Chapter 9
Chapter 9
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: Villain and Spy
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It was past 7 p.m. by the time I got home. The moment I opened the front door, the tantalizing aroma of delicious food tickled my nose.
Sniff sniff—
"Hm? This smell... Could it be my favorite sirloin steak?"
Everlin stood in the hallway in her perfect posture. Her graceful figure and blue eyes welcomed me.
"Welcome home, Master. Dinner is ready."
"Everlin... My villainy has struck again..."
"I know, Master. The news spread quickly. YouTube is flooded with videos of the mysterious silver-haired girl who took down the C-Rank Monster in the park. One of them has over a million views."
"Videos like that are up?!"
"Yes, Master's exploits were impressive. I even downloaded one."
"Eek! Delete it! Delete them all! Videos that cause misunderstandings like that need to vanish from the world!"
The corner of her mouth twitched upward ever so slightly. Was she holding back a laugh? Nah, probably not.
As I entered the living room, my eyes fell on the perfectly arranged dishes on the dining table.
Everlin's special steak, cream sauce pasta, fresh salad (which I wasn't going to eat), and freshly baked garlic bread.
Grrr...!
My magnificent brain demands protein from meat! Villain power comes from carnivory!
Grimoire, Beast Mode!
Nom nom—
I tore into a big bite of meat. The juices burst in my mouth. No need to explain the perfection of Everlin's steak, cooked to the ideal temperature!
"How was your adventure today?"
Strangely, her question made today's failures feel less pathetic. I even wanted to brag.
"I talked with the pigeons today! How should I put it... I could just understand what they were saying. So I subjugated the pigeons and formed an aerial reconnaissance squad!"
I shoved pasta into my mouth and kept talking.
"And I took down a monster! It was called a Grumpy Toad, with these sticky tentacles! It was disgustingly ugly, but one punch from me shattered it to pieces!"
"Well done. I look forward to seeing how our Grimoire Empire prospers."
That's right, I'm special! This greatness is reserved only for top-tier villains!
"And get this! I didn't leave a single bite of my lunchbox today!"
I puffed out my chest proudly. Everlin's eyebrow arched slightly.
"Even the carrot salad and broccoli? Truly moving, Master."
"See! I cleaned it perfectly, not a scrap left!"
Of course, the secret was feeding the veggies to that salaryman uncle.
This isn't a lie. I said I didn't leave any, not that I ate it. The lunchbox ended up empty anyway!
"But why do people keep mistaking me for a hero? Am I... maybe... not evil enough?"
"Master's strategies are always long-term."
Long-term strategy? I didn't have one... Hm. But as a genius villain, maybe I subconsciously devised a perfect plan?
"Becoming a true villain takes time. Rome wasn't built in a day, after all."
Everlin served the dessert plate. It was the yogurt cake we agreed on this morning.
"Right! My villainy is on a whole different level from ordinary villains!"
Yeah! Today's 'plan' wasn't a failure—it was such a genius success that others can't comprehend it right away!
Only Everlin truly appreciates my worth.
"Now that East Park is Grimoire Park, next up is turning S City into Grimoire City!"
"Master's park conquest is truly impressive. You'll need plenty of rest. I've prepared a bath."
Everlin gently wiped the corners of my mouth.
I'm a pretty happy villain! World conquest is still far off, but Everlin's always waiting when I return from my villainy!
After dinner, I soaked in the hot bathwater.
All the fatigue from today washed away.
"How dare a mere duck embarrass me? Time for my retribution!"
I tormented the yellow rubber duck to relieve stress. After that duck family incident on the street made me look like a good kid again, this revenge is only fair!
After the warm bath, today's pajamas: pink bunny ones!
The hood with its perky ears perfectly hid my horns.
"This is villain camouflage at its finest!"
I flopped onto the living room sofa in front of the TV.
Conquest activities are more tiring than expected. And being treated like a hero just pisses me off more!
"A bedtime snack for you, Master."
"Mm... Thanks..."
Everlin sat beside me with hot chocolate and butter cookies.
One sip of the hot chocolate, and sweet chocolate flavor filled my mouth.
"Ahhh~"
Ah, this is heaven... Wait, heaven? But I'm a villain?
Shouldn't I go to hell since I'm evil? Fine, I'll conquer hell too! Grimoire vs. Hell! I'll make Lucifer kneel before me! Kahaha!
"The pajamas suit you well, Master."
"Top-tier villains are masters of disguise! Lure the enemy with cuteness, then strike with a lethal blow!"
