Chapter 15
Chapter 15
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: Villain Live
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Swish—
Everlin's footsteps headed toward the window.
Splash—!!
"Eek! Light! I hate sunlight! Light is poison to villains! Villains have to live in the darkness!"
I curled up even more under the sunlight pouring down on the blanket.
"Villains need vitamin D too. If you stay in the dark too long, the shine on your horns might fade."
A faint hint of amusement laced her expressionless voice. But jokes like that weren't funny right now.
"Everlin! Can't you understand this body's tragic feelings? Do you even know how horrific a failure this Grimoire has endured?!"
I peeked my head out from under the blanket. Everlin stood there in her usual perfect maid outfit, holding a tray.
"Lunch for Master… and a special snack."
The moment she set the tray down on the bedside table, a familiar packaging caught my eye. My heart skipped a beat.
"No way… that's the new limited-edition premium cheese-dried-persimmm potato chips, isn't it?"
The ones that sold out the moment they launched last week! I'd wanted them so bad!
"Mm…"
I swallowed hard. My body reacted on instinct. I stealthily lowered the blanket and sat up.
Everlin opened the bag of chips.
Crispy crunch—
A sweet yet salty aroma filled the room. It was an irresistible temptation.
"…Gimme."
I snatched the bag and shoved a handful into my mouth. The crisp texture, salty cheese flavor, and subtle sweetness of dried persimmon blended perfectly!
"Mmm… Mmm!"
I don't need darkness or anything. With tasty snacks like these and Everlin, I'm good!
"Everlin, you're the only one who truly recognizes this body's greatness! Making you my first subordinate was a brilliant choice!"
I felt Everlin's careful touch as she wiped the crumbs from my mouth.
"Master is a great villain. The world is just too incompetent to see it."
We munched on the chips in silence for a few minutes. But once the last piece was gone, reality crashed back in. And with it, depression.
The joy from snacks was temporary. It couldn't compare to world conquest.
"This body has every quality of a great villain! Horns, immense power, evil schemes! But no one—no one—recognizes me as a villain!"
I stared down at the empty chip bag.
"And… and now the chips are gone too…! Double the misery!"
I crumpled the bag and tossed it under the bed. Everlin silently picked it up and threw it away.
"Master."
"What…"
"It seems you need a direct way to express your intentions. How about something popular these days… live streaming?"
Live broadcast? Me, doing a stream?
"Broadcasting? What's so good about that?"
"Think about it, Master. Why have all your evil deeds so far been misunderstood?"
"Hmm…"
I pondered seriously.
Traffic light operation? Motorcycle gang showed up.
Fountain operation? Transparent monster got in the way.
Subway operation? Beggars got caught first.
The conclusion was…
"Because humans are too stupid?"
"……It's because your intentions got twisted along the way."
Everlin continued calmly.
"The biggest advantage of live streaming is 'direct communication.' No room for distortion. It'll be a chance to show your evil side directly. Reveal yourself as a true villain without misunderstanding."
Direct communication, huh…
Everlin pulled out a tablet and started showing movie clips.
Scenes of final bosses declaring their identities with overwhelming presence.
"Great villains always have that moment where they declare their plans. You haven't had that, Master."
A lightbulb went off in my head.
That's right! All my failures so far were because my intentions weren't properly conveyed!
"You're right! Until now, this body focused only on the acts themselves, never clearly declaring why! It wasn't my failure—the world just couldn't understand me!"
Everlin really is smart! Second only to this body in wisdom.
"Plus, Master, you can gather followers. Loyal subordinates."
"Subordinates?"
"Yes. Modern villains need a 'fandom.' Don't you want devotees fanatically obsessed with you?"
I pictured hordes kneeling and pledging loyalty.
The Grimoire Legion! Rows of faithful minions in horn-shaped helmets… Perfect!
"And above all… once they're exposed to your charisma, that's it. The majestic horns, that charismatic look, the evil laugh… They have to see it to understand."
I fiddled with my horns without realizing. Yeah, these horns are the symbol of a villain!
"And I want to record Master's cute moments on video too…"
Everlin muttered as she finished.
"Did I just hear 'cute'?"
"Not at all. I said it's to record your great villainy for history."
Anyway! Everlin's idea was genius!
"Exactly! I must show my greatness! Record it! Make sure all humanity remembers this body's name forever!"
"Precisely, Master."
I leaped out of bed, kicking off the blanket.
"Perfect! I command you—prepare the live stream!"
My drooping horns stood straight again.
"With real-time streaming, I'll spread my infamy! The whole world will know of Villain Grimoire!"
"An excellent idea. Everyone will see your grand vision, Master."
Passion surged in my chest again. Despair and frustration vanished, replaced by a new wave of evil energy enveloping me.
"When do we start, Master?"
"Now, of course! Villains don't wait for timing—they create it!!"
"I'll help prepare the broadcast, Master."
"Great! The true debut of Great Villain Grimoire begins!"
