The Baby Villain Dreams of Conquering the World

Chapter 75

Episode 75

"Basi..."

Why did Basilian leave like that and not send a single message?

From what she heard from Athanas, it seemed he was living with mercenaries around the Ice Castle, but even so, the fact that he didn't visit meant he probably didn't want to see her.

"Hey, is Basi really busy?"

"Huh?"

"Is he so busy practicing swords that he doesn't even have time to send me a letter? If I send a letter first, will I get a reply?"

As Flora's shoulders slumped with a voice full of disappointment, lightning struck Elena's head.

'Our Young Lady is so pitiful.'

How sad must she have been when the precious friend she made upon arriving at the ducal castle suddenly left?

'Basilian is so heartless too. Even though he cherished the Young Lady so much, not a single message.'

If a lady was considering contacting him first, how anxious must she have been inside, even if she hadn't said anything until now.

"That can't be. Basilian must be so busy adapting to the new place that he hasn't had time. I'm sure he'll send you a letter as soon as he settles in to let you know he's doing well."

"Really?"

"Of course! If the Young Lady eats well, goes for walks, and stays healthy, a letter will arrive soon."

At the tone that clearly sounded like placating a child, Flora's feelings became strange.

Although she had been feeling gloomy just moments ago because there was no contact from Basilian, thinking about it, she wasn't really a child, couldn't she wait this much?

'Someone might think my patience is truly at a five-year-old level.'

Thinking that Janet, the sparrow nesting on one side of the bed, must have seen her being babied made her feel even more peculiar.

'My pride as a Great Demon must be scraping the bottom.'

Of course, it would be unreasonable to maintain the demeanor of a Great Demon in a five-year-old body, but still, she wanted to be careful about showing this side in front of her subordinate.

"I'll be six soon. I'll get older after the new year. I can wait."

Not wanting to continue the conversation further, she puffed out her chest and spoke, and only then did the worry disappear from Elena's expression.

"That's right. Already six years old... Young Lady, growing quickly is good, but you shouldn't grow up too fast. I still want to go on many walks with the Young Lady."

"Ung? Even if I get older, I'll go on many walks with Elena? So next time, let's go for a walk together, Elena!"

At the lively answer, Elena smiled happily and began brushing her hair again.

Confirming that she was focusing on the pink hair again, Flora inwardly sighed in relief.

The conversation had somehow drifted to Basilian, making her feel momentarily gloomy, but as busy as he was, Flora was busy too.

'So I shouldn't feel gloomy just because there's no contact.'

Otherwise, Basilian's name might truly become "He Who Must Not Be Named."

'Anyway. I should go for walks alone more often from now on to reassure them. And while I'm at it, call the Count and receive progress reports.'

Looking at Elena humming again, she felt a slight pang of conscience as if she were being deceitful, but since she hadn't actually lied, it should be fine.

'I think I should keep meeting the Count a secret from now on too.'

Janet was watching to ensure no one approached, and besides Count Vittora, no one knew about the secret agreement the two had made.

'By the way, I was lucky.'

She was worried that selling Shalias saplings might reduce the Finny Orphanage's profits, and just when she was wondering how to utilize the special fruits, an alchemist appeared, solving her concerns.

Moreover, he was favorable toward the Mercenary Guild business and full of passion, which she liked.

'And though the castle's manpower has its limits... I still don't like the vassals other than the Count.'

Those with excessive greed should be properly weeded out, and keeping vassals who haven't yet shown their potential close would help the North's development.

'Well, Isaac probably told me with that intention too.'

Seeing how he organized and delivered the characteristics of the visiting vassals' families last night, it was obvious he expected some solution from me.

'In Isaac's eyes, I've truly moved beyond being an ordinary five-year-old.'

When they first discussed business, he treated her somewhat cautiously as if testing the waters, but after seeing her blatantly criticize the vassals in front of him yesterday, it seemed he had finally decided not to care about her age.

'Is this right?'

Well, if she hadn't wanted this, Flora could have behaved properly.

'It's better for me to be treated comfortably from now on.'

Although she was concerned about showing part of her true self not only to Isaac but also to Count Vittora, since he was smart and ambitious, he would probably keep his mouth shut accordingly.

'And if he shows signs of spreading rumors somewhere? I can just deal with it appropriately.'

Since she had Janet, that wouldn't be difficult either.

'So now I just need to wait for excellent results?'

While lost in thought, before she knew it, her hair brushing was finished and she was changed into pajamas.

Lying quietly in bed without fussing as usual, Elena gently brushed back the hair flowing over her forehead.

"Young Lady, you look particularly angelically beautiful today."

Well, she had been concerned about how to utilize the Shalias fruits, but since she thought it would be resolved soon, it seemed she would sleep well tonight.

"It's because Elena is putting me to sleep."

And she was not merely an angel but something greater, a Great Demon.

Of course, Flora, who was wisely performing her five-year-old role professionally, didn't show any signs.

