Ascension Of The Villain

Chapter 68 - 68: Tragedy Into Opportunity

By the time Vyan finally reached into the Walver medical camp area, he was greeted by thankful cries, instead of the wailing lamentations he had expected.

"Your Grace, thank you so much for bringing a savior like Her Highness to us!" one of them cried out.

"Huh?" Vyan blinked, trying to process the unexpected gratitude.

"We know that Her Highness wouldn't have come here to our rescue if it wasn't for your earnest request," another chimed in. "So thank you so much for it!"

I wish my intentions were as pure as they think, Vyan thought, his stomach doing somersaults at the irony. It wasn't his intention to get any spotlight.

Bringing Althea here was more about political maneuvering than saving lives, but who was he to spoil their illusions?

"Ah, it was nothing much. I did what I could—" Vyan began, attempting a modest tone.

"You even sent us doctors as soon as you heard of the news," someone else piped up.

"Also, didn't you say you would donate ten thousand silver coins to the families who lost their members in the epidemic?" another voice added.

Wait, no, that is false news. It's five thousand—

"Ten thousand silver coins?" Suddenly, he was surrounded by surprised gasps. "That is so generous, Your Grace!"

As they looked at him with hopeful eyes, Vyan's smile stretched thin, teetering on the edge of panic.

I can't believe I am facing peer pressure right now!

"Please, don't praise me too much," he decided to handle it gracefully, despite the gears in his head turning at the estimated loss he would face from this 'generous' donation.

"I am just doing the bare minimum." The bare minimum of what, he didn't specify. "And you all don't need to pay me much attention; please go and be with your family members."

Everyone exchanged glances, deeply moved by his supposed generosity and humility.

As the villagers dispersed, gossiping about Vyan's supposed good heart, Vyan let out a dramatic sigh and began his

"From what Clyde told me," Vyan explained, "the death toll stands at five hundred in this small village of five thousand. They all rely on the Karloz River for water, but it's obvious not everyone refills on the same day."

"If it were airborne," Vyan continued, "all five thousand would likely be affected by now. Soil or food contamination wouldn't spread this quickly. Water is definitely the common denominator."

"Damn, the brains on you," Althea applauded, impressed.

Vyan smiled modestly and said, "Well, I also had the foresight to bring you here."

Althea's expression turned sheepish. "I kind of feel guilty about my original motive for coming here," she admitted. "But I am glad I did. We are saving lives, at least."

Clyde finally snapped out of his daze and pressed, "What do you mean by a 'dirty reason'?"

"Um, that's—" Althea hesitated, clearly conflicted.

Just then, the three of them heard some passing people whispering not-so-subtly nearby.

"Princess Althea swooped in at the first call from His Grace, but where is Prince Easton?" one voice sneered. "I am pretty sure he was informed of our perilous situation as well."

"Yeah, Princess Althea braved the storm, but Prince Easton couldn't be bothered. He must be too busy brushing his hair," another voice chimed in, sounding sarcastic.

"Typical," said a third voice, dripping with malice. "The crown prince must think he is too royal to get mud on his shoes in a 'peasant' village."

"Meanwhile, his sister is out here, rain or shine, earning her 'future empress' title."

"Yes, Princess Althea rode in like a Valkyrie to save the day!"

As Clyde pieced their words together like a detective untangling a plot twist, he gasped in realization.

"You two were scheming to spin this whole mess in favor of Princess Althea, weren't you?" he exclaimed.

"Of course." Vyan raised an amused eyebrow, a smirk decorating his face. "Why let a perfectly good disaster go to waste when we can turn this tragedy into a golden opportunity?"