A Psychopath Reborn as a Third-rate Villain

Chapter 35: Toward the Monster Forest

For several moments after Andras finished explaining the ending of The Dreamweaver’s Labyrinth, silence filled the carriage.

The streets of Nightfall city continued passing outside the windows, yet Evelyne’s thoughts remained trapped somewhere within the Astral Sea.

The image of the crystal spinner refusing to reveal the truth lingered in her mind.

Finally, she looked toward her son.

"Your story has extraordinary potential."

There was genuine admiration in her voice.

"If this were made into a moving picture play, it would become famous throughout the Empire."

Andras looked back at her calmly.

"I don’t think so."

The answer came without hesitation.

Evelyne blinked.

"You don’t?"

Andras shook his head.

"I have no interest in spending months producing a moving picture play simply to entertain people."

His tone remained casual.

"I would rather spend that time training."

He glanced toward the carriage window.

"Besides, Ambrose Academy opens in less than a month."

"I don’t have enough time."

The excitement in Evelyne’s expression dimmed slightly.

A trace of disappointment crossed her face.

She had genuinely wanted to see her son’s talent displayed before the world.

Not because of fame.

Not because of money.

But because she wanted others to see what she already knew.

That Andras was extraordinary.

Andras noticed her expression immediately.

Interesting.

He could recognize disappointment now.

Perhaps not emotionally.

But logically.

After a brief moment of thought, he spoke again.

"Although..."

Evelyne looked up.

"It may not be possible for me to create it."

A faint smile appeared on his lips.

"But you can."

For a moment, Evelyne simply stared at him.

"I can?"

Andras nodded.

"I’ll write the entire script."

"The story."

"The dialogue."

"The characters."

"The dream layers."

"The ending."

He folded his arms.

"I’ll also explain what kind of actors would fit each role."

"You can handle the production."

The disappointment in Evelyne’s eyes vanished almost instantly.

In its place came something much brighter.

Excitement.

"Really?"

She sounded far younger than usual.

Andras almost laughed.

"Yes."

"I’ll finish the script as soon as possible."

Evelyne smiled.

A genuine smile.

"Then I’ll immediately contact the best directors, actors, and illusion mages in the Empire."

Her eyes shone with anticipation.

"We’ll make it properly."

Andras nodded.

"That’s acceptable."

For several moments, neither spoke.

Yet the atmosphere inside the carriage had become noticeably lighter.

Eventually, Evelyne glanced outside the window before turning back toward him.

"It’s already lunchtime."

She smiled.

"Let’s eat first."

"Then we’ll continue our tour."

Andras nodded.

"Fine."

A few minutes later, the carriage came to a stop near one of Nightfall city’s most famous restaurants.

The building itself resembled a noble estate more than an ordinary establishment.

Black stone walls decorated with silver engravings reflected the style of House Darkmoor.

The moment the carriage stopped, several employees hurried outside.

The owner himself appeared and bowed deeply.

"Duchess."

Evelyne acknowledged him with a slight nod.

She and Andras entered together.

The interior was elegant.

Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling.

Soft music played in the background.

Nobles and wealthy merchants occupied many of the tables.

The moment they noticed Evelyne, conversations ceased.

Everyone stood.

No one dared remain seated while the ruler of Darkmoor entered.

Andras observed the reactions silently.

Power truly was convenient.

They were escorted to a private dining room overlooking the city.

Lunch arrived quickly.

Roasted wyvern meat glazed with herbs.

Fresh bread.

Cream soup prepared from rare mountain mushrooms.

Grilled river fish imported from the northern provinces.

And several desserts infused with magical fruits.

The meal itself passed quietly.

Neither of them spoke much.

After finishing, Andras placed his cup back onto the table.

"So."

He looked toward Evelyne.

"Where are we going next?"

Evelyne smiled.

"The forest."

Andras raised an eyebrow.

"The forest?"

She nodded.

"There are several monster territories near Ravenhold."

A faint spark of excitement appeared in her blue eyes.

"I’d like to see how much you’ve improved."

Then she added gently,

"Of course, if you’d rather spend the day relaxing, we can do something else."

Andras didn’t even consider refusing.

A monster.

A real monster.

He had seen countless illustrations.

Read countless descriptions.

Yet he had never encountered one himself.

Not once.

"No."

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"Let’s go."

"I’ve never fought a monster before."

Evelyne laughed softly.

"I thought you might say that."

Soon afterward, they returned to the carriage.

The captain of the guard received Evelyne’s orders immediately.

"Take us to the western hunting grounds."

"Yes, Duchess."

The horses began moving once more.

As the city gradually disappeared behind them, Andras leaned back against his seat.

This world wasn’t simply filled with nobles, politics, and magic.

There were monsters.

Creatures capable of destroying cities.

Creatures powerful enough to threaten kingdoms.

In the original novel, monsters occupied a crucial role.

They existed everywhere.

Deep forests.

Mountain ranges.

Ancient ruins.

Forgotten dungeons.

And just like humans, monsters possessed ranks.

Class E.

Class D.

Class C.

Class B.

Class A.

Class S.

With Class S monsters being strongest and Class F monsters being weakest

S Class monsters were so powerful that kingdoms mobilized their strongest warriors merely to survive.

Even within the original novel, encounters with S-Class monsters were rare.

Andras stared through the carriage window as the landscape slowly changed.

Stone roads became dirt paths.

Buildings disappeared.

Trees grew taller.

The air itself felt different.

Wild.

Untamed.

He felt no fear.

Only curiosity.

What did monsters look like?

How did they fight?

How intelligent were they?

And most importantly—

How strong was he compared to them?

A faint smile slowly appeared on his lips.

Today had become far more interesting than he originally expected.