Perloché's Diary
Hello! It's Perloché here.
Today marks the second day since I arrived at the Starlight family's mansion, and it's the first day I've decided to start keeping a diary!
By the way, this diary was a gift from Clana. It's enchanted with grammar-correction magic, so I can write without any worries.
Anyway, the reason I'm writing this diary is... because Frey's atrocities have gone too far!
To ensure I never forget Frey's evil deeds! And to pass them down to my descendants for generations!
That's why I've started this diary.
Today, Frey did something terrible to Lulu!
How do I know? I overheard the sounds coming from Frey's visit to her room!
"Lick it. Clean it thoroughly with your tongue."
"...Y-Yes."
Outraged, I tried to fling open the door and confront Frey, but the commoner students nearby held me back.
So there I was, trembling with fury, until Frey emerged from the room looking all relieved. Seizing the moment, I darted inside!
"Um, are you oka—"
"D-Don't come near me!!"
"Lulu..."
"Stay away!! I said stay away!! Even if you're the saintess, you'll be cursed with misfortune!!"
But once again, Lulu pushed me away with nonsense I couldn't make sense of.
It made me a little sad... but I'm not giving up!
I'll definitely rescue Lulu from Frey's clutches and become her friend!
Oh, and something strange happened tonight.
Around dawn, I heard a scream and rushed into the hallway. There was someone standing right there in the corridor!
I nearly jumped out of my skin, thinking it was a ghost, and was about to chant a purification spell when I realized it was Irina.
"Irina? What are you doing there?"
Calming my pounding heart, I approached her, intending to ask what she was doing in the hallway at this hour.
"Cr-Crazy... Are they... No way..."
But Irina seemed not to hear me, muttering something incomprehensible while staring at something.
"Irina! What's wrong?!"
I soon realized she was peering at the door to Kania's room. Panicking, I hurried over—if something had happened, I had to help our ally Kania!
"Eep!"
But as soon as she heard me, Irina clamped her hand over her mouth and slowly turned to stare at me!
"Is it that serious? Then I should help ri—"
"N-No! It's nothing! Just go back to bed!"
I was so worried about Irina and the clearly distressed Kania that I clenched my fists and headed for the door, but Irina blocked me, her face beet red.
"But just now, from in there..."
"...You don't need to know yet. Go back."
I had a vague feeling something weird was coming from inside the room, but with Irina desperately glancing at the door and blocking me, I had no choice but to turn away.
What on earth was that about?
There's no one more pathetic than someone oblivious to their own shame.
Frey, who abuses Lulu, toys with female students, and even pounced on Aris when she brought his meal—that's the epitome.
"Aris! Are you okay?!"
"...Yes."
This morning, Aris stumbled out of Frey's room looking utterly wrecked. To my question, she replied in a soulless voice and headed downstairs.
Her clothes were a mess of food stains, her hair disheveled, and there were handprints on her cheeks. No doubt she'd suffered terribly at Frey's hands.
"Frey! What did you do this time?!"
"Hm?"
I finally brushed off the commoners' pleas and stormed into Frey's room to confront him!
"What did Aris do to deserve that treatment?!"
"A commoner keeps trying to lecture me."
His response was utterly revolting.
"So I laid her on the bed to remind her of her place. But she resisted, so I poured some nearby food on her, and she quieted down."
"Y-You... And you still call yourself..."
His brazen expression looked so wicked that I muttered unwittingly, and Frey approached, whispering lowly.
"Human? I am human. But that thing that just left my room? Not human."
"What?"
"Aris, whom I just played with, or the commoners peeking through the door crack right now—they're just toys for me to enjoy or break whenever I want."
With that, Frey clapped, and Lulu, trembling in the corner, crawled toward him.
"Play with my pet, will you? Time for you to leave."
Yes, that was the ugliest of Frey's atrocities today.
He did other vile things after, but they've become routine, so I won't bother writing them.
I don't care anymore.
I hope that dog Frey dies soon.
Did a demon possess me? I wrote a curse word forbidden by the church in my diary.
But I had no other way to vent my rage.
What happened yesterday? It's a horrific memory I don't want to relive, but I can't run from it... I'll hold back the disgust and write it down.
