Encounters

"Young Master, why are you heading to the back alleys?"

"...I need to buy something."

I was well aware that my mental state was in shambles, so before returning to the dormitory, I'd planned to stop by a counseling center or clinic ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠for some therapy. But after reading Serena's letter and suffering that massive shock, my ravaged mind had cleared up just a bit, so I scrapped the idea.

It seemed the impact from the letter had been so intense that it paradoxically sharpened my senses. I should probably use shock therapy like this more often.

With my mind cleared, I put off the counseling visit and turned the carriage toward the back alleys I'd been meaning to check out soon. Now, cloaked in robes with Kania, we were heading to the entrance of the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠back alleys in the market district.

"Young Master, has Miss Serena uncovered the truth?"

"Hm... No penalty window popped up, so probably not."

"But if not, how does Miss Serena know about 'Hangul'?"

"...Beats me."

Unwittingly mimicking Serena's speech pattern, I let out a deep sigh as I glanced at Kania's worried expression and resumed our conversation.

"Lately, too many variables keep popping up... It feels like we're deviating further and further from the scenario."

"...Scenario?"

"Yeah, the 'scenario'. The one and only path to save this world."

Kania's face hardened at my words.

"The one and only path... you say?"

"Right. Whether it's that pathetic Sun God or some almighty system, doesn't matter—it's the sole means some transcendent being laid out in advance to grant the world a happy ending."

"........."

As I spoke in a flat tone, Kania stopped walking and stared straight at me before asking her question.

"...Is that really the only way?"

"What?"

"Do you have to be forced to suffer under that 'system' or whatever it is?"

I fell silent at her words, and Kania took a step closer, continuing.

"I haven't seen the Prophecy Book myself, so I don't know for sure... but surely there's another way?"

"Another way..."

"And Young Master, you tend to rely too much on the 'system'. If you keep that up, something big is bound to—"

"No choice."

Cutting her off mid-sentence, I gave a wry smile and began explaining.

"There are other ways. But if I don't play the villain, they all end in tragedy."

"...For example?"

"One of the happier endings if you skip this 'route' is surviving with just one of the 'main heroines' in a ruined world."

".........."

"There are other choices, of course... but most lead to endings like that. So no choice."

Kania was at a loss for words for a moment, then spoke softly again.

"E-even so... the 'system' restricts your actions too much. It's even malicious about it. So please, don't trust it blindly..."

"On the thousandth year since the Demon King's disappearance, his successor shall devour the world."

To her, I quietly recited a passage all too familiar.

Kania stared at me blankly for a moment, then recited the next line before realizing something, her expression dawning with understanding.

"No way... that 'same power' is..."

"Yeah, the 'system'. Not the 'Path of the Villain' like mine, of course... but he used a system too."

Gazing up at the sun shining mercilessly above us, I added curtly.

"And with that system, he ultimately defeated the Demon King."

Kania looked at me with pitying eyes, then quietly gazed at the sun as well before speaking.

"...Today, that sun up there feels especially hateful."

"Tell me about it."

We stared at the sun for a moment until complaints about blocking the road came from behind. With a sigh, we started walking again.

'Is following the system really the right call?'

From that point on, though I didn't show it to Kania, my doubts about the system grew stronger. Why did this convenient system that solved everything feed on my villainy? Why were all its provided abilities geared almost exclusively toward acts of villainy?

But just as I'd reserved judgment after pondering the Prophecy Book last time, with my mind already on the brink of collapse, delving into such fundamental issues might break me entirely. So I put off the decision.

"Over there...!"

As I wandered toward the market alley leading to the back alley entrance with a dazed look, a voice suddenly called out from somewhere.

"P-please, some food..."

"I haven't eaten in three days..."

"Help us..."

Snapping to attention, I looked around to find filthy, ragged children surrounding Kania and me, pleading desperately.

"...Kania, hand over the gold pouch."

"What if your good deed gets exposed?"

The kids were so pitiful I wanted to give alms, but Kania eyed me worriedly, pointing out the risk.

True enough, keep pushing charity like this and one slip-up would spell disaster. Even if I was wearing a white robe instead of the old black one... people are unpredictable.

"Fair point. Then you hand it out instead."

Unable to ignore the starving children, I ordered Kania to distribute the gold, then scanned the beaming kids.

"...Some of the ones who took gold back then are here too."

Soon, I realized most of the kids I'd rescued from the Succubus Queen were back begging with the beggar crowd. Sighing deeply, I clutched my head.

"Thank you, big sis!!"

"Thank you, sister!!"

