Being a Villain is My True Calling

Shortly thereafter.

“Oh, um…”

With a bewildered gaze, I surveyed the villains strewn about like discarded trash.

“Kkeuk…”
“Kkeueoeeok…”
“Ah, euuk…”

All of them were coated in dust, emitting pained groans – yet inexplicably devoid of any visible injuries, merely wailing incoherently.
What precisely had transpired here?
I stood frozen, struggling to comprehend the incongruous sight before me.

“Are you alright?”
“…Ah.”

Snapping out of my stupor at the voice of the perpetrator, I hastily expressed my gratitude.

“Thank you. Thanks to you…the situation was defused without incident.”

While uttering those words felt questionable, they were the only feasible expression of appreciation, prompting me to bow deeply in sincere thanks.

“Heheh, what for? I merely beckoned – the Warden handled everything!”
“The Warden…you mean…”

Giggling at my words, she shook her head before gesturing towards her summoned construct.

Dalgurak, dalgurak!

“Ah, the Warden apologizes for startling you, though it was a rather routine occurrence!”
“…The Warden conveyed that?”
“Indeed?”

…Clearly not human, regardless.

Dalgurak.

Despite bipedal locomotion and vaguely humanoid proportions, it was undeniably not human – merely humanoid in appearance.

“The Warden is currently expressing gratitude! Shouldn’t you reciprocate?”
“…Thank you. Then…would it be appropriate to address you as Warden?”

Grasping the proffered hand tentatively, I examined the construct’s physique.
A succinct descriptor would be ‘playing card soldier’.

A rectangular, box-like torso reminiscent of playing cards, coupled with slender limbs.
Its facial area was obscured by a visor helmet and mask.

Imprinted across its body were heart suit emblems.

Dalgurak, dalgurak.

“Oh my, no need for such humility. Are you truly claiming no involvement?”
“…Surely you were the one who intervened?”
“Oh, me? Even if the Warden insists on modesty, dismissing any contribution seems rather discourteous~”

Dalgurak, dalgurak.

“See, the Warden agrees that your dismissal is disheartening.”
“…My apologies.”

One thing was apparent – as a construct, it lacked the capacity for speech.
It could not autonomously articulate such sentiments, nor experience emotions.

In its master’s presence, it could briefly mimic such affectations through her direction.

Dalgurak dalgurak.

“Hmm? The Warden forgives you? How fortunate we arrived in time to rescue this budding couple! Kkyaa! What am I saying, we’ve yet to reach that stage!”

Dalgurak dalgurak.

“The Warden suggests we’re well-suited? Even offering to officiate…! Such abruptness leaves me flustered…! Kkyak! I refuse!”

Chalsak chalsak!

After her brief, feigned protests, the woman broke into an amused giggle, playfully patting the card soldier’s back.
With each impact, its entire frame wobbled precariously, nearly toppling over.

‘…What is she even doing?’

I observed her theatrical antics with a mixture of bewilderment and resignation.

I had already deduced her reasons for concealing her identity.
However, if that were the case, couldn’t she have simply refrained from revealing her abilities altogether?

‘Though I suppose she hasn’t fully disclosed her abilities either.’

Dalgurak.

“What’s that? …Puhuh, who makes such outrageous jokes!”

Dalgurararararak!

Her exaggerated performance indicated a reluctance to reveal her full capabilities.
More likely, she had utilized her abilities expediently to swiftly resolve the current situation.

But for what purpose?
I recalled the circumstances prompting her intervention.

‘…You won’t leave if I resolve this?’
‘Pardon…?’
‘Okay, got it.’

…Could it be because of me?

“……”

I stole a sidelong glance towards her.

“Da,dalgurak, dalgurak! Ahahaha…!!”

Upon our gazes meeting, she swiftly averted her eyes, continuing her pantomime with the construct.

‘…It does seem to be because of me.’

Even her earlier words conveyed a certain degree of interest towards me.
The moment I mentioned departing, she had summoned her abilities.

‘…If concealing her identity was the goal, she could have simply suggested we withdraw together…’

Whether due to a lack of romantic experience or a sense of responsibility as the host, her behavior was rather…unconventional, at any rate.

In the grand scheme, this was hardly an undesirable outcome.
My attendance at this very party had essentially been to encounter her, after all.

While her motivations remained unclear, her evident goodwill towards me was advantageous nonetheless.
Especially considering the transgressions I intended to commit against her subsequently.

“Dalgurak, dak, dakdalgurak…!!”

However, that did present another quandary.

