I'm being Mistaken for The Mastermind

Chapter 19

From the moment they were born, all Sins instinctively knew their fate.

The Sin of Arrogance, Super.

A lifetime spent elevating oneself.

Deceiving and confusing both enemies and allies.

Trying to undermine the uniqueness of a great being like a god, stand as equals, or even surpass them.

At times, destroying a nation or holding it in their grasp at will.

Such was the fate Super was born with.

A lifetime where he could belong nowhere and feel no sense of kinship.

A fate where loneliness was always present.

Then, for the first time, someone appeared who made Super feel a sense of kinship.

Wrath, bound by the same framework of 'Sins.'

Someone who must live their entire life in the unquenchable flames of wrath.

'What's with this kid?'

However, Super felt confused.

Surprisingly.

'Why don't I feel anything?'

Because from the Sin of Wrath, he couldn't feel the searing rage that should have been there.

"You... How is this possible...?"

Super stammered, so flustered that even his words faltered.

It was understandable.

Puppets born as marionettes, moving on their own with self-awareness despite having no strings.

How could anything be more astonishing than this?

Especially if they were born as the same kind of scarecrow.

"I only followed fate..."

"A fortuitous opportunity came to me."

Lapis spoke to Super in a calm tone.

"A very small, precious foreign object got stuck in the cogs of fate."

"A foreign... object? Isn't that a bad thing?"

"It depends on how you interpret it. But for us, it's not. You know that, right?"

A fate that was the same yet different.

Both were destined to be swept away by fate, losing even their sense of self.

They had escaped from such compulsion.

Super finished his thoughts.

He immediately leaped forward.

Grab!

"How is this possible!? Please, tell me the method!"

He clung to Lapis's leg.

Fate?

Fate sounds nice.

In reality, it was the compulsion that ignored Super's individual self.

Whether he desired it or not, he had to live according to fate.

A mutant born from the fusion of fallen heretics and ancient power.

Twisted from birth, he had no choice but to cling like this.

"Tell me?"

"Yes, yes. You know it too. The fate I, we, were born with."

"Yes. I know it all too well."

So well, it was almost a flaw.

"Alright. I'll tell you."

Lapis pointed to the carriage with her outstretched finger.

"Believe in him."

"...Believe? Just believe, and that's it? That's all?"

Super's face contorted.

"Are you playing with me right now?"

"No. I'm telling you what actually worked for me."

"What am I supposed to believe in? A god?"

"No. The savior who changed my fate."

"A savior?"

"Yes."

In fact, even Lapis couldn't believe it at first.

She wondered why he was being so kind, why he was giving her such delicious things.

However, the impulse of wrath began to fade.

When she met another Sin under the guise of coincidence, she was certain.

He was truly the one who would save her from this fate.

At the same time, a small doubt arose.

Why had he come looking for this child?

If he deemed her useless and sought the fate of another Sin?

If he abandoned Lapis as she was now?

Just imagining it made her chest ache as if it were hollow.

The first object of her will, her family.

A desire not to lose it.

All of this mixed together to create the current result.

"Everything... for... God..."

Drake, hanging in midair, pitifully dying.

Just like that foolish believer, at this moment, Lapis also wanted to cling to faith called belief.

'Faith...'

What is faith?

It is belief.

It's simply belief directed toward something called a 'god.'

Then, what defines a 'god'?

Omniscient and omnipotent power?

No.

A god is neither omniscient nor omnipotent, nor competent enough to care for everyone.

In other words, faith is a type of belief, merely a word expressing fanatical belief.

Its meaning can change depending on what it is called.

Then, couldn't Lapis's belief in Evan also be considered faith?

Even if Evan wasn't a god?

'Yes. I think so.'

Lapis thought so, tightly clenching the hand placed over her chest.

'Everything is for Evan.'

A phrase with a pleasing sound.

Except, the word 'god' was excluded.

For Lapis, a god had no value whatsoever.

'This, everything.'

Something that couldn't even be compared to a god.

A small, precious foreign object that could uniquely interfere with a life rolling like cogs.

She gave it a name.

'For Evan.'

Ah.

Yes.

This is it.

A short resonance.

It caused a small ripple in Lapis's heart, which had been filled with wrath.

