THE PERFECT VILLAIN: Another chance with a system
Chapter 7: Demoness of Mischief

Chapter 7: Demoness of Mischief

She stumbled back in fear, her hand trembling. "Lord... Lord Vael, I... I—" She immediately fell to her knees, bowing her head. "I want to serve you, Lord Vael. Please take me in."

Serve me? Why?

He looked at her with a cold expression. "Tell me, why do you want to follow me, and what do you hope to gain?"

"I swear on the name of the Demon Lord, I have nothing to gain. You... you saved my life, and this is the only way I can repay you, Lord Vael."

Just that? Why did I expect something better.

Vael sighed, putting both hands in his pockets.

Though her Perfect Cloak ability would be important to me for future purposes. Just in case I exhaust the ones I have.

"Alright, I’ll take you in. But just so you know, it’s a terrible decision for you, and you’ll certainly regret it." Vael turned around and headed toward his section.

She followed immediately. "Um, my name is—"

"Yellow," Vael replied before she could finish. "You are now Yellow."

"As you wish, Lord Vael," she muttered in acceptance, and both headed toward Vael’s chamber.

---

Valak had already reached his own section when he heard his name called from behind him.

"Valak."

The voice was subtle, somewhat bold. He paused by the doorway and turned around. Standing behind him was a lady in a bloody crimson gown, a single horn extending from her forehead—Valerie, the demoness of mischief.

"Hello, sister. What brings you to my chambers?" Valak said as he turned around.

"I heard Erna is dead, and Nevis died too," she responded casually.

"Does that concern you, sister?" Valak took a step forward and stopped.

She sighed, leaning against the wall. "We’ve lost thirteen siblings in the last three hundred years — that much is understandable. But two gone in a day seems rather suspicious, doesn’t it?"

"Certainly. Though you should know, Nevis was killed by Erna — he was mistaken for a traitor. Turns out the traitor was Valin, and he killed Erna," Valak replied casually. "You shouldn’t worry about it, though. I already killed him."

Valak turned around without waiting for a reply, but as soon as he took a step forward, Valerie asked, "—and do you think it’s over? Do you truly believe the suspect has been stopped?"

Valak smiled without turning his head. "Certainly not. I believe there’s a mastermind hidden somewhere in the shadows. Erna may be hotheaded, but she isn’t stupid, and Nevis may be proud, but he wouldn’t be caught in shady schemes like the ones that made Erna suspect him in the first place."

"So you do know it isn’t over yet." Valerie turned fully toward Valak, who had begun walking again.

"Absolutely," he replied without stopping. "My advice to you is not to get involved. Watch from the sideline, sister — it’s easier to see the whole piece from outside the board." Valak reached for the door handle, tilted his head back slightly, gave her a smirk, and walked in.

She sighed without another word and turned to leave.

---

Vael had gotten to his room and shut the door behind him, having sent Yellow to arrange his own archives—a mere distraction to get her away from himself. He headed down to the hall where Langer was, setting the table again for him.

This time he sat and ate.

Then he walked to the spring to soak himself once more. He had been in the Demon Realm for only a day, and he had casually caused four deaths and watched four more happen without leaving a trail behind.

As he soaked in the hot spring, he looked up at the sky. The crimson moon had reached its peak again, shining brightly into the spring.

It was the same moment the previous day that he had dropped Nevis’s body at Erna’s doorstep.

A smile appeared on his face as he lifted his right hand toward the crimson moon.

I wonder, what else can I do from here? The Shapeshifting skill has gone a long way, but I need a better plan. I suspect the Authority of Truth would eventually reveal my true self, even under it. My lies worked twice now, and frankly, I’d consider that more luck than proper planning. I’ll hold off on the kills for now. It would be more profitable if they do it themselves, without my involvement.

Vael dropped his hand back into the spring and relaxed for a while longer before rising out of it.

He walked slowly to his room and sat on his bed, a towel wrapped around his waist. He reached for the towel on his shoulder and wiped his face with it.

He slowly got up and walked toward the closet. He picked up a casual black robe and put it on, then walked toward the mirror and stood in front of it.

His hand slowly reached for the scar on his left side. The memory instantly surfaced in his mind.

***

"He is getting away!" Aurelian launched toward the fleeing demon, but a fire blast moved quicker, hitting the rocks a few feet behind the demon and shattering the walls around the cave, blocking Aurelian from reaching him.

"Damn! He got away, I had him!" Aurelian spat. Then a voice muttered from behind him.

"Well, I missed. That wasn’t my fault."

It was a voice he could recognize anywhere. It was Amira.

***

It all makes sense now. She was never aiming for the demon. She was helping him escape. Well — helping me escape.

"Amira."

He muttered under his breath, still rubbing the scar on his side.

Our paths will cross again, Amira.

Vael thought as a smirk grew on his face.

*Knock knock*

The sound came from the door, cutting through his thoughts.

Huh? Who could that be?

Vael walked slowly toward the door and reached for it, holding it still for a moment before opening it.

Standing in the doorway, with a familiar gentle smile he was certain carried mischief underneath, was the one person he least expected—the demoness of mischief, Lady Valerie.