How Could the Villainous Young Master Be a Saintess?

“Vinny, you finally came back!”

A little white head poked out from inside the dorm. That familiar, silly, dopey voice came from within.

[Virtue +30]

[Current Virtue: 2094]

“Ah, long time no see, Dale. Looks like your assignment went more smoothly than mine.” Vinny said with a bright grin.

“No, not really, maybe it’s just that the task I got assigned was a little easier.” Shicodale scratched his little head. Though happy to be praised by Vinny, he considered Vinny’s feelings and tried to act modest.

“My assignment was only to deliver a letter. I just ran into some small trouble on the way.” Shicodale said.

“Come to think of it, Vinny, weren’t you assigned a two-person task?” Shicodale asked again.

“Yeah, pretty unfortunate. I thought a two-person assignment would just be a little harder, but no—it was more than just a little. We ran into quite a lot of, hmm... trouble.”

Vinny had originally wanted to say “dangers,” but he didn’t want to worry this silly little fool, so he called it “trouble” instead.

“Eh? You managed to complete it smoothly, Vinny? That’s amazing!” Shicodale clenched both fists, little stars sparkling in his eyes. “It must’ve been you who handled most of the incidents, right?!”

“Heh, well... I guess you could say that. Though, that really was the case.”

Bathed in the full glow of Shicodale’s emotional-value-laden adoration, Vinny couldn’t help puffing up with vanity and rode along with her praise.

No matter how you put it, his role in this trip had far surpassed what a good-for-nothing ought to contribute. Saying that things wouldn’t have worked out without him this time wasn’t an exaggeration, right?

And if that doesn’t count as “carrying,” then what does??

Ugh, yeah... he really did carry.

“Then, who was your partner this time, Vinny?” Shicodale asked.

“Not worth mentioning. Just some short, white-haired nutcase.” Vinny boasted without shame. “This time it was all thanks to me slashing through thorns and turning the tide. Without me, that short white-haired nut would’ve been crushed into nut paste already.”

“White hair... nut?” Shicodale tilted his head, not quite understanding who Vinny was talking about.

But—white hair??

“Yeah, a short little white-haired nut. Cried and whimpered all along the way. If I hadn’t looked after her, she would’ve fallen into a pit ages ago!” Vinny went on, letting himself go.

“Um, Vinny?” Shicodale fell silent for a moment, then asked in confusion. “The classmate who went with you... she wouldn’t happen to have silver hair and violet eyes, would she?”

“Yeah, that’s right—huh?” Vinny frowned, spotting a blind spot. “How do you know that?”

Wait. Even if Shicodale had seen Aesphyra before, she shouldn’t know who he was talking about, right??

“Mm, Vinny, that young lady is... standing right behind you right now.”

Shicodale weakly pointed at Vinny’s back.

“...Hah??” Vinny tilted his head, unable to process for a moment.

“Vinny~”

“......”

Hearing that familiar, playful, teasing lilt in the melodious voice, Vinny’s neck stiffened. His head turned slowly, like caught in a spell, until his gaze landed on the silver-haired girl behind him—her lips curved into a beautiful yet chilling smile.

“Uh... o-oh?” Vinny’s face froze, stammering nonsense for several seconds without a single proper word coming out.

“Ah, ahaha! Isn’t this Aesphyra? What’s the matter, couldn’t stand being apart from me for long, so you came looking for me already?” Vinny forced out a dry laugh.

“Sorry to disappoint you, but no. Though it seems Vinny was really missing me—barely apart, and already gossiping behind my back, spreading nasty words about me~” Aesphyra said with a squinting smile.

“Eh, what are you saying? Who’s badmouthing you? Who would dare? Who dares talk bad about Big Sis you, I’d be the first not to stand for it! I’d march right up and slap him across the face, twice!” Vinny said righteously.

“Um, excuse me—are you... the white-haired nut Vinny was just talking about?”

The moment Vinny finished, Shicodale’s soft, silly little voice piped up and asked Aesphyra that question.

Wait, what??

If he didn’t know this elf girl was genuinely clueless, Vinny would have suspected she was deliberately blowing up his cover.

