Chapter 21
Chapter 21
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: Villain's Hunt
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Click—
The sound of the front door opening echoed through the villa.
'Hoh, have those rats invaded all the way here?'
That's unforgivable! No one, no matter who they are, gets to invade my sanctuary!
"Master, I'm home."
...Ah, it's Everlin.
I'd been buried in the sofa, glaring at the TV, but I shot to my feet.
I stormed to the entrance in a blaze of fury and planted my hands on my hips. This was my dignified 'pose of rage.'
"Where the hell have you been, coming home this late?! Leaving your master behind like some stray maid! Do you have any idea how tough my day was!?"
Mid-rant, my eyes locked onto the bag in Everlin's hand. The aroma wafting from it... no doubt about it! Chicken! My absolute favorite—spicy fried chicken!
"Master, I'm sorry for being late. I brought chicken as compensation."
"Hmph..."
I fought down the grin tugging at my lips. Gotta maintain the dignity of a ruler!
"Very well, I shall forgive you this once—nay, exceptionally so. For a great villain is merciful above all. But next time, you will inform me before you leave!"
Everlin unpacked the chicken box on the dining table. The spicy chicken's red glaze gleamed temptingly. I dashed over and plopped into a chair.
"Kakak! I claim first rights!"
Of course, I snatched the biggest drumstick. The glossy sauce was as flashy as my own grandeur! One bite, and the juicy, tender meat exploded with sweet-spicy sauce that conquered my mouth.
"Mmm... perfect."
I picked out the drumstick and wing, piling them in front of me. As a villain, hogging the best parts is only natural!
The neck bone went to Everlin.
"I bestow this upon you, specially."
"Thank you, Master."
A faint smile seemed to flicker in Everlin's blue eyes. Must be my imagination?
"Master, did the live stream go well?"
My hand froze mid-bite on the drumstick. Live stream... Suddenly, today's memories flooded back like a tidal wave.
"Disaster struck! While you were gone, something horrific happened!"
I slammed the drumstick onto the plate and gestured wildly.
"Rats invaded the villa! And they're ridiculously rude! They didn't fear me at all—they challenged me outright! It's all because you weren't here! If you'd been around, I never would've suffered this humiliation!"
I flailed my arms, reenacting the rats' ambush.
"Worse, while I retreated—just a tiny bit, a strategic step back—they even stole my camera! During the stream! Live! Right in front of the viewers!"
"A rat invasion... I'll handle it."
"No!"
I shook my head firmly, resolute.
"This is a matter of pride! They challenged my authority, so I must punish them myself! I'll turn those rats into rat stew!"
"Master, rat stew isn't made from actual rat meat."
"Uh..."
I faltered for a second, then quickly lifted my chin.
"Of course! I knew that! I was merely speaking... metaphorically! In any case, the first step to world conquest is perfect dominion over one's own territory!"
"Indeed, there's a saying: cultivate virtue in oneself, regulate the state, and bring peace to the world."
"Cul-ti-what? Don't use such fancy words—it makes me sound weak!"
We finished the chicken, and I flopped back onto the sofa. The TV was playing a Pokémon episode. Fate's cruel joke—the screen was full of electric rats scampering about.
"Then the rats' weakness is..."
I pulled out a notebook and started jotting notes furiously. Rat habits, weaknesses, attack patterns—all of it.
Tomorrow, those wretched sewer rats would taste the true power of Lady Grimoire.
"Hmph! Pathetic rodents challenging my rule—they're in for a world of hurt!"
***
The next day.
I finished my final outfit check in front of the mirror. This time, I was fully geared as a fearsome hunter!
The black leather vest amplified my menace, while my belt bristled with hunting tools. The fedora perched stylishly on my head, pierced and held firm by my horns.
"Gear check complete! Victory is all that's left!"
Finally, I strapped the action cam securely to my vest. No more dropping cameras like last time—that foolish mistake was history. With both hands free, I'd hunt even more efficiently!
"Today, I reclaim the villain's honor. Those rats who dared mock me will face the hammer of vengeance!"
I hit the stream start button, and a tiny light blinked on. Viewers trickled in one by one.
"Greetings, puny viewers! Welcome to Lady Grimoire's World Conquest Live Stream. Today's theme: 'The Villain's Bloody Revenge'! Kakak!"
"How dare you mock me! It wasn't a retreat—it was a tactical withdrawal! A true villain always moves with strategy!"
I left the living room and headed into the hallway. In my right hand, a flashy butterfly net; in my left, a small mesh net. My belt held a cheese container and tiny traps.
