Chapter 9: Give me a little more compliments!

I had successfully navigated another hurdle.

The Nobles’ Conference had concluded, and Seraphina’s reputation had taken a dramatic turn for the better.

The nobles, initially skeptical of her presence, now regarded her with newfound respect.

I had skillfully leveraged their secrets and exposed their hypocrisy, silencing their criticisms.

Seraphina, her thinking transformed, had presented her unique governing philosophy, leading the conference to a successful conclusion.

“You were amazing today.”
“Oh? Really? How amazing?”
“Hmm…”

I paused, then smiled.

“Let’s just say…you were spectacular.”
“Is that the best you can do?”
“What would you prefer?”
“…Show me with your body.”
“My body? How?”

Seraphina blushed and mumbled, “…P-pet me.”
“Excuse me? I’m not comfortable with that.”
“Why not?!”
“You’re a Countess.”
“We’re alone! Forget about titles!”
“Still…”

Seraphina turned away, muttering, “Fine, whatever.”

“I was going to give you a reward…but I guess not.”
“…A reward?”

She looked up at me.

“W-what kind of reward?”
“I was going to take you somewhere nice.”
“Nice…?”

The Nobles’ Conference was over, which meant the conditions were met for a new event: the Pumpkin Festival in Elysion.

Taking Seraphina there, dressed in a special outfit, was the key to lowering her malice gauge further.

“Where?”
“You’ll see. I also have a special gift for you.”
“…A gift, huh?”

Seraphina eyed me suspiciously.

“You’re not going to make me wear another ridiculous outfit, are you?”

How did she know?! I was taken aback.

The Pumpkin Festival required a special costume: the Ghost Halloween Swimsuit, Seraphina Fires ver. An outfit I desperately wanted to see her in.

“So you were planning something… weren’t you?”
“N-no!”

Seraphina narrowed her eyes.

“Sure… But if it makes Isabel happy, I’ll wear anything.”
“Ha ha, that’s good to know.”
“And…you did well today, mistress.”
“Just verbal praise…? Hey!”

I patted her head as requested.

A small smile played on her lips.

“…It’s been a while since I’ve received such praise…”
“Really?”
“N-no! It’s nothing!”

She shook her head, then smiled.

“I worked hard for you. I deserve a little praise, don’t I?”
“For me? What do you mean?”
“I wouldn’t have done so well without your notes.”

The notes I had given her contained information about the topics to be discussed at the conference, allowing her to steer the conversation in her favor.

“Do you know what the other nobles said to me? They called me a villainess. But after the conference…they didn’t say a word.”

She paused, a thoughtful expression on her face.

“I realized something thanks to you. If I want to live in a peaceful era, I have to change. I can’t be a villainess anymore…”

Her gaze softened as she reflected on her past.

“I never thought…that someone like me…could be accepted… People always saw me as a monster, a terrifying villainess…”

She stared into the distance, her expression wistful.

Seraphina’s transformation into a villainess was a result of witnessing her brother murder their parents and the subsequent power struggle.

She had lost faith in family, in the world.

Her cruelty, her tyranny, were all a desperate attempt to protect herself from betrayal.

She had created a world where she could discard anyone at any time.

That path would have led to the Bloody Mary ending, the bloodthirsty villainess bathing in the blood of maidens.

I felt a pang of sympathy for her.

“This conference will change your image. You’ll become an even greater ruler.”
“Yes! I have to! I want to be happy with Isabel. So you have to help me lead Grace Field.”

While the idea of settling down with her was appealing, I was Isabel, the Black Hound, the Mediator.

My role was to redeem villainesses, not to form attachments.

I knew my time with Seraphina was coming to an end.

Her malice gauge was at 15%. My mission was almost complete.

I smiled, hiding my true feelings.

“It would be an honor. Now then, Seraphina, let’s get ready.”
“Ready?”
“Would you like to see my gift?”

I handed her the gift box.

“Y-you want me to wear this?!”

Seraphina blushed.

As the moon rose over Elysion, the Pumpkin Festival began.

This event was exclusive to Seraphina’s redemption route, triggered by the successful completion of the Nobles’ Conference.

It was a Halloween-like celebration where people dressed up in costumes and roamed the streets, shouting “Trick or treat!”

“I-Isabel…are you sure about this outfit?”
“Of course! You look stunning!”

A hooded cardigan and a swimsuit. The Ghost Halloween Swimsuit, Seraphina Fires ver.! It was even more beautiful in person.

She was clinging to my arm, her face flushed with embarrassment.

“…Y-you’re such a pervert… Why this outfit…”
“Everyone’s staring because you’re beautiful.”
“Mmm…”

She kept her head down as we walked, but the men around us were captivated by her appearance.

“…She’s gorgeous, isn’t she?”
“Hey, be careful, she might be a noble.”
“Wow…”

Seraphina looked up, her eyes narrowing.

“…I’m going to kill them all.”
“E-excuse me?”

A dark shadow fell over her face as she radiated killing intent.

“They’re looking at me like that because of you…!”
“Ha ha, they’re looking because you’re beautiful.”
“S-still… Why this outfit for the Pumpkin Festival?!”
“Well…”

Because it’s romantic? No, that would definitely raise her malice gauge. I needed a better explanation, but not now.

“It’s a gift. Remember?”
“This isn’t a gift! You’re dead tonight!”
“Don’t be so scary.”
“I’m going to kill you, you stupid Black Hound…!”

Black Hound, huh? I chuckled and brushed off her threat. The event was about to begin.

“W-what’s that?!”
“It’s the Pumpkin Knight!”

He had finally appeared.

The Pumpkin Knight, a notorious thief who stole valuables from the citizens of Elysion.

He was leaping across rooftops, a pumpkin head perched atop his shoulders.

“Get him! Catch the Pumpkin Knight!”

Soldiers gave chase, but he was too agile. It was Seraphina’s time to shine. I pointed to the fleeing figure.

“Seraphina, let’s take care of that pumpkin head.”
“What? In this outfit? Why should I?”
“It would improve your reputation.”
“That’s ridiculous… I refuse. You call this a gift? It’s uncomfortable and…revealing…”

She turned away.

“I was going to grant you a wish if you helped… That’s too bad…”
“…Are you serious?”
“Of course! But if you don’t want to…”

I waited for her reaction.

“Don’t go back on your word.”

A sly smile spread across her face. Whatever her wish was…

“I won’t.”
“Good…”

She summoned her sword, the red blade she had received from Thermisia.

She crouched, then leaped into the air with incredible force.

Boom!

“Holy…!”

I was awestruck by the height of her jump.

A cloud of dust rose from the ground, followed by a scream.

“Gaaaaah!”
“She got him! The girl in the swimsuit caught the Pumpkin Knight!”

Already? I had expected it to take longer…