Chapter 23
Chapter 23
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: The Villain's Might
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'Am I just a third-rate villain who can't even catch a mouse?'
The great Grimoire, unable to properly deal with two pathetic rodents!
I didn't even want to look at the chat window. The viewers were surely mocking me mercilessly right now.
At this rate, the name 'Grimoire' might become synonymous with 'villain who can't catch mice.'
My horns suddenly grew hot. Grief, rage, and shame swirled together inside me.
A villain can't cry. Absolutely not. But how was I supposed to endure this humiliation...
"This... this is ridiculous!"
Unable to hold back my irritation, I slammed the floor.
But the moment my fist hit the concrete, something strange happened.
Booom—
The parking lot floor vibrated faintly. It started as a light tremor, but the intensity grew stronger by the second.
"What... what is this? Don't tell me... shoddy construction? Not enough rebar?"
Cracks began to form on the floor. Tiny fissures spread out like spiderwebs in an instant.
Or... maybe this body's great power was finally manifesting?
Squeak?
The rats looked at each other in bewilderment. They clearly hadn't expected this either.
"Uh, uhhh...?"
Squeak— Squeak—
The cars parked nearby started shaking, and their alarms blared loudly.
The cracks grew larger. The more my emotions exploded, the more reality around me seemed to crumble.
Fear and ecstasy washed over me at the same time. I'd just hit the floor in anger, and this was happening...
"Kakakat! This is the true power of I, Grimoire! Do you pathetic vermin now realize how foolish it was to challenge this body?!"
The white rat and black rat fled in panic, scrambling every which way. As the cracks in the floor raced toward them, they glanced at each other in confusion.
Squeak squeak—!
The rats cried out desperately.
"What? You're surrendering? Bowing to this body's overwhelming charisma?"
A surge of victorious pleasure welled up inside me. My horns glowed even more intensely.
"Hmph, too late! You dared steal this Grimoire's precious snacks, trample my dignity, and embarrass me in front of the viewers! I shall never forgive you!"
The rats flattened themselves on the floor, pressing their front paws together in a begging pose. They tucked their tails and looked up at me pleadingly. These same creatures that had mocked me just moments ago?
"...What? What's your scheme now? Trying to shake this body with pity?"
They shook their heads in unison. It really seemed like they feared me.
Wait... were they actually surrendering? Overwhelmed by this body's greatness?
A sense of triumph rose from the depths of my heart. My horns, filled with despair moments before, now flashed with intense gray light once more.
A warm energy enveloped my entire body! The feeling that the world was at my feet! This was the rightful privilege of a villain!
"In the end, this body has triumphed overwhelmingly! Surrendering before the evil presence of Grimoire! As expected, I am a born lord of evil! Kakakat!"
Life is all about the results, after all. No matter how it happened, surrender is surrender!
I straightened my shoulders and lifted my chin, and suddenly my entire being brimmed with dignity.
It's been ages since I felt like this. The taste of victory is truly sweet!
"Now, I shall decide your fates."
A smile crept onto my lips unbidden as the rats continued bowing their heads.
What a valuable experience. When I conquer the world later, I can welcome surrendering humans just like this.
I pointed at the two rats and declared.
"I am the merciful villain Grimoire! I commend your courage and wisdom in challenging this body, and shall specially accept you as my villainous minions! Graciously accepting an enemy's surrender is the virtue of a great ruler!"
They need names. Names befitting an evil organization's minions!
They've joined the world conquest legion—can't just call them 'rats'!
"From now on, the black rat is 'Darkness,' and the white rat is 'White King'! Devote your loyalty to this body's world conquest!"
Squeak squeak—!
Darkness and White King jumped for joy. Even these tiny beings harbored jewel-like loyalty!
The action cam was still running. Reactions were pouring into the chat.
Such insolence from these lowly things!
"You dare question this body's victory? Jealous of my new minions? I'll overlook the minions, but those who insult I, Grimoire, will pay dearly!"
In that moment, a brilliant inspiration struck. I extended both hands toward the rats. Darkness and White King instantly understood and scampered up to my left and right shoulders.
"Oh ho! Truly worthy of this body's minions!"
The weight of the tiny creatures on my shoulders felt oddly satisfying.
"Behold, you pathetic humans! This is the true victory of a villain! Everything went according to this body's plan from the start!"
