I Reincarnated as the Villainess and I Refuse to Follow the Plot

I moved through the night life of the city, hood pulled low over my head. The vile smell of liquor and smoke wafted through the streets. Irritating as it was, my companion was far more aggravating than the drunken bastards that wandered around. For the fifth time that night, I second guessed my decision to bring Runaxt with me.

"Can we stop at one of the taverns?" Runaxt asked, glancing around – eyes wide. "The smell of the alcohol is calling to me, Cas- I mean Rio."

"Do you plan to test the last of my patience tonight?" I snapped, walking around a man who lay half-naked in our path.

"What's wrong with living a little?" He grinned, tossing an arm around my shoulders. "Loosen up some, Ca-Rio. Spending the night with a beautiful woman will fix that permanent scowl you have on your face."

"Would you like to keep your face intact?" I tossed off his arm, turning a corner. "I brought you with me instead of my aide or your sister – who would have known when to keep her silence."

"But she would have stood out and J- your aide has a weak stomach." Ruxant chuckled, clobbering after me. "I'll stop." He grumbled quickly when I shot him a dirty look.

If I didn't need his insight ability, I'd never have brought this buffoon. Jean's annoying reminder before we left that taking Runaxt would be equivalent to walking a over-sized dog – slid through my mind. The memory irritated me further the longer we walked.

The closer we arrived to the hidden location, the less people littered the streets. A few times Runaxt would stop and wink at anyone – man or woman – he found attractive. My hand itched for the concealed sword at my side. Would killing him really cause an international incident? Should I do it anyway?

I played with the thought for a while, until a wooden house with a crooked sign appeared at the end of the road. I stopped, grabbing Runaxt by his neck – jerking him back.

"What-"

"Put your mask on." I stuck my hand into my cloak, pulling out a simple dark full facial mask. I slid it on, tying it in the back. It wasn't perfect but it would have to do.

"Got it." Runaxt tugged his out before slapping it on his face. "What do you think?" He turned – grinning.

The mask was bright, with pink and gold splattered across it. While it covered his eyes and the left side of his face, it left his right cheek and half of his nose and mouth open.

"Why did you bring that one? Anyula placed that in the mix as a joke."

"That's exactly why I chose it," he shrugged. "No one would think I'd wear something like this."

"Your skin is showing, you fool." I walked forward, knowing if I stood around chatting with him I would slash him. Next time I'm going alone – his ability be damned.

"No one will even notice." Runaxt jogged after me. "I'll keep my hood down and it will be fine."

"Do not speak at all inside unless I tell you to." I bit out, keeping my voice low to not be overheard. "Do not look at anyone."

"Alright, I won't. I promise." He grumbled, lowering his head.

If he doesn't I can just place him as someone to auction. I slowed my pace, stopping before a who stood at the entrance to our destination. The man flickered his eyes, the only visible feature under his mask, to me. Why do they have a rodent out front?

"Invintations?" He held out a hand, glancing over at Runaxt.

I pulled out a small gray piece of paper, slapping it in his hand. The man winced, unfolding it. "Sir Rio Lumt," he glanced over. "And...who is that? Where is his? Without an invitation-"

"He's my slave." I slapped a hand roughly against Runaxt's shoulder. Ruxant grunted, muttering a curse under his breath.

"I'm...sorry, sir, but we can't allow someone without an-"

"You're sorry?" I leaned forward, feeling my temper start to spike. "No where on that damn invitation did it say masters couldn't bring their servants. Do you expect me to carry my purchases out with my own hands?"

"N-no," the man staggered back, fear clouding his eyes. "Most guests who purchase use their own carriages and their servants arrive with them. It's unheard of for a guest to bring a servant inside with him. I cannot-"

"You can't?" I grabbed the man around his collar, dragging him off the ground just enough to where his toes still touched. "I've had a very long day. If you insist on continuing to restrict my entrance, well, no one will care if a small mouse of a man disappears."

The mousy man hiccuped, pulling his body back as far as I allowed. "J-just go in."

"Great." I dropped him, pushing open the door. "Come, slave, we have much to do."