"You speak so beautifully too."

Elena's affectionate kiss touched her forehead.

Thanks to the ticklish, warm affection, the smile forming on Flora's lips was genuine.

"You must have sweet dreams."

"Ung, good night, Elena too."

As she quietly closed her eyes, the room lights went out.

Flora went to bed with a pounding heart.

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

The business contest suddenly held by Duke Lucifer caused quite a significant change among the vassals.

The vassals who had previously united tightly around Marquis Strode began watching each other to grasp a business they had considered insignificant until now.

"You, did you enter my room without permission? No matter how informal our relationship is, I'd appreciate if you maintained some basic courtesy!"

When Count Chichen raised his voice, Count Faruna, who was passing through the corridor and suddenly got into an argument, stood his ground and retorted.

"You're saying that to me? Didn't you secretly ask my aide about business progress recently? Seeing my plans going smoothly, you must be coveting them, right?"

Even those who initially said there was no need to plan so diligently for mercenaries began to feel rushed as others around them started preparing passionately, showing signs of generous investment for the contest.

"I was just asking about the progress! The way you say it makes it sound like I was asking for detailed plans!"

"Are you saying prying meticulously wasn't to hear detailed plans? If you want good results, show some sincerity by spending money! Being so fond of free things is why you're going bald!"

"What, seriously?"

The news that the two counts fought in the annex corridor, grabbing each other's scarce hair, reached the other vassals as well.

Although there are no permanent allies in noble society, the sight of them treating each other as enemies, unlike before, in just a few days was quite an unfamiliar scene in the North.

This was because they had Lucifer, who had been like a common enemy until now, so there was no reason to blame each other or show hostility.

'The atmosphere feels strange.'

Given this, it wasn't difficult for Marquis Strode, who was at their center, to feel a sense of discord.

Why were they suddenly so enthusiastic about an insignificant business, and why had an atmosphere been created where they felt a sense of crisis if they didn't participate?

Then, the annoying fox-like face of Isaac passed through Marquis Strode's mind.

'Could that aide be playing tricks?'

He, who became Athanas's aide at a young age because he had various abilities, was quite loyal.

Since Isaac came from an insignificant family, his desire for success was high, and he had the brains to support it.

He even knew magic tricks and had enough ability to protect himself, making assassination difficult.

Thanks to that, the Lucifer Ducal House had been able to directly command the copper mine and construction business management rights without having them taken by other vassals until now.

'Rumors spread that he became a Money Ghost as the business flourished... Could the contest be just an excuse, and he's actually planning to reduce the vassals' influence?'

Unlike his fierce appearance, Athanas tended to cherish his people, so if his loyal aide flattered him beside him, there was a high probability he would cooperate with his plan.

'Right, this contest itself was nonsense from the start. No matter whose idea it was, it's incredibly shrewd.'

It was a deduction quite close to the truth, only differing in who the mastermind was.

'Right, no matter how desperate, things shouldn't be this overheated. Someone must definitely be playing tricks behind the scenes.'

Look at them even now.

Even when they pass me in the corridor, they just give light greetings and quickly disappear.

Originally, someone with power like me shouldn't be directly conceiving business plans but just selecting good ideas from those submitted by subordinates.

If they had good plans, they should naturally present them to me first for approval, but I don't like how these arrogant people are neglecting me with useless greed filling their heads.

'Right, since Lucifer defeated the demon, perhaps these changes are also natural.'

If the world's perception of Lucifer changes and they regain power, the Strode Marquis house won't be able to live luxuriously as the hidden rulers of the North like now.

Outwardly, they were the second-in-command, but in reality, they lived like the first.

And this was about to change due to Duke Lucifer's unusual actions.

'This won't do.'

The root of the problem was that I had taken entering the ducal residence too lightly from the start.

'How to break this momentum?... Ruining the contest should be the priority.'

I had to ensure Athanas couldn't attempt anything new and, as always, had no choice but to depend heavily on the Strode Marquis house.

'Is there no method...'

As he finished his walk to check the annex atmosphere and returned to his room, opening the door, his aide standing awkwardly came into view.

"Why do you look so dumbfounded?"

Just as he was getting irritated about finding nothing satisfactory, the aide approached with a tense face and handed him something he was tightly clutching.

"Marquis, actually, a letter like this arrived for you earlier. I thought you should check it..."

"Already busy enough to die. What kind of letter is causing such a fuss?"

The aide confirmed that no one was in the corridor beyond the open door and hurriedly closed it.

Then, with a face afraid someone might hear, he whispered something in the Marquis's ear.

"It's a separate letter from Duke Desimo of the South to you, Marquis."

"What? Is that true?"

At the sudden appearance of a heavyweight, the Marquis sighed with a tired face.

'He always ignored my letters until now, what's this about?'

He had secretly contacted him thinking about establishing connections to advance into the Imperial Capital.