Conquering Rahe: Preparations (2)
"Enough with the games."
Dorothy's lab. Having arrived astride Villain No. 13 like a mount, Dorothy dismounted and casually dragged over a nearby chair to sit. Despite having ridden him thoroughly and enjoyed herself to the fullest, her face was now perfectly composed, as if nothing had happened. The Advisor, meanwhile, had returned to her duties. While Villain No. 13 had some idle time, the Advisor was always busy.
"So, what are you planning to do from now on?"
"From now on?"
"You must've heard from the boss by now. About the Villain Union."
That again, Villain No. 13 thought, his expression turning sour. He'd heard about the new orders from the Union as well. He knew exactly what their intentions were.
"What can I do? If they say jump, I jump."
"...This is on a whole different level from before. 'Captain-class' means monsters who survived the Great Catastrophe."
The worst villain crime in history. The massive villain terror that had dragged the entire nation into chaos and shaken world history. Those warlike days, spanning over a decade and involving not just individual Awakeners but even overseas mafias, had left immense shock and scars not only on this country but the entire world. The survivors of that era, where death could claim those beside you at any moment, now held key positions on the hero side.
Rahe was one such hero who had lived through that war. Moreover, she was a hero called a 'hero' for her renowned exploits that had made her name widely known.
Even Villain No. 13, who had once claimed to be the strongest and worst, wasn't sure if he could win against her even after regaining his powers. It was uncertain. And against someone as experienced as her, how far would his petty tricks even work?
"Honestly, I think it's better not to stir up a hornet's nest unless you have to."
"What are you trying to say?"
"You don't know?"
"...You want me to back off?"
Dorothy nodded affirmatively.
"You've done more than enough already. Way more than enough. I provided you with the brainwashing drugs and devices, but honestly, I didn't think they'd make much difference. The enemy isn't going to just swallow pills you hand them. And I didn't expect heroes to ever sit down for a meal with villains and give you the chance."
But Villain No. 13 had pulled it off. Far better than Dorothy had anticipated. She'd thought his style was brute-forcing head-on, so this sneaky approach didn't suit him. Yet he turned out even more underhanded and insidious than expected—trapping opponents like this seemed right up his alley.
Contrary to her predictions, her inventions fit him perfectly.
"...Doesn't feel much like a compliment."
"It is one. Be happy. I'm saying it's villainous of you."
Thanks to his great performance, the 7th Squad was practically conquered. Honestly, that was plenty. Controlling an entire hero unit responsible for S City's security was as good as it gets. Brainwashing just one of them would've opened plenty of doors, but in this state, he could become the king of S City's underworld.
Even if the Villain Union tried to sabotage him, he could use the 7th Squad heroes to intercept and crush them instead.
"The Union wants our organization dismantled, but we don't have to grant that wish. Let's use this chance to break away from them. Back then it might've been impossible, but now we could set up a hideout in S City and keep operating on the down-low."
In other words, what Dorothy was getting at was:
"Give up on Rahe. Or at least, there's no need to do it right now."
The Villain Union had issued orders to subdue Rahe and fully conquer the 7th Squad. They'd clearly reviewed the reports closely, yet they seemed to know about his trump card, 'brainwashing,' too. And the deadline? One week. Way too rushed.
Time had already passed since the orders came down—only about three days left now. Considering Rahe was the captain and often away from the base, it was insanely tight. Desk-jockey orders had their limits.
Or maybe they issued it this way hoping he'd fail.
Villain No. 13 had no intention of underestimating himself. He acknowledged the situation was heavily in his favor. He'd brainwashed the entire 7th Squad roster, leaving only Rahe.
But precisely because she was the last one, he had to be cautious. The 7th Squad's captain wouldn't be a pushover like the others.
He'd asked the brainwashed 7th Squad members all about Rahe to gather intel. The more he asked, the more hopeless it seemed. When Check said she'd need ten of herself to take on one Rahe, he wondered what kind of joke that was. He'd seen Check's strength with his own eyes.
Someday, Rahe would be his. With careful planning and minimal-risk methods.
