The Baby Villain Dreams of Conquering the World

Chapter 54

Episode 54

"Lucifer didn't betray me after all."

"Yes, the only one among the five Heroes."

The first person to become her precious friend, the one caught in a conspiracy that led to her death, and finally, the one who sacrificed his own life to bring her back.

"What a foolish guy."

Flora closed her eyes, thinking of her first friend, who was foolishly tender-hearted.

'If your soul hasn't been extinguished, just as you did for me, I will save you someday too.'

She made this small vow in her heart. When she opened her eyes, Janet was staring intently at her.

"You look sad."

"No way."

Flora firmly denied it with a deliberately stern expression. Then, she suddenly remembered one fact.

'But how did the others know that Etar used black magic?'

Seeing that they even thought he had failed, it seemed they didn't know the full story either.

"Do the other Heroes know what Etar did?"

"Them? How would they dare to know, when they haven't even visited the north?"

Janet definitively stated that the Heroes likely didn't know Lucifer had used black magic.

That made Flora even more confused.

"If they didn't know at all, how did they brand Etar a traitor?"

Seeing her bewildered expression, Janet smiled faintly at the corners of her mouth, adjusted her hold on Flora, and left the dining room.

"My lovely king. Humans are uglier than you think."

"I know that too."

"They didn't actually care whether Lucifer had truly used black magic or not. Whether he actually did it or not, they had the power to turn lies into truth however they wished. If they wanted to, they could just incite people."

Janet smiled a smile so cruel it felt chilling.

"Etar Lucifer died under mysterious circumstances, after all. Do you think they would have missed the chance to crush the influence of the Lucifers, who were a thorn in their side?"

"……So they just forced a false accusation on him, and it coincidentally happened to be true?"

"Yes, you are very clever."

Unlike the calm Janet, Flora's insides were boiling with rage.

But on the other hand, knowing that Etar Lucifer wasn't a traitor and that the misunderstanding was cleared up, she was glad that the kindness and affection he had shown her were genuine, and she felt secretly relieved that she wasn't born into an enemy's family.

'No wonder I kept being drawn to them and they kept coming to mind. It wasn't because my heart is weak; it was natural that I couldn't help but feel goodwill toward them.'

Now that she could care for the two Lucifer blockheads with peace of mind, she felt more at ease.

But at the same time, she was angry.

How dare the Heroes who killed her mess up the family of her only friend, the Lucifers, like this?!

She couldn't bear that the friend who tried to save her was socially buried, and that his descendants had to endure people's scornful looks and treatment for such a long time.

'Just think how hard those two blockheads have had it.'

They were steadfast people who, despite being unjustly treated terribly, fulfilled their duties without complaint or grievance.

They were foolishly kind, worrying more about their territory's people than their own interests, and trying to take responsibility even at the cost of their own bodies.

'Etar did actually save me, but nobody knows that.'

Even if someone knew he had used black magic, since Flora was reborn over a thousand years later, it wouldn't be strange to view it as a failure.

In a word, the current Lucifer Ducal House had every right to cry injustice.

And so what if he used black magic?

After all, Flora, no, Mors, is a being sent down by the Chief God Beshart. To label her as evil is absurd, as she is a being born from the embrace of a god.

In short, since he saved a child of god, the Lucifer Ducal House should hold their heads high.

"Ah, that's right!"

After fuming to herself for a while, Flora seemed to have a good idea, clenching her fist and tapping her palm.

"If Lucifer really becomes a traitor, then they won't be unjustly accused, right?"

Her mischievously lopsided grin was an expression perfectly suited to the word 'mischief-maker'.

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"It's been a long time, Duke Lucifer."

Athanas looked at Duke Bellasia, who was greeting him just as he entered the bank, and nodded expressionlessly.

"Lucky you. I happened to be visiting the bank on business."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, I had some funds to deposit. By the way, it's rare for you to come to the Imperial Capital...... What brings you all the way here?"

Duke Bellasia wore a congenial smile, but Athanas, who knew his true nature, found this display utterly detestable.

'He's as brazen as ever.'

He could feel the gazes of the people in the bank on him as the Duke subtly looked down on him with his question.

"I came to the bank on business. What other reason could there be?"

"No, I was asking your reason for coming to the Imperial Capital. Surely you didn't come all this way just to stop by the bank."

Look at him. He already knows the details of why he's here, yet he probes his intentions so naturally. It's utterly insidious.

"Usually, the reason someone comes straight to the bank upon arriving in the Imperial Capital from their territory is either because their life is going wonderfully well and they've struck it rich, or because they've hit rock bottom......"

