The Heroines All Want to Kill Me

I walked in the direction where the thugs had taken the girl, and a sense of familiarity mixed with discomfort welled up inside me. "…It's dark magic." The aura of dark magic becomes more violent in proportion to the caster's inner wickedness. Ordinary people might not be able to detect it, but having been constantly by Kania's side, I could distinguish it easily.

"....." I closed my eyes, feeling the pitch - black and wild aura of dark magic, and soon noticed that the traces of magic power extended all the way to the street outside. "…Is it an invisibility - type spell?" Even in a secluded alley, kidnapping a girl in broad daylight and then choosing a bustling street as the route of escape was tantamount to courting death. It seemed that a powerful dark mage had sneak into the kidnappers.

[Side Quest Triggered!]

"…Hm?" Just as I was making these speculations, a system window suddenly popped up in front of me.

[Side Quest: Rescue the Little Girl]

- Quest Content: Rescue the little girl.

[Reward: ???]

[Failure Penalty: Slight reduction in vitality and lifespan]

"…A quest? So, does this event have something to do with the 'Script'?" The quests provided by the "Path of the Pseudo - Evil" system were bound to lead to the dark destiny of this world — that is, the bad endings closely connected to the "Script". In that case, there seemed to be one more reason to save that child. Although I didn't know the exact reason, saving that child also seemed to be able to prevent this world from moving towards a bad ending.

While thinking about these things, I composed myself. Suddenly, I heard a commotion outside. I went out to see what was going on and found that the magic item store was being smashed to pieces.

"Who's causing trouble here? What grudge do they have against me?"

"…Seems to be a tough one. Gotta take this seriously." Isolte drew her family - heirloom sword with a serious expression, while the magic shop owner took out several magical artifacts from his bosom with a kind smile.

"Oh, what an unreasonable girl. Well, then there's no other way. Since you smashed my shop first, don't blame me too much if you get hurt." As soon as the words were out, Isolte's sword edge collided violently with the shop owner's magic. I watched for a while and judged that the battle should be over by the time I came back. So, I took out the black robe I had taken off when entering the alley from my bosom and put it on again.

"…A master like you, why are you running an illegal shop here?"

"There's an unwritten rule in the back alley: don't ask about the past! Even without this rule, I have no intention of confiding in you, someone who suddenly barges in and disrupts other people's lives!" Listening to the shop owner's hearty voice, I couldn't help but smile bitterly. Then, I put on the robe and quietly followed the traces of dark magic.

"…Strange, the cook in my house served potato dishes at noon and again at night. What's going on?"

"Just thinking about it makes me nauseous. So, what happened to that cook?"

"Breaked his wrist and then kicked him out. That guy still left the taste of potatoes in my mouth. I think I was too lenient with him." As I followed the traces, I overheard a conversation among several gentlemen in suits and couldn't help sighing inwardly.

'…Right in the nearby market, children can't even get a potato peel to eat, let alone the potatoes themselves, and they're starving to death.' I wished I could feed all the poor in the market, but as the eldest son of the "Starlight" family, if I did such a thing, I might lose my life due to the system's punishment. But if I helped them incognito, I didn't have enough funds. Financial resources were also indispensable to get through the upcoming plot. I stared at the gentlemen passing by me and secretly made up my mind to start with relieving the poor after everything was over. Then, I quietly moved my feet.

.....

"…Huh? This is the dining street?" For some reason, the aura of dark magic extended all the way to the dining street. I tilted my head and thought for a moment, suspecting that I might have misjudged the traces of magic power. So, I closed my eyes again to feel the magic power. However, the aura of dark magic still strongly permeated the dining street. Finally, I opened my eyes, decided to trust my intuition, and quickened my pace towards the dining street.

After walking for a while, the luxurious restaurants gradually became fewer, replaced by more and more dilapidated eateries, and the aura of dark magic became more ferocious.

"…Hm?" However, when I reached the end of the dining street, that aura suddenly disappeared. This unnatural change made me look up, and what came into view was a dilapidated tavern that one would only expect to see in the countryside.

"Kid, don't come in."

"…Get out of the way." I took a deep breath and was about to enter the tavern when suddenly two fierce - looking thugs pushed the door open and came out, blocking my way.

"I heard the side dishes here are great, so I came especially to have a taste…"

"Can't you understand me, kid? Scram."

"…Should we just start a fight? Anyway, I'm bored to death. You came at the right time." Seeing that I still didn't back down, the thugs cracked their knuckles and approached me threateningly.

"…Can you recommend what's the most delicious?"

""...!"" I took out a gold coin from my bosom and casually tossed it over. The thugs hurriedly caught the gold coin, stared at each other blankly for a moment, and then bowed obsequiously to me.

"Yes, young master… The side dishes in our tavern are really good."

