The Villain's Second Time

Chapter 25

The eldest daughter of the Northern Duke Family of the Demon Realm, Adela.

Known as a fool, she was slow to act, often a beat behind in most matters, but now she was running faster than a whirlwind.

Because she was more worried about her younger brother, Oscar Lucifer, than anyone else.

Swoosh-!

A red cloak draped over her back fluttered wildly. A bird of half-black, half-red flew across the skies of the Demon Realm. Though small in stature, its aura was incomparably powerful, making the magical beasts inhabiting the skies tremble.

"Ah, no... Oscar... You, you mustn't get hurt too...."

Adela gnashed her teeth in impatience. Beads of cold sweat formed on her delicate neck and scattered into the air.

The reason for her deep concern was obvious. A long time ago, a similar incident had happened to her. The memory of that accident remained etched deep in her mind as a trauma.

"You mustn't end up like me... A talentless fool...."

Though Adela was less intelligent than the average demon, she was well aware of it herself. She also knew well the discrimination she faced in the world due to her stupidity.

The Demon Realm is a place where the strong are revered. Whether male or female, if one is strong, there is no reason to be pushed aside in the succession battle due to gender.

Just look at the Western Duke Family, the Clanaein Family. The female succubi monopolize power, surpassing all the male incubi. Though incubi themselves are considered lower-class demons.

And Adela is one of the strongest in the Northern Duke Family. The demons whisper that she will reign as one of the next generation's strongest in the Demon Realm. There are countless evaluations that even if the eldest son, Retavis, and the second son, Leonard, grow into adult demons, they will not match Adela.

The reason the family head excluded Adela from the succession was entirely reasonable.

Intelligence. In this fiercely competitive Demon Realm, where schemes and battles of wits are rampant, Adela, with her low intelligence, could never take on the role of family head. Even if it was due to an accident in her childhood caused by external factors.

Adela harbored no resentment toward that decision. She knew better than anyone that she lacked the capability to lead the family.

She also had no complaints about the rumors that she was excluded from the succession because she was a female demon. She knew it was done to spare her dignity.

"Oscar! Are you there?"

However, she was simply afraid. Afraid that the same incident and its unfortunate aftermath would befall her beloved younger brother. If the ominous future she imagined became reality due to the sparring she initiated......

Moreover, unlike her, her younger brother had no talent for magical power. He hadn't been able to release his magical power even by the age of nine. He might be treated even worse than she was.

'No, it's fine. He said it was just a little pain. It has to be fine...!'

Useless thoughts are no good. Adela shook her head vigorously and opened her brother's bedroom window.

The reason she flew through the air to the window instead of coming through the corridor to the main entrance was to save time. It shows how urgent Adela's heart was at the moment.

"Oscar! If you're there, answer me! Even if you're in pain, you can at least give me a single word......!"

After opening the window in the wall and entering the room, Adela first checked the bed. She assumed he would be lying in bed, unable to move due to his pain.

"Huh?"

However, contrary to her expectations, the bed was neatly made, revealing its old-fashioned bedspread. There was no one on the bed.

'What the... He said he was in pain, so why isn't he here?'

Flustered, Adela looked around. She saw nothing. The room was slightly messy, giving a somewhat chaotic impression, but not to a worrying extent.

'Did he gather his strength and go to eat? Since he didn't come through the corridor, I can't know. Well, I've confirmed he's not here. I'll go back to the dining hall first.'

For a moment, she thought about cleaning her brother's room, but she quickly dismissed the idea. As far as Adela knew, Oscar, though still very young, was incredibly sharp-minded. If she messed up while tidying the room he had arranged, what would she do?

Having reached her own conclusion, Adela strode toward the door, planning to return to the dining hall and search for Oscar slowly.

The moment Adela, standing in front of the door, grabbed the doorknob.

Tap-.

A light tapping sound came from the wardrobe beside the door.

It was such a small sound that Adela didn't pay much attention to it. Assuming it was just a mouse, she was about to leave again when.

Thud-.

A louder collision sound, unmistakable this time, came from the wardrobe. It was as if it was pleading, "Please, look here." Unlike before, it was impossible to ignore, so Adela's attention naturally turned toward the wardrobe.

Adela let go of the doorknob and instead reached toward the wardrobe. An inexplicable tension gripped her throat.

Suppressing a subtle fear, Adela bravely opened the wardrobe.

Clank-!

"......!"

Adela stumbled back in shock, falling on her rear. The shock and horror were evident on her face as she opened the door she shouldn't have. The sight inside the wardrobe was reflected in her wide-open eyes.

"Ugh... Ugh...."

Inside the wardrobe was a demon. Its mouth was gagged, its entire body tightly bound with tough ropes, and its eyes and ears covered with blindfolds and plugs.

Adela knew who this demon was. Not just knew, but knew very well.

Just this evening, they had shared a meal together at the dining table.

"Wh-why is Aunt here......!"

A bewildered voice escaped Adela's crimson lips. She couldn't believe the bizarre scene before her eyes.

Thud- thud- thud-.