I puffed out my chest and declared.
"In the end, all beings shall become this body's minions—that is the law of the world! Today rats, tomorrow humans, the day after the entire world! Kakakat!"
I crossed my arms in a victory pose. The rats mimicked me, raising their front paws like villains. Perfect!
"Pitiful viewers, today's live stream ends here! Consider it an honor to have witnessed the villain's perfect victory! The next live will show even greater deeds from this body!"
"10,000? Hmm, the viewer count has grown quite a bit. As expected of a villain's charm..."
Finally, more people were recognizing this body's dignity! Soon, the whole world would kneel before Grimoire!
With my new minions on both shoulders, I left the parking lot. The gray light emanating from my horns brightly lit up the dark space.
Squeak squeak!
I still wondered if they truly surrendered or had some other scheme... but for now, I wanted to bask in the joy of victory.
The important thing was that today's duel ended in this body's perfect victory!
Brimming with the aura of victory, I flung open the door to apartment 301.
This body's mood was at its peak.
With Darkness and White King perched on my shoulders, I strode through the living room toward the kitchen. The first to share this body's triumph would naturally be my loyal maid, Everlin!
"Everlin, this body has returned! I come to announce today's great victory!"
She turned from flipping meat in the iron skillet. Everlin's blue eyes lingered on the rats on my shoulders.
"Master, there are rats on your shoulders. I'll take care of them."
"No!"
I crossed my arms into an X.
"These aren't just rats—they're this body's newly recruited minions!"
Everlin's eyebrow twitched slightly. Her expression shifted subtly, but as a proper maid, she quickly composed herself.
"...Ah, I see. Congratulations, Master."
"I shall formally introduce Grimoire's new minions!"
I puffed out my chest proudly. How much effort had gone into this moment! I'd splendidly washed away the stigma of being a villain who couldn't catch rats.
"The black rat is Darkness, the white rat is White King! They surrendered to this Grimoire's overwhelming presence and power, becoming minions! No more treating them as lowly vermin!"
Darkness and White King stood on their hind legs and bowed politely toward Everlin.
Everlin's eyes twitched faintly. Her expression flickered again.
Surprise? Doubt? Amusement? I couldn't tell, but she soon bowed her head politely in greeting.
"Pleased to meet you. I look forward to working with you."
I headed to the dining table and sat. I carefully placed Darkness and White King on the table.
Everlin brought out plates of food one by one.
First, a large plate of glistening bulgogi and assorted side dishes was set before me. For the two rats, small plates with premium cheeses and nuts arranged neatly.
They waited on the table, standing on hind legs like cultured gentlemen. Ordinary rats would have pounced on the food or scurried around!
"As expected, the minions chosen by Grimoire possess innate elegance!"
Even Everlin would have to acknowledge the excellence of my recruits.
"Now, everyone, let the meal begin! World conquest requires ample energy!"
I clapped, and we all started eating. A piece of bulgogi melted in my mouth, filling it with tender juices. Everlin's cooking was always top-notch.
Darkness and White King delicately picked up cheese pieces with their tiny paws and ate gracefully. Their table manners were astonishingly refined.
"Is today's meal to your liking, Master?"
"Of course! As expected of this body's maid—perfect skill!"
Squeak squeak—
"What? Everlin's cooking is delicious? Indeed it is! My minions have fine taste too! As expected of those chosen by this body!"
Dominating others, the sweetness of victory, gaining minions for world conquest... Today would surely be recorded in the history books of the great Grimoire Empire someday.
Time to explain the rules to them. Even an evil organization needs rules and discipline!
"Listen while you eat! The first three months are probationary! Prove your loyalty and ability during this time! Use your small size to infiltrate and gather intel! Serve proudly as the Grimoire Empire's first intelligence unit!"
Darkness and White King nodded attentively.
"Promotion to full-time is up to this body! Evil organizations are ruthless! No results means merciless dismissal!"
Squeak squeak—
Darkness suddenly raised a paw, as if asking a question.
"What? Pay during internship?"
Working for the Grimoire Empire is a privilege—demanding money too?! The king's DNA stirred.
"None of that! Passion pay, naturally! Serving under the great Grimoire is a privilege unmatched anywhere! Be grateful just for the experience and resume boost!"
Squeak squeak squeak—!
