THE PERFECT VILLAIN: Another chance with a system
Chapter 8: A Game of Lies

Chapter 8: A Game of Lies

"Hello, dear sister. To what do I owe this visit?" Vael answered casually with a smile.

"I’m bored, and I do hope you could join me in a game of chess — and hopefully we could talk a little. It’s been two years since we last spoke."

Valerie smiled in return.

A game of chess? Rather odd for a demon, unless she had other plans. Interesting. Very interesting.

"Certainly, sister. I’d indulge you." Vael took a step forward to exit while Valerie stepped out of the way.

"You’d wear that?" Valerie asked, looking at his robe.

"Of course. It’s just a game, isn’t it?" Vael met her eyes.

"Sure," she said, looking away as they both walked into the hallway.

---

At the edge of the hallway—Vael’s section—a table sat perfectly set with a chessboard on it. She took her seat on the side with the white pieces, and he sat across from her.

There was total silence between them for a moment before she finally opened with e4.

"Vael? What do you think of the current situation on the ground?"

Vael answered with e5. "If I may ask, what situation on the ground?"

Valerie smiled as she developed a knight. Nf3.

"The deaths, of course. While death isn’t a big deal for us demons, two demon heirs dying is rather odd, don’t you think?"

Vael mirrored her. Nc6.

"Certainly, sister. It makes you wonder if there’s a grand plan working somewhere. We’ve lost siblings to war with the humans over the last three centuries, and not once did two die in a day."

Valerie’s bishop emerged. "I thought so too, Vael. It makes me wonder—"

She paused while Vael responded in her silence with bishop.

She finally looked up at him and said bluntly, "Someone is after the demon heirs."

Vael looked up at her with a calm expression. "Certainly. And it’s not Valin."

Valerie froze momentarily. While she knew about Valin’s conspiracy plot, she wasn’t expecting him to respond so bluntly.

She smiled, breaking her briefly tensed expression. Then she castled.

"Your deduction is as I assumed. The question remains — who, and if this person is coming for all of us."

Vael did the same."The person would."

The words came out with absolute certainty. She tilted her head as though trying to process his reply. Then she advanced her piece. "You seem very certain in your words."

"I am." Vael didn’t look up as he shifted his knight. "That’s a logical conclusion, and I believe we should be watching our backs."

Valerie didn’t say a word. She stared at him for a long moment, though he never met her gaze. Not once. His eyes remained fixed on the game.

She breathed out, as though hesitating, before taking the pawn.

"If you’re certain, I can only assume you have a suspect in mind."

Vael’s queen slid forward. "Obviously."

"Do you mind sharing that information?" Valerie attacked again.

"Certainly not. If word got out, they’d cover their tracks properly, and I suspect they might be around somewhere, listening." He paused, finally meeting her gaze. "Or perhaps, everywhere." Vael smiled and moved his piece.

Valerie’s smile flickered briefly before regaining its composure. "You’re smart, Vael, though I must say — this version of you seems more confident and sharp." Valerie’s king stepped aside.

Version of me? Vael thought. Does she think I’m different from her brother?

A smile appeared on his lips. "Yeah, I do. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this alive." Vael’s queen descended.

"Alive, huh?" she said, with a smug look on her face. She reached for a piece and stopped. Vael’s next move landed before she could understand it—Qf2#.

She looked up at him, and their gazes met as he murmured, "Checkmate."

She slowly looked back at the game, focused, as though she’d missed something.

Vael stood up and headed for his chambers again.

"It was nice playing with you, sister," he murmured without looking back. "—and that conversation was well deserved."

She looked at him leaving, then back at her pieces for a longer moment. By the time she looked up again, he had disappeared into his room.

Then footsteps approached her.

"So, do you think he’s the one?" she asked, looking directly at the person. It was none other than Valak—the oldest calamity.

Valak smiled back, a look that felt genuinely pleased. "I can’t say for sure, but I’ll tell you — he never spoke a lie. My discernment shows no leak in his words."

She slowly began arranging the pieces one by one. "So he’s innocent?"

Valak sat across from her, where Vael had sat before. He joined her in arranging the chess pieces before his gaze settled on hers.

A casual smile appeared on his face as he replied, "No... he’s guilty."

Only then did she look back toward Vael’s section for a moment, then back at Valak, who still wore a smile on his face.

---

In Vael’s room, Vael casually walked to his bed and lay down. He looked straight at the ceiling with both hands behind his head.

His lips stretched slightly.

Claire, you said the copied abilities can only be saved for a short time, right?

Notice: Affirmative.

How long?

Notice: One week.

Alright, that gives me a week to cause this faction’s fall. And I have to do it with minimum participation.

Vael giggled softly, as though he found it interesting.

Seems they’ve concluded that I’m guilty. I’m pleased. They aren’t all stupid after all. Now, it’s time for the major plot. Valerie, you’re going to be my major piece.