As a villain, I just want them to behave 81 p1

Chapter 81: Negotiations p1

After briefly introducing the three newly graduated knights, Kailun led Eve, the most promising of the trio, towards the dungeon.

Poor Shirley, as expected, had been captured. He had to offer her some… compassionate mockery.

He also wanted Eve to witness his true nature early on, to prepare her for what lay ahead.

“Eve, are you aware of the recent events in the city?” he asked casually as they walked.

“I’ve heard some rumors, but nothing concrete. We were busy with our graduation exams.” She had indeed heard whispers of Kailun’s triumph over Hilna and Lodis, of his control over the Royal City.

But looking at the boy beside her, barely older than herself, she found it hard to believe.

His gentle smile made him seem more like a harmless neighbor than a ruthless conqueror.

“Then there are some things you need to know.” He slowed his pace, walking beside her. “Eve, I have some unfortunate news. It might contradict the knightly ideals you learned at the academy.”

She tilted her head, her brow furrowed.

“Click!” He pushed open the dungeon door, revealing the scene within.

“Allow me to introduce you to your senior, Shirley. A distinguished graduate of the Knight Academy, I believe. Perhaps you’ve heard of her?” He steered her towards a cage.

Eve stared at Shirley, who was huddled inside, her face buried in her hands. Confusion filled her mind.

This was a renowned senior knight, someone who had achieved a high position. What was she doing in a cage?

“Don’t look at me! I’m not Shirley! And I’m not a graduate of the Knight Academy!” Shirley, sensing her gaze, covered her face in shame.

She had been spared the first time by exposing her stomach. What would happen this time?

“Besides Shirley, we also have Miss Winnie, the Viscount’s daughter. Do you know her?” He led Eve to Winnie’s cell.

Through the bars, they saw the once proud noble lady cowering in the corner, her fear of Kailun palpable.

Before Eve could process this, he turned her towards Hilna. “And this is Princess Hilna, the one who forced you to sign those contracts.”

Hilna glared at him, her eyes burning with hatred.

She had never felt so humiliated. She wanted to bash her head against the wall.

“You… you kidnapped the princess?” Eve gasped.

The rumors were true. The once untouchable princess was now a prisoner.

“Not just her. I also captured her younger sister. That’s her room over there.” He pointed towards a luxurious cell.

Eve, confused, glanced at the clean and well-furnished room. “Isn’t the little princess on your side?” She had seen them arrive together in the carriage. They seemed to be on good terms.

Why imprison her then?

She realized there was another side to this seemingly harmless boy.

“She’s on my side, but she hurt me. I’m just punishing her… symbolically.”

“And the princess?”

“She hurt me and my family. I’m going to… play with her. Both her body and her mind.”

“That’s a lie! I never hurt you or your family!” Hilna couldn’t contain herself any longer.

“Silence, you wicked woman! I said you did, so you did! Now nod and agree!” He glared at her, his voice cold.

She remained silent, fear overriding her anger.

“Eve, be wary of these princesses. They’re masters of deception. Don’t believe a word they say.” He shook his head, his disappointment evident.

If she had dared to defy him, he would have stormed into her cell and punished her in front of everyone.

“Yes, Master.” Eve nodded, her voice small.

“Do you understand what we’re doing now?” He patted her head, enjoying the feel of her soft hair beneath his fingers.

“We’re… overthrowing the corrupt regime and saving the world?” She chose her words carefully.

“There’s no need for such noble justifications. We’re simply pursuing our own interests. And I’m not a good person. I imprisoned them because I want to… toy with them.”

He wouldn’t tolerate a righteous crusader by his side.

Eve had shown such tendencies in his past life. He wouldn’t allow it to happen again.

Good people didn’t survive in this world.

“Toy with them?” The word conjured up disturbing images in her mind.

He decided to give her a demonstration. He led her to Shirley’s cage. “Shirley, do you want to leave?”

Shirley, her hope rekindled, looked up at him. “You’re willing to release me?”

He poked her cheek playfully. “Of course. But first, you have to apologize. You haven’t forgotten how, have you?”

“I… I understand.”

She glanced at Hilna, then closed her eyes and pulled open her shirt.

“Shirley, you fool! What are you doing? Stop it! Don’t listen to him!” Hilna rushed to the bars, her voice filled with anguish.

She couldn’t bear to watch Shirley sacrifice herself for her.

“Don’t worry, Your Highness! I’ll rescue you!” Shirley’s voice was firm, her eyes still closed.

“Plotting against me right in front of me? That’s bold, Shirley. Next time, you’ll have to expose your breasts.” He chuckled, squeezing her waist and stomach. Her toned body, honed by years of training, felt firm and responsive beneath his touch.

Satisfied, he opened the cage and released her.

“I won’t give up.” She wiped away a tear and, leaving those ambiguous words hanging in the air, fled the dungeon.

Hilna slumped back onto the stool, her head in her hands, her heart filled with regret.

[Hilna blames you for Shirley’s humiliation. Favorability -5. Current favorability: -85.]

“Well, Eve? Any thoughts?” He turned to Eve, watching Shirley’s retreating figure.

Shirley’s loyalty might be misguided, but she wasn’t as repulsive as Hilna. He enjoyed tormenting her.

He wondered how many times he could capture her, how far she would go before breaking.

And her humiliation would further erode Hilna’s spirit. Two birds with one stone.

