Fated to Be Loved by Villains

[Amazing job back there.]

A voice came out of the Soul Linker as soon as I left the venue.

Just like what he said, everyone around focused their attention on me to the point that it was overwhelming.

However, none of them had the courage to talk to me directly.

Probably because they hadn’t completely ‘understood’ what they had just seen yet.

“…Huu.”

I walked slowly while exhaling through my nose.

Meanwhile, everyone backed off hesitantly, matching my steps.

Implying that, not only did they indeed not understand what they had just seen yet, but also didn’t want to get involved with me.

And that was probably for the better. At least for now.

Because if they didn’t, they’d definitely take up too much of my time when I was pressed for time to meet a certain someone now.

[They’re probably postponing the whole event because of this.]

“Of course. It wasn’t something ordinary people could bear to see, after all.”

I replied with a bitter smile.

From the moment I received the Fallen’s Seal from the Gray Devil, I already guessed that it would have this ‘function’.

[…How did you even guess that?]

“Because her possessiveness is on a different level compared to the rest of them.”

Thinking back, the Gray Devil was the punk who immediately crushed the White Devil—even though they were of the ‘same kind’, just because the latter touched me.

So, there was no way that she’d let the obvious biggest obstacle in her ideal life—being lovey-dovey with me forever—be.

[Biggest obstacle?]

“My lifespan.”

The nature of our relationship was one between a Devil, a half-divine, and me, a mere mortal. Anyone could see that there was an enormous obstacle between us from that fact alone.

Of course, that obstacle might as well not exist if she were to give me ‘immortality’ by putting a certain seal on my chest.

[…Ah.]

Caliban exclaimed, as if he had realized something. Hearing that, I burst out laughing.

This was the reason why the Gray Devil always said that we’d be together forever until the end of the world everytime we met in the past.

[Then, you…]

Caliban continued with a hollow laugh.

[…Received that seal knowing from the very beginning you’d turn into that…?]

“…Well, I didn’t expect her to actually turn me into something similar to a Devil, though…”

I just guessed that this thing would be related to my lifespan somehow, but I never expected that it would be this terrifying.

Though, I kinda noticed this already back when I was cut in half by Yuria.

[If you only need three Auras to get this level of an effect…]

Caliban trailed off.

It wasn’t hard to understand what he was trying to say, though.

If I were to charge the remaining Demonic Auras from the Devils…

How far would it get?

“…Nevertheless, we have to see it through to the end.”

I gave him a firm answer.

After all, this was just the beginning.

As I had said to the Fist Saint before, my goal was to turn the world into a place where the Devil’s Vessels ‘were not hated’.

[…Isn’t what you’re doing exactly the opposite of that goal?]

“For now, yes.”

Because this is like a failed version of what you could do with a Devil’s power.

[Are you implying that there’s a successful version of it…?]

“Of course.”

I replied with a grin.

“Why do you think I did all this willingly?”

Without a proper buildup, everything would have less impact.

Just by showing these people a glimpse of how terrifying the Devil’s power could be, they’d remember the horror they had been forgetting all this time.

After that, what I’d need to do was just…

‘Turning over’ that accumulated emotion in one fell swoop.

I only needed a properly constructed ‘stage’ for that.

[Not like I had ever understood what you were thinking, but this time I really don’t get it. What the hell are you up to now?]

“Well, I’m just trying to create a future where I could do polygamy in peace.”

[…Ah, right, I forgot you’re this kind of fucker.]

Hearing his sigh, I snickered. Not long after that, I asked him a question that I had been wondering about.

“…By the way, you’re calmer than I expected.”

[Hm?]

“Honestly, I thought you’d make a fuss out of this the most out of everyone I know. I mean, I’m turning myself into a Devil and all…”

I was being honest.

It was true that I was worried to some extent.

Like, what if he were to undergo some change in his mental state after seeing me actually turning into a Devil?

I mean, he was the one guy who’d always stay together with me no matter what.

If he were to undergo such a change for real…

“…”

Honestly, it would’ve been a little…

Heartbreaking.

As I was having such thoughts, Caliban answered in a flat tone.

[If it was me in the past, probably. Now, I just think it’s fun to see how far you’ll go.]

“…”

[Rather, I’m curious to see how much stronger you motherfucking scum will get from now on.] 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

I thought you’re a knight of justice or something?

What the fuck with that sudden change in character?

[So what?]

Caliban replied while snickering.

[I’m basically your closest ‘companion’. Except for me, who else would watch you until the end?]

“…”

I stopped my steps.

My eyes unknowingly widened before fixing my gaze on the Soul Linker.

[Do your best, you idiot. Whether you’d succeed, fail, or fall into hell, I’m the only one who can watch over you as you pull off all of your absurd stunts.]

“…”

[I’ve been bound with you as a ghost for too long, I can’t help but get attached to you. And yet you thought that I’d hate you just because you got a longer lifespan?]

“…Caliban.”

[Why do you sound so emotional? What, you are moved by my words?]

“…”

[Then fuck Iliya already. Get engaged with her while you’re at it. Oh, right, when you fuck her, do it somewhere I can’t—]

“…Oh, shut the fuck up.”

