I Am the True Villain

"What a terrifying gaze!"

Sensing that scorching stare that made her nauseous, Anlìyà could not help but take a step back.

Yet Mills continued to stare at her with blazing eyes. It was not because he had fallen in love with the girl at first sight, but simply because he felt he had found a mountain of gold! Golden hair + blue eyes + delicate features + snow-white skin = ?

A girl as beautiful as if blessed by the gods—if she were dressed up a little and taken to the Slave Capital for sale, she could fetch at least one—no, three Gold Sol! If he also fabricated a background claiming she had noble blood, then with a little luck, she might even sell for ten Gold Sol in one go! At that thought, Mills felt the blood throughout his body boil.

He had a feeling that if this deal made him rich, his professional rank might be raised once more.

Even if he was merely a lowly merchant, once he reached the third-tier morning star stage, those lofty nobles who looked down on others would have to maintain a surface-level harmony and treat him as an honored guest.

"Sir Knight, the coins I lost can be considered my tribute to the great Lord Hughes. In light of Lord Hughes's mercy, may I take one person from this village that robbed me as my slave?"

Mills declared righteously.

Hearing this, Sauron Knight, who had been preparing to leave, flashed a trace of surprise in his eyes and began seriously weighing the pros and cons.

If he refused, there was no guarantee this merchant would not spread nonsense after leaving the territory and damage his lord's reputation.

If he agreed, there seemed to be no loss. Farmers who could not pay their taxes should have been sold as slaves anyway. Losing one person now would not affect the village's revenue next year.

And who cared what these farmers thought?

As a noble knight, Sauron felt that he had already shown these farmers the utmost benevolence and righteousness.

"Fine, Clay merchant. We'll do as you say. But if you dare spread any nonsense after leaving the territory, you'd better watch out for my sword."

Sauron Knight patted the hilt at his waist. As he agreed to Mills's request, he did not forget to threaten him.

"Good, good, good! By the gods, the great Lord Hughes must truly be as merciful and generous as the rumors say. Otherwise, how could his knight be so noble?"

Mills was overjoyed and said "good" three times in a row.

"I want her as my slave!"

Mills swiftly raised a finger and pointed precisely at the petite Anlìyà among the crowd.

The girl's face instantly turned pale as paper.

After all, for a teenage girl, there was nothing more terrifying than being sold to the Slave Capital.

According to the tales of bards, that place had long become a hell for female slaves. Sexual violence, horrific torture, consumption—countless dreadful rumors kept coming from there.

Almost instinctively, the frightened Anlìyà looked in a certain direction within the crowd—where stood the master to whom she had truly pledged her loyalty, and to whom she would most likely offer her body and even her soul in the future.

Seeing the little beast-like panic and plea in her eyes, Xian gave a slight nod and returned a reassuring look.

At that, color gradually returned to Anlìyà's face. She stood calmly where she was, without the slightest fear left in her heart.

She had someone to rely on, and her support was solid.

"What a beautiful girl."

As Sauron Knight looked at the calm Anlìyà among the crowd, a flash of admiration passed through his eyes.

He had not expected such a poor little village to contain a girl of such beauty.

At that thought, Sauron Knight felt a vague sense of regret. Had he known, he would not have agreed so readily.

It was not because he desired the girl. He simply felt that every good thing produced in this territory should belong to his lord, and the girl before him naturally counted as one of them.

But if he truly presented this girl to his lord, his days ahead would likely not be easy. After all, his lord's wife was quite a formidable woman. With that in mind, Sauron Knight no longer hesitated. He still needed to hurry to the next village to collect taxes.

"Clay merchant, you got lucky. Take this beautiful girl and get lost. Remember what you just said." Sauron Knight waved a hand.

"May the gods bless you, generous Sir Knight!"

Mills was immediately ecstatic. He promptly ran toward Anlìyà.

This scene instantly made the hearts of all the surrounding villagers, as well as Robert, rise into their throats.

If they allowed the most beautiful flower in the village to be taken away by an ugly Clay merchant, they would never forgive themselves for the rest of their lives! "Come with me, good girl. I'll find you a noble master worthy of your beauty. You'll live a far happier life than you do now!"

As Mills reached out to grab Anlìyà's arm, he tried to beguile her.

Although he knew perfectly well what kind of people the nobles and wealthy merchants of his own race in the Slave Capital were, that did not stop him from making empty promises first so she would not be scared into resisting or killing herself.

"Stop! Sister Anlìyà already has a master, a noble and important person!"

At that moment, Berg rushed out from the crowd, blocked Mills's path, and shouted.

He absolutely could not tolerate this disgusting Clay merchant touching his sister. It was an insult to his sister, and an insult to that lord as well.

Seeing this, Mills did not retreat. Instead, his expression grew even more delighted.

Because he had recognized him. This youth with the Hunter tag was undoubtedly one of the two villains who had robbed him a few days ago!

Although he was far less valuable than the girl, he should still be worth two or three Silver Sol if sold to the Slave Capital.

"Sir Knight, he is the villain who robbed me of my money. Please arrest him for me!" Mills called out.

Sauron Knight frowned slightly. Although he did not want to concern himself with Mills's affairs, as a knight, he still had a duty to punish a robber appearing within the territory.

After all, if they dared rob traveling merchants today, there was no guarantee they would not rob the lord himself tomorrow.

Sauron Knight leaped down from his horse and drew his longsword.

Whoosh! The next moment, his body became an afterimage as he charged toward Berg at lightning speed, like a wolf pouncing on its prey.

Berg quickly drew the small knife tucked into the inner seam of his right pant leg, trying to fend off the attack, but the knight's sword was too fast!

Clang! A flash of cold light passed by, and in an instant, the small knife in Berg's hand was knocked away.

"Stop. I was the one who robbed that Clay merchant of his money."

Seeing that the situation was about to spiral out of control, Xian could only step out of the crowd and speak quickly.

It was New Year's today, and I got dragged off to visit relatives. I did not get back until the afternoon, and I only just finished writing now (*^▽^*) It's the end of the month—if you don't use your monthly votes, they'll go to waste. Come on, everyone, send some my way.