Stealing Heroines’ Affections Is My Job as the Villain

Rosemarie walked ahead of Vritra, keeping a careful gap between them as they navigated the winding streets of the lower city.

The air was thick with the smell of unwashed bodies, sewage, and the dry dust carried by the Red Desert winds. The harsh sunlight beat down on them, but it was nowhere near as overwhelming as the feeling of poverty that seemed to press in from all sides.

Vritra walked casually behind her with his hands clasped behind his back as he glanced around with mild interest. The smirk that usually sat on his face had faded into a more thoughtful expression.

They walked past a group of children playing in the dirt.

Their clothes were ripped and dirty.

One of the kids stopped for a moment.

… Hm?

He stared at the odd pair. His eyes lingered on Vritra's dark, stylish outfit, which stood out sharply against the shabby rags everyone else wore.

The child waved excitedly at the beautiful nun.

To everyone around, she was a well-known figure.

"Hi, Sister Rose!"

Rosemarie smiled warmly and replied, "Well, hello there, handsome!"

The boy blushed deeply at her response, unable to hide his embarrassment. His friends quickly jumped in, teasing him by poking and nudging him in a playful, awkward way.

Rosemarie turned back to look at Vritra.

She still looked very frustrated.

"You don't have to follow so close, you know."

The nun muttered with crossed arms.

Vritra's lips curled into a smile as he caught up to her.

"I wasn't aware you were so shy, Lovely Rose."

"I'm not!"

She quickened her pace. But despite the sharpness in her voice, there was a spark of something more in her pretty, red eyes. Maybe it was doubt, or maybe just weariness.

『Why does he keep calling me that? I have a name.』

The streets became narrower as they went deeper into the lower city, and the buildings looked like they were falling apart with the way they leaned against each other. Vendors with empty stalls lined the sides, shouting weakly at the few people who walked by, trying to sell scraps of what seemed like stale bread or sun-dried meat.

Rosemarie stopped by a fountain.

If you could even call it that.

The stone structure used to be beautiful, but now it was cracked and worn, with water that looked a murky brown. A few locals stood nearby, filling rusty buckets and dirty clay jugs.

"Welcome to the lifeblood of Kaalen Tower City. This is where most of the water comes from for the lower city. Clean, right?"

Vritra stepped up beside her and peered into the fountain with a casual glance.

"Impressive."

"Don't mock them. They don't have a choice."

Vritra raised an eyebrow. "Who said I was mocking them?"

Rosemarie glanced at him, her lips pressing into a thin line.

For a moment, they stood in silence, watching as the locals filled their containers. The sun beat down relentlessly, casting long shadows across the cracked stones of the plaza.

[Ding! The heroine appreciates your genuine interest in her cause. Affection points increased by 10!]

Vritra smirked slightly at the notification, though he kept his thoughts to himself.

"So, how do you guys even get water here?"

There was a fountain, sure, but getting water from the ground was impossible in this desert. It was a vast and harsh desert, with no signs of water for miles. Even if there were some, it would likely be contaminated and unsafe to drink.

"Oh?"

Rosemarie placed a hand on her chin.

"I guess I should explain. In the Red Desert, tower cities use something called Sky Wells…"

One great reason for the tall buildings is their clever way of collecting water.

Since the extreme heat and dryness made it hard to keep surface water around, engineers came up with an innovative idea: [sky wells]. These were complex systems that reached from the tops of the towers up into the sky, designed to catch water from passing clouds during rare desert storms.

The taller the tower, the more water it could gather, which meant that height became a sign of wealth and power.

"Oho? That's quite neat."

Vritra looked genuinely impressed, so much so that even Rosemarie noticed it.

"Y-, You think so…?"

"Mhm, I'm quite impressed."

"Th-, That's nice to hear."

Rosemarie smiled warmly and looked to the side. Vritra placed a hand on her head.

"I'll see if we can install personal ones for the lower city to make use of. Is that fine?"

"Th-, That's great!"

Rosemarie's eyes brightened like stars.

Suddenly, she realized she was being a little too friendly with him and pushed his hand off her head before looking away with a mean face.

"Uh, let's continue."

