The Heroines All Want to Kill Me

"Is there still nothing out of the ordinary today?"

"…It seems so." After some discussion, Kanika and I decided to jointly monitor the developments of the "Commoner Dormitory Attack Incident," and finally reached a consensus that we would take turns on watch together. Of course, it would be troublesome if someone were to notice that Kanika was constantly by my side. At the moment, she was quietly blending into my shadow.

"It's really strange. I thought they would have made a move by this time," I muttered, a hint of frustration in my voice.

"Judging from the main - quest window shown by the system, the attack really hasn't happened yet…" After several consecutive days of fruitless surveillance, both Kanika and I were starting to feel utterly exhausted. After all, this was a task that required us to stay up all night, with our nerves constantly on edge, taking a toll on both our bodies and minds.

"…I'm just saying this casually, but could the attackers be waiting for us to let our guard down?" Kanika suddenly put forward a hypothesis.

"What do you mean?" I asked, a bit puzzled.

"They might have somehow discovered our presence or the existence of the watchers and postponed the attack to weaken our strength."

"Hmm..." If the attackers had detected that Kanika and I were monitoring them, there was a high possibility that a punishment window would pop up. But to deal with this situation, a few days ago, I bought some items in the dark alley to mask my aura. In addition, although not as good as the previous brooch, I regularly took out several magic items imbued with black magic and muttered incantations. Even if discovered, it would make people think I was casting a curse.

"So, the possibility of us being discovered is almost zero."

"... I see." I shared these thoughts with Kanika, and she nodded gently. Then, she slowly said, "However, I suspect that the attacker may already know that someone is trying to stop him. We still need to continue the investigation."

"Yeah, I think so too." Looking at the sun gradually rising in the distance, I murmured in a low voice, "…After all, the opponent is the Demon King."

Another day passed without any results. As I dragged my tired body back to the dormitory, a question suddenly occurred to me, and I asked Kanika, "By the way, Kanika. What are Pelosh and Klana's attitudes towards the 'Commoner Dormitory Attack Incident'?"

"I was just about to report their recent movements to you after we get back to the dormitory."

"Okay, then…" I nodded in response to Kanika's reliable answer. But then, I noticed someone approaching me from a distance and couldn't help but stop.

"…Hello." Pelosh walked straight up to me with a sullen face and started staring intently at me. I wanted to ignore her and just walk past, but Pelosh grabbed my arm and blocked my way.

"What on earth are you up to?"

"…Let go."

"Speak clearly. What exactly do you want to do…"

"I said, let go." I had planned to close my eyes and rest for a while before class. With a cold face, I tried to shake off her hand, but Pelosh even used the protection of the Sun God and held me tightly. Her voice gradually rose, "Are you planning to attack the commoner dormitory!?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Recently, near the commoner dormitory, I felt an extremely evil aura. And now, that kind of evil and eerie aura is constantly emanating from you." As Pelosh spoke, she tried to release divine power towards me. I took a few steps back in horror. She gritted her teeth and said, "You see. Sure enough, you're up to something."

"... So what?"

"I know everything. I saw the past... No, the future." Pelosh pointed at me with a firm gaze and began to say, "Even though you and I are in a master - servant relationship now... But if it will cause a large number of casualties... If that's really the case..." But she couldn't finish her words and lowered her head deeply.

""...."" Then, a long silence filled the air.

"…Come to my room to clean at 7 pm tonight." Because of that dream before, I still had a grudge against her. After leaving this sentence, I shook off her hand that had somehow grabbed my arm and walked straight towards the main building.

"Frey." However, just as I was walking towards the main building, she called my name and grabbed my arm again. This made me so angry that I almost couldn't help but shout...

"Are you really... really going to make things worse…?" When I noticed that she was looking at me with a contemptuous gaze, I tightly shut my mouth.

"What exactly are you dissatisfied with? Is it because I rejected your proposal? Or do you have other motives?"

"What are you talking about..."

"To be honest, I wish desperately to kill you right away to stop what's about to happen. But if I do that, the recording will be made public... By then, even a dull - witted person like me can see that Miss Klana will be in a dangerous situation."

"... What?"

