Chapter 9 The Back Alley

"Frey, are you in?"

"…Kania, go and open the door."

"…Okay." When the promised weekend arrived, Isolte, with a glint in her eyes, came to my dormitory. Incidentally, nothing particularly special had happened in the past few days. It was just an ordinary period. Because a saintess, blessed with power enough to break an ordinary superhuman in half, kept trying to kidnap me to the church, the "Pseudo - Evil Intuition" was triggered frequently and meaninglessly, making me live in constant unease. Irina kept muttering the ultimate curse spells she created in the last round behind me, and I shivered when I heard them. The imperial princess occasionally gave me a cold smile when she looked at me, and I could only force a silly smile in response, with cold sweat streaming down my back. One day, after sharing vitality with Kania, playing with the soft cat doll had become a daily routine. Somehow, Kania fell asleep while holding the doll. When I tried to pull the cat out of her arms, she suddenly turned over, which startled me... Looking back, quite a few things had happened. However, since I didn't die anyway, it should be considered a good thing.

"Welcome, Lady Isolte."

"Kania? Why are you…"

"I'm now the young master's maid and live in this room." Kania, who opened the door instead of me, made Isolte widen her eyes. After listening to Kania's explanation, she immediately stared at me with sharp eyes and said.

"Frey, have you gone crazy…?"

"...What?"

"Kania... A woman... Living in your house like this... You shameless person...!" Isolte's face turned beet - red, she trembled all over, and her voice gradually rose. Yes, Isolte was quite sensitive to such situations. In the Bivorm family, she only focused on martial arts training. Her unique stubbornness and the unapproachable, serious atmosphere had left her without even a decent love experience until now. Isolte herself was aware that she had reached the marriageable age, so whenever such topics came up, she always involuntarily became extremely sensitive.

"...Kids these days grow up so fast, sister."

"This, this, this...!"

"What's wrong? Sister should give it a try soon too, right? Otherwise, you'll become an old maid."

".....!" Hearing my words, her face turned even redder. Especially when she heard the word "old maid", she froze in place.

"...Could she be having a heart attack?" I hastily used the Information Search skill in a panic. After confirming her condition, I finally let out a sigh of relief.

[Name: Isolte Allem Bivorm]

[Abilities: Strength 8.5 / Magic Power 5 / Intelligence 7 / Mental Strength 7]

[Special Notes: Right - arm injury, Mental Shock] Although she had the negative status of "Mental Shock" on her, at least there was no life - threatening danger.

[Gain 100 Evil Points! (The Truth Hurts)]

"...Even the system is adding insult to injury." I was mourning for Isolte, who had been reduced to a high - risk group of spinsters recognized by the system. At this time, Kania, who had a dissatisfied expression on the side, spoke up.

"…The young master is just joking. The young master and I are not in that kind of relationship."

"Kania, I'm now..." I was about to scold her habitually, but when I saw the information window about her that popped up in front of me, I froze instantly.

"…Young master?"

"Kania, last night was really great."

"…Stop it." Kania looked at me in confusion, while I had already put on a sly expression and reached out to put my arm around her waist. She gave me a disgusted look and pushed me away forcefully.

"....." I was glaring at her, ready to roll up my sleeves again, but when I saw Isolte draw her sword with an expression as if she was about to strike me, I quietly put my hands behind my back and asked.

"Anyway, what are you here for? Sister?"

"…Don't you know and still ask?"

"Ah, right. We made an appointment to go to the back alley, didn't we?"

"…Hurry up and get ready. Let's set off right away." After saying this, with a slight blush on her face, she walked out of the room.

"....""…Kania." After confirming that she had left the room, I stared coldly at Kania.

"…Yes."

"Just now, you pushed me?"

".....""…Answer me." I walked towards her with a cold face. Kania lowered her head and said.

"I'm sorry, master… I was distracted just now… Ah!" Before she could finish speaking, I pushed her onto the bed, pinned her down, and whispered.

"...You've been getting a bit too bold lately, Kania?"

"You, young master...! Please don't...!"

"Why? Try pushing me away like you did just now? Hurry up and push me. If you don't... I'll take it that you're willing too."

