Vol 1 Chapter 6 – The Chuunibyou Girl, Her Sister, and Wilson

It was a dark room.

With barely any light filtering in, a raw, bloody stench hung in the air, pressing down as if it had physical mass.

Drip, drop. The sound of water echoed from here and there.

It was something terribly viscous.

Electra Villa Detra sighed again today in the playroom she had been given.

No one understands me. No one tries to share my world.

Because she was lonely, sad, and empty, she bathed in blood again today.

Do these creatures that die so easily even have any value in living? If they were born just to be killed by me, wouldn’t that make them truly worthless? Demons and humans alike died easily with a single swing of her arm. Does something of that level have any value at all?

In her life so far, there had been almost nothing these arms couldn’t break. If so, are there really so few things of value in this world?

She was always thinking such childish things.

She had no sense of pain.

Knowing no pain herself, she couldn’t understand the pain of others.

…Without pain, no one can learn anything.

Ignorant of the fact that being hit hurts, the tyrant starved for blood again today. However, she did like the warmth of blood.

Searching for something she could hug with all her might, she was crying again today, completely unaware of it herself.

The human she had just bought, who had been quite noisy until a moment ago, was now reduced to a mere object emitting faint sounds of breathing.

“Aroma is a liar. I asked her to bring me one I could play with for a long time.”

She was enjoying playing by herself again today.

After all, even her older sister couldn’t keep up with Electra’s games.

Dragged by Garon-san, I have arrived at the Dungeon.

Just look at this solid construction! Not just iron bars, but perhaps holding some magical significance—though I have absolutely no clue—strange symbols are carved all over the cell!

This inescapable room, impervious to any monstrous strength or dark god, is now available for the low, low price of eight thousand gold! Offered at just eight thousand gold!

He stopped paying attention to me halfway through, and since I was lonely, I enjoyed a little mental home shopping until we suddenly arrived.

“This is the room. Get in!”

“Yessir, right away~”

Even though I was going to be a good boy and walk in myself, I got kicked into the cell the moment I turned around to answer.

Before I could even savor the feel of his paw pads, the blow landed right in my solar plexus, leaving me writhing and gasping for air. What a waste.

“I don’t know what whim brought this on, but it looks like the Young Miss wants to train you. Whether you’re lucky or unlucky for not going to El’s place first… If you’d just been docile, you might have been able to die today.”

“I’d like to think I was more docile than that last guy.”

“Shut up, I can tell just by looking in your eyes. You’re no good. I don’t know what you’re plotting, but now that you’re here, don’t expect to live long.”

“Oh my, what a terrible thing to say. I was fully intending to offer my body to the demons…”

“Then you’d best do your utmost to please the Young Miss and that El. Though by the time you do, you’ll probably be dead.”

“Is that so? Then I shall gladly offer this body of mine.”

“…You’re one creepy bastard.”

After changing my handcuffs from the back to the front so I could eat and relieve myself.

Ptoo. Spitting in disgust, Garon-san walked away down the corridor facing the Dungeon.

The fact that his footsteps made almost no sound was definitely thanks to those paw pads.

So nice. I really wanna touch them.

—But man, I’m bored.

What should I do until the Demon Lord-sama arrives?

I’m already tired of playing rock-paper-scissors by myself.

Should I sleep? They do say good things come to those who wait. No, no, it seems I should greet my senior who apparently moved in here before me.

Manners are important, after all.

“Nice to meet you, Senpai.”

“……”

“Oh my, in a bad mood, are we? My name is Nine.”

“……”

“Actually, ever since I first laid eyes on you, well, how should I put this…”

“……”

“…Destiny, I suppose? I felt something like that. You’re incredibly beautiful… I’m getting a little nervous since it’s my first time saying something like this.”

“……”

“Um… is it okay if I touch you?”

“……”

“T-Then… excuse me.”

Saying that, I picked up the smooth-looking, bleached skull right in front of me.

It has a truly excellent shape. This must surely be a bone of some renown, but unfortunately, I don’t know his name.

But leaving him nameless would be rude and pitiful. For now, I’ll name him Wilson.

“Nice to meet you, Wilson. It’s just you and me in this cramped room. Let’s get along, shall we?”

“……”

“How long have you been in here? Looks like it’s been quite a while.”

“……”

“What’s this, you’re a shy one. Come on, between you and me? Let’s be a bit more frank.”

“What are you doing? …It seems you really have lost your mind.”

