The Baby Villain Dreams of Conquering the World

Chapter 17

Episode 17

"You've seen most of the places anyway. Only the ballroom, annex, and greenhouse remain... but the ballroom and annex are guest reception buildings, so they're empty, and the greenhouse isn't well-maintained at the moment, so I don't recommend it."

"Then what's that one?"

Still hanging in Daphne's arms, Flora pointed to a large building attached to the side of the castle and asked.

"There are times when large numbers of monsters invade the town through the Demon Forest. It's a shelter for the residents to stay in."

"In the castle?"

"Yes! It's the Lord's consideration."

Flora was utterly astonished by the unbelievable statement.

And for good reason; nobles considered their status a power proven by the gods, and they believed the blood flowing in their veins was different from that of commoners.

That's why, even when Flora endured and eventually became Rosaria's playmate, she received unfavorable looks from her maids and knights.

In other words, nobles shunned commoners and detested even touching them, so placing a shelter for commoners in the ducal estate was something unimaginable.

"Dad is a strange person."

"The Lord is truly a good lord who cherishes his people. People in the world point fingers at the Lord, calling him a fearsome person, but we know well how much he cares for the territory and its people. He is a person worthy of respect."

This was also an unexpected statement.

'How interesting.'

Wasn't Athanas a Grand Duke who was ignored and threatened by commoners in other territories?

Daphne, still holding Flora, began moving somewhere.

After climbing up for a while, she arrived in front of the castle's highest spire and opened the door. Then, she showed the vast expanse outside through the spire's window.

The nearby Demon Forest, the large castle walls, the large town adjacent to the forest, and behind them, standing tall and straight, was this place, the Lucifer castle that would become her home.

The town, blanketed in white snow, looked lively even with the Demon Forest right beside it.

"The castle and the forest are quite close, right? In accordance with the will of the previous lord who built the ducal estate close to the Demon Forest, he did not relocate even with the threat of monsters."

"And so."

"Yes, so even though monster invasions are frequent, the residents are at ease. Duke Lucifer and the Young Lord personally step forward to protect everyone whenever monsters attack. So who would dislike the Lucifer Ducal House? At least, there is no one among the residents of the Lucifer territory."

A proud smile had formed on Daphne's lips.

"Some people are disappointed because the castle is large but very old. But that's because the Lord uses all the support funds and supplies coming from the capital for the territory and its people. Many people in the north have lost family to monsters. The Lord protects and looks after those people. Contrary to rumors, he is a kind person."

Flora finally realized why Daphne had come all the way up here and was giving such a long explanation.

"Daphne too?"

"...Yes. My parents passed away due to a monster attack when I was young. The Lord took in the affected children, and after a period of protective observation at the ducal estate, he even linked us to jobs like this."

Daphne smiled happily as if Flora were a precious treasure.

"Not only was I saved, but I'm so happy to be serving you, Young Lady. Even if it's temporary, I will serve you with all my heart and sincerity. If there's anything I lack, please tell me anytime."

Impressed by her bold ambition, Flora felt full of trust in her.

"I know."

As if infected by her warm smile, Flora grinned and nodded.

'Thanks to that, I now know why Lucifer Castle is so poor.'

As long as the Demon Forest is nearby and monsters don't stop invading, no matter how thorough the prevention, the number of victims will only increase.

To reduce the damage from that, he poured operating costs into the territory, so he must have lived frugally by necessity.

"Dad is a strange person, but he seems like a great person."

"That's right!"

'Sigh, I feel self-conscious, so I can't even be extravagant.'

How could she, a newly arrived stone, become embedded in the ground alongside them if she proved to be worse than the stones already there?

Although the extravagance she had hoped for was gone, the fact that the Demon Forest was closer than she thought was still a great advantage.

"Miss Dad…"

"Shall we go see the Lord?"

"Mm, no. They said Dad is very busy."

Instead of whining like a child, Flora came up with a good idea.

Benio, the other family member who had shown an aura of disliking her, unlike Athanas!

"Is Oppa less busy than Dad?"

"Umm..."

Daphne thought for a moment and then slowly nodded.

