The Baby Villain Dreams of Conquering the World

Chapter 70

Episode 70

When things go well, it's thanks to them; when things go wrong, it's Lucifer's fault.

That's why this situation where Lucifer was doing well felt too sudden and very displeasing.

To proceed with business while ignoring such admirable vassals. Whether they genuinely thought this was right or not, he intended to use this opportunity to crush their arrogant notions.

'What business does Lucifer think they're doing, trying to accumulate money in the first place?'

They were sufficient just fulfilling their role as butchers who subjugate monsters, standing at the frontlines of the battlefield to protect the North.

Just then, as if the inspection had ended, his aide returned to the carriage.

"Is it over?"

"Yes, it took a bit longer because they checked not only the luggage but also the identities of all the accompanying personnel."

"They said just being my people isn't enough for identification? Hah, that's unbelievable. Are they daring to ignore me?"

"I heard the inspections for everyone visiting the castle, not just our Marquis house, have become stricter than before. They say if you refuse inspection, you can't even set foot inside."

"Now that they've made money, they think they're something, don't they? But they're still just Lucifers at the end of the day."

"How about meeting the Duke and formally protesting?"

"That's exactly what I'll do. I'll make them explain everything from suddenly starting to make money to what's really going on now."

After all, the Lucifers were just guys who only looked strong on the outside; if you push them a little, they usually cower and try to accommodate—easy targets.

The Marquis entered the castle without much concern.

"Marquis, let me assist with guiding you..."

Though the butler hurriedly approached, he waved him off, saying it was fine, and started walking aimlessly.

And he swallowed his surprise at the sight that was clearly different from his last visit three years ago.

'It seems they really did make money.'

Seeing the ducal castle transformed so splendidly that it was incomparable to his memory, it seemed the rumors about them raking in money not just from the North but also from the Imperial Capital weren't false, which irritated him.

'If they had shared this with me earlier, a portion of this money would have come to me too.'

Just as he arrived near the office, he saw a crowd of middle-aged men in neat formal wear swarming from the opposite corridor.

"Oh, isn't that Marquis Strode?"

The faces of those greeting him happily also held the same thoughts as Marquis Strode. Similarly, someone trying to guide them was following with an embarrassed expression.

'Just wait and see.'

The Marquis yelled angrily at the servants trying to stop them and flung open the office door.

This was possible because he believed this level of rudeness was acceptable, and thus they entered boldly.

Contrary to their expectation that Athanas would be sitting there waiting for them, the office was empty.

No, instead of a man with a heavy atmosphere, a fresh and lively little girl was sitting there.

Those who were about to offer formal greetings unconsciously stiffened and looked at each other with puzzled expressions, checking each other's reactions.

'A girl?'

'Isn't this His Grace the Duke's office?'

'Why is a girl like that here?'

The seven men all swallowed their displeasure as they looked at Flora sitting in the center of the office with dumbfounded expressions.

Not knowing who she was, but wondering how she dared to sit so boldly in the Duke's seat where even they couldn't sit, Marquis Strode stepped forward, thinking she needed to be taught a severe lesson.

"Who are you to dare sit in His Grace the Duke's seat!"

His low, growling voice was quite threatening, but Flora instead laughed softly as if amused and asked.

"Well then, who are you, Ajeossi, coming in without even a greeting?"

"We are the leaders of the Northern Noble Alliance serving the Lucifer Ducal House! What is your identity! Get down from that seat immediately!"

At the Marquis's shout, Flora twisted her hair and continued her introduction as if she hadn't heard.

"Is that so? My name is Flora."

Watching those who muttered that her name sounded familiar, Flora raised her hand brightly and smiled.

"I'm the daughter of the Dad you're looking for!"

Even after this introduction, none of the vassals offered greetings first.

Considering they likely hadn't properly heard news of Flora, making her identity hard to believe, they were still ill-mannered.

'These guys are completely unreasonable? Good thing I came to check.'

She disliked constantly changing her mind, but ultimately, Flora had turned her steps back, skipped her meal, and headed to the office.

This was right after she heard that Athanas and Isaac had left the castle.

If they were polite people, they should rightly wait in the reception room, but sometimes there are those times, right? When you feel strangely uneasy and have a bad feeling.

Benio could receive them while the adults were away, but Benio was still too young a Lucifer.

'What if they take advantage of him when no one's watching?'

If they were the kind of people who would barge into the office like this, stripping Benio bare in an instant would be nothing to them.

'Do they think I'd just stand by and watch that?'