Runaxt stepped over the shivering man, following behind me. To those unaware, the room appeared to be nothing more than a dilapidated building. Sections of the floor were missing their boards and thick dust smeared across every surface. I cleared the floor in seconds, tugging open a door that had faint floating magic runes hovering near it.

A faint sensation of energy rippled across my body as we descended. The stairs shifted to carpet and the glow of dim magical lights lit our way. At the bottom, we walked forward, following bright blue crystals that signaled the direction of the auction.

The longer we traversed the path, the heavier the smell of perfume, poppies, and other illegal drugs choked the air. Once I ascend the throne and remove that bitch from her lofty perch, cleaning the rot from the kingdom will be easier.

I turned the corner, slowing when I saw movement from the corner of my eye. Two men, uncloaked, followed behind a man in a dark black robe. In their arms they carried a large black swab of fabric, wobbling under the pressure. A strong smell of death wafted out as they rustled the material.

I frowned, reaching for my weapon. Body snatching scum. Killing them won't matter.

"Don't." Runaxt said quickly, staying my hand. "Not yet."

I slapped his hand away, stalking the rest of the way down the hall. He was right, of course, but it didn't dissipate the anger. It would have been easy to follow after them and remove their heads, but it would have made the entire infiltration into the den of wolves worthless. Deal with the scum later and without mercy.

We walked through a large set of red doors, ascending up a flight of stairs. One of the workers, a woman who looked bored, led us to our seats. Once we entered the room, she closed the door behind us, bid us a pleasant night, and left.

As we took our seats, Runaxt let out a grunt, glancing around face hard. "Mask or not, many of these people were at the banquet."

"Did I not tell you to remain silent?" I sat back, crossing my arms.

Though the lighting was dim, and conversations were nearly impossible to hear due to the magical coverage – he was correct. Many of those in attendance were affiliated with the King or his Mistress. The useless man has turned a blind eye on the kingdom.

"I'm just surprised," Runaxt huffed, sitting back. "I didn't think you were over exaggerating the corruption in your land, but I had not thought it would be this deep."

"Ignore them for now." I tapped my finger against the arm of the chair, aggravated. "You have one job tonight – tell me if the item is real or a fraud."

"I know, I know." Runaxt grumbled, stretching. "I could always light this place on fire and we can burn it down after."

"Tempting." I mused, turning the idea over. "If there were not innocent people below, I would have you burn the place."

"Human trafficking is illegal here, no?" he turned, mouth pulled into a flat line.

"The underworld doesn't care about legalities, as you well know."

Neither of us spoke afterward, instead we waited. Half an hour passed before the auction began. Items from illegal magical devices to people or hybrids began to appear one after another. The longer it continued on, the more uncomfortable Runaxt grew and the more frustrated I became. Nobles and rich commoners began to bid, laughing and carrying on.

Would there be a way to remove everyone from the kingdom and start completely anew? It wouldn't be feasible, but it would be something worth considering. Had I not been adamant about purging my kingdom and seizing my rightful place, allowing an invasion from Eunto would have been a tantalizing option. However, I would not allow another kingdom to touch Helios.

Lost in thought, I paid little mind to the bidding, until the item I had been searching for appeared. The auctioneer gave a spiel about how it was authentic and the history of the device. I tossed a look at Runaxt, waiting for his verdict.

"It's real." Runaxt muttered, looking mildly ill. "Can we purchase this and leave? The longer I am here the more pissed off and sick I'm becoming."

"You can wait a while longer." I raised my paddle, indicating my bid.

"Your kingdom is nauseating." he grumbled, crossing his arms. "Body parts for sale, human beings – where do they draw the line?"

"They don't." I raised the paddle a second time, securing the sale. I pushed off the seat, and turned, heading toward the door. "Let's go, before I change my mind about igniting this place."

Runaxt sprang up, following after me muttering to himself. I didn't hear what he said, nor did I care. The auction itself was a disgusting display of humanity's darkest souls, but I had purchased an item that would help secure the throne.

For the time being, that would have to be enough.