The Main Heroines are Trying to Kill Me
chapter-350

"What... What are you talking about?"

"Frey, that bastard is trying to deceive you. You must not fall for it."

When Ruby asked with a cold voice, the Demon God replied urgently.

"Frey is deceiving me?"

"Yeah, that bastard is pretending to be a regressor. He's trying to deceive you into thinking you have an unfortunate past that you've forgotten."

"..."

"Why are you making that expression? Surely you didn't really believe that? Come on, don't tell me the fierce and terrifying Demon King would fall for such tricks?"

As Ruby's expression turned pale, the Demon God said incredulously.

"You've always hated villains with stories, remember? Have you forgotten that?"

That was true.

Ruby not only disliked villains with stories, but she had never tried to understand them.

She was pure evil without a backstory, after all.

Of course, that was until recently.

"Ugh, this is frustrating. That womanizer has charmed you. You fell for it hook, line, and sinker, didn't you?"

"Watch your words."

“Look at those eyes. Are you going to try to devour me?”

"I don't feel much of your divinity. How did that happen?"

As Ruby muttered with a troubled expression, the Demon God raised her voice, filled with frustration.

"Frey is suppressing me in the Imperial Palace dungeon and draining my power! It’s an emergency right now!”

"So, are all his actions so far lies? Was his claim to be a regressor, and his belief that he has a connection with my past, were all part of his machinations?"

"That's right!"

As the Demon God nodded vigorously, Ruby began to break out in a cold sweat.

"E-Evidence… Give me the evidence."

"Can’t you Just peek into his mind yourself?"

The Demon God started to give her advice.

“What could be more certain than that?”

“But, I can’t attack him now. Looking into his mind will definitely count as an attack.”

Ruby, with her arms crossed, quietly began to think to herself.

Delving into the weakened soul of that bastard to read his memories might work.

Ruby also had the ability to manipulate souls.

Although not as good as Ferloche, she was good enough to meet divine beings through dreams like she did now.

According to the doctrine of the Church, she could also be called a saintess for choosing to communicate with the gods.

Anyway, because of that, she could try to read the memories engraved in Frey's weakened soul.

"...But how can I trust your words?"

"What?"

However, she didn't really want to do that right now.

"Do you have any evidence that Frey is not a regressor?"

Because a strange feeling of discomfort was rising in her heart.

"If you're still a goddess, you should be able to show some evidence."

"This drives me crazy."

The Demon King, who always runs wild with a frenzied smile at her words, now looked at her like a wary cat, causing the Demon God to feel extremely frustrated.

"Phew, I have no other choice."

"Finally showing your true colo–.”

"I'll show you… the evidence."

"What?"

As the Demon God spoke solemnly, Ruby, who still had a wary look in her eyes, widened her eyes.

"If you fall for his tricks, it's over for me too. So let’s cooperate. Come on, bring up the system."

"The system?"

"Quickly. We're out of time."

"...Understood."

As the Demon God urged her on, Ruby hesitantly summoned the 'Path of the Pretender’ system in front of her.

[Install... Installing administrator mode]

"What is this?"

Then, Ruby, who had been standing with her arms crossed, widened her eyes at the text that appeared before her.

"It's the administrator feature of the system. One of my privileges."

"You're giving that... to me?"

"I can no longer use it because I'm short on divinity. And the same goes for you, who are not a god. However, the 'Help' feature that comes with the administrator system will be useful to you."

The Demon God said this with a humiliated expression.

"Just a moment ago, that damn pigeon came and was about to suck up all my divinity. As a side effect, it allowed me to escape momentarily. It’s better to pass it on to you before the rest of my divinity is taken away."

"Hmm..."

"The first evidence. If you use that admin system, you’ll be able to find out that Frey doesn’t love you."

"How?"

As Ruby asked with widened eyes, the Demon God grinned and replied.

"Simple. Open the help function and check if the skill 'Absolute Love' has been purchased by Frey. Even without divinity, you can still get a clear answer if you limit the question like that."

"..."

At that, Ruby reached out shakily to the administrator mode installed in her system.

"T-Tell me whether Frey has purchased 'Absolute Love'."

- Error: Significant Question.

The transmission of admin mode has not yet been completed, it cannot be executed.

However, an error message popped up before her.

"So it says."

