he pieced together the clues, Alfred began to grasp the Marquess's ulterior motives.

The presence of another woman, who appeared remarkably composed compared to the usual frantic first-timers in such places, raised his suspicions.

He couldn't shake the feeling that she, too, was an Empyreal.

His doubts were confirmed moments later when Aria brushed past him; just like with Leo, another button on his suit shattered in reaction to her presence.

Alfred had been meticulous in informing his tailors and designers that he wanted a suit designed with buttons predominantly made of bronze, copper, and mixed alloys.

These materials were known for their pronounced reactions to Synergy, often breaking apart as if turning to dust with heightened speed.

'Where exactly did the Master find them?' Alfred wanted to inquire, though his curiosity was tempered by caution.

Getting two Empyreals at the same time seemed suspicious to him, though he was sure that Marquess would have confirmed their source of affiliation.

However, he feared that maybe the royal family or someone else had intentionally implanted these two spies.

Not wanting to cross any boundaries, he remained silent, quietly following behind them.