How to Survive Against Villains Chapter 349

Episode 349 – Main Dish (3)

“The Cleaners are on the second floor!”

With that single remark I threw out, the entire atmosphere of the banquet hall turned ice cold.

Even the music ca to a halt, and all the noise vanished.

The only sound left was the nervous gulps of the mages surrounding .

I looked closely at Azonne’s expression.

ntioning the Cleaners must’ve been an unexpected counterattack.

It should have caught him completely off guard, yet his face didn’t change one bit.

“Is this what it ans to be the best rchant on the continent?”

His poker face was impeccable.

Azonne gave a quick glance up at the ceiling, then smirked.

“You keep saying things you can’t possibly take responsibility for. Cleaners, you say?”

I glanced around and responded.

“Can’t take responsibility...? Lord, have you forgotten my position?”

I stood directly in front of Azonne, staring straight into his eyes.

“I am the representative of the World Tree Union.”

The authority to speak for the entire World Tree.

“All the other races who dwell under the World Tree have entrusted with full authority. Do you know what that ans?”

“It ans you’re in a position where one foolish word could drag the World Tree into war.”

Azonne t my gaze without backing down.

I smiled and nodded.

“Exactly. One reckless word could destroy the entire Union, and get our families, friends, and comrades killed. That’s why soone in my position must choose their words very carefully.”

“Then perhaps you should watch your mouth. Aren’t you afraid of death?”

Azonne’s eyes sparkled coldly. Was it killing intent in his gaze?

I bowed my head slightly, then slowly turned to scan the room.

Halyans.

The mages standing guard behind him. The rcenaries with grim faces.

I completed the circle and faced Azonne again.

“The Cleaners are in this manor. I’ve seen them myself.”

Of course, only I could see them. A special glow only visible to divine beings of a certain level—A power unique to a Divine Hunter.

That’s why I could say it with confidence: All four Cleaners were on the second floor.

Azonne’s expression stiffened.

“Are you accusing ?”

“What do you an, accusing?”

“You're implying that I brought the Cleaners here.”

“Surely not. You’d have to ask the Cleaners themselves. Did I ever say you personally brought them?”

Azonne scoffed and shook his head, clearly irritated.

“The Cleaners are not in this manor. And even if they are, as you say, I have nothing to do with it. I stake my na as Lord on that.”

He declared it firmly to everyone around.

I turned to Halyans.

He still looked shaken.

It seed the story about Harkman’s greatsword had hit hard.

‘He’s hesitating.’

Just as planned.

He was likely debating whether the World Tree Union really supported the Ivory Tower faction.

If that were true, it would have massive implications.

‘The conflict within Demtor is already tilting in Gram’s favor.’

With Sub-Tower Master Nagrok assassinated, tensions were running high.

Now I understood how Azonne had manipulated the mages.

A mont later, Halyans glanced between Azonne and , clearly watching for signs.

It was ti to drive the wedge in deeper.

From earlier, it had beco clear that Azonne was maintaining a "neutral" position.

aning: if this hidden plan succeeded, he might offer his support.

But what about ?

“Halyans, unlike certain people who like to hedge their bets, I don’t play neutral.”

“...Heh.”

“Do you doubt ? Then allow to swear again, as the World Tree’s representative.”

“Wait.”

Azonne interrupted, his face looking thoroughly displeased.

“Does Lord Azonne have sothing to say to ?”

“This is a party to celebrate the end of Dark Sales. Whatever you’re trying to say doesn’t seem appropriate for the setting.”

“Ah, is that so?”

Azonne nodded stiffly. I smiled broadly and looked straight at Halyans.

“The World Tree Union supports the Ivory Tower.”

“...!”

If I were going to back down from a statent like that, I wouldn’t have co here in the first place.

Gasps rose from the surrounding crowd.

“If I’m lying, then the elves, witches, dwarves, and all other races across the continent will turn against . Halyans.”

I grinned and extended my hand.

“I hate Duke Clarke. And the enemy of my enemy... is my friend.”

“Unbelievable...”

Halyans was visibly shaken by everything that had just unfolded.

This gathering had been ant to confirm the identity of the one who killed the Sub-Tower Master.