"Damn, can't be helped. It should be finished by tomorrow morning, try it again then."

"So there's no evidence right now?"

“...In that case, why don’t you change the question?”

"To what?"

"Ask whether Frey has ever reset the points. There are several functions that require a point reset to activate. So, it should be a less significant question than before."

The Demon God narrowed her eyes and added.

"But given the current circumstances, he would obviously buy the top skill from the 'Special Ability’, right?"

"Aaaaah!?"

"Oh my."

At that moment, Ruby sank down on the spot with her eyes wide open.

"Uhgh, ugh..."

The moment she mentally asked just like the Demon God suggested, the strength drained from her body.

"It's a side effect of using your power instead of divinity. Now you see how great a divinity is?"

"Ugh... Fuck."

“Anyway, it looks like it was within the acceptable range. Is it because the system is still unstable? I'd better keep transmitting diligently."

"...Ah."

Ruby, who felt utterly drained and unable to even stand up, soon froze on the spot.

A week ago, the entity ‘Frey’ reset the ‘points’.

A week ago, it was the day he confessed that he liked her.

"I-It's a lie..."

Ruby, unable to believe the result, stared in disbelief.

Despite constantly muttering to herself that she didn't trust Frey, she was now denying the conclusion before her eyes.

"Y-You gave me this, how can I believe you?"

"You felt the power draining, didn't you? That system is real."

"There's also the possibility that you manipulated it..."

"You idiot!! Why would I deceive you?!"

Unable to hold back her anger any longer at Ruby's muttering, the Demon God yelled out.

"If you go down, I go down too, you know that right!? It's not just about losing divinity, it's about eternal annihilation!! Why would I deceive you when I'm facing that? Of course, I'll help you!!"

"..."

"So please, let's get our act together. Okay? Frey deceived you using a skill!"

It was a straightforward statement.

Ruby knew better than anyone about her relationship with the Demon God.

There was no trace of falsehood in her words either.

While she might not have been an entirely honest Demon God, the current her, who had even handed over the admin system, was just a slightly stronger human.

Ruby’s ability to discern truth from falsehood and her mind reading skill were enough to be effective against the current Demon God.

"If you don’t trust me, wake up and catch the owl by the window. I'll drain my last bit of divinity and put Frey into a deep sleep. If you read Serena's letter there, you'll know the truth."

"But... even that could be manipulated by you..."

"Interfering in the human world diminishes divinity. With my divinity already drained, what can I do?"

That statement was also true.

Considering her appearance, the Demon God seemed to have run out of divinity a long time ago, so she probably didn't have the capacity to intervene in the human world recently.

"Remember, little Demon King."

Just like that, as Ruby's expression turned blank, the Demon God finally regained her leisurely smile and opened her mouth.

“This morning, Frey will try to purify you.”

"Purify...?"

“Yes, that’s his plan. So when the ‘Purification’’ quest pops up in the system window... know that I was right.”

“W-Wait a minute…”

After finishing her words, the Demon God pushed Ruby, and she began to float in the abyss with her eyes wide open.

"Remember... Ruby."

In the last moment, the Demon God's voice echoed in her ears.

"...Frey is not a regressor."

Ruby, who had been stiffening her expression, then disappeared from the imaginary world.

"Phew..."

When everything was over, the Demon God wiped the sweat from her forehead and let out a sigh.

"Alright, let's focus on transmitting the administrator system..."

She tried to concentrate on transmitting the help function of the administrator system, which would help her last lifeline, the Demon King.

- Zzzzzzzzt!!

"Kyahhhh!!?"

Suddenly, she collapsed to the ground as white sparks enveloped her whole body, causing her eyes to roll back.

"W-what...! What is this!!?"

- Zzzzzzt, zzzzzzzzt!!

"Kyaaaaah!!"

There was a white feather attached on her back.

.

.

.

.

.

"Haah, haah..."

Gasping for breath as she woke up from the imaginary world, Ruby sat up abruptly in bed, taking deep breaths.

- Chirp, chirp~♪

The early morning sun was already rising.

- Admin system transferring... (Time delay)

"It’s morning already."

Muttering quietly as she rubbed her eyes and glanced at the system window that appeared before her, Ruby began to calm her breathing.

"Hmph."

"Kuuuu-!?"

Then Ruby’s eyes lit up as she suddenly lunged towards the window.