After pondering briefly, I quietly spoke to Kania, who was waving with a smile as the kids scampered off happily.

"Kania, I can't take it anymore."

".....?"

Kania tilted her head in confusion at my abrupt words.

"I... I want to start a charity."

"Pardon!?"

It didn't take long for her puzzled look to turn to shock.

.........

"Young Master, please reconsider."

"...No. I've thought it through."

"Please..."

Now in the back alleys, she kept her voice low, but Kania was still clinging to me, pleading.

"Your life force and lifespan won't hold out. Please, after everything's over..."

"I know my lifespan well enough."

"...Pardon?"

I pulled something from my pocket and showed her.

"What's this?"

"My remaining lifespan."

".....!!!"

I stated it matter-of-factly, and Kania's jaw dropped before she bowed her head deeply.

"It's the lifespan gauge I got as a reward for beating Irina in the practical eval. Pretty cruel, huh?"

"Young... Master..."

As I smiled and spoke, Kania gripped my trembling hand and gazed at me pityingly. I scratched my head awkwardly.

"It's fine. I just need to survive until I settle things with the Demon King."

Avoiding her eyes as best I could, I pocketed the gauge again and continued.

"Anyway, I fully grasp how crucial my lifespan is."

"Then... all the more reason—"

"That's why I'll do just one, in complete secrecy and anonymously."

"...What?"

As Kania frowned questioningly, I smiled and answered.

"An orphanage."

"........"

Her eyes softened with emotion for a moment, but then she pulled out her fountain pen, tapped her temple, and spoke.

"Still, mobilizing the Starlight family's wealth will eventually lead back to you."

"I'll use my personal assets."

"Your personal assets?"

"Yeah, I've got plenty of money."

She shook her head with a wry smile at my confident claim.

"I know you're wealthy, Young Master, but not enough to sustain an orphanage long-term..."

"...Here."

".....!"

But when I showed her the account statement from my pocket, her eyes widened before she stared at me.

"How did you amass this much?"

"I didn't. Father did."

"...Ah."

Kania fell silent at that, and I turned from her to watch the kids vanishing into the distance before speaking again.

"I can endure anything else, but seeing the empire's future—kids—begging like that? I can't stand it."

"...I see."

"Plus, I don't think I'll last until everything's over anyway. Might as well start now."

"Ah..."

Kania's face fell briefly at my words, then hardened with resolve.

"I'll pour all my efforts into establishing the empire's finest orphanage."

"Good. And of course... no ties to the Starlight family or me."

"Understood."

Nodding solemnly, Kania began jotting in her ever-present notebook. I watched contentedly as the kids shrank to dots in the distance, murmuring inwardly.

'I wonder how that little one's doing...'

.........

"Argh... tch, that crazy bitch..."

Meanwhile, the Magic Tower Lord—who for some reason had returned to the Sunrise Empire from the Western Continent in just a day—muttered irritably as she walked the streets.

"Asking me to cast a mind-restoration spell in the last letter before losing her memories... Does she think that's some common spell? Even the emperor waits a year in line... Hah..."

Frowning and grumbling about Serena's arrogance for a while, she soon looked sadly at the sky and sighed.

"Sigh... Making me, at my age, go through all this hardship... If only that damned witch hadn't gotten dirt on me..."

"Bread for sale!!"

"...Hm?"

Catching the savory bread scent and energetic shout, she muttered with a scowl.

"Bread? What bread. Too hard on the digestion at my age..."

Venting at nothing in particular, she sighed and tried to hurry past the bakery, but...

"Hey, don't go! Just try a bite!!"

"...Kid, I'm busy right now. Move aside."

A little girl blocked her path, offering ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠bread, so she grumbled irritably.

"B-busy?"

"Yes, very busy."

"...I don't know what it is, but can I help?"

Watching the sparkling-eyed girl, the Tower Lord chuckled despite herself and took the bread.

"This is work for the Magic Tower Lord."

"Magic Tower Lord?"

Taking a bite, she began explaining wearily.

"Yes, immense mana capable of shaking the world was detected nearby, throwing the Tower into chaos. So the Lord herself—me—stepped out."

"R-really?"

"Yes, so you keep selling your bread. I don't need help from a kid who can't even cast spells."

Handing back the bread, she fished out a gold coin, placed it in the girl's hand, and grumbled gruffly.

"Argh... Tasty, but hard to digest. Maybe I should develop a digestion spell..."

"I-I'm a mage too!!"

"...What?"

As the Tower Lord turned to leave after her rare act of kindness to the cute girl, the kid shouted desperately. Chuckling again, she replied.

