episode_0006

Attacking an orphanage.

Usually, there’s nothing to gain.

Of course, there wouldn’t be. No money, no justification, and even if you attack, you’ll just get a truckload of insults. Who would attack such a place? Only a crazy villain.

And that crazy villain is me.

“Tell me why we should attack an orphanage.”

“First, it can enhance your villain image.”

A villain attacking an orphanage? I can’t stand that.

It will also help with practical experience.

Since it’s an orphanage, heroes will rush in quickly, and experiencing real combat there will also be helpful.

Of course, that’s not all.

“…”

It’s obvious, but if you’re satisfied with a survival rate of around 0.5%, you’re not a person. You’re a suicide hopeful.

I need to build more connections to survive.

And what came to mind at that moment was an orphanage.

An orphanage for those with abilities.

A place where parents who can’t handle their children’s abilities end up leaving them.

It’s a place that produces many heroes, but also many villains.

Some will think they shouldn’t be like that in an unfair situation, while others will decide to become the same as them.

And the orphanage Eclipse and I will attack is Sky Orphanage.

It’s where the most pitiful and wicked villain in the Hero World original story is born.

Comparing it to Eclipse’s current appearance, it’s still time for her to be in the orphanage.

So, by using Eclipse’s or my villainous image, I’ll try to seduce her as much as possible and bring her onto our team.

“Hehe…”

“Is he crazy?”

Looking at me laughing, Eclipse shook her head and sighed.

“So, the reason you’re attacking the orphanage is really because of my villain image?”

“Of course.”

“…”

Eclipse looks at me with a complicated expression.

Why, even if you look at me like that, I think this is right. Attacking a bank twice makes it look too materialistic. Of course, villains are materialistic.

“Are you okay with that?”

“Me?”

Why wouldn’t I be.

I was the one who came up with this idea in the first place.

But I don’t understand why she’s acting like she’s worried about me.

“Of course, I’m okay with it.”

I’d be even happier if you helped.

“…Okay. If you’re okay with it.”

And, Eclipse, who met my eyes, averted her gaze and nodded.

“Then what should I do?”

She’s more cooperative than I thought.

I was even thinking of giving up once and coming back after going somewhere else.

“Good. Then listen carefully.”

This time, it’s not just a raid, but a little preliminary work is needed.

After listening to all my explanations, Eclipse sighed and rubbed her forehead.

“Do you really think that will work?”

“It definitely will.”

“…So, by doing that, all we get is notoriety?”

“Not you.”

You’ll get even greater power.

Eclipse’s expression seemed to be filled with guilt, as if she understood my answer.

I guess she’s a bit reluctant to hurt heroes.

“Then what about you?”

“I’m getting something too, remember?”

“Notoriety?”

“Well, something similar.”

For now, anyway.

Eclipse, seeing my smile, sighed, for what felt like the millionth time, and nodded.

“Okay, do as you please.”

“Good. Then I’ll go do some reconnaissance first.”

“Whatever.”

Waving her hand, Eclipse slumped into the old chair, and I looked at her before heading outside.

*

This orphanage attack is a bit different from the bank attack.

First, there’s a moral issue.

Not that there wasn’t a moral issue with the bank attack, but there are levels to villains.

If you divide them into three broad categories.

First, there are livelihood-type villains who rob banks.

They’re at odds with heroes, but it’s hard to become a successful villain. In other words, they’ll be defeated someday. Because it’s hard to find allies.

In contrast, there are psychopath-type villains who have lost their minds.

This is a problem because they go too far in the opposite direction.

They kill citizens because they’re bored, or they kill them because they don’t like them. It’s not easy for these madmen to unite with each other either. Who would want to team up with a madman who kills allies if they don’t like something?

And finally, there are villains with convictions.

Whether it’s a logically sound conviction or just some bullshit philosophy, they have a line they believe in.

In other words, they’re perfect for making allies.

In that sense, attacking an orphanage is something only a villain with convictions would do.

It feels like they’re talking to children ‘to promote their beliefs.’

That’s why it’s important to scout the orphanage in advance.

Because I need to find friends who understand me.

How do I scout in advance?

The method is simple.

Look at the crumpled paper stuck in front of the orphanage.

[Volunteers needed for the orphanage]

[Volunteering will give you the volunteer hours needed for employment.]

Volunteer hours.

They say it’s useful for employment, but that’s old news.