The demon in the wardrobe kept hitting the back of its head against the wardrobe wall. As if it didn't even know Adela had opened the door. Instinctively, Adela realized that this was the sound that had led her here.

She couldn't understand. Why was Aunt in her brother's room, in such a state? Just a few minutes ago, they had been together during dinner.

"Ugh... Ugh... Ugh...."

The suffocating demon let out muffled groans, unable to speak properly due to the gag. Coming to her senses, Adela quickly leaned forward and approached the demon, intending to untie the ropes first.

It was then.

Swoosh-.

A bundle of trump cards flew out from somewhere in the corner of the room. Like a refreshing breeze, they lightly flew and arranged themselves in a certain pattern, blocking the space between Adela and the demon.

At first, Adela thought it was a trap and tried to deflect the cards with her magical power, but when she saw them forming some kind of 'letters,' she stopped. It seemed like the only clue to explain this strange situation.

However, contrary to her expectations, the letters formed by the cards only amplified her curiosity.

[BE QUIET]

Shh.

The only clue ended in a commanding tone.

At the end of the disappointingly short clue, Adela, still bewildered,

'Wait...!'

realized that the door she had been about to leave through, the doorknob she had just grabbed, was gone. In its place was a bizarre wall covered in luxurious wallpaper.

A very stiff-looking wall, as if it had always been there.

A confusing cognitive dissonance overwhelmed Adela. Why was Aunt here in such a state? Why was this place, which she had thought was her youngest brother's room, in such a state? What were these mysterious cards telling her to be quiet? And where had the perfectly fine door disappeared to?

An unknown fear rose from within, and Adela instinctively stepped back. A bag that had been lying on the desk suddenly appeared behind her, tripping her.

Crash-!

"Ugh, ugh...!"

The chaotic room was no more.

Instead, there was a room of chaos where logic was twisted and common sense didn't apply.

*****

Oh no, my palm is burning hot. It means Adela has already entered the array I laid in my room.

I used Horus's Egg very sparingly. I unblocked the meridians and gained a small amount of magical power.

Most importantly, thanks to Horus's Egg, I was able to create an illusion array to deceive Adela. It's possible because both Horus and Adela are absolute powerhouses of similar levels.

During the previous banquet, I deliberately mixed hallucinogens and herbs that cause confusion into Adela's meal. Though not yet an absolute powerhouse, she has reached a considerable level. To make her fall for a hastily prepared array, I had to use at least some drugs.

Judging by the reaction in my palm, it seems to have worked.

Stretching my neck and raising my head, I saw the vast sky of the Demon Realm, so expansive it felt overwhelming. The curtain call had fallen, and the lights had completely turned off. The sky seemed to applaud, as if the stage for the Joker had finally been completed.

Now I am at Endros' Cliff. I'm not standing stiffly with both legs at the edge of the cliff, but crouching hidden in the bushes a short distance away, like a jackal.

Why am I doing this? Well, it's because two demons will soon come rushing here at exactly midnight.

I temporarily took off the pure white mask I had been wearing and hid it in my clothes. Normally, the mask serves to hide my identity, but now it would only unnecessarily raise the enemy's guard. I can wear the mask later, once I create a situation where it's safe to do so.

Flutter-!

Crunch-.

Just then, a demon flying through the sky on a wyvern and another demon walking on two legs arrived at Endros' Cliff.

Big brother Retavis and little brother Leonard. A slender, handsome young man and a fierce-looking boy. Oh dear, Leonard. How did you end up inheriting only half of Father's handsome genes? Poor guy.

This world is superficial. Ugly demons have a harder time living compared to good-looking ones. Therefore, I decided to put an end to Leonard's pitiful life as soon as possible. It's absolutely not because I like pretty and handsome things.

"Brother? Why did you come here?"

"Leonard, why are you here? This isn't a place for you to wander around."

"Well... I came out for a short walk. My stomach felt heavy."

"I see. Then, you should head back. I have business here."

Sensing something off about Retavis's sudden appearance, Leonard lied. Whether it was because he wanted to meet Lilith Clanaein as soon as possible, Retavis didn't notice his hesitation.

But Leonard wasn't the only one.

"...Business, you say?"

"Yes, is there a problem?"

"Can't you tell me? If you do, I, your younger brother, will do my best to help."

"It's fine. It's my personal matter. You don't need to worry about it."

Retavis spoke with a flushed face, seemingly excited. Noticing this, Leonard's eyes sharpened as he asked.

"Wait a second, brother. Don't tell me you're also here for the Western Duke..."

"Oh? Big brother, second brother. What brings both of you here? Did you also receive a message from the Western Duke Family?"

"Oscar? Where did you come from all of a sudden?"

"Youngest...? Why are you here...? No, more importantly, didn't you just mention the Western Duke Family...?"

Do you know what a magician's worst enemy is? It's when the audience bands together. The moment the audience forms a tight alliance, the magician's trick is as good as failed.

Of course, a veteran magician like me has a way to counter that. I simply become one of the audience and blend in among them. The audience is too focused on the show to pay attention to themselves.

Now, I am the young Oscar. A clueless child lured to Endros' Cliff by a mysterious letter from the Western Duke Family, Clanaein.

