ch23

[The Villain's Power]

'Was I just a third-rate villain who can't even catch rats?'

The great Grimoire couldn't even handle two measly rodents!

I didn't even want to look at the chat. The viewers were probably laughing at me like crazy.

At this rate, the name 'Grimoire' might become synonymous with 'a villain who can't even catch rats.'

My horns suddenly felt hot. Bitterness, anger, and shame swirled within me.

A villain shouldn't cry. Never. But how could I endure such humiliation…

"How can there be… how can there be anything like this!"

I slammed my fist on the floor, unable to contain my frustration.

But the moment my fist hit the concrete floor, something strange happened.

Thump—

The parking lot floor vibrated subtly. At first, it was a light tremor, but it gradually intensified.

"What… is this? Could it be… shoddy construction? Not enough rebar?"

Cracks began to appear on the floor. Small fissures spread out in all directions like a spiderweb in an instant.

Or… could it be the manifestation of this body's great power?

Squeak?

The mice looked at each other, seemingly flustered. They probably hadn't expected this situation either.

"Uh, uh oh…?"

Beep— Beep—

The cars parked nearby began to shake, and alarms rung loudly.

The cracks grew larger and larger. It felt like the reality around me was collapsing along with my exploding emotions.

Fear and elation washed over me simultaneously. I had just hit the floor out of anger, but this was happening…

"Kakat! This is the true power of Grimoire! Now do you understand how foolish it was to challenge this body, you insignificant creatures!"

The White Rat and Black Rat scattered in panic. As the cracks in the floor rapidly extended towards them, the rats looked at each other in dismay.

Squeak squeak—!

The rats cried out urgently.

"What? You're surrendering? You've succumbed to this body's overwhelming charisma?"

A sense of victory surged within me. My horns glowed even more intensely.

"Hmph, too late! You dared to steal Grimoire's precious snacks, trample on her dignity, and humiliate her in front of the viewers! I will never forgive you!"

The rats prostrated themselves on the floor, gathering their front paws and adopting a pleading posture. They drooped their tails and looked up at me, begging for forgiveness. The same ones who had been mocking me just now?

"…What is this? What kind of trick is this now? Are you trying to sway this body with pity?"

They shook their heads simultaneously. They seemed genuinely afraid of me.

Huh? Are they really surrendering? Overwhelmed by this body's greatness?

A sense of victory welled up from the depths of my heart. My horns, which had been filled with frustration just moments ago, flashed with an intense gray light once more.

A warm energy enveloped my entire body! This exhilaration, as if the world were at my feet! This was the rightful privilege of a villain!

"In the end, this body has overwhelmingly triumphed! You have chosen to surrender before Grimoire's wicked presence! As expected, this body is a born pinnacle of evil! Kakat!"

Life is all about the results. No matter the process, surrender is surrender!

I straightened my shoulders and lifted my chin, and suddenly my entire being was filled with dignity.

It's been a while since I felt like this. The taste of victory is truly sweet!

"Now, I shall decide your fate."

A smile unconsciously spread across my face as I watched the rats continue to bow their heads.

This was truly a good experience. When I conquer the world later, I can accept humans who surrender in this way.

I pointed at the two rats with my finger and declared.

"This body is the merciful villain Grimoire! I highly value your courage and wisdom in daring to challenge this body, and I will specially accept you as subordinates of this villain! Accepting the surrender of the enemy is also a virtue of a great ruler!"

I need names. Names befitting a wicked evil organization!

They've become members of the world conquest army, I can't just call them 'rats'!

"From now on, the Black Rat will be 'Darkness,' and the White Rat will be 'White King'! Pledge your loyalty to this body's inevitable world conquest!"

Squeak squeak—!

Darkness and White King hopped around joyfully. Such jewel-like loyalty exists even within these small beings!

The action cam was still running. Reactions were pouring into the chat.

[Grimoire's victo?ry?]

[For rats, they have names like boss monsters lol]

[Congratulations on recruiting new subordinates!]

[Darkness… that was the name of my game character during my chuunibyou days]

[Rat: I just thought they'd give me more snacks if I nodded]

Oh! You insignificant things!

"How dare you question this body's victory. Are you jealous of this body for gaining new subordinates? The subordinates are one thing, but those who insult Grimoire will surely pay the price!"

At that moment, a strange inspiration struck me. I stretched out both hands towards the rats. Darkness and White King immediately understood my intention and quickly climbed onto my left and right shoulders, respectively.

"Oho! As expected, you are qualified to be this body's subordinates!"

The weight of the small beings on my shoulders felt strangely pleasant.

"Behold, you insignificant humans! This is the true victory of a villain! Everything was according to this body's plan from the beginning!"

I puffed out my small chest and declared.

"In the end, it is the law of the world that all beings become this body's subordinates! Today rats, tomorrow humans, then the whole world! Kakat!"

I crossed my arms and struck a victory pose. The rats also raised their front paws and struck a villainous pose as if they understood. This is… perfect!