Yes.

This is it.

Siiik.

A smile formed on Lapis's lips.

Siiik, naturally, a smile formed on her lips.

"Now, follow me."

Lapis grabbed both of Super's hands.

The pressure felt throughout the entire body.

Super unknowingly gripped Lapis's hands tightly.

"All of this, for Evan."

With that, Lapis whispered softly.

***

"Hehe. It's over, Evan!"

Inside the carriage.

Evan looked out the window with complicated emotions.

Outside, stained with blood.

The heretics were all lying on the ground, crippled.

'I didn't tell her to go this far.......'

For the heretics, being crippled isn't that big of a problem.

Since the god they believe in is in such a state, they can recover quickly with faith and offerings.

This much is enough for them to retreat to a proper place and catch their breath.

They are used to running away.

Arthur wouldn't bother stepping in either.

The Aura Hall is still incomplete.

He would wait until it was fully restored or stabilized.

In other words, this could be seen as partially normalizing the story.

"Hehe. I did well, right?"

"......You did well."

He should give her some praise.

He ruffled her hair.

Lapis, as if pleased, giggled and hugged Evan's leg.

"......."

Super, who was watching this.

His expression twisted terribly.

It was like someone witnessing their best friend acting cute with their lover.

"......Untie this for me."

Super extended his hands.

Ropes were tightly wound around his hands.

Evan stared at them for a moment.

Should he untie them or not?

'Hmm, isn't it still a bit dangerous?'

Lapis now completely looks like a rabbit.

Occasionally, when her eyes turn, she becomes like a ferocious killer rabbit.

As long as she doesn't get angry, it's fine.

But Super?

He's hard to figure out.

Ira awakens and drowns the kingdom in blood,

but for Super, ruling the kingdom is everything.

In the end, he even tries to surpass divine authority and falls.

'Even then, he didn't use any unique abilities of his own.'

It felt like he had just picked and used the best abilities from among his skills.

Because of that, there was no consistency.

Is it still the same now?

"You, you should untie me soon."

Super whispered in a low yet strangely compelling voice.

"Then I'll give you power."

"......Power?"

"Yes. Don't you want to rule the world? With the fate of the two of us, it's definitely possible."

Rule the world?

"I'll make you a powerful ruler. How about it?"

Does that mean he could become a macho man?

'Hmm. Not interested.'

Evan wasn't particularly intrigued.

Why?

'I'm already a macho man.'

Surviving in this harsh world for over a year.

That's enough to be a man among men.

Honestly, he might even rival Bear Grylls.

Ah, though he wouldn't be able to eat bugs raw.......

"I'm not interested in such things."

"What?"

Evan responded indifferently, his voice showing absolutely no interest.

Honor, power, even money. None of it interests me.

The only thing that slightly appealed to him was money.

But he already had plenty.

His allowance was substantial.

There's no need to play along with such a child.

"What do you mean? You're not tempted at all?"

"Yes."

"That's impossible. There's no way you have no desires......."

Super, continuing his words, widened his eyes.

He hadn't noticed before, but there was an intriguing pattern in his pupils.

However, the shape wasn't clearly visible.

It felt like it was censored or pixelated.

'How fascinating.'

In a world where magic, monsters, and gods exist.

Pixelated pupils?

It was just a bit fascinating, that's all.

While Evan stared intently into his eyes.

Super's hands trembled slightly.

"......Impossible."

"?"

"I can't read it......?"

"What do you mean?"

"You, you're not some kind of doll, are you?"

"What are you talking about?"

A doll, really?

What a way to ruin someone's mood.

'Ah, does that mean I'm handsome?'

Then I agree.

"But why can't I read anything......? Huh?"

Super opened his eyes wide and trembled.

"Where are you looking right now......?"

"I am looking into your eyes."

Hmm, should I give a compliment here?

"Your eyes are very beautiful."

"!!"

Super's body shook violently as if struck by lightning.

"You...... you...... uh......."

Super stuttered.

This was a reaction I hadn't seen in the game.

Is it because he's still young?

Truly an unfamiliar sight.

Is it because he's young like Lapis?

He seems overly nervous, stumbling over himself.

Should I help him relax a bit?

'Even in front of a Sin, he's like this.'