"Did you also receive this letter? From Lilith Clanaein, the sole heir of the Clanaein Family?"

Along with the question, Leonard pulled out a letter from his pocket. He has no idea I was the one who gave it to him.

"What, what? You guys also received that letter? It clearly said only I should come to Endros' Cliff...!"

Retavis, bewildered by the unexpected situation, hurriedly pulled out his letter. Oops, I didn't make one for myself. I need to change the subject before they ask me to show mine.

"Yes, it said to come to Endros' Cliff by midnight tonight... I don't really understand what's going on."

"Hoo, I feel the same way. Why would they call us here and not show up themselves...?"

"No, more importantly, why did they send letters to all three of us? It doesn't seem like a meaningless prank from someone we've never met..."

"Big brother, second brother. What should we do now? It's already getting late... Should we trust the sender and wait?"

"Hmm... Maybe they're waiting below. It might be best to go down the cliff and check."

It's easy to align with the audience. Just create a sense of empathy between them and me. For example, being in an unknown situation that might be a trap.

The mind is fickle. The more the surroundings crumble, the more desperately it seeks something to rely on. Ignoring the wise saying to test a bridge before crossing it. Only after falling into the water does it regret.

I naturally slipped between Leonard and Retavis. Though Retavis doesn't seem to suspect me, Leonard is now wary of even Retavis.

Since Retavis is the strongest here, I need to position myself between them, making Retavis think 'we're still family' and Leonard think 'I'm his only ally.'

Of course, they don't like me. Especially Leonard, who hates me so much he tries to kill me whenever he gets the chance. It might seem strange how I approach them without causing suspicion.

But hatred and murderous intent tend to crumble like dogs in the face of a fundamental threat to life.

On the cliff in the demon-infested forest of the Demon Realm, two young demons who haven't even reached adulthood and one who just became an adult were left behind. The two young ones already showed half-hidden confusion and fear on their faces.

"Ha, don't tell me that succubus Lilith Clanaein is playing a prank on us? Sending fake letters?"

Moreover, they now harbor a faint hostility toward Lilith, suspecting they've been toyed with.

"...That's ridiculous. Unless she wants to wage war against us."

"I've heard Lilith Clanaein is an extremely arrogant demon. She treats others like toys. As the sole heir of the Western Duke Family, she's always been pampered."

"Lilith! You damn wench! How dare you make a fool of me! Me, Retavis, the eldest son of the Lucifer Family!"

The hot-tempered Retavis kicked the ground angrily. It's just misplaced frustration. He's embarrassed to show such a shameful side in front of his younger brothers, whom he always looked down on.

Lilith! I'm sorry! Next time I see you, I'll treat you to some beef! Ah, but you're a succubus, so you'd probably prefer the blood of male demons, right?

"First, let's calm down and look around. No matter how thoughtless that demon is... she wouldn't do something like this as a joke."

Unlike the agitated Retavis, Leonard calmly observed the situation and scanned the area. Good posture. Although Leonard often has anger management issues, he usually remains calm in most crises.

Of course, it's good for me, not Leonard. Calmness usually works in your favor, but I've been counting on that calmness since earlier.

"She might be down there."

Leonard approached the edge of the cliff and looked down. He pointed below the cliff as he spoke.

Calmness gives you a broader perspective. Unlike Retavis, who stomps the ground meaninglessly.

"Endros' Cliff refers to this upper part, but who knows? Succubi love playing with words."

"Are you talking about the area below the cliff, shrouded in fog and invisible?"

I quickly approached him. Leonard, who already recognized me as an ally to cooperate with, didn't avoid or stop me.

"Yes, down there."

Leonard knelt down, leaned forward, and pointed below the cliff with his finger. I leaned in close, as if trying to peer through the darkness.

"Through the fog, I think I see something faintly white. Come here and take a look. Could that be Lilith Clanaein?"

"Oh, you're right. But that..."

Leonard subtly pressed his body against mine, glancing at Retavis, who was still stomping the ground. Distracted by a meaningless rivalry, he failed to notice the fire at his feet.

Fire has no malice. If you walk into it asking to be burned, it will only grow and consume you. That's why fire is called a disaster. It contains neither goodwill nor malice. I'm the same.

I'm a crouching fox. When two wolves cling to me, afraid of falling off the cliff, I pull the support from under their feet, like a mischievous child.

Hand a knife to a nine-year-old brat...

"If you hit it, your bones and flesh will be crushed by the sharp rocks."

Thud-.

"Ah! Oh no!"

".........Huh?"

Leonard, whose weight was already leaning forward, easily toppled over with just a slight push. He fell helplessly into the void, his entire body engulfed in a sense of liberation. Unaware of the situation, Leonard gave me a dazed look.

As he fell gracefully to the ground, I shouted in feigned panic.

"He slipped! There's nothing we can do now! Brother! Let's at least say our final goodbyes! Farewell on your journey to the afterlife! I'll send you a companion soon so you won't be lonely!"

The horrified gaze of the rapidly falling Leonard and the shocked look of Retavis, who witnessed everything, bore down on me.

I love those looks. That's why I can't stop the show.