"Insignificant viewers, that's all for today's live broadcast! Consider it an honor to have witnessed the perfect victory of a villain! In the next broadcast, you will be able to witness the actions of this even more powerful body!"

[Rats on your shoulders? Are you in sage mode?]

[The rat content was fun!]

[What if you get the bubonic plague?]

[Rats in the house? The maid is crying lol]

[What will you conquer next?]

[Congratulations on surpassing 10,000 subscribers!]

"10,000 people? Hmm, the number of viewers has increased quite a bit. As expected, the charm of a villain…"

Finally, the number of those who acknowledge this body's majesty is increasing! The day will soon come when everyone in the world kneels before Grimoire!

I left the parking lot with my new subordinates on both shoulders. The gray light emanating from my horns brightly illuminated the dark parking lot.

Squeak squeak!

I was still suspicious whether they had really surrendered or if it was another scheme… but for now, I wanted to indulge in the joy of victory rather than think about that.

The important thing is that today's duel ended in this body's perfect victory!

*

I burst open the front door of room 301, radiating the energy of victory from my entire body.

This body's mood was at its peak.

With Darkness and White King perched on both shoulders, I crossed the living room and headed to the kitchen. The first person I wanted to share this body's mood with was, of course, my loyal maid, Evelyn!

"Evelyn, this body has returned! I bring news of today's great victory!"

She turned her head while stirring meat in a cast iron pan. Evelyn's blue eyes lingered on the rats on my shoulders.

"Master, you have rats on your shoulders. I will take care of them."

"No!"

I crossed my hands to make an X.

"These aren't just rats, they're this body's newly recruited subordinates!"

Evelyn's eyebrows rose slightly. Her expression changed subtly, but as a refined maid, she soon returned to a polite expression.

"…Ah, I see. Congratulations, Master."

"I shall formally introduce Grimoire's new subordinates!"

I puffed out my chest triumphantly. How much effort I had put in for this moment! I had brilliantly washed away the disgrace of being a villain who couldn't even catch sewer rats.

"The Black Rat is Darkness, the White Rat is White King! They are those who surrendered to Grimoire's overwhelming presence and power and became subordinates! So, no more treating them as insignificant rodents!"

Darkness and White King stood on their hind legs and politely bowed towards Evelyn.

Evelyn's eyes twitched slightly. Her expression changed subtly for a moment.

Surprise? Doubt? Amusement? I couldn't tell exactly, but Evelyn soon bowed politely in greeting.

"Nice to meet you. I look forward to working with you."

I headed to the table and sat down in a chair. I carefully placed Darkness and White King on the table.

Evelyn brought the dishes one by one.

First, a large plate filled with glossy bulgogi and various side dishes was placed in front of me. In front of the two rats, a small plate was neatly filled with a selection of fine cheeses and nuts.

They stood on their hind legs on the table, waiting like well-mannered gentlemen. If they were ordinary rats, they would have surely pounced on the food or run around!

"As expected, the subordinates chosen by Grimoire have a unique class from birth!"

Evelyn would have no choice but to acknowledge the excellence of the subordinates I had recruited.

"Now, let's all start eating! We need enough energy for world conquest!"

I clapped my hands, and everyone started eating. I put a piece of bulgogi in my mouth, and the soft juices filled my mouth. Evelyn's cooking skills were always the best.

Darkness and White King also politely picked up pieces of cheese with their small front paws and began to eat deliciously. Their table manners were surprisingly elegant.

"Is the food to your liking today, Master?"

"Of course! As befitting this body's maid, your skills are perfect!"

Squeak squeak—

"What? Evelyn's cooking is too delicious? Yes, yes, of course! My subordinates have excellent taste! As expected of those chosen by this body!"

Dominating someone, the sweetness of victory, the moment I gained subordinates for world conquest… today will surely be recorded in the history books of the future Grimoire Empire.

I should start explaining the work rules to them soon. Rules and regulations are important even in an evil organization!

"Listen while you eat! The first three months are a probationary period! You must show loyalty and ability during this period! Use your small bodies to sneak in and extract confidential information! Carry out your mission proudly as the first intelligence unit of the Grimoire Empire!"

Darkness and White King nodded attentively.

"This body will decide whether to convert you to permanent positions! The villain organization is ruthless! Those who do not perform will be mercilessly expelled!"

Squeak squeak—!

Darkness suddenly raised his front paw. It was as if he had a question.

"What? How much will you be paid during the internship?"

Working in the Grimoire Empire is a privilege in itself, and they're asking for money! The King's DNA was stirring.

"There is no such thing! Of course, it's passion pay! Working under the great Grimoire is a privilege that doesn't exist anywhere else in the world! Shouldn't you be grateful just for being allowed to build your career?"

Squeak squeak squeak—!

White King perked up his ears and protested. The way he was hitting the floor with his tail looked very dissatisfied.

