I Became the Mastermind Who Betrays the Heroines

Chapter 8 - The Fox (4)

"Will you not be tamed by me?"

A voice echoed against the dark background.

At my proposal, Irene furrowed her brows.

“...What?”

Perhaps because she had just been in an extreme situation, the girl was glaring at me with a somewhat fierce look.

I smiled as if to show understanding.

First, it was necessary to ease her suspicion.

After all, she and the others were about to become my people.

“I’ll take care of you. I’ll help you escape this hellish place.”

“To take care of us... What are you talking about?”

“Just take it literally.”

“You mean you’ll let us out of here...?”

“Yes.”

I nodded to indicate that it was alright to be reassured.

The fox’s face was tinged with confusion.

There was a look of tension in her black eyes.

Indeed, it would be bewildering if someone who had just exuded a murderous intent suddenly turned friendly.

Did I overdo it with the intimidation?

“Please forgive the previous rudeness.”

I offered a sincere apology.

Upon hearing this, Irene flinched and then asked a few questions cautiously.

“...I don’t understand. Why are you helping us?”

“Perhaps out of personal interest.”

“Interest.”

Irene let out a hollow laugh.

She revealed strong animosity and hid the fallen children behind her.

“You plan to make us your slaves. You’re just like those disgusting auction house scum.”

“Well, I’m not really into slavery.”

“Then... taxidermy?”

“Oh dear. You’re imagining something dangerous.”

I lightly denied.

“I just need friends.”

A sinister smile spread across my face.

I was trying to hold back as much as possible, but the effect of my nature was more substantial than expected.

I was already fully embodying the role of a dark figure.

How would others perceive this scene?

A boy extending his hand to a future hero.

The primordial darkness corrupting a noble soul.

Irene seemed to feel uncomfortable, as she hesitated to respond.

“Being cautious is fine, but unfortunately, time is of the essence.”

“...What does that mean?”

“Soon, the soldiers guarding the auction house will be arriving.”

Though I had made a temporary arrangement, it was merely a stopgap measure.

The auction house would soon realize what had happened.

We needed to leave before things got more troublesome.

“It’s time to make a choice.”

“...”

“Whether you stay in this sorrowful purgatory... or take my hand and escape.”

I said as if to make her choose, but in reality, there was no choice.

The girl’s fate was harsh.

This was the empire’s worst auction house, the Apple Tree.

Even a future Sword Saint was still a budding sprout, yet to bloom.

It would be suicidal for Irene to attempt to escape with the children against the numerous guards.

“...Ha.”

The fox laughed wearily.

Had she faced the reality?

If she didn’t choose me, death was the only thing awaiting her.

“There was never a choice to begin with.”

Immediately after her self-deprecating remark, the girl cautiously extended her hand. It was a sign of acceptance.

“I don’t trust humans. I know how vile and cruel your kind can be.”

“Oh? Is that from experience?”

“...It’s a forgotten past now.”

Irene bit her lip alone.

Her eyes were filled with a venomous light, perhaps recalling painful memories.

It was a deep-seated hatred.

Though she seemed to be trying not to antagonize me due to the life-threatening situation, such intense emotions were not easily hidden.

In fact, such a reaction didn’t feel strange.

Even in the early parts of the original story, Irene suffered from severe distrust of humans.

So, there was no reason to bear a grudge if she didn’t fully trust the goodwill I was offering.

“Feel free to be wary of me.”

Taming, after all, takes time.

I was more than willing to wait.

The fox, who had momentarily been stiffened by my insidious demeanor, took my hand and murmured softly.

“I hope I won’t regret... this choice I’m making now.”

“I’m sure you won’t.”

The life I live is your dawn.

As the day passes and your star shines brighter, we will build our relationship in a wider wheat field.

A brief vow.

I embraced the girl generously.

Though her trembling hand was frail, it was a fragment of something that would someday cut through the heavens.

“Really... you won’t harm the children, right?”

“I’m a person who keeps my promises.”

“If you lie...”

“If I lie?”

“I’ll surely seek revenge. Even if I have to dedicate my entire life.”

“Ha ha! I’m looking forward to it!”

I smiled playfully.

After a brief small talk, the noisy sounds from outside the corridor reached our ears.

The clanging of armor. It seemed the soldiers were coming.

“It’s time to leave.”

“But how are we going to escape? I know you’re strong, but breaking through everything...”

“Shh.”

I cut off Irene’s question.

With an air of mystery, I gave a light wink.

“It’s a secret.”

If you show too much on the first meeting, people get bored quickly.

