How to Survive Against Villains Chapter 341

Episode 341 – Rumors

The people nearby stared blankly at the sight of the Everfell estate engulfed in flas.

The night in Aintrier was as bright as day from the fire consuming the mansion.

It was a fire visible to everyone at a glance, and after burning for a full day, the estate collapsed into ashes.

Everything was buried under the scorched remains.

The fall of the Everfell Family. It took less than half a day for the news to spread.

The Everfell fire incident caused a great stir in Aintrier. There had been rumors that the Everfell family would make a great leap forward through the Leaves, so the shock was even greater.

Zero survivors.

The family head, the heir, all mbers of the house—dead.

People began to speculate about the culprit during their conversations.

"Wouldn't this be hard for just any ordinary force to pull off? We're talking about Everfell."

"I heard from the rcenary guild that Everfell signed contracts with three elite rcenary groups just a few days ago."

"Three elite groups? And they were still all wiped out? Who on earth could’ve done this..."

As the conversation trailed off, soone cautiously interjected.

"Could it be the World Tree Union?"

His face was ordinary, but what ca out of his mouth was anything but.

"The World Tree Union??"

"Everfell has actively hunted non-human races since the past. I’ve heard many inside the Union army hold deep resentnt against them."

"Now that you ntion it, that could make sense..."

"But if that were the case, why bother paying a price to bring the elves? They could’ve just taken them after killing everyone."

"Maybe they took the elves as hostages."

No one knew where the rumor started, but with the fall of the Everfell family, the na of the World Tree Union was constantly ntioned.

It seed more likely because they were the only power hostile to Everfell.

And the next day—An even more shocking piece of news arrived than the downfall of Everfell.

[Sub-Tower Master Nagrok of the Ivory Tower was assassinated!]

To confirm the report, mages stationed in Aintrier quickly moved outside the city walls.

There, near the river, they found bloodstained clothes and belongings believed to be Nagrok's, confirming his death as fact.

A 5-Star mage, assassinated—This was a far graver incident than the attack on Everfell, and the city fell into a heavy, somber mood.

"Everfell and now Demtor... Sothing’s about to explode."

"If Nagrok’s death leads to a conflict with Demtor, it’ll deal a massive blow to Aintrier. He wasn’t just any mage, he was a Sub-Tower Master!"

"I hear the Lord has sent an investigation team to the river. Seems he’s taking this very seriously. There’s a rumor he’s putting all efforts into tracking down the killer."

Even when only two people gathered, they discussed Nagrok’s assassination.

Just when public attention peaked, a discreet rumor began to spread.

"Did you hear? Soone tried to contact Nagrok several tis."

"That agent of the World Tree Union?"

"Yeah."

Alex Marcia’s na began circulating among the people.

"Apparently, he tried to approach Nagrok in secret, but got rejected every ti."

"There's no way those two would get along. They even went to war trying to kill each other."

"Still, why would Alex approach Nagrok? Could he really be involved in his death?"

Following the collapse of Everfell and the death of Sub-Tower Master Nagrok—People began to suspect the World Tree Union might be behind both incidents.

Given their openly hostile relationship, the suspicions only grew stronger.

"If both incidents were caused by the World Tree Union..."

"Then the Lord won’t sit idly by. No, if Demtor also moves, all of Hell Gri could be set in motion!"

There was a sense of sothing about to explode.

Information-savvy rchants declared a state of ergency and moved cautiously.

Information guilds, taking hefty paynts, were the first to act.

All eyes in Aintrier focused on one four-story building on the outskirts of the city—An inn housing hundreds of elves.

Now, it had beco a place no one dared approach.

***

"Ma-Master!"

Notura, who had gone out early in the morning, rushed up the stairs into my room.

Gone was the ragged look typical of a vagabond; dressed neatly, he looked like a completely different person.

His hair and beard were tidied up, though he still couldn't hide the seasoned signs of age on his face.

The lines on his face were lively and expressive. He must’ve heard so shocking news. As he hurried to speak, I held him off and corrected him first.

"Sir, I told you not to call Master. I'm just the agent, not the commander of the Union. People might misunderstand if they hear that."

"You’ll be Master soon enough. And it’s not a misunderstanding—Lady Lily calls you Master too."

That’s only because you trained her that way. She’s a cheerful child, what would she know? Give her sweets and she’ll do anything with a smile.

"Old fox."

Seed like he was trying to make the Union Master now that he’d joined, to secure his own position properly—typical for a shrewd Aintrier rchant.

"More importantly, sothing big has happened, Master!"