[Ding! You've earned 80 affection points from the heroine with your rare kindness!]

They kept walking, and the streets got busier as they approached the market square.

The air was foul and heavy with the smells of sweat and desperation, but Rosemarie moved through it all easily, as if she had spent her entire life in these dirty alleys.

On the other hand, the young Asura walked like the prince he was, smoothly avoiding obstacles and crowds, while making sure that none of the grime got on his pristine clothes.

"Sadim comes here often…"

Rosemarie spoke with a softer voice.

"He helps out where he can… food, medicine, anything he can steal from the upper city."

Vritra hummed thoughtfully.

"A noble cause, but stealing from the rich to give to the poor… it won't solve the deeper problems here, will it?"

Rosemarie glanced at him again with furrowed brows.

"What are you trying to say?"

"I'm saying that there's more to fixing this city than throwing bread at people."

"…"

"How do I say this in a way your church brain will be able to comprehend… let the baby change their own diaper instead of doing it for them. They're hungry and capable, so they shouldn't just sit around waiting for someone to help. Hope is good, but it only works if there's a clear way forward; otherwise, it's just an illusion."

"Tch, as if it's that easy."

"Stealing isn't, but Sadim makes it work."

Rosemarie narrowed her eyes, but before she could say anything, a small commotion up ahead caught their attention.

A group of street performers had gathered, playing instruments made from broken pottery and old strings.

Children were dancing in the dirt, and their laughter was a rare, bright sound in the gloomy atmosphere of the lower city.

For a moment, Rosemarie's tense expression softened.

She paused to watch, and Vritra took a step closer when he noticed the change in her demeanor.

"They're happy. Even with so little, they still find joy."

Vritra chuckled. "People find joy in the strangest places."

Rosemarie glanced at him and narrowed her eyes again.

"Is everything a joke to you?"

"Not everything. Just most things."

"Sure…"

She rolled her eyes and turned away, but there was a small, reluctant smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

『Why does he have to be so… ugh! I hate this guy. But…』

Before she could finish her thought, Vritra moved closer.

His voice went low as he murmured in her ear.

"You know, Rosemarie, I could help Sadim with this poor, little city of yours."

Rosemarie stiffened, pulling back slightly. "And what's the price?"

Vritra smiled, not answering directly. "You already know the answer to that."

[Ding! The heroine is suspicious of your intentions. Affection points decreased by 20!]

-verified

Rosemarie glared at him.

Her frustration mounted again.

"Here we go again! You can't just… buy your way into people's hearts, God Dionysus!"

He shrugged, still smiling.

"Who said anything about buying? Or are you some sort of prostitute-nun worker? Not sexy at all."

"ARRGH, SHUT UP!"

Vritra was so caught up in the little song they were playing that he completely overlooked her childish outburst.

"What do you say, Lovely Rose? Care for a dance?"

He held out a hand and smiled mysteriously.

Rosemarie blinked in surprise. "What? No. Absolutely not."

But before she could take another step away, Vritra had already taken her hand and pulled her gently toward the open space near the musicians.

"I insist…"

The young lord's voice was very smooth. The kind that would have made anyone else swoon.

But Rosemarie wasn't just anyone. She was Rosemarie.

"No, I—"

"Come on. I promise I won't step on your toes."

"I won't touch your butt either, keke."

"Damn you!"

Despite her better judgment, Rosemarie was pulled into a slow twirl. As the young lord spun her around once and then twice, her dress flared gently. His movements were elegant and refined, making it seem like he had been born to dance.

[Dancing: 20/20]

[Classical Dancing: 20/20]

[Setting the Mood: 20/20]

[Hand Placement: 20/20]

Inwardly, Vritra nodded with great pride.

『I'm such a cheater… still fair game though.』

Meanwhile, Rosemarie bit her lip as her mind raced.

『This is insane… what am I doing?』

For a brief moment, the music and the relaxed vibe of the lower city made her feel caught up in the lightheartedness of it all.

She hated to admit it, but he was a good dancer.

[Ding! You've gained 50 affection points for creating a romantic moment!]

[Ding! You've lost 20 affection points for forcing the heroine into an uncomfortable situation.]