I Became The Novel's Biggest Antagonist

Chapter 56 Ivan's Way of Misdirection

"Are you alright?"

Irisdina blinked, her wide vermilion-orange eyes locking onto Ivan's intense dark brown gaze. For a moment, it was as if time itself had stopped.

Behind her, Agatha and Luke, her friends, stood frozen in shock. Neither of them had sensed Ivan's approach; he had appeared so suddenly, so silently, as if he had materialized out of thin air.

Ivan did his best to slip into the role of a concerned classmate, his expression carefully crafted to divert the attention of the three onlookers from the E-Watch beneath his foot and the partially concealed body in the bushes to their right. He'd hidden it hastily, but not well enough. If any of them glanced in that direction, it would be over; he'd have no choice but to kill them too.

One victim was already enough for today. Adding three more would complicate things far beyond what he could manage. So, he opted for a dangerous gamble.

Most would have buckled under the pressure of the situation, their nerves crumbling as the threat of discovery loomed. But Ivan didn't; he would leave no trace, no clue linking him to the murder.

He kept a serious gaze as he asked again Irisdina.

"Are you okay, Miss?"

He had no choice but to add Siver King's persona in that to be at least credible.

"Huh?" Irisdina blinked in surprise. She hadn't noticed Ivan's sudden approach; he'd appeared out of thin air, catching her in a firm hold as if he'd been waiting for this exact moment to swoop in like a knight in shining armor.

The two were caught in a position that could almost be described as romantic—Ivan leaning over her, Irisdina looking up at him with wide eyes.

"Y–Yeah, I'm fine... thanks," she stuttered, quickly recovering her composure. She placed her hands on his shoulders, gently pushing him away to signal that she wanted to be released.

Ivan nodded but, before letting go, subtly turned her around so her back faced the body protruding from the bushes. The shrubbery wasn't nearly dense enough to fully conceal the corpse, but this small maneuver bought him precious time. All he had to do now was keep their attention fixed on him.

"Um... can you let go of my waist?" Irisdina asked.

He realized he'd released her neck but had unconsciously kept his other arm wrapped around her waist. Ivan nodded and slowly let go, careful not to show any sign of distress. The body was right behind him, and the damning evidence—the E-Watch—was underfoot. One misstep, one flicker of panic, and everything would be over. But Ivan remained composed, his mind focused solely on not slipping up.

"I never thought the elegant Lady Irisdina could be so clumsy," Agatha teased, echoed by a chuckle from Luke standing beside her.

Deep in the shadows of the Cromwell Mansion's cellar, Aaron stood frozen, his eyes wide with disbelief as he faced his beloved Lord, Ivan. The source of his shock lay at Ivan's feet: a corpse, still dressed in the uniform of Ocryphia Academy.

Aaron's heart skipped a beat as recognition dawned. He knew this student; he had tailed the boy for the last week, ensuring he didn't pose any threat. The boy had been cautious, discreet, nothing remotely suspicious. So why was he now sprawled lifeless on the cold cellar floor?

"He recognized me," Ivan said dispelling Aaron's unspoken questions.

"Ah, I see." Aaron nodded slowly, the explanation clicking into place. Of course, recognition was a death sentence. Though, if Ivan had killed the boy on mere suspicion, Aaron wouldn't have blinked an eye. Loyalty was a powerful blinder.

"What are we going to do with the body, Milord?" Aaron asked, his voice a hushed whisper. "The academy might already be looking for him. His family could have alerted them..."

"Not yet. If they had, we'd have seen their dogs sniffing around by now," Ivan replied, holding up the dead student's E-Watch. The sleek device glinted.

"M-Milord! That's dangerous," Aaron gasped, eyes widening. "They can track us here through that device!"

A faint, humorless smile tugged at Ivan's lips. "By the time they trace it, I'll be long gone. As for the body..." His gaze lingered on the corpse, twisted curiosity in his eyes, the same kind of gleam that could be seen in Adam Crane's eyes. It was simply to use the body to learn more about this world.

"I-I see..." Aaron stuttered. He didn't dare question Ivan further, the implications of his Lord's plans too strange to ponder.

"I'm heading back to Britannia," Ivan said, turning away. "Inform your father to erase any evidence—camera footage, witnesses, anything. There shouldn't be much, but I need every loose end tied. Any surveillance showing me leaving the academy at that time should be taken care of."

"As you wish, Milord," Aaron nodded.

Just as Ivan was about to step into the darkness, Aaron found his voice, halting him. "Milord... may I ask for a favor?" He hesitated, almost regretting the boldness of his question. "One day, would you take me with you to see Camelot? I've heard stories since it was taken..."

A city where those like him, who worshipped Seraphiel, could live freely without fear.

Of course Aaron wanted to see it with his own eyes.

Ivan paused, turning slightly to look at Aaron. Then, with a brief, almost imperceptible nod, Ivan acknowledged the request.

Aaron's heart swelled with gratitude, a smile tugging at his lips. "Thank you, Milord."

Ivan didn't say more and disappeared with the body.