I Became the Mastermind Who Betrays the Heroines

Chapter 1 - Gallimard (1)

It’s already been three years since I ended up in this world.

A time that could be considered both short and long.

I wandered through this place where I was suddenly thrown.

- Maybe I’ll be able to return if I just wait a little longer...?

At first, I held onto that hope, but in the end, I had no choice but to accept reality.

The original story’s event dates were fast approaching.

Yeah, that was it exactly.

Transmigration is cold.

So cold it’s enough to freeze you to death.

‘I liked games, but I never wished for my life itself to become one.’

A sinking feeling washed over me.

I couldn’t stop the sigh that escaped my lips.

Standing there with my hand pressed against my forehead, I saw the reflection of shimmering blonde hair in the mirror.

“......”

I silently stared at the face reflected back at me.

Soft, flowing blonde hair, half-closed eyelids, and a sly-looking smile.

The typical look of a "squinty-eyed character."

Judas Snakes.

That was the name of the body I possessed.

Of all people, why did it have to be someone like this?

The mastermind who serves as the final boss in every route, the traitor who betrays the protagonist’s party in every route.

The main culprit behind every catastrophic ending.

I tried to beat this bastard 1,943 times in my attempts to clear the game.

I can’t even count how many times I faced defeat.

Even when I miraculously defeated him in the final attempt, they dragged me right back in without hesitation.

I didn’t even get to see the ending I’d been waiting for. Damn it.

“Haha... How delightful.”

I meant to spit out a curse, but what came out was this ridiculous way of speaking.

And the voice was so calm, too.

It was far from what you’d expect from someone genuinely angry.

This was all thanks to this damn body.

-Ding!

[The trait \'Smiling Mask\' has been activated.]

[You remain composed in any situation. Basic decorum is maintained, and your inner emotions do not surface.]

A blue screen floated before my eyes.

It was the status window, just like in the game.

I let out a low hum as I stared at the text. But of course, thanks to the trait, it came out as a cheerful tune and a smoldering gaze.

‘Trait, Smiling Mask.’

Always keeping a relaxed smile and maintaining a sly demeanor.

I guess it was added to reinforce the "squinty-eyed character" vibe.

Rude behavior is automatically filtered out, and any actions that go against the character’s nature are suppressed. Just like now.

“My word.”

= Damn it.

“Goodness gracious.”

= This is fucked up.

“Hmm, I can hardly believe it.”

= What the hell kind of bullshit is this?

It’s roughly like that.

The weird mix of formal speech in my words is also thanks to the trait.

As if possessing the final boss wasn’t bad enough, it even stops me from cursing.

‘This is just depressing.’

I can’t call shit “shit,” and I can’t call fuck “fuck.”

I’m sure this must be how *Hong Gil-dong felt.

[TL/N: *Reference to the “The Story of Hong Gildong”.]

I swallowed down my tears.

Suppressing my frustration, I tidied up my clothes, and soon, a voice called out from beyond the door.

-Young Master, it’s time to leave.

It was the servant in charge of attending to me.

I signaled that I understood and finished preparing myself.

Today was a special day.

It was the day I would finally leave the Snakes estate, where I’d spent the past three years, and head to the academy.

How much time had I spent tiptoeing around?

A mansion devoid of any trace of humanity.

It was like a desert shrouded in night.

Cold, dark, and lonely.

At last, the day had come for me to leave this damned place and head for the hope-filled academy.

‘Well... even if I put it that way, it’s not like I don’t appreciate possessing a noble’s son.’

If I had possessed a beggar or a slave, I wouldn’t have lasted long enough to adapt—I’d probably be dead by now.

Though that doesn’t mean I’m happy about being Judas.

I shook off those idle thoughts and walked toward the prepared carriage.

“Please travel safely.”

The butler’s farewell was cold and formal.

There wasn’t even a hint of affection in his mechanically bowed posture. It was just... colorless.

I stood there silently, watching him.

Once I left for the academy, I wouldn’t return for at least three years.

Yet there was no sign of concern or regret.

The other servants were the same.

Not one of them showed me any warmth.

‘...The Count didn’t even come to see me off.’

A strangely cold mansion.

Servants devoid of kindness.

A count who doesn’t bother to see off his only child.

It was a harsh environment.

Growing up in such a place, it’s no wonder the kid turned out this way.

Did Judas have a backstory after all?

I clicked my tongue softly and turned away.

“Well then, I’ll be off.”

It didn’t really concern me.

The reasons behind the mastermind’s desire to destroy the world—none of that interested me.

Unfeeling gazes fixed on me.

They were like winter itself.

But I deftly brushed off the icy atmosphere. I was used to this kind of chill.

I simply boarded the carriage.

***

‘The World Seen by the Little Prince.’

Or, as it’s often shortened, TWSP.

