The Villain Bought the Heroine

Chapter 31

“I came because I missed you, Viscount.”

She said, holding onto my clothes as if she wouldn’t let go.

Her eyes swirled, on the verge of shedding tears.

I remained silent, listening to her words.

“I understand that these feelings of mine are wrong… But I can’t suppress them anymore.”

– The day Viscount danced with Miss Erika. My heart felt like it was crumbling.

– The smile Viscount showed to Miss. It’s something I can’t have.

– But today, I want to gather my courage.

“Viscount, I earnestly beg you to accept me.”

She tiptoed.

Her eyes, nose, and lips, everything was getting closer.

Approaching until our noses almost touched.

She closed her eyes. Her scent teased my nose, and her hands pulled me closer.

And as I got closer to her pale skin.

Snap!

I flicked her finger away.

“aaah!”

Her thin scream sharply tore through the air.

Seemingly in considerable pain, she sat on the floor and used magic to cool her forehead.

“This is too much, too much. Viscount! It’s from a sincere love for you.”

“Even after days, you’re still imitating Alicia. Naias.”

“I see I’ve been caught, huh? Child. Setting the mood so nicely! Ah, but it hurts too much! It feels insane. Did you embed iron in your fingers or something?”

I looked down at the woman in front of me, or rather, the spirit embodied by Alicia.

Nias sniffled with a sullen face.

“If you treat a girl like this, you’ll get what’s coming to you! I can’t fathom how Alicia endured all this pain until now.”

“Quite amusing, isn’t it? Gender means nothing to spirits. And I’ve been tougher on Alicia than usual.”

“Is that so? No wonder. I couldn’t survive being beaten like this every day. Ah, really. Post-traumatic stress disorder. My lord, check if I’m concussed.”

Well, sometimes I do hit this hard.

Nias approached as Alicia and showed his forehead.

Although they had the same appearance, they felt entirely different in personality.

Considering giving him another blow on the forehead, I hesitated. It seemed like he would delay, so I asked him.

“Why did you do such a foolish thing? Today is not the day for reports.”

“Oh, that? Ahem. That’s, um, I got it. I’ll tell you straight away, so can you move that hammer away from my finger. My lord!”

Trying to provoke him again with a spicy taste ended in disappointment.

“I’ve regained half of my power, and I came to deliver this joyful news! Now, I can transform into the perfect form I desire even more effectively!”

“Don’t you already know that? What’s your true intention?”

“I wanted to see the look on your face when I transform into Alicia… Oh, no! No! Nooooo!!”

This was Nias’s way of speaking. Most of his actions held hidden meanings.

However, due to the constraint set when we first made a contract, I cannot lie. I could somewhat dance around the truth, but poking directly like this was unavoidable.

“My forehead is going to explode!”

Where did the dignity of the Rank 位 Duke of Spirits go, to be in such a state?

The sword bestowed upon Alicia in the Rubyd Village, housing the spirit Nias. While the sword was familiar from Liam’s original use, the spirit Nias was only mentioned in the novel and never actually appeared. Well, it was natural since he died before Liam could discover him.

I had no idea about this kind of personality owner.

“You don’t need to maintain that appearance anymore.”

“…Because you’re such a boring person. Finally, you’ve transformed into such a lovely lady, but if you show a nervous look, it ruins everything.”

“I’ll be sure to act nervous as Alicia.”

“Well, that’s true. But for the time being, I’ll keep it this way. I like this appearance. Do you know how good it feels every time I look in the mirror?”

“….”

Anyway, so.

“Report. Since you’ve come all this way, let’s finish the report for the past three days now.”

“Alright. Um… nothing special happened. Just that, the obsession… it’s no joke. If it’s not during her classes, she sticks to me like glue.”

“I’ve told you many times. Speak of concrete and objective actions, not those subjective thoughts.”

“Oh, I’ve prepared everything. I’m a learning spirit too.”

Nias took out a parchment made of mana. It contained places and actions of a certain individual written by time.

I quickly scanned it, but as I expected, there was nothing peculiar as I had mentioned beforehand.

As I thought. He intended to follow the predetermined schedule as is.

Nias chuckled, saying, “Right? Exactly the same? But it gives me chills.”

Nias continued talking as he roamed around my room.

It seemed he found a good flow of magic, levitating his body in the air and lingering in a specific area.

“However, contrary to what you thought, you’re quite delicate. Should I say you’re thoughtful? To go this far behind your fiancée’s back is quite impressive.”

“If you only hear the latter part, it sounds like I ordered you to stalk her.”