Azonne had secretly shared the result of his investigation and claid to have solid evidence.

[When the signal cos, use all the 'Rings of Restraint' on the witch.]

The one Azonne had nad as the killer was none other than Lily Base, the so-called Witch of Terror.

When they heard that, Halyans and the other mages had all nodded in agreent.

A witch killing a mage? It made perfect sense.

Especially a witch with such a dark history and power comparable to one of Demtor’s Stars.

She had both the power and cunning to kill and cover it up.

So they had been watching, waiting for the signal...But then Alex Marcia, the Union’s representative, had suddenly co forward—Mocking them by ntioning the Rings of Restraint.

Halyans had been waiting for the right mont to act, but Alex’s unexpected declaration had completely derailed him, forcing him to react defensively by flaring his mana.

Things unraveled fast from there.

Without even giving them ti to weigh their options, Alex had sealed the deal—A full declaration of support for the Ivory Tower.

The mages were visibly rattled.

At this point, they couldn’t make a move.

And then—

Vwoooom—

A faint vibration resonated in Halyans’ chest.

The Madas Coin was reacting to the Lord’s signal.

The mont had co.

Swallowing hard, Halyans reached into his robe. Ti to begin the operation.

He looked toward Lily.

She was still walking around the table, eating cookies like nothing was happening.

Could anyone behave like that in a situation like this?

Witches really were incomprehensible creatures.

Gulp.

The other mages waited for Halyans’ decision. If he drew the Ring of Restraint, they would all move according to Azonne’s plan.

Restrain Lily, then the Lord would present the evidence,

and the scene would be set—Lily Base, the killer.

Vwoooom!

The signal ca again.

Halyans looked at the Lord. Azonne’s face gave nothing away.

Why signal now?

Was he saying that failure to act could an losing Aintrier’s support?

This was a turning point—one that could decide the future of the Ivory Tower.

That decision now rested in Halyans’ hands.

After a mont of tension, Halyans hardened his expression and looked to Alex.

His hand erged from his robes.

Would it be the Ring of Restraint?

The watching mages stared in suspense.

And then—

“Let say just one thing.”

Halyans extended his hand toward Alex Marcia.

It was empty.

An open hand.

He grasped Alex’s hand and, with a trembling voice, said,

“Thank you—for the World Tree Union’s support.”

“Think nothing of it.”

In the end, Halyans chose the World Tree Union. Rather than gamble on uncertain support, he went with the sure thing.

‘Unbelievable.’

Azonne watched the handshake with a hollow smile. From that mont on, the entire plan for the banquet was in ruins.

‘I planned for mutual destruction…’

Once the mages had restrained Lily with the Rings of Restraint, Azonne intended to use his divine ability, [Greedy Judge], to eliminate her imdiately.

Then the rcenaries he had recruited would attack the mages, creating a chaotic bloodbath between both factions.

The death of a witch, frad as a curse, would send everyone into madness and ignite a slaughter.

‘I didn’t even get to start, and it’s all gone to waste.’

Azonne looked at Arthur with sunken eyes. He had known he’d be a tough opponent—but he never imagined a few words would unravel a trap so carefully prepared over weeks.

“The Cleaners are on the second floor?”

Honestly, that part had stunned him.

But Azonne was certain—Alex couldn’t have known that for real.

“There’s no way he could’ve known.”

He had personally brought the Cleaners here. No one else knew of their presence. There was no way Alex could have guessed it.

‘Was it really just dumb luck...?’

Azonne’s eyes reflected Arthur’s smiling face.

A mont later, a faint light passed through his vision. He stared into the air.

[Judgnt Probability: Very Low]

‘…I really can’t stand that guy.’

He checked Arthur’s probability of divine judgnt—and it ca back as very low.

So conditions must’ve been t, but the number was far below expectations.

Azonne recalled the note from Arcane. He didn’t even know Arthur’s true na.

If even Arcane, the Prophet of Fate, had requested information on Arthur’s divine attribute, then Arthur’s divine identity must be incredibly valuable.

“This one has to be excluded from judgnt.”

If you failed a divine judgnt, you died.

