Chapters Four through Five of ’Why Is the Heroine Interested in Everyone Except Me?’ centered around an extensive arc that spanned nearly thirty Chapters.
The catalyst for the incident was Siegfried’s uncle, a member of one of the Imperial Family’s branch Houses, who had fallen into crippling debt after repeatedly taking out loans to indulge himself behind the doors of the Crimson Lily.
By the time the truth came to light, his actions had become a disgrace to the Imperial Family, leaving a stain that even his noble lineage could not erase.
It was during that incident that Siegfried encountered the first recorded human to become a Distortion.
The creature’s identity remained unknown throughout most of the arc, only for it to be revealed near the very end that the Distortion had once been Helene Erika Neidhardt, the daughter of Viscount Neidhardt, proprietor of the Crimson Lily.
That revelation marked the first major turning point of the novel.
Everything people believed they understood about Distortions was overturned in an instant, transforming them from incomprehensible monsters into something far more horrifying.
It was the arc that redefined the world’s understanding of Distortions, transforming ’Why Is the Heroine Interested in Everyone Except Me?’ from a conventional fantasy into a psychological horror.
"Hoo..."
Ilya stood a short distance away from the Crimson Lily’s main branch with a cigarette between his fingers.
Although the Crimson Lily was only one name among many, it was widely regarded as the centerpiece of the capital’s Red Light District, operating numerous affiliated establishments under different names throughout the city while remaining under the same ownership.
To most people, it was a symbol of luxury and indulgence, a place frequented by nobles wealthy enough to squander fortunes behind its gilded doors.
He wasn’t particularly hopeful.
If Helene had already become a Distortion, then there was nothing left for him to prevent.
He had accepted that possibility long before coming here, and dwelling on what could no longer be changed would accomplish nothing.
What still remained within his control was containing the disaster that would inevitably follow, the very catastrophe that, in the original story, had been brought to an end by Siegfried.
Unfortunately, Siegfried was dead.
There would be no hero arriving to resolve the situation. This time, Ilya could only rely on his own judgment, along with the men Liselotte had provided him with.
Whether that would be enough, he had no way of knowing.
If Helene had yet to become a Distortion, then she would have to be contained before the situation spiraled beyond anyone’s control.
If she had already transformed, then there was only one course of action left, and that was to subdue her before the number of victims continued to rise.
"I appreciate her taking responsibility, but..."
Originally, Ilya had intended to report the matter himself and bear whatever consequences followed.
However, after the two of them parted ways, Liselotte had gone directly to the Imperial Guard and reported suspected human trafficking within the Crimson Lily in his stead, insisting that it was the least she could do after everything he had told her.
Even if the report ultimately proved to be false, it could always be dismissed as the impulsive judgment of a young Imperial Princess acting out of concern, a far less troublesome explanation than the truth.
As far as Ilya was concerned, however, taking responsibility for a false report was no problem at all.
At worst, he would merely reinforce the image everyone already had of him, the eccentric, troublesome son of the Northern Grand Duke who had acted on faulty intelligence, and, truthfully, that reputation was hardly any different from the one people already held of him.
And so, Ilya remained where he was, watching from a distance as the Imperial Guards forced their way into the Crimson Lily. There was nothing more he could do now but wait.
"Hoo..."
A stream of smoke escaped his lips as he exhaled, the cigarette between his fingers burning a little shorter.
To say he wasn’t nervous would have been a lie. Whether Helene had already become a Distortion, or whether he had arrived in time to prevent it, would soon become clear.
It was then that his gaze wandered across the surrounding streets.
"...."
Something was wrong.
For the Red Light District, it was far too quiet. The drunken laughter and music that had filled the streets only moments earlier had vanished without him realizing it.
Even the handful of pedestrians who had been passing through the area were nowhere to be seen.
"Where did..."
Ilya frowned as he slowly looked around once more.
He was certain the streets had been crowded not long ago. Yet now, aside from the Imperial Guards entering the Crimson Lily, there wasn’t a single person in sight.
The silence was so complete that even the distant clamor from inside the Crimson Lily had disappeared.
Ilya took an instinctive step back.
——Where are you going?
A chill raced down his spine.
"...."
Only after several long seconds did he slowly turn his head.
"H-Helene..."
Helene was there, wearing the same lingerie from the last time they met.
She clasped her hands behind her back and took a single step toward him, her heels producing no sound whatsoever.
"You left so soon last time," she said with a pout. "At the Crimson Lily, we pride ourselves on making sure every guest leaves feeling that their money was well spent. It would be terribly rude of us to let one of our customers go home dissatisfied."
She smiled.
"...."
Ilya took another step back.
"Ah..."
However, his heel caught against something behind him, throwing him off balance before he could react.
He stumbled backward and landed heavily, expecting to hit concrete, only to find himself sinking into something unexpectedly soft.
"...."
A bed.
"...."
His brows furrowed as he looked down, his hand unconsciously pressing against the mattress. The silk sheets were smooth under his fingertips, and the fragrance of incense registered immediately.
Slowly, Ilya lifted his head.
"...."
The first thing he noticed was the burning candle, no different from how he remembered it a month ago.
Only then did he notice that the streets had disappeared.
"...."
The district itself, and the night sky, had vanished without a trace. In their place was the very same room where he had spoken with Helene just a month ago, as though the conversation had merely been interrupted rather than ended.
"...."
Ilya’s eyes shifted downward.
"...."
The lingerie slipped from Helene’s shoulders, revealing her body bare for him to see.
———!
Ilya threw himself backward, intending to put even the slightest distance between them, only for Helene’s hand to seize his wrist with ease. Before he could wrench himself free, she pushed him back onto the bed.
"...!"
No matter how much strength he put into his arms, Helene did not move so much as an inch. Her fingers remained wrapped around his wrist with the gentleness of a lover, yet they refused to budge.
Helene leaned closer.
A strand of hair slipped over her shoulder as she smiled down at him, as if she were welcoming a customer.
"It’s time to get your money’s worth, Ilya."
Her fingertips slowly traced across his cheek.
"I’ll make sure you leave satisfied tonight."
The Crimson Lily, Helene Erika Neidhardt, a Red-Labeled Distortion.