Of course, the youngest Lucifer in this castle was Flora, but unlike the big bears, being an evil, wicked Great Demon made dealing with arrogant people no difficult task.

Thus, it was time to execute the operation named 'I Protect Our Big Bears.'

She instructed them not to send news to Athanas and Isaac, who had gone to the Ice Castle on business, and since Benio was training alone in the practice grounds, she asked the maids to ensure he didn't come out.

The butler, Zamira, and even Elena were all shocked, but before they could stop her, these people had barged in like that, so what could she do?

In the end, things would go according to Flora's will.

'I was curious what kind of people they were...'

She wanted to check if those serving Lucifer, who was branded a traitor, were truly offering sincere loyalty and trusting him, but it seemed unnecessary.

'They're below expectations. They're just worthless husks who came to see if there's anything to plunder.'

The eyes of those who came were so steeped in desire that not a single one had clear eyes.

Even though Flora introduced herself as the Young Lady, not one of them greeted her, and instead of paying attention to the child, only greedy glances busily moved around, checking how the reception room had changed.

'Disappointing, so disappointing.'

How could she trust and entrust them with anything like this?

'It would be fortunate if they just didn't plunder us.'

Actually, if they seemed to genuinely respect Lucifer and had the will to help with business and develop together, she thought it might be okay to give them a small portion of the vast money...

'I've decided. I'm canceling that thought.'

Flora resolved to firmly warn Isaac, the Money Ghost, on behalf of the naive big bear Lucifers, never to be swayed by them.

'I hoped at least someone half as capable as Isaac would appear, but it's a pity.'

Flora swallowed her disappointment and stood up.

As the child, who had been quiet after her self-introduction, stood up, people's gazes turned toward Flora again.

"Dad isn't here."

"...Are you truly the Young Lady?"

Marquis Strode spoke, but whether he asked out of courtesy or not, he didn't wait for an answer and was busily scanning the surroundings.

"Ung. It's not fun, so I'm going."

They didn't stop Flora even when she said she was leaving. Since the Young Lady wasn't part of their interests from the start, it was natural.

The moment Flora left, Elena, who had been waiting outside, knocked and entered the reception room.

"Greetings, I am Elena, the Acting Head Maid of this castle. As His Grace the Duke is temporarily away, I will guide you to the reception room."

"Is that necessary? We can just wait here."

Unlike the other servants, Elena answered firmly to Marquis Strode's words.

"It is His Grace's order."

Disappointment clouded the eyes of those who had thought to lightly browse through business plans and such while Athanas was away.

But even after seeing the ducal house's knights standing behind Elena, they had no intention of forcing the issue.

After all, they were the ones who had much to gain for now.

They cleared their throats and followed Elena out of the office.

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Athanas is a truly kind person.

Not just because he's her father, but his nature itself is angelic, contrary to his appearance.

'Sigh, I don't want to go in.'

Otherwise, he wouldn't even think of holding a welcome party for these unreasonable bandits who came demanding money.

At the very least, if it were Flora, she would never consider it.

Whether he knew Flora's feelings or not, Athanas, holding Flora dressed in a pretty dress, looked very pleased.

'Our kind, foolish big bear father...'

Looking at Isaac on the opposite side trying his best to hide his disgusted expression, she felt a sort of camaraderie.

"Flora, the people who visited our castle today are those who have protected the North alongside our family for a long time."

While she was briefly lost in other thoughts, Athanas began speaking in a somewhat excited voice.

"Ung. I'm hearing and seeing them for the first time."

Her words implied she had never seen them visit the castle before, and he laughed affably.

"Everyone must have been busy making a living."

"It's too sudden, though."

"It seems they missed us that much, so let's welcome them."

His laughing appearance was incredibly refreshing. Beside him, Isaac could no longer hide his extremely irritated expression.

'Father is a fool. A fool who would have his pockets completely emptied if I and Isaac weren't here.'

Swallowing the words she couldn't bring herself to say aloud, Flora openly sighed.

"Well then, let's go in."

When they opened the door and entered, they saw Benio, who had arrived at the dining hall first, talking with the vassals.

Though she didn't know what they were saying, his stiff expression showed he was very tense.

'Are they bothering our little big bear right now?'

She glared with hawk-like sharp eyes, and their gazes turned toward Athanas and Flora, who had just entered.

"Oh, Your Grace!"

About ten people were gathered, ranging from those who looked slightly older than Athanas to younger ones, evenly mixed.

According to Athanas's order, they had sent invitations to other nobles as well, and there were more than Flora had seen in the office during the day.

'So these are the main nobles of the North?'

She wondered why the North was so unlucky.