Heroines, Villainesses, and the Hero's Yandere Harem? I want them all! Chapter 21: A Gamble

This is a problem, I thought, but I remained composed. Though it seed like two individuals simply having a conversation, that was far from the truth. The young man in front of was likely watching my every move.

So, I had to keep my composure—to avoid falling into his trap.

Yes, a trap.

I realized it the mont he fell silent and brought the drink to his lips, pretending his entire focus was on the cup.

But I wasn't a fool.

Since childhood, I'd always been able to sense when soone—or sothing—was watching . Most people got that tingling sensation once in a while, but for , it was different. Mine had always been heightened. I could tell when soone's gaze was on without even needing to look back.

That was the very sa feeling creeping up my spine as he kept his eyes on that cup.

He was watching .

He must have realized I had tricked him into revealing who that girl was.

Wait.

Or... was he the one who played into thinking I had played him—just to make overconfident and slip up?

...That's a terrifying thought.

This is exactly why I despise manipulative people.

A simpleton who isn't constantly scheming, and twisting things to their advantage. That's the kind of person I need around . If only the world were full of fools, my life would be so much easier.

I really am going to have to kill all these idiots if I want to accomplish anything at all.

Sigh.

So, what now?

There's a chance he's been playing from the start...

But—

I still have leverage.

I know his damn future.

That aside... did I seriously punch a princess the mont I t her?

Damn it.

Of course, those lunatics just had to be important characters.

Let guess—her smug lapdog was Andor's brother.

Tsk.

This disguise is useless. I should've gotten an enchanted mask that conceals presence. Soone like her would probably have guards lurking in every corner.

Nothing's happened to yet, probably because I'm still inside this castle.

There's the mana restriction in place, along with noble ranking restrictions. Not all the guards would be high-ranking nobles, but that doesn't an they couldn't be watching her every move from outside.

Hmm...

Could that be the stare I keep feeling?

I thought those were just nobles curious about my identity, but—what if it's actually the royal guards?

Those freaks.

Tsk.

Well, turns out this tower blowing up might actually work in my favor.

From those visions I saw, I do rember the protagonist being told that his sister was about to explore a mystic world—when everything was suddenly obliterated by the absurd level of mana expelled during its full ergence.

She didn't die, though. She ended up joining the academy a few months later.

Which ans—this castle will blow up.

But we won't die.

There's a high chance we'll be pulled into the mystic world before that happens.

Of course, that's just my theory. I can't be certain what really went down.

Sigh.

At this point, I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place.

If the royal guards are watching, they're probably waiting for just outside. Which ans stepping out of here isn't even an option.

So, invariably, I can't run away—even knowing full well that this place could explode at any mont.

"You seem to be waiting for sothing," he said suddenly. "Are you perhaps expecting sothing to happen? Could it be related to the mystic world?"

"..."

How the hell did he piece that together?

Sigh.

I expected this, but to think he'd be able to read so well even when I was trying my best to give nothing away...

Wait.

I'm going about this the wrong way.

"Heh. A smart one," I smirked. "Fine, I'll tell you."

His expression sharpened.

"I have a special bloodline ability," I said.

His eyes widened—but only for a second.

I left it at that.

Didn't add a single detail.

I wanted him to read into it. To co to his own conclusions.

This is the best way to handle him for now.

Gruuu!

Fuck.

It's happening.

I glanced to the side. The guards around Nora had already moved into formation to protect her.

Tsk.

You know what?

Fuck it.

BOOOOM!

It wasn't the castle.

It was .

A mana distortion potion.

One of the many things I'd had Anna buy. It had the ability to not only disrupt mana detection—but also distort physical senses.

A thick smoke engulfed the entire space.

And the mont it did—I bolted toward the last place I'd seen Nora.

I have to grab her hand.

That's the only way to reach the Seed of Life.

But then—

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

This ti—

It wasn't .