Dare you question Grimoire's operating policy?

I crossed my arms and lifted my chin. I tried to exude the aura of a ruthless boss as much as possible.

"A black company? Asking about salary before even working! These days, rats have no grit! In this body's era, you had to shed blood and sweat to walk the path of a villain!"

"What blood and sweat have you shed, Master? All you've shed is crumbs while reading manga in bed…"

"Evelyn! You should be on my side! You're my maid!"

Squeak squeak!

Darkness stomped his feet on the table. White King joined in, creating almost a protest atmosphere.

"Okay, wait a minute! I understand! I will pay a bonus of the highest quality cheese depending on your performance! Are you satisfied now?"

I pretended it was all a joke before any controversy arose!

Darkness and White King exchanged glances and nodded slightly.

Phew, thankfully I avoided a labor dispute! Even villains are afraid of the labor office!

"I am also happy that Master has more subordinates."

Evelyn approached the table and smiled as she poured a red drink (actually grape juice) into my wine glass. She also poured a drop each into small plates for Darkness and White King.

"It seems that Crown Villa will be more lively in the future."

I raised my drink high.

"For the expansion of the Grimoire Empire!"

Darkness and White King also raised their front paws to join in the toast. Evelyn also clinked glasses.

After finishing my meal, I sat on the living room sofa, plotting my evil deeds for tomorrow. Darkness and White King sat on my lap, listening intently to my instructions.

"Now that I have more underlings, world domination is only a matter of time! Soon, my flag will be hung all over the world! Kakat!"

What kind of evil deeds should I commit tomorrow? I could use Darkness and White King's abilities to devise even grander schemes. Just thinking about it made my heart race.

"Shall we execute the department store prank operation? Kakat! We'll reverse the direction of all the escalators! The citizens will surely fall into great confusion!"

The rats on my lap nodded. I felt reassured. Finally, I had underlings who would become my hands and feet.

Evelyn? Evelyn is a maid before she's an underling! A maid is a higher position than an underling!

"Ah, by the way, Master."

"What is it? I'm currently devising a world domination plan, so don't interrupt me. This is an important strategy meeting!"

Evelyn finished clearing the table and approached me with a tablet.

"Could you take a look at this for a moment?"

"What is it? Is it fan art made by my fans? Or is it news coverage of my evil deeds?"

Curiosity piqued, I took the tablet. Perhaps my moment of great victory had been posted on social media and become a hot topic!

I looked at the screen with great anticipation.

"This is…"

What appeared on the screen was CCTV footage from the parking lot. Me, frustrated, slamming my fist into the floor… and…

The sight of spiderweb-like cracks spreading across the concrete floor. The parked cars shaking, and a portion of the parking lot collapsing was vividly displayed.

"Hieeek!"

I almost dropped the tablet. Darkness and White King jumped up in surprise.

"T-This is… well…"

Suddenly, my mouth felt parched. Cold sweat trickled down my spine.

Evelyn said with a calm expression.

"It seems we'll need to repair the entire parking lot floor."

"T-This is a misunderstanding! It's not my fault! It's just that…"

Excuses tumbled out of my mouth. I hastily pointed at Darkness and White King on my lap.

"You saw it too! They provoked me first! So this was self-defense… no, I mean… righteous retribution!"

Who knew my horns would glow so brightly when I slammed the floor? I just hit the floor because I was angry!

"A-And that's just a few cracks, right? Crown Villa is a sturdy building, so it'll be fine! Right? Evelyn? There's no big problem, is there?"

Evelyn pointed to the tablet. The video was now showing several cars tilting as the floor caved in.

"T-That's… well…"

Squeak-?

Before I could finish speaking, Darkness and White King quickly jumped off my lap and darted into the mouse hole in the corner of the wall.

"Hey! Where are you going! How dare you abandon me! Shouldn't underlings show even more loyalty in times of crisis!"

I reached out my hand, but it was already too late. The two rats quickly disappeared into the small hole in the corner of the wall. Such traitors!

"S-So… Evelyn? Can't you take care of it?"

"Of course, I will take care of it. From Master's snack allowance."

"What?!"

I couldn't believe my ears for a moment. My precious snack allowance… is disappearing?

"W-Wait a minute! Deducting it from my snack allowance is too harsh! There must be another way!"

Evelyn coldly counted off on her fingers.

"Chocolate chip cookies, potato chips, ice cream, candy… I'll reduce them all by half."

"Nooooo! Snacks are Grimoire's life!"

How can I conquer the world without snacks? Sweet snacks after a hard day of evil deeds are basic welfare for a villain! My snack allowance is sacrosanct!

"Please consider it a period of self-reflection for a responsible villain."

Evelyn said with a smile.

"My snack allowanceeeee!"

A small movement was visible through the gap in the kitchen wall. Darkness and White King were secretly watching the situation.

Squeak-!

Those things… if I catch them next time, I'll really turn them into rat jerky!!

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