Why the Hell Is She Such a Bitch?!
The next day, Big Daddy personally led a few of his thugs to guide us to the outskirts of the city.
He explained about this place. It had been a marquisate of a great empire that flourished centuries ago. The underground sewers were built back then and still functioned to this day through some method that wasn't magic—though no one knew the principle.
What, like Roman sewers? No magic, so... built on scientific principles? Impressive. And yet that brilliant civilization was not just destroyed but every human on the North Continent massacred by a single demon contractor? The scale is insane.
"This city was one of the busiest metropolises even back in my time. Though that demon contractor wiped everyone out, their legacy—the sewers—remains intact. I rebuilt a new domain there."
"I get that you were human from that era, but couldn't you have built up your forces first and founded your own dynasty before anyone else moved in?"
"I told you—all humans were massacred. The survivors were like me, those who contracted with demons, or non-humans."
"Hm?"
"Even back then, elves, dwarves, and beastkin lived in the empire. How do you think an empire like that was maintained? Any dynasty needs slaves. And what do you suppose happened to the other races in a land without humans?"
"Ah~ So the humans got wiped out, but all the other races survived?"
"Exactly. No matter my contract with Glashalabolras, I was weak back then with no bloodkin. I couldn't build a kingdom alone against them."
The North Continent teemed with subraces, suppressed by the great empire that built its glorious civilization on their backs. With the humans exterminated, these empty lands fell to the subraces.
They harbored massive resentment toward humans, but since the demon contractor who liberated them was also human, their hatred for typical devil-worshipping humans from subculture tales was relatively mild. To them, demon contractors were enemies of their human foes—the enemy of my enemy is my friend. After all, that contractor had freed their ancestors from the empire's brutal tyranny. So on the North Continent, demon contractors received polite treatment from the subraces.
Of course, Big Daddy admitted there was a bit of bullshit in calling it "treatment." When other humans encountered them, it usually went something like, "Get lost, human! Die!"
But if you were a demon contractor? They wouldn't just kill you outright.
"I'll at least hear you out. What's your business, human?"
"Still, hearing you out is something. We won't go easy if they come at us with no-questions-asked murder or assault."
"Looking at you and those kids, I can guess the situation. Temple bastards?"
"And Magus Civitas too!"
"Kukuku! Even those arrogant mages got tangled up? That White Tower Lord whose face skin you peeled—was that for them too?"
"They had it coming from the start. They used us as test subjects."
...
Mages pursued one thing: magic! Or the ultimate truth! Awakening the Akashic Records.
Mages who believed not even gods were omnipotent sought to surpass them, reaching absolute truth to comprehend all knowledge of the world—past, present, and future. Philosophical, perhaps. Or maybe such a realm truly existed. Even Ostis, Lord of the White Tower, didn't know exactly what that truth was. It was only said that the first mage who pioneered magic had attained it.
The closest analogy might be Buddhist nirvana—complete enlightenment. And for that, mages didn't hesitate to sacrifice others.
Having experienced mages' personalities, experiences, and mindsets through their skins, I get it somewhat... But from my average Joe's perspective, it just looks like they're sacrificing others on a whim to live high and mighty. Classic upper-crust mentality!
"Mages' experiments, huh... So you fled north?"
"Dantalian sent us here!"
"Hmph! Then those kids are demon playthings too. Forget normal lives from the start."
"Cut the bullshit and just guide us. The kids' fates are theirs to decide, and mine too. No one else gets to call the shots!"
"... How long will that mindset last?"
"Hmph!"
Forcing kids not even adults into this brutal world... We fell silent after that.
Big Daddy, who'd lived centuries, faced the unchangeable reality of his contract with the blood demon. Despair might be all that awaited him.
I'll definitely... break free after those damn ten thousand face skins! My kids too!
To survive. To fulfill the deal with the demon, I had to peel ten thousand face skins.
Humanely speaking, I was no different from the Magus Civitas or temple scum sacrificing others for their own survival. No turning back.
Then I'll become a villain who can at least protect those in my grasp.
Hero tales saving everyone or fairy-tale stories were impossible. But at minimum, those who trusted and followed me—I'd protect them.
If God truly exists... I'd deserve divine punishment, the worst murderer falling to hell. Still, I want to live!
Thrown into this fate-driven hell with no choice but to fall. Yet no god extended a saving hand.
A god who denies salvation to those who beg for it... I'll abandon God and choose the devil!
Better a thorough villain everyone fears, shielding me and mine, than a hypocritical fraud saving no one properly.
.........
"Here. Your new place."
"Whoa!~ So big!~"
"Boss! The house is huge!~"
"Like a noble mansion!"
Big Daddy, you sneaky bastard—props to you. +1 favor.
The mansion was magnificent. As big as the Colorado count's family harbor warehouse doubled. Overgrown weeds, but a vast yard welcomed us. Next to it stood the city wall, with even a large bread oven.
"Huge. What was this place originally for?"
"This building is one of the few remnants from that massacre day. Built during the rampage of the demon contractor of justice—a knights' dormitory. Maybe the only mansion preserving the old empire's history intact."
"Whoa! Centuries old?! Awesome... This is where we'll live?"
"Yes. Old buildings like this are finicky to maintain, but the caretaker obsesses over it. That's why it's still solid."
A mansion from the great empire era on the North Continent. As knights' quarters, it boasted durability and practicality rivaling any noble home. Its wall proximity likely for quick access in wartime. Big Daddy said the walls were rebuilt tracing the old empire's layout.
"Let me introduce the caretaker. Hey! Vanessa! If you're awake, come out! Guests!"
...
No response. After ten minutes, wondering if she'd stepped out, I glanced at Big Daddy. Veins bulging on his neck, he shattered his suave middle-aged charm, bellowing at the mansion.
"Come out!~ You foul-tempered crazy bitch!!~~"
Screeech—
"You mosquito fuck!~ Didn't I tell you not to call my name so casually? Should I rip that filthy mouth off? Huh? You fucking mosquito!"
Eek?! An elf?!
The mansion door creaked open on rusty hinges, revealing a beauty with silver hair to her waist, fierce eyes contrasting soft jade-green irises. Her snow-pale skin crowned her as the pinnacle of elven beauty—opposite Big Daddy's vibe, a goddess of allure. Sharp nose, pointed ears, delicate lips harmonizing like a game character, almost artificial perfection.
Her body: perfect S-curve with massive breasts, slim waist, voluptuous hips spilling beyond her clothes. Black shirt and leather pants screamed modern from another world. Gold earrings dangled; vine tattoos crawled her arms.
Her only flaw? A cigar clenched in her teeth. Who'd imagine an elf smoking one?!
No way... Seeing the black suit from my salaryman days here? What the hell is this place? She looks like a mafia underboss!
"What're you trash staring at? Eyes down! First elf you've seen?! Humans looking make me sick. Lower your damn eyes!"
...
And why the hell is her personality so damn bitchy?! Give me back my elf fantasy!!~~
While everyone gawked at her beauty, her cynical voice smashed our elven ideals to bits!