Chapter 39: Starting Today I’m The Evil Villainess Who Rules This Town!

“You still seem worried about Young Lady Lin.”

Beside Edwin, the head maid spoke.

Edwin, who was working on his duties again today, hadn’t moved his hand at all, which prompted her remark.

A few days ago, Lin, seen off by her family and everyone in the mansion, had headed to Abel Forest, located at the northernmost tip of central Albion.

The reason for this was starkly written on the front page of the newspaper still lying on the edge of Edwin’s desk.

[Treasure Ship in the Forest, Governor-General Edwin “Will Give Everything to the Finder,” A Bombshell Declaration]

Following Lin’s plan, Edwin had recently declared that he would recognize the ownership rights of those who found the wreckage of the Rosegarden family’s airship.

An airship, the only one of its kind in the world.

Anyone could easily imagine the value of the technology, as well as the magestones and floatstones contained within.

In the first place, it was the airship of the Rosegarden family, rumored to possess more gold than even the Imperial Emperor.

Just thinking about the decorations on broken furniture, or the jewels and trinkets spilled from drawers, would have been enough to risk one’s life.

“She’s still just a child…”

Though he respected his daughter, Edwin still couldn’t let go of his worries.

Although three long years had passed, his daughter’s stranding incident still made his heart uneasy.

Knowing her master’s heart,

The head maid parted her lips to offer sound advice.

“Young Lady Lin is currently thirteen, soon to be fourteen. It is an age where she must gradually cultivate independence.”

“…Yes. I know.”

As if understanding the head maid’s words, Edwin began to move his pen once more.

“It would be right to do what I can as a father.”

Soon, countless bundles of paper disappeared, and an equal number piled up on the other side.

A subordinate entered to collect the processed documents.

However, Edwin handed over not the piled-up stack of papers, but the single sheet of paper he had last picked up.

“Process this first.”

“Yes. Understood.”

The subordinate who entered accepted the paper without any suspicion at his master’s words and left.

Another subordinate, asked by a colleague, came in to collect the already processed bundles of paper.

“Young Master.”

“Mm.”

“What was the document you just handed over?”

During the break after finishing work.

The head maid, having brought black tea, asked her master.

Because the paper handed to the first subordinate was not an existing document, but something Edwin had newly written.

Edwin, without a word, leisurely sipped his milk-mixed black tea.

As he put down the teacup, the head maid’s sharp gaze pierced him.

As expected.

She finally succeeded in making the Young Master, whom she had served since long ago, open his heavy mouth.

“It’s a letter of appointment.”

Although the name Rosegarden, and clothes and subordinates emblazoned with the family crest, had accompanied Lin, exercising dominion in Abel Town, next to Abel Forest, could have appeared somewhat coercive.

So Edwin had taken measures so that his daughter wouldn’t simply rely on the Rosegarden family’s authority,

But could play at decorating Abel Town and Abel Forest under ‘legitimately’ bestowed power.

“…A doting father to this extent is almost a sickness, I think.”

A doting father who, to his daughter who went out to do business,

Gave her the position of a local governor, telling her to do as she pleased.

The head maid rebuked him, as if to say, isn’t there a limit, no matter what.

And she was absolutely right.

“I merely took the necessary measures.”

“Since Young Lady Lin has been appointed as a local governor, Young Master can now visit the Young Lady anytime under the pretext of a site inspection.”

“……The recovery of the airship is an important matter. Head Maid, you are aware of that, are you not?”

“If it were that important, you would have ordered the gardeners to search immediately after rescuing Young Lady Lin.”

“……Suddenly, old memories come to mind.”

“Indeed, they do.”

The only person in the mansion who could scold Edwin.

Under the head maid’s nagging attack, Edwin suddenly recalled the past.

Simultaneously, the longed-for face of his love emerged.

[“Edwin.”]

At the lake of Rosegarden Castle.

The warmth contained in that smile, which sparkled brighter than the morning sun,

‘Leona….’

Still, even now.

Remained full in his chest.

“……I miss her.”

Moreover, his daughter had grown to resemble his wife from those days exactly.

So, for Edwin, it was impossible not to worry.