"Although I hate you to the core, just like I submitted to you for Miss Klana's sake... For the innocent commoners, I'm willing to offer this body that you've been longing for." After saying these words, Pelosh bit her lip tightly, then knelt down on the ground, hugged my leg, and began to plead, "This is the judgment and conclusion I reached after several days of careful consideration. So… please accept my proposal and never touch the commoner dormitory." As she said these words, her eyes were still filled with contempt, disgust, and hatred.

I quietly looked down at her and opened her profile through information search.

[Name: Pelosh Astrad]

[Abilities: Strength 1 / Divine Power 8.3 / Intelligence 2.3 / Spiritual Power 8]

[Special Notes: Protection of the Sun God]

[Alignment: Saintess]

[Goodness Value: 100]

"Although this is a disgusting thing... Although I may lose my status as a saintess... But I will throw myself into your arms as you ask. So, please, don't hurt more people." Pelosh closed her eyes tightly and said. Looking at her kind - hearted sense of shame, I sighed and slowly said, "... Say what you want. I'm ready."

Hearing this, Pelosh showed a complex expression of both relief and disgust and said in a low voice, "I... understand."

I turned around and left, leaving the saintess who was still trembling on the ground, and walked towards the dormitory. I quietly said to Kanika, who was still hidden in the shadows, "Kanika, can you brainwash Pelosh?"

"No. Unless it's the awakened Demon King, it's impossible to completely brainwash Miss Pelosh."

"... I see." Just like that, I gave up my original plan and, while racking my brains, pushed open the door of the dormitory building.

"Kanika, I was thinking..."

"No." Just then, a good idea suddenly popped into my mind, and I opened my mouth to speak to Kanika hidden in the shadows again. But somehow, she interrupted me before I could finish.

"Hey... I haven't even said what I'm going to do yet..."

"When I'm integrated with the master's shadow, I can vaguely sense the master's current mood." Kanika said to me, who was a bit flustered, in a calm tone. "What dangerous thing are you planning to do this time?" Soon, she asked me with a hint of anger. Hearing her voice, I sighed and said, "If we stop the attacker in the commoner dormitory incident, I plan to take their place." As I was speaking, I unconsciously had already reached the dormitory door. When I pushed the door open, Kanika emerged from the shadows and started questioning me with a frown, "Is it really necessary to go to such lengths?"

"…I want to open the skill store and item store as soon as possible. After all, we're still at the basic stage."

"But, if that's the case, Master you…"

"Enough, let's talk about this later… Now, please report what we mentioned just now." Seeing that the conversation was going to drag on endlessly, I quickly interrupted her and asked the somewhat angry Kanika to do the report we had just mentioned.

"First of all, let me report on the situation of the 'Alliance' so far." As soon as she finished speaking, Kanika's expression had returned to calm. She took out a notebook from her bosom and entered the working state. "Overall, the 'Alliance' composed of Miss Klana, Miss Pelosh, and me is currently steadily advancing the preparations to ruin Master's reputation."

"I see."

"Yes, as part of it, Miss Pelosh is receiving various instructions from Miss Klana, and Miss Klana is obtaining the secret information of the religious order from Miss Pelosh."

"Does Pelosh know the secrets of the religious order?" It was hard for me to imagine the scene of Pelosh collecting the secret materials of the religious order and giving them to Klana. I couldn't help but tilt my head with a confused expression. Seeing this, Kanika further explained, "... She is personally copying all the materials that seem suspicious to her."

"Can I also get some of those materials?"

"Of course, I've written them all down. I'll share them with you all at once later." Hearing these words, I once again felt how capable Kanika was and couldn't help but smile. Kanika frowned and spoke again, "Moreover, I'm currently sending false information to Miss Klana."

"False information?"

"Yes, to create obstacles for the investigation, I'm mixing various information and sending it to her. Of course, I haven't revealed any information that could endanger the family's status."

"As expected, you're very capable. Without you, I would have been on the streets long ago." I said half - jokingly. Kanika lowered her head and was silent for a moment, then continued, "And, Miss Pelosh and I are training in a remote place."

"Training?"

"Yes, Miss Pelosh made this request a few days ago. She said she wanted to become stronger. And after the training with me, she will immediately go to Miss Klana to learn those lessons that she used to dislike very much."