As expected, I'm a real man.

Evan felt satisfied inside and opened his mouth.

"What is your name?"

"......Super."

"I am Evan. If it wouldn't be rude, may I ask how you ended up here?"

"......By chance."

"I see."

He seems unwilling to talk.

I didn't press him.

It wouldn't do any good to upset him unnecessarily.

It's absolutely not because I'm afraid.

It's about respecting individual thoughts, respect.

Suddenly, Super bit his lip hard and asked Evan.

"......You, you're not trying to pull something on me, are you?"

"?"

Evan looked at him with an expression that asked what nonsense he was talking about.

The golem and the potions were all behaving quietly.

But pulling something? What nonsense is this?

'Could he be misunderstanding something strange?'

Evan's preferences definitely do not include such young ones.

Lapis approached with a relaxed expression and patted Super on the shoulder.

"Super. Calm down. Am I right?"

"But......."

"You don't feel any urges right now, do you?"

"......."

Arrogance, and Wrath.

I don't know what it feels like, but it seems there are times when the impulses subside.

"You can have this peace."

"......That is......."

"So, come play with us. Okay?"

Lapis smiled innocently like a child and swung Super's hands around.

"You seem to have had a hard time."

Evan responded casually, not minding whether Super followed or not.

"Do as you please, as your heart desires."

"......As I please?"

"Yes."

From the beginning, he planned to say goodbye and part ways.

That's why he told him to do as he wished.

"You are free."

Crackle!

After understanding the components of the rope and disassembling it to make it disappear, Super watched for a moment.

Then he nodded.

No, why?

"......Right. Cross-verification is necessary. Fine."

"Fine! Hehe. Evan! You did want to bring this kid along, right?"

'Not really.'

One Sin, Lapis, was already enough, even if it was by chance.

Gathering more Sins here?

He's not even a real mastermind, so why would he gather them?

Judging by appearances, the Sins seem to be generally young.

If they all gather like this, how is it different from an orphanage.......

'Wait a second, an orphanage?'

Isn't that a good idea?

It's called an orphanage, but in reality, it's a place to protect them from getting hurt or awakening as Sins.

It might make it easier to conquer this world.

There's a reason to prepare just in case.

Once might be a coincidence, but twice is different.

As the saying goes, from the second time, it's inevitable, and the third time, it's destiny. There's no harm in being prepared.

If done well, it could bring the world one step closer to safety.

'Not a bad idea.'

It's a good idea.

There's plenty of money, so let's check it out.

"......Let's head out for now."

"Yes! Super, do you want to eat this?"

"Get that weed away from me."

"Weed? It's delicious, though."

Lapis and Super bickered.

Watching them felt satisfying, like looking at friends.

Though it didn't show much on his face.

Oh, right.

That's right.

"Number 4. Throw a few high-grade potions."

Clang! Clang!

Just in case he died, he kindly threw a few potions.

That should be enough for him to survive on his own.

Rattle.

"Dolph."

The carriage started moving again.

Evan asked quietly.

"How much money do I have on hand?"

"Huh? Probably enough to buy a mansion!"

Good.

It's decided.

"By the way, why do you need money?"

"I plan to build an orphanage."

A place where Sins could stay in the future.

Evan swallowed the rest of his words.

It was better to keep the rest of the plan to himself.

***

A few days later, Evan returned to the Duke's Family.

The first thing Evan felt upon returning.

It was that rumors spread incredibly fast in this world.

Strange rumors were circulating in the Alcart Territory.

"......There's a rumor that I came back because I didn't like the experimental subjects?"

"Yes......."

What kind of nonsense is this?

Blue-Bearded Count, is this how you're going to play it?

I even spared your life!

'Disappointing, Blue Count!'

Should I just burn his beard off?

Frustrated by the ridiculous rumors, Evan ground his teeth.

"Evan, Evan!"

"......I really want to burn all the carrots."

Lapis, who was forcing Super to eat vegetables, pointed outside the window.

"A huge carriage is coming!"

'......Oh, my. Goodness.'

This time, Evan was visibly shocked.

The head of the Alcart Ducal Family,

the Real Power of the underworld,

and Evan's father.

The Duke of Alcart had returned to the mansion after several months.