The Baby Villain Dreams of Conquering the World

Chapter 85

Episode 85

As long as he ruined the contest and went to Duke Deshimo with the business plans the others had given up and handed over, he could maintain his power in the North with the Duke's help.

'Come to think of it, now that the demon is dead, developing the North might be easier.'

If he developed the North behind the ignorant Lucifer's back, his authority would only grow stronger.

'If only I could rise above the Duke on this occasion...'

If Lucifer were to fall completely, perhaps he could attach the Ducal title to the Strode name. Lost in such happy delusions, his thoughts were shattered the moment the meeting room door opened and Atanas entered.

The vassals, already seated, rose and greeted him.

"Good morning, Duke."

"I hope you had pleasant dreams last night."

A few words of courtesy mixed with flattery were exchanged, and Atanas accepted the greetings and sat in the prepared head seat.

'Tsk, acting all solemn when he's no different from a mercenary.'

Anyway, thinking him a clueless fool, Marquis Strode inwardly sneered.

'That smile will soon be ruined.'

"Oh, I have news that should please you all."

But the rising expectation in his heart burst like a balloon at Atanas's next words.

"You all have been pillars supporting the North, and I thought entrusting you with only this new business might be insufficient. So, after reviewing the business plans for this contest, even if it's not the first-place winner, if a plan is good, I'm considering selecting someone to take charge of another business as well."

The rumor that Count Vittora had once spread to drive a wedge between the vassals had become reality, and the gathered crowd began to buzz.

'What is this?'

'Didn't Marquis Strode clearly say such a thing wouldn't happen?'

'He said he had asked the Duke directly and heard it confirmed.'

'Wait, thinking about it, it is strange that he wouldn't give the vassals any work at all!'

Amid the highly chaotic atmosphere, Atanas coolly continued.

"But has no one submitted a plan yet?"

His gaze was directed at the empty submission desk.

"I distinctly heard everyone was participating diligently. Wasn't that why you all remained at the castle?"

At the sharp remark, the vassals' mouths clamped shut uniformly.

Pretending not to see the resentment in their eyes, Atanas was about to rise from his seat.

"Sorry I'm late!"

The door opened and Count Vittora entered.

"Business plan for the development of the Mercenary Guild business, submitted by Xenophia Vittora, right now!"

At Count Vittora's dramatic appearance, Marquis Strode, unable to contain his shock, sprang up from his seat.

With a clatter as his chair fell over, everyone's gaze shifted from the tardy Xenophia to Marquis Strode.

"Do you have something to say?"

"Ah, no. It's nothing. I heard Count Vittora had returned to his territory, so I was surprised and acted without thinking."

Something's wrong.

Feeling that something was amiss, Marquis Strode spoke with a pale complexion.

"My apologies, Your Grace. The truth is... I haven't been feeling well since last night, and I think I need some rest."

No sooner had his request to be excused ended than Count Vittora shouted.

"And along with my plan, I accuse Marquis Strode!"

Before Marquis Strode could shout "What nonsense is this?", Lucifer knights in full uniform entered through the open meeting room door.

"Marquis Strode is a threat to the peace of the North. To maintain his own power, he drove a wedge between the Duke and us vassals, and when his plans were discovered by me, he attempted assassination to eliminate me."

"Wha, what kind of nonsense is this now!"

"And that's not all! I submit these letters as evidence that he joined hands with forces hindering the North's development!"

Copies of the letters exchanged with Duke Deshimo, which he was sure he had burned to destroy the evidence, were distributed to everyone.

Seeing the yellowish original letter placed before Atanas, Marquis Strode's face turned pale blue.

"How... how could a Northern noble... join hands with a Duke from another region and try to ruin a Northern business?"

Whether due to Lucifer's influence, Northern nobles, despite holding the same rank as nobles from other regions, did not receive equal treatment.

It was difficult to form connections, and wasn't that why the phenomenon of Northern nobles banding tightly together, excluding Lucifer, occurred?

Because Marquis Strode had promoted unity based on that very resentment, the vassals were all the more shocked.

"N, No, Your Grace! This is all a false accusation! How could I possibly join hands with nobles from other regions! Who is it that made our North live such a harsh life!"

"Is that so? You didn't seem to think that way."

At Atanas's signal, someone was dragged in among the knights.

It was the vassal of Marquis Strode who had pretended to be Xenophia and left the territory earlier.

"Whether you are lying, or the loyal retainer who served you his whole life is lying, we shall see by watching. Take him away."

As Atanas commanded the knights, they immediately apprehended Marquis Strode without delay.