In this world where it’s better to take an English test one more time than to fill those hours, no one will jump at the chance to fill volunteer hours.

In this society where it’s already hard to make a living, there’s no way anyone would volunteer at an orphanage.

So, there wouldn’t be a big problem if I explored the inside as a volunteer.

I confidently walk into Sky Orphanage.

Of course, I’m wearing a mask.

Who knows what would happen the moment this intense face is recognized.

Moreover, it hasn’t been long since Eclipse and I robbed the bank.

If I get caught right now, I won’t be able to avoid being defeated by a hero.

*

As expected, the teachers greeted me with bright smiles when I said I would volunteer.

That’s how short-handed they were.

In fact, I was the only one who came here as a volunteer right now.

“Thank you so much for coming!”

An elderly man bows deeply to me.

“We’ve really been short-handed.”

“I always wanted to, but I just couldn’t find the time, haha.”

Acting with a kind voice, I look around.

Are there only young children?

Since it’s an orphanage, there should be older children too.

That’s where my target will be.

I can’t help it. Let’s ask.

Wiping the window with a rag the elderly man gave me, I casually ask.

“By the way, it seems like there are only young children here? Do they leave as soon as they get a little older?”

“No, no. Of course not.”

The elderly man replies, startled as if asking what I’m talking about.

“Those children are out on internships right now. They’re practicing in advance since they’ll be going out into society soon.”

“Ah, hero internships.”

“That’s right.”

Since they have abilities, they’ll send them on hero internships.

But if everyone goes on hero internships, villains wouldn’t come out of the orphanage that much.

In other words, there must be a place where villain prospects go as well.

“But not all children will have hero internships.”

I ask the elderly man in a subtle voice, and he sighs deeply.

“Well, that’s true. As always, there are children who skip the internship and go out to play or do bad things.”

“I see.”

“I don’t know how they’ll live in this world.”

He sighs deeply.

But what can I do, those are the talents I want.

“Then are you waiting for the children to come back?”

“At first, I used to go directly to persuade the children.”

He gives a bitter smile.

“But, well, there’s no way they would listen to me.”

I was waiting for this to come out.

“…Should I go?”

“Excuse me?”

The elderly man looks at me with wide eyes at my words.

“I know how they feel. I had a time when I was wandering too.”

That’s not true. I was third in the whole school.

“There were times when I couldn’t accept the reality given to me.”

Like those terrible stocks.

But this man doesn’t know that.

He nods, listening intently to my words.

“You’ve had some hard times.”

“It’s nothing much. But…”

I slowly trail off.

“In this era, I want to instill in children that it’s still worth living, rather than complaining about the world.”

“…”

The elderly man looks at me as if he’s touched.

This silver tongue. It’s truly terrifying.

“So, after I finish this cleaning, I’m thinking of going to pick them up, is that okay?”

“Oh, of course!”

And, of course, he nods eagerly.

“I’ll tell you the location. It’ll be hard, but… please say something to the children.”

“Trust me.”

I smile behind my mask, talking to the elderly man in a kind voice.

As planned.

*

I go to the back alley that the elderly man told me about.

A pungent smell stings my nose, and the smell of something burning, and the voices of teenagers giggling can be heard.

“That’s what happened back then.”

“No… don’t talk nonsense.”

Teenagers talking happily.

These are probably the delinquent teenagers who are ignoring the Sky Orphanage’s curriculum and going astray, and my recruitment targets.

I slowly stand in front of the teenagers.

“…Who are you?”

And, the teenagers tilt their heads as if they just saw me.

“…”

“…”

“…What is this person. He keeps looking at us?”

“Did another crazy guy come in from somewhere?”

The teenagers snicker and get up from their seats.

“Hey, why did you come?”

“…”

“Geez, you don’t listen either.”

A man who seems to be the leader of the group of teenagers looks at me with a smile.

“Are you not afraid?”

I’m just waiting.

Until the person I’m looking for comes.

“…Don’t do that too much.”

And, someone stops the man in a small voice from afar.

A timid and small voice.

A person who seems to have just become an adult, fluttering red hair, runs up.

“Don’t, bully people…”

My gaze turns to her.

Found her.

The villain who burns down the entire Sky Orphanage and becomes the craziest woman in the story, active as a crazy villain.

Named Firebringer.

The future pyromaniac’s timid gaze met mine.