With a nonchalant remark, I snapped my fingers.

Snap-!

Immediately, the darkness that covered the entire corridor began to writhe.

The shadows, twisting like living creatures, soon swirled according to my gesture.

Thick blackness enveloped us.

In the next moment.

The snake and foxes were no longer there.

In the blink of an eye, only a patch of shadows remained behind them.

The escape was successful.

***

The dawn that had been so fierce was now past.

At the end of the night comes a new day.

In the middle of the day when the sun was high, I sat quietly in a chair.

“Hm.”

The view was of a familiar scene.

It was the appearance of the lodging where I had stayed for the past few days, having come down to take the academy exam.

It was spacious enough to rival a decent mansion. And it was comfortable.

It was just like the day before.

“Ugh...”

Except for one thing.

“Sis... I’m scared.”

“Have I been sold to bad people? Are we going to die...?”

“Sniff, woo woo...”

The foxes huddled in a corner.

The children were terrified, each hiding their bodies.

They had been in this state for a while.

“What could be the problem... They were like angels when they were asleep.”

Immediately after the escape, when we returned to the lodging, everyone was asleep.

Perhaps due to the harsh auction house life, the children had truly fallen into a deep slumber.

Even Irene, who seemed to hold on a bit longer, soon fell asleep.

It must have been tough.

‘Still, it’s a bit disappointing.’

I moved them all to the bed and covered them with blankets myself.

But as soon as they woke up, they were on guard.

The children who met my gaze had tears in their eyes.

Was I really that sinister-looking?

I felt a bit sad.

Judging people by their appearance. The world is so dirty.

“...Sorry. The kids are making a fuss. I’ll quiet them down soon.”

Irene said as she soothed the children.

Her voice was trembling, suggesting she was wary of me.

Indeed, it seemed she was on guard.

It wasn’t easy to approach all at once.

“Why are you trying to comfort them?”

“If the crying bothers you... you might kill the children just because they annoy you.”

“Ah? What kind of person do you think I am?”

“...A psychopath.”

A surprisingly direct term was returned.

That stings a bit.

Well, given what I showed yesterday, I can’t argue on principle.

I smiled bitterly.

“Let them cry as much as they want. They need to calm down on their own.”

Repression only fuels emotions.

Since feelings can’t be controlled at will, I stopped Irene from scolding them.

Poor children.

They were stars that should shine innocently, but couldn’t due to the greed of adults.

Having walked a thorny path without shining for a long time.

Even now, I hoped they would cry out fully, now that they were freed.

“Just wait a bit... They’ll get tired and quiet down.”

“Got it.”

Irene quietly withdrew.

She had a somewhat confused look.

Perhaps because of my friendly demeanor, she was even furrowing her brows.

As if she didn’t understand my intentions.

“Ha ha.”

I quietly smiled.

After a short wait, the crying gradually subsided and new sounds reached my ears.

Gurgle-.

It was the sound from the children’s stomachs.

Were they suffering from hunger?

Indeed, they hadn’t been properly fed in the underground prison.

The foxes had not had decent food for at least the past three months.

“Sniff... Sis, I’m hungry.”

“I am too...”

“What should we do? I’ll go outside and get something.”

“Isn’t it dangerous...?”

“I don’t want you to be in danger...”

Faintly heard conversation.

Even in their starving state, they were worried about Irene. They were deep-hearted children.

I interjected with a light smile.

“It seems you need a meal?”

“...Yes. We’ve been starving for too long.”

Irene, seemingly startled, nodded.

Behind her, the children were lying limp.

“Hm...”

I stroked my chin, humming.

After a brief pause, I gave a nonchalant response and flicked my fingers.

“Maybe I shouldn’t have brought them along.”

“What...?”

“I find such children... a bit bothersome.”

With these dismissive words, the air around us grew cold.

“There might need to be some adjustments.”

“...What are you planning to do?”

Irene, tense and on guard, glared at me.

The children, who had been sobbing, seemed to sense the gravity of the situation and were trembling in silence.

I smiled meaningfully.

“I didn’t want to go this far, but... it’s your fault for annoying me.”

It was a perfect time to have a bit of fun.

How about playing with them for a while?

I muttered inwardly and opened a nearby drawer.

Then, with a leisurely touch, I carefully pulled out something.

“...!”

“...?!”

The foxes’ reaction as they saw the object coming out of the drawer.

Their eyes filled with shock and terror.

Yet, despite their reactions, I merely smiled cruelly.

“Don’t be scared, everyone. I’m sure it’ll be enjoyable.”

The serpent whispered quietly.