Hunt prep complete. I'd wash away yesterday's shame today.
"Just you wait. Today, I'll crush the rat forces entirely and establish absolute dominion over Crown Villa! By day's end, they'll all kneel and beg forgiveness!"
I poked my head out, scanning the hallway. At the silent end, a black shadow stirred.
My heart pounded. Found it! The insolent rat invading my territory!
"Camera, action! Witness my historic victory! I shall now capture those hoodlums!"
I crept forward on tiptoe, hugging the wall, breathing as lightly as possible.
Then, the black rat whipped its head around.
Our eyes met.
"...!"
Squeak-!
"What did you say? Calling the great Lady Grimoire a 'little girl'?! I am the villain who will conquer the world! A greatness beyond you pathetic rodents!"
The black rat flicked its tail provocatively. That cocky attitude ignited my pride.
"Your lowly fate ends today!"
I raised the butterfly net high toward the black rat.
"Invading the Grimoire Empire without permission? You'll pay dearly!"
This strike would end it!
Whoosh-!
The net sliced through the air and slammed down.
Thud-!
It hit the floor hard, but the rat was gone—dodging at unbelievable speed.
I spotted its tail vanishing around the corner and gave chase.
"You can't escape! As if you could flee my territory—"
Squeak!
Suddenly, something white darted past my feet.
"Eek!"
A white rat! My prey ambushing me instead!
I stumbled, losing balance, and dropped the butterfly net. My main weapon!
"Y-You little...!"
I yanked a net from my belt.
"Stay back! I am plenty terrifying!"
But the two rats had a plan. They circled my feet like they'd rehearsed.
"Aaaah! How dare you! Stop spinning! That's an order from the great Lady Grimoire!"
Desperate, I hurled the net high into the air.
Swish—
But they dodged to either side, and the net... fell right over me.
"Eek!"
Thud—
Trapped inside, I toppled to the floor.
"Ugh... such humiliation...!"
I thrashed to escape, but it only tangled tighter.
Squeak squeak!
The rats squeaked mockingly around me.
"Quiet! Don't laugh at me!"
I gnashed my teeth and tore at the net desperately.
I finally broke free, but the rats had vanished into a tiny hole in the wall corner. Infuriating pests!
Humiliated again in front of the viewers—this shame burned! Even my horns throbbed with heat!
But I am a villain. No time for despair.
"This is just the beginning! Great plans unfold in stages! The ultimate victor will be me, Lady Grimoire! A villain doesn't lose to mere rats!"
I grabbed the net and stomped back to my room. My fedora was crooked, leather vest a mess.
"A temporary retreat... Next time, with a flawless plan..."
From the hallway's end, faint giggling squeaks echoed from the two rats.
***
Defeat in the second battle shattered my villainous pride. I, the great Grimoire, beaten twice by lowly rats!
'I can't back down like this. Never!'
A true villain rises stronger from defeat. Every trial is merely a stepping stone to growth.
"My villainy shines even brighter in defeat!"
I knelt on the kitchen floor. This time, no failure. I'd seize victory with perfect villainous cunning.
"Kakak! Now, I'll exploit the rats' weaknesses!"
I set out three types of rat traps: classic spring traps, sticky pads, and cage live-capture ones. Every tool for triumph was ready.
"Simple traps, flashy bait—that's the key to the hunt."
I dashed to my room and pulled a secret snack stash from under the bed. Emergency rations for when Everlin rations my treats.
"My precious snacks... Saved for later..."
I gently stroked the contents: Belgian imported dark chocolate, French handmade butter cookies, limited-edition cheese potato chips.
With a deep sigh, I carried them to the kitchen.
I carefully placed a piece of Belgian chocolate on a spring trap. My hand trembled slightly as I set it down.
"Precious chocolate... I shall never forget your sacrifice. Become the lure that brings me victory!"
Next, butter cookies on the cage trap, cheese chips on the sticky pad.
My favorite snacks, all turned to rat bait...
"This is villainous resolve! For victory... a few snacks are a small price!"
"Hmph! Fear is for the weak! I, Grimoire, think only of victory! After world conquest, I'll enslave all rats in snack factories to make treats for me! Eight hours a day, five days a week!"
"Q-Quiet! Plus, during shifts, they won't get to eat any snacks! How's that? Torment of watching snacks being made, inhaling the sweet scent but never tasting! True villainy!"
I set up the tripod camera, positioning it to capture the traps perfectly. Now, just wait for them to come.
"Now, the waiting game begins. A top villain has endless patience! Vengeance draws near!"