So it was wiser not to heed the Villain Union's demands. No need to follow a stupid order that felt like a push toward death.
Dorothy's advice was sound. Her concerns valid.
But Villain No. 13 shook his head, rejecting it.
Dorothy frowned in annoyance.
"Villain No. 13."
"I get what you're saying. Your advice is smart. But I can't."
Because the boss doesn't want that.
Villain No. 13 said as much.
"Our organization's goal, the boss's vision—it's not just about scraping by and staying alive. You know that, Dorothy."
"......."
"For that big picture the boss wants, we still need the Villain Union. For now, at least. So let's play along."
His words made sense. But Dorothy still looked dissatisfied.
Villain No. 13 patted her head with his hand. She swatted it away irritably.
"Don't worry too much. I've got this. I've already started the groundwork."
"Shut up. You're an idiot—you'll screw up again. This time you'll really die."
"Say something nice. Words have power, you know."
"I'm warning you ahead of time to avert disaster."
He'd thought it was just casual trash talk, but apparently it was her way of showing care. Either way, it felt nice that she was worried about him in her own way.
Conversation over. No point dragging it out—the conclusion wouldn't change.
Perhaps thinking the same, Dorothy stopped trying to persuade him.
"I'll upgrade the brainwashing device a bit more. The drugs and tools too. ...Capture that woman for sure."
"Roger. Once Rahe's mine, we'll shove a massive middle finger right up the Villain Union's ass. Hell, I'll rape every last one of them."
"It's scary because I know you mean it literally."
Villain No. 13 offered his fist. With a sigh, Dorothy bumped her small fist against it.
'......?'
Rahe's eyelids twitched heavily for some reason, and she slowly opened her eyes, sitting up. Her familiar captain's office. She'd apparently fallen asleep slumped over her desk. An empty coffee cup sat beside her.
Checking the time, about an hour had passed since she remembered. Was she that tired? Must've dozed off mid-work.
"Nngh..."
She stretched lightly, extending her body. Her head felt a bit heavy, but her condition was decent. Her body felt strangely light.
Pathetic. Falling asleep on the job.
Even after coffee. Maybe not enough caffeine. Increasing the dose wouldn't be good...
Still, what a weird dream.
She seemed to have had a strange dream. Rahe vaguely recalled it, staring blankly.
The details were hazy—she barely remembered. It felt shrouded in thick fog. For some reason, she thought she'd seen Apple in it. Maybe because Apple was the last thing she saw before sleeping.
But what was it about? Definitely weird, though.
...Hmm. Whatever. No need to dwell. Just a dream.
As she thought that, there came a polite knock. Rahe responded, and Apple entered.
"Pardon the intrusion, Captain Rahe. I came for the cup."
"Ah, thanks, Apple. Delicious as always."
She handed the empty cup to Apple, who approached with a tray.
Thump...
Huh...?
As she passed the cup, Rahe felt a fleeting, eerie sensation.
"Captain Rahe? What's wrong?"
"...No, nothing. Just... a weird feeling."
"A weird feeling?"
Rahe waved it off at Apple's puzzled look.
What was it? Looking at Apple's face, having her so close—it gave her an odd vibe.
Then it hit her, and she asked:
"Apple, do you usually wear perfume?"
"Perfume? No, I don't use any..."
"Really? It's nothing. Just... you smell nice."
That was it. The scent.
Apple's scent, wafting close, had triggered that strange feeling in Rahe. Inhaling it sent a tingle racing across her skin.
Somehow... exhilarating...
Ah, my nipples are hard.
Maybe because she'd just woken up. Or Apple being so near. Her body was reacting oddly.
Rahe felt a touch embarrassed.
No big deal, though. But to avoid Apple noticing, she hurriedly sent her off and resumed her interrupted work.
Apple, taking the cup and exiting the captain's office, glanced back at the closed door before heading to the break room.
By her judgment, no major issues. While Rahe slept after drinking the brainwashing drug mixed in her sugar, Apple had entered and exited the office, implanting several suggestions without Rahe realizing.
To report this promptly, Apple contacted Villain No. 13 right away...