The Baby Villain Dreams of Conquering the World

Chapter 89

Episode 89

'This is why the human brain is so...'

Grumbling that she never had this problem when she was Mors, Flora decided to lift her mood since she was already here and unfolded the letter from Basilian that had arrived this morning.

The letter from that fickle Basilian, who said he'd return when he got stronger, yet hadn't shown his face for nearly two years now.

'I heard he came to the guild not long ago. He left without even seeing me.'

She was starting to find it bothersome and tiresome to always ask Atanas, and she wondered if Basilian knew that Atanas always took the letter while being mindful of her feelings.

If he hadn't sent a letter every two weeks, she would never have forgiven him.

Reading the letter made her miss Basilian, giving her all sorts of thoughts.

'Basil is eleven this year. He must have grown a lot.'

Even at nine, he was taller than most kids his age, so he probably still looked older than his actual age.

'Unlike me. I'm a little jealous of that.'

Using a bit of imagination about how he might have grown, Flora told herself this wasn't the time and unfolded the letter.

My dear Flora, are you doing well as always?

"I wonder what it says today."

I heard the guild members are going on a subjugation mission to the Demon Forest this time. The western forest, the one under the Bellasia Ducal House's jurisdiction. I'm too young to participate, so it's irrelevant, but...

As she read down happily about his usual light updates and his exploits, a bolt of realization struck Flora's head.

"That's right, the Demon Forest!"

She had been living so peacefully lately, or more accurately, she had been so engrossed in the charm of swordsmanship that she had momentarily forgotten the plan she had made to increase her demonic power.

"Ugh, of all things to forget!"

To think she got distracted by swordsmanship while being so focused on expanding her vessel for demonic power.

「Did you remember something?」

"No!"

Janet, who had been quietly observing Flora's behavior, cautiously asked upon seeing her realization, and Flora shouted back.

Then she placed a hand on her own belly and whispered softly.

'Demonic power, it's not that, you know. You know you're the only one I have, right?'

The grand plan to use this demonic power, the source and strength of the Great Demon, to eliminate the three Ducal Houses and then the Imperial Family, and to seize this world in her grasp, was still burning like a hot ember in her heart.

'Right, I didn't forget. I just pushed the priority back for efficiency's sake.'

Sighing softly, Flora blamed it on living in too much peace lately.

'But what to do? The best way to grow demonic power is to go to the Demon Forest...'

As you know, the Northern Demon Forest, i.e., the Ice Castle, was already occupied by Lucifer's knights, so she couldn't train there.

'Of course, with Janet's help and the Shalias fruit, I've gathered much more demonic power than before, but I feel like I'm hitting a limit, I suppose.'

She cautiously speculated that if she went to the Demon Forests spread across the Empire and came into contact with the demonic energy flowing there, the vessel containing her demonic power might grow a little larger. But this plan was practically impossible as long as she lived with her family before growing up.

"Hmm, what to do."

In times like this, it would have been easier to move freely if she were still at the orphanage, and she felt a bit regretful about that.

Flora put her arms on the desk, rested her chin on them, and sank into thought. But no matter how much she thought, no useful ideas came to mind.

Why did the thought of running away to who-knows-where, getting kidnapped for no reason, and causing Atanas to collapse from worry keep popping up?

'No. I've shed some of my innocent image lately...'

If she personally caused a ruckus, it might further tarnish Lucifer's image.

Either way, the outcome wasn't good.

'Hmm, what to do.'

She groaned again, but still, nothing useful came to mind.

"Ah, forget it! Let's just sleep!"

Originally, when something doesn't work out, leaving it to tomorrow's self is the best method.

Atanas said it was a bad method, but she had heard that Xenophia did that and achieved quite good results.

Flora decided to trust her first human subordinate only at times like this.

Lying down on the bed with a thud, she must have been tired, as her eyes began to grow hazy and close.

Janet flew over and turned off the light, and Flora fell asleep in an instant.

And the next day, just as Xenophia had said, when she left it to the Flora of the next day, the miracle of a solution appearing was performed.

The time has come to place Lucifer's sins upon the judgment stand.

Along with a rather infuriating letter.

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

It happened while Flora was studying in Atanas's office.

A butler came in with a serious expression, carrying a silver tray with a lid, and the expressions of Atanas and Isaac hardened upon seeing it.

'What is that, why is everyone making such serious faces?'

Only after Benio, who was having a lesson with his tutor, also arrived, could she learn the identity of what was on the tray.

On the silver tray, laid with a red carpet, was a single roll of luxurious parchment.

It was a letter sent by Duke Bellasia, the ruler of the West.

Atanas, who read the letter first, pressed firmly on his eye patch and swallowed a deep sigh.