Thump!

Just then, the head maid dropped the next bundle of documents onto the desk.

“No, you may not.”

“…….”

“Are you planning to dump all these mountains of documents on Young Master Leonard? If so, you might as well pass on the family headship and go.”

“……Brew me another cup of black tea.”

But that’s that, and this is this!

As the head maid said, first, do the work that has piled up!

Governor-General Edwin…!!!

***

“So Rio. Why are you following us?”

Inside the train heading to Abel Town, a village near Abel Forest.

Me, Heine, and my younger brother Rio, who was one year older, no, two years older since his birthday had passed first, and had unexpectedly tagged along, were enjoying a comfortable train journey.

“I am fifteen this year, finally an adult.”

“…So what?”

“It means I’m old enough to start accompanying my elder brother and father to the hunting grounds.”

“Then shouldn’t you not be following me?”

“Foolish younger sister. Your height, your head, you’re still a shorty.”

“Who are you calling a shorty!!? In this era, this height is perfectly average, you know!?”

Rio, who had suddenly joined us on an important business and vaccination plan, was making harsh remarks.

‘Rio. No matter how much this older sister adores you, the words I can tolerate are very limited.’

‘From now on, choose your words carefully.’

“You, who haven’t even had your birthday yet and are only thirteen, wouldn’t know, but an adult’s first experience is quite important.”

“…Do you even know the meaning of what you’re saying, Rio?”

“Of course, I do. Don’t treat me like a child like you.”

‘No, judging by how you speak, you’re still a child, you know?’

“According to my elder brother, a man’s first experience is quite painful.”

“Probably… not?”

“He said that at first, he didn’t even know where to stab, so blood gushed out and it was unpleasant, but afterwards, no matter what kind of creature he encountered, he skillfully found its weak spot and finished it off in one blow.”

“Rio. Could you please not turn my precious older brother Leonard into such a strange person?”

“…? What are you talking about? Which part of my elder brother’s proud heroic tale is strange?”

“No, just…. Stop it. Just shut that stupid mouth of yours for now.”

“Hmm. I thought you’d like my elder brother’s stories too.”

The reason Rio followed me was roughly this.

Having just become an adult and old enough to go to the hunting grounds, he wanted to prepare and get used to it in advance by practicing in Abel Forest, which was full of monsters.

Hunting is called hunting because one side is almost entirely dominant.

‘There’s no fool like this fool,’ I thought.

“……Rio.”

However, even such a childish and foolish younger brother is a precious member of the family.

If something were to happen after taking him to the incredibly dangerous Abel Forest, I wouldn’t be able to face Dad and my older brother.

“As your older sister, I have something serious to tell you.”

“Who’s the older sister? I’m the older brother.”

“Abel Forest is a dangerous monster territory where monsters far more dangerous than those in hunting grounds lurk.”

“Let me say it again, I’m the older brother.”

“No matter how annoying you are and how much I want to give you a noogie every day, I can’t let my precious younger brother follow me to such a dangerous place….”

“You’re not listening.”

“Our Rio might be a little slow, but he’s actually a very kind child. You understand everything this older sister says, right?”

Thwack!

Rio’s noogie struck my head.

Even though my head was that of a child, my body was close to an adult’s, so the impact was considerable.

“Ugh, Heineee….”

“Yes, yes. I’m here.”

The fist, trained for three years not to lose to me, was incredibly painful.

As I snuggled into Heine’s embrace and was comforted with pats, Rio, perhaps thinking he had gone a little too far, cleared his throat and apologized.

“If it’s such a dangerous place, why are you taking Heine?”

“Our Heine is several times stronger than you, you know? Who’s worrying about whom?”

“No. Not to that extent….”

Here, a brief interruption.

Let me list the combat power rankings on the magitech train.

First is Exia, second is Kiriel, third is Heine, and fourth is me.

And Rio, weaker than even the non-combatant Dinavel, is sixth, the weakest of the weak, a complete pushover.

“It’s not a matter of strength.”

Just then, a low voice accompanied a serious face.

“Rather, at a young age, one might become conceited and careless, losing a precious life due to a momentary mistake.”

“…….”