Seeing the question in his eyes asking 'which one is it?', Athanas clicked his tongue inwardly.

He was clearly determined to humiliate him in front of everyone, and even someone as stoic as him was starting to get angry.

Just as Athanas was about to speak.

"It's been a long time, Duke Bellasia."

Benio, who had gotten out of the carriage later than Athanas, approached the two and greeted them the moment he entered the bank.

"Oh, if it isn't the Young Duke Athanas. Have you been well? Seeing how much you've grown, you must be healthy."

"Yes, I've been well."

"I see. So the Young Duke came to the Imperial Capital with you?"

Duke Bellasia smiled happily at the fact that he could doubly humiliate them.

"If you need money and are here for a loan, come to me instead of the bank. For you, I'd lend it at a low interest rate, trusting your character."

"That won't be necessary."

Despite Athanas's firm refusal, Duke Bellasia didn't lose his smile.

"Why create such distance between us? It's fine, you can ask me for as much as you need."

"Just what about me makes you think I need to borrow money from you? Are your funds that plentiful? If so, you should use that money to take better care of your territory's people instead."

But at Athanas's sharp admonishment, delivered in a displeased voice, his smile stiffened.

"I don't know what rumors you've heard or where you heard them, but please step aside now."

"You know very well that with your circumstances, getting a loan is difficult."

Unlike a moment ago, Duke Bellasia now looked serious. Benio, who had been quietly watching, stepped in.

"I apologize for interrupting your conversation."

With a face identical to Athanas's, he spoke as if it were nothing.

"We came to withdraw money."

"What? What kind of nonsense is that......"

Seeing the flustered Duke of Bellasia, Athanas openly let out a sigh.

Seeing the displeasure on his face, the Duke hurriedly wiped the incredulous look off his face, but it was too late.

"Please step aside now."

"My apologies, Duke Lucifer. If I offended you, I apologize. As a gesture of apology, I'd like to invite you to dinner tonight. How about it?"

Even this hastily thrown-out suggestion to smooth things over was met with a cold response.

"The invitation is appreciated, but we are pressed for time. Unfortunately, we don't have time to entertain you."

Saying this, Athanas led Benio and Isaac, who were behind him, inside.

At the unequivocal response, Duke Bellasia could only stare blankly as the Lucifer family entered.

Unfazed by the people's stares, the Lucifer family headed proudly toward the bank manager's office.

'It seems the atmosphere has changed a bit.'

Duke Lucifer was a blunt man devoid of friendliness, but he would usually accept suggestions from Duke Bellasia or the other dukes while being mindful of the consequences, to prevent sparks from flying toward himself, his family, and his territory. Everyone knew this, and they used it for their amusement.

But Duke Lucifer from a moment ago seemed like a different person from before.

Leaving the bank, Duke Bellasia took out a familiar cigar, cut it, and lit it.

'Did finding a daughter cause a change of heart?'

It was a pity, that paternal affection, since there would be no daughter to welcome him when he returned to his territory anyway.

'Well, it's none of my business, but how arrogant.'

Whether he got his daughter back or not, it didn't sit well with him to see Lucifer stepping out of line, not knowing his place.

Duke Bellasia, his eyes full of irritation, gave an order to his aide who had followed him.

"Find out what money they withdrew, and how much. And don't forget to send another invitation to their lodgings."

"Yes, understood."

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Greeting Duke Lucifer as he finished his business at the bank was Duke Bellasia's aide.

"Duke Bellasia wishes to apologize for his earlier rudeness and has invited you to a small banquet being held tomorrow afternoon. We sincerely hope you will attend and grace the occasion with your presence."

The aide, who had been waiting for them in front of the bank, smiled brightly and presented the invitation, but they politely declined, saying they were returning to their territory immediately.

"My apologies. We plan to return to our territory, so we likely cannot attend the banquet. Please convey our regrets to your master as well."

While the aide was flustered by the unwavering refusal, they all boarded the carriage.

Their destination was, of course, Lucifer territory.

Not long after the carriage started moving, Athanas asked Benio, who was quietly reading a book.

"Are you really sure it's okay to use this money?"

"Father, you're being unlike yourself, asking so many times."

Unlike his usual expressionless self, Benio showed a slightly exasperated look as he closed his book.

In truth, Benio didn't need to come on this trip.

Checking loan eligibility, putting up collateral, and receiving the loan should have been the end of it.

"But this is the inheritance your mother left, isn't it? The one Nersha left, saying she wanted to add to it for your wedding."