The Baby Villain Dreams of Conquering the World

Chapter 19

Episode 19

Since her older brother wasn't giving her any attention, perhaps finding it boring, Flora's gaze had turned to the window.

Her sparkling eyes watching the snow-covered road occasionally reminded him of a curious baby rabbit one might encounter on a snowy mountain.

'She's four years old now, right?'

No matter how he thought about it, she seemed too young to shoulder the name of Lucifer right away.

She fainted the moment a sword was pointed at her neck. She must be as timid and tender-hearted as she looked.

'Right. How could someone so small and young bear the duties of a Lucifer?'

Seeing how young Flora was, it was difficult to apply the same sharp standards to her that had been applied to him.

'Anyway, once the divine power test is done, she'll start to realize the weight of the family from then on.'

Just like the unfortunate Benio Lucifer, who, even at fourteen, still couldn't manifest his divine power.

'Right. No matter how much she was raised outside, I am Flora's older brother... As an older brother, I can't bear to see my younger sibling grow up like I did.'

Looking at Flora, who was watching the outside with an excited face, Benio let out an unavoidable, quiet chuckle.

'Flora might dislike it... But since it seems I'm the only one to look after her today, I guess I have no choice but to play the guardian role.'

After watching the scenery for a long time, Flora finally remembered that she had been looking out the window for too long.

'This isn't the time.'

Unlike the east, the heavily piled snow was so fascinating that she had been staring at it as if mesmerized without realizing it.

'Asking Dad for the favor was a good start, but how do I become friends with him?'

Flora abruptly lifted her head.

Then, she made eye contact with Benio, who was looking at her, and smiled brightly, causing him to quickly turn his head away.

Benio's defenses were so strong that he remained unfazed even as Flora beamed.

He was expressionless from start to finish, making it impossible to read his thoughts.

'Perhaps he's even more of a poker face than Dad.'

As if to show his displeasure at being forced to go to the town with her due to Athanas's request, his face had been full of resentment just when they departed.

At least, as time passed, the resentment disappeared and he became stoic, so she had to consider even that small change positive.

Fidgeting uncomfortably in the awkward silence filling the carriage, Flora swung her legs.

At least Athanas, despite his rugged appearance, treated her with kind words and actions, like bending his knees to meet her eyes or trying to smile kindly.

But Benio showed none of that consideration.

'I knew it from the moment he pointed a sword at such a cute and lovely younger sister.'

It seemed the carriage had arrived at the town center. Not expecting an escort, she was about to hop down when…

Whoosh, her body was lifted into the air.

To be precise, Flora's body was scooped up into Benio's arms.

"Huh?"

At the word that popped out in surprise, Benio's gaze turned to Flora.

"It's dangerous to get down alone."

That was the end of their first conversation.

Benio got out of the carriage holding Flora and did not put her down on the ground.

"Aren't you going to put me down?"

"There are a lot of people; you might get lost."

Ah, this sense of déjà vu from somewhere.

'It reminds me of my first meeting with Dad?'

Benio's face was stiffly set, but the tips of his ears were tinged red.

'Was it not that he disliked me, but that he was shy?'

Her previously low spirits instantly lifted.

"That first night we met."

"Yep?"

Holding Flora, Benio looked ahead as he continued speaking.

"I'm sorry about that time."

It was a clean and honest apology.

"I was on edge right after returning from finishing a mercenary job. It was my mistake, my fault, for letting the sword come out first without even checking who it was."

Although he thought Flora's fault for not knowing about the lantern was greater, Benio didn't mention it and simply delivered a clean apology.

"Did it hurt? I'm worried it might have left a scar."

He was a warmer person than she had thought.

"Anyway, I'm sorry for startling you. You must have heard from Father, but my name is Benio. Please call me comfortably."

"I'm Flora."

"You can speak comfortably too."

"Mm. My name is Flora. Benio-oppa. I'm four years old."

"I'm fourteen years old. Let's get along well from now on."

She was surprised by his age, which seemed small for his build, but Flora hid her expression like a pro.

Benio, this little Lucifer, might not be as bad as he looks either.

'Well, with this much divine power flowing through his body, he can't be a bad person.'

When people are sensitive, they might see a stranger as an enemy, it's understandable.

Since it's the first time, she, being broad-minded, would understand, and from now on, she could get angry without exception.

'But I feel like I missed something just now?'

Before Flora could find the answer, Benio spoke to her.

"The Lucifer territory is at the northern edge of the continent, so it's extremely cold. And the Demon Forest is larger and closer than in other territories, so monster attacks are frequent, and Father often leaves to subjugate them."

Remembering the story she heard from Daphne, Flora nodded.

"But it seemed pretty peaceful considering all that."

The muttered words slipped out unintentionally, and Flora hurriedly covered her mouth.

"Is that how it seemed?"

"Mm. He came to the orphanage every day."

"He finally found a daughter who had been missing for four years, so it's natural. Normally, the territory comes first for him, but... At least Father should be like that for you."

Somehow, his words felt bittersweet.

Flora stared intently up at Benio, but his gaze never returned to her.

"But do you have to go subjugate in the Demon Forest yourself? In other territories, it seemed like they just do regular patrols."

"This is the Lucifer territory."

"What's different about that?"

"...Do you know that the Lucifers are the Betrayers of Humanity?"

Despite the serious content, his voice was monotone. Flora nodded.

'Hmm, that's a bit strange. According to Daphne, the people of the territory respect the Lucifer Ducal House...'

Suddenly struck by the question, she looked around and saw that the townspeople nearby were clearly wary of the two.

To be precise, they looked more frightened.

No one was directly insulting them like in front of the orphanage, but it still didn't feel good.

More than anything, seeing Benio accept this situation as normal made it even worse.

Seeing Flora had no reaction, perhaps thinking she didn't understand, Benio added a detailed explanation.

"The Lucifers have no Executors."

"Then just call them?"

"They refuse to come."

"Why?"

"Because the Lucifers are the Betrayers of Humanity."

The weight carried by those words was heavy.

Impossibly heavy, to a degree Flora couldn't even begin to guess.

"The Lucifers must always prove themselves. That they are beings who pose no harm to humanity, that they are driving out monsters and demons."

Benio's words meant that the Lucifers had been dealing with hordes of evil that threaten humanity, with their ordinary human bodies, without the help of Executors.

"So people look at the Lucifers and sometimes call them butchers wearing noble masks, and sometimes murderers."

Hearing these bizarre nicknames she had never even imagined, Flora spoke with a displeased expression.

"Why butchers and murderers when they're sacrificing themselves to protect humanity? That's weird."

Benio's mouth, which had been explaining so well, suddenly clamped shut tightly.

Flora looked around at the townspeople with a pout, and when Benio remained silent for a long time, she looked up, puzzled.

Benio was making a rare, surprised expression, different from before.

"...You're right."

The words that barely escaped his lips were short.

Yet, his confusion was palpable even to Flora.

His reaction, as if he had never once thought of such a thing, left Flora dumbfounded.

"The people who say things like that are the worst ones."

It wasn't a statement made specifically to comfort Benio.

She just felt bad hearing it.

Are the people who slander those who sacrifice themselves to show kindness really good people?

Why do the Lucifers live receiving this kind of treatment from humans?

Overwhelmed by a surge of pity, Flora patted Benio's back.

"Next time, if there's someone who says things like that, bring them to me."

"Why?"

"Why? Why? To kick the shins of the bastard spouting nonsense, of course."

"Pfft."

"Eh? You laughed."

For the first time in half a day, Benio laughed.

And it was because of something Flora said.