Fated to Be Loved by Villains

“…Caliban.”

[What?]

“Is this what they called ‘a waste of talent’?”

[…Probably?]

Caliban replied with an exasperated tone, while Dowd could only stare at the surrounding carnage with a dazed look.

Devil’s powers might vary between individuals, but they were generally well-suited for combat.

Hence why seeing people with such power unleash their full capabilities for what amounted to a petty catfight was so surreal that it was almost mindblowing.

-!

The Purple Demonic Aura was primarily used for supportive purposes and not very effective on its own, but when two exceptionally skilled assassins used it to amplify their own power, it created a whole goddamn disaster.

Two beastkins moved at blinding speeds, creating a dazzling dance of blades. It was mesmerizing to watch. Almost majestic, even.

The problem was…

Everyone gathered here could shrug off that level of attack like it was child’s play.

Red Demonic Aura engulfed the area, followed by Brown, Blue, and White, painting the surroundings in a kaleidoscope of colors.

Just the shockwaves from the clashing Demonic Aura were enough to level their surroundings, enough to make one’s skin crawl.

Sword strikes, flames, magic, spells, Divine Power… All sorts of power decorated the area in a dizzying display.

“…”

Wait a fucking minute.

Divine power?

“…Saintess?”

Dowd muttered in disbelief.

Seeing someone he never expected to be involved in this shit show, he couldn’t help but—

No, seriously.

What the hell is she doing there?

Dowd frowned, shifting his attention to Lucia.

She seems to be saying some—

“Let us have a taste too—!”

“…”

“Why do you all get to do all the fun stuff while Yuria and I—!”

“…”

“I’ve never even held a man’s hand before, I’m miserable enough! Even here, the best thing I got is being dragged around on a leash—-!”

“…”

—Actually, nevermind.

Dowd grimaced, shifted his attention as he ran a hand through his hair.

A saintess, by definition, was supposed to be a role model for all religious people on the continent.

Is such a display from such a person really okay?

Is it really okay for the Saintess to desperately flung Divine Power around just because she wants to experience something more than being dragged around on a leash…?

“Hold on! no cutting in line!”

And then, a voice cut in vehemently.

It was Her Imperial Majesty. While her dignity was somewhat compromised by her dangling from the side of the Sword Saint (who was busy fending off attacks with a ‘Why the fuck am I doing this?’ expression), her anger towards the saintess seemed quite genuine.

“You’re from the Holy Kingdom! Have some decency and let the Imperial Citizens have a go at him first! What right do you have when you’re from a place that only brought him harm—”

“Shut up, you walking fountain!”

“…”

Everyone fell silent as the empress was instantly shot down.

Hitting the empress’ deep-seated trauma might be a cruel move, but it certainly was an effective way to subdue her…

“—So what?! A person can become a fountain sometimes—!”

…Or maybe not.

The faces of everyone present were painted with shock as the empress immediately bounced back.

She endured that?!

How?!

“…”

Much to the Sword Saint’s dismay—he was still carrying her with a face that seemed beyond exasperated, seemingly close to reaching the state of zen—the empress’ undignified demeanor continued.

“It’s not like I’m the only one with embarrassing memories. If we start airing out everyone’s dirty laundry, you’ve all done far crazier shit than me—!”

“…Crazier shit?”

Dowd echoed blankly.

“Did you guys do something to me behind my back?”

At that question, everyone’s eyes dimmed slightly.

Most seemed to have something to hide and kept quiet, but with this many people, there was bound to be someone brazen enough not to care.

“Oh, I know one! Though it’s kind of minor!”

Seras puffed out her chest proudly as she pointed at Riru.

Everyone’s eyes turned silently to Riru as the accusation cut through the chaos.

“That bitch stole Mr. Dowd’s underwear!”

“…”

“Not just one or two, I saw her running off with a whole week’s worth—”

“S-S-S-SHUT UP—!!”

“…”

Wait.

Seriously?