"Gotcha."

The owl, who was waiting for the moment to enter with a relaxed expression, relying only on its invisibility magic, was attacked by Ruby, who had a menacing expression on her face.

"K-Kuuuuuuu!!"

"This fuckin–."

"Kuuuuuuuuuu!!"

However, the owl was no ordinary bird.

It immediately wriggled free from Ruby's grasp and flew away with a terrified expression.

- Rustle...

"..."

Fortunately, Ruby managed to retrieve the letter that the owl had been clutching onto with its talons.

- Thump, thump, thump...

Staring blankly at the letter she now held in her hand, Ruby turned her gaze to the side, her heart pounding wildly.

"Ugh..."

Frey was still deep in slumber.

Unless deliberately awakened, there was no sign of him stirring anytime soon.

"What on earth does it say..."

After checking the situation, Ruby got up from the bed and opened the letter.

"...Oh."

Her expression stiffened as she read the contents of the letter.

- Frey, is the final plan proceeding as planned?

"The plan..."

- By the time this letter arrives, that clueless idiot of a demon king should have undergone purification, shouldn't she?

Ruby's expression turned cold as she continued to read.

- I know, dealing with such a foolish bitch must be tiresome for you. But please endure just a bit longer. After that, shall we confine her somewhere and travel the Western Continent together?

The handwriting matched Serena's perfectly.

No, there was no need to compare handwriting.

The lunar mana infused in the letter was evidence enough.

- Oh, by the way, your child is growing well inside me...

"...Crack."

With a frustrated grunt, Ruby crumpled up the letter before she could finish reading the last sentence.

"Ughhh..."

Then, her body started shaking and she started looking behind her.

"Hmmnyaa..."

Frey was still sound asleep.

- Crack...

"Eugh."

By the time her blood was leaking out of her clenched fist, Ruby squeezed her eyes shut and walked out of her room.

Her expression now devoid of emotion.

.

.

.

.

.

A few hours later.

"Yawnnn, Ruby. Good morning."

Frey emerged from his room, yawning, and entered the motel's restaurant.

Since Frey had rented the entire motel, the restaurant was occupied only by Ruby and Frey.

"..."

"Today, I've prepared button mushroom soup and bacon. Eating the same thing all the time can get boring, after all."

As Frey sat down and spoke, he smiled at Ruby, who was sitting expressionlessly.

Today is the last day...

At that moment, Ruby heard Frey's inner thoughts echoing in her mind.

Will today be successful?

Upon hearing his inner thoughts, Ruby's expression began to sink.

"Ruby? What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

"..."

"Huh, that won't do. Today is the last day of our date, so I was planning to go to several places.”

Frey spoke and extended his hand to Ruby.

“I planned today to be an especially happy time. So–"

- Tak!

"...Hm?"

However, Ruby slapped off Frey's hand.

"If you have something to say, say it now, Frey."

"Something to say? What–"

"It's best to say it before I horrifically massacre all these people."

Ruby spoke while emanating a terrifying killing intent, causing Frey to furrow his brows.

- Swoosh...!!

At the same time, Frey's hand flew through the air.

- Thud!!

However, Ruby effortlessly caught Frey's wrist, blocking the attack.

"Say it, you bastard."

"..."

When Ruby cried out as if she was going to explode at any moment, Frey's expression began to turn sorrowful.

"...Ruby, can't you stop doing evil now?"

Then, he started talking to Ruby, caressing her cheek with his hand that was grasped by her.

"Stop destroying the world... Let's escape together and live happily. Okay?"

"..."

"I'll take care of you until the day I die. Ruby, please... I beg you..."

With a desperate expression that he had never shown before, Frey spoke, lowering his posture.

"...Ha."

Ruby, who had been silently observing Frey, let out a cold sigh.

System Notification

[Sudden Quest - Purification]

[Reward: None]

As the Demon God had said, the Purification Quest appeared.

A repulsive quest that Ruby would never press, even in any circumstance.

Even if she did press it, she was certain it wouldn't progress at all. It was that kind of disgusting quest.

"So this was it, Frey."

"Huh?"

"In the end, you..."

"Ruby, what's gotten into you?"

For a while, Ruby stared blankly at the quest window, then lowered her head. Worried, Frey rose from his seat.

"YOUUUU!!!!"

"Gah!!"

