The Baby Villain Dreams of Conquering the World

Chapter 39

Episode 39

The Red Serpent mercenary band, to which Prek belonged, was currently staying at Lucifer Castle as guests, having received an invitation from Duke Lucifer.

Enjoying comfortable sleeping quarters, warm food, and looks free from people's contempt, luxuries they could never normally dream of, they had been resting comfortably for several days now.

"Basi, where did that kid go?"

"He hasn't returned since the Young Lady took him away."

The mercenary band's leader, Prek, and vice-leader, Jad, sighed simultaneously.

"I had no idea that Flora child was the Young Lady."

"Now that we've seen her, we know, don't we? She doesn't look a bit like His Grace. Basi didn't know either, that's why he brought her along."

"It seems the Young Lady has really taken a liking to Basi, doesn't it?"

"Yes, it would be better for that child to settle down in one place rather than in a mercenary band like this. It would be good if he could make a good impression on the Young Lady through this opportunity and get a job at the castle."

The two had met Basilian near the Demon Forest, just like Flora.

Feeling sorry for the child wandering the forest looking like he hadn't eaten for days, they took him in, only to find out he was looking for a mercenary band to rely on.

They wanted to refuse outright, but they were concerned about an 8-year-old child wandering alone.

In the end, they had no choice but to suggest he join as an errand boy first, since being a mercenary was too difficult.

He didn't talk much and often had a sullen expression, lacking any cute aspects, but he was diligent and hardworking, so they had grown fond of him during their time together.

"It feels like sending off a son."

"He's a kid we've known for less than a month, you know?"

"Wipe your tears and talk properly."

The leader, who had been chuckling at the sniffling vice-leader, sprang up from his seat at the sound of approaching footsteps.

The ones who entered with a firm knock were Athanas and Isaac.

"Y, Your Grace!"

As the two bowed as if about to kneel, Athanas stopped them.

"Be at ease. I merely came to express my gratitude for saving my daughter."

Athanas had them sit on the sofa and placed a flat iron plaque in front of them.

"Wh-what might this be?"

"It's a token of gratitude for saving and caring for my daughter. With this pass, you can freely come and go through Lucifer Territory. Anywhere in the north, if you show this plaque, they will provide you with a room and share food with you. When you need a place to rest, rest comfortably and then leave."

Since mercenaries were unwelcome everywhere, such treatment was special. Overwhelmed by a kindness they had never experienced in their lives, they were deeply moved.

"Th, that is... This is too generous. Helping someone found in the Demon Forest is something any decent person should do, isn't it?"

"You saved my daughter, so of course I must treat you as precious benefactors. Please don't feel burdened and accept it."

The leader, as if even touching it with his hands was burdensome, pulled out his collar and carefully placed it inside his clothes.

"Thank you. I will not forget this kindness."

"Good. Is there anything inconvenient?"

"Everyone is treating us so lavishly that we feel almost ashamed. However, we're unsure how long we should stay before leaving."

"Stay comfortably and leave when the time comes. Don't feel too burdened; at least prepare to leave after the injured are fully treated."

Feeling the care, which even seemed excessive, Prek bowed his head several times again, expressing his gratitude.

"Actually, there's one thing I'd like to ask you."

"Yes, I will answer to the best of my knowledge with all sincerity!"

"It's nothing major."

Athanas smiled a smile that Flora would find utterly gentle and spoke.

"This is purely a hypothetical situation. What would you think if we were to regularly provide work for the Red Serpent mercenary band?"

"Gasp, in that case, we would of course be grateful."

At the intense reaction, Athanas stepped back, and Isaac took the lead in speaking.

"Mercenaries usually lack places to rest comfortably, don't they? What if Lucifer were to also provide a base for the Red Serpent mercenary band to stay?"

"That would also be too kind!"

"In exchange, what if you only took on the work we provide? There's no compulsion regarding the work, but what are your thoughts on a method where you accept and carry out desired tasks from among those offered?"

"That doesn't sound bad either? On the contrary, it wouldn't feel right to receive such benefits for free."

"In that case, if we provide all of this in exchange for a mutually agreed-upon fee, would you consider using it?"

"Yes, if the price isn't burdensome, I think we'd use it right away. Are you perhaps planning to manage mercenaries?"

At Prek's sharp question, Athanas smiled slightly.

It was a smile with good intentions, but due to his stern features, it looked quite sinister.

"That's right. I thought it would be good to provide work so mercenaries don't have to pound the pavement, and create an affiliation for them to rely on for protection."

"Are you speaking of something like a guild?"

"For now, a guild is the goal."

The leader and vice-leader of the Red Serpent mercenary band exchanged looks and then nodded simultaneously.

