Foreward Rant:

I peruse the Mobuseka forums and recently noticed that one had become pretty toxic for a few days. I won't say which forum. If you know, you know. I also noticed the toxicity spiked after I posted my last two chapters for this and that most of the discussion revolved around what I wrote (either the content or general tendencies of the fandom). Maybe it's just a coincidence, but it was uncomfortable enough that I feel I should address the comments I saw. I don't want newcomers to go on that site and think we're a toxic community. I'll address the people who dislike my work and those who support my work.

To the people who disliked my work, you are entitled to your opinion. Whether or not a story appeals to you is your right, and you have to right to express those opinions. I even welcome the criticism. Some even had sound points. But for the majority, get off your high horse and stop saying people are trashy or idiotic for liking what you don't like. No one likes being implied to be inferior or simpleminded. They especially don't appreciate it when that same person demonstrates a potentially shallow understanding of what was written (canon and fanfiction) and then insults others for saying their speculations of the canon/lore are irrelevant.

You probably think your interpretation isn't shallow because there was nothing to engage with the other two chapters. There were, and you completely missed them because you probably did not care to look any deeper. For my Secret Route chapter, I saw people mention it was only a circle jerk for Leon and rehashed canon events. You only approached it from the anime angle. What you failed to consider was that the premise was based on the concept of a hidden route of a game after 100% completion. Do you know what gamers would love as a hidden route? A route where you go against the main cast while seeing the villainess from a different angle. Round out those characters. Subvert everything the previous runs taught you about the game. Instead of dueling some random knight, you have the mob character to defend you. Playing a dating game for the seventh time would not be a fun reward for completion.

For Villainous Villainess, I saw mention about how Angelica was in name only and that you might as well call her Zola. Using a non-canon Angelica was the entire point, and comparing Angelica to Zola was the most shallow comparison you could make. Villainous Angelica was supposed to embody the worst aspects shown but mashed together in a way you could conceivably believe to exist and be competent enough to take over the kingdom. What I found particularly egregious was someone condemned the fandom for being aroused by her when she was only an OC named Angelica and then proceeded to thirst over the idea of Angelica's personality being replaced with another character's in another fandom (who also happens to be mentally unstable). You are no better than the people you accused of being horny idiots.

For the people supporting me, thank you. It's nice to see people enjoy my work enough to be willing to defend it. While most comments were statements rather than insults, I still saw a few insults mixed in. Please refrain from doing so since discussions devolve into toxicity when people feel attacked. Better yet, don't engage with the haters. From what I read, they don't want to engage in the story meaningfully unless it is tailored to them. You can't convince them to like it. You don't have to change their mind. They are entitled to believe whatever they want to believe about the story. If you need to say anything to them, challenge them to write something better than what they are complaining about. I'd love to see a recreation of the piano situation where the critic produced something phenomenal.

I'll probably be judged as a snowflake. Whatever at this point. I just don't want to see the thread filled up with people angrily yelling at each other over something I wrote.

Title: Villainous Villainess The Jilk Incident

Summary: How Jilk got a clue.

Characters: Jilk

"Livia's gone missing," Leon said as he burst into the dining room while carrying two children and the third trotting behind him.

"What happened?" Angelica said as she rushed over to help relieve him of the children he carried.

"I came home from the barracks to find my house dark and my children crying. The door was locked, and there was no sign of forced entry. Livia was nowhere to be found."

"Could she be at the temple? Her duties as the Saintess could have pulled her away," Julius said.

"I've already checked there. She was only there in the morning. She claimed to be sick and retired early for the day."

"I'll rally guards and have them scour the capital."

"I'll recheck the areas between the temple and my house. She might've collapsed on the way home. Do you mind if the children stay in the palace tonight?"

"Of course, Leon. What's a godmother for if not to watch the little ones," Angelica said, smiling while she grouped all the children.

As the King and the Lord Commander left to ready the mean, my nose wrinkled at the sight of the Queen. I never did like how close the two were. Aside from Julius, Leon was the only one Angelica referred to by name. If it were not for how happy Olivia and Leon's marriage was, there would have been rumors spreading about the Queen and the Lord Commander.

