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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: Villain's Plan
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Atop the massive throne, I sat in the highest seat.
Drumming my fingers on the armrests made of black marble, I looked down upon the pathetic humans.
Truly, humans suit nothing better than kneeling before this body!
"Kakak! At last, I have achieved it! Now this world—no, this universe—is the mighty Grimoire Empire!"
The moment I had dreamed of.
The weight of the crown upon my head proved this body's majesty. The red cape draped over my shoulders, the faintly glowing horns—all were perfect symbols of my villainy.
"Your Majesty, please accept this humble tribute!"
The US President offered the nuclear football with trembling hands.
Beside him, the Chinese Chairman tearfully presented his national seal.
Even the rulers of superpowers can only kneel before this body!
"Hmmm... Very well, I shall graciously accept it."
Tremble in fear! Stand in awe! This is the true charisma of a villain!
"Great and mighty Grimoire, Your Majesty!"
Someone cried out in anguish. It was the Hero Association Chairman. Having endured great hardships, his clothes were caked in dust, and tears of remorse streamed down his face.
"I have committed the unforgivable sin of daring to call Your Majesty a 'hero'—a crime that ten thousand deaths could not atone for!"
Oh, splendid! At last, they recognize this body's true worth!
"Forgive our foolishness in mistaking Your Majesty's villainous deeds for heroic acts!"
The other heroes also wept as they begged for mercy. Perfect! How long had I waited for this moment!
"This body is a merciful villain, so I shall specially forgive you! Your foolishness only makes this body's greatness shine brighter! Kakak!"
Outside the window, the flags of the Grimoire Empire fluttered. Black fields embroidered with gray horn patterns blanketed the world!
"Long live Grimoire, Your Majesty! Long live our great villain! Glory to the Ruler of All Things!"
The citizens' cheers pierced the heavens.
Yes! This body has conquered the world! The ultimate glory for a villain!
This is the grand triumph of a great villain!
"At last, I've found my proper place!"
The gray light emanating from my horns grew even more intense.
"Master..."
Somewhere, Everlin's voice echoed.
...Huh?
"Everlin? How dare you interrupt this perfect moment?"
Her voice grew clearer. At the same time, the throne and the kneeling leaders began to fade.
"Master, you must get up."
"No! Just a bit longer! My world...!"
But it was already too late. The grand throne turned into a soft bed, and the luxurious cape became pajamas printed with dinosaurs.
I clutched the blanket tightly, but this body's victory crumbled like a sandcastle.
"This can't be! My subjects! My empire...! Come back! All of you, return! That's an order from this body!"
When I opened my eyes, I saw the familiar ceiling.
"Eek! It was all a dream?!"
I bolted upright and looked around. The Grimoire Empire flag I had drawn with crayons all night long adorned the walls, along with posters of this body standing triumphant over the Earth as the ultimate villain.
"Master, it's already noon. The sun is high in the sky. Oversleeping excessively diminishes a villain's dignity."
Everlin's voice was as expressionless as ever, but it seemed laced with subtle amusement.
"Th-this isn't oversleeping! This body was in the middle of a world conquest simulation!"
I jumped out of bed. The moment my feet hit the floor, the last remnants of the dream vanished.
But it's fine! World conquest is merely postponed! The outcome is already decided!
"Everlin! Listen to this! This body had an amazing dream! All the heroes knelt before me, world leaders offered tributes... Oh, and my flags covered the entire world!"
"Of course it will happen soon, Master. World conquest is only a matter of time."
"Right? As expected, my maid recognizes this body's greatness!"
"For breakfast-slash-lunch today, I've prepared your favorite handmade cheeseburger."
"...A burger? With fries and a milkshake, by any chance?"
"Naturally."
"Yay! As expected, this body's maid is the best! She knows how to properly uphold my greatness!"
Right now, the burger was more important than world conquest.
No, world conquest is top priority, of course... but recharging energy comes first! Even a great villain can't commit evil on an empty stomach!
I dashed to the dining table, following the delicious aroma.
A perfect lunch was already laid out. Crispy fries, sweet milkshake... and above all, Everlin's handmade burger!
Thick patty in a butter bun, two slices of cheese standard, minimal lettuce, no tomatoes whatsoever. Generous special sauce! A menu that perfectly captured this body's tastes!
"Everlin's handmade burgers are the best, as always!"
"Thank you... but I've also prepared a salad."
What? Salad? The sight of that green intruder ruining my perfect meal made my brow furrow.
"I won't eat vegetables! This body is a villain! Not some herbivore!"
I declared, grabbing the burger with both hands. I wouldn't even glance at the salad!
What kind of villain eats grass like a rabbit?!
"Master, proper nutrition is vital during your growth spurt."
"Hmph! This body is already perfect... Urk."
Mid-sentence, I caught sight of my reflection in the mirror. The form of a cute little girl.
It certainly exudes great villainous dignity... but after two whole years, my horns have only grown 0.5 cm!
My height is still holding at 150 cm. Absolutely, positively not 149 cm!
"Everlin, this body doesn't seem to be growing taller..."
"Master, growth takes time."
Meanwhile, Everlin boasted perfect proportions at 175 cm. I want to flaunt such elegant, graceful poise too!
What kind of subordinate is taller than their master?!
"A true villain needs an imposing height! I can't instill fear like this!"