It started last evening when Frey, who had been holed up in his room erupting in fury for some reason, showed up in the dining hall.
"Alright, party's on! I'll graciously feed you lowly ones, so eat up gratefully."
He clapped, and colorful party foods began arriving one by one.
Of course, I suspected the vile Frey had some scheme.
But before I knew it, I was devouring the delicious feast!
Clearly, evil Frey used some spell to boost my appetite!
The other commoners were eyeing it warily but eating too, and nothing happened, so I kept going.
Mid-feast, suddenly drowsiness hit me.
Thinking it was food coma, I stood to splash water on my face—only to see all the other students face-planted on the table.
'...Ah, a trap!'
Frey rose from the head seat with a smirk, and that's when I realized.
Like a fish biting bait despite knowing it's a lure, driven by desire—what a feeling.
"Ugh, uuu..."
Still clinging to consciousness, I tried to cast purification, but succumbed to sleep and collapsed.
Though at the last moment, I felt black magic from behind... Probably imagination?
"Uuu..."
After blacking out for a while, I cracked my eyes open to see Frey groping Aris right in front of me.
The other girls were propped up in their chairs too... Frey...
Sorry, my hand's shaking. Be right back.
Okay, composed myself.
Anyway, watching Frey grope Aris, drowsiness hit again, and I passed out.
So strange. Normally my mental resistance would hold, but why then?
Like someone clubbing the back of my head each time I woke?
When I came to again, I was in the girls' dorm.
"Perloché's awake!"
"Phew... Thank goodness."
Staring blankly at the surrounding girls, they asked in trembling voices.
"Frey said we were all just drunk..."
"Is that true? Something feels off."
"Perloché, your mental strength is strong—do you know anything?"
"Ah, well..."
I tried hiding the truth at first, not wanting to shock them.
"Please... tell us the truth, Saintess."
But with Aris, whom Frey had groped, asking stone-faced, I couldn't hold back.
"...Alright, I'll tell you."
Now, as I write this, the air around me is chill with resentment.
I hope this grudge reaches Frey.
Oh God, why do you give me such trials?
The morning of the sixth day of vacation dawned bright.
"...Irina, finished investigating the 'Mark'?"
Basking in the dazzling sunlight as I rose, I noticed Irina standing before me with a worried look and asked.
"Ah... Um, yeah. It's done."
Stammering briefly, Irina nodded and handed over various documents.
"This is...?"
"A type of ancient magic. Found it in old texts."
"Damn, most of this stuff is ancient magic. What the hell were the ancients up to?"
Skimming the documents, I scowled and sighed at the mention of ancient magic.
"Anyway, the 'Mark' is like a curse. But... its purpose differs from regular curses or black magic."
"Differs how?"
"Curses and black magic stem from envy and a desire to destroy. But the Mark... it's different."
I tilted my head, and Irina said gravely,
"The Mark is imprinted to judge and make one repent."
"Judge and repent?"
"Yes, it's like divine punishment from humans."
Feeling the situation turning serious, I stiffened, and Irina sat, beginning her explanation.
"Anyway, since the 'Mark' differs from curses in structure and purpose, the way to lift it is completely different."
"How so?"
"Most curses are designed with complex or nonexistent removal methods to maximize suffering. But the Mark..."
Trailing off, Irina pointed to the document I held and continued.
"Has a clear, simple removal method. It's designed so one can repent by following it."
"Then that's good. Easier than other curses, right?"
Smiling, I asked, but Irina shook her head.
"No, here's the key. The Mark on her was the 'Mark of Misfortune,' right?"
"Yeah, so?"
"If I'm right... she pushes people away because it's the 'Misfortune Mark.'"
Pausing, Irina asked,
"Frey, what does she need most?"
"Hm... Attention and love? She has severe affection deprivation."
"As I thought."
Sighing at my answer, she explained.
"She bears the Mark that brings misfortune, and its removal requires receiving attention and love from others."
"Ah... so that's why the effects..."
"But the problem is, the Mark's effect clashes with its removal method."
Clenching her fists, Irina continued with a frown.