That being said, something felt off. Leon was not incompetent. He likely would have found Olivia on his first sweep, and any attempt to kidnap the Saintess would have been thwarted with how much resources the man spent to secure the route.

Additionally, Olivia left the children in the house. That seemed wholly out of character for her. She never went anywhere without them, or if she did, Leon was watching over them. It was a common complaint the temple's officials often had since they either had to work around the Lord Commander's schedule or deal with fussy children. So why the sudden change?

Did Olivia run away? But that's absurd. Why would she run away, and without her children at that? But it was the only reasonable explanation.

I stared at the children as I speculated why Olivia would run away.

That's when I noticed something off.

Why couldn't I differentiate the children?

"Your Majesty?"

"Yes, Lord Marmoria?"

"What have you done?"

At this, she turned around and gave me a curious look.

"I'm sorry. I don't follow. Are you asking me about the Saintess? I can assure you that I've done nothing to her."

I lifted my sidearm and aimed at her.

"What is the meaning of this? Put your gun down!" she yelled while readying defensive spells.

"Not until you explain what is going on!"

"As I've said, I've done nothing to the Saintess!"

"Maybe not today, but I'm certain you are responsible," I said while looking at the children, who now cowered in the corner.

Angelica quickly put herself between them and me.

"Do not threaten my children."

The door slammed open, and I saw both Julius and Leon enter. The yelling must have caught their attention. The timing could not be worse.

"What's the meaning of this, Jilk?! Put that gun away!"

"Julius, step away from Leon!"

"What?"

"I suspect that Angelica and Leon are behind some plot."

"Some plot?! My wife is missing, you asshole," Leon yelled.

I let loose a warning shot. It was a mistake. The children began to cry as the noise startled them. The first prince ran to Julius. On instinct, I pulled the trigger.

Leon screamed in pain. He had covered the boy with his body, and Leon took a bullet.

I had no time to relax before a blast of flame lifted me off the ground and through the window.

Panting through the capital, I sought a place to hide. No doubt the Red Guards would be upon me soon. They were a vicious bunch.

My lungs burned, my burns itched, and my sides ached. I think the fall broke a few ribs. I had no time to rest.

As I ran, I came across the Academy. Out of desperation, I ran inside and headed for the dungeons. It was less than ideal, but I needed shelter to lie down in. I'd much rather deal with the giant ants than whoever Leon would send to capture me.

After passing the atrium, I delved a couple of floors before collapsing. My legs could not keep going. I needed to rest.

I sat against a wall. I kept an eye on the passage with my gun loaded. I only needed a few minutes to catch my breath. A few minutes of rest...

When I next awoke, I was no longer in the dungeon. I was lying on a somewhat comfortable bed. The pain from my sides was quickly dissipating.

Opening my eyes, I found myself in a room. It was dark. There was only one light source, and it was focused on my sides.

Looking at the person, my hazy mind realized it was Olivia.

AN:

1) Regarding the review about not liking tragedies, that is fair. I'm not one for tragedies myself.

2) Regarding the review about an intelligent villain not allowing things to progress to a final confrontation, I can think of a few reasons why an intelligent villain would want such an outcome. Maybe an excuse to stomp out Fanoss, route out all potential traitors, etc. There's also the fact that no matter how smart you are, sometimes you roll a Nat1 luck roll. The more thrilling part is what you do after you do fail that luck check.

3) I don't feel like corrupting Olivia is a good idea since, at that point, no one really can oppose Angelica. There would be no force capable of going against that combo. Additionally, why would Olivia get corrupted/possessed? Possession is off the table because that would require her to be abused enough to lose all will to live, and as a potential asset, that won't fly under Angelica's watch.

4) Shorter than most of the snippets here since the idea was that the event was so sudden. No one involved could have made plans and reacted on instinct. I would probably add Olivia explaining her situation if I wanted to have this written out.

5) The more of these snippets I do, the more I want to write this thing out.