The Heroines All Want to Kill Me

"…A hero?" When I claimed to be a hero, the little girl opened her round eyes wide and asked in return.

"Yeah, just remember it like that."

"…Okay!" She was so adorable that I couldn't help but smile with a fatherly affection and gently ruffled her hair. At the same time, the information retrieval system I activated displayed her profile in front of me. After seeing the information, I couldn't help but frown.

[Name: Greina]

[Abilities: Strength 1 / Magic Power ??? / Intelligence 5 / Mental Strength 6]

[Special Notes: Mysterious Potential]

[Inclination: Innocence]

'…Is it trendy to have question marks in the status bar recently?' The reappearing question marks confused me for a moment. It was not until I saw her special notes that I understood the reason for their appearance.

'…This little girl is really a diamond in the rough.' According to the records left by my ancestors in the prophetic book, the "Mysterious Potential" trait is a rare trait that appears in only a few children. If they encounter a certain opportunity, this trait will bloom and evolve into a powerful ability. Of course, without the system, it's impossible to determine whether one has that trait, so most children with this trait never get the chance to develop their abilities. However, this little girl in front of me seemed to be lucky.

'With her magic power shown as a question mark… She probably has a great talent for magic?' Before parting ways with the little girl, I wanted to give her one last gift. So, I opened the item store interface, but soon patted my head and sighed.

- Potential Potion LV1 700pt

Description) This mysterious potion can stimulate the latent abilities of the drinker. (Purchase Limit 0/1)

'…Right, this thing can only be bought once, right?' To save Kania, whose curse was deteriorating rapidly, her younger brother must drink the "Potential Potion" to quickly awaken his healing ability. So... Although it was a pity, it seemed that I couldn't give this bottle of potential potion to this cute little girl.

"...Little girl."

"Hm?"

"From now on, listen carefully to what big brother says."

"...Okay!" Although I was a bit regretful, I still hinted at her about the fact of "mysterious potential", trying to increase the possibility of her ability awakening...

[Congratulations! has been successfully completed!]

[As a reward, you can choose one of the following three items!]

As the system window appeared in front of me again, the reward list unfolded. I was silent for a moment and then started staring intently at the list.

500 Evil Points

150 Gold Coins

Ring of Luck

.....

"...Ring of Luck?" Among the third rewards was an item with a rather eye - catching name. I couldn't help but reach out my hand, and the item's description immediately emerged in front of me.

- Ring of Luck

Description) Perhaps it can bring good luck to the wearer...?

I stared at this reward item, and its effect description was in a questioning tone, which made me fall into deep thought.

'…Well, this ring is at least worth 500 evil points and 150 gold coins, right?' Although I was in urgent need of evil points, I had done quite a few evil deeds recently and had a decent amount on hand. Also, I still had enough gold coins. To ensure I could get the "item" today, I brought all my wealth... Besides, 150 gold coins wasn't a big sum for me. Then there was this suspicious ring left... Should I give it to that child as a gift? Although I couldn't give the "Potential Potion" as a gift... But even if it was a bit suspicious, giving her the "Clearance Reward" Ring of Luck might really bring her good luck as described. And if this luck could become the opportunity to awaken the "Mysterious Potential"… That would be perfect.

"…Um, Lord Hero?"

"Hm?"

"Why are you so hesitant about what you want to say?"

"Ah, sorry. I kept you waiting."

"Ah, it's okay! I wasn't bored at all!"

"I didn't ask if you were bored, though?"

"…Ah." Caught off - guard by my words, the little girl opened her mouth and quietly shifted her gaze aside. Looking at her cute appearance, I couldn't help but smile. Then, I selected the third reward — the Ring of Luck as the clearance reward and handed it to the little girl.

"...Here, a gift."

"Ag - Again!? No, no more...! I'll never be able to pay it back like this...!"

"So I said, you don't have to pay it back, okay?"

"But, but mom said that debts must be repaid..." Hearing her dejected words, I was about to ask where her mother was, but then I remembered why those homeless children were abandoned here. Apparently, this little girl was either abandoned because her mother couldn't support her anymore or had to leave after her mother passed away and ended up begging on the streets. So, it was better not to touch those wounds.

"Well then, when I become famous in the future, you can come to me to pay back the debt."

"...What will happen when you become famous?"

"Yeah, soon the whole empire will sing the name of the hero. If you really want to repay me, do it then."

"Okay, okay!! I definitely will!! No matter what happens, I'll find you to repay you!!"

"No, if you don't have the ability to repay, don't force it..."

"...Okay."

"Then, you can accept the gift now, right? Come on, hold out your hand." Hearing me ask her to hold out her hand, the little girl hesitated for a moment and then carefully extended her hand. I stared at her thin hand, emaciated from hunger, and carefully put the ring on her slender finger, afraid of hurting her, and then began to speak.

"...This is the Ring of Luck."

"...Ring of Luck?"

"Yeah, if you always wear it... Good luck will soon come to you."

