Fated to Be Loved by Villains

Anyone who knew about Duke Tristan’s reputation would definitely be questioning his recent moves.

Gideon was always regarded as the ‘model student’ of the Empire’s nobility; he never did anything out of the ordinary, he’d carry out all of his schedules, no matter how tight it was, and he’d always maintain a fair, yet strict attitude even towards his subordinates.

That was why, seeing how he did not show up through all kinds of major incidents that happened recently—like the Harvest Festival or the incident in the Imperial Palace—a set of questions popped out in everyone’s head.

Where did he go? What has he been doing?

“…T-This is—”

Marquis Bogut, who managed to find the answer to those questions, looked at the other person, flustered.

The Duke Tristan—Gideon—he remembered always carried an aura resembling that of a strict prosecutor; always looked on edge, and always wearing an expressionless look.

But his current looks were completely different.

Unshaven, rough beard, a training suit that had turned into something like an old straw mat—something that couldn’t even be called clothes anymore, a worn-out sword which even its handle had worn away, implying that it had been swung around more than it could handle.

The sharp atmosphere which always reminded people of a blade that used to envelope him had been replaced with a rather softer one.

To be exact, it felt as if he had become more ‘composed’.

Instead of a duke, he now looked more like a wandering swordsman.

…And yet, despite looking like that, he still appeared in Elfante’s School Festival, which prompted a lot of questions from Bogut.

“…What the hell have you been doing, Duke Tristan?”

“I did what I had to.”

His answer was curt, but…

If this was the old him, he would’ve just glanced in Bogut’s direction with a disgusted look before going on his way.

After all, he was a noble of the Pro-Empress Faction, while the other man was the leader of the Upper Nobles Association. There was no way that they got along well.

“…In any case, we could consider running into each other like this as fate. Why don’t we sit together while we watch these presentations?”

Well, it seems like I can talk with him now, at least.

Bogut thought so before offering the seat next to him, but Gideon only asked him a question without responding to his offer.

“Where’s Dowd Campbell?”

“…”

Hmm…

That guy’s name is always brought up everywhere, huh?

“…Do you need something from him? I believe he must be extremely busy right now.”

“Of course I do.”

Gideon replied briefly.

“…I came here to thank him. I’m finally ready.”

Relief, assurance, and determination.

His voice was filled with a mix of those emotions.

His attitude made it seem like he was about to receive a reward after finishing the biggest mission in his life.

…I’m not sure, but…

It seems like he has achieved a great thing recently.

“Well, then that’s all the more reason we should watch it together!”

Watching this man would be quite fun as well.

Marquis Bogut thought while pointing at Dowd Campbell, which was shown on the huge screen.

“Let’s watch him together.”

An accomplishment that made even someone on Duke Tristan’s level felt this kind of relief wouldn’t be something ordinary.

That roused Bogut’s curiosity more than it should have.

“Right now, that man is presenting something that could open up a new era.”

An expectation that was like a bad habit—he was curious of Gideon’s reaction.

His reaction once he realized how insignificant his accomplishment was after he heard the topic Dowd Campbell was about to bring up.

●

Perhaps, no one was able to tell what exactly it was that they were seeing at that moment.

Because the thing that came up from inside the box that Dowd had opened only looked like different colored ‘smokes’ coming up like clouds.

“…What’s that?”

“I’m not sure…”

Such questions spread among the audience.

Because in contrast to the grand speech he delivered just a moment ago, he only showcased shabby hazes on that venue.

However, some people…

People with good senses, people who had achieved some kind of accomplishments, people who studied the Devils to some extent, and sincere priests—all those people…

Felt an anxiety that made their whole body frozen stiff.

“…Dean?”

Somewhere in the Academy, a student from the Theology School muttered as such..

Because Dean Walter had jumped up from his seat, barely holding a Catalyst with his trembling hands.

His face was pale.

“…Stop him.”

“Pardon me?”

At his words, which sounded like a groan, the student asked in a confused tone.

Because he did not expect the professor to react in such a way, as he had always said some incomprehensible things.

“Stop that thiiiing—!”

As Professor Walter shouted so,

Somewhere else, Saintess Lucia unknowingly grabbed her Rosario spasmodically.

In her stunned mind, the first thing that she said was…

“Yuria, look down.”

“…Unnie?”

“Don’t look at that—!”

Those two weren’t the only ones who reacted that way.

Similar reactions came from various people in different parts of the Academy, but even amidst all that, Dowd just continued his presentation calmly.

“The Exorcism Club proudly presents…”

After that…

The vague anxiety which only a few people could feel…

Was dramatically realized…

“The suppressing power that could put the entire world together. Its name is…”

In the worst form possible.

“The world’s public enemy.”

Red Demonic Aura, Purple Demonic Aura, and Gray Demonic Aura.

With the last one as the most important one of them all…

The different colored smoke rose slowly from the open box before gathering in one place.

They all entered Dowd Campbell’s chest.

