The Baby Villain Dreams of Conquering the World

Chapter 95

Episode 95

"And experiencing this firsthand makes you truly understand the current situation of mercenaries, which is good, right? It also creates motivation to work harder to improve the treatment of mercenaries in the future."

Along with that, she also developed a determination to crush the pride of the Executor Bureau, but Flora wisely held her tongue.

"And did only I hear that? Basil, you heard it too."

"For me, it's something I hear every day."

He had exploded like a volcano when it was about Flora, but when it was about himself, he became utterly calm again. She couldn't help but frown at that.

"Don't think of that as normal. I don't like you, or any other mercenary, working while receiving such treatment."

Saying this, Flora raised her arm and stroked the head of Basilian, who had somehow become deflated.

"And you know what? Among those who pity us as if they're something, acting all sympathetic, there isn't a single one who actually steps forward to offer help?"

"What?"

"I guarantee you, it's always the ones who do nothing who have the loudest mouths."

This was a realization born from experience, from having lived in a poor orphanage.

"If they truly felt sorry for us, they would have come to help us right away. But they only talk. Offering sympathy they don't, or can't, act on."

Of course, there were surely people who genuinely worried and felt sorry for the pitiful.

But what those two showed was the act of gaining a sense of superiority by looking down on those they deemed beneath them.

"It's just hypocrisy. Comforting themselves that they're better while putting others down."

Thinking about how lacking one must be to find solace in such things made it seem ridiculous rather than angering.

"So don't take it to heart. No matter what anyone says, both you and I are far better people than those jerks."

As Flora finished speaking, Basilian, as if realizing something, smoothed his expression and nodded.

"You're right. Getting angry over such jerks feels like a waste of time."

"Right?"

The two soon forgot the Executors who had insulted them and began chatting and laughing softly together.

After the children left to clean up the trash, the mercenaries of the Red Serpent Mercenary Band, who had been quietly observing the situation from behind, slipped into view.

"Such admirable thinking for such a young age."

"I was getting angry just listening; how can she think so wisely?"

"It must be innate. Didn't they say she's been clever since she was very young?"

When they suddenly found themselves responsible for protecting a ducal daughter, a huge bombshell, they couldn't help but be flustered.

Even when they were told there was a special reason and offered fair compensation, the other mercenaries, who had never met Flora, expressed their worries and concerns all at once.

An underlying fear that if things went wrong, they might have to give up their current, decent lives made them hesitate.

But then Basilian stepped forward and comforted them, saying not to worry too much, that the worst-case scenarios they imagined wouldn't happen.

〈Just don't get bewitched.〉

When he said that and left, they weren't sure what he meant at first, but after seeing the scene just now, they understood instantly.

"She has a depth of meaning unbefitting her age. She must have a special reason for joining this journey."

Riding the mood, Prek stepped forward and spoke up. Moved by Flora's words, his eyes were moist, which drew even more attention.

"So let's also honor that intention and treat her normally as Ria."

"Right, what's wrong with getting close to the President's daughter on this opportunity?"

Since Duke Athanas was the President, Flora was indeed the President's daughter.

"It'll be easier to suck up to her if we get close. Hehehe."

Saying things they didn't really mean, the mercenaries laughed loudly.

This continued until the two children returned from cleaning the trash and wondered why they were acting like that, asking if they'd eaten something wrong.

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Flora blended into the Red Serpent Mercenary Band splendidly.

The mercenaries who were initially awkward around her soon grew accustomed and began treating her like their youngest, and now they were comfortable chatting with her.

"Why is it that the more I tell her not to stand out, the more she stands out?"

Benio, who had stopped by the Red Serpent Mercenary Band under the pretext of checking on the mercenaries, held his head as he watched Flora, who had adapted astonishingly well.

"Flora, you clearly made a promise with me when you first said you'd hide with the mercenary band."

"Did I?"

"My clever little sister forgot? A promise with your Oppa?"

At the voice dripping with hurt feelings, Flora made a whining sound and finally stopped avoiding the question and answered.

"No. I remember."

"What was the promise?"

"To stay in a safe place with the mercenaries, out of sight, quietly, until the subjugation is over, then return safely with Oppa."

"Then why do more and more people keep finding out there's a child here?"

"They probably saw Basil."

"Why do more and more people keep finding out there's a little girl here?" Cornered by the inescapable point, Flora pouted again.

"I tried to stay quiet too. But the mercenary ajeossis are so nice to me, so I want to get along with them. What can I do?"

It was a predictable excuse, but it was an honest answer.

In response, Benio, as if praising her, hugged Flora and affectionately stroked her head.