"If such an affiliated organization existed, we would gratefully join. If work comes in regularly, the fees wouldn't be a burden either."

"I see. Thank you for kindly answering the questions. Nothing is clearly decided yet, and it's in the planning stage, but if we proceed, we will propose it to the Red Serpent mercenary band first. Until then, please keep it secret."

The atmosphere was better than expected.

When asked if they had any desired conditions, they hesitated for a moment before eagerly starting to list their wishes.

"It would be good if the mercenaries had a home to return to! A space for camaraderie among members, individual rooms, and cooking facilities to store and prepare food!"

"I also... I don't even hope for a soft bed, but I'd really like individual space. And I know it's presumptuous, but I wish we could receive tasks based on a subdivision of our abilities, allowing us to take on work within our respective capabilities to make a living."

The more he listened to those currently working in the field, the more he felt both sorry for them and a sense of kinship. Why was that?

As Athanas watched these people, he recalled Flora shouting that she would make her father live in plenty.

Since his flower-like daughter came to his side, his surroundings had become lively, making him think that this was what it meant to live a human life.

Athanas called other mercenaries, listened to their opinions, and began sketching out new possibilities.

'We must not remain stagnant.'

For the sake of his precious children, Benio and Flora, Lucifer had to change.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · · · · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

Basilian looked down at Flora, who had fallen asleep holding his hand tightly, and carefully pulled his hand away.

She had fallen asleep with her cheek resting on the sketchbook while coloring with crayons, so her chubby cheeks were stained with various colors.

"I will attend to the Young Lady."

Flora's maid, Elena, approached and picked her up.

'She has such complicated eyes.'

The personal maid would look at her Young Lady as if she were a precious treasure one moment, then glare at her venomously the next, before finally looking down with a sad expression.

'It feels like keeping her close will lead to trouble.'

Does no one else find this woman suspicious?

Basilian thought he should subtly warn Flora next time and left her room.

Because Flora always saw him off, walking back alone felt more bitter than usual. It felt exactly like being a child abandoned by the world.

'It's not an incorrect statement either.'

Basilian quickened his pace to return to the quarters assigned to his mercenary band.

The northern customs he had initially encountered with bewilderment, the dark corridors without a single light on, had now become familiar enough to walk through with his eyes closed.

'Still, I probably can't stay here long.'

Having met many different people, Basilian found Flora to be a type of person he had never seen before.

She would act spoiled and flaunt her age, but then show intelligence that made him suspect she was lying about her age.

'Who would have thought the words 'Mercenary Guild' would come from a 4-year-old?'

He was so shocked that a business he once wanted to try himself was being mentioned by a girl four years his junior.

'Besides, being next to her feels comfortable.'

That was probably because Flora was brighter and more lovable than anyone else, and she didn't push Basilian away.

The attention and affection he tasted for the first time were so sweet that he couldn't easily shake them off.

That's precisely why Basilian couldn't stay here any longer.

He was an unlucky human who brought curses and misfortune; if he stayed by Flora's side, she too would go mad with misfortune.

As Basilian headed towards his assigned mercenary band quarters, he quietly watched the light of the full moon high in the sky seep into the corridor through the window.

Just then, a giant shadow fell behind him, and he jumped in surprise, turning around.

"Are you on your way back?"

At the calm voice, he turned to see Athanas looking down at him with a serene expression.

"Yes. No matter how fondly the Young Lady looks upon me, I cannot stay in the main castle."

The moment he lowered his eyes and tried to quickly move his steps, it was Athanas's form of address that stopped Basilian again.

"How long do you intend to hide your identity, Your Highness the Crown Prince?"

"......"

Whoosh.

The fierce northern wind roughly rattled the corridor windows as it passed.

The sound of the strong wind and the clattering windows filled the silence between the two.

How much time had passed?

Basilian let out a small sigh and swept his hand over his forehead as if he had a headache.

"Did you know I was the Crown Prince from the beginning?"

"I was uncertain at first... but I soon knew upon seeing the sword you carry."

Basilian recalled the single sword he had left in his room.

The sword passed down to the Imperial Crown Prince was a Holy Sword whose size changed moment by moment to fit its owner's body.

"I never heard news of your disappearance... Why were you relying on a mercenary band?"

"Why else? To survive."

Even the mere thought of his dreadful parents still made Basilian's skin crawl.

"As long as I cannot wield the sword properly, I cannot return to the Imperial Family. You are a Lucifer, so you know well, don't you?"

At those words, Athanas closed his mouth firmly and nodded.

The curse placed upon them for killing the Great Demon Mors; that curse began not from anyone else, but from the Imperial Family itself.

"To avoid going mad with the frenzy, I must become stronger. To survive. That is why I left the palace and wander."

And that curse had also been placed upon the young boy before him.