“hahahaha, in the end, aren’t they quite similar? Watching her every move is essentially the same.”

Naias, who was laughing in the air, suddenly had a black tattoo-like mark appear on his neck, which then fell to the ground as if gravity had intensified.

Unable to materialize due to the tattoo, Naias grimaced as he rubbed the fallen area.

“It seems like you sometimes forget that we made a contract, Naias.”

“I know. I know… I still have the freedom to speak, right?”

Feel free to speak. Whenever you are ready to bear the responsibility that comes with it.

Naias now serves as my familiar.

The contract between a familiar and a human is more coercive than that between humans. That’s one reason why I like having a familiar.

“Oh, yes. By the way, Master, I have something to say.”

Naias, who had just finished pondering his thoughts, tilted his head slightly and smiled mischievously. Even though he was smiling as before, the atmosphere had shifted slightly.

A hint of hostility was concealed in the smile on his lips.

“That guy, the ‘Goddess Sect’?”

He continued.

“It wasn’t his own doing. It was a ‘blessing’ from the Goddess Sect. Well, if it had been magic, you wouldn’t have needed to ask me for anything, right?”

Naias raised his thumb and pressed it firmly against his temple. He pretended to be lost in thought, squeezing his face in contemplation.

One eye peeked open, looking at me cautiously.

“…But I’m curious. How did you ‘know’ that he was attached to a human named Erica? It’s not like you have good eyesight to see the blessings of the goddess.”

“Oh, indeed, your eyesight seems quite sharp, distinguishing between blessings and magic.”

The Goddess Sect.

The religion of the crimson monsters, the Artife.

They act based on their beliefs and are driven by their intentions. While they attack humans for reasons like amusement or reproduction, the main purpose is to follow the tenets of their religion.

In essence, the Goddess Sect is the focal point that unites the Artife, embodying their spirit.

“Well, the followers of the Goddess Sect aren’t just monsters.”

Although it is a clear religion of monsters, it doesn’t mean that there are no human followers. Followers are secretly spread throughout the world, actively engaging in their activities.

Their activities include, notably, the tragedy that will occur at Academia in a year. It was made possible by the opportune moment and the neutralization of the defense system by the hidden forces of the Goddess Sect within Academia.

There are other atrocities, but I will limit the explanation to this extent for now.

They are the absolute evil that seeks to destroy this world.

Ironically, to live peacefully in this world, I must eliminate this enemy.

The target currently lurking around Erica is a follower of that religion, a human who, despite being human, has received the goddess’s blessing as one of her devotees.

Blessings are powers granted to those who choose the Goddess Sect, aside from the Artife.

Due to the varying characteristics of individuals, there are many who align with the monsters to obtain this fascinating power.

“I know they are scattered everywhere. But discovering them is another matter. That’s why you’re racking your brain.”

So, Naias is now asking how he managed to catch the hidden followers of the Goddess Sect without any significant evidence.

My acquaintances are quite curious.

But I can’t tell them everything.

“Even if it’s not visible, I can know. If my hypothesis is correct, it will be the time for him to move.”

“What nonsense is that?”

“It’s a time to pretend peace. Besides, as you said, if I could see him, I wouldn’t need to involve you.”

“Well, well… It doesn’t matter! I knew you were peculiar from the first day I met you. There must be a reason. Anyway, you’re a human with many secrets.”

Naias laughs with a face full of mischief, like a lively young boy.

He adds that it’s good not to have a dull moment.

“Talking about humans, it seems like they live difficult lives. Liam, the male, and Erica, the female, were trying to monitor the lord, right? But then the lord was also monitoring that guy. Why do they live so hard? Just subdue them with force.”

“If it could have been resolved so simply, I would have done it.”

Nias seemed to be deeply engrossed in his thoughts again, leaning forward as he sat cross-legged on the floor.

Since I’ve never properly talked to this guy, pondering with my limited intellect won’t lead to an answer.

“My head hurts, so I’ll stop thinking. Didn’t you say the outcome will come sooner than the lord expects? I’ll just enjoy that moment!”

Just as Nias said.

Things are progressing more smoothly than I had anticipated. Now all that’s left is to wait for that moment.

Not much time left.

He will definitely take the bait.

And then.

Seize the moment without missing a beat.

***

“Alright… tonight then.”

“Okay, see you in the evening.”

Shugenhardt, that guy. Why is he acting like this?

The daughter of Portretga.

Portretga Trois Erica couldn’t shake off the questions that had been filling her mind lately.

