Stealing Heroines’ Affections Is My Job as the Villain

In Kantor Forest…

"AA… AAAHRRGGH──!!"

Loud screams could be heard as a Gladius knight sprinted for his life.

"Somebody… help me…"

His armor was shattered and worn and tears were streaming down his face.

"Somebody… PLEASE, HELP ME!!"

Panic gripped him, his eyes wide with fear.

The clanking of his damaged armor grew louder and louder as he ran, desperate, like prey fleeing a predator.

"I-, I don't want to die! PLEASE!!"

He glanced back.

The endless darkness and trail of corpses behind him made his fear grow even more.

Immediately, he pushed himself to run even faster.

But when he looked forward again, a dark figure stood silently before him.

"N-, NO! It-, It can't be…"

An ominous purple aura was emanating from them. It felt like the presence of death—in fact, so deadly that one would already start seeing their life flash before their eyes.

This dark figure was clad in jet-black armor that made them look like a hellish demon.

But worse than that, they moved with frightening speed.

With one swift swing of their sword, they sliced off the knight's head like it was tender meat. Blood immediately splashed out from the neck like a fountain as the severed head spun in the air like a ragdoll before collapsing on the blood-soaked soil.

The black-armored fiend took of their helmet and it turned out to be the Black Divine General.

Astrid Morrigan Ravenblade.

A soft stream of moonlight poured over her, making her look like an angel of death as she stood among the mangled and headless corpses.

"Om Shanti…"

She plainly stared at her blade with her beautiful purple eyes, watching as thick, red blood dripped down its sides.

"These Gladius knights are all the same. They're meant to be defenders of the Fortress Nation of Duranzia and protectors of Fort Bridge Dersat, but I can't help but frown as I cut every single one of them down."

She gazed up at the full moon.

The light made her smooth, pearl-like skin shine brightly.

"What disappointment…"

Those were the last words she spoke.

Then, there was a sudden silence.

… Hm?

Astrid's ears perked up, and she glanced to the side.

Sadim ran from a distance.

『Please… I have to make it in time!』

He moving at an intense speed. By the time he arrived, he saw corpses scattered all over the forest.

"No…"

The young man felt lost, unsure of how to react.

"They can't be… are they…"

Should he feel anger, pain, or frustration?

It was too hard to figure out.

In the end, he chose the only logical option.

"BAHAHAH! It looks like Divine General Ravenblade has already handled everything!"

Behind Sadim's forced laughter was nothing but deep sorrow and overwhelming anger. He couldn't believe he still had the strength to keep his sanity in front of the woman who had slaughtered all his comrades like animals.

"I wanted to be the one to cut down these pigs myself, you know? But naturally you did a way better job than this soldier could ever dream of."

He put his hands on his hips and laughed even louder.

"OHOHO! As expected of the Black Divine General!"

The more Sadim spoke, the more disgusted he felt with himself.

These men weren't pigs.

These men weren't animals.

They weren't even true knights of Gladius City nor were they his enemies.

『They're my comrades…』

The more he thought about it, the angrier he got.

『I managed to pull Rosemarie out of danger just in time, but that was all I could do, and it clearly wasn't enough. This woman… Astrid Morrigan Ravenblade, is a cold-hearted monster. She doesn't give a damn if you have a wife or kids waiting for you at home—she'll chop you into pieces and send your bloody remains back to them. Damn it, this bitch… I just want to strangle this bitch!』

He almost wanted to unleash his anger right then, but he was smart enough to hold himself back.

One thing Sadim would never forget was that he could never defeat the woman in front of him, even if she killed Rosemarie—the most precious person in his life.

After all, Astrid was a Battle God.

That was far beyond his level.

If he so much as let his killing intent show or let his bloodlust slip out, his head would drop to the ground in an instant.

That was how terrifyingly powerful she was!

General Astrid raised an eyebrow at Sadim.

"These dead men weren't worth it. They don't even deserve the title of knights, but that's their issue. I was more interested in finding this Red Rogue who's been causing problems for our development plans for Kaalen Tower City, but it looks like he's already fled. What a waste."

She looked a bit disappointed.

"It seems he's not worth my time, so I'll leave that to Arcellion and his soldiers. You can go report to him that I'll be leaving before sunrise with a small army to conquer the other tower cities—both those ruled by Duranzia and the more lawless ones. We don't have much time."

Sadim didn't say a word.

His eyes looked flat and empty.

He was trying to hide all the emotions swirling inside him, and they weren't good ones. He clenched his fists until he could hear his bones cracking.

『This woman…』

Sadim wanted to kill her so badly.

But, he knew he couldn't.

Astrid narrowed her eyes at Sadim.

"Am I clear?"

She spoke with more authority.

"Y-, Yes…"

Sadim forced the words out.

The divine general nodded in response.

"Good."

Astrid looked at her bloodstained blade and made it ignite with purple flames, burning away all the blood.

"Summon… Wraithfire Stallion."

Then, she scraped the blade across the ground, opening a purple flaming portal that summoned her powerful horse, surrounded by hellish purple flames.

She put on her demonic helmet with dual horns, mounted her horse, and galloped away, leaving only a trail of ashes and purple flames behind her.

Now that she was gone, Sadim's face contorted with anger, frustration, and pain.

"She killed them… then said they're not worth it…"

Blood-colored rain began to fall from the dark, thundering skies, and soon the foul scent of blood and decaying corpses filled the air in Kantor Forest.

"She really said that…"

Sadim dropped to his knees and stared at his trembling hands, feeling lost.

"What do I… h-, how do I…"

He didn't know what to do or how to feel.

"DAMN YOU──!!!"

A burst of golden light exploded from Sadim's body, causing the earth, trees and corpses to momentarily crystallize like golden ice before shattering instantly.

[Ding! The "hero" Sadim Goldtouch has experienced a deep character growth. He has received +150 Fate Value!]

━ ━ ━ ━

Meanwhile…

In the Shield City of Bulwark…

A young lady in Imperial Knight attire walked through the grand, lavish hallways of Shield Castle with a calm expression.

She had long purple hair and striking purple eyes that blinked slowly behind her thin-framed glasses. Her sword hung at her side, and with each step, she displayed the grace of a well-mannered lady as well as the strength of a knight.

This was Sophia Dumanche Estella.

"Lady Sophia!"

Someone called out her name.

The pretty young lady turned to see who it was and saw an old maid standing there with a gentle smile on her face.

Unlike some of the Imperial Knights, this old woman had no issues with well-mannered knights like Sophia, who showed respect to servants like her.

Many Imperial Knights would punish a servant just for saying their name, but Sophia wasn't one of them.

"Is there a problem, miss?" Sophia asked politely.

The old maid smiled. "Oh no, not at all!"

"Okay?"

"W-, Well Lord Gormund would like to see you in his study. It seems he has an assignment for you."

"Oh? Finally!"

Sophia adjusted her spectacles and grinned a little.