"Anyone who loved Lulu got swept into her misfortune and met bad ends. Kania investigated her parents, acquaintances, friends—all had tragic outcomes."
"Then..."
"Yes, she always pushed others away to avoid dragging them into misfortune."
Finally, I understood why she suicides in every route.
Lulu, knowing the fates of those who loved her, killed herself to protect the persistent 'player' trying to 'capture' her, no matter how much she pushed.
"Wait, something's off?"
Stunned by the truth, I raised two doubts.
"First, why didn't she push me away?"
"She probably thought you'd deserve death."
"...Ah."
I realized I was currently the world's enemy, a scumbag fit to die.
"Pushed to her limit by endless misfortune, she's likely using your twisted attention and affection as nourishment to lift the Mark."
"Since I'm a villain who won't mind the misfortune?"
"Yes, no... You're not a villain."
Chuckling, I asked the next.
"Okay, next question. Why do the effect and removal clash?"
Irina rifled through papers without answering immediately. Watching her, I pressed.
"You said the Mark is for judgment and repentance. But her 'Misfortune Mark' seems more vicious than a curse?"
"...Someone abused the Mark."
"Abused it?"
Frowning, I prompted, and sighing, she asked back.
"Know why I researched the 'Mark' so thoroughly?"
"Uh... You're a genius mage?"
Flattering vaguely, she blushed.
"W-Well, yes, but... bigger reason."
"What?"
"I've seen those 'Mark' symptoms a few times in previous loops."
"What!?"
Eyes wide, Irina said solemnly.
"Skeptical at first, but investigating matched what I'd seen before. That's why I found it so quickly and detailed."
"Remember where?"
Swallowing, she whispered,
"When we stormed the Demon King Castle, on the slaves they commanded and prisoners in the dungeons."
Silence fell between us.
"...Anyway, to lift it, keep giving Lulu affection and attention?"
Breaking the quiet calmly, Irina nodded softly.
"Sigh, already unfortunate... about to get more so."
Having luckily found the one route to save her, I lamented, and Irina eyed me cautiously, consoling.
"No need to worry. Ancient texts say the 'Misfortune Mark' has no effect on someone more unfortunate than the bearer. So you... uh..."
"...Won't be affected, huh?"
Chuckles dryly, I muttered.
"Haha... Should I be happy... or sad...?"
"Frey..."
"Whatever, happy. I can save Lulu without burden."
Forcing a smile, I rose, preparing to go out, briefing her.
"Kania's staying overnight where Cardia and Aria are—for safety check and healing. I'll be out too."
"Where to?"
"Made some fun new friends lately. Gonna chat."
As I headed out, Irina grabbed my arm.
"Frey, one favor."
"Yeah?"
Perplexed by her grave face, she asked in a trembling voice.
"Please tell me what the second trial is."
"That again? It's really nothing, don't worry..."
"Please... Frey..."
"Sigh..."
Unable to brush off her teary plea, I sighed and relented.
"Fine, I'll tell you."
She nodded, paling slightly, and I explained the second trial as gently as possible.
"Alright, I'm off. Guard the house while I'm gone, Irina."
Finishing, I patted her shoulder softly and left.
...Why's Irina like that?
Her last expression was deathly pale.
......
"That concludes today's meeting."
""Thank you, Lord Frey.""
After leaving the mansion and overseeing the Demon King's army meeting late into the night, I ended it and headed out.
"Um... help me train?"
"Me too! I wanna train!"
"...Later."
Passing the cute-eyed woman and bunny-eared girl who'd been nagging for spars lately, I asked Drimirkan waiting at the entrance for teleportation.
"Not training with them?"
"Combat executives—they'll manage."
Smiling at my words, Drimirkan bowed slightly, whispering.
"You wish to pluck the moon?"
"...Except the brightest one."
"Understood. Farewell, hope of the Demon King's army."
The next instant, Starlight Duke's Mansion appeared before me.
...Do they really think I'm the Demon King?
Tilting my head dubiously, I noticed the commotion at the mansion front.
Approaching cautiously, some students were staggering in the yard, vomiting.
"...Oh, no."
Sensing poison gas made of moon mana leaking from inside, I paled and rushed to the gate.
The elders had finally caused trouble.