Ruby screamed, and at the same time, shockwaves emanated in all directions.

- Bam!!!

"Ugh..."

Swept away by the shockwave, Frey was thrown around the restaurant and slammed into the wall.

"You..."

As he struggled to stand up and catch his breath, he gasped when he saw Ruby’s face.

"You deceived me."

Ruby's eyes, directed at him, held a single tear streaming down her face.

"R-Ruby? What's going on... Uh."

"I loved you."

Confusion painted Frey's face as he noticed blood trickling from his lips.

"For the first time in my life... I genuinely loved someone."

"W-Wait a minute."

With tears streaming down her face, Ruby approached him.

"Even though I vehemently denied it outwardly..."

“Geuhh…”

"But I realized what that accursed love really is, all because of you."

Eventually, Ruby lifted Frey up by the collar and whispered with a cold expression.

"But I've realized. It's all just futile nonsense, after all."

“Cough...”

“Let’s get this over with, Frey.”

- Crackkk!!!

As soon as those words left Ruby's mouth, she exerted all her strength to slam Frey to the ground.

“I’ll beat you up like this.”

"..."

"Until all my love dried up, until I can't hit you anymore."

Right after she said that, Ruby pounded Frey's stomach with her fist.

.

.

.

.

.

-Crackle...!

"Cough... Ugh..."

Ruby's fist dug into Frey's abdomen.

"Cough, cough, ugh..."

As a result, Frey fell to his knees, vomiting blood.

- Thud...!!!

"Garh."

Ruby kicked him violently, got on top of him and raised her fist.

- Crack!!

"Ah, aaaah!"

Ruby bent Frey's arm, which had unconsciously raised to guard, with one hand and pinned it to the sides, and struck Frey's face with her other hand.

One punch, two punches, three punches.

"Huff, huff..."

As the bruises and wounds on Frey's body increased, the tear stains running down Ruby's cheeks also increased.

"I was briefly happy. I even thought about running away and living happily..."

Even without being purified, she was willing to run away and live with him.

Ruby despised Frey for mercilessly shattering such foolish thoughts she had harbored.

"You bastard… YOU FUCKING BASTARD!"

"..."

"Ugeuk..."

After pounding him for a while, Ruby grabbed Frey's shoulders and lowered her head.

- Sob...

After some time, when Ruby's tears fell onto Frey's beaten body...

"...Let's finish this."

Ruby's expression shifted into a soulless one.

It was the arrogant and bored expression of the Demon King when she was living in the Demon King’s Castle.

"Goodbye, Frey."

Just as Ruby was about to deliver the final blow to Frey...

System Notification

[Administrator System - Help function migration complete!]

A notification appeared before her.

"Why... Why are you doing this... Ruby..."

"...Why am I doing this, you ask?"

Glancing briefly at the message, Ruby, with a cold expression, looked into Frey's fading eyes and whispered coldly.

"It's simple, Frey."

- Question: Did Frey purchase the 'Absolute Love' skill?

Simultaneously, she silently questioned the help function.

“You make me...”

With a cold expression on her face, she collected purple and ruby colored demonic energy in her hand.

- No.

"What...?"

When a concise answer appeared in front of her, her pupils dilated, and she asked once again.

- Frey did not purchase the 'Absolute Love' skill.

"Ugh..."

At the same time, Ruby's power began to dissipate with incredible speed.

The question was so significant that her strength began to drain away almost immediately.

"I may not understand, but it seems like another failure…”

“Huh…? What…?”

“Even in this last chance... I still failed..."

Ruby wore a bewildered expression, unable to comprehend the situation unfolding before her.

"But still, I... I like you... Ruby."

"F-F-Frey?"

As Frey stroked Ruby's cheek with a trembling hand, she reached out to him with a dumbfounded look on her face.

"...!?"

Frey's soul was fading away.

To be precise, only the minimum conditions for reading memories remained, and his soul started to shatter.

"I love you..."

“T-Then…”

Ruby was still holding him in her arms with a dumbfounded expression on her face.

"Could it be... You're really a regressor..."

"...Forever."

Leaving those words behind, Frey closed his eyes. Ruby’s eyes started to tremble, and she began to gently shake his body.

"W-Wait. Frey?"

"..."

Naturally, there was no response from Frey.

"W-Wait..."

Ruby's expression began to turn pale.