Even soone as blessed as Azonne wasn’t willing to stake his life on a “very low” chance.

But the other divine bearers were different. This whole plan had focused on Lily Base.

Her location, her divine information, even the Madas Coin—

all conditions were identical to when Nagrok was judged.

Azonne looked at Lily.

A faint light flickered in his vision again, and his brow furrowed.

[Judgnt Probability: Low]

“Low?”

The words slipped out of his mouth without thinking. Nagrok had shown “High.”

But Lily? “Low.”

“Why??”

This was completely unexpected. He had been sure it would at least show as "average."

Just to be sure, he checked the others.

Karl and Lochter.

[Judgnt Probability: Low]

[Judgnt Probability: Low]

He let out a soft groan and fell into thought.

Though Halyans and Arthur were smiling and chatting nearby, he couldn’t hear a thing.

Where had it gone wrong? Why were all the probabilities so low?

After a mont of contemplation, Azonne composed himself. If there were no imdiate answers, he could investigate later.

Right now, he had to focus on the present prey. He’d thought this plan was flawless—but now every move had missed the mark.

‘I’ll have to discard the first card.’

Putting on a smile, Azonne stepped forward. He clapped lightly.

“Halyans.”

“Ah, Lord…”

“Looks like you’ve gained strong support. Congratulations.”

“…It’s nothing.”

Halyans’ expression subtly shifted.

He feared that if Azonne revealed the truth of the plan, the Union’s trust would collapse.

“I can explain the plan later…”

“No need.”

Azonne silenced him. He smiled lightly, nodding as if to say he understood.

“It’s a good thing for everyone. Let’s just let this pass quietly.”

“Thank you for understanding, Lord.”

Relief washed over Halyans’ face.

“With things developing so quickly, we’ll need ti to reorganize. There will be a new party this afternoon—one all VIPs will attend. Shall we et again then?”

“Of course.”

Now that the plan to fra the witch had been scrapped, this party had beco uncomfortable for the mages as well.

It would be better to reconvene once everyone had adjusted to the new dynamics.

“Then, I’ll see you then.”

Before the party could properly begin, Azonne ended it early.

The mages said their farewells to Alex’s group and left,

the rcenaries following with puzzled expressions.

Before long, only the World Tree Union remained.

Azonne had asked them to wait. As he approached, Arthur asked,

“Is the party over?”

“Partly your fault. You seem rather impatient—declaring your support so suddenly.”

“Ah, I must’ve been too eager to greet Halyans. Still…”

Arthur lifted a wine glass from the table.

“Did you have business with us?”

“I wanted to speak with you in private before the real party began.”

“The others earlier…?”

“Just casual guests who live in the castle. You are my only true guest, Alex.”

“You must have a reason for inviting specifically?”

“I want to speak to you directly about the exclusive rights to the leaves. Are you interested?”

“Of course. But my terms haven’t changed.”

“I’m positively considering those terms. Will you accept?”

Azonne offered his hand with a warm smile. A gesture of agreent.

Arthur looked down at the hand, just about to nod when—

“Ah!”

Clatter—

The wine glass dropped and shattered again.

Lily had suddenly barged in beside them.

Azonne looked at her silently. Arthur scratched his head and stepped forward.

“Sorry. She’s still young…”

“You said that earlier as well.”

“I’ll make sure she’s properly disciplined.”

“Yes, I heard that too.”

The sa scene repeated.

Azonne looked down at his untouched hand, nodded, then gestured toward the stairs.

“Shall we go to my office?”

“Can’t we talk here? It’s spacious and pleasant.”

Arthur’s shaless tone made Azonne’s expression twist slightly. Was there any opponent more exhausting than this?

While Azonne and Arthur continued their tug-of-war,

Lily slipped away from them and returned to wandering around the table.

“Huh? Did I already circle around once?”

She was at the table where the main dish, a perfectly roasted venison barbecue, had been served.

She had already circled the hall, picking up delicious-looking food from every table.

Smacking her lips, Lily flicked a wine glass sitting next to the venison.

Inside it—Four golden coins.

Madas Coins without a master, swirling silently within the glass.