I tossed Wilson away.

“Please excuse me. I was just practicing my ventriloquism.”

Shitty demon… No, no, Demon Lord-sama, Demon Lord-sama. Mustn’t get that wrong.

The appearance of our beloved Christela-sama. Since she had appeared without a sound, I figured I shouldn’t keep my ass turned toward her, so I spun around.

“…”

Beautiful as an angel, she stood there menacingly behind the iron bars with her arms crossed, looking like the very embodiment of arrogance. And surely, she was the only being in the world permitted to take such a stance—even if she were standing before the King of Folcus, or the Pope of Seneca.

Because right now, she was the most powerful being in this world. Tia-sama said so, so it must be true.

“I apologize for earlier, it seems I misunderstood. I thought I had seen your face somewhere before.”

“…Naturally. There isn’t a single human in this world who knows my face. I’ve killed every human I’ve ever met.”

“Ah-haha, that’s great.”

“? What’s great about it? What good is there in having your own kind slaughtered?”

“I actually hate humans. Please, keep going right at it. Sieg Agusta!”

“Hmph, you madman… Do you know why I came here? They say a broken machine can sometimes be fixed if you smack it. I just wanted to see if the same applies to a human.”

Saying that, Christela passed through the iron bars as naturally as if they weren’t even there, and raised the whip she had somehow produced in her hand.

Crack. Crack. Crack.

My cheek. My shoulder. My flank. It hurts, it burns.

I wonder if it’ll leave a mark. Scarring a man’s face like this. Take responsibility! Marry me!

“…What are you smiling at?”

“Oh, nothing. It’s just as I imagined. You’re quite the gentle soul, aren’t you?”

“Have you finally lost it completely? Calling someone who gives you the whip ‘gentle’.”

“Seeing you up close, I’m certain. You could seize the world all by yourself. Every ounce of military might, and all mana, pales before you.”

“…What are you trying to say?”

“Why haven’t the demons managed to conquer humanity yet? That’s what I’m wondering. I pride myself on being a good judge of character, you see, and being gentle leads to being soft. There is something you’re lacking.”

“…What is it? Let’s hear it.”

“Pride. You lack the pride of a king of the world. You have no confidence. That’s why there are openings in your actions. That’s where your softness comes from.”

She stayed silent and swung her whip.

“With the demons’ forces, and your power and charisma, ouch, you could have united the demons much faster, ah, and seized the human territories much sooner, owow. And yet, gah, you still haven’t even been able to topple Ista, which barely has anything left but its capital—buh!”

I ended up biting my tongue when she slapped my cheek. That honestly might have hurt the most.

“I care not for your babbling. But you’re the first person to ever mock me to this extent. It is, at least, amusing.”

“I am supremely honored. In that case, might I ask for a single reward?”

“You insolent fool. Speak. I’ll at least listen.”

“Please, keep me by your side. Up until now, I’ve been treated worse than a slave. I hate, hate, absolutely hate humans. I would very much like to help you destroy them.”

“…”

She looked utterly dumbfounded, like a deer caught in headlights. Makes sense, I guess.

Since it’s a lie, after all.

Because I love humans. Even if the part about being treated worse than a slave was the truth.

“…Then prove your worth.”

Christela murmured quietly.

“Tomorrow, I will introduce you to El… my younger sister. Be El’s playmate. If you manage to make it back alive, I shall personally welcome you into our Diabolo faction under my name.”

“Really?! Thank you so much!”

She gave no reply to my bowed head, didn’t even look back, simply phased through the iron bars just as she had entered, and vanished.

…I wasn’t lying when I said she was gentle. Whether it comes to humans or demons, I really do think I have a good eye for people. I can generally grasp a person’s true nature just by looking into their eyes. It’s one of my special skills.

It’s just that, in her case, that gentleness isn’t directed toward humans.

If that’s the case, did she really have any reason to let a human who showed such disrespect live? Just making me a toy for ‘The Imbecile’ wouldn’t be reason enough.

After all, to her, I should be nothing more than a dime a dozen human.

That’s why I was certain. She remembers me.

She said there were no humans alive who remembered her face, but that was a lie. Even if it wasn’t a lie, she was wrong. I alone, at least I alone in this world, remember her face.

Yes, I must be the only human she ever let get away. During that First Lost, when they were pulling back, I definitely remember Christela glancing my way. You remember it too, don’t you?