"…No wonder her divine power and intelligence are gradually increasing." I roughly guessed the reason for her determination, so I closed my lips and nodded. Kanika flipped through the notebook and continued, "By the way, as you saw just now, Miss Pelosh is trying every means to prevent the 'Commoner Dormitory Attack Incident' from happening."

"But why does she suspect me instead of the nobles who committed this act last time?"

"Miss Klana warned Miss Pelosh about the 'variables'. Thanks to this, Miss Pelosh is now suspecting that you are the attacker." Hearing this, I remembered that Pelosh had pointed out a subtle aura on me. Regarding this, I asked Kanika, and she said calmly, "Sure enough, Miss Pelosh's divine power is progressing every day."

"Hmm… Is that so? Kanika, is it because you integrated into my shadow that you noticed it so quickly?" When I asked this, Kanika shook her head and replied, "No, that's not the case. I've already explained the magic of integrating into the shadow to Miss Pelosh."

"How did you explain it?"

"It's impossible to completely deceive Miss Pelosh about black magic. However, the details can still be fudged. So I explained that I placed a weak curse on Master's shadow."

"Well done. Then, in front of Pelosh also... Wait, then why did Pelosh want to use divine power on me just now?" Seeing me asking with a confused face, Kanika smiled bitterly and said, "At that time, Miss Pelosh wanted to use divine power on the fake black - magic item that Master was chanting spells with."

"... You noticed?"

"Yes, so I said that Miss Pelosh's divine power is getting stronger and stronger." After listening to Kanika's words, my mood became a bit complicated. Although it was a happy thing for me in the future to see Pelosh becoming smarter and stronger under Klana's guidance, at the moment, my life was hanging by a thread and I could lose it at any time.

"So, what's Klana's reaction?"

"Miss Klana... Although she said she will do her best to stop it, after all, we don't live in the same dormitory, and she has other things to worry about now…"

"The ball?"

"Yes, that's right." Just as I was about to continue asking about Klana's reaction, I started to have a headache again when I heard about the ball.

"Kanika, how has Klana been recently?" I asked carefully, and Kanika immediately put on a serious face and began to tell me, "You've been very melancholy recently. Although you tried hard to maintain confidence in front of us not long ago, you've been sighing a lot recently."

"…Yeah, that's right."

"Although you're expanding your power faster than before, precisely because of this, you're also being more restricted. This engagement ceremony is also part of the restrictions." Hearing these words, I sighed, stopped tapping the table with my fingers, and asked in a low voice, "…Is there any way to make Klana not be in such a hurry?"

"I'm afraid not. Miss Klana is now doing her best to master power as soon as possible."

"It must be because of me. Alas, I really have to help her." I sighed again and pictured what might happen at the ball in my mind. At this time, Kanika bit her lip and threw a question at me, "... How do you plan to help Miss Klana?"

"As always." I answered her briefly, then lay down on the bed and prepared to close my eyes and rest. However, Kanika sat down beside me.

"Sorry to disturb your rest, but I have to ask one thing clearly. What exactly do you plan to do at tomorrow's ball?" She timidly grabbed my arm and shook it gently. She looked so cute that I couldn't help but laugh, and then started to tell her my plan.

"... Well, that's all my plan. Understand? Then, remember to wake me up before class." Finally, after telling her the whole plan, I was just about to cover myself with the quilt and have a good sleep...

"Master."

"Ah." Kanika lifted the quilt off me with a speechless expression, and I had to postpone my plan to sleep for the time being.

"Talk to me."

"Later..."

"Then see you in my dreams?"

"..." Just like that, I started bickering with the pouting Kanika. I had a vague premonition that this bickering would continue until the bell rang.

.....

"Hello, Miss Klana."

"... Hello." Just as Frey and Kanika were having a lively bickering, Pelosh was greeting Klana, who was waiting in advance, in the library.

"You're really working hard. You look great." Klana was flipping through various materials with a melancholy expression. When Pelosh came and sat beside her, she forced a smile and started to praise her.

"... Thank you!" Hearing these words, Pelosh, who had been frowning because of that incident just now, also force a bright smile in response. Just like that, the two people wearing masks started to tidy up the books in the library.

"... Well, that's about it. Then let's go back to the dormitory."

"Okay." Just like that, after packing up the books to be studied today, the two people kept a little distance and started walking while looking ahead. Since the current relationship between the royal family and the religious order was quite bad, this was something they had to do.

