Being a Villain is My True Calling

“Let us conclude matters here for now.”

After concluding my discussion with the Queen, with Clock Rabbit’s assistance, I prepared to return to Eclipse.

As Clock Rabbit and I made our way back to the first floor, ready to depart:

Tok tok.
Tok tok.

The Queen seemed to have come to bid me farewell.
Her face obscured by a veil, allowing me to barely discern her silhouette and gaze.

The Queen offered a slight bow as a gesture of gratitude.

“Thank you for the information.”
“It was not provided freely, but through a negotiated exchange. There is no need for such thanks.”
“…Are you truly content with mere verbal ‘wish vouchers’ as your recompense?”
“That will suffice for me.”

Seeing my smile, she pursed her lips, seemingly perplexed.

“I cannot fathom your thought process. Accepting mere ‘wish vouchers’ in exchange for intelligence the deemed invaluable…”
“I have secured the privilege to reasonably request assistance from the prominent villains across various territories. That is more than satisfactory.”

“Yet they may choose not to honor such requests, no?”

The terms I had negotiated with the Queen were nearly identical to those with the other villains.

‘In exchange for this information, I shall acquire the right to request their aid once, whenever necessary.’

The sole limitation being that it could not jeopardize their organizations, and must remain within their individual capacities.

“…This seems the first time I’ve engaged in such a farcical agreement since childhood.”

She muttered towards me, bemused.
The most bewildering aspect, however, was:

“What possessed you to include a provision allowing me to simply refuse your request, without justification?”

“Haha.”

Precisely that – the ability to decline my request without providing any reason.
This was a condition excluded from the agreements with the other villains.

‘Well, even if included, it likely would not have significantly altered the outcomes.’

The only difference would be declining outright versus offering some pretense – either way, they would essentially perceive my information as freely provided.

“Consider it my desire to cultivate a foundation of trust with Your Majesty.”
“Hmm…very well, since I bear no losses either way.”

She likely intended to refuse any unreasonable requests outright.

‘Unsurprising, given this is Black Night.’

Maintaining strict neutrality, holding private audiences with specific villains was evidently an anomaly here.
As such, they would undoubtedly strive to avoid any potentially compromising entanglements.

Yet I could guarantee that she would not refuse the request I intended to make eventually.
For it would align with her own long-standing desires.

My role would merely be providing a nudge towards the choice she had always yearned to embrace.

“Maker niiim! Let’s go, I’m all readyyy!!”
“Well, I suppose I shall depart having thoroughly enjoyed the festivities.”

Fortuitously, Clock Rabbit’s voice announced her preparedness.
After briefly regarding her beckoning gesture, I turned to bid the Queen farewell.

“It seems I will be preoccupied for the next ‘month’…when he emerges from prison to wreak havoc, according to my information.”
“I trust Your Majesty can handle the situation admirably.”

“Thank you, Maker. Once again, I appreciate the intelligence. Take care.”

With those parting words, I turned and approached Clock Rabbit.

Uuwoong-

As I grasped her hand, my surroundings blurred, signaling our departure from Black Night.

“You have my gratitude for your efforts, Clock Rabbit.”
“Kkyahaha! Not at all! Welcoming and ensuring our guests’ safety is simply our role!”

Chuckling merrily, Clock Rabbit playfully twirled a lock of my hair around her finger before glancing at me mischievously.

“You could have accepted accommodations for the night, you know…”
“I have much to attend to.”
“Hmph.”

After a brief exchange, she departed with a promise to reunite the following year.

“Whew, finally gone.”

While I had refrained from showing it during the party, I had been apprehensive throughout, fearing potential disruptions to my plans.

Now relieved of that tension, fatigue and throbbing headaches gradually enveloped me.

Neglecting to report back to Astra, I wearily made my way to my quarters.

Trudging heavily, I discarded the cumbersome harness, jacket, and mask before collapsing onto the bed.

“Good. I’ve concluded everything required at Black Night.”

It was time to proceed to the next phase.
But first, a brief respite.

“……”

After recollecting the forthcoming tasks, I relinquished my tenuous grasp on consciousness, instantly succumbing to slumber.

Awakening from that restorative nap, my mind felt revitalized and clear.

“My apologies for the delayed report, Astra.”

Promptly tidying my appearance, I made my way to Astra’s office.

“No need, you must have been exhausted working late hours. I understand.”

So, how did the party go?

Thus began my report to Astra.

The central focus was naturally the Information Exchange.
Sensing Astra’s desire for comprehensive details, I minimized other aspects to concentrate on that core event.

