Rise Of The Villain : In a World Ruled By Anomalies

Chapter 196: Chapter 195 : The Demon Lord is one of those (2)

Arthur looked at Astarte’s face and understood one thing very clearly.

She was one of those people.

’A brother complex... and a strong one at that,’ Arthur thought.

He could practically see an invisible label floating above her head.

’Aiden, you bastard,’ Arthur cursed inwardly. ’I’ll definitely make you pay for this. Since I can’t make your sister pay right now...’

With that realization, however, new possibilities opened up.

Arthur straightened his posture slightly, his voice taking on a thoughtful tone.

"Well," Arthur said, "Aiden is a very talented guy. He comes first in almost everything we do, always leaving me in the dust."

He let out a soft, frustrated sigh.

"I really envy his talent."

Astarte’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly as she listened.

Arthur pretended to think for a moment, his gaze drifting as though searching through old memories.

"I don’t think he ever mentioned liking anyone," Arthur said slowly. "But he always talked about how amazing and beautiful his sister was."

He watched her reaction carefully.

"He said he’s doing everything in his power to meet her again," Arthur continued, his voice softening. "And that he’ll never give up."

The moment those words left his mouth, Arthur caught it.

A tiny flinch.

Barely noticeable.

But it didn’t escape his senses.

’The art of lying is simple,’ Arthur thought.

’Mix enough truth into it that even you believe it. Control your breathing, your heartbeat, your expressions... and you can fool almost anyone.’

Astarte searched him carefully.

She listened to his heartbeat.

She observed the flow of mana throughout his body.

She sensed the subtle fluctuations in his aura.

She found nothing.

Not a trace of deception.

Finally, a small smile bloomed across her pale face.

"I like your honesty, boy," Astarte said.

"I’ll spare your life."

Arthur bowed deeply once again.

"I’ll remain eternally grateful."

Astarte’s expression softened by the tiniest degree.

"Alright," Astarte said.

"Now leave before I change my mind."

She turned away slightly.

"Tell Aiden to stop looking for his sister," she added. "It’s futile. He should forget about her and move on with his life."

She took another step.

"Now go."

Arthur’s lips slowly curled into a smirk.

"Can I stay with you instead?" he asked.

His words echoed through the silent room.

Astarte stopped mid-step.

She slowly turned her head.

"What did you just say?"

Arthur’s pulse quickened.

’Now’s my chance.’

A sorrowful expression settled onto his face, carefully crafted.

He lowered his eyes.

His shoulders sagged just enough to appear genuine.

"My lady," Arthur said, his voice heavy with grief, "please... give me a chance."

He continued, carefully measuring every word.

"Aiden always seemed to be in terrible pain whenever he talked about you," Arthur said. "As though you were his entire world."

He gripped his own arm tightly.

"Now that I’ve finally come this close to you," Arthur continued, "how can I walk away without even trying to convince you to meet him?"

He raised his head.

His crimson eyes shone with earnest desperation.

"You’re the only family he has left."

"He has no one else."

He paused before adding,

"He lives in poverty."

"I’m the only one who’s been there to support him... helping him through loans."

If Aiden had heard that sentence, he probably would’ve coughed up blood from how shamelessly Arthur twisted the truth.

After all...

Arthur had only said loans.

He never specified what kind of loans.

Or how ridiculously one-sided they were.

Astarte quietly observed him.

"Why are you risking your life for my brother?" she asked.

"What exactly is your goal?"

Arthur met her gaze without hesitation.

"I see this as a chance to ease my friend’s suffering," Arthur replied.

"He’s helped me countless times over uptil now."

"This is simply my way of repaying him."

Dark eyes met crimson ones.

For a brief moment, it felt as though only those two colors existed within the room.

"Even if I gave you a chance," Astarte said slowly, "how exactly do you plan to convince me?"

She tilted her head.

"With your pitiful strength, you could never force me."

"You also possess nothing that interests me."

She leaned comfortably against the chair.

"Sure..."

"You’re a somewhat interesting creature."

"But that’s all."

"That’s nowhere near enough to make me leave this place."

Her voice turned colder.

"And make one mistake..."

"I won’t hesitate to kill you."

The threat lingered between them like a sharpened blade.

Arthur didn’t retreat.

"Then give me a job as your caretaker."

One of Astarte’s eyebrows rose ever so slightly.

"I’ll do anything you ask."

"I’ll cook for you."

"I’ll clean for you."

"I’ll even scrub your toilets if that’s what you want."

He clenched his fists.

"I’ll do anything for Aiden’s sake."

Inside his head...

’(For my sake.)’

Astarte examined him carefully.

"You just said anything..."

Arthur swallowed.

It felt like trying to force a rock down his throat.

"Yes."

"Anything."

A slow, unhinged smile spread across Astarte’s face.

It was the smile of someone who had just thought of something utterly unreasonable...

...and loved the idea.

"If I ordered you to go outside and kill that World Tree.....would you do it?"

She leaned forward slightly.

"Would you?"

Arthur smiled back.

"Just that?"

"I’d gladly burn it to the ground if you ordered me to."

His eyes narrowed slightly.

"But after that.....will you come with me to meet Aiden?"

Astarte’s expression returned to its usual calm neutrality.

"I’ll think about it."

She looked at him.

"Why...Is that answer not enough?"

Arthur sighed.

"It’s a pretty vague answer."

"But...I’ll do it."

He straightened his shoulders.

"If there’s even the slightest chance I’ll be able to convince you...then it’s worth trying."

Astarte suddenly burst into laughter.

The sound echoed throughout the room.

Dark amusement.

Genuine delight.

"Oh... emotions."

"What fascinating things they are."

Her smile widened.

"Someone willing to sacrifice himself for another."

"Truly amusing."

She lazily waved a hand.

"Alright, boy....You’re hired."

Her pitch-black eyes gleamed.

"Let’s see whether you’re all talk.....or whether you can prove yourself through your actions."

Arthur nodded.

"Should I start now?"

Astarte’s lips curved upward.

"You’ll start with..."

───────────────

The next instant...

Arthur found himself standing in front of a bathroom.

A broom rested in his hand.

A bucket of water and several cleaning supplies sat beside him.

Astarte stood behind him with her arms folded, looking completely indifferent.

"You’ll start with this."

Arthur’s mouth twitched.

’Seriously...? Of all things... the bathroom...?’

however, he smiled politely.

"Gladly, my lady."

Astarte watched him for another moment.

"Aiden really did make a good friend."

"I can see that now."

The very next heartbeat...

Her presence disappeared.

She vanished from the room, leaving Arthur alone with the broom, the bathroom....and his thoughts.

Arthur stared at the place where she had been standing.

A devilish smirk slowly spread across his face.

"I’ll get my chance," he murmured.

He picked up the broom.

And began cleaning...

Already plotting how to win over the Demon Lord of Death.

For his survival....and a little bit for aiden maybe.

And for a future where he wouldn’t just remain her employee....but become the man who managed to control a monster.