"Re - Really?" She opened her eyes wide and asked after hearing my words, and I replied with full confidence.

"Of course, since it's me, the hero, who said it, it must be right. So, you should always wear it from now on." After listening to my confident words, the girl lowered her head and stared at the ring on her finger, then tilted her head and asked.

"Um... Don't you, Lord Hero, need this kind of thing more?"

"Hm?"

"Don't you, Lord Hero... Have to fight bad people... Isn't luck more important for you?" After hearing this, I replied with an open - minded expression.

"Because I'm a bad guy, so it's okay."

"...Ah?"

"Ah, no... I have a lot of these things. You know I'm rich, right? So don't worry." Hearing this, the little girl nodded gently. I gently stroked her head one last time and then walked towards the tavern exit, leaving my last piece of advice.

"Also, you have a great talent for magic."

"…Me?"

"Yeah, a very outstanding talent. So, after you cure your younger brother and find a place to live, you have to study magic hard."

"…Can I really do it well?" The little girl had already walked completely outside the door and anxiously asked me the last question behind me. I also gave her my last answer.

"Yeah, I promise you in the name of the hero. You can definitely do it."

"...!""Well, take care." After saying these words, I left the brief encounter in the back alley behind and quickened my pace to return to my original plan.

...The homeless girl Greina stared blankly at Frey's receding back until he completely disappeared from sight, then murmured in a low voice.

"...So, I have a talent for magic." As she spoke, she gently stroked the ring on her finger — a gift from her savior, Lord Hero.

"I'll work hard, Lord Hero." The girl carefully took off the ring, afraid that it would get damaged in any way.

"I will definitely work hard..." Then, she put the ring back on the ring finger of her left hand.

"...When I become famous, I will definitely come to pay back the debt." She smiled slightly and ended her words.

"...I don't mind paying the interest instead, right?" A faint light faintly radiated from her. This was a brand - new turning point that neither the former hero, Frey, nor the system had ever anticipated, and it was the moment when it was leaving an imprint on the world line.

.....

"Frey!! Where on earth have you been!!"

"...Just went for a breath of air."

"Nonsense!!" I was now being scolded by Isolte. Because I had left her alone for too long. In fact, I had attacked the illegal human - trafficking gang, eliminated the Demon King's henchman there — the Succubus Queen, and rescued all the kidnapped women and children in order to complete the world - saving mission given by the system. But if I told Isolte all these things, my health points would probably be reduced.

"You really are...!"

"What, were you worried about me?"

"...Shut up. I'm not in the mood to joke with you now."

"Hehe... This is youth, isn't it?" I quietly looked at the duplicitous Isolte and then turned my gaze to the dying voice coming from behind.

"Just in time... Just in time..." The shop owner, who was lying on the ground, said in a dying voice. After seeing me, he showed a sly expression and began to speak.

"So, who is this young lady?"

"…A professor at the academy."

"Oh, a forbidden love. But the more so, the more... Ugh!" Even on the verge of death, the shop owner kept chattering. Eventually, he was hit on the head by Isolte's scabbard and slumped to the ground.

"…You didn't kill him, did you?"

"…Just knocked him unconscious for a while."

"Isn't that excessive suppression?"

"…This is a legitimate measure." Just as Isolte replied coldly, the magic item store, which could barely be called a building, collapsed with a loud crash. I glanced at the shop owner, who had suddenly become a vagrant, and felt a bit of pity. Then I realized that Isolte's cold gaze was still fixed on me.

"…Tell me where you've been, Frey."

"Well, if I say I just went for a breath of air, would you believe me?"

"If you don't tell me, I'll tell your father about the brooch."

"...That's mean." I muttered with a frown, and Isolte said with a straight face.

"You'd better tell the truth. I can tell whether you're telling the truth or lying even with my eyes closed."

"...Okay, okay." I showed a helpless expression and began to tell her the pre - prepared story.

"Actually, I went to the Intelligence Guild..."

"Intelligence Guild?"

"Yeah, a place where information is bought and sold. Although some of it is legal, indeed the Intelligence Guild in the back alley has the largest amount of information."

"...So, what information did you get?"

"Uh... There will be the largest - scale annual auction in the back alley today... I got the news that there might be a terrorist attack there."

"...What?" Hearing the words "terrorist attack", she widened her eyes. I secretly laughed in my heart and began to exaggerate the description.

"Come on, you know I'm quite rich, right? So I asked them to give me the highest - level information they had. You know, each piece of this kind of information can be a weapon."

"And then?"

"Well, as a result, the highest - level information turned out to be this? The auction is about to start... Now the money is wasted." After hearing my words, Isolte showed an incredulous expression and said, "A terrorist attack could cause casualties... And you're lamenting about the wasted money now?"

"Eleven money - bags of gold coins were gone! This is a really serious matter..."

"Enough, now tell me the location of the auction house immediately. You can leave here now."

"What, are you worried about me..."

"Frey!!!" Amid her shout, I stopped talking for a while, then scratched my head and spoke again.