"He's probably less busy than the Lord, at least. But he's probably in class right now."

"Class?"

"Yes, a tutor comes once a week to conduct lessons. The reason he returned to the castle yesterday was probably because of his lessons."

At Daphne's words, Flora remembered something she had forgotten.

'But why was Benio covered in blood?'

His appearance, looking so bloody, was scary enough to appear in her dreams, and she had forgotten to ask why he was like that.

"Can I take classes too?"

"The Young Lord started studying when he was seven. So you'll be able to take them when you're older too."

"I want to take classes with Oppa too!"

"It's a once-a-week class, so you mustn't disturb it."

At the firm words, Flora pouted her lips as if sulking.

"No, absolutely not. The Lord has given orders not to disturb the lessons."

"Then is it okay if I wait in front? Or even in the next room!"

"Umm."

Even though she said no, Flora didn't easily give up her stubbornness, so Daphne hummed thoughtfully as if troubled.

"I don't plan to disturb Oppa. It's just... I want to become friends with Oppa, so that's why."

Seeing Daphne still pondering, Flora used her trump card.

She slumped her shoulders dejectedly and swallowed a sob.

"Fine, I'll just go to my room."

"Umm, umm."

Daphne soon seemed to have made a decision and nodded.

"Waiting should be fine. How about asking to have dinner together after the lesson ends? You'll become friends quickly if you enjoy a meal together."

"Mm, I like that so much!"

At Flora's bright reply, Daphne also smiled in relief.

"Now, let's go down."

"Mm, can I come here again next time?"

"Of course, there's no place in the castle the Young Lady cannot go. However, it's a dangerous place, so you must never come alone. Ah, that's right. How about coming with the Lord next time?"

At the good suggestion, Flora nodded happily, swinging her feet.

'Daphne is young, but she doesn't seem bad.'

She was reasonably perceptive, her hands were capable, and she generously shared good stories about Lucifer for the young Flora, even helping her become part of a harmonious family, there was nothing lacking about her.

'I should think positively about keeping her around.'

The second day at Lucifer Castle was passing by peacefully like that.

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"It seems impossible today, Young Lord."

"No, I'll try a little more."

At Benio's words, the elderly tutor couldn't hide his pitying gaze.

"Please bring the flowerpot here."

But at Benio's subsequent urging, he had no choice but to hold out the flowerpot containing the sacred divine tree in front of him.

A small flowerpot stamped with the temple's emblem had a single straight stick planted in it. Benio reached his hand toward the stick and closed his eyes.

'I must draw out the power flowing in my body. The holy power.'

But no matter how much he concentrated, the divine tree did not bloom.

"......"

When Benio finally opened his eyes, his face was full of disappointment.

"Damn it."

Benio muttered a low curse and then nodded.

The elderly tutor then covered the flowerpot with a white cloth and held it in his arms as if it were a precious treasure.

"Then I will return next week."

"Yes, take care on your way back."

Despite his bad mood, Benio politely saw his teacher out.

Or, he tried to.

"Is class over?"

If it weren't for the small figure standing quietly at the open door.

"Oppa, hello."

Flora waved her short hand open. Then, without waiting for Benio's greeting, she turned her head and greeted the teacher.

"Are you Oppa's Teacher?"

"Pardon? Ah, yes, but. Who is this child...?"

At the teacher's reaction, who didn't know about Flora yet, Benio's mouth twitched.

But since it didn't open easily, Flora let out a short laugh as if she hadn't expected anything, grabbed his clothes, and tilted her head cheerfully.

"I'm Flora Lucifer."

Unsuited to the Lucifer name, her radiance made Baron Cosmo, Benio's tutor, blink with a blank face before he started in surprise.

"Ah, Y, Young Lady!"

Having never heard of a Young Lady, his eyes darted about in confusion.

Still, he perceptively gauged the situation and introduced himself.

"My name is Rizec Cosmo. Please feel free to call me Baron Cosmo."

"But you're Oppa's teacher?"

"It's fine. Please call me that."

Flora nodded at that. Then her gaze fell on the bundle of cloth he was holding so preciously.

"What's that? A book?"