Episode 177
"Hehehing...!"
"We have arrived!"
As the carriage gradually slowed and came to a halt, the coachman announced their arrival at the destination.
- Young master, are you certain this is alright? If you wish, I can immediately use shadows to...
At the same time, Cania's transmission came through the communication device. Her voice trembling considerably, she seemed deeply worried.
"It's fine, Cania. She cannot touch me anyway."
- But what if the Demon King has hidden subordinates there?
"...With her current status, she cannot create such subordinates. Besides, this was a surprise visit from the start."
Even as I said this, sensing her mood through the communication device remained poor, I tapped the staff I carried in my robes and spoke.
"And if it comes to that, I'll just use the staff. It can handle most combat-level executives."
- ...If there is even the slightest sign of danger, I will intervene.
Cania responded in a dark voice, and immediately after, the transmission cut off.
"Guest? Aren't you getting off?"
Thanks to that, I had been scratching my head, but hearing the coachman's voice laced with slight irritation, I tightened my robe and stepped down from the carriage.
'Before long, I'll need to make a carriage exclusively for the Tower.'
Soon after, with such thoughts in mind, I took one step forward.
"Ah, hello..."
""Hellooo...""
Somehow having learned of my arrival, the staff and children who had come out in front of the orphanage began bowing to greet me.
".........."
Normally, I would have smiled while looking at the children of the market district whose expressions had brightened, but at this very moment, I couldn't manage my expression well.
"Hello~!"
Because, at the edge of the group.
"Welcome to our orphanage!"
The most loathsome woman in the world was wearing a cloying smile.
"Pleased to meet you."
I felt like I might lose my reason at any moment, but I勉强 bowed my head to return the welcome greeting.
"...Grr."
Of course, my expression management was failing entirely.
"Hm? Are you perhaps unwell?"
"...No, I'm fine."
"I see! That's a relief!"
As I kept my head bowed for a moment, Ruby threw words at me with a worried expression.
"You somehow seem unwell..."
She, who looked like she cared for others to anyone who saw, seemed to fit the nickname 'the orphanage's little saintess.'
"...Hah."
But she was staring intently at my staff, which I had rendered transparent.
"Please come inside! I'll show you around!"
After a slightly awkward silence passed, Ruby grabbed my hand with a cheerful smile and dragged me into the orphanage.
"Then, I'll be in your care."
I gave her a soft smile, and passed by the children beside me to enter the orphanage.
I had wanted to smile at them before entering.
But I couldn't show the children a fabricated, false smile.
.
"The children look so happy, don't they?"
"They certainly do."
A mysterious sponsor hiding his identity and Ruby were having a pleasant conversation in the middle of the orphanage.
"Being able to see children who were starving on the streets living so energetically... it's truly like a dream."
As Ruby said this with tears welling up, the staff nearby wore pleased expressions.
"Thank you truly for creating this space that's like a miracle."
In that situation, Ruby, who had even bowed in gratitude, smiled at the sponsor who was staring at her and brought up a topic.
"Ah, by the way... are you perhaps the 'Money Hero' whose identity is unknown?"
At that, the people around began to murmur.
"Yes, that's correct."
When the sponsor nodded and answered, the murmuring stopped in an instant.
"I knew it! The rumors were true!"
Before long, Ruby's cheer echoed through the orphanage.
"The rumors of the 'Money Hero' who performs various charitable activities are widespread!"
"Is that so?"
"Unlike other wealthy people, you only conduct charity work! All profits from business are donated! And your identity cannot be discovered through any special magic!"
As Ruby chattered with sparkling eyes, the sponsor scratched his head.
"Furthermore... the rumors say you have some connection to this 'Slave Market Liberation Incident'..."
Ruby asked with a mischievous expression toward the sponsor.
"I, I won't answer that question."
The sponsor waved his hands with a flustered expression.
And then laughter rang out through the hall.
The atmosphere that had been only awkward had, thanks to Ruby, somehow turned warm and friendly.
"I've also heard many stories about you, Miss Ruby."
In that atmosphere, the sponsor spoke up.