"Y, You can't do this! I'm wronged, I'm wronged, Your Grace!"

No matter how fiercely Marquis Strode resisted, it was futile against the knights tempered by battles with monsters.

With the meeting room door closing behind the pitifully dragged-away Marquis Strode.

"Then let us proceed with the contest."

Everything proceeded smoothly from then on.

It was a foregone conclusion that Xenophia, the sole applicant, the intended participant, and the one who brought a perfect business plan, would be selected.

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Hmm, it seems Count Vittora's acting was more excellent than expected.

"After that, Count Vittora demonstrated the protective item he had created before everyone, and it was announced that it would be supplied to the Mercenary Guild first and then proceed as a new business item. Of course, we hid the fact that it's made from the Shalias fruit."

"Can that secret be kept?"

Remembering what Flora had said in front of the knights, she worried if the secret could be kept, but Isaac nodded as if it were obvious.

"Of course. The knights are known for being tight-lipped."

Seeing his confident immediate answer, it seemed there was no need to worry.

"So what happened to the Marquis?"

"He received a punishment fitting for the crimes he committed."

Isaac smiled, withholding further details, and deftly changed the subject.

"Thanks to the Young Lady acquiring the Ice Castle, we found a gold mine and a magic stone mine. And thanks to the talent the Young Lady personally selected, we successfully increased the utility of the problematic Shalias fruit by turning it into a protective item. I don't think we could be any luckier."

"You're the one who recommended the Count to me."

"I didn't know it would yield such excellent results either. And in a way, it was the Young Lady who drew out that talent and passion."

Anyway, with words saying it was all thanks to Flora, the 'little treasure' praises came one after another.

His continuous praise of Flora only ended after Count Vittora, who had come to visit her, appeared.

"Oh my, Young Lady. I came running as soon as I heard you had woken up......"

Count Vittora smiled, giving a glance to Isaac sitting beside Flora.

"The Aide arrived faster than I did."

"News related to the Young Lady tends to reach me immediately. Oh my, did you bring a get-well gift too?"

"Of course. One must have at least this much when visiting the Young Lady."

Count Vittora placed the small flower basket he had brought on the bedside table.

"Oh my, the Count is far better than I am."

Laughing heartily while looking at each other, it seemed they had become very close in the meantime.

'Can I expect a collaboration between the Money Ghost and the Business Ghost?'

"Actually, compared to the Young Master, I was late too."

At Isaac's joking words, Flora steadied her pounding heart and then remembered someone she had forgotten.

"If we're counting like that, then Dad is the tardiest one. Where is Dad?"

The moment she asked the question, the conversation abruptly stopped.

Three seconds. A strange silence flowed for a moment, then Isaac suddenly sprang up from his seat.

"I still have much work to do, so I'll take my leave."

"No, I should go too."

"What nonsense is that, Count. You haven't been here long. You must have much to discuss with the Young Lady; I shall give you the space!"

"No, wait......"

Count Vittora reached out urgently, but Isaac, uncharacteristically nimble, slipped out of the room.

Suddenly left alone with him, the Count scratched his head awkwardly.

It clearly looked like they were trying to hide news about Atanas, so Flora's eyes narrowed.

"So, where's Dad?"

"I don't know."

"Count, are you playing games with me? If you keep this up, it's not fun."

"No, is it okay to tell this? Will she understand? No, of course she will. That's why it's even more impossible."

"Stop saying no."

Despite Flora's firm response, Count Vittora seemed to ponder quite a bit before finally shaking his head.

'......Well, whatever. This isn't the important thing right now anyway.'

She'd find out when Atanas returned, so there was no need to be unnecessarily cautious.

"So how was it?"

"Ah, it was a great success, of course!"

The story that followed wasn't much different from what she had heard from Isaac.

However, his face was ecstatic in a slightly different way.

"The business plan was a great success, and we've decided to receive help from my father for the missing parts. Thanks to the Duke looking upon me favorably, my father sprang up from his sickbed, saying our house would see light again."

With a look full of pride, he expressed his sincere gratitude.

"This is all thanks to you, Young Lady. If you hadn't chosen me, our house would never have seen such a bright day, nor would my father have recovered."

He bowed deeply, expressing his thanks repeatedly.

"As much as I have failed to properly fulfill my role as a vassal until now, I promise upon my name to show you even more than that!"

At the voice filled with fervent loyalty, a deep smile bloomed on Flora's lips.

It was a laugh that flowed naturally from the satisfaction of having fully obtained the subordinate she desired.