As he quickly changed the topic, I sighed and handed him a paper.

"This, right?"

"...What is this?"

"A report from the Leaves collecting information around the city. The situation’s looking pretty serious."

With a bitter smile, I passed him the paper I had just read. Notura read it, then his eyes widened.

"...They're saying we assassinated Nagrok?! That's outrageous!"

He stomped his feet, flushed red with anger. He looked genuinely wronged.

Well, of course we were.

It wasn’t us.

"That’s not the news you ant?"

"No, I ant the rumor that the ones who wiped out Everfell are connected to the World Tree Union. It’s just a rumor for now, but the atmosphere is shifting fast. It seems..."

"There’s soone fanning the flas?"

At my question, Notura nodded heavily.

"The rumors spread too fast. So people are even openly saying the Union did it."

"Whose doing do you think it is?"

"It must be the Lord."

Notura answered with certainty.

"This is groundwork. He’ll eventually co up with so ridiculous reason to go after us. We have to prepare."

"Hmm..."

I stroked my chin and paced around the room. I agreed—it reeked of Azonne. But sothing didn’t add up.

'How exactly does he plan to take us down?'

The current core power of the World Tree Union consisted of , Lily, Karl, and Lochter—all 5-Star.

Plus, the Lenon family was drawing in surrounding houses, and many were siding with us.

To crush us, he’d need a force even greater than ours.

But did Azonne even have that?

Would he really take such a gamble? He wasn’t exactly known for recklessness. Would he risk hunting us like prey?

After a mont’s thought, I asked Notura,

"What about the tunnel?"

"It’s complete. It connects from the mineral warehouse to our storage, and we can move imdiately with a signal."

"Must’ve been tight on ti. Good job."

"I only assisted. It was Antonio from the Lenon family who made it happen. Without him, it wouldn’t have been possible this quickly."

I nodded at that.

With Antonio at the center and the help of dwarves, they had dug a tunnel under the warehouse.

With that, the elves could evacuate—one problem solved.

The issue was the spatial portal.

"I don’t think Samuel’s in danger..."

According to Elton, the portal wasn’t functioning. The fact it remained intact ant Samuel was probably safe, but the lack of response was strange.

"Maybe he hasn’t reached the World Tree yet? He had enough ti..."

It felt like sothing was holding him back.

I was going to wait patiently, believing the portal would open soon—But the surrounding atmosphere had grown too ominous.

"I threw Everfell as bait, but now they’re trying to bite us instead."

The two incidents had placed steady pressure on the World Tree Union.

And just earlier, Karl brought news that suggested things could quickly spiral into the worst-case scenario.

"Rengua Field is here."

Honestly, Rengua could be handled, even alone. His presence alone wasn’t a threat to the Union.

The problem was—

"Azolett is with him?"

She was the Black Star. If Rengua had crossed into Pri Root and made ties with the Black Star, things could get ssy.

'Guess we’ll have to move.'

To minimize risk, first we needed to get the elves sowhere safe. I gave instructions to Notura.

"Once outside preparations are complete, we’ll move the elves to the warehouse."

"I’ll contact Antonio."

"How long will it take to move them all?"

"At least a day."

Many eyes were watching outside.

Those tracking the Union or looking for intel—Right now, Karl and the Ghosts were driving them away from the inn.

I told them not to hesitate, so it shouldn’t take long.

"If we move them in teams of ten, we can extract them quietly."

"Lily said that?"

"Yes. I saw it myself—couldn’t even see the elves."

Lily would escort them to the tunnel.

Her illusions were near impossible to detect for most. With a hidden door and small groups, it would be hard to notice. Ten per team—it was a sound plan.

"The faster, the better."

"I’ll finish it within the day, no matter what."

Notura left, determined, and I let out a brief sigh as I walked to the window.

The view outside was quiet. Just days ago, Lily had been playing pranks on visitors out there, making the area full of laughter.

Now, it felt like the eye of the storm—Quiet, but chilling.

It was eerie in a way only silence can be.

I looked out at the castle where Azonne stayed and muttered quietly,

"You must be sure of yourself, if you’re moving now."

I had to decide before he drew his sword.

Either draw mine first and strike, or prevent him from ever drawing his.

Turning away, I quietly slipped out of the inn, avoiding prying eyes.

While the elves fled, I had work to do with the Lenon family.

I had hoped to return to the World Tree peacefully after the Dark Sales ended, But now, that seed unlikely.

Still—At least there’s one good piece of news.

A letter ca from Lochter.

He said he had finally reached a long-sought enlightennt.