Chapter 12: The eldritch Godness Wants to Have a Chat

I knew exactly where to find Leonhardt.

Though technically a member of the choir club, he was more of a ghost member—rarely attending activities. So where would he be?

The old school building.

Why the old school building, you ask?

Simple: it was barely used anymore, devoid of both students and teachers. In other words… the perfect spot to sneak girls in for illicit activities.

At this point, my disappointment in Leonhardt was immeasurable. But that was exactly why I had to fix him.

I stepped into the old building.

The place was ancient—weathered on the outside, dusty and cobwebbed inside from disuse. As I walked further in, voices drifted down the hall.

"Ah… N-no, Your Highness… We shouldn’t…"

"Don’t say that, Hannah. I love you. More than anyone."

A girl’s breathy protests. Leonhardt’s honeyed lies.

Oh-ho? Getting lively in here, aren’t we?

I decided to wait outside until their… session concluded.

Moans replaced whispers, followed by ragged breathing and creaking furniture. Frankly, I’d rather not eavesdrop, so I plugged my ears until the girl finally emerged, flushed and fleeing the moment she spotted me.

Then out came the man himself.

"Prince Leonhardt."

"Oh? You’re… Lady Iris, correct?"

He flashed me the kind of effortlessly handsome smile only playboys could muster—as if he hadn’t just been busy moments ago.

"I’d like a word with you, if you have a moment."

"Hoh? You sought me out? Whatever for?"

"Just a conversation."

I smiled sweetly. Leonhardt’s grin turned sleazy.

Let me guess—he thinks I’m here to throw myself at him. Sorry to disappoint, but that’s not the agenda.

"Let’s talk in here."

I led him into an empty classroom. He followed, already spinning his usual lines.

"Lady Iris, I never imagined you’d be the one to invite me like this. You’ve captivated me since the moment we met. Your hair, your skin—I’ve longed to touch them. To kiss those lips."

He stepped closer, reaching for my cheek with practiced charm.

"Pardon me, Your Highness, but aren’t you already involved with someone?"

I caught his wrist mid-air.

"I’m a man of many loves—a tragic flaw, I admit. But how can I deny what I feel for you? To do so would be to betray my very essence. Don’t you agree?"

"Your… essence?"

"Precisely. I refuse to live a lie. I must stay true to myself."

"I see, I see… How noble."

"Can you forgive such a man, Lady Iris?"

His hand slid toward my waist. This guy’s really—

"Afraid not. If you’re so terrified of denying your ‘essence,’ then let’s just rewrite it. Don’t worry… I’ll handle everything."

But it’s fine. I’m no delicate maiden, after all.

I’m the eldritch godness who drives men to madness.

I removed my glove and pressed my bare hand to Leonhardt’s cheek. He smirked, thinking he’d won—until tendrils slithered from my fingertips into his ears, burrowing deep into his brain.

"A-ah… Ah…!"

"No need to fret. This’ll be over soon."

His eyes glazed over, face slack.

"Now, let’s correct those misguided views one by one. That girl who just left—what was she to you?"

"J-just… a physical… relationship…"

"That’s wrong, isn’t it? Isn’t it?"

"Y-yes… Wrong…"

Kneading his mind like clay, I reshaped his values—from the root up.

"Now then, you must stop this behavior immediately."

"Y-yes, ma'am."

Prince Leonhardt nodded vacantly, his eyes unfocused as I issued my commands.

"What did you think when I first spoke to you?"

"I-I thought... you'd be easy to..."

"That kind of thinking is unacceptable. You must not view women merely as outlets for your carnal desires."

"Y-yes..."

"How many girls are you currently seeing?"

"S-six..."

Ugh. Only game protagonists pull that many simultaneous relationships. What a mess.

"You will apologize properly to each one and end things respectfully. From now on, you will not engage in such dishonest, impure behavior as dating multiple women simultaneously. You will interact with the opposite sex with proper sincerity and responsibility."

"Y-yes, ma'am."

That should take care of his cheating habit. Now for the final touch...

"You will develop feelings for Emilia von Ritterbach. You find her more compelling than other women. You should date her exclusively and not look at other girls."

"U-understood. I will date Emilia von Ritterbach."

"Excellent."

Oh right - almost forgot the most important part.

"You will forget everything I've done to you. When I count to five, it will all disappear."

"Y-yes..."

I had to erase his memory since I was currently kneading his brain with my tentacles. If this got out, I'd be expelled immediately.

"Five... four... three... two... one... zero."

With a swift motion, I retracted my tentacles from Leonhardt's brain and smoothed my gloves.

"Huh? What was I just...?"

"Your Highness. You understand our conversation now, yes?"

I smiled sweetly at the disoriented prince as he rubbed his forehead.

"Ah... yes. I believe... you've given me excellent advice..."

"How wonderful."

"Indeed. Now if you'll excuse me, Lady Iris."

Gone was the lecherous prince from moments ago - in his place stood a reborn gentleman who quickly took his leave.

"Did a good deed today~"

No more girls would cry because of Leonhardt, Emilia would have her happy romance - everything's working out perfectly. Just perfect.

As I exited the classroom lost in these thoughts, the hallway atmosphere suddenly shifted. The air grew thick and viscous, tension pooling like spilled ink.

"Who's there?"

Scanning the corridor for the source, I soon found -

"Iris."

"Claudia... wasn't it? What business do you have with me?"

There in the hallway stood the witch Claudia...