“Mhm.” Aesphyra gave Vinny a sidelong glance, eyes brimming with mockery.

“Eh? But why would Vinny call you ‘white-haired nut’?” Shicodale asked, oblivious to Vinny’s frozen face and totally failing to read the room.

“Want to know?” Vinny was at a loss for words, but Aesphyra smiled mysteriously at Shicodale.

“Mm, if it’s not inconvenient, could you tell me?” Shicodale asked politely.

“Of course not inconvenient. Actually, anyone can know.” Aesphyra smiled brilliantly.

Seeing her shine like that, Vinny felt a sinking premonition. This white-haired little bread roll was about to pull some big stunt again.

And sure enough—he watched her lean close to Shicodale’s ear, lips parting delicately, and drawling, word by word:

“This is... Vinny’s endearment for me~”

Hah??

Vinny’s eyes went wide, utterly dumbstruck.

“En... en-en-endearment?!” Shicodale stammered for several seconds, face red, unable to say a full sentence.

“Isn’t that right~ Vinny?” Aesphyra smiled sweetly at him.

“Uh...” Vinny couldn’t bring himself to say much. After all, being caught badmouthing her behind her back was already humiliating enough. And worse—he’d even puffed himself up, claiming most of the credit for their survival, when really he’d only been playing along with Shicodale’s worship, indulging in a little vanity. He hadn’t meant to outright steal the credit.

But still—was Aesphyra insane?? Saying it was an endearment??

No way. Wasn’t she the one who hated being linked to men the most? What’s gotten into her—decided to switch things up today??

“Well then, sorry, roommate. I’ve got some matters with Vinny, so I’ll be borrowing him for now.” Aesphyra winked at Shicodale, then turned gracefully and began to leave.

“Vinny, do you not care about your practice grade?” When he didn’t follow, Aesphyra clasped her hands behind her back, turned her head, and fixed him with those violet-gem eyes, gleaming with a soul-snaring smile.

“Ah, Dale, I’ve got practice reports to finish with this classmate. I won’t be back for dinner tonight, sorry.” Hearing that, Vinny had no choice. He hurriedly explained to Shicodale, then quickly followed after Aesphyra.

“Eh, but...” Shicodale bit back his words and could only watch Vinny leave with Aesphyra.

But she’d just said that since Vinny was back tonight, she was going to go buy groceries and let him taste whether her cooking had improved...

And what exactly did “endearment” mean??

Could it be—that silver-haired girl had that sort of feeling toward Vinny?

And really—she was so beautiful. The kind of beauty even girls couldn’t resist. Shicodale had never seen anyone so breathtaking.

If she really set her sights on Vinny, who could possibly compete?

Shicodale kept telling himself it had nothing to do with an outsider like him. But the thought alone left his chest heavy, stifled.

[Virtue +200]

[Current Virtue: 2294]

Eh? Virtue increased? Was it from Shicodale??

Nothing to be done. Once he and Aesphyra finished the report, he’d have to come back and explain things.

Who could’ve expected Aesphyra to suddenly flip out and pull something like that? It was just a practice assignment report between teammates, yet she phrased it so ambiguously.

Can’t blame him for misunderstanding—she really was pushing things in that direction.

“So, you dragged me out here just to write the report?” Vinny caught up with Aesphyra.

“What else? What else did you think I wanted to do?” Aesphyra smiled at him.

“Then why did you say all that nonsense just now? What’s with calling it an ‘endearment’??” Vinny said irritably.

“Eh? Did I misspeak?” Aesphyra put on a look of surprise. “Vinny is always calling me that, so isn’t it an endearment?”

“You—... fine. You win. Didn’t know it could be spun that way.” Vinny was speechless.

“Vinny, you’re too sensitive. Getting carried away over a simple shorthand nickname.” Aesphyra teased.

“Your phrasing was what made it so misleading! And you’ve got the nerve to say I’m the problem?!” Vinny rolled his eyes at her.

“Or maybe—was what I said just now... messing up Vinny’s little good thing?” Aesphyra suddenly asked.

“? What good thing? What’re you talking about?” Vinny blurted out. “Don’t tell me you’re still having those weird thoughts. I told you, Dale’s a perfectly proper boy—just looks a little girly, that’s all. Don’t go getting strange ideas!”