I let out a chuckle at the snickering Caliban before starting to walk again.

[Anyway, why are you in a hurry? Where are you going?]

“Let’s just say, to receive a performance evaluation after all that work.”

The people who was affected the most in that amazing Devil show I pulled up, which was basically my declaration of, ‘Unless you’re confident to have a battle to death with me, don’t even think of starting a civil war’, was the Upper Nobles Association, who were definitely just waiting for the moment to start the civil war now.

And the perfect person to measure its ‘effect’ was here.

In fact, I could see him from where I was now.

“Ah, there you are, Dowd Campbell! I’ve been waiting for you!”

From a distance…

Marquis Bogut, who always wore a smile on his face, just like a clown, was waving his hand at me with all his might.

●

“The civil war will happen.”

“…”

“Your demonstration is impressive, of course, but even if I were to do my best to stop them, it still won’t work. The nobles under me are already in an unusual state, they’ve lost their mind over their privileges. They’re going to charge towards you, uncaring whether they’d end up dying or fainting.”

If there was one thing I wanted to say to Marquis Bogut…

It was that this person needed to learn how to do some proper buildup when he talked.

I received the glass of wine he offered with a deep sigh.

“…Why the hell would they go so far, even when I’ve done something like that just now?”

“Because they didn’t see it with their own eyes.”

“…”

“They’d just think of it as a groundless rumor, even if they heard enough testimonies about it.”

That was such a simple reason…

But, it was convincing enough.

I mean, if I were to hear that ‘The Holy Land was shaking, the Empire’s key figures fainted, and the Tribal Alliance’s valiant forces peed themselves because of Dowd Campbell’s presentation,’ even I would say something along the lines of, ‘The fuck you’re on about?’.

No matter how close to the truth it was.

“Still, what you’ve shown here won’t become a lie just because they think of it as a false rumor.”

Marquis Bogut grinned while raising his glass.

The richly-colored wine, as deep as blood, swung roughly as the tips of our glasses hit each other.

The liquid swirled like a whirlpool.

“What I’m trying to say is that, the stage will be laid for you. You will have the ‘opportunity’ to dig deep into their hearts through what you showed here.”

He continued while smiling.

“They’ll ‘resurrect’ Nicholas soon, and once they hear what he has to say, they’ll hound at you from all directions to kill you.”

“…I guess so.”

“But that’s exactly where the important phase of your plan is, no? The perfect stage for you to show how overwhelming the ‘Devil’s power’ is.”

“…”

“Those people are nice, don’t you think? They willingly provide you the opportunity to ‘prove’ what you had just said. All you need to do is just to pulverize them then.”

While listening to him quietly, I stared at Marquis Bogut.

“…You.”

“Yeah?”

“Are you really my enemy?”

“Of course I am.”

“But why are you telling me everything?”

“Because it won’t be fun if you lose too easily!”

He replied, still smiling, but I only stared at him silently.

“If you go to the booth of my Club, there’s someone called Professor Astrid.”

For a moment there…

Although it was a very short moment…

Marquis Bogut’s smile became slightly stiff.

Of course I didn’t miss that, but I just stared at him.

“I believe that you two have met before. Why don’t you go over there and say hi?”

“We’re not in a relationship where it would be a good idea for us to see each other!”

“…Is that so?”

In an instant, his expression returned to normal.

I replied calmly as I watched him.

…One thing that I noticed though…

Was that they really didn’t have the relationship where it would be a good idea for them to see each other.

I suspected that this man used to be in a very ‘deep’ relationship with that Professor Astrid person in the past, whatever the relationship was.

“…Ah, right.”

Marquis Bogut, who was silent for a moment, suddenly brought up another topic.

I knew why he was trying to do this, but what he said wasn’t something I could ignore.

“Duke Tristan wants to see you. Shouldn’t you meet him as soon as you can?”

“…Duke Gideon is looking for me?”

“Yes. He said that he’s ready to attain his long-cherished desire or whatever. I think he said that he can finally cut what he wanted to cut or something like that.”

…Ah…

This matter was related to the ‘curse that had been passed down in Tristan Duchal Household.

It was the content of Eleanor’s ‘Special Quest’ that was unlocked a long time ago. This meant that I had finally achieved the cut-line I drew in order to achieve that.

Good.

The timing was perfect. Because the way to completely erase the Branching Route of Eleanor’s ‘going berserk’ was supposed to happen in the Main Chapter, the Empire’s Great Turmoil.

If Gideon had reached such a level, it meant that he would be a big help in the Event’s progression.

“…Thanks for the advice. Is that all about the duke?”

“Ah, there was one more.”

“…Is that so?”

Then what is it?

Seriously, don’t make me ask twice just quickly—

“He said that he will finally consider the official procedure of your marriage with Lady Tristan once he attains his long-cherished desire.”

“…Pardon me?”

“It was hilarious to see him beating around the bush, all flustered while saying that though. Hard to think that he was a guy who abandoned his daughter like that. Anyway, that was what he said.”

“…”

“He said that it was the best expression of gratitude he could give you.”

…I shouldn’t have asked.