Once a week. It was the third week since he suggested a meal. As agreed last time, Shugenhardt had postponed this third lunch appointment to dinner.

“I don’t know what he’s thinking more than before.”

Things aren’t good between Shugenhardt and herself. Being engaged is nothing but a shackle to each other. It’s mostly that guy’s fault things turned out this way.

He disliked her and pushed her away, leading to unpleasant incidents. That’s how their relationship came to be.

As much as she dislikes him, maybe even more, Shugenhardt might dislike her too, not wanting to be entangled with each other.

But why on earth.

“Why is he trying to get involved with such an act?”

Memories of the moment when she had to meet him and dance after a long time flashed through her mind.

At that time, Shugenhardt was preparing for something.

The unpleasant whisper he had uttered back then.

– Erica, listen carefully without raising your voice.

I will propose roughly ten times to you in the future, maybe less. I will make the same proposal at the same time with the same content. Something that might disgust you.

Honesty reject my proposal. I don’t think you’ll accept it anyway, but I have to make sure.

Continue rejecting my proposals. However, if I suddenly offer something different from the initial proposal.

‘Pretend to accept it.’

Pretend to accept it. Why? To show it to someone?

The reason for this was beyond her comprehension. He wasn’t the type to engage in such annoying things without any reason.

And the gaze they exchanged at the ballroom and the laboratory.

Those abominable eyes that seemed to genuinely care for her.

Knowing it was false, Shugenhardt’s eyes at that moment brought back a forgotten image of his past self.

“…This annoys me.”

Being used by Shugenhardt is nauseating. She doesn’t want to be entangled with him and if possible, she doesn’t even want to see his face.

But, the reality is that they are engaged. It’s not difficult for her. It’s not even disadvantageous. Rather, it’s beneficial.

At the end, Shugenharuts mentioned that if you follow this path, he would give you the 10 Cattia you possess.

The senior guy currently has 20 Cattia. With the proposal, if he bets 10 Cattia, it would be the maximum amount of Cattia he could give monthly. It means he would hand over half of what he has.

Since there is no official way to hand it over, it will be done through a grade match. Would that guy, who is so prideful, intentionally lose in his record? It’s hard to believe. Since there was no contract, he could even stab you in the back.

“….”

However.

Even if he’s unscrupulous, he’s not petty.

10 Cattia.

It may vary depending on the class match, but at least in the early stages, it’s not a negligible amount.

To pay for such a trivial matter with a little lie.

“What are you trying to hide?”

What he has to do is simple.

Just accept the dinner appointment and leave; it’s a simple task.

It may be related to his benefit, but it’s hard to think he would be harmed.

If he falls for this, there would be no point in opposing him in the future.

“Erica, you don’t look well. What’s wrong?”

“Oh, Ventro. Nothing happened.”

Walking down the corridor, a kind-looking man approached. Ventro, one of her few friends. Since he came after his class, he seems a bit fierce now.

“I’m worried… Erica, if you’re not feeling well, why don’t you go back to the dorm early?”

“I’m fine. I can’t just skip class like this.”

“If it’s tough, let me know. I’ll even carry you if needed.”

“You have a major afternoon class later.”

“It’s inconvenient during class time, but before that….”

“Just saying is enough.”

No matter how bad things are between her and Shugenharuts, she tries to hide it externally.

He knows about us, so he wouldn’t do anything noticeable.

Even though he says these things, it’s all just a façade. But why does this warm façade strike a chord?

“Anyway, tell me anytime. As a long-time friend, I can do that much.”

He’s such a grateful friend.

Unlike anyone else, he accepts her quirky personality. Despite their relationship cooling after the incident with Bargan, they never fought. He always accommodated her.

That’s Ventro for you. No matter what, it’s impolite to refuse his well-intentioned words. Since it’s something that won’t happen anyway.

“I’ll make sure to be a nuisance then.”

….

Ventro, who was suddenly smiling, and the past guy seem to overlap.

From appearance to personality, there’s no resemblance at all, but for some reason.

If that guy hadn’t suddenly changed.

Or if he could have accepted that change.

Could this current relationship have been different?

Would there have been no need to consider a breakup?

“…No, that would never happen.”

Get a hold of yourself.

He remembers clearly what he did wrong.

The pain from those wounds still lingers, complaining. What? Has he changed? Ridiculous.

He hasn’t changed; he was always this way.

Erica chewed on the pain in her throbbing chest with sarcasm.

The blade of the past that Bargan embedded in Erica’s heart still hadn’t lost its edge.