"Always leading by example in work, taking on all the difficult tasks, and despite that, receiving no compensation whatsoever. Truly..."
As praise continued from his mouth, Ruby, who had been smiling with her eyes.
"...You're being hypocritical."
When the sponsor finished speaking with an expressionless face, her expression momentarily stiffened.
"Ah, ahaha!!"
"Pfft..."
After a moment, laughter burst out here and there.
"Of course, that was a joke. The anecdote where the Saintess accidentally said that to Miss Ruby when she visited this place is famous, after all."
In an even more cheerful atmosphere, the sponsor continued with a smile.
"Well, if Miss Ruby is hypocritical... then everyone in the world would be hypocrites."
Having said that, the sponsor stopped in place.
"Anyway, let's skip the tour and discuss practical matters."
Before long, he spoke with a serious expression.
"I'd like to speak with the overall manager."
"Ah, I'm in charge of that."
"Miss Ruby is?"
When the sponsor tilted his head, Ruby answered with a shy expression.
"The person who was in charge overall went on a business trip. I returned today, so I'm temporarily in charge."
"I see. I apologize. Since I'm involved in so many matters, I wasn't aware of that."
"Not at all! That can happen."
Having finished their conversation in a warm atmosphere.
"Then, shall we talk over there for a moment?"
"Sure!"
They began walking toward the office together.
"By the way, where did you hear that rumor?"
"Haha, isn't it a famous anecdote?"
Thus, the two continued their conversation while maintaining laughter until the end.
-Creeeak...
They stepped into the office simultaneously.
""..........""
In that moment, the atmosphere reversed.
-Zap, crackle...
It took only a second for various anti-eavesdropping magics to activate on the office door and windows.
"...Hah."
After that one second passed.
-FWOOOOOM!!!
The sponsor's. No, Frey's slash flew toward Ruby.
-Hummmm...
"How cute."
However, Frey's full-powered strike was stopped by an unknown force right before Ruby's chest.
"You should have known that you can't attack me."
"...I wanted to see how it works."
The innocent and gentle expression completely gone, Ruby, who had answered Frey with a low voice, wore a chilling smile as she looked at him.
"Your every action, every word is all so cute and amusing."
".....Cough."
"My."
When Frey frowned and coughed, Ruby clicked her tongue as if disappointed, then sat down with a relaxed expression.
"Why did you come with a fake identity? You should have known it would be better for me not to know this identity."
"Playing innocent. Even though you already knew the identity of this persona."
When Frey answered in a cold voice, she nodded.
"Indeed that's true. Only gods or the System would have the ability to fool my eyes. And gods wouldn't be that kind."
"That means, you too are a System holder."
"Isn't that also something you already knew?"
At Ruby's question, Frey answered while looking at the empty air.
[Do you accept the reward? Y/N]
"I needed to confirm your identity right before my eyes."
"So that appeared for you too? The clear window?"
As Frey silently stared at the window, Ruby spoke to him.
"When I accepted that, a penalty was applied to you. It seems it only appears when you confirm the identity directly with your own two eyes..."
"....."
"I secured evidence through the last image my poor crow sent me, burning even its soul. Well, you're seeing me directly with your own eyes."
Even after hearing that much, Frey remained silent, so Ruby spoke with slightly furrowed brows.
"So, when will you press it?"
"...Now."
Frey, who answered those words, tried to reach out his hand.
"Wait."
Ruby stopped Frey by imbuing even mana into her words.
"Let me make a proposal."
When Ruby was about to speak while licking her lips.
"Join hands?"
Frey asked in a cold voice.
"I haven't even said anything yet..."
"System holders joining hands to rule the world together amicably. Or become mine. Become a doll that whines and cries beneath me. Something along those lines."
Frey, who looked at her with an expression saying 'how obvious,' sat down, and Ruby began to chuckle.
"Interesting... truly, you are so interesting..."
"Hm."
"You don't have prophecy abilities, surely. Are you reading my thoughts? No, if you had such abilities, your body wouldn't have ended up in that state."
Ruby, who had been staring intently at Frey's stiffened face.