"Besides, a villain's dignity isn't determined by height. Napoleon was short, yet he conquered Europe. Charisma matters more than size."
...Charisma? This body has that in abundance!
"That's right! This body has horns!"
"Moreover, a small stature offers strategic advantages, like lulling enemies into complacency. It's easier to dodge attacks too."
"Oh ho! So disadvantages become advantages! This body truly is amazing!"
Regaining my confidence, I sat at the table—gracefully... no, villainously!
Nom nom—
Both hands on the burger, big bite!
Mmm, this is the taste! The smoky beef patty bursting with juices, harmonizing with the melting cheese!
Glancing ahead, Everlin was elegantly slicing her burger with fork and knife.
"Cutting a burger?! Everlin, you're far from becoming a true villain! This is how a villain eats! Watch this body closely!"
Chomp chomp!
I devoured the burger with both hands, messily. Sauce smeared on my mouth? No problem.
With one hand, I grabbed a fry and dipped it in the milkshake. The combo of sweet shake and salty fries!
This is the true villain's dining style!
"...Master, shall I fetch a bib?"
"N-no, that's fine!"
Everlin's eye twitched faintly. Surely she wasn't laughing at this body?
"Today is the day for your planned 'first act of villainy.'"
Everlin approached naturally and wiped the corner of my mouth with a napkin.
"That's right! The day has finally arrived!"
It's been two years since this body escaped the lab.
Settling in S City, Korea, and enjoying daily life with Everlin has been fun... but now it's time to step out as a true villain.
"From today, this body's infamy will spread across the world! The world will tremble at the name 'Grimoire'! Kakak!"
Even in the shower, I couldn't contain my excitement. Every splash of warm water sharpened the plans for today's villainy in my mind.
Ideas always flow best in the bath! The water droplets must be stimulating this body's genius brain!
I stood before the wardrobe, pondering.
Outfit fit for my first villainy... Something worthy of humanity's greatest villain's debut stage!
A flashy dress? Or something bolder?
"For such an important day, I must wear my favorite dress!"
I pulled out my usual gothic lolita dress.
This black base with purple frills is this body's trademark! Wearing it doubles my dignity!
Dressed, I checked myself in the mirror.
Silver-glowing long hair, ruby-red eyes, and my pride: the black horns.
Perfect! I have every quality of an ideal villain!
"Hmm... Today, this body looks even cuter... no, more dignified?"
"Master, the frills on your dress are slightly creased."
Everlin approached expressionlessly and smoothed the dress. Her fingers deftly ironed out the wrinkles.
"Great! Now, time to practice poses and lines!"
I struck various poses before the mirror. Chin up, one hand on hip, the other toward the sky... angles that fully displayed this body's majesty!
"Kakak! Tremble, you pathetic humans! The great villain Grimoire has arrived!"
...No, something's missing. Needs more evil vibe! Once more! More intimidating this time!
"Kneel before this body and beg for your lives!"
Taking a deep breath, I tried again.
"Ka! Kak! Kakakakak! How's that? Terrifying enough?"
"Perfect, Master. Your laugh is even more sinister, and the chin tilt is optimized. Overall, 15% more intimidating than last time."
"...Only 15%?"
Disappointment slipped out. After practicing all night, just 15% improvement?!
"Ah, my apologies. I miscalculated."
Everlin continued with a serious face.
"Recalculating, it's at least 85% better. Especially the 'Kakak!'—the fear factor hits 95%. Even S-Rank heroes would shudder."
Her words swelled my chest with pride. My maid has a keen eye! A subordinate must properly recognize their master's greatness!
"Indeed! Now, let the villain debut begin! Shall you hear this body's evil plan?"
"It would be an honor, Master."
I stepped to the whiteboard and grasped the black cloth covering it.
One, two, three!
"Ta-da!"
Yanking the cloth away revealed the operation plan in vibrant colors.
This body's all-night artistic masterpiece! Every crayon stroke chosen strategically!
⚡ EVIL PLAN ACTIVATED ⚡
[OPERATION: Grimoire Bank]
A bright red crayon arrow pointed sharply and menacingly at the Black Lotus Bank, S City branch.
And beside the building, a drawing of this body (with an enormous horn!) wearing a tiny crown and holding a money bag.
Great, perfect.
"The first act of villainy is..."
I paused for dramatic effect.
"Robbing a bank! Kyakakak!"
"..."
Silence fell.
"Everlin, this is the cue for applause."
"Ah, my apologies. The plan was so grand, it left me speechless."
Clap. Clap.
Everlin applauded politely.
A subtle shift crossed her expressionless face.
Clearly, she was moved by this body's plan!
"For this body's debut, it needs impact! Not some run-of-the-mill shop—the Black Lotus Bank suits this body's stage! The world's strongest villain demands the ultimate target!"
I puffed out my small chest proudly. Faint gray light seeped from my horns.
Preparations are perfect!
Building blueprints, security system analysis, guard patrol routes, vault schematics—all ready!
My heart pounded. All that's left is announcing this body's villainy to the world!
"Now the world will tremble in fear! The moment I rob the bank, everyone will realize how evil this body is! Kakak!"
I laughed confidently. It's starting at last. My first step as a true villain!
From this moment today, history shall divide into 'Before Grimoire' and 'After Grimoire'!