It was a game that once took the world by storm, and the title of the work I now found myself in.

It was widely regarded as the undisputed leader in the action RPG genre.

With outstanding combat mechanics, dazzling visuals, and stunning female characters, the game had plenty of appealing points. But what garnered the most praise was its story.

A fantasy reinterpretation of a classic children’s tale that everyone was familiar with.

The unique setting was what drew me to play the original game in the first place.

-What’s this... The Little Prince?

-People keep saying it’s fun. Maybe I’ll give it a shot for kicks.

Back then, I had no idea.

That I’d end up as a game addict uploading strategy guides online.

Or that I’d become obsessed with finding a hidden ending, only to possess a character in the game.

If I could go back, I’d click that refund button without hesitation.

But what’s done is done.

“How unfortunate.”

= Life’s a bitch.

I muttered to myself, shaking off the stray thoughts.

Before me was the towering main gate.

It seemed I’d arrived at my destination while I was lost in thought.

I looked around.

Tall walls, beautifully paved paths, grand buildings.

Taking in the scenery, it started to feel real.

Scenes I’d only ever seen through a screen were now unfolding right before my eyes.

‘Gallimard Academy.’

The original story takes place here.

The narrative unfolds around the daily life and events at the academy.

A faint sense of nostalgia bubbled up inside me.

It made me feel a little warm and fuzzy.

It was a natural reaction.

Reality might be brutal, but I was still a diehard fan of [The World Seen by the Little Prince].

It was only natural to get a little sentimental over these small things.

“Haha... It’s even more impressive than I imagined.”

The continent’s top educational institution.

Its grandeur was befitting of its reputation.

The academy was so vast that it was practically the size of a small city.

I walked along, recalling the descriptions I’d read in the lore books.

Near the main gate, a large crowd bustled.

It seemed they were here for today’s entrance exam.

Everyone looked like they had gathered for that purpose. I stood quietly, listening in.

-So, what do you think about this year’s entrance exam?

-I’m confident, of course!

-Hmm... There sure are a lot of competitors this time.

-Tell me about it. There are way too many kids from prestigious families this year.

-Ah~ I’m so hungry!

The kids chatted away, their voices a mix of nervousness and excitement.

The scene was brimming with a warm, lively energy.

Maybe because I’d spent so much time in that dreary mansion.

Just being surrounded by their chatter was enough to make me feel at ease.

‘Yeah, this is what a place with actual people is like.’

I gently lifted the corners of my mouth into a smile.

Thanks to the trait, it came off as a rather dangerous and sly grin, but I let it slide.

As I was idly passing the time—

-Do you have any idea whose path you’ve dared to block?!

-How dare a lowly commoner like you...!

I caught a hint of discord in the air.

A shrill voice pierced through the noise.

Turning toward its source, I saw a crowd gathered around a particular spot.

A girl was on the ground there.

-I-I’m sorry... I was lost in thought and bumped into him by mistake.

It was obvious at a glance that something was up.

Judging by the bits of conversation I overheard, it seemed the girl had collided with some noble’s child.

-What if the Young Master had gotten hurt?!

-I’m sorry... hic...

The truth was, the one who got hurt was the girl.

She was the one sprawled on the ground, the one with bruises, the one with tears welling up in her eyes.

But since when did spoiled brats ever care about such things?

They were just picking on her because she got in their way.

I scratched my head indifferently.

It’s best not to get involved in things like this.

I wasn’t interested in triggering troublesome events.

I was just about to lose interest and turn away when I caught a glimpse of the girl’s face.

“...Huh?”

Pink hair flowing down to her waist.

Shimmering green eyes that sparkled like dew.

A cute, puppy-like expression, and a slender yet toned figure.

I knew this character.

“Regia Filarts...?”

Regia Filarts.

The lead character who drives the story in [The World Seen by the Little Prince] and the most prominent figure in the game.

In other words, the protagonist of the original story.

The distinctive outfit made it easy to recognize her at a glance.

Since her design was inspired by the "Pilot" character from the children’s tale, she wore some unique gear.

A somewhat rugged-style jacket, worn leather gloves, and flight goggles hanging around her neck.

There was only one person with such a getup.

“This is why commoners are so inferior!”

“Ugh, hic... I’m sorry...”

I found myself moving toward her, as if drawn in.

Toward the girl who was trembling and repeatedly bowing her head in tears.

“I-I didn’t mean to... The Young Master suddenly rushed over, and...”

“Are you blaming me now?”

“B-But... I really was just standing still.”

“How dare this insolent wench!”

“Eek...!”

The noble brat was making absurd claims and intimidating the girl.

He was completely letting his guard down, relying on the power of his escort knights.

I quietly approached from behind and lifted my foot.

“Oops~ Pardon me!”

Then I kicked him right in the ass.