How to Survive as the Horror Game Villain’s Fake Fiancée - Chapter 148

※ This book contains depictions of coercive/dubcon/noncon acts, violence, and gore. Reader discretion is advised.

He wanted to win her heart, so he did anything for her, showed her kindness, and felt satisfied as he watched her feelings for him gradually grow.

Cynthia thought some kind of affection system had applied to him, but in reality, it was Segleninde who worked tirelessly to raise her affection for him. And she always gave him back as much emotion as he hoped for.

Even in the days when he did not know love, before he lost his memories, it was an old, long-standing feeling—so much so that he shaped her new bodies in every cycle with such beauty that he himself nearly overlooked them.

At last, as if quenching a long thirst, he drank the sweet affection she gave him like honey.

So from now on, he resolved to treat her well.

He would refrain from saying harsh words as much as possible. He would cherish her sincerely, protect her, and only ever adore her. Like caring for a child, he would make her laugh brightly, feed her delicious things as soon as he had them, dress her in only the best clothes, adorn her with beautiful jewelry, and every night make his soon-to-be eternal companion cry out in joy.

From the faintly returning edge of memory, he recalled a time he had treated Cynthia far too harshly. He would never act like that again. If he ever dared to threaten his fiancée with a blade, he would rather rip out his own mouth and sever his own neck.

Even if Cynthia still mumbled in her heart about reality and games, or whatever else, it didn’t matter. He only needed to become her reality and her true love. He decided not to read her mind too deeply.

Of course, even after that, there were times when he recklessly intruded on her thoughts. But it was always to keep Cynthia by his side. He wanted her only place to return to be next to him. He wanted to be the only place she could stay.

So, he resolved to live receiving her love.

That, truly, was the perfect life. Segleninde finally thought he had achieved what he had so desperately longed for.

* * *

It was a misunderstanding.

[You’re being deceived by Segleninde. He’s lying to you.]

“What? Lying…?”

[Do you know why I told you not to think of anything? He can read human thoughts and interfere with them.]

He’d been found out.

When the teddy bear Cynthia had with her started chattering, his heart sank to the pit of his chest, even as he stood in the bathroom.

The liar’s fate had been decided from the beginning. Since he had deceived the one he loved, a happy ending could never be his.

[No one but Segleninde could change this mansion like this. He’s playing with you.]

Moreover, he was caught up in a lie he hadn’t expected.

By himself.

There was something Segleninde, before he lost his memory, had failed to consider. Even if he restored his original memories very slowly, there was a fact he should never have overlooked.

[That’s one of the delusions he implanted in you.]
[He’s using this mansion as a trap to lure in victims. The extremity of their emotions and vitality become fuel for him. He’ll make you taste terror and despair to the utmost, and then, in the end, devour you.]

Segleninde was not a being who loved, cherished, and cared for humans.

He was one who consumed them for nourishment, toyed with them, and killed them.

[And please, Cynthia, you must believe me. I know it’s hard, but I want to save you. Please remember what I said!]

He’d been found out. Everything had been revealed.

Segleninde stood frozen, feeling shards of old memories stabbing through his chest. Cynthia, standing outside the bathroom, was utterly silent.

Unable to bear the silence, he was the first to speak.

“Now that I think about it, back in the Moon Flower Garden yesterday… when that bastard attacked you.”

“……”

“I was nearby. Why didn’t you call for me?”

If she had called him, he could have solved it immediately. So why hadn’t she called his name, not even once until the very end?

He resented himself for asking such a trivial thing even now. Cynthia was fearful, so she was probably afraid of his question, too.

“…I wasn’t asking to put you on the spot, so don’t be scared. Just, next time, call me. I’ll come no matter what. If I hear your voice…”

He deliberately added that, to mean he would never put her in danger or let her die, but it was pointless. It was already too late.

Segleninde even began to find his own existence disgusting.

Because he wore a human face and had come to know the human heart, he came to hate himself as a monster who harmed others. He wanted to run to her at once, fall to his knees, and beg her to forgive him, swearing he would never kill anyone again.

So please, just don’t go anywhere. Even if all I knew how to do was tear apart the flesh and blood of living beings, if I could just stay by your side, I’d use my strength for nothing but to protect you.

He wanted her to trust, rely on, and love him.

Love me, please.

But the cracks could no longer be undone.