"This is the last hand I extend to the most interesting and amusing existence in my life."
Before long, she began to approach Frey with a bewitching smile.
"Really, you have no thoughts at all?"
"......"
"I mean, not even a shred of lust."
She, who had come right beside Frey.
"Do you perhaps dislike this young body? If so, shall I bring out my true form?"
"........."
"Well, I'm inclined to accommodate you to some extent. A 'horizontal relationship' until your lifespan runs out..."
She began whispering in a low voice by his ear.
"You should have a 'Mind Reading' skill too."
Hearing Frey's cold answer.
"Then... from now on, this is not a proposal but a declaration."
Suddenly changing her expression to something cold, she began to speak in a chilling voice.
"I will enroll in the Academy starting next semester."
".....!"
"And with the qualifications of a Hero, at that."
At those words, Frey's expression crumbled for a moment.
"You didn't think I'd been doing nothing for the past several months, did you? I've already completed approaching the Imperial Family and the Church. While you were groaning in your bed."
"Hah."
"Soon, there will be an official announcement about the Hero. Furthermore, rumors about you and the Demon King's Army will be amplified even more."
"....."
"I'll turn everyone except the few who've figured out your identity to my side, and you will be thoroughly ostracized."
Ruby, who spoke with a eerie expression, grabbed Frey's jaw with her hand and continued.
"You'll struggle desperately with your few understanding companions until you lose to me. And after that, hell will begin."
"...Hell?"
"First, I'll kill all five girls."
At those words, killing intent began to surface in Frey's eyes.
"I'll have a black mage slowly inject holy power into their bodies to collapse them from the inside, tear the archmage apart while still alive, make the saintess and princess food for stray dogs, and make the dimwit my toy."
Ruby, who declared calmly while looking straight at him.
"And besides that, I'll kill those precious to you as horrifically and cruelly as possible."
"....."
"Shall I cast an illusion to make you believe they died? Or shall I reveal all the truth and let them die in despair? Either would be amusing."
She continued speaking.
"And you will be raped to death by me every single day."
"......"
"Slowly crumbling before your loved ones, eventually becoming a pet that knows nothing but wagging its tail at me."
Ruby, who had been looking at the completely frozen Frey.
"I'm already looking forward to it. There won't be a boring moment for a while."
She leaned back in her chair with a satisfied expression.
"Now, my declaration is complete."
"Um..."
"Enough. The last chance was earlier. Hurry up and press accept and give me my penalty."
She, who blocked Frey's words as he tried to speak.
"Whether you press it or not, you already have no chance of winning."
She finished speaking while licking her lips.
""........""
And for a moment, silence flowed.
"...Cough."
What broke the silence was the Demon King's small cough.
[Stack:1] [Special Stack:1]
"Heheh... heheheheh..."
Ruby, who had been laughing while looking at the penalty floating before her eyes, suddenly stood up and looked at Frey with pathetic eyes.
"To think you'd lose even in schemes."
"...What?"
When Frey tilted his head, she began speaking with a dismissive expression.
"I'm not a fragile human like you. Though not in my awakened state's lifespan, I still have much more lifespan remaining than an ordinary human."
"That means..."
"Unlike you who hovers between life and death from a few penalties, I won't fall from a special penalty that only cuts my life force in half."
When Frey fell silent at those words, Ruby began to smile eerily.
"...And thanks to that, a perfect situation has been created to frame your fake identity."
"What?"
Ruby, who said that, grabbed Frey's robe and continued.
"Perhaps because I'm so strong, I can't be wounded by ordinary means. Of course, if I harm myself, I'd sustain damage, but that would leave permanent damage."
"You don't mean..."
"But if it's internal injuries from this penalty... it would be perfect to create the false charge that the 'Money Hero' attacked the 'True Hero,' wouldn't it."
When Ruby finished speaking and snapped her fingers, various pieces of evidence appeared around them.
"The System only prohibits revealing each other's identities. It doesn't restrict concealing identities."
"...Ugh."
"There's no problem with me making you out to be a bad person."
Ruby, who was saying that, began smearing her blood on Frey's body.
