Stuck as a Villain!

Chapter 166: Complicated situation

Many things were swirling in Viscount Rommen's head.

He was close to his daughter and wife but recently due to work he hasn't been able to spend much time with them, so surely he didn't have a clear picture of what had been going on with his daughter these days.

The last time Rommen met his daughter was when she accompanied him to the Duchess' anniversary celebration party which signifies that he wasn't aware of the development his daughter had toward Seth.

Rommen knew that Laila didn't like Seth which was why she never appreciated the engagement in the past and was just obliging with her parents' request and when it was annulled by the Duchess, Laila had no particular reaction to it as well.

So upon hearing from the headmaster that the vault Laila left behind could only be accessed by Seth and also after reading the letter in Laila's handwriting, Rommen got sure about one thing.

Laila has begun to like Seth over time.

But it was not the matter Rommen wished to think about as of now since his primary concern remained in finding his daughter and from what it seemed, there was only one person who could do anything about it.

"Seth." By now, everyone was ordered by the headmaster to return to their dorm.

Rommen, Seth, and the Headmaster moved toward the latter one's office to have a chat about the matter.

Hearing the old man's voice, Seth turned his head before Headmaster Rowell continued, "Do you know any place where we could start searching for Laila? "

It wasn't the first time that someone disappeared from the Pristine Academy but surely they had been found out by the evening or the day after with the help of protection spells and the 'Link' a senior Professor had access to.

But this was the first time someone had disappeared from the face of the earth without being seen by nature itself and also left behind a vault that wasn't in the capability of an Academy student to conjure.

This wasn't a mere abduction case for ransom anymore.

The headmaster has already begun his investigation through his personnel but as of now, only Seth is their prime lead.

"In the letter, she mentioned that my objective aligns with her current location...I need to sort out things before I can give you a proper answer, Headmaster. I have assigned one of my best investigators on the matter and would report to you and Sir Rommen the very moment I find something out. "

There was a sense of responsibility in his voice which made Rommen a little calm down. Even out of obligation, Seth wasn't backing out from this issue even after what happened between him and Laila last year.

"Thank you, son. I can't express how grateful I am." Rommen brought his hand over Seth's shoulder before he spoke in a warm tone.

Seth and Rommen were close enough to regard the gesture as a normal occurrence.

Seth nodded after a brief pause before he bid his farewell to the two gentlemen and left the office.

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[Seth's POV: ]

'My objective... ' Hell was about to appear on the surface in some months so my current objective was to gain some heavenly treasures, create a capital from where I could operate, and build my small yet strong army.

Creation of the army wasn't an issue since there were many trainees under the shadow order who were exceptional fighters and those lab rats were there as well. I could aim for the Albeck Dukedom and claim it as my capital by proving my worth.

It wasn't my overconfidence, but rather a calculated plan that would inevitably grant me the reigns of the Dukedom even if I didn't get the post of family head.

Now my personal growth has remained and for that, I needed the third piece to access the treasure located in the Northern jungles.

'But is it really the answer?' I didn't tell anything about my objective or such to the Headmaster and Viscount Rommen since it would have been too suspicious. And given what kind of person that old wizard is, I refrained from spouting anything needlessly.

"Alba." Reaching my mansion I called the blond beauty who appeared soon after.

"My lord. "

"Have you found anything about that person I told you about? "

In the canon, Arata gets his hand over the first piece of treasure from an old man hermit living far away in a deserted place. That old man knew the treasure and where Arata could find the other pieces.

But the fact that I was moving earlier than the plot and that old man was a nomad who doesn't reside at a place for more than a month or two makes it extremely difficult to find him at the moment.

I had to find him near the region where Arata was supposed to find him in some months and get the third piece.

"Nothing useful, my lord. I apologize for my incompetence."

I wasn't angry or displeased with her since the only thing I told her about the old man was his facial features and the baggage he carries all the time. To find someone like that from a whole continent would surely take some time.

With a sigh, I said, "I will release more soldiers for the job. Tell me if you need someone on this task."

I wasn't as knowledgeable about the Shadow soldiers as Alba was since she was the senior most General of the Shadow legion.

Alba seemed hesitant for a bit before she responded, "Knux, my lord. He's quite good at investigation and finding traces. "

After a small hum, I asked, "He's currently training the recruits right?"

"Yes, my lord. "

"Then explain everything once he arrives here. I will send my familiar spirit to him tonight. "

I sent Alba away before I took a moment for myself.

I knew Haruka was still anxiously waiting for me but my heart was so troubled at the moment that she might panic even more if I go to her right now.

'Is it because I know that Laila might be in danger...? ' Even if I wanted to I couldn't just call her back or something. And as I told the Headmaster and Viscount, I indeed have assigned the most perfect man to find clues of Laila.

Adam might be a little lazy but he does his work most efficiently so he could gain more time to doze off.

But even so, my heart was annoyingly beating like hell since earlier even though I had chanted spells to calm my mind twice already.

'As I thought...despite not having any feelings for her anymore, my old self couldn't let Laila disappear from my sight as well... '

It was a complicated situation that I had to handle all by myself.

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A/N: - Drop a comment if you are liking the chapter~