Fated to Be Loved by Villains

EP – 026.2 – Full Moon Festival (3)

I can assure you of one thing. This is crazy. Even an EX-level Desperation wouldn’t cut it.

With the EX level Desperation stat boost, I should be able to deal with 5 to 10 people. But against dozens to hundreds of elite troops?

It would already be considered good if I can hold out even for a few seconds.

Even Marquis Riverback, whose confidence was soaring just now, abruptly blanked out.

After all, the tower that he’s built up over many years was destroyed in just a few minutes by one person.

As I was at a loss for words, Elnore’s brows furrowed as if she suddenly remembered something.

“Ah, that’s right.”

Calmly throwing away two bloodied corpses, she came towards me.

“Come to think of it, it was not a good idea.”

“…Yes?”

“It was hard. I could have been hurt. How could you make me do this?”

“…”

“Shouldn’t you take responsibility?”

She was lying through her teeth without even batting an eye.

She has not one scratch and looked better than a brand new porcelain.

Rather, didn’t you get rid of all the stress, even enjoyed it…?

“It did feel great but this isn’t a date, no, that, anyway, you should make it up to me!”

“…”

“Let’s go out together again next time. Alright?”

“…Should I?”

It doesn’t feel like I really have the grounds to refuse right now.

“Um. You should. You’ll have to take responsibility for other things later.”

What is the other thing that I have to take responsibility for?

What should I take responsibility for?

As I sighed at the incomprehensible words, a window suddenly appeared before me.

<System Message>

[ Checking the current condition of target ‘Elnore’. ]
[ Current favorability is ‘Dear’ or higher. The unique debuff ‘Madness’ has been improved under your influence. ]
[ Conditions for Exclusive Quest have been met. ]

< Exclusive Quest Triggered! >

[ ‘Elnore Elinalise La Tristan’ Exclusive Quest is added to the Gift Tab. ]
[ Clearing the quest will unlock higher favorability level than ‘Dear’. ]
[ Clearing the quest will grant significant benefits to the main scenario. ]
[ Clearing the quest will affect the ending. ]
[ The target ‘Gideon Galestead La Tristan’ is interested in you! ]

“…?”

Wait a minute.

What’s this?

The Exclusive Quest didn’t exist in the game. Is this a new system?

But although there are many eye-catching prompts lined up, the most noticeable one is…

‘Gideon?’

If it’s Gideon, then it’s him.

Archduke Tristan. A key figure in the empire, who is said to be the second most powerful person next to the Emperor, and the strongest knight nicknamed the One-man Army, and Elnore’s father.

He’s also a villain, who greatly contributed to Elnore’s corruption into the final boss.

“…”

At least during the course of Chapter 1, he’s not someone I was expecting to take an interest in me and have this message pop up.

What’s happening?

‘…Ah, I don’t know.’

I shook my head and closed the window.

I can take a look at this later.

What’s more important is this.

<System Message>

[ You have completed the Main Quest! ]
[ Quest completion time is less than 5 minutes! A record-breaking feat! ]
[ The highest level reward will be given! ]

“I… all the things I’ve accomplished…”

A quest completion prompt popped up along with the defeated appearance of Marquis Riverback. He’s completely mentally crushed.

“…”

Well, it’s understandable, considering that the thing he’s been proudly building to perfection for years got destroyed in less than 5 minutes.

“Give up, Marquis Riverback.”

Elnore went on calmly.

“It’ll be your end once it gets out that you are associated with devil worshippers. Given the social stigma, there is no alternative other than immediate execution. You’d better surrender now and face a merciful end.”

“…”

Her voice is calm, but her words are brutal.

It seems as though sparing him wasn’t even an option.

‘If the acquisition event has been derailed, the branch will…’

The branch after this point would have been either ‘escape’ or ‘battle’.

But since Elnore has already taken care of all the enemies, neither option is necessary.

“…Hah.”

Marquis Riverback bitterly laughed.

“I didn’t think I’d have to resort to this.”

I watched as Marquis Riverback pull something out of his pocket in a daze.

Perhaps, it’s a cursed item that allows a person to borrow corrupt power for a short time.

‘What follows after this is…’

Marquis Riverback awakens as the Purifier, and a boss battle follows immediately after.

Since it ended too easily, there’s a high chance that a new branch will be added…

[ A new branch has appeared. ]
[ Branch: Essence Emergence ]
[ The difficulty level has significantly increased! ]
[ In addition to the reward, ‘Devil’s Essence,’ an item related to the ending, will be given. ]
[ The target ‘???’ will take even more interest in you! ]

“…”

What the fck?

As I was perplexed by the message that appeared before my eyes, Marquis Riverback finally took ‘something’ out that wriggled like a living creature’s heart.

There seems to be an unknown, endless sticky darkness oozing at the center of it.

As soon as I saw this, a chill ran down my spine.

The feeling of ‘things are seriously going wrong’ crept up my whole body.

‘Devil’s Essence…!’

This sht.

No, stop this fcking sht.

That’s not something that should appear in Chapter 1.

Simply being able to use some of the corrupt power and becoming a ‘demon’ after eating that are entirely different things!

“Elnore, cut off his arm! Don’t let him eat that!”

“…?”

At my big reaction, the shocked Elnore immediately drew her sword and lunged towards Marquis Riverback.

“Receive the grace of God.”

However, Marquis Riverback had already shoved the essence into his mouth.

And the next moment.

-!
-!!!!
-!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The whole Twilight Iris building was consumed by surging darkness.