“Tch. It can’t be helped…. I didn’t want to say this much.”

Rio, who usually only says things that get him hit, suddenly says something right today.

Wondering if this was a dream or reality, I lightly pinched Rio’s cheek.

Seeing his sullen expression return, it seemed it wasn’t a dream.

“I see. Actually, Lord Rio, to protect your younger sister, Lady Lin…”

Heine is moved by Rio’s tsundere-like confession.

And was it just Heine?

The one feeling the deepest emotion was me, finally seeing my younger brother act mature.

“Fufu, thank you, Rio. This older sister is already completely moved by just those words.”

As I patted my very admirable younger brother’s head, Rio made a very unpleasant expression.

“Tsk….”

Seeing him dislike it with 100% purity, I was certain we were truly blood siblings.

But seeing that, I didn’t stop.

Knowing he disliked it, no, rather because I knew he disliked it.

I deliberately cooed and petted him even more excessively, and eventually, Rio, unable to bear it, lifted me up and threw me onto the plush sofa.

“Lady Lin. Young Master Rio. We have arrived at our destination.”

“Finally.”

The first one to jump off the train was Rio.

Next, me, holding Heine’s hand tightly, alighting from the train.

Unlike three years ago, the incredibly bustling noise of Abel Town welcomed us.

“So this is Abel Town.”

“Yes. Perhaps because many adventurers have been visiting recently, it has become very bustling.”

First, beyond Abel Town, into Abel Forest.

I had to visit the Raphael Inc. branch building and herb field constructed next to the lake I had used as a hideout.

But seeing the quite changed village, I also felt a desire to look around a bit.

And I also wanted to check on that thing I had ordered to be installed last time.

“Hmm, I definitely ordered it to be installed around here….”

“Ah. You mean the potion advertisement board you mentioned last time?”

“Yes. That’s right. Promotion is just as important an element as performance.”

As we were strolling through the village like that.

Countless people whispered and stared at me and Heine.

Well, in a remote village like this, two noble young ladies walking around with sturdy escorts would undoubtedly be an unusual sight.

“Hey, over there…”

“Looks like it, doesn’t it?”

“Yeah, that’s right. Definitely Raphael Inc.’s…”

“…They’re, whispering a lot, aren’t they.”

“Fufu, don’t worry, Heine. Considering your beauty and mine, the adventurers’ fuss isn’t entirely incomprehensible, is it?”

‘By the way, what I just said sounded incredibly like a villainess.’

Feeling pleased, I award myself a million villainess points.

“Ah! Found it!”

Just then.

We finally found the billboard advertising Raphael Inc.’s adventurer potions.

That giant billboard was located in the central plaza street of the expanded village.

And among them, it stood out very prominently in the most eye-catching form.

“……Eh?”

“Fufu, it turned out much better than expected.”

Here.

What is the most effective advertisement?

It’s a powerful image that unfailingly stops the eyes of passersby.

And for such an image, a large picture of the product is good, but what’s even better is a beautiful advertising model.

“Why, why am I…. up there…?”

“That’s because, Heine, your beautiful red hair color seemed to match well with the color of our Raphael Inc. potions.”

As if to prove this, the people in the plaza also couldn’t take their eyes off Heine in the billboard.

The unique color, containing 0.0003% troll blood, and Heine’s hair color created an exquisite match, further enhancing the effect.

Of course, who would just pass by that bright smile she only shows me?

‘Mhm, mhm, I don’t even need to hear a report to know that company sales must have increased severalfold!’

“H-Hey. Over there…!”

“She was… a real person?”

“No, I’m more interested in the small young lady next to her….”

Soon, people encountered the actual advertising model.

They began to marvel, looking back and forth between the billboard and Heine’s face.

“L-Lady Lin! Please take that down…!”

Heine, flushed bright red just like our company’s potion containing 0.0003% troll blood.

“Just a moment. Let’s go back to the company first and check the sales after the advertisement.”

“Lady Lin…!”

Heine pleaded, almost on the verge of tears.

Though she pleaded, I didn’t take down the billboard.

Because sales after putting up the billboard had jumped nearly fivefold compared to before.