"Ugh, um...!" Hearing my words, Kania turned pale and started trying to push me away, but with her weak strength, it was almost impossible to push away a strong me.

"So... You're willing too, right?"

"No, don't! Don't!!" When I showed a sly look and grabbed her collar, she simply started pounding me with her fists.

"...Where are you hitting?"

"...Ugh!" I let her fists land on me for a while, then seized the opportunity, grabbed her hands, pinned her down, and whispered in her ear again.

"…I can subdue you like this anytime I want."

".....!"

"Because you're my possession. Neither a housekeeper nor a servant... Just an item I can dispose of at will."

"Ah... Ahhh..." I watched her eyes gradually dim with a blank expression. To completely break her will, I said:

"So, don't even think about resisting. If you dare to struggle one more time... This will really be the end... Cough!!"

"…Young master!?" However, the next second, a large amount of blood suddenly gushed out of my mouth. I didn't have time to cover my mouth, and the blood instantly stained her clothes and the bed.

"...Cough, cough! Ugh!!"

"W - What's going on here..."

"...Get away."

"What?"

"I said get away!!!!!" I roared. Kania widened her eyes, stared at me blankly for a while, and then quickly ran out of the room.

"Cough, cough! Damn it..." I spat out a mouthful of blood and silently stared at her departing back.

[Name: Kania]

[Abilities: Strength 3 / Magic Power ??? / Intelligence 7 / Mental Strength 4]

[Special Notes: Weak Constitution / Unstable Magic Power / Self - Destruction Curse / Mental Trauma]

"...Whoosh, I finally got through it." There was only one reason I did this. Just now, Kania almost lost her life. When I was checking Isolte's information, I casually glanced at Kania and was stunned by the abnormalities in her status bar. Her original "Weak Constitution" had turned into "Critically Ill", and "Magic Power Disorder" had become "Magic Power Rampage". She seemed fine now, probably because the "Magic Power Rampage" had just started not long ago. You know, once a magic - power rampage occurs, over time, the magic power in the body will gradually flow backwards. At that time, the person involved will feel excruciating pain all over the body and will eventually either go crazy or die. Even if they survive by chance, they will probably be disabled for life. Due to the urgency of the situation, I could only transfer vitality to her by touching her body as much as possible.

'...Wait, why did Kania suddenly have a magic - power rampage?' Clearly, I had been transmitting vitality to her every night... Why did a magic - power rampage still occur? It was really puzzling.

'Could she be using dark magic behind my back?' If she had been continuously using dark magic without my knowledge, then the magic - power rampage would make sense. It seemed necessary to investigate what she had been up to. Thinking of this, I noticed that the bedsheet in front of me was covered in blood and only then realized that I had spat out a large mouthful of blood in front of her. She would surely come to ask about today's incident soon... How should I answer?

'…Make up an excuse like a heart disease? No, that didn't happen in the last reincarnation… Then, should I say it's a side - effect of that brooch?' While I was deep in thought, I suddenly remembered that Isolte was still waiting for me. So, I temporarily put aside my worries and hurriedly started changing my clothes. Somehow, it felt like there were more and more things to worry about.

.....

"Frey, where are you going?"

"Hm? Of course, to the back alley." At the moment, Isolte and I, wearing black robes, were walking through the alleys of the market. Isolte was extremely nervous about going to the dangerous back alley. She had put on armor under her clothes, was tightly gripping her family - heirloom sword, and was vigilantly looking around. However, the back alley wasn't actually as dangerous as she thought. Although it was said that being caught there would lead to the death penalty, since it had never actually been enforced, it was just an ordinary entertainment area. Of course, there were also a few truly dangerous places occasionally.

"Help, help me... Please..."

"I... My body hurts so much..."

"Give, give me a piece of bread... Anything will do..." As we were quietly walking through the market alley, a group of beggars suddenly surrounded us.

