Stealing Heroines’ Affections Is My Job as the Villain

In Edmond's wine room…

Vritra and Marquis Edmond finally had some time alone, though they weren't completely by themselves. Marquis Gordias was also present, having earned enough of Edmond's trust to be included in the conversation.

What made this moment even more intriguing for Vritra was the realization that the two lords sitting across from him were about to discuss something that even the High Marquis of the city wasn't aware of.

『This is getting more interesting than I expected. There's a good chance that these guys have the same mission I was sent here for. If that's true, it'll make my job a whole lot easier…』

The young Asura smiled as he prepared his cup of red tea.

Across the table, Lords Edmond and Gordias exchanged a brief glance before turning their attention back to the dark prince.

By now, Vritra had finished preparing his tea.

"So, what is it you really want to talk about?"

Vritra leaned back in his chair, bringing the teacup to his lips to blow on the rising steam.

Edmond cleared his throat, ready to speak.

"I'm not sure if you've noticed, but Gladius City is more than just thriving. It's probably the strongest of all the four major vassal states under Duranzia."

"Yes, I can see that…" Vritra replied uninterestedly.

Edmond's irritation flared.

『This smug bastard…』

He hated how the prince always seemed so casual, as if their time wasn't worth much to him. The marquis clenched his fists, but Gordias placed a hand on his lap, reminding him not to let Vritra get to him so easily.

『Gordias is right. I've been making these plans for a long time. I'm a careful man, so when my plans worked and the ancient gods came to Duranzia, I prepared for both Prince Lumis and God Vritra. Prince Lumis would've been easier to manipulate, but this arrogant young lord will have to do. Thanks to Lord Kris, I've gathered enough information to know he's as sly as a snake.

So, I need to be cautious around him and make sure he follows my plans.』

Forcing a pleasant smile, Edmond continued.

"Did I also mention that Gladius City enjoys semi-autonomous vassalage?"

Vritra sighed, placing his teacup and saucer down gently.

"You two… really think I'm a fool, yes?"

The conversation was getting too political for his liking, and he decided it was time to cut it short. He needed to remind these two lords just who they were dealing with.

There was no response to Vritra's question.

Edmond and Gordias sat there, momentarily startled.

Vritra's eyes turned blood-red, and he glared at them as if he was ready to tear them apart and leave their mangled bodies to bake under the scorching sun of the Red Desert.

"Answer my question…" the young lord demanded.

Despite the threat in his voice, neither man seemed fazed.

In fact, Edmond looked even more confident.

The young lord's attempt to intimidate them only served to strengthen Edmond's ego.

『Ha, I get what Gordias meant now. This young lord is just like the rest… arrogant immortals who believe they can always win just because they come from a superior race. He thinks he's clever, but maybe he's finally met his match. You were never truly special, Vritra, just another face in a crowd of ordinary men.』

He fought back a smirk and spoke calmly.

"You almost sound like you want to kill us, God Vritra. But if you recall, there's a certain [Conditional Magic] that prevents ancient gods from killing high-ranking officials of any nation they've made a pact with. Isn't that right?"

Edmond's grin widened.

"No need to get so worked up over nothing. Why don't you stay seated and let me finish?"

Gordias nodded in agreement.

"Exactly. You may be centuries old, God Vritra, but you don't know how things work in the Central Continent, you might as well be a child. It'd be wise if you stayed quiet and listened."

He was a man of few words, but Gordias wasn't going to miss an opportunity to put the arrogant young lord in his place.

Vritra looked at the two men, surprised they were daring to defy him so openly.

But there wasn't a hint of hesitation written on his smooth, handsome face.

No, this was actually quite thrilling.

"I see…"

The young Asura settled back in his chair and nodded.

"I'll be quiet and listen."

The two noblemen weren't surprised that an ancient god, even one as feared and wicked as Vritra, was willing to listen and show humility.

They genuinely thought their approach would work.

Vritra clapped his hands softly.

"Neron…"

At the sound of his name, the demon appeared behind Vritra in an instant.