To be exact, into the Seal on his chest.

The Fallen’s Seal shone. Light particles spread thinly and scattered around Dowd Campbell’s body as if permeating him.

And then…

At that moment…

“…Ah—”

Someone opened their mouth.

“Ah—…”

They wanted to let out a scream, yet nothing came out.

Nothing except cold breaths, similar to those of a dying person.

And starting with that weak sound of breathing…

Everyone in the venue was betrayed by their own body.

“…!”

“Ah…”

“Ah…h…”

Major Nobles, researchers, successful entrepreneurs, retired generals…

The people who participated in Elfante’s School Festival, those who would have prioritized their dignity and honors more than anything else, collapsed, crawling on the ground like beasts.

No one dared to raise their heads.

No one dared to stand on two feet.

The cause of the horror that was enveloping them was…

Because they were deprived of control of their body just by facing that thing. The fact that they were facing such an indescribable existence was etched on their whole being.

Such a creepy sensation made them abandon their reason and screamed in terror.

All kinds of indescribable emotions poured out like torrents, but if one were to sum all the feelings they were feeling in simple words, it would probably be…

-Run away. Now.

The thing before their eyes was not something they could resist.

As humans managed to adapt to the changing environment ever since they managed to establish their civilization, after they could no longer easily suffer from the horror of death, they lost one ability in exchange.

Their instinct to sense a crisis.

But now…

Emotions that were produced by that particular ability, which humans used to experience before civilization was established, were evoked by the thing before their eyes.

[The World’s Public Enemy]

Its presence was overwhelming, to the point that no one would object to its grand name.

Some of them thought of cutting out their eyes, some of them tried to move their bodies that would not listen to escape the venue, some of them could not do anything but lie down crying.

However, even after doing all those, everyone came to the same conclusion.

They could not free themselves.

From ‘that thing’ before their eyes.

“…Huuk— huuk—” 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Lucia let out rough breaths, closing her eyes tightly.

She knew clearly in her head.

What was inside it was ‘Dowd Campbell’, the same man that she knew, the rude and perverted man that somehow she found attractive.

However…

Her body reacted, as if saying that person wasn’t him at all.

Mr…Dowd…!

She opened her eyes as if praying.

She did not know why she was doing that, but it was probably because she felt a strong desire to help him.

And at that moment, what she saw was…

“…”

Something extremely strange.

The Dowd that she saw with one eye, was the Dowd she knew. From his Academy Uniform, his smiling eyes that she always found detestable, and his mouth that always said strange things, everything was familiar to her.

However, that was only half of him.

If she looked at him with her other ‘half’…

What was there was…

-Dark, pitch black.

It put on a human mask in the form of Dowd Campbell.

But its ‘essence’ was…

Death.

The world’s destroyer.

“Ah…”

Lucia’s legs gave out and she collapsed right there.

“Ah, ah… Haa…”

Holding her head while crying, she…

She didn’t even know what it was that she saw. It felt as if a scream was echoing in her ears.

That, that was—!

“-So, this existence…”

But…

At some point…

All of the pressure vanished without a trace.

“…”

“…”

Silence filled the venue, which had turned into a mess at this point. The place was so quiet that everyone could only hear their loud breathing.

Everyone looked as if they could not recognize clearly what they had just seen, and what they had been here with.

At that moment, Dowd Campbell’s quiet voice echoed.

“What would happen if this thing falls upon on ‘whichever side who started the fight first?’”

After pulling that kind of stunt…

He continued to speak nonchalantly.

“Don’t you think this thing is going to be a pretty cool suppressing power?”

The expression he was wearing was definitely the ‘human’ Dowd Campbell’s.

Just like when he first went up the podium, he wore a gentle and peaceful look, one might think that he wore an indifferent look even.

“…”

“…”

However, no one could take it the same way as before.

Because that expression looked as if…

If he wanted to…

He could bring out ‘something like this’ whenever he wanted.

●

Marquis Bogut smirked while looking at Gideon next to him, whose eyes widened after witnessing all that.

Even though he wasn’t there personally and only saw it through a ‘screen’.

There was no way that he, out of all people, did not know.

‘What kind of influence’ the thing Dowd Campbell had just shown could have on the entire world.

And what kind of a butterfly effect it would cause to the empire’s internal situation.

…Too bad I can’t see a big reaction out of him.

Gideon’s whole body stiffened up, and it seemed like he wouldn’t move a muscle anytime soon.

So, Bogut decided to just congratulate that guy in the meantime.

“Congratulations for finally entering the ‘evolution’ stage.”

The man on the screen, who was still full of smiles.

This was something that had been foreseen from the moment he received the Fallen’s Seal from the Gray Devil.

Finally, the ‘achievement’ was revealed in earnest.

“…You’re going to also take up the last seat of the Seven Powers that’s still vacant soon.”

Marquis Bogut muttered while swirling the wine in his glass.

“-Black Devil.”

That was the name that man would be called by in the future.