"...Ah." Isolte, who saw this scene, had a sad expression on her face. Because most of the beggars who surrounded us were young children. This situation occurred because our empire had become corrupt. The nobles only cared about their own safety and turned a blind eye to the hardships of the common people. Naturally, the common people were bound to fall into poverty. Therefore, in order to save food, parents had to abandon their children in the market. Those abandoned children, after begging on the streets for a few days, would eventually starve to death. And on the next day, their corpses would disappear. Whenever the corpses disappeared, for some reason, the remaining children would stop begging for a few days. As for the reason, those who understood knew it well. Such things happened frequently all over the empire. Then, perhaps someone would ask, why didn't the common people living in such darkness rise up in rebellion? To answer this question simply... They would soon rise up in rebellion, and it would be a nationwide one. And the starting point of all this was the "Attack on the Commoner Dormitory" at Rising Sun Academy. Of course, the mastermind behind this attack... was the Demon King who was gradually starting to take formal actions. But even if the Demon King didn't act personally, this force would eventually erupt at some point. In this sense, this hopeless dark fantasy world, to borrow my ancestor's words, was like a sunfish. There were frequent rebellions, uprisings, droughts, and disasters... Eventually, at the last moment, an invincible existence like the Demon King would appear. Even if I, the protagonist, didn't follow the system route but awakened the hero's weapon in the traditional way and then defeated the Demon King, by then, it would already be too late, and I would be left alone in a world that had already been destroyed. What a dark and unreasonable world.

"Please... My little brother is sick..."

"…Hm?" Unconsciously, I was cursing this damned world in my heart again. It wasn't until someone grabbed my robe and shook it that I came back to my senses and looked down.

"Please... Please give me a copper coin... Please..."

"....""I want to give my little brother... Even just a piece of bread..."

"…A piece of bread?"

"Before my little brother... Dies of illness... I want to see him smile once... Ugh... Ugh..." A haggard but cute - looking girl tugged on my robe and shook it. As she was speaking, emotions suddenly welled up in her, and she started crying. I quietly watched her. I was about to scold her coldly out of habit, but then I realized that my appearance was covered by the robe, so I said to her in a gentle voice.

"...Don't cry."

"Ugh... Ugh... Sniffle..."

"Good, good girl." Hearing my words, the little girl stopped crying and started sniffling. I carefully stroked her head and at the same time glanced at Isolte, who was standing beside me.

"Please... Sir Knight... Save our children..."

"Sister... I'm so hungry... Save me..."

"Sister... Please help us..."

"Please wait a moment! I'll distribute things fairly to everyone. Please line up!" Isolte, whose noble identity was recognized by the group of beggars because of the sword she was wearing, was struggling to deal with them, sweating profusely. It seemed that this little guy was too weak to even squeeze into that group of people.

'Under those circumstances... My actions probably won't be noticed...' I thought for a while, then fumbled in my arms, took out a money - bag full of gold coins, and stuffed it into the child's hand, saying.

"...Use this to treat your little brother's illness and find a place to live."

"...Four, four!? But..." Seeing the gold coins full in the money - bag, she widened her eyes and then raised her voice.

"Shh..."

"Um... Um..." I quickly covered her mouth, carefully looked around, then let go and whispered.

"...What if you're discovered?"

"But, but... It's too much..."

"...Hm?"

"I, I have nothing to repay... What should I do...? I can't pay it back even when I grow up... Ugh...!" I gently stroked the head of this naive little guy who, although begging, still said she would repay when she grew up, and then whispered again.

"It's okay, you don't have to pay it back."

"R - Really...?"

"Yeah, but you have to do me a favor."

"...Ah?"

"What you're going to do next is much more valuable than those gold coins." After saying that, I whispered a few words in the little guy's ear. The little guy tilted her head and thought for a while, then showed a bright smile and said:

"Although I don't quite understand, I'll try my best!"

"…Okay, after it's all over, take your little brother and sister and leave this place." After saying this, I took out a whip from my arms and whipped the child with all my might.

"…Ah!!" She let out a faint scream, and the beggars who were blackmailing Isolte, the passers - by, and Isolte herself all cast horrified glances at us.

"…You lowly thing, how dare you steal?"

"I'm s - sorry!! I'll never do it again... Ah!!"

"Shut up!! You piece of trash, you deserve to die!!" As I spoke, I increased the force of the whipping, and the child's screams became more shrill.

'...Ah, my hand is so sore.' Of course, this whip was the "Whip of the Pseudo - Evil" I bought from the store in advance. The person being whipped wouldn't feel too much pain. The child was probably gritting her teeth and enduring the itchy feeling now.

