Reincarnate as the Villainess's Husband - Chapter 93

Chapter 93: Be real
Neonidas promised Velmuth that he would show him something important before taking him anywhere. Thus, Velmuth followed him without objection. However, Velmuth had different plans.

As the two entered an alley, Velmuth lunged forward with his imposing figure. Each step echoed on the stone pavement, shaking even the surrounding air. Raising his powerful arms, he advanced to deliver a deadly blow to Neonidas.

Neonidas quickly sidestepped as he noticed Velmuth’s sudden attack. The giant man’s fist struck the spot where Neonidas had stood just a second ago, shattering the stone wall into pieces. As rubble scattered around, Neonidas stood cautiously in front of Velmuth.

“You’re quite impatient, Oathbreaker,” he said in a calm voice, a slight smile playing on his lips.

Velmuth’s eyes burned with fury. “You won’t drag me anywhere. I know you are Duke Neonidas!” he roared.

Neonidas did not respond; he merely shifted his stance slightly, as if waiting for Velmuth’s next move.

Of course, there was a reason for Velmuth’s aggression. He was once a knight—now a former knight. A traitor who had killed his own lord.

Velmuth made it clear that he had no intention of waiting. He launched his second attack, his massive fist crashing toward Neonidas at great speed.

Once again, Neonidas narrowly dodged the attack. When the giant’s fist slammed into the ground, the stone pavement cracked and sent a cloud of dust into the air. Instead of retreating, Neonidas lunged forward, delivering a swift yet precise strike to Velmuth’s exposed chest. He had not his sword—at least, not yet.

“Oathbreaker…” he repeated mockingly. “You live up to your title.”

Velmuth’s muscular arms shot up as he twisted his massive body, swinging with the intent of crushing Neonidas. With agile movements, Neonidas slipped out of his range and took a few steps back. His gaze remained on Neonidas—with clenched jaw, burning eyes, and an expression shadowed by the past.

Velmuth gritted his teeth. “Drop that condescending attitude, Neonidas!” he bellowed. “That bastard killed my wife!”

“I know…” Neonidas’ voice was calm, in stark contrast to Velmuth’s rage, yet there was a sharpness in it that cut deeper than any of Velmuth’s blows. “I know,” he repeated, his gaze unwavering.

“I’m sorry, little lord, but don’t worry—I’ll only knock you out. I can’t die because of that bastard after what he did to my wife.”

After those words, Velmuth stomped on the ground, and the earth beneath Neonidas’ feet surged upward. Neonidas leaped back just as the rising ground threatened to entrap him. Velmuth’s colossal fist struck the spot where he had stood moments ago, completely demolishing the pavement and sending stones flying. Within the swirling dust, Velmuth surged forward—despite his size, his speed was astonishing.

Neonidas had anticipated this. Using his agility, he slid to the side, lowering himself to intercept Velmuth’s movement. But Velmuth was watching him. Instead of retreating, he swung his knee toward Neonidas’ position. Reacting instantly, Neonidas raised his arms to absorb the impact, yet the sheer force sent him skidding backward, his feet scraping against the stone ground.

Velmuth did not hesitate. Tensing his muscles, he lunged forward again, his arms descending with destructive force. Neonidas evaded with an almost dance-like motion, twisting midair as he countered with a swift kick to Velmuth’s exposed side. The impact pushed the giant slightly off balance, but it was clear Velmuth would not be shaken so easily. He barely seemed to feel the pain. Regaining his footing, he widened his arms, attempting to grab Neonidas.

Neonidas had been expecting this. He leaned back, slipping through Velmuth’s grasp. Immediately, he ducked behind the giant and delivered a precise strike to his lower back. Velmuth staggered for a moment, but quickly regained his composure.

The more Velmuth witnessed Neonidas’ agility, the more enraged he became. He had always relied on his strength and endurance, yet this man—Neonidas—was effortlessly slipping through his attacks, as if controlling the rhythm of the battle itself. But once Velmuth made a decision, he never backed down.

