The messenger pigeon spread its wings and took flight once more, heading north toward the Doranbar Kingdom.

Derek’s heart soared with it.

Woo-hoo!

He was finally free from this terrifying Duke’s manor!

Joy bubbled inside him, though his expression remained serene.

The entire household had gathered in the courtyard to see Derek off—a farewell that felt more like a celebration. To most servants, Derek was a demon second only to Duke Wudewen himself. Seeing this plague spirit depart brought them relief. Only Head Chef Yeger showed reluctance, his face tinged with genuine regret. Yet his sentiment failed to move Derek; it only unnerved him. No matter—he wouldn’t have to deal with that deranged killer for a while!

Derek bid a sincere farewell to Duke Wudewen. With a contented smile, he stepped into the carriage. Teresia followed closely behind. Xinzel cracked the whip, and the carriage rolled out of the manor gates.

*Clip-clop, clip-clop.* The rhythmic hoofbeats played like music in Derek’s heart. Gazing at the beautiful streets beyond the window, he felt a surge of deep emotion…

*Farewell, Lorst, the capital!*

*Farewell, Wudewen Manor!*

*Farewell, the den of villains that raised me!*

Derek longed to burst into celebration, letting his body sway with glee. But he had to stay composed—Teresia was in the carriage. A proper villain always had a villain’s burden to bear.

His destination was Dakelos in the Northern Province. The pigeon carried Duke Wudewen’s decree: for the next two years, Dakelos would be under the governance of Derek Wudewen.

*Why two years?*

*Sigh…*

Just thinking about it dimmed half his joy. In two years, Derek would turn twelve—the exact age requirement for enrollment at Lorst Royal Magic Academy. Every noble in Doranbar Kingdom considered attending the academy an honor. As the Duke’s son, he couldn’t escape it.

Truthfully, he had zero desire to go. If Wudewen Manor was a den of dangerous villains, Lorst Royal Magic Academy was a minefield of disasters.

*Fate* centered on the protagonist Leon Lancelot’s growth, and the academy arc was unavoidable. Once Leon enrolled, the academy would become a storage vault of trouble. One wrong step, one triggered landmine, and Derek might be blown to bits.

Could he avoid it using his game knowledge?

He wanted to, but there was a catch—his intel might not apply.

*Fate* was unique: seven routes named after the Seven Sins, plus one DLC (*Downloadable Content*). Though character backgrounds stayed similar across routes, the plots diverged like parallel worlds.

So which route was he on now?

Worse, in every route he’d played, Teresia’s mother Kana had never been saved.

Yet Kana was alive now.

His interference had made the future unpredictable.

But the unknown wasn’t his biggest worry…

Theoretically, the final bosses from all seven routes existed in this world. If they didn’t take turns fighting the heroes but attacked together? Could the protagonist’s party survive?

Derek seriously doubted it.

The only silver lining: he’d reincarnated as the hardest boss to defeat—the Pride route’s Derek. His absence from the villain alliance drastically reduced their chances of victory.

Still, *Fate* had that extra DLC: *Fate: Love Bond*. He’d never played it before reincarnating. Without knowing its events, even his player knowledge was incomplete.

*Ugh.* Why was he already tangled in these headaches right after escaping the manor?

*Enough.* Focus on Dakelos first.

He’d promised Duke Wudewen to punish the "common rabble." Simple enough—every town had troublemakers. He’d just zap some unlucky fool with a lightning bolt, strike a dramatic pose worthy of the Duke’s pride, and call it a day. Then he’d focus on mastering magic, boosting his survival skills.

As for Dakelos’s drought?

*We’ll see.* He wasn’t a god. Game intel was useless here. With only a handful of followers, failure was possible—and acceptable.

Only three were officially assigned to him: Xinzel as guard, Teresia as maid.

But Derek planned to sneak in one more…

*Sophia.*

He’d bought her from Sterga Trading Company. Her potential was merely Rank R, yet her innate talent made her a perfect alchemist.

Low combat potential meant she wouldn’t join the hero’s party or drag them down. Her alchemy skills, however, would make her filthy rich—quality alchemical goods were wildly expensive here.

The conclusion was obvious.

He’d eventually leave the manor. Without Duke Wudewen’s backing, life would be tough.

But now? A new meal ticket had appeared!

*Ahem.* Sophia had appeared.

*What?*

*You think he’s eyeing a sugar mama?*

*Hah.* Underestimate him much?

Derek wasn’t after the woman—he was after her *bank account*.

So before heading to Dakelos, he’d detour to Light Village to collect Sophia. She wasn’t wealthy yet, but future riches were guaranteed. To secure her gratitude, he needed to build rapport early. Otherwise, she might forget his "kindness."

Beyond the city gates, the road grew bumpy. After a small jolt, Teresia peered out the window. A bright, joyful smile lit up her lovely face.

Derek knew Light Village was near.

Sure enough, the carriage soon rumbled into the tiny hamlet. It halted beside a small cottage at the village edge.

Teresia let out a happy squeal and practically tumbled out of the carriage, tossing all her etiquette lessons out the window.

Watching the Holy Lady revert to her wild self, Derek sighed deeply.

Freedom was sweet outside the manor.

But he couldn’t afford it.

He had to stay poised. Elegant. Leave no bad impression on Sophia.

Derek stepped down from the carriage and gazed ahead.

*I’ve come for you, dear sugar mama…*

*Ahem.*

*Dear Sophia~*