NOVEL NEXT Chapter 14.1
Stage 1-14. Match-Pump
“…So, what is it you wanted to tell me?”
While Mio was putting the kids to bed, Alice asked to speak with me alone and called me into the guest room.
We sat side by side on a slightly old-fashioned sofa.
“Yes. I tortured them according to your instructions and made them spill the information. It’s about that.”
“…………”
I never gave such instructions…
How did she interpret my words as an order to torture?
I’m starting to get a really bad feeling about this.
“…You didn’t kill them, right?”
“Rest assured. They have a role to play in guiding us to the main base.”
That’s not what I’m worried about…
You need people to get anything started.
If they’re cut down too easily, it makes things difficult for me to manage.
I went through the trouble of bringing them in, planning to settle things peacefully…
What’s done is done, though.
After all, Alice acted with my best interests in mind.
In fact, she attacked enemy territory alone. I guess it’s progress that she didn’t kill everyone.
I sighed and looked up. I sank back into the sofa and asked her,
“So, what did you find out?”
“They’re targeting this place because they want to build an underground arena in Inevent.”
“You mean like the one Woshua had that Alice belonged to?”
“Yes. Rather, it’s more accurate to say they’re remnants of that place.”
“You dealt with all of them, right? Did you miss some?”
“No, that’s impossible. Those who couldn’t make it to the match were given a break. The ones causing trouble must be the lucky ones who were off that day.”
“…I see.”
Wait a minute, isn’t this our fault?
When we destroyed Woshua’s underground arena, the ones left out in the cold must have set their sights on Inevent as their new haven.
Inevent and Woshua are neighboring districts.
The royal guards’ eyes don’t reach that far, making it a perfect spot to restart their operations.
“Even before, as Woshua’s security worsened, more people started leaving Inevent. It made it easier for them to commit crimes—Is something wrong, Ouga-sama?”
“…No, I was just thinking.”
This is totally a match-pump situation!
Did I just eat food made by people who are suffering because of us?
Oh no… My stomach is suddenly hurting…
This isn’t the kind of evil I’m aiming for, the kind that twists your stomach into knots!
Even evil has its aesthetics.
For example, I’ll do anything if it benefits me, but I won’t get involved in anything else.
I want to create a cute harem, and eat delicious food.
Live an easy and carefree life on the citizens’ taxes.
That’s why sticking to a plan with purpose and conviction looks cool.
But this kind of haphazard, unpredictable mess like this? I don’t want that.
…I’ve decided. This time, I’ll take responsibility and see it through to the end.
As long as I’m alive, I’ll ensure the safety of the orphanage—no, the safety of Inevent.
To do that, I need to… I start planning in my head.
“Alice. Regarding this attack, don’t kill a single one of them. No half-kills either.”
“…Why is that?”
I’ll explain, so don’t give me that aura of dissatisfaction.
Your pressure is enough to make the average person panic.
“We’re going to use them. To execute my evil justice.”
“I see. You have a plan?”
“Of course. Who do you think I am?”
“You are the ‘Savior’ who will save everyone.”
Does she really admire me?
As I pondered this, there was a knock at the door.
“Excuse me. It’s Mio. May I come in?”