“I… I don’t approve. She’s a knight worthy of respect.” She shook her head, her empathy for her fellow knight evident.

She couldn’t condone his methods.

She was still naive, sheltered within the ivory tower of the academy, unaware of the world’s harsh realities.

But he loved corrupting innocence.

He stepped closer, his gaze meeting hers. “Even if she’s our enemy?”

“You could have just killed her.” She knew it was wrong to argue with him, but her convictions wouldn’t allow her to back down.

“You’re just as foolish as Shirley. No wonder Hilna manipulated you so easily.” He sighed, his fingers tracing her cheek. “For a moment, I considered lecturing you. But I think a more… direct approach is necessary.”

“Thud!”

He slammed her against the wall before she could react.

Her eyes widened in alarm as his face hovered inches from hers.

Changing someone’s beliefs took time. He preferred a more… hands-on approach.

His enhanced Mental Pollution would prove useful.

“Mmm!”

He pressed his knee between her thighs, trapping her, and then, without hesitation, captured her lips with his.

He tasted her innocence, his tongue exploring her mouth, his hands roaming her back, eroding her defenses, watching as her eyes glazed over.

This was his first time using a kiss to test the effects of Mental Pollution. The outcome was uncertain.

He savored her sweetness, punishing her for her naivete.

Perhaps it was the Mental Pollution, or perhaps it was his charm and skill, but she slowly surrendered, her arms wrapping around his neck, her body responding to his touch.

He led her to a dark corner, his hands slipping beneath her clothes, exploring her sensitive skin.

Ten minutes later, he released her, her breath coming in ragged gasps. “If you wish to be my knight, your first duty is to protect me. The world sees me as a devil, a monster. You will be my loyal servant. If I commit a crime, you will clean up the mess. Understood?”

“Eve… Eve will obey.” Her eyes were glazed over, her heart pounding.

A voice within her urged her to trust him, to obey him, to devote herself to him.

Perhaps this was love at first sight?

She didn’t know. Her pre-existing affection for him, combined with his manipulation, had swept her away.

“Good girl. Those are the words of a true knight. Now, go and share my teachings with Kirin and Charlene. If they refuse to accept, bring them to me. I’ll personally instruct them on how to become true knights.” He lifted her chin and kissed her again.

He only needed obedient followers.

“Yes, Master.” She returned his kiss, her tongue lapping at the corner of his lips.

“Go now. Afra will teach you some important things. I have a crucial role for you. Learn from her.” He gave her a playful swat on the backside. “Now, off you go!”

“Mmm~” She whimpered, clutching her backside, her eyes filled with longing as she left the dungeon.

He was confident of his success. Mental Pollution, combined with his charm and skill, was a potent combination.

“So you resort to seduction to recruit followers? I’m impressed.” Hilna, having recovered from her initial shock, couldn’t resist a jab.

“You wouldn’t understand, Princess. Eve’s tongue is soft and sweet. I could kiss her all day. If that’s the price of loyalty, I’m willing to pay it.”

Hilna: “…”

He was truly shameless.

“Speaking of which, would you like to leave this dungeon? Just expose your breasts and apologize, and I’ll release you.”

She turned away, refusing to answer. She would rather starve than humiliate herself for him.

“How cruel! Shirley sacrificed her dignity for you, and yet you’re unwilling to make such a small gesture?” He looked at her with disdain.

“I won’t acknowledge your twisted logic. And even if I did as you asked, would you actually release me?” Her hatred for him burned brightly. She regretted not killing him when she had the chance.

“Of course I would! I’m a man of my word!”

“Ha!”

“I’d just capture you again when you reached the door.”

Hilna: “…”

He had successfully provoked her again. Satisfied, he turned his attention to Winnie. “Winnie, do you want to leave? I’m offering you a choice.”

“I know you’ll just torment me,” she replied, her voice filled with bitterness.

He had threatened to harm her parents. Her heart was breaking.

“Are you sure you want to give up? If you refuse now, your fate will be out of your hands.” He crouched down, feigning concern.

His words rekindled a spark of hope within her. “What do you want? If you hate me, just kill me.”

“No, that’s too boring.” He beckoned her closer.

She hesitated, but eventually crawled towards him, her body unwilling to abandon all hope.

Good. As long as her heart was still beating, he could break it again.

“Good girl. That’s more like it. Just agree to one condition, and I’ll let you leave.”

“What condition?”

“Learn a seductive dance from the Loya Dance Troupe within three days. Impress me. Prove your worth.”

“Okay…” She had no choice.

He unlocked her cell door. “Let’s go.”

“I don’t have to… expose myself?”

“I won’t stop you if you want to.” He looked at her, surprised by her eagerness.

“I never said that! You misheard!” She stood, brushing the dust from her skirt, and followed him out of the dungeon.

He wouldn’t argue. She would offer him everything he desired eventually.

With Winnie gone, Hilna was alone.

She hugged her knees, her heart a tangled mess of conflicting emotions. She wanted Shirley to rescue her, but she also wanted her to stay away.

She banged her head against the wall. It hurt. She wouldn’t do that again.

Vivian was right. She was selfish. Her pursuit of power had blinded her, her only focus on eliminating threats.

She had nothing left but her title. She was a failure.

“Grrr…” Her stomach growled. She hadn’t eaten in days. If not for her strength, she would have starved to death.