"Then, have a nice day!" Just like that, I left the two bowing men behind and entered the tavern. What came into view was not a noisy banquet but a luxurious space decorated with mirrors and gemstones everywhere.

"…Oh, what a cute young master. How did you come here?"

"....." Soon, a heavily - made - up madam came down with a smile. I roughly guessed the situation and immediately started acting.

"I want to see them with my own eyes before choosing."

"…You're so impatient. Then… Take a look at this catalog…"

"No, not photos. I want to see them in person."

"Huh?"

"Too many places are using retouched pictures to deceive people lately. Where do you keep the children? In the warehouse? The basement?"

"..." Seeing me speak so calmly, the madam frowned slightly and said, "…You're putting me in a difficult position, cute young master."

"…Difficult?"

"Yes… Our shop also has its own difficulties… If we satisfy all the guests' requests…"

"…Is that not okay?"

"...!" However, when I took out the money - bag from my bosom and put it on the table, she first widened her eyes, then tried to remain calm and said, "Seems like young master you're very rich? But even so, the shop's rules…"

"…Is that still not okay?"

"Um, if you keep this up…"

"…Is that still not okay?"

"....." Then, I took out money - bags one after another and put them on the table. The madam showed a make things difficult for expression and fell into thought.

"…Still not okay?"

"Well… This…"

"If not, I'll have to go to another shop."

"…Wait, please wait a moment!" I stared at the woman expressionlessly, pretending to get up from my seat to rearrange the money - bags. Seeing this, she hurriedly shouted.

"Normally it's not allowed… But since young master is so cute, I'll make an exception."

"…I'm all wrapped up in a robe. That's a bit too much flattery."

"Having been in this business for a long time… Even if you're covered up tightly, I can tell by intuition." After she finished speaking, she showed a charming smile, got up from her seat, and made a gesture for me to follow. I maintained a calm expression and stood up to follow her.

Watching her slowly walk towards somewhere, I quietly used the information - detection skill on her. By the way, I had used points to upgrade the Information Search skill a few days ago in preparation for today. So, now the person's inclination would also be displayed in the information window.

[Name: ???]

[Abilities: Strength 7.5 / Magic Power 7.5 / Intelligence 7.5 / Mental Strength 8.5]

[Special Notes: Blessing of Charm / Aroma of Succubus]

[Inclination: Vixen]

"…Huh." After seeing her information, I sighed in speechless amazement and muttered to myself.

'So, this is the reason the side quest was triggered?' I felt an evil aura from her, so I used the information - search skill, and in the special notes were impressively written the Blessing of Charm and the Aroma of Succubus. And if my memory served me right, those two characteristics were the blessings possessed by the Succubus Queen "Amatia", one of the Demon King's henchmen in the last round. Although she was slightly inferior in physical strength and magic power among the other cadres, in mental - type magic, especially "Temptation", no one could match her. Because of this, in the last round, many heroes died tragic deaths after being bewitched by her.

「…This is really an unexpected gain.」However, since I had found her here at this moment, such a tragedy would not happen again in this round.

「…Come, this way.」Just as I was thinking this, the Succubus Queen had somehow opened a trapdoor on the floor and was looking at me with a smile.

「…I'm already looking forward to it.」I confided my feelings to the Succubus Queen and then followed her as we started walking underground.

.....

"Come… Then, feel free to look around, cute young master."

"This is…" The underground space we reached following her was quite a miserable sight. Many women with dull or empty eyes were locked in cages, huddled on the ground.

"Girls… There's a guest. You should smile, right?"

""....!!!"" When the madam spoke to them in a cold voice, the women trembled and then forced out reluctant smiles.

"Ha, ha ha... Ha ha ha..."

"W - Welcome... Visit... Guest..."

"Welcome... You..." As they forced smiles, their eyes were filled with fear.

"…Oh, is it a bit too much for a cute young master?"

"....." I stared blankly at them. The Succubus Queen glanced at me and asked.

"…This is truly outrageous."

"You... No, you... Really understand me, don't you?"

"Just kidding." I looked at the Succubus Queen, who was winking and licking her lips, from a distance and said helplessly.

"However, come to think of it… They're a bit too old."

"Hm? They're all young girls in their early twenties."

"…I want someone younger than me."

"...." Hearing my words, the Succubus Queen's expression froze.

"…Young master, I'm sorry, but that's not for sale."

"Which means there is such a person, right?"

"…Don't be like this, young master. If you keep this up… I'll call someone." The Succubus Queen began to exude a murderous aura. I sighed and started rummaging in my bosom.

"Um, I know you're rich… But non - sale items can't be sold…"

"…Ten money - bags of gold coins."

"....!" The Succubus Queen, who had been speaking to me coldly, froze instantly when I threw ten money - bags of gold coins in front of her one by one.