Benio read it next, and even though Flora didn't pester him to show her, the letter finally ended up in the child's hands.

A rumor is spreading that the demon residing in the Western Demon Forest is kidnapping, torturing, and eating the children of the territory. The anxiety of the territory's people is reaching the heavens, so the Western nobles have gathered and decided to subjugate this cruel demon. In the name of Beshart, I command you to participate in this schedule and prove your innocence.

"This is one of the sins Lucifer must bear."

After reading the absurd letter, Atanas explained its nature with a dark, sunken expression.

It was the moment of judgment delivered upon Lucifer.

As Flora also knows, Lucifer was the Hero of Disgrace who betrayed humanity in the past.

Therefore, whenever an opportunity arises, they undergo a judgment to prove they will not repeat their wrongs, but it was slightly different from a normal judgment.

While it ostensibly asks them to prove their innocence, it essentially means they should come and work hard at subjugation like mercenaries.

'We just handed over subjugation work to the mercenaries, and now they create new subjugation work and force it upon us directly?'

Although the rumor that Lucifer killed the Northern demon became fact, reducing that image somewhat, they were still the betrayers of humanity.

'I don't know why that image still persists.'

Even when she asked the reason, no one gave her a proper explanation.

She could only guess that breaking a long-standing, firmly entrenched wrong practice wasn't easy.

'Well, we're going to be traitors anyway, so it doesn't matter...'

But still, receiving such a letter must be quite a blow to one's pride.

Anyone's mood would fluctuate depending on whether they undertake subjugation voluntarily or are forced to participate against their will.

Even for gentle bears like them, it was the same.

"I'll go alone this time."

Then, Benio, who had been quietly glaring at the letter, was the first to speak.

"Father, you're busy with recent business expansions, so leaving your post doesn't seem like a good choice. The presence of the final authority figure is quite important in business."

He had been studying economics and management hard lately, so his words were quite persuasive.

"Benio, even so, going alone might be dangerous. It's a gathering not just of mercenaries, but of nobles from other regions and their knight orders."

"Have you forgotten that I went with you before, Father? I know that much. And originally, the letter doesn't say two people should come."

As Benio said, the threatening letter disguised as an invitation didn't contain such words.

"And I wanted to know how effective my training has been."

The North has fewer monsters than other regions and has a Mercenary Guild, so the two Lucifers didn't need to go out for monster subjugation and hunting.

"You taught me nothing is as important as real combat. Please permit me."

"But you're not even an adult yet......"

"I'll be an adult in just a year. I went on monster subjugation missions when I was younger than this, so it's fine."

At his confident son's answer, wrinkles formed on Atanas's brow.

"Someday, when I become the head of the house, I will also have to handle things alone. So please don't break my resolve."

It was truly a sad thing that he couldn't smile comfortably with pride at the sight of his admirable son, who was thinking of his father and sister.

"I'll support Oppa."

At Flora's answer, everyone in the room looked at the child with surprised eyes.

It was the complete opposite of the reaction they expected, which was her throwing a tantrum, insisting he absolutely must not go.

"What? Why is everyone looking at me like that? I'm a Lucifer now too, so I know that being stubborn won't solve something like this."

At her sulky voice, Benio was the first to snap out of it and nodded.

"Okay, thanks for sending me off."

"Don't mention it. So when is the subjugation? I want to make you a handkerchief to wish for your safe return before you go."

She meant the embroidered handkerchief given as a gift to knights going to war, wishing for their safe return.

Separate from her intention to support Benio and wish him not to get hurt, it was also a means to show she fully understood that this subjugation was akin to war.

"I'll probably leave in a week."

"That should be enough time to prepare. Alright, see you then!"

Flora smiled quite maturely and got up from her seat.

Benio, who had been silently watching his sister's retreating back, also stood up.

Her voice was bright, but the lonely look of her departing back couldn't just be his imagination.

How heartbreaking must it be to send someone off, knowing they might get hurt?

'You grew up too fast.'

He knew she was smarter than other kids her age, but separately from that, she had become mature far too quickly.

Even while knowing it couldn't be helped since she was a Lucifer child, the bitter taste in his mouth must be his own feelings.

"I'll walk you to your room."

"Okay!"

Therefore, he absolutely must not get hurt in this subjugation, and return safely and soundly.

All the more so, to convey a more certain trust to his lovely little sister in the future.

Unaware that worrying about and caring for his safety was an achievement Flora had created, he clenched his fist, which was large and scarred compared to his peers.

It was a moment to reaffirm his resolve once more as a Lucifer, as Flora's brother, and for his precious family.

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

Flora tied a pink flower, embroidered like her name, onto Benio's wrist as he departed for the subjugation.