"Write a bill to Queen Felisa. Her son destroyed half my lair because of a silly misunderstanding. I just realized we're too broke for any sympathy."
Leonard blinked. "A bill… to the Queen?"
"Yes, a bill. You think I run this fortress on water?" Zaylknork jabbed a finger at the wrecked walls. "Someone's paying for the damages, and it's not me."
Leonard hesitated. "But she's the Queen."
"Exactly. She can afford it."
He turned, brushing ash from his shoulder as the minions scurried to clean up the mess. Bits of stone and feathers still littered the floor from whatever divine nonsense Javander had unleashed before fainting.
Zaylknork kicked aside a broken scepter. "Leonard, add in emotional damages too. I feel deeply traumatized."
"B-but... He's the hero. He's permitted to destroy if it's for the greater good."
"Leonard, I am retiring." Zaylknork slammed his palms together. "This kid came here out of pure rumor, broke my stuffs and you want me to call it a day?!" If my son pulls this kinda shit, I'd have smacked his ass.
"Can I sue the hero, then?"
"W-well, you cannot. But it is not illegal to bill the Queen. Hero Javander still destroyed a lot ofthings. However, we shouldn't bill his mother. Especially when we want her signature for your retirement."
Zaylknork groaned, massaging his throbbing temples, his broes furrowed. "I can't afford the damages! I have to try. Don't you want your potato farm, Leonard?"
Behind them, Javander stirred on the bed. The ice pack slid off his forehead, landing with a soft thump. His fingers twitched as a groan escaped his throat.
Zaylknork froze. "Oh, blood in my cup. He's alive."
However, Ho-jin cringed inside. Then bobber his head. That phrase is kinda cool. Is this what the gen-z feels like?
Leonard leaned closer, whispering, "Perhaps a gentle greeting, my Lord?"
"I am gentle."
The hero's eyes blinked open slowly, confusion clouding the golden irises. He tried to sit up but winced and fell back, breathing hard. His armor had been stripped off, which was Leonard's idea—and his white shirt clung to his chest, soaked from melted ice.
"Where…" Javander's voice rasped, throat dry. "Where am I?"
"In my room," Zaylknork deadpanned. "You should thank the stars I didn't cause a damage to your soul."
The boy blinked at him. His vision unfocused. "You let me live?"
"Unfortunately."
His gaze darted around the ruined chamber. "Why didn't you kill me? You have kidnapped me a couple of times. So why—"
"Believe me, I have changed my ways. If I haven't, you would be in my dungeon. Yet, you lair on my bed."
It was proof enough Zaylknork the Villain of this popular novel had changed his ways.
Javander frowned, still dazed. "You are ordained to be…"
"Evil?" Zaylknork cut in. "I just want to test grapes, man. Chasing after you got boring."
Ho-jin watched through the haze, biting down a laugh. This was the part that always got him — the sheer absurdity of watching two supposed mortal enemies bicker like roommates.
Javander struggled again, pushing himself up on one elbow. "You… saved me?"
Zaylknork crossed his arms. "Remember to keep that in mind."
Leonard stepped forward, trying to ease the tension. "The Queen will be glad to know you're alive, young Hero."
That hit Zaylknork like a hammer.
"Oh, right," he muttered. "Your mother."
Javander blinked. "What?"
Zaylknork rubbed the back of his neck, avoiding the boy's gaze. "Nothing. Just realized my letter might need a more delicate tone. 'Dear Queen, your middle child ruined my castle. Kindly pay for repairs before I curse your bloodline.' …Too harsh?"
Leonard coughed. "Perhaps remove the last sentence, my Lord."
Javander's brow furrowed. "You… want to send my godmother a bill?"
"Of course I do. Someone has to fund my redemption arc."
The minions exchanged nervous glances. One whispered, "Maybe we should also bill for the broken chandelier—"
Zaylknork pointed. "You. Shut up. Add it to the list."
Javander exhaled sharply, clearly trying to process this new version of the infamous villain. His eyes darted to the side, looking down and away from Zaylknork.
"I-I presume I should deeply apologize for the chaos. It was preserved for the last arc. A hero should take up his responsibility. I share my deepest apology." He bowed his poorly stitched head.
"Flattery won't get you out of paying, boy."
"May I use my hero pass? I do not wish to bother Queen Felisa."
"Hero pass don't work when you barge and destroy an old man's home!" Zaylknork shouted back.
He turned to Leonard. "Pack up the bill, prep the carriage, and for god's sake, someone feed him before he faints again. I'm not carrying him twice."
"Yes, my Lord. I will prepare them all."
And Leonard walked off, dragging the two faceless minions along with him to prepare for an encounter with the Queen.
Zaylknork now stared at the teenage hero. "What else do you want? You thirsty?"
Javander shook his head. "Oh no. I am certainly not. It's just..." He lowered his heavenly gaze. "If you are no longer a villain... What would be my purpose? Ever since birth, I am destined to kill you at the foretold time. But you—"
"You have no interest of being one. It feels like... My sole purpose in this novel—it's gone. I no longer know what to do."