He stomped on the ground again, causing the street to tremble as cracks spread across the pavement. From these cracks, jagged rock formations erupted, rising like a cage to trap Neonidas. At the same time, Velmuth’s arms became encased in massive stone-like armor.

Neonidas quickly assessed the surrounding walls. His escape routes were closing in. He realized Velmuth’s strategy—to restrict his mobility and crush him into a direct confrontation. His speed and maneuverability were his greatest advantages against Velmuth’s raw power, but now he faced a plan designed to neutralize them completely.

Neonidas sighed, his eyes flashing with brief amusement.

“Resorting to brute force…” he murmured. “Truly the way of knights.”

Velmuth’s jaw tightened. He had had enough of this arrogant man’s words.

“Stop talking like a little lord and fight!” he roared.

Velmuth’s fist crashed down on Neonidas between the stone walls. The force of the attack shook the air itself. Seeing that the spot where Neonidas had stood was now completely destroyed, Velmuth felt a moment of satisfaction. But his instincts whispered that something was wrong.

And they were right.

As the dust cleared, Neonidas was nowhere to be seen. A tingling sensation ran down Velmuth’s spine.

“I’m right here.”

Neonidas’ voice came from behind him. At that moment, Velmuth realized—this was what Neonidas had been waiting for. And yet, he stood firm.

Alarm bells rang in Velmuth’s mind. Neonidas had not only disappeared but had reappeared at his back, displaying not just speed but also intelligence. This man was toying with him. He was dictating the rhythm of the battle. He was playing.

But Velmuth was no toy.

His face twisted with fury, his eyes burning like embers. Without hesitation, he surrendered to his instincts. With a savage roar, he spun around and lashed out with his colossal arms. His steel-like fingers locked onto Neonidas’ throat without fail.

A cracking sound was heard.

The sudden impact lifted Neonidas’ body off the ground. Velmuth’s breath quickened as he raised him with one arm, his fingers tightening around Neonidas’ windpipe with increasing pressure.

“Don’t be so confident, little lord,” he hissed through clenched teeth. “Underestimating me was a grave mistake.”

Neonidas’ face remained expressionless. There was no pain, no panic. Even as his throat was being crushed, his eyes remained as calm as ever. As if he was still in control.

A drop of sweat rolled down Velmuth’s forehead. He had never encountered an anomaly like this before.

Then…

A small, weak blow landed on his shoulder.

For a few seconds, Velmuth’s world stood still.

Then another one. A pair of tiny fists struck him with barely noticeable force.

Velmuth’s eyes widened. Slowly, he turned his head.

There, right beside him, stood two little girls. Both little girls had tears in their eyes and looked at Velmuth with hatred.

One looked around six, the other four. They had pale white skin, wavy hair, and honey-colored eyes—just like… just like his wife’s eyes. Just like the eyes of the daughters he had only seen as infants.

“Let go of our uncle, bad man! Let him go!”

Velmuth’s breath caught in his throat.

These little hands hitting him… they didn’t know who he was. He could see it in their eyes. And yet, something about them clawed at the deepest wounds within him. They weren’t afraid. In fact, there was a hint of sadness in their gaze, as if they truly loved Neonidas and were trying to save him.

For a moment, Velmuth’s grip loosened.

This… this couldn’t be real.

He had lost them years ago. When he buried them, his hands were covered in blood. He had wanted to burn the world in his rage.

But now… here they were. Hitting him—scolding him, just like their mother used to when he made mistakes.

Velmuth’s mind blurred. His chest grew heavy, his stomach twisted. A buried, long-forgotten emotion surfaced. As a knight, as a warrior, he had taken countless blows, but none—none had hurt as much as this.

His hands trembled.

Neonidas remained still, only watching.

For the first time, a sound escaped Velmuth’s throat—one that did not belong to the battlefield. And he stepped back.

“This… how…” he whispered.

The answer was simple. He was here because of a man who knew far too much about this world—because of a scheme, or rather, a manipulation.

Neonidas was smiling. Because now, without a doubt, he had come to the most important step in securing the allegiance of one of the most powerful potential forces in the novel.