He still remembered how Aesphyra had once discussed Shicodale’s gender with him, giving such an ambiguous answer that Vinny never knew whether she had figured it out or not.

But then again, in the original work it had been Aesphyra who actively pursued Shicodale. As for when she realized Shicodale was actually a girl... who knew.

The worldline had changed too much. Somehow, Vinny felt like in this life, something subtle was shifting between Aesphyra and Shicodale. But exactly what, he couldn’t put his finger on.

Could it be—that this white-haired nut’s old habit had flared up again, and her green-eyed radar was sweeping for targets??

“The practice report requires both of us to collaborate, not write separately. I’d forgotten that. That’s why I came to find you.” Aesphyra finally turned serious.

“...Did you forget on purpose, or by accident?” Vinny’s mouth twitched.

What timing. She “forgot,” only to walk in right as he was badmouthing her?

If it were before, Vinny might have thought it coincidence. But after spending some time with her, he now fully believed this conniving little white-haired bread roll could have set a trap on purpose.

“Of course it was an accident. Let’s find a café.”

Aesphyra smoothly led Vinny to a high-class coffeehouse. She was clearly a regular—the staff all recognized her.

Through the glass doors, decorated with a little cup-shaped ornament, the aroma of fresh coffee beans washed over them.

“How’s this café?” Aesphyra asked.

“Feels... not as good as a maid café.” Vinny glanced at her. “Honestly, I’m surprised you don’t go to one. Doesn’t suit your nature.”

“Oh? Could it be Vinny wants to go? That can be arranged~” Aesphyra teased.

“No thanks. I’m just worried you’d want to.” Vinny deadpanned.

“Ah well, I wouldn’t mind. But my favorite maid doesn’t work there anymore. A shame.” She shook her head.

“...You had a specific favorite? I thought your heart was shattered into countless pieces, each with its own owner?” Vinny gave her a strange look.

“Eh? Is it really okay for you to say that about me? Don’t spread false rumors. I’m actually very faithful, you know. It’s Vinny who’s the playboy—always going on about how much you like Mirexia, yet this trip you couldn’t tear your eyes away when I wore that gown you like.” Aesphyra said with a teasing smile.

“You—seriously?” That reverse accusation made Vinny laugh in exasperation.

The two of them found a table, sat down, and took out the practice report, starting to work on how to write it.

Of course, Vinny’s “suggestions” were all jokes. He was terrible at writing—everything came out like a grocery list. This kind of thing had to be left to Aesphyra.

In the report, they faithfully recorded the events: Jiu Lixue’s interference, Priest Farkas colluding with succubi to harm villagers, and the near-fatal danger they’d faced—one wrong step and they wouldn’t have made it back.

But of course, some things couldn’t be written down truthfully. Like Aesphyra’s [Sacred Blessing].

Vinny kept silent on it, and Aesphyra too, tacitly.

[Virtue +50]

[Current Virtue: 2544]

Vinny sighed as he saw the gain.

This white-haired nut was really too meticulous. She thought through every problem.

She had clearly noticed how he kept avoiding the subject of how she had pulled them out of danger. And in turn, she hadn’t asked about the item in his hand that had shaken Jiu Lixue so badly.

Everyone had their secrets. Since Vinny didn’t ask hers, she wouldn’t ask his.

Unless it was something vital, something she absolutely had to know. Then, she would slowly probe, using traps of words and layered questions.

And if someone spilled a secret that way—well, it wasn’t her fault, was it? She hadn’t forced them, nor bribed them. They’d just told her willingly. Right?

As Vinny watched her organize the report, he suddenly noticed that before the +50, there had been another Virtue gain. He had just been distracted talking to her and hadn’t seen it.

Two hundred points had been added, from 2294 to 2494.

No wonder the numbers hadn’t seemed right—there had been a hidden increase earlier.

What the hell? What had Aesphyra been thinking this time? Why did Virtue points spike with no rhyme or reason??

What he didn’t know was that, just one seat away, a blonde, twin-tailed girl with blue eyes sat quietly with her coffee, saying nothing.