"... Oh, Klana. Where are you going so early?"

"...." Just like that, the two people were walking in the corridor at a distance. Suddenly, the First Princess blocked her way.

"... Uh." Pelosh was startled. Then, she remembered what Klana had said - never show intimacy when there are others around. So she closed her eyes tightly and ran quickly down the corridor.

"Klana, you're not having anything to do with that stupid saintess, are you?"

"... No." The First Princess stared coldly at Pelosh's back and asked in a cold tone. Klana denied it firmly.

"That's right... Even though you've been running around recently, you wouldn't get close to the saintess. The royal family has been going to great lengths to contain the religious order recently. You wouldn't do that, right?" At this time, the First Princess raised the corners of her mouth and started to gently stroke Klana's shoulder. However, Klana was already used to this kind of provocation and didn't react at all. Seeing this, the First Princess frowned, then clapped her hands and said, "Ah, speaking of which... Tomorrow is the ball, right?" Hearing this, Klana's eyebrows twitched slightly. Only then did the First Princess show a smile and whispered in her ear, "Your fiancé candidates were all carefully selected for you by me, my mother, and my younger brother. How about it? Are you grateful?"

"…Yes." Even in this situation, Klana tried hard to remain calm. But the next words made her close her eyes tightly.

"If you're absent again or don't choose a fiancé this time... You'd better be prepared."

"But..."

"His Majesty, who originally dislikes the religious order and the saintess, is already very dissatisfied with you for getting close to her. Understand?" As she said these words, the First Princess gently patted Klana's shoulder and then briskly walked past her and left.

"... Uh." Klana gritted her teeth and stood in the corridor for a long time. Then, she remembered the appointment with Pelosh and slowly walked towards her dormitory.

"K, Miss Klana... A, are you okay..."

"Yeah, where did we stop last time?"

"Ah, that... Page 41."

"Okay, then let's continue from there." Soon, Klana, who entered her dormitory, smiled at Pelosh, who had already arrived and been waiting for a long time, and then opened the book.

"Miss Klana..."

"What's wrong?" However, Pelosh was still looking at her with pity in her eyes.

- Rustle... As Pelosh gathered the divine power in her hand and gently caressed Klana's lips, Klana finally realized that she had bitten her lips so hard that they were bleeding.

"... Thank you," Klana murmured softly. With great effort, she suppressed the emotions that were on the verge of bursting out. Then, she bowed her head and started to read the book.

"Miss Klana."

"Hmm?" Pelosh stared quietly at Klana, a glint of pity flashing across her eyes. She gently took Klana's hand, and the warm divine power flowed slowly. In a tender voice, she said, "Miss Klana, you're willing to teach the clumsy me... In return, I want to be your friend."

"... A friend?"

"Yes, a friend." Klana looked at Pelosh's bright smile, and gently nodded. A faint smile emerged on the corners of her mouth. Then, she turned the page and said in a low voice, "…It seems to be page 14, not page 41."

"Ah, okay." Just like that, Pelosh and Klana exchanged a glance, acknowledging the existence of their first - ever friend in life. Then, they focused intently on their reading.

"Indeed, for Miss Klana's sake, I can only submit to Frey for the time being," Pelosh thought to herself.

"For Miss Pelosh... It seems I have to accept this engagement," Klana mused, their thoughts filled with concern for each other as friends.

.....

- Clip - clop, clip - clop! At the same time, on the border connecting the Western Continent and the Rising Sun Empire.

"... At this speed, we might be a little late for the ball tomorrow, but we should still be able to make it," Serena said.

"Since you say so, Miss, then let's do it this way," the maid replied. In the carriage speeding towards the capital, Serena was chatting casually with her maid.

"... But what are you writing now?" The maid, who was yawning quietly in the carriage, tilted her head when she saw Serena writing intently.

"A love letter."

"Ugh." Hearing Serena's words, the maid frowned and shook her head. "…Miss, don't you dislike Mr. Frey?"

At this, Serena, who was writing the letter, stopped her pen. Her expression instantly turned cold as she said, "I hate him so much that I want to kill him."

"Then why can't you give up?" the maid asked, looking puzzled. Serena let out a soft sigh and answered, "Because he's my fiancé."