"Such a wicked idea."
I caught a flicker in Everlin's expressionless face. She's clearly awed by my genius villain strategy!
Click— Click—
"Huh? Everlin, why are you taking pictures of me?"
"To create propaganda showcasing Master's greatness."
Hmm... Suspicious... But if Everlin says so, it must be fine.
I grabbed the remote and turned on the TV, planning to watch animal documentaries or cartoons. Purely for world conquest reference material, of course!
Munching on a cookie while channel surfing, suddenly an S City news flash came on.
"Pfft! Cough! Cough!"
"Unau... unauthorized activity? Serious crime?"
Me, a serious criminal? Don't make me laugh! I'm a villain, not a criminal! Villains and criminals are totally different!
The hot chocolate cup trembled in my hand.
"Eek! Everlin! I'll end up in jail before I can even become a villain!"
I haven't conquered the world yet. Jail now? And not even for villainy, but hero stuff? No way!
"Calm down, Master. No one has identified you. Our villa has perfect security, and your identity is thoroughly protected."
I peeked at the TV from behind the sofa like a turtle sticking out its head.
I clamped the bunny hood down tightly with my shaking hands. No horns showing! Perfect disguise now, right?
The screen split, and a female reporter in a blue jacket appeared on the right.
The TV screen changed to park CCTV footage. The scene of me punching the Grumpy Toad away played in slow motion. It was grainy and gray, but that was definitely me!
The news screen shifted, and a neatly dressed middle-aged man appeared next to the on-site reporter. My eyes went wide.
"That's... the pitiful guy I comforted in the park today!"
A subtitle appeared below him.
My mind snapped alert.
He was a Hero Association lackey!
I showed him kindness, and he betrays me?
"N-No way, is he snitching on me? After I gave him broccoli too! Such ingratitude?!"
"You gave him broccoli? Did you deceive me, Master?"
"Th-That's... Anyway, that's not the point right now!"
My heart pounded. I gripped the butter cookie too hard, and crumbs scattered on the floor.
"Suitable for hero? Serious conversation? When did I?!"
I clutched the bunny ear hood with both hands. Besides giving him carrots and broccoli, did we ever have a real talk?
No! This is blatant false testimony! Slandering my honor!
The camera zoomed in on the Association-stamped document in his hand.
"My name's on there! Without my permission! Without my consent!?"
"Yes, yes! Exactly! Spot on! I'm a villain from the start! No need to turn!"
I hoped the broccoli wretch would realize the truth and admit his mistake.
"What?"
My mouth hung open wider and wider. What nonsense is this? Who could be more suited to villainy than me?
I was so furious my horns felt like they'd punch through the bunny hood.
"This is betrayal! Betrayal! That guy betrayed my kindness! I cheered him up nicely, and he turns me into a hero?!"
I stormed back to the sofa and pummeled the cushion with my fists.
"I'm supposed to be a great villain conquering the world!"
The interview wrapped up on TV.
"Liar! I won't take responsibility for anything!"
Panting heavily, Everlin approached cautiously.
"Master, from another perspective, this is a golden opportunity."
"Opportunity? What opportunity? To become a hero?!"
My villain career was over before it began!
"Top-tier villains always strike when enemies are most off-guard. This is a chance to scout hero weaknesses. Like a spy."
"A spy?"
"Yes, a spy infiltrating the heart of the enemy."
The more I chewed on her words, the more intriguing it sounded.
As a spy, I'd be 007 Grimoire Bond?
And Everlin as the Bond girl. She'd be the most perfect one in history!
"Mm-hmm. Spies are villainous enough."
"Plus, a villain disguised as a hero is utterly wicked. Gaining citizens' trust and betraying it... What could be more cruel?"
Every word from Everlin stroked my ego.
"Not quite on my level, but your thinking is viciously maid-like, Everlin!"
"Mm. All thanks to learning at Master's side."
"Perfect! I'll lure the heroes into complacency, then stab them in their weakest moment!"
I jumped to my feet. Vitality surged again.
"That's right, this was all part of my scheme! I tricked that wretch into believing I'm a hero!"
"As expected, Master always thinks one step ahead."
"Of course! My intellect transcends ordinary humans!"
"Master's greatness knows no bounds. A mere maid like me could never catch up."
This is what they call a blessing in disguise?
What looked like defeat today was actually the first step of my grand victory!
The TV droned on unnoticed. My head buzzed with new plans.
Alright! Starting tomorrow, back to villainy! I'll commit atrocities horrific enough to dispel all misunderstandings!