“…What the hell is he saying?
For some reason, White has been prying into things oddly since earlier.
Is she concerned about Snow?
“Why…?”
Hmm… I don’t really understand, but if being a mastermind and a villain includes taking care of my subordinates’ mental health, then I guess it’s part of the job.
“Hmm, White. Come closer.”
“Eh…?”
“Good, I understand your anxiety. However, there’s one crucial difference between you and Snow.”
“…A difference?”
White quietly kneels beside me.
Her eyes seem somewhat dark.
Hmm, when a good-looking person has a gloomy face, it somehow gives them a thoughtful image.
I envy that; after all, even a mastermind villain needs that kind of atmosphere.
“Ah, but before that, good, extend your hand.”
“Ah… y-yes…”
White timidly reaches out her hand toward me.
I grasp her hand tightly and hold on.
“Ah…”
White falls silent.
It has become quiet. I’ve done it.
For some reason, the members of the Curse Brotherhood seek physical contact oddly.
Some simply hug me, while others demand to have their heads patted, and then there are those who ask for their whole bodies to be stroked—are they like puppies?
“…That’s a nice hand. It resembles a skilled farmer. Well-trained, White.”
“Th-thank you, Curse. Compared to your training…”
“…Effort is not something to be compared with others. It’s just a matter of deciding to do something and then acting on it. That’s all that makes it precious, White.”
“…It’s strange. Listening to your words, it feels like the anxiety I was feeling just a moment ago is melting away. Is this what it feels like to talk to the gods?”
“…Heh, stop that. Relying on the actions of others for your own anxiety isn’t healthy… But anxiety, huh? I see, interacting with Snow—your contact with Snow has caused you anxiety.”
“Th-that’s… I’m sorry, Curse. For someone like you, who raises rebellion against the gods, such sentiments must be nothing but a hindrance. We are your sword, your tools…”
“Tools? What are you saying?”
“…Eh?”
White tilts her head, puzzled.
Eh? Tools?
What kind of person do they think I am?
This is bad… Somehow, a villain who doesn’t value their subordinates lacks charisma.
I want White and the others to betray me in an emotional way.
Weighing their beliefs against the Curse Brotherhood, and on that basis, doing what must be done.
To achieve that, it seems essential to behave properly.
Well, what would the popular, good-looking kids in class do in this situation—?
“White.”
“Y-Yes, Curse?”
I grip White’s white hand tightly.
Perhaps due to the sword training, her skin is firmer than it looks, and her knuckles are strong.
“…I’ll repeat myself; you have a nice hand. As a farmer who knows the land and opens the way, it has been honed well… I’m proud to have someone like you as my ally.”
“W-wait?”
“Yes, you are my ally. My interaction with the daughter of the Snow Border Baron is—something necessary for my purpose. However, indeed, she and you, members of the Curse Brotherhood, are different existences to me.”
“…What kind of existence am I to you…?”
White grips my hand tightly.
Huh? What’s that sound? Is it creaking? Whoa, isn’t that her bones creaking?
Impressive, White. As expected, she’s a strong muscle build with magic reinforcement despite her appearance.
Using the skill “Magic Power Circulation.”
The way to deal with this is simple.
The magic power I lent to White originally belongs to me.
Starting from the hand we’re holding, I define White’s magic power as my own.
Then I absorb the magic power that’s reinforcing White’s body into myself.
“Mm… Your Majesty… this is…”
White’s face is turning red for some reason.
But I can’t afford to pay attention to that right now.
Hmm, what is this?
The magic power lent to White is taking on characteristics. You have acquired the skill “Magic Power Nature: Pure White.”
Hmm!!
I’ve acquired a new skill. I see, it’s not just leveling up that allows you to gain skills, is it?
It seems there are skills that can only be obtained by using “Magic Power Circulation” while lending magic power to others, like in this case—.
“O-Your Majesty… my body feels hot…”
White speaks in a thin voice.
“…Does it hurt?”
“N-no, it doesn’t hurt…”
She doesn’t seem to be in pain…
Her breathing is ragged, and her snow-white skin and ears are red… but she seems okay.
Wow, skill gathering is deep.