"Now, now, lying won't do. I sense no mana from you— what mage..."

"See! I can use magic too!"

".....!"

But as the girl began emanating brilliant light, the Tower Lord gaped in shock—

Pew!

"...Huh?"

—before vanishing from the spot.

"...Tower Lord?"

Boom!

"Eek!!"

The girl stared blankly at the spot, then yelped as the Tower Lord reappeared, eyes wide, striding toward her. She dropped her bread basket in fright.

"No way... the massive mana surge around here... it was all...?"

"...W-what's wrong?"

"Kid, what's your name?"

Staring blankly at the Tower Lord, who grabbed her hand and asked, the girl beamed innocently.

"...Glare!"

"Good. You're my disciple now."

"...Pardon?"

But as the Tower Lord gazed down ecstatically and declared it, Glare tilted her head in bewilderment again.

And on her left ring finger, the lucky ring she'd cherished gleamed, reflecting the light from her body.

.........

"...Phew, feeling alive again."

"You've had a hard day, Young Master."

After buying heaps of supplies for future needs in the back alleys and returning to the dormitory, the evening sunset bloomed across the sky.

Lying on my bed, staring blankly at it for a moment, I noticed Kania watching me ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠tensely.

"...The time for the 'Commoner Dormitory Raid' has finally come."

I'd been about to ask what was wrong, but her words explained her expression.

"Yeah, it's almost time."

"I've identified all the students who caused the raid last time. Just give the order, and I'll—"

"No use."

"...Pardon?"

Shaking my head, I pulled up the system alert floating in my window.

"Beating Irina changed the scenario."

The 'Commoner Dormitory Raid' originally happens because Irina overwhelmingly defeats a high noble in the practical duel. Humiliated, that noble harbors a grudge and, with accomplices, sets fire to the commoner dorm—a mad act.

Thanks to Perloché, Irina, and Kania's efforts, no deaths occur... but many are injured. The enraged commoner students rise up, sparking an uncontrollable spread that eventually engulfs the empire in rebellion.

Of course, the Demon King manipulating it all from the shadows begins openly appearing then.

In short, the 'Commoner Dormitory Raid' marks the empire's true slide toward ruin—and the Demon King's debut.

An event this critical must be stopped, but beating Irina tangled everything.

The original strategy was for me to be the defeated high noble, get caught trying to burn the dorm with beggar nobles... but victory randomized the 'raiders'.

Now, who, why, or how they'll raid is unpredictable.

"...That's quite the problem, then?"

Kania asked worriedly after my explanation.

"Yeah... You're stuck in the noble dorm as my servant, Irina's mana-exhausted... Perloché can go all out, but one kid alone is iffy..."

With so much going on lately, I couldn't find a solid solution. Clutching my head, I pondered countermeasures.

"Couldn't I keep watch around the commoner dorm?"

"No, too dangerous."

"...Pardon?"

As I shook my head after deep thought, a tentative Kania spoke up. She emanated an aura and continued.

"A few days ago, maybe... but now, I can handle most academy students."

"Using black magic leaves traces. The investigation team would make it messy later. Starlight power and bribes can cover most things... but black magic incidents are tough."

"I meant using regular magic, not black. Noble students who aren't commoners... I could take them blindfolded—"

"...You don't get it."

"Pardon?"

Sighing, I told her.

"This event... might be our first real hurdle."

Kania looked baffled, so I stood quietly and added.

"Most random events... have Demon King involvement."

She bit her lip, then steeled herself.

"...Then I should step up."

"Hah, we'll think on it."

Trying to dissuade her, but exhaustion hit hard, so I postponed, closed my eyes, and murmured sleepily.

"Anyway, any new reports? If not, I'm crashing."

"...One thing."

"Yeah...? Spill..."

Drifting off in a haze, I half-heard Kania...

"...The imperial family sent a ball invitation."

"Ball invitation?"

Her words jolted my eyes open.

"Yes, apparently to decide Lady Clana's fiancé there."

"...This is insane."

"...Pardon?"

An event far off had suddenly hit now. Truly maddening.

.........

"...One more time: who are you?"

"I am..."

Meanwhile, not far from Frey's dorm...

"...the Demon King's loyal servant."

Isabel, freed from the ship's curse Kania cast, murmured with a dreamy smile.

"Excellent. Then, as the Demon King's servant, your first mission."

A crow by the window—speaking human words—issued the order.

"Raid the commoner dormitory."

Isabel smiled as the fading sunset gently illuminated her.