‘Should I acknowledge what I’ve discerned, or feign ignorance?’

Now that I recognized her true identity, should I acknowledge that awareness overtly…or not?

“Ahahaha! Isn’t this delightful, Warden?”

Dalgurararararak!

Should I shatter her futile attempts at obfuscation?
The notion felt akin to grinding the already worn triangular emblem of my conscience into a smooth, featureless circle.

‘Even if I had publicly humiliated Phantom Luna or Ice Queen to this extent…’

…Truthfully, despite having reveled in those instances myself, this situation felt distinctly inappropriate.

Of course, had it involved anyone else, I would have promptly commissioned Narin to immortalize them in the Maker Gallery without hesitation.
Yet this woman could potentially aid my plans – she was a consequential figure.

‘Even if I attempted to exploit this, physical coercion would be ineffective. Intimidation would not compel her obedience.’

Provoking her enmity needlessly would only jeopardize my objectives.
However, if I addressed the matter delicately, allowing her to experience a measure of embarrassment, I could then broach my intended proposal…

‘How should I proceed…?’

Should I acknowledge my awareness, rendering her efforts and theatrics moot?
Or should I indulge her roleplay, feigning ignorance?

Dalgurak dalgurak.

The feeble clacking sound seemed to defer to my judgment, respecting my choice.

“Now that the rabble has been dealt with, you won’t be departing, correct?”
“…That’s right.”

Ultimately, I opted to preserve her dignity.

‘What purpose would publicly humiliating her serve?’

Granted, having driven two heroes to the brink of social ruin, I was hardly one to preach restraint.
Regardless, that was my decision.

With ample time remaining at the party, I could engage her after concluding my scheduled agenda.

Dalgurak!

“Ah, the Warden bids us farewell for now!”
“My sincere gratitude, Warden.”

Dalgu, dalgurarak!

After an awkward exchange adhering to her charade with the “Warden” construct, we were alone once more.

“”……””

A brief silence ensued.
In stark contrast to her earlier pantomime, the woman now bore the demeanor of a sheltered maiden utterly inexperienced in male company.

…Considering her apparent age, that would be genuinely concerning. But I digressed.

“…Come to think of it, we haven’t properly introduced ourselves.”
“Y,yes, you’re quite right.”

The prolonged silence compelled me to initiate the exchange.

“A pleasure to meet you. I am Maker, an A-rank villain and executive of Eclipse.”

With a slight forward bend at the waist, my left hand behind my back, and a courteous smile while extending my right hand.
After regarding me with trembling eyes momentarily, the woman accepted my handshake.

“Please, simply call me Heart. My organization and villain rank are too insignificant to disclose…haha.”

‘Heart’? Couldn’t she have chosen a more imaginative alias?
It wasn’t as if she were masquerading as someone else by dotting her face…

“Heart, is it…a lovely name befitting those beautiful earrings.”

While essentially an overt acknowledgment of her identity, I steadfastly maintained my facade of ignorance.

“And what do you mean by lacking power? Being invited to Black Night alone signifies a formidable organization, does it not?”

“I,is that so…?”

“As far as I’m aware, Black Night is the sole gathering capable of convening villains in this manner. While this is my inaugural visit, I find it quite impressive. One could even say the host’s compassionate spirit shines through, wouldn’t you agree?”

Sprinkling in some mild flattery as well.
Hopefully, this would persuade her to overlook any subsequent transgressions on my part, at least once.

“In any case, with that disturbance resolved, we should relocate elsewhere.”
“……”
“Regrettably, as a newcomer to these premises, I find myself at a loss. You seem more experienced, Heart. If amenable, might I request your guidance in navigating this venue?”
“……”
“…Heart?”

Kkwaak..
Heart was still clutching the hand I had offered her earlier.
Not painfully so, but with disconcerting tightness.

“Heart?”
“……”
“Could you release my hand, please…”
“…Alright.”

Gazing up at me with sparkling eyes, her expression radiated elation.
My courteous words seemed to have resonated quite positively, prompting an exuberant response visible to any observer.

Had she possessed a tail, one could envision gale-force winds generated by its perpetual wagging motion.

‘…Now that I’ve agreed, please let go of my hand…’

This level of exuberance seemed excessive, even for an adolescent girl.
Her intensity was becoming rather overbearing.

“Let’s go! I know plenty of breathtaking sights!”
“About my hand, if you could just…”
“Gazuah!”

Heedless of my plaintive requests, she firmly grasped my hand and eagerly tugged me along before I could finish protesting.