This live stream, starting today, would be the perfect stage to prove my greatness. Kakakat!
The living room sofa and table were pushed aside, replaced by a small studio setup. Everlin bustled about with multiple screens on display.
"The broadcast title will be 'Grimoire's World Conquest Live.' We'll main on YouTube but simulcast to various streaming sites. So more people can witness your villainy."
"Excellent! My infamy will spread across the internet to the whole world! For that… attire! I need villain garb!"
I dashed to the closet and flung it open. Rows of black gothic lolita dresses hung there.
Every one dark and ornate to my taste. A perfect collection befitting a villain's dignity!
Today's outfit to match my dignity…
"Master, this dress would suit you."
"This… it's so villainous!"
"Lifting your bangs slightly will make your horns stand out more."
I admired myself in the mirror, satisfied.
A flashier dress than usual, red eyes, silver hair, black horns… My villain aura filled the room.
"I adjusted the lighting to match your Gray Matter, Master."
I circled the room, checking the background. But in the corner, a penguin plush caught my eye.
"Eek! No way!"
I quickly shoved the penguin plush under the sofa.
Cute dolls don't fit a villain's lair! Sorry, I'll take you out at bedtime!
"The camera's the latest model. 4K quality, so your dignity comes through crystal clear."
The camera on the tripod faced me. A laptop was connected beside it, and Everlin finished the final setup.
"Broadcast order: self-introduction first, then explain today's villain plan, finally execution."
"Hmm… Won't revealing my villain plan too early give humans time to prepare?"
I worried briefly but nodded.
My plans are perfect anyway—they can't stop me even if warned.
True villains reveal their plans with overflowing confidence!
"Broadcast system test complete. All set."
Sudden anxiety hit me.
I've always been misunderstood in front of citizens—what if the same happens on stream? My horns itched.
"Everlin… Will viewers come? Will anyone truly recognize my infamy?"
My voice trembled a bit. Not fear, just nerves! Really!
"Rumors have spread—over 300 waiting. Thanks to your hero activities, lots of interest."
Everlin showed the tablet. Hundreds were really waiting for my stream!
"Here we go. 3, 2, 1…"
I took a deep breath at Everlin's countdown. The light turned green…
"Stream started."
My mind went blank. What do I say? Should've scripted it? I'm doomed!
But I'm a great villain! Top villains thrive in crises!
I deepened my voice as much as possible, making it gravelly.
"Kakakat! Greetings, pathetic humans! Do you know who this body is?"
A faint gray light naturally emanated from my horns. Unexpected, but perfect for dramatic effect!
"That's right! This body is Grimoire, the great villain who will conquer the world!"
Everlin played applause sound effects from off-camera.
Viewer count climbed fast on the side screen. 500, 800, breaking 1,000!
The chat exploded.
What… what? Hero? And cute? My horns are cute?
"You insolent fools! This body is an object of fear! A bringer of terror!"
I leaned forward, shoving my face as close to the camera as possible.
My horns and red eyes would instill fear!
These reactions weren't what I expected? They're not fearing me—they like me!?
"The reason this body started this live stream is to correct the mistaken trend of thinking I'm a hero!"
The gray light from my horns dimmed a little.
"It's not a concept!! This body is a real villain!"
Urgh! My evilness isn't getting through at all! But once they hear my meticulous plan, they'll tremble in fear!
"Now, I shall announce this body's villain plan! Tremble and listen closely!"
Everlin wheeled in a large whiteboard. My evil masterpiece, worked on all night!
I whipped off the black cloth.
"Ta-da!"
Today's villain plan was revealed: 'OPERATION: Supermarket Raid!'
The supermarket drawing was surrounded by explosion effects and screaming people doodles.
"This body's first official villain act… supermarket raid! Destroying an everyday space to instill greater terror!"
Everlin held up a small placard off-camera: 'Smile.'
"Kakakat!"
I flashed my most menacing grin at the camera.
"Imagine the chaos this body will unleash! Plunder all the snacks from the supermarket! Especially chips and chocolate! Then others won't get tasty snacks! Terrifying plan, isn't it?"
Eek! What is this?
"M-Mocking this body's plan! You fools don't understand my evil!"
What's wrong? Hogging snacks isn't evil?
Irritation built as I read the chat.
"Just watch! I'll show you with actions, not words! See the common folk's hope crumble—laugh then!"
Then, Everlin preparing to go out appeared briefly on screen.
"Allow me to introduce this body's most loyal subordinate! My secretary, manager, producer, and maid—Everlin! She'll handle the camera!"
"I'll mostly assist Master from behind the scenes. Recording your villainy."
The chat exploded again.
"No! No! Absolutely not! Everlin is this body's exclusive maid!"
Rage boiled up. Gray light swirled from my horns.
"Daring to covet Everlin! Anyone who eyes this body's maid gets the death penalty! Death!"
They get it now, right? No mercy for those eyeing my maid!
"Let's go! Time to head out!"
Time to show the masses my villainy! This time, no failure!