"If I go outside like this and call for help, what will happen to you?"
"........."
"The best-case scenario is the elimination of the 'fake identity.' The worst-case scenario is the exposure of your identity as 'Frey.' Either would be amusing."
She began staggering toward the exit.
"Well then, it was an enjoyable meeting, Fre..."
However.
"...Kuhack!?"
She ended up clutching her stomach and collapsing right before the door.
"Ugh.......?"
Before long, before her eyes, which wore an expression of disbelief.
[A penalty has occurred.]
[Stack 2] [Special Stack:1]
For some reason, a warning window with one more stack added was floating.
"There are three errors in what you've said so far."
And in that moment, Frey, who approached Ruby.
"So, listen well."
"...Ugh."
He held Ruby's cheek in his hand and began to speak.
"First, you're not receiving only special stacks."
"W-what...?"
"...You need to receive Cania, Irina, and Klana's share, three stacks as well."
The moment Frey said that.
[A penalty has occurred.]
[Stack 3] [Special Stack:1]
"...Kuhack!"
Ruby's stack increased by one more.
"H-how did three people discover my identity...? That should be impossible..."
"That's none of your business."
"Ugh..."
"Listen to the rest and then faint."
Frey, who placed his staff against the belly of Ruby, who was losing consciousness, and began injecting a small amount of life force.
"The Demon God played a trick on the quest I received."
He continued with a dumbfounded expression.
"Until I complete the quest, no penalty would apply to you at all. Was that to buy time to do various things while I was bedridden? In any case, it was extremely unfair treatment."
"Ugh..."
"...But, who knew that would be helpful."
Frey, who said that while slightly putting force into his staff.
[A penalty has occurred.]
[Stack 4] [Special Stack:1]
"...Heeek."
"Blame your guardian who didn't know that sometimes overprotection can be harmful."
He continued speaking while forcibly standing up Ruby, who had received the fourth stack and was now in a critical state.
"Second, it's not true that there's no chance of winning."
"....."
"Besides the three stacks just received, you've received a stack once before, haven't you?"
".....!"
When Frey said that and Ruby's eyes went wide, Frey scratched his head and muttered.
"To be honest, I don't really know what that is either... but anyway, Serena said that it's the key..."
"How did you..."
When Ruby asked Frey with a trembling voice, Frey answered with a grin.
"Because that is my chance of winning."
At those words, Ruby's eyes trembled for the first time, and Frey, just as she had done earlier, whispered in a low voice by Ruby's ear.
"And third, and lastly..."
"Cough, cough..."
"...the one who will experience hell after everything ends is none other than you."
Frey, who said that, concluded while looking into Ruby's eyes, which were barely maintaining fading consciousness.
"So look forward to it."
And for a moment, silence flowed.
"Cough, cough... ugh..."
In that silence, Ruby, who had been vomiting massive amounts of blood.
"Hehe, heheheh..."
Suddenly let out a laugh.
"...As expected, you're interesting."
Leaving those words behind, she lost consciousness.
"Hah..."
And for a moment, silence flowed.
-Zap, crackle...!
Frey, who activated star magic while simultaneously driving his staff into the ground, thoroughly obliterating the cunning evidence Ruby had prepared.
"Is, is anyone there!!!"
Before long, he began calling out urgently.
"Miss Ruby has collapsed!!"
"Y-yes?"
"She suddenly vomited blood and collapsed! Perhaps she had an underlying condition...?"
"N-now that you mention it, last time...!"
Before long, Frey, who watched as gathered staff shared opinions about Ruby's collapse and carried her on their back.
[Special System has been opened!]
"...Finally."
Looking at the special system floating before his eyes amidst the commotion, he muttered in a low voice.
"The real beginning."
.
Meanwhile at that time.
"Special System opened...?"
Glare, who had been emitting a small light from her body while concealing her form and watching the suddenly occurring situation through the orphanage window.
"No, that's not the important thing."
Was staring at the opaque window floating before the vaguely visible robed man.
"...what is the 'Path of the Evil One'?"
From her body, a faint light continued to emit.