Reincarnated as the Villain Who Experiments on Orphanage Kids – Why Are the Test Subject Girls Begging Me for "Night Experiments"? - Chapter 15

Chapter 15: Villain Organization VS Secret Society

“Boss, aren’t there kinda few customers today?”

“Huh? Yeah, there really aren’t many.”

It was the time of night when most people were already asleep.
I’d put the kids to bed like usual, then headed to the ramen shop for my part-time job.

While handling odd jobs like serving customers and washing dishes, I practiced draining the noodles and studied how to make the soup stock.

It was pretty much pure bliss, but unfortunately there weren’t many customers today.

“……………………”

Right now there wasn’t a single customer in the whole shop.

The place wasn’t some super popular spot to begin with, but there were always a decent number of people who came for a late-night bowl after drinking. So yeah, zero customers felt weird.

Still, it meant the boss could stay right next to me and give me personal guidance, so I was actually kinda grateful.

“Hey! Cut that chashu thicker! It’s gotta have more impact!”

“Yes sir!”

“Speak up!”

“Yes sir!!”

Man, working at a ramen shop really is the best!

※

[Side: Priere]

“Alright, our first real battle starts now. When I think about it, we’ve put in so much effort to get here.”

After everyone at the orphanage had fallen asleep,
we from the SJO Squad gathered at the edge of the slum district, cloaks wrapped around us, and held a little pep rally.

We were behind a half-collapsed warehouse—the same spot where we usually traded info with the slum folks.
There was only one reason we were having our pep rally here.

—Rebellion was about to make their move.

So we planned to catch all their monsters in one sweep at the perfect timing.

Even so, tonight’s battlefield was right in the middle of the city.
According to the info we had, the monsters were most likely to be released in back alleys and the market.
If we moved in a big group we’d just stand out too much.

That’s why we decided to go with a small elite team.
Right now standing in front of me were the strongest members of the SJO Squad—ten people in total.

“…………………………”

These ten had hunted monsters with me countless times outside the city.
Some of them could take down an Orc General alone, even though veteran adventurers usually struggled against those.

They weren’t weak at all. No, they were actually strong.
Tonight we were gonna prove it.

“We’ve made it this far thanks to all of your hard work.”

When I said that, the squad members nodded silently.

“Everything is so we can support Sai. So we can stay by his side legally. That’s why we…”

I took a deep breath and declared loudly,

“—Tonight, we’re gonna overturn common sense.”

Yeah, that was the biggest goal of all.

“Even if we weren’t chosen by the Holy Sword, even if we grew up in an orphanage, we can still protect people. And together with Sai, let’s save the world!”

We silently thrust our fists into the air.
No more words were needed. Our feelings and loyalty toward Sai were all real.

“…!?”

Right as we lowered our arms,
an explosion echoed from far away.

The next instant, black smoke rose into the night sky, and at the same time monster roars rang out all around us.
It had finally begun.

“…They’re here.”

I slowly drew my sword.
The squad members all readied their weapons too.

“We’ll split into three teams as planned.”

I gave the orders right away.

“Team One heads to the market. Team Two to the front of the academy in the south district. Team Three to the church.”

I’m leading Team One, Rafal is leading Team Two, and Fioraia is leading Team Three.
I’m a little worried about Fioraia as a leader, but when she actually focuses her fighting power is flawless.

“After you finish, come back here. Good luck, everyone.”

Once Team Two and Team Three had scattered, I looked up at the night sky.
My thoughts drifted toward the orphanage where my beloved Sai should be.

—Watch over us, Sai.

We’re gonna prove our strength right here tonight.
So please get the experiments ready and wait for me, okay?

※

“Boss, didn’t the ground just shake?”

“Huh? Wasn’t that just an earthquake?”

“But I thought I heard a really loud noise too…”

“You’re not focused at all, are ya? Listen seriously to the sound when it’s boiling!”

“Yes sir!”

“Speak up!”

“Yes sir!!”

Like always, there were still no customers in the ramen shop.
The ground was shaking, it was noisy outside—something was definitely happening. That was probably why no one was coming in.

Even so, I stayed completely focused on the ramen in front of me.
Nothing in this world was more important than creating the ultimate bowl.

Besides, if things went like the original story, everything would get solved without me doing anything.
The protagonist and his friends who just entered the academy would wipe out all of Rebellion’s guys.

I’m pretty sure their first big fight was supposed to be today, right?

If so, then there was even less reason to worry.

No reason at all, right?

For a second the faces of those three girls flashed through my mind, but I desperately pretended not to think about it.
I just hoped they wouldn’t poke their noses into anything extra, but even if I wanted to stop them I had no idea where they were, so there was nothing I could do.

No choice but to escape reality by thinking about ramen.

Yeah, I was born to make ramen. I’m a total ramen human. Slurp it up!

“………………………………”

I desperately looked away from the orange glow I could see outside the window.