White King perked up its ears in protest, tail thumping the floor in clear dissatisfaction.
Daring to question Grimoire's policies?
I crossed my arms and tilted my chin up, exuding black-hearted boss vibes as much as possible.
"Black company? Asking about pay before starting! Modern rats lack grit! In this body's era, walking the villain's path required blood and sweat!"
"What blood and sweat has Master shed? The only things you've spilled are cookie crumbs from reading comics in bed..."
"Everlin! You're supposed to be on my side! You're my maid!"
Squeak squeak!
Darkness stomped on the table. White King joined in, nearly staging a protest.
"Wait, wait! Fine! Bonuses of premium cheese based on performance! Satisfied now?"
I played it off as a joke before the controversy escalated!
Darkness and White King exchanged glances and nodded slightly.
Phew, labor dispute averted! Even villains fear the labor board!
"I'm glad Master's minions have increased."
Everlin approached the table, pouring red liquid (actually grape juice) into my wine glass with a smile. She even gave a drop each to Darkness and White King in small saucers.
"Crown Villa will feel even livelier from now on."
I raised my glass high.
"To the expansion of the Grimoire Empire!"
Darkness and White King raised their paws to clink glasses. Everlin joined in.
After the meal, I lounged on the living room sofa, planning tomorrow's villainy. Darkness and White King sat on my lap, listening intently to my commands.
"With more minions, world conquest is just a matter of time! Soon, this body's flag will fly over the entire world! Kakakat!"
What mischief for tomorrow? With Darkness and White King's abilities, I could plan something bigger. My heart raced just thinking about it.
"Shall we execute the department store prank? Kakakat! Reverse all the escalators! The citizens will be thrown into utter chaos!"
The rats on my lap nodded. So reliable. Finally, I had minions to do my bidding.
Everlin? Everlin's a maid first—higher rank than minions!
"Oh, by the way, Master."
"What is it? I'm in the middle of world conquest planning—don't interrupt. This is an important strategy meeting!"
Everlin finished clearing the table and approached with a tablet.
"Care to take a quick look at this?"
"What? Fan art from my fans? Or my villainy on the news?"
Curious, I took the tablet. Maybe my great victory moment had gone viral on SNS!
I peered at the screen eagerly.
"This is..."
It was parking lot CCTV footage. Me in despair, slamming the floor... and then...
Spiderweb cracks spreading across the concrete. Parked cars shaking, part of the lot collapsing. All in crystal clarity.
"Eek!"
I nearly dropped the tablet. Darkness and White King jumped in fright.
"Th-this... umm..."
My mouth went dry. Cold sweat trickled down my back.
Everlin said calmly.
"Looks like we'll need to repair the entire parking lot floor."
"Th-this is a misunderstanding! Not my fault! See..."
Excuses tumbled out. I desperately pointed at Darkness and White King on my lap.
"You saw it too! They provoked this body first! So it was self-defense... no, righteous punishment!"
Who knew the horns would glow that strongly when I hit the floor? I was just angry!
"A-and that? Just minor cracks! Crown Villa's sturdy—no big deal! Right, Everlin?"
Everlin pointed at the tablet. The video now showed the floor sinking, cars tilting.
"Th-that's... umm..."
Squeak—?
Before I could finish, Darkness and White King leaped from my lap and bolted into a mouse hole in the wall corner.
"Hey! Where are you going?! Abandoning this body?! Minions should show loyalty in crises!"
I reached out, but it was too late. The two traitors vanished into the hole. Such betrayers!
"Um... Everlin? Can't you handle it?"
"Of course. From Master's snack budget."
"What?!"
I couldn't believe my ears. My precious snack budget... gone?
"W-wait! Deducting from snacks is too harsh! There must be another way!"
Everlin coldly counted on her fingers.
"Chocolate chip cookies, potato chips, ice cream, candy... all halved."
"Nooooo! Snacks are this Grimoire's lifeblood!"
How to conquer the world without snacks? Sweet treats after tough villainy are a villain's basic welfare! My snack budget is sacred!
"Think of it as a responsible villain's period of self-reflection."
Everlin smiled.
"My snaaaack buuuudget!"
A slight movement in the kitchen wall crack. Darkness and White King were peeking at the scene.
Squeak squeak—!
Those little... Next time I catch them, I'll really turn them into rat stew!!