Is that why she gave me a chance this time? Or maybe it’s that she never expected me to survive in front of ‘The Imbecile’ in the first place.

If so, I still don’t have much of a shot.

It’d be easier to work with if she was at least a little obsessed with me.

…Even so, what I found most curious when looking at her was the emotion buried deep within her.

It was almost as if… I doubted my own eyes, but I got the feeling she was frightened of something. That’s why I told her she lacked confidence. Even though her form was like the crystallization of all the beauty in this world, and her power was likely utterly unrivaled.

What on earth could someone like that be afraid of? Rumor has it that the demons only began their full-scale invasion of humanity after she became the leader of Diabolo. Maybe there’s some connection there.

Afraid of humans? …Surely not.

Oh well, for now, I need to focus on one of the most famous demons in the world: Electra Villa Detra, ‘The Imbecile.’

I gotta survive my little chat with her, right?

…Whatever it is that torments Christela. That might just be the key to making her fall for me.

I’m going to love you, you know. I’ll love you, and love you, and love you till there’s nothing left.

I’ll love you, so you’d better remember it, Christela.

Look forward to seeing what my love will do to you.

Just kidding.

Hehe, ah-haha.

…Tia-sama, for starters, what should I do to keep Electra from killing me tomorrow?

Think about tomorrow when tomorrow comes? It’s because you’re irresponsible like that that humans forgot about you… Ah, I’m sorry, please don’t cry.

It was my fault.

Here, blow your nose. Honk.

The next day, after falling asleep using Wilson—whose back of the head had chipped off from me throwing him—as a hugging pillow, Aroma-san came to see me.

Why doesn’t this organization use their underlings? Or maybe I’m getting the VIP treatment? Oh man, I’m getting excited.

“Ngh, the stench. I can’t bear it, come on now, get out quickly, won’t you?”

“Yessir, Sensei.”

“My, what a good reply. Sensei likes docile boys, you know?”

I feel like Aroma-san and I could be good friends. Both Garon-san and Christela resort to violence the moment I joke around even a little.

Not that that’s going to stop me. Well, even slaves are allowed the right to stick their tongues out in their own minds.

Freedom of thought can’t be suppressed, right? You only get yelled at if you show it on the outside.

Following Aroma-san, I left the Dungeon, walked here and there (getting spat on again along the way by that harpy. Damn her), and upon entering the grand hall, we ran right into Garon-san.

“Huh? Why is that guy out? Didn’t the Young Miss finish him off?”

“It’s rare, but perhaps she took a liking to him? But then she said to take him to her younger sister’s place. I don’t quite understand it.”

“Hah. So he wasn’t even worth killing herself? Even so, we paid good money to buy him from Riel Marl. If only the beast-kin over there would just join Agusta’s side already, but the pro-human faction keeps making a fuss…”

“All in due time, all in due time. Eventually.”

“Things are like this because you aren’t holding their reins properly, aren’t they!”

As if to say here we go again, Aroma placated Garon with some half-hearted words and stepped away from the spot.

In Riel Marl, which is largely populated by beast-kin, they are divided into pro-demon and pro-human factions, and the two sides have been on rather bad terms for a long time.

“Garon-san’s family home is originally in demon territory, after all. Even among beast-kin, I suppose ways of thinking differ. Foreign countries have their own foreign circumstances.”

“Oh, is that so? When you say beast-kin, I thought they were basically all in the demon faction.”

“Well, actually, it seems the pro-human faction has been growing lately. The power balance is a perfect fifty-fifty now.”

“My, my, that’s news to me. …Are you sure it’s okay to tell me all this?”

“? Is there any need to tiptoe around someone who’s about to die?”

Oh boy. In Aroma-san’s mind, my death is apparently a foregone conclusion.

“…What exactly did the Demon Lord-sama tell you about me?”

“Just to toss you into her younger sister’s playroom, that’s all.”

“She told me that if I act as her sister’s playmate and make it back alive, she would order me to serve her in the bedchamber.”

“I despise liars, you know.”

This was the first time she glared at me. It’s scary when a beautiful woman gets angry. Even more so when it’s a beauty who doesn’t seem the type to get angry.

“It was a lie. She said she’d welcome me into the Diabolo faction.”

“Ufu, ku, fufu… Chris really has, fufu, picked up some strange jokes.”

Aroma-san burst out laughing, looking genuinely amused.