「A Succubus Queen who would betray the Demon King for money. This should work, right?」She was full of greedy desires. In the last reincarnation, she was lured by my fiancée's schemes and the empress's gold and silver treasures and leaked the Demon King's whereabouts. Of course, the result of that battle was that the Demon King won easily, and the Succubus Queen was executed for it. Anyway, the important thing was that she was extremely obsessed with money.

"Ha, one person... Should be okay, right?... Anyway, I can just catch another one..." The fidgeting and hesitant Succubus Queen carefully put away the money - bags and then said, "…Please wait here for a while. I'll pick the best one myself."

"…I want to see it with my own eyes."

"That really won't do. I'll bring the best one… You don't have to worry, okay?" After the Succubus Queen finished speaking, she knocked on the wall next to her three times.

- Rumble...! Immediately, the wall cracked open, revealing a secret passage.

"…By the way, may I ask which family's young master you are? If you become a regular customer of our shop, all your family members can enjoy a discount…"

"…There are children in there, right?"

"Yes, but young master, you're here... Cough cough...!" Then, as I looked at the open passage, I asked the Succubus Queen, who was starting to promote her services to me. Taking advantage of her distracted moment, I kicked her hard in the abdomen with all my strength.

"…Kid, wait a minute." I glanced at the Succubus Queen, who had floated in the air, hit the wall, and fainted, and then started walking towards the secret passage.

.....

"Help, help me!!"

"Save me!!"

"Waaah... Mom..."

"...." After passing through the passage, I saw the children locked in a huge cage, and in front of the cage was a red magic circle drawn. Seeing that magic circle, anger burned in my heart.

That was a ritual magic circle used to awaken the Demon King's abilities. And the materials used to draw that magic circle were the blood of children, and the condition for activating the magic circle was to sacrifice the lives of 100 healthy children.

'…So, that's what "feed them well and they'll become top - notch goods" meant.' Just as I was muttering to myself, there was a commotion behind me.

"…Ha, see that?"

"..."

"Anyway, our young master is really full of energy. Although you're human - shaped, you actually made me lose consciousness for a while." The Succubus Queen, who had somehow transformed into a demonic form, was blocking the passage with a group of people wearing black masks. Judging from that familiar and ferocious aura, they were all dark mages... And high - level dark mages at that.

"…Don't kill him. Capture him alive. I want to use him as a toy."

"…Yes." With the Succubus Queen's order, the dark mages stretched out their hands and started chanting spells.

"…Huff." I looked at them, took a deep breath, then drew my beloved sword from my bosom and swung it violently.

- Swish!! A flash. With this sword swing, the dark mages who were chanting spells fell powerlessly to the ground one after another.

"…W - What's going on!?" The Succubus Queen looked blank - faced at this incomprehensible situation, while I stared at her and started approaching step by step.

"You, you...! Who on earth are you!?"

"...."

"W - Wait, wait! Wait a minute!! Don't come any closer!!!" When I approached her, the Succubus Queen started backing away in panic.

".... Ugh!" When I groaned in pain, knelt down, and started spitting blood, she tilted her head to look at me for a while, then smiled and walked towards me.

"Oh, I thought you were a cute little toy… Turns out you're quite interesting?"

"…Cough, cough! Cough, cough!"

"However… Using a skill that overdraws your body like this will ruin yourself, you know."

"…Ugh." I continued to spit blood and finally collapsed completely to the ground. The Succubus Queen squatted beside me and whispered softly in my ear.

"Sure enough, you really fascinate me."

"....."

"Haah… It's been a long time since I encountered such a pure energy aura."

"Ugh…"

"…How wonderful it would be to dye this pure color with my color." After saying that, she blew gently into my ear.

"Remember this fragrance. This is the smell of your master."

"....""The aroma of a succubus… Not just anyone can smell it. Only my toys have this privilege."

"…Yes."

"Good, so obedient. Then… How about taking off that annoying robe?" I started taking off the robe as she instructed, and her eyes, which had been full of anticipation, became flustered again when she saw my face.

"…W - What is this? What's with that uncomfortable mask?"

"Just bought it."

"What? What on earth…" Before she could finish asking, I had already stabbed my dagger into her abdomen.

— Splat!

"Want to report to the Demon King…"

".....!" She was trying to use teleportation magic to send my image to the Demon King, so I quickly bought and put on the "Mask of Deception" in the store. This mask could completely hide my identity just by wearing it for one minute. Thanks to this mask, now the Demon King was fuming with anger at me under the white mask that blocked his ability to awaken and was beyond his insight.

"W - Why..."

"…Hm?" Just as I was about to end it all, the Succubus Queen grabbed the sword stabbed in her abdomen and started speaking with a dying voice.

"Why... The succubus's charm... Has no effect on you...?"

"Very simple. Because my mental strength is stronger than yours."

