THE PERFECT VILLAIN: Another chance with a system
Chapter 5: Cracks in the Lies

Chapter 5: Cracks in the Lies

Erna’s eyes widened in disbelief as she looked down at her chest and back at him.

"You... you—"

Blood gushed from her mouth before she could finish the sentence. He drew out his hand, and her body dropped with a heavy thud, her heart falling onto her.

"No!!!"

Cole screamed, struggling against the chain. Vael, still wearing Valin’s face, let out a brief smile before running toward the eastward archives.

Langer, who had watched it all from afar, stood frozen for a moment, the book he held slipping from his hands. Then he snapped back to himself and launched toward the body.

He shot a streak of purple blade energy at the chains before he reached them, shattering the binding instantly.

Cole immediately took off after Vael while Langer trailed a few feet behind. They chased him toward the east wing.

He slowed at every turn, making sure Cole and Langer caught sight of him before he took off again.

Soon he arrived at the east archive and slipped into a private room, transforming back into himself. Then he tore off his clothes. Underneath was a tightly tailored pair of black pants and a vest.

He stood there for a moment until he heard footsteps pass by. Then he stepped out and watched both Cole and Langer burst into the archives.

He followed at a steady pace until he reached the door.

By the time he entered, Valin had been bound with a similar demon chain. He was on his knees while they sent high voltage through the links, and he screamed out in pain. Then—

Notice: Two abilities copied!

Good.

Vael thought as he stood by the doorway. Valin’s voice cut through his own pain.

"What have I done? Why are you attacking me?!"

"Don’t play dumb, Valin. How could you kill Lady Erna and frame Lord Nevis!" Cole responded angrily. Before Valin could utter a word, Vael spoke.

"That can’t be right," Vael entered with practiced grace.

"Lord Vael," Langer said, instantly cutting the voltage. Both Cole and Langer bowed to him.

"Did you say he killed my sister?" Vael asked, his voice composed and unbothered.

"Yes, Lord Vael, we witnessed it with our own eyes," Langer replied as Vael walked forward.

"He had me chained to the ground while he ripped out her heart. I witnessed it too," Cole added.

Vael’s expression shifted into something serious as he faced Valin. "Did you murder my sister?"

"I swear on Demon Lord Cronos’s blood, I did no such thing," Valin pleaded.

That’s true, you didn’t — but you’ll be taking the fall regardless. Keep trying to defend yourself. It’ll only be harder to convince them the more you try.

Vael reached Valin’s front and squatted before him.

"Valin, don’t lie to me. If you have a good reason, we could let it slide, but if you think you can do as you please with a demon heir, then you are highly mistaken."

"Lord Vael, I would never betray Lady Erna, I swear it," Valin’s voice trembled.

Vael sighed. "You’re not going to tell the truth, are you? Did you think telling me you were headed to the eastward wing would serve as proof of your innocence? Did you think I didn’t see you running only moments ago?"

Valin’s eyes widened in something close to disbelief — an expression that could be read either as being caught or as realizing the truth. Both Langer and Cole took it as the former, but Valin understood exactly what it meant.

Before he could utter a word, Vael slit his throat with his claws.

"You could have simply said you killed her for a reason. That would have been considered. But lying enraged me," Vael said, standing and looking down at Valin with an expression that screamed anger.

Valin fell face-first to the ground as blood spilled from his throat. He was still alive and would certainly survive it, though he wouldn’t be able to speak.

Vael turned to leave, but Langer asked, "What shall we do with him, Lord Vael?"

He looked back and said, "Do whatever you please."

In that moment, another voice asked, "What is going on?"

Standing at the doorway was a tall demon with the same crimson eyes and silver hair. Vael recognized him as the oldest calamity, the first demon prince—Valak.

"Hello, brother. How nice of you to join us," Vael replied casually, without moving any further. He looked back at Valin on the floor and muttered, "Erna has been killed."

Valak said nothing. He stepped into the archives and walked past Vael toward Valin, who was still bound on the ground.

"Lord Valak," both Langer and Cole muttered as they bowed.

He stood there in silence for a moment, then, without looking up, spoke. "I did tell him to sort out some paperwork for me yesterday. Would he really attempt to kill Erna? Did he say why?"

"No, he kept denying it. He claimed he would never harm her and swore on Father’s name — and they were present when he did it," Vael replied.

"Is that so?" He finally looked up at Cole and Langer.

"Yes, Lord Valak," both responded immediately.

Valak paused for a moment, studying their faces. Both trembled beneath his gaze, neither able to hold it.

Then he spoke again, his tone calmer but no less serious.

"I’ll ask again. Did you witness Valin kill Erna?"

Both Langer and Cole went still, as though the tension they’d carried had suddenly vanished. They looked like they were seeing something else entirely as they muttered,

"We did."

The moment the words left them, the tension and fear returned to their faces. Vael was momentarily stunned but returned to his calm expression. Then—

Notice: New skill copied. Authority of Truth; Forced Truth.

Vael’s eyes widened. Only then did he remember — the first demon prince possessed the Authority of Truth.

No, this is a big problem. He shouldn’t be asking me anything. How could I not have accounted for this?

In that moment, Valak turned toward Vael. Vael’s hands tightened briefly in fear, and he quickly composed himself to hide it.

"Seems they weren’t lying, brother," Vael said, folding his hands and meeting Valak’s gaze while maintaining his composure.

Valak smiled briefly before his expression returned to its calm state. He took a step closer to Vael and asked, "Tell me, Vael. Do you know something else?"