"Ah, no!! Stop!!" Just as I was pretending to whip the child, Isolte suddenly rushed over angrily, protected the child, and shouted at me.

"Have you gone crazy!? What on earth did this child do..."

"She tried to steal my wallet."

"Even so, there's no need to beat a child like this!!!" The angry Isolte gently placed the little boy on the ground, then with anger burning in her eyes, walked towards me.

"Enough, I understand. I should go now..."

"…You're really an ugly person. Really."

"…Do you understand now?"

"I'm such a fool for believing in you. From now on, I won't worry about you anymore… Nor will I consider you a friend. So, don't call me sister anymore."

"As you wish." After saying this, she gave me a disdainful look, then turned around and walked towards the little boy.

"…Is it over?" I silently watched her back, then used the "Mind - Reading" skill full of anticipation…

[Isolte Allem Bivorm's Current Emotions: Disdain / Anger / Disappointment / Concern / Regret / Pity / Sorrow]

"…Sigh." I found that there was still concern, regret, and pity in her eyes and couldn't help but sigh deeply.

'Saying she's not worried... Clearly lying.' If Isolte continued to "worry" about me like this... In the upcoming main - story plot, she would be in great danger. So, I had wanted to completely cut off this bond of friendship through this opportunity... But this overly kind sister still seemed to be worried about me, her worthless younger brother.

"..." Seeing the little girl, who was nestled in Isolte's arms, looking at me with a somewhat fearful look, I silently gave her a thumbs - up.

"...Th - Thank you!" Hearing this, she quickly broke free from Isolte's arms, bowed deeply, thanked me loudly, and then quickly disappeared into the dark alley.

[Gain 300 Evil Points! (Charitable Angel)]

"...Let's go." I glanced at the notification window that popped up in front of me and then calmly said to Isolte, who had been staring at me.

"...Where to?" She asked coldly. I pointed to the dark alley the child had just walked into.

"...To the back alley."

.....

"...Huh, is this really the back alley?"

"Yeah, that's right." Isolte, who walked into the back alley, was momentarily speechless, shocked by the magnificent scene in front of her, and started looking around. Well, I would also find it absurd. Just one block apart, on one side were children starving to death,On the other side, there were crowds surrounded by brilliant lights and dazzling jewels. The contrast was truly unbelievable. However, this was the ridiculously absurd reality of the corrupt empire.

"…Did all those people come here through the entrance we came in from?"

"No, that's not even an entrance. It's just a dog hole that those high - and - mighty big shots think is too dirty to use, not even in an emergency."

"....."

"Well, welcome to the heart of the empire... Professor." I changed my address. Isolte frowned and said coldly.

"Take me to that store."

"Isn't it right in front?"

"...What?"

"I didn't come in through that dog hole for no reason. I specifically chose this route to save time."

"...You wait here. I'll go deal with something and come back." After saying that, she walked towards the magic item store with heavy steps.

"Sorry, boss. But since I hired you, I won't let you be bored..."

"Woo, wuwu...!"

"…Hm?" I was silently mourning for that eccentric boss who I quite liked for a moment. Suddenly, I heard a groan in the distance. When I turned my head to look, I froze in place.

"Ugh! Ugh! Ugh...!!!""…Kid, don't move around. No one's going to come and help you."

"Yo? Doesn't seem to have eaten much, but is quite energetic. Is this a lucky find?" In the dark crevice between the buildings, the little girl who had taken the money - bag full of gold coins from me just now was being grabbed by several masked thugs and was struggling desperately.

"Puha... Help, help...! Cough cough...!""If things go on like this... If we feed her well, she should make top - notch goods, right?"

"...Let's withdraw for today."

"Hey, let me have some fun today too, okay?" The girl struggled for a while. Suddenly, she was hit in the abdomen and then collapsed to the ground. The masked thugs quickly picked her up, talked in low voices for a few words, and in the blink of an eye, disappeared without a trace.

"Ha..." I watched this scene quietly. Afraid of being pestered by that group of beggars asking for things, I reached out and touched my beloved sword hidden in my arms, and muttered in a low voice:

"...Seems like I have to change the plan." It seemed to be the time to resume my identity as a hero.