“To begin, they mentioned plans to significantly increase personnel deployments in Sector C from next year, and…”

Excluding superfluous trivialities, I relayed only the intelligence relevant to our organization.

“…This is the information I disclosed there, combined with my personal investigations…”

I also expounded on the revelations I had disseminated, naturally embellishing with plausible pretexts.

“The former S-rank hero Alpha, and an unidentified adversary…”

Presenting a credible narrative, Astra readily accepted my account, likely buoyed by our established trust.

“My apologies. I should have conducted more thorough investigations…”
“Not at all. The fact that you managed these investigative efforts independently is commendable.”

Despite only providing a broad outline to conceal my true agenda, Astra regarded me with sincere admiration.

…Which admittedly pricked my dwindling conscience, if only slightly.
At any rate, I had successfully conveyed all pertinent intelligence to Astra.

She then took a moment to process the information I had provided.

“Our primary objective should be minimizing potential harm to the organization.”

Astra fixed me with a solemn gaze.

“Understood.”
“Having only a month’s forewarning is rather pressing…that may not provide sufficient time to recall the two currently on assignment.”

“Still, it’s better than being caught completely unaware.”

Retrieving a pen, Astra began documenting contingency plans.

“To start, we’ll reinforce our security protocols and request the trainers provide enhanced response drills for our members. Additionally…”
“I shall endeavor to uncover any further intelligence in the interim.”
“Ah, yes. I’ll have you and Rinring collaborate on that front.”
“Are you certain?”

While I welcomed Rinring’s inclusion, I was uncertain whether she would be essential for fortifying the security protocols.

“Rinring’s absence won’t impede the security team’s progress. They’ve been professionally managing our cyber defenses long before her arrival.”

Indeed, Eclipse’s cyber security team had safeguarded our critical information and concealed our headquarters’ existence through their expertise, even prior to Rinring’s recruitment.

Though unable to directly counter the hero association’s hacker, Cyber Ghost, they had developed techniques to evade his detection through sheer ingenuity.

‘Of course, their painstakingly constructed security systems were promptly scrapped upon Rinring’s arrival.’

Rinring had dismissed their efforts as obsolete, but that did not negate their competence.
Since Astra deemed it appropriate, I could proceed without reservation regarding Rinring’s involvement.

“Very well, I shall take my leave then. You must be occupied.”
“Yes, do rest up properly. You seemed quite fatigued earlier.”

Without averting her gaze from the documents, Astra bid me farewell.
Sensing an opportune window amidst her preoccupation, I departed for Rinring’s quarters.

-Ah, can you hear me, big bro?
“Yes, I can hear you clearly.”

Prior to fully commencing our operation, I responded affirmatively to Rinring’s incoming transmission.
She murmured self-consciously in a subdued tone.

-Whew, I’m not sure if I should be doing this. Secretly undermining the organization and all…

“Developing cold feet now, are we?”
-Nah, that’s what makes it exciting! How could I resist this dopamine rush?

As I expected.
Chuckling lightly, I continued listening to her musings.

-And what if I am feeling anxious? We’re already in this together, no turning back now!

“An admirable mindset.”

Contemplating her words, I surveyed the looming structure before me.

A solitary rectangular edifice, standing desolately upon a remote island.
The occasional signs of disrepair hinting at its considerable age.

‘There lies our objective.’

As I observed the facility, Rinring’s concerned voice resonated.

-Are you certain you’ll be alright proceeding alone, big bro? Perhaps you should bring Runny along…
“While Runny’s presence would undoubtedly prove advantageous, it also heightens the risk of our identities being compromised.”
-But what if you infiltrate undetected, only to get caught later on…
“Which is precisely why I have recruited the world’s preeminent hacker as my accomplice, have I not?”
-Hehehe! I suppose so!

Reassured by my words, Rinring’s apprehension promptly dissipated, her tone brimming with self-assurance once more.

“Let us proceed with the infiltration. I’ll need a briefing on the coordinates.”
-Hmph! Just leave it to the peerless, gorgeous hacker Glitchhh~

The day after returning from the Black Night party, and immediately following my report to Astra.
I had arrived at the prison housing Alpha, intending to orchestrate his liberation.

What’s that? Hadn’t I stated the actual execution would occur a month later?

‘…I had specified Alpha’s rampage would commence in a month’s time, not necessarily his release.’

With a sly smile, I donned Akaoni’s mask.

“Shall we proceed with the infiltration?”
-Let’ssss goooo~~~!

The reckless pursuit of fleeting gratification was about to commence.