“…Come to think of it, it did feel like someone was messing with my closet.”

Back then, he just brushed it off, thinking that he had just forgotten where he put his things.

Never did he expect that she was doing something like that without him noticing.

Seeing Dowd sending a look of disbelief her way, Riru’s face exploded in a deep blush.

Since someone who was usually so brash flustered uncharacteristically, it was clear that she was caught red-handed.

“…Wait a minute.”

At that moment, with a voice that was filled with realization, Dowd muttered quietly.

“If that’s considered a ‘minor’ crazy act, what the hell have the rest of you been doing behind my back?”

“…”

“…”

“…”

Everyone fell silent.

That was perhaps the only moment when the destructive battle momentarily ceased.

After that long pause…

“—That means I have the right to be penetrated by Mr. Dowd—”

“—Stop saying crazy shit—!”

At some point, as if they had come to an unspoken agreement, the women started fighting again.

It seemed they collectively decided to forget Dowd’s question even existed.

Or rather, they tried to fight even harder to cover it up.

“…”

Am I going to be okay in the future…?

I’m literally surrounded by women who consider stealing someone’s underwear en masse as a minor offense… They’re even fighting to the death for the ‘right to share bed with me’ or whatever…

Just…what kind of future awaits me if things were to continue…?

As the situation heated up even more, Dowd pondered with an expression that said all worldly affairs were meaningless.

But then, he felt a ‘different’ presence behind his back.

“—Hmm?”

He felt something covering his shoulder…

And in the next moment, his body was suddenly yoinked away.

Amidst the chaotic heat of battle, two presences stood out particularly.

Iliya, who was wielding the Holy Sword, and Eleanor, who was engulfed in Gray Demonic Aura.

“Mr. Dowd—!”

Iliya shouted with determination before taking a stance and pointing her sword.

“Actually prefers outgoing and easygoing types like me over a troublesome woman like you—!”

“If we’re talking about a troublesome woman, aren’t you worse than me?”

“W-Who the hell likes a clingy woman like you anyway? You’re a pain in the ass—!”

“You’re acting like you’re not clingy yourself. You shameless woman.”

…While the subject they’re fighting over seems utterly trivial for people with such power, the scale of the battle was undeniably grand.

—But.

And even in such a seemingly trivial fight.

Something felt off.

Eleanor frowned as she looked at Iliya.

…Is she always this strong?

Eleanor had become incredibly skilled with her utilization of Demonic Aura. It boosted her specs and combat abilities to ridiculous levels.

But…

Her opponent was keeping up with her.

In speed, power, and even conceptual areas like ‘Authority’.

“…”

Something must have changed.

There hadn’t been any special events that would explain her growth—it was as if she naturally just got stronger.

As if she was receiving forced ‘adjustments’ because ‘it was time’, as if she was about to be assigned an important role or something.

Eleanor pondered about this deeply, but then a confused voice suddenly came from the other side.

“…By the way.”

Iliya, who had been crossing swords with Eleanor, suddenly muttered.

“Where did Teach go?”

“…Huh?”

Eleanor blankly stared towards the space where Dowd was.

Or rather, where he ‘had been’.

“…”

“…”

Seeing no trace of him whatsoever, Eleanor let out a bewildered voice.

“Huh?”

●

In a dimly lit space.

Since ‘Desperation’ didn’t go off, whoever did this to me probably didn’t mean me any harm. Well, that was mostly the reason why I came along quietly.

“…Who are you?”

I couldn’t make out their face clearly in the darkness—just barely recognized their eyes, nose, and mouth, but…

Their silhouette felt strangely familiar.

I guess I got kidnapped by someone I knew again.

As I sighed inwardly at the thought…

“Hello there.”

—In that exact moment.

A chill ran down my spine.

It was a familiar voice.

But it was one I never imagined to hear in a place like this.

“I guess this is the first time you’re seeing me without my mask, huh?”

The Prophet said that before she winked at /genesisforsaken