Chapter 15: The Savior of Evil

"Ah, yes—a sense of security." The golden-haired man's crimson eyes, like those of a demon, bore into Kirei Kotomine. His words were nothing short of devilish whispers, sending tremors through Kirei's very soul.

"For ordinary people, things like fame, dominance over others, wealth… all these human desires and pursuits are just means to feel secure. Marriage, friendships—they're all for the sake of peace of mind. All that talk about 'wanting to help others,' 'love and peace'… it's all just self-reassurance. The pursuit of security is the ultimate purpose of human existence."

"..." Kirei wanted to refute him, yet he couldn't deny the truth in his words—that they exposed the essence of human desire. He knew this man was evil; his upbringing and faith screamed at him not to believe. And yet… he wanted to keep listening. This contradiction swirled inside him, leaving him silent.

The golden-haired man seemed to sense Kirei's inner turmoil. Raising a hand, he pointed at Kirei's chest and said,

"You… can't feel happiness like normal people, can you?"

"!!!"

The words struck like lightning, piercing straight into his soul. It was as if this man was the demon lurking in his heart, effortlessly exposing his deepest secret under the harsh light of day. The golden-haired figure blocked the sun, his shadow slowly stretching until it touched Kirei's feet.

"You entered the Church as your father taught you, studied its doctrines, married, had a child, and even returned now to join the Holy Grail War… But tell me, Kirei Kotomine—have you ever felt even a shred of happiness? Have you ever wondered why you can't?"

Each word was like a spike, splitting open Kirei's mind and laying his entire life bare before him. Cold sweat dripped down his back, his body trembling uncontrollably. More terrifying than the man's physical power was his ability to dissect the human heart—like a true demon crawled up from hell, scrutinizing him, toying with him.

"No… I haven't. Why?"

Kirei could only answer, like a lamb already caught in a trap with no escape. He wanted to know why. He wanted the answer.

"As I said before, people live to seek security. Only when you feel secure can you feel happiness. And yet, Kirei Kotomine… has anything in your life ever given you even a moment of peace?" The man answered with a smirk. "You have no goals, no desires. Everything you've done was arranged by your father. A life like that—how could it ever bring you security? You've never found what truly reassures you, so you've never known what you truly want."

"..." Kirei had no retort. He couldn't deny a single word. After a long silence, he finally spoke.

"Then… what is it? What can bring me security? What can give me happiness?! How do I find it?!"

His voice was desperate. For over twenty years, no one had understood him. And now, in an instant, this man had laid him bare. He needed the answer—the one that had tormented him for years. Even knowing this man was a demon, even after decades of faith and doctrine…

At this moment, he reached out to make a deal with the devil.

"Hmph. Do you really not know?"

But instead of an answer, the man threw the question back at him. Kirei froze. Yet the demon wasn't merely toying with him—he stepped closer, his voice smooth and deliberate.

"Perhaps before today, you truly didn't know. But after everything that just happened… can you really say you don't understand?"

"—!!"

His soul trembled. Kirei remembered everything—the exhilaration he had never felt before in his life.

"Ah, it seems you've realized, Kirei Kotomine." The "Golden Demon" now stood directly before him, his shadow fully enveloping Kirei's body. The light glinted off his golden hair—a scene that should have been divine, yet now dripped with perversion and corruption.

"From the moment I approached you… from the moment I overwhelmed you with power… from the moment I crushed you… from the moment I tore open your heart… you smiled. Four times." He held up four fingers with one hand while pointing at his own face with the other, grinning grotesquely.

"Ah…"

Kirei understood. He finally knew the answer. With great effort, he forced himself onto one knee before the demon. Seeing this, the golden-haired monster's smile widened—a true demon's grin—as he delivered his final whisper:

"That's right, Kirei. Only I can give you security. Only I can grant you eternal peace. Because I alone know what kind of creature you truly are. Because we are the same… That's why I sought you out. So now, Kirei Kotomine—what is your choice?"

What was the price of a deal with the devil? As someone raised in the Holy Church, Kirei knew better than anyone.

"I offer you everything—even my soul. I will revere you as I once revered God. That is my loyalty."

Kirei bowed his head.

"Then accept this gift… and savor your peace at last."

Black mist surged from the Golden Demon, wrapping around Kirei's body and soul. He didn't resist—he let the power wash over him, purify him, remake him.

"Ah… this feeling… this is security. So… this is happiness?"

For the first time, Kirei felt true dependence—true peace. This was what he had sought all his life, and now the demon had given it to him.

He smiled again. Then he laughed—a full, unrestrained laugh.

With his soul sold to the devil, the doctrines and morals that had shackled him for decades shattered. His spirit had never felt so light, so free.

It was like ascending to heaven.

A demon?

No. This was his god now—the only one he would ever worship.

...

Ding!

"Congratulations, Host! Through sheer charisma, you have successfully subjugated an A-rank villain—Kirei Kotomine! To make countless evildoers bow before you, to have them cry your name in worship, to earn their absolute reverence… You are the Savior of Evil! Reward: 1000 Villain Points! One Epic-tier Lottery Draw! New Aura: [Savior of Evil]! Current Villain Points: 1130!"

Aura Effect [Savior of Evil]: When equipped, greatly enhances the Host's villainous charm and imposes a subtle intimidation effect, inspiring awe in others. Makes fellow villains instinctively respect or even submit to the Host. Effectiveness scales with the Host's strength.

"Good… very good. All that acting paid off. Dio's quotes really are something else. A golden-haired monster truly is the natural enemy of a priest. Heh… Ahahahaha!"

Takashi Kuroda couldn't help but revel in his gains—another 1000 Villain Points, an Epic-tier Lottery Draw, and a powerful new aura.

If not for the need to maintain his mystique in front of Kirei, he would've burst out laughing right then. To so easily recruit a subordinate and reap such rewards—today had been extremely profitable.

"I can't wait for the Fourth Holy Grail War now. Though… according to Kirei, it's still a year away. Right, I remember—Sakura was handed over to the Matous a year before the war, and it wasn't long before she was thrown into the worm pit. Since she's unharmed and Kariya hasn't returned yet, I must've arrived exactly one year before the war."

Kuroda grinned.

Plenty of time to prepare.

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