Volume 1 Chapter 13: Enough of that, hurry up and kill Marcel already!

Ashvin never lets Balor into her heart.

Of course not.

After all, he is Marcel’s older brother.

In other words, he’s the brother of her mortal enemy.

Ashvin isn’t so unreasonable as to kill them both, but she will never befriend him.

They are merely business partners.

They both use each other.

It’s that kind of businesslike relationship.

Ashvin does it to gain time to strengthen herself.

Balor does it so he can entrust her with something.

Ashvin feels neither indebted nor grateful to him, but in exchange, she’s resolved to do whatever it takes.

She isn’t kidding about that.

If he tells her to become a dog, she’ll become a dog. If he tells her to become a clown, she’ll become a clown.

With that grim determination, Ashvin heads to Balor, only to find…

“Ashvin, please bring in the laundry.”

“Yes.”

Following Nanashi’s instructions, she brings in the laundry that’s been hung out to dry.

“Ashvin, please clean the rooms.”

“Yes.”

Following Nanashi’s instructions, she cleans the rooms neatly.

“Ashvin, I’m thirsty, so bring me the juice that Master is hiding.”

“…He’ll get mad at you, you know?”

As expected, she can’t follow that order from Nanashi.

After all, it would be deceiving the Master she serves.

She shudders at how casually Nanashi goes after the Master’s possessions.

Meanwhile, all the work falls on Ashvin while Nanashi lounges in a plush chair, slumped and doing absolutely nothing. There isn’t a shred of senpai dignity in her.

“If I say it’s fine, then it’s fine. Everything will be mine someday anyway.”

With a completely smug, blank expression, Nanashi spouts something bizarre.

Ashvin wonders from the bottom of her heart what on earth she’s talking about.

“Not happening.”

“Ouch, ouch, ouch!”

A hand suddenly appears from behind and yanks Nanashi’s cheek hard. Her soft cheek stretches like freshly kneaded dough.

She protests in pain, but her expression hardly changes.

It’s Balor.

In front of Ashvin, he controls his anger, though inside he’s fuming. Yet without a hint of that, he gives Ashvin a bright smile.

“Getting used to things here?”

“Yes, somewhat. …Though it feels like Nanashi is completely taking advantage of me.”

Nanashi’s tasks are nothing more than those of a servant.

After preparing herself for far graver matters, Ashvin feels a bit let down—and being ordered around by Nanashi is downright irritating.

“It’s only natural for a junior to obey her senpai.”

“You don’t need to worry about what she says. You can even stab her in the back if you like.”

“Ehh…”

Ashvin is utterly taken aback by Balor’s remark.

What on earth is the relationship between these two?

“So, are you getting used to living here at least?”

“…Yes, somewhat.”

“That’s good. Think of it as a side job while you pursue your revenge.”

Balor grins broadly.

And yet, Ashvin feels not just puzzled but downright creeped out.

“…Is that really acceptable? I clearly stated that I would kill your brother, you know?”

To gain the strength needed to kill his brother, he hired her. Had Ashvin heard such words, she would have executed him immediately.

How could she tolerate someone who speaks so casually? She couldn’t understand it at all.

“I’m not exactly pushing you forward. Marcel did what he wanted, so there’s no harm in you doing as you please either. (Though, murder is murder—he’s just in the way, being a candidate for lordship opposed to me, so just kill him already.)”

Regardless of Balor’s true feelings, his words are pretty astounding. His inner turmoil is so intense that it barely shows.

“I am deeply grateful to you. I owe you… and until I can repay that debt, I shall refrain from any rash actions.”

Unable to grasp Balor’s true intentions, Ashvin—astonishingly—ends up feeling grateful. It’s the worst.

She had once vowed never again to feel gratitude or indebtedness, yet Balor’s kindness made her do just that.

Of course, it’s partly because Ashvin simply cannot fully embrace the depths of evil in her inherently kind heart.

“Ah, if that’s the case, I’m delighted. (Enough talk—just go and kill Marcel already! What do you think I hired you for!?)”

Absolutely despicable.

◆

Then, more time passed. Ashvin continued to serve Balor as always, while Nanashi kept bossing her around.

The result…:

“Lord Balor, please wake up. Tee-hee, your bedhead is a mess. Let me fix it—come lean over here.”

She had completely let her guard down around Balor. No one would blame her, but she must not be misunderstood.

Of course, she hadn’t forgotten about her revenge, and she continued to hone her strength. It was just that she’d grown somewhat fond of Balor.

…Yes, just a little. Even when Balor—still half-asleep from secretly drinking underage—leans against her ever-growing bosom, as she gently strokes his hair with a hand dampened by warm water and gazes down at him with tender, adoring eyes, it’s only just a little.

“…It sure is comfortable, isn’t it?”

Nanashi is equally pleased. After all, Ashvin is now handling almost all the work.

“Ah, you’re practically useless now—you’re almost at the point of being fired.” “!?”

Nanashi is utterly stunned. From that moment on, she resolved to hone her domestic skills to such an extent that Balor could never abandon her.

“Ah, I think I’ll go for a walk. (If I stay here, that crappy old man will probably shove more work on me. Don’t even think about making a kid work, you old fossil.)”

A terrible tirade directed at his father. Taking a walk to escape work is Balor’s go-to excuse.

“Then, I shall accompany you.” “Ah, please do. (Why do I have to walk around on high alert? When someone’s nearby, I just can’t relax!)”

Although Ashvin’s suggestion is met with genuine reluctance inside, Balor—having recently grown somewhat fond of her—accepts it to avoid further hassle. Even if he can’t fully show his true nature, there’s really no way to let it out in town, so Ashvin’s presence isn’t much of a problem.

It’s a minor drawback that prevents him from muttering bitter little asides. Frankly, it’s better than being with Nanashi, who openly declared she would seize the entire Apophis family fortune.

And so, they leisurely stroll through his domain, escaping reality. Balor spares no effort in currying favor with the locals to secure his position as the next lord.

Because of that, the people adore him, and he’s greeted warmly wherever he goes. It’s a piece of cake.

Seeing such a master, Ashvin truly believes she has found a wonderful one. There are some truly amazing men—far better than that other man.

Smiling at the thought…:

“Oh? Oh my, oh my, oh my!? Could it be… Ashvin!?” 

“――――――uh!!”

Her smile freezes. Approaching with a wide, beaming grin is Marcel.

He is both the target of her revenge and the avenger of his brother.