The charm of Life Field lies in its combat and collection elements, after all.
Sometimes there are oddballs like the snowman from the same guild who are particular about the story and setting, but I won’t yield on this.
“Y-Your Majesty… I can’t take it anymore…”
“Oops…”
White leans toward me.
Huh? My body feels unusually hot; do I have a fever?
“White, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”
“N-no, nothing like that… It’s just that, your magic power and my magical energy are mixing inside me…”
“Hmm, mixing with magical energy is an interesting expression. Curse and magic… It wouldn’t be strange if there was some affinity between them.”
“…Curse, have you ever done this kind of thing with anyone besides me?”
“No, you’re the first.”
“I’m… what about the other knights or Snow…?”
“Hmm? I have indeed lent magic power to the other knights, but this is the first time I’ve circulated it. Besides, I haven’t even lent magic power to Snow—the daughter of the Border Baron.”
“I see… so I’m the first… Hehe, hehehe, Curse’s first…”
Huh?
For some reason, White’s voice feels… sticky.
Her blue eyes are dilating and contracting repeatedly, and the skin I’m touching feels somewhat moist…
Ah, is it the effect of magic reinforcement?
I see, maybe having my magic power interfere with someone else is putting more strain on the body than I imagined?
Interesting; this could be useful for new training.
“Y-you see, Curse… I’m not some clueless little girl… I understand the meaning of a magician exchanging magic with another magician… but I don’t really understand this…”
It seems White is mumbling to herself.
Her face is flushed, and her body temperature is rising.
Hmm, I wanted to experiment a bit more with the interference and reinforcement of magic power on others, but it seems like this is becoming a burden.
“Ah, so it is a burden after all. I’m sorry; let’s stop.”
“Eh?”
“Huh?”
Why? White looks puzzled about something.
Wasn’t it tough for her?
“Curse, it’s not that… I don’t dislike it, but right now, I’m just not sure about myself… When I heard about Snow, I felt anxious, but now, when you’re touching me like this, I feel at ease…”
“Uh, I see…”
Guu, White wraps her arms around my neck and hugs me.
Geh! She’s unconsciously reinforcing her body with both magic power and magical energy.
Scary… I’m consciously training to acquire skills, yet she’s doing it naturally…
Talent can be cruel…
“Ah… again…”
“Huh?”
Ah, no good, I ended up flowing magic power into my body again to protect myself from White’s incredible strength.
“Mm… Your power is very warm…”
White is trembling.
She closes her eyes, tightly pursing her lips as if enduring something.
“Mm, Curse…”
Gooooo!!??
This girl! She’s so strong!!
I’ve been pushed down!
White covers me and wraps her hands around my neck.
The strength I feel from her body, enhanced by both magic and magical energy, makes me imagine death.
This girl is strong!!
“Curse… what am I to you?”
Now is she asking this!?
But I can’t panic here.
I must respond coolly, with mystery and intelligence!
My villain roleplay starts here!
“You are my knight. And my curse. You are my companion.”
“…Will you dominate me?”
“As long as you are my curse.”
“…Mm.”
White buries her face in my chest.
The strength of her arms wrapped around my neck becomes even stronger—
Gooooo!!
White’s enhancement increases! Is she invincible!?
After a few convulsions, the overwhelming strength I felt from White becomes gentle.
“…I understand your feelings. I’m sorry; the expression on your face when you were looking at Snow was something we couldn’t receive… so I was just a little curious… Thank you, Curse.”
“Ah, yes.”
White suddenly pulls away from me.
Ah, that was close…
I need to train more with my magic power and improve my skills…
“This is just for now… You’re not just my king; you’re everyone’s king…”
“Ah, yes.”
“From now on, I look forward to working with you, Curse. No matter where your stage is, I’ll be by your side…”
A cold wind blows into the room.
In that moment, White’s figure disappears.
It must be an application of magic.
That girl has even made her exit stylish…
What exactly did White come here for, anyway?
Well, keeping a good relationship with my subordinates while maintaining my status is one of the charms of villain play.
Hmm, well, that’s good!
I’ll go to bed to prepare for tomorrow’s farm work!