"N - No, impossible... How could it be... A mere human

"…Is this your last words?"

"W - Wait, wait a minute!!" Just as I was about to pull the sword out of her abdomen, the Succubus Queen let out a scream with her last ounce of strength.

"I'll give you information about the Demon King!!"

"…What?"

"Yes, I don't know how you know this, but anyway, you're after the Demon King, right? I'll help you! Don't underestimate me. I'm one of the Demon King's trusted subordinates!"

"....." As I stared at her in silence, she seemed to see a glimmer of hope and shouted even more desperately.

"Not only that!! I'll also give you gold and treasures!! Not just the money in this shop, but all my possessions!!"

"....""A - And... If you want, I can even sleep with you!! I'm the Succubus Queen! Satisfying men is what I'm really good at..."

"…It's almost been a minute."

"…Huh?" After saying this, I suddenly pulled the sword out of her abdomen.

"...Puhah!" Blood spurted from her mouth, and she fell to her knees. I glanced at her, then turned around and said softly to the children behind me, "Children, cover your eyes."

The children in the cell stared at me blankly, and then covered their eyes with their hands. What obedient and good children they were.

"Why... Why... For you... This was clearly the best offer..." On the other side, she, who was kneeling on the ground and bleeding profusely, asked me in a weak voice.

"…It's very simple." I pointed at the children who were still trembling with fear and answered her question.

"…You shouldn't have touched these children."

"…Ah." In an instant, her head flew into the air.

"I didn't harm the children in the last round either." I gave her a cold glance as she rolled on the ground, then turned around and looked at the children in silence.

""...."" By then, the children still had their hands over their eyes and their heads lowered. I looked at them with a relieved expression and soon found my ultimate target here — that little girl.

"…She's fainted." I hacked open the locked iron bars with my sword, rescued all the children, then carefully picked up the little girl who had been knocked unconscious earlier and walked out with the children.

.....

"Th - Thank you so much!!"

I emerged from the secret passage, released all the imprisoned women, retrieved the gold coins I had given to the Succubus Queen, and distributed them among everyone. I had originally planned to give each person only one gold coin, but when I saw the faces of those poor people who had been kidnapped for the Demon King's fund - raising and ability awakening, I just couldn't bear to do that. So, the women and children bowed to me and asked for my name. However, if I revealed my identity, I would surely die. So, I wrapped myself tightly in my black robe, covered my face with the mask, and remained silent. They sighed regretfully, kept bowing to me, and then formed a group and fled from this place that had been like hell to them.

"...Mhm." I watched with a gratified expression as those people walked further and further away. Just then, the little girl in my arms let out a groan and opened her eyes. I smiled and said, "Are you awake?"

"...W - Where is this?" The little girl looked around blankly, then stared at me quietly for a moment and started sobbing.

"Br - Brother... Did you save me...?"

"....""Ah, I still haven't paid back the gold coins..."

"…I told you there's no need to pay them back."

"B - But..."

"…Then I'm leaving now." I placed the hesitant little girl at the entrance of the tavern. Thinking that I had to hurry back to Isolte who was waiting for me, I was about to leave...

"...Brother."

"Hm?" The girl grabbed my robe, stopping me in my tracks. She looked at me with an innocent face and asked, "Brother, what's your real identity?"

"Me?" Hearing this question, I fell into a brief moment of contemplation. Because, although this child asked this out of simple curiosity about who I was... For me, this question held great significance.

My identity... Or rather, my self - recognition had never changed since the day I learned my destiny from my father. Even when I committed my first evil act against my fiancée, even when the heroines began to despise me, even when they died one after another, and even when I finally perished together with the Demon King, my identity had always been the same.

To maintain this identity, whenever I committed an evil act, I would assume a completely different persona. I used the lines and tone of voice that only a cowardly, despicable, and childish third - rate villain would use, deliberately distinguishing the identity I defined for myself from the "Pseudo - Evil" me. If I didn't do this, I was afraid that what I was doing would no longer be pseudo - evil, but true evil. I was even more afraid that I would lose myself and completely degenerate into a real villain.

And this almost desperate effort didn't seem to be in vain. At least until now, I had still maintained my identity.

"…Information window." I looked at my reflection in the mirror at the entrance of the tavern. Although I could mutter it in my heart, I deliberately used the information - detection skill out loud.

[Name: Frey Laan Starlight]

[Abilities: Strength ???/Magic Power ??? /Intelligence ??? /Mental Strength 9]

[Special Status: Blessing of the Stars/in a critical condition/Vitality Depletion]

I stared quietly at the information window that appeared in front of me, then softly answered the little girl who was looking at me with innocent eyes, "…A hero."

"…Huh?" After hearing this, she tilted her head with a confused expression. I stared at the last line of the information window and answered again in a clear voice.

[Inclination: Hero]

"…I'm just a passing hero."