Stealing Heroines’ Affections Is My Job as the Villain

Finally, the drama at Redwood Manor wrapped up.

It left nobles buzzing with gossip for days.

After some advice from Vritra, Princess Luciana decided she couldn't show any weakness to someone who was plotting against the crown and even trying to take her life.

Being the highest authority in the hall, she ordered the immediate arrest of Lords Cedric and Kris.

News of their arrest spread quickly throughout the Fortress Nation of Duranzia.

Many nobles who had once supported Cedric started to back away, worried about being associated with him.

When the news reached the Royal Capital, King Felmus was shocked but excited about how things were unfolding.

He decided to support Vritra by appointing Luciana as the temporary lord of Gladius City, trusting that Vritra would guide her well.

This was the king's way of giving them authority.

With this power, Vritra got Luciana to strip Cedric and Kris of their titles, land grants, and inheritances.

He also pressured her to use the [Decree of Unpersoning].

This left everyone stunned and fearful at how decisively the princess could take charge when needed.

Decree of Unpersoning…

This law gave feudal lords, kings, or ruling queens the power to label someone as an "unperson" if they were accused of treason, heresy, or serious dishonor.

Once someone was declared an unperson, they lost all their rights—this meant no fair trial, no protection from being locked up, and no claims to their property or status.

Essentially, it's like erasing that person from existence.

During all this, Lady Katherine was in desperate need of support. Princess Luciana, Esmeralda, Ghislaine, and even Neron stepped in to offer her emotional help, knowing she was one of Cedric's biggest victims.

Meanwhile, Vritra reported back to Demon King Rohan, who was mostly indifferent about the situation.

Rohan just wanted Vritra to establish stable control over Gladius City before any celebrations could happen.

However, Vritra's main concern wasn't about taking over as the new head of Gladius City.

Instead, he needed to ensure that Katherine experienced the right kind of character growth, which would also help him as the villain of the story advance in the script of fate.

━ ━ ━ ━

"You need me to do what?"

Lord Edmond raised an eyebrow, taken aback by what God Vritra had just said.

Vritra clicked his tongue, not wanting to repeat himself.

"I want you to strengthen the inter-state military forces of Gladius City and halt the advance of the Black Divine General and her knights. The people might not know what really happens in Swordfort, Bladehelm, or Fort Bridge Dersat, but this time, they need to be aware."

"Huh?"

Lord Edmond was still quite confused, but the order was beginning to make a bit more sense. In the end, it seemed like everything was being done to eliminate any doubt.

Now, he couldn't see God Vritra as anything but a deceitful, manipulative monster who could ruin a life faster than a man could snap his fingers.

While Edmond anxiously thought about Vritra, the young Asura simply kept his half-open eyes on his reflection in the teacup, gently blowing on the rising steam.

"Get Margrave Gilliard more military supplies and say it's a gift from my wife, the princess. He won't question it, especially since it's from his niece, even if they haven't spoken in a while. Cut all ties with Serathen for now. When we do talk to them again, I'll take the lead… I've heard rumors that the Black Divine General is a beautiful raven-haired maiden."

Lord Edmond's face instantly fell when he heard Vritra mention the Black Divine General.

… Errr

He, along with Lord Gordias and many others from outside the Military Kingdom of Serathen, believed the Black Divine General was a man, not a woman.

『Tch, whatever… these Asuras, honestly…』

The only reason Edmond didn't challenge Vritra this time was that it wouldn't be the first time Vritra had taken advantage of men in THAT way.

At least the Vritra he knew.

For many Fiendcelestials with a strong sex drive, anything organic was fair game for their desires. They would shove their thing inside anyone who looked appealing and had a hole, no questions asked.

"Will that be all you need from me, God Vritra?"

"Hmm, yes, for now…"

There was no reason for Vritra to mention Rosemarie, Lord Edmond's daughter, since it didn't really matter in their current discussion. Besides, the young lord felt he would have a better advantage if he knew the secret about Lords Edmond and Gordias's runaway children.

『Now, for the other unskippable cutscenes…』

Vritra slowly turned around without saying a word and walked away, still holding his teacup and saucer.

━ ━ ━ ━

[In the Bluesteel Estate]

Cedric's estate had been forfeited.

As a result, it was already being dismantled, either to be given to loyal followers or left unused until a suitable noble was found. The manor, however, remained untouched since God Vritra had claimed it as his new home.

Additionally, Katherine and her children were still part of the much bigger picture.

"Hmm, peace…"

Vritra elegantly strolled through the estate with his hands clasped behind his back and a faint, content smile on his calm face.

He felt at ease, knowing that the only thing standing between him, Gladius City, and a brilliant, beautiful woman like Katherine was now behind bars.

The commoners working the land all watched him as he passed by, but this time it wasn't just because of his presence.

No.

It was because he was accompanied by a very beautiful group of maidens.

Behind him walked a maid with a curvy body that could easily catch any man's eye. Her chest was the kind that would make anyone stare with hunger, but her plump back cheeks and wide hips simply screamed it might be too much for some to handle.

It was Esmeralda.

On his left side was Ghislaine, smaller in size, staying close as they walked side by side.

Farther to the left, Princess Luciana trailed along, looking unhappy. She had her slender arms crossed and a very cute, little pout on her cherry-colored lips, her eyes turned away in a clear sign of attitude.

… Hmph!

The princess uttered petulantly.

On Vritra's right was Katherine, mild and angelic as always. Her steps were so soft and graceful that even the dry leaves underfoot made no sound as she passed over them.

『I can't believe a week has passed…』

Katherine had just begun to recover from the shock of everything her wicked husband had put her through.

『I'm really glad for all the support I had.』

If it weren't for Esmeralda and the others, she knew she wouldn't have been able to keep it together.

They truly helped her stay sane, especially Esmeralda.

Katherine found it easy to relate to her, probably because they were close in age—Katherine was 47 and Esmeralda was 36, so the age gap wasn't huge.

They both had enough life experience to understand the deep sense of loss that had changed them.

Thinking back on this, Katherine turned back and smiled mildly at Esmeralda.

… Hm?

The busty woman adjusted her oval glasses and returned the smile with a quirky grin.

[Ding! Katherine is grateful that she met Esmeralda. You have passively gained +20 Fate Value for making this happen.]

The notification grabbed Vritra's attention, and he glanced back at Katherine, who looked a bit less worried. He sighed, thinking that if she were more naive, she might not be so troubled by her husband's situation.

Or maybe women who liked difficult men just couldn't help but worry about them, no matter how badly they were treated.

『For a woman in her forties, she looks really cute and attractive like this. Tsk, tsk! I always enjoy seeing gentle and sweet women feeling a bit sad. What's that about?』

With a soft sigh, Vritra reached out and placed a hand on Katherine's head, lovingly caressing her as if she were his beloved pet.

"Are you still thinking about that filthy man?"

He could feel the way she immediately vibrated when he touched her.

It's clear this mother was still quite uncomfortable around a young blood like Vritra.

[Ding! Katherine's affections for you have gone up by another 30 points! She's been thinking of the host more frequently since recent events.]

But only on the outside it seemed…