"...But, even if we go, what can we do?"

"What do you mean?"

"The place is protected by powerful magic, and only those with a pass can enter. Even if the royal mages come, it will take them several hours to lift the magic."

"Ugh..." Hearing this, Isolte silently bit her lip. Sensing that she was about to be persuaded, I began the final act.

"...Ah! Come to think of it, there is a way to get in..."

"W - What is it?" She asked eagerly, and I replied calmly.

"It's about me and... the professor becoming lovers." As soon as the words were out, a brief silence fell between us.

— Swish...

"Wait, wait a minute! I'm not joking. It's true! It's really true!!" When she slowly drew her sword in the silence, I quickly stepped back and said in a fluster.

"…Explain." Then, she put the sword back into the scabbard. When she spoke, I breathed a sigh of relief and began to explain.

"Actually, I have a pass."

"Good, now hand it over immediately."

"It's no use if you take it. The pass can only be used by the owner." I showed a sly smile to Isolte and continued, "However, if the two of us register as lovers or husband and wife in the auction house system, we can enter and exit the auction house together."

"…For such strict security, isn't this system too hasty?"

"The pass isn't something just anyone can get. Only verified noble families, those with wealth and honor, are eligible for this privilege."

"....""That is to say, if you really want to get in, you have to pretend to be my lover in the auction house. Otherwise, it will arouse suspicion." I looked at Isolte, who had started blushing again — it was an old habit of hers — and added briefly with a smile.

"Then I'll leave it to you, Isolte." The next second, my head was hit hard by Isolte's scabbard.

.....

"Please register Frey Laan Starlight and Isolte Allem Bivorm as lovers."

"...It's really surprising. Have you finally made up?"

"If you dare to sell the information to the guild, I'll throw you into the dungeon of our duke's mansion tomorrow."

"It doesn't sound like a joke. How terrifying. Please come in." Isolte and I passed the inspection smoothly. We put on the pre - prepared black robes and the masks provided by the inspectors and entered the auction house.

"...Do we really have to walk arm in arm like this?"

"Look at how other couples are doing... Over there, they're even hugging each other."

"Ugh..." Seeing the affectionate postures of the couples, Isolte let out a pained groan and tried to look away.

"...You're too stiff. Try to naturally put your arm through mine."

"...I, I won't know until I try."

"...Sigh." Just like that, I held that stiff thing, which was like a wooden stick, and sat down in the seats of the auction house, starting to look around at the people in the venue. Of course, everyone was wearing black robes and masks to cover their faces, but my information - search skill wouldn't be fooled by such a small trick.

'…The count's family, the elders of the Magic Tower, the person in charge of the royal finances... The core figures of the empire are all gathered here.' I scanned the auction house quietly and muttered to myself, a sneer emerging from the corner of my mouth. These important figures in the empire were all crowded into this narrow auction house at the moment.

'However, the item I'm targeting, currently almost no one knows its value... The real competitors are not inside the venue but outside, right?' I brought Isolte here today to let her defend against the Demon King's army instead of me. They would soon attack this place, and their target was the item I wanted. I had been so tired recently. If I used the "Blessing of the Stars" here, I might suddenly die. Because the Demon King's army that was about to attack here wasn't an elite team like before but a force that relied on numbers, and the consumption would be huge. Of course, since they relied on numbers, with Isolte's strength, she should be able to deal with them easily. While she was dealing with the enemies, I could leisurely obtain that "item". As long as I got that item, the "Civilian Dormitory Attack Incident" could be completely resolved...

"…Ah!?"

"Ugh!" While searching among the crowd, I suddenly spotted someone and couldn't help but exclaim. The stiff Isolte beside me also let out a strange scream.

""..."" At this moment, the people in the auction house all quietly looked towards us. Isolte and I could only lower our heads, at a loss for what to do for a while.

"...What on earth is going on?"

"..." After a while, Isolte asked me in a complaining tone in a low voice, but I ignored her, just held my head in a fluster, looking blank.

'...Why is Kania here?' For some reason, when I saw the person sitting next to Isolte, Kania's information suddenly emerged in my mind. I hoped it was just a same - name coincidence, but even the numerical values and special details were exactly the same. What on earth was going on?

"...!" Exhausted, I wondered if I was hallucinating, so I raised my head to confirm the information again. At this time, the information of Saint Pelosh emerged from the person sitting in front of me.

"...Excuse me, let me through."

"...Ah, okay...!" I was staring blankly at the information when suddenly someone intended to take the seat beside me. I shuffled aside and looked up at the person. At that moment, the information about Princess Klarna appeared before my eyes once again.

"...Is there a problem?"

"...No, there isn't." I replied in a hushed tone, hastily answering the princess's puzzled inquiry. Then, I glanced at Isolte, who wore a bewildered expression, and swept my gaze across the several heroines present in the auction hall. I murmured to myself in my heart, '...This game is truly a complete mess.' Things had deteriorated to the point where there seemed to be no turning back.