"My liege…"

This time, his six bat-like wings were spread out, and his two black horns were prominent. It was too obvious why Neron was showing his demonic side… common men fortunately born with the privilege of nobility were disrespecting his lord, and he was eager to end their lives.

Edmond and Gordias tensed.

『SHIT! Is he really going to do it──?!』

『He couldn't be that foolish, could he…?』

They had left their guards behind to have this private meeting with God Vritra. However, they soon started to regret that decision when they saw the terrifying presence of Neron.

The butler glanced at Vritra and spoke.

"Young master, what would you like me to do with these worms? Kill them? Mutilate their bodies?"

"No, no. Just give me those documents."

"Noted."

Neron didn't question God Vritra and promptly handed him a thick tome, bearing the family seals of Redwood and Yellowstone, as well as the royal seal of the Serathen family. This instantly sent Edmond and Gordias into a quiet panic, though they did their best to hide it behind slightly strained expressions.

"Do-, Documents? Haha, what in the three realms do you mean by that, God Vritra?"

Edmond stammered, pretending not to understand.

But perhaps silence, like Gordias had chosen, would have been a better option.

Vritra crossed his legs and let out a long sigh, signaling to the two noblemen that the tables were about to turn—and there was nothing they could do to stop it.

『There's a reason you're just a minor villain, Edmond… you're nothing more than a small obstacle to get past before the main course. Once I'm finished with you, I'll go after your daughter, and believe me, I'll enjoy every moment of it.』

No amount of scheming could've prepared them for this.

"So, you don't know what these documents are?"

Vritra waved the tome in the air.

"N-, No, of course not!"

Edmond replied, though it was obvious neither he nor Gordias could take their eyes off the book in Vritra's hands. As it moved right, so did their eyes; when it moved left, their gaze followed.

"Is that so? Maybe you're telling the truth."

Vritra unfolded the documents with a calm expression.

"But you know what? Let me read it to you guys… maybe it'll jog your memories, right?"

Both marquises gulped nervously.

Vritra casually uncrossed his legs, resting them on the desk between him and the two lords, before crossing them again.

"Did you really think the only reason people were scared of me was because of my powers? No. It's because of who I am, and what I do to people who dare defy me."

He got comfortable for what was about to follow.

"According to these documents, Gladius keeps a fair amount of internal autonomy, governing itself in most domestic matters but still recognizing Duranzia as the higher authority when it comes to foreign policy, military obligations, and certain key resources.

"This gives Gladius about 50% independence while still being subject to Duranzia's control in some areas. Some details were removed from the documents, but I can still piece things together. You're in charge of Gladius's inter-state military forces, meaning you could easily inform the Serathen knights on how to best defeat them, right?

"You've been helping Serathen apply military pressure on Duranzia while also backing the idea of Duranzia forming a pact with the ancient gods. I'm not entirely sure why yet, but I'm guessing it has something to do with Gladius City's government and your secret alliance with the Military Kingdom of Serathen.

… Hrmmm

"In fact, I'll make an unpolished guess and say it's tied to the entire rulership of the Redsteel Territory."

Prince Vritra shared not only the information that was on the documents but also revealed details that were cleverly hidden through anagrams or never written down at all.

If they had known Vritra still had more information about their runaway children, who were now in Kaalen Tower City, they might have been terrified enough to die from fear.

"S-, So… what're you going to do to us?"

Lord Edmond was sweating and trembling in his chair.

He knew the implications of being found it.

Treason deserved only death!

Even Lord Gordias looked like he might pass out if someone so much as poked him.

But Vritra didn't do any of that.

Instead, he walked up behind the men and casually draped his arms over their shoulders, as if they were old friends.

Then he let out a playful giggle.

"No need to worry about that… because I have the same plans as you, though I'll go about it a bit differently."

"I-, I don't understand, God Vritra…"

Vritra gave Edmond a small pat on the head.

"Yes, I intend to overthrow Marquis Cedric and take control of Gladius City, and maybe even the entire Redsteel Territory. And both of you, my loyal servants, are going to help me make that happen. Do I make myself clear?"

The real reason for Vritra's visit is now clear.