It was a laugh that gave a strange impression—refined, yet echoing with boundless cruelty.

“You’re going to die. Right now, in a gruesome manner. Fufu, you must have known the moment you were bought by demons, right? Humans brought here are either toyed with, or eaten. Fufufu, it’s hilarious. There’s no way El-chan… the younger sister, would ever let a human leave alive.”

Ah, she really is a demon too, isn’t she.

In that case, I’ll just have to love this cruel sensibility of hers as well.

A ‘the worse the child, the cuter they are’ kind of vibe, I guess. It’s fine, it’s fine. I can totally love it.

“Nfu, look, right at the very end of this hallway. The room on the left is the younger sister’s playroom. Can you go in by yourself? Or do you need Sensei to accompany you?”

“Yessir, Sensei, I’m good. I’m off~”

“…Truly, a strange human. I never could figure him out till the very end.”

Leaving Aroma-san’s whispers behind, I walked down the corridor without hesitation and threw open the door I was pointed toward.

The moment I did, the stench of blood—which had been leaking out even before I opened it—came flooding over me.

“Oh my, are you a new toy?”

“Nice to meet you. My name is Nine, a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

The walls, which were probably white originally, were painted with brownish splatters in a room absolutely devoid of anything resembling playthings. This was Electra’s playground, the place where she spent the vast majority of her day.

If Christela was entirely white, she was perfectly suited to be described as entirely black.

Black, bat-like wings. A barbed, pointed tail—befitting the title of a devil—that her sister didn’t have. Beautiful, long black hair tied to the side, a color perfectly suited to the phrase ‘raven-black’.

And the only thing escaping the dominance of black were her translucent amber eyes, so clear they felt like they could suck you in.

The only proof that she and Christela were sisters was her terrifyingly perfect facial features, so similar to her older sibling’s.

“My, you’re a human who can greet someone properly. Nice to meet you, I’m Electra. Call me El.”

“Yes, El-sama. By the way, I was told to serve as your playmate, but what exactly should I do?”

To match my gaze with hers—her height only reaching up to my chest—I placed my hands on my knees and leaned down, at which point she said this to me:

“Hmm… well, it’s simple. You just have to let me kill you.”

“Understood~ and by the way, what method will you be using?”

“? You ask weird things. Why would you ask that?”

“Because by repeating questions and answers, one can arrive at the truth.”

“…Nfu, I bet you’ve been told you’re crazy before. I get it all the time too. Well, whatever, look. That one right there, the guy who was brought in with you. You’ll end up just like him soon.”

The corpse of the nameless former gladiator, who had been toyed with and broken just yesterday, was scattered in the corner of the room.

I won’t dare describe it in detail. Except to say it lacked arms, legs, and a head. It was a lump of meat stripped of all dignity.

It was also something I was quite used to seeing.

“What a lovely art piece. Though your tastes might be just a bit vulgar.”

“Mu, how rude. What would you do, then?”

“The human body is complete just the way it is. It’s not something to add or subtract from. Having all your limbs intact is important.”

“A difference of opinion. I want to see your torso. I think it would be incredibly wonderful.”

“If that is what you desire. But I bet I could give you something you want even more, you know?”

When I said that, she laughed, looking genuinely amused.

She sneered.

“What a strange plea for your life. I’ve never seen a human say such a thing!”

“Let’s see… if you are satisfied with what I am about to offer you, I would like your permission to leave this room.”

“Sure? It’s a request from a boy who’s about to die, after all. I’ll listen to whatever you have to say.”

“Then, excuse me. I would like you to remove these handcuffs.”

“Okay. Is this good?”

Without looking like she put any strength into it at all, she lightly swiped her small index finger through the empty air from top to bottom.

With just that, the iron restraints were severed without a sound.

As I swung my newly lightened hands around, savoring this long-lost freedom, her eyes sparkled as if she couldn’t wait any longer, and she opened her mouth.

“Now then, what are you going to give me? Will you clear away my boredom?”

“Yes, most certainly.”

Saying that, I gently stroked her cheek.

Electra Villa Detra, the demon said to have killed the most humans in the world.

A monster who goes around simply crushing humans without hesitation and without mercy. Nicknamed ‘The Imbecile’ Electra for the mad laughter she raises on the battlefield.

…An ignorant Young Miss who knows nothing of the world.

I knew it the moment I laid eyes on you. You’re just an adolescent child.

I wonder if someone like you can handle this ?