"Even so, let's be a bit more careful from now on. I'm afraid the nobles might all find out and take an interest in you."

Benio added that it was fortunate the nobles didn't even set foot near where the mercenaries stayed, and Flora nodded in agreement.

But contrary to her outward appearance, she was inwardly thinking the exact opposite and was furious.

'The problem is that they're not coming at all!'

When she first hid near the meeting room and heard about the current situation, Flora naturally followed the same negative line of thought as Benio.

The descendants of the Heroes, the ducal houses, the Executors, the nobles.

They were all busy looking out for their own interests, and since they had gathered to solve the current situation, they wouldn't hesitate in their means and methods.

If they learned of the Lucifer ducal daughter's existence, it was obvious they would try to use her under the pretext of the Judgment.

That's why Benio had ultimately allowed her suggestion to hide her among the mercenaries and conceal her existence.

Of course, Flora's opinion was different. She was filled with the thought of somehow standing out so they would try to use her.

Why?

'Because I'm curious about what kind of demon's work this is. And I want to meet it myself.'

When she asked Janet, she said she didn't pay attention to other demons and didn't know who the demon residing here was.

Anyway, she didn't want to see the demons who had followed her die, so she planned to meet it before the others and put on an act, just like she had with Janet.

'I thought rumors would spread quickly since those Executor guys saw us, but it seems they forgot about it.'

Muttering about how pitiful she was, they really are the best at being hypocrites.

"We plan to stop by a nearby village before formally entering the Demon Forest this time."

"Huh? Why?"

When she only heard about the meeting two days ago, it seemed like they would enter and deal with it immediately.

'Really, they should just think about finishing quickly and going back. Nobles, always wasting time unnecessarily.'

Cancel, urgently cancel!

Flora erased her previous thought and nodded eagerly with a proud face.

"My Oppa is handsome, kind, even friendly, and smart. Plus, he's meticulous, so I'm proud to be his little sister."

"Talking like a little old lady. Anyone would think you're my older sister."

Though he called it a silly joke, Benio chuckled. Then he reiterated what she absolutely must obey.

"The mercenaries have no reason to enter the village, so it probably won't happen, but I'm saying this just in case. Don't go to the village, stay here quietly with the mercenary ajeossis. Understood?"

"Okay!"

Relieved by Flora's confident answer, Benio left.

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What Benio overlooked was that Flora was a troublemaker who was exceptionally good at rationalizing things for her own benefit.

At the entrance of a small village near the Western Demon Forest.

Flora, covering her head with a prepared brown hood and scanning the surroundings with hawk-like eyes, confirmed that there were no Lucifer people around and began to move stealthily.

"Ria, Young Duke clearly told you not to wander around. Let's go back now."

Basilian, who likewise had a black hood pulled over his head, followed her and tried to persuade her again, but it was useless.

"But how often do I get to come to another territory! And you know what? I might meet a special connection while out like this and obtain the key to helping solve this case."

Declaring with confidence, placing a hand on her chest as if no one in the world was as lucky as her, Basilian habitually made a dazed expression and nodded.

'Even though I advised others not to get bewitched, I'm the one most bewitched by Flora.'

He hadn't expected the advice he gave to the confused mercenaries when introducing Flora as Ria to come back to him like this.

She had pestered him, saying she wanted to see the village, that it was break time anyway, so let's sneak out, and he simply couldn't win.

〈It's a date request, so take the hint and accept it!〉

Pushing with an absurd reason that somehow worked was the problem.

'Anyway, as long as we don't catch the nobles' eyes.'

Basilian, corrupted by Flora's mindset, habitually rationalized it to himself and followed Flora.

Feeling a slight pang of conscience, he intermittently threw out words of caution throughout the way, but perhaps because they lacked sincerity, persuading Flora was impossible.

The two, with hoods of unknown origin on their heads, thus entered the village.

It was a small village, but it seems all places where people live are the same.

'Reminds me of the old days.'

The sight of the streets, similar to the village she had seen while staying at the Finny Orphanage, made Flora briefly recall her past when she was the popular one in the village.

Along with that, she thought of the ducal estate employees who showed enthusiastic reactions upon seeing her and smiled proudly.

'Popular then, popular now, no difference. That's me.'

Whether it was because her confidence was sprouting vigorously, Flora was more energetic than ever.

She entered a bakery, bought bread with the following Basilian, ate it, diligently sipped her juice, and wandered the streets, blending into the village.

"Wow, the strawberry juice is delicious."

"The orange juice is pretty decent too."

Just as Basilian, enjoying the peace, and Flora, who had momentarily forgotten the purpose of coming to this village, were leisurely evaluating their juices...