Chapter 58

One month had passed since the commotion caused by Duke Hillrose in the Dorkness territory, and I had come to the village where development was underway.

After that, we easily exterminated the horde of monsters, and the damage was virtually zero. It was fortunate that the neighboring villages were not affected.

No, there was significant damage. The large monster-summoning flute was broken by Patrick. By the time we had mostly taken care of the monsters and returned to the city, it was too late. I consider this a significant loss for all of humanity.

Then, without a break, we headed to the capital. It turned into a massive roundup of the radical nobles who had gathered at the duke's mansion for the coup.

The resulting chaos has finally settled down, and I can now focus on my territory.

In preparation for starting agriculture next year, I approached a villager plowing the fields.

"Sorry to bother you while you're working. How have things been recently?"

"Oh! My lord! Thanks to you, everything is going smoothly. We'll work hard to be able to feed ourselves from next year."

A man in his thirties said this with a smile. It seemed unbelievable that he used to be afraid of me when he was a thief, and I was happy.

Then, as if he had just remembered, he said,

"Is everything alright with you, my lord? I heard you were attacked by the duke."

"No problem, it's me after all."

"That's reassuring. What happened to the duke, then?"

"...He passed away. The Hillrose family has also been eradicated."

The news hadn't spread that far yet. The only reported casualty from this incident was Duke Hillrose, the mastermind behind the rebellion.

He murmured, "I see," softly. Although the duke was a corrupt noble, he didn't seem happy at all. I thought he was a good person at heart.

There was no point in dwelling on such a dark topic, so I forcibly changed the subject.

"Um... how is the suspicious old man who recently came to the village?"

"That guy is amazing! He's smart and even defeated a monster the other day!"

About a month ago, one more resident had joined the village. He had a menacing face and a bad personality, so I was worried if he would fit in, but it turned out to be a needless concern.

He can fight to some extent, after all. He had protected himself from the horde of monsters back then.

"I'm glad the suspicious old man is fitting in. Where is he now?"

"He should be at home."

He pointed to a house. It was said that he lived alone in that small house.

I knocked on the door of the small but new house, and a man's voice replied from inside. When I entered, there was a middle-aged man.

"It's been a while. I'm surprised you've adapted so well."

"...Living in the countryside isn't as bad as I thought."

"That's good to hear. I came to inform you that everything has been resolved today."

"I see."

I explained what had happened in the capital after the commotion caused by Duke Hillrose.

Ronald and I cooperated to storm the duke's mansion, but since the duke didn't show up by the scheduled time, about half of them had left the mansion. Those who fled are now claiming they know nothing.

"If we had moved faster, we could have wiped them out. Ronald was too slow."

"Isn't it because of Lady Elenora?"

"That kid couldn't have done anything wrong!"

Ignoring his strong tone, I continued.

According to what I heard, the remaining nobles were mostly small fry, and the duke's plan was not fully realized. The captured noble families were all dissolved, their private assets confiscated, and they were forced to live as commoners.

The nobles who managed to escape would likely remain quiet and fearful for a while.

When I explained the situation, he grumbled unhappily.

"It would have been better to be more ruthless."

"You sound scary when you say that."

It's safe to say that there was almost no chaos within the kingdom. The territories of the dissolved noble families became direct territories of the royal family, and the stability of the kingdom seemed to have increased.

As someone who prioritizes stability, I felt this was the best outcome.

I explained various matters of the kingdom, but his interest seemed to be elsewhere. He fidgeted and asked,

"So? How is that girl?"

"I told her you were dead. She can't keep secrets."

"I see, as long as she's safe. ...She hasn't been grinding, has she?"

"No, I promised not to as long as you behave."

She was depressed for a while after learning of her father's death, but she has recently started to regain her usual energy. She even wanted to come to this village with me today.

At that moment, the door of the house was thrown open. She has a policy of not knocking, I guess?

"Yumiera! Caterpillars really do look like potatoes..."

Elenora, who had burst in, froze when she saw him.

He, too, stared at Elenora without moving.

Elenora squeezed out a voice.

"Fa...Father?"

"...I'm just a villager. Duke Hillrose is dead."

"That's right, I must have mistaken you for someone else! You look so much like Father."

"...E, Elenora?"

Ah, she takes "Lady Elenora" at face value.

Seeing his mouth drop open, I struggled to hold back my laughter. I thought it would be a touching reunion, but it was even funnier.

"Ah, Yumiera, I have something I want you to see—"

Elenora turned to me to start a different conversation.

Seeing this, he hurriedly said,

"Elenora! It's Papa!"

"Father! It really is you, Father!"

"Yes, it's me, my most beautiful daughter in the world!"

Ignoring the two hugging, I stepped out of the house. "It's Papa!" This is why parental idiots are unbearable. Can't they see themselves objectively? It's really embarrassing.

As I wandered aimlessly, I found Ryu, who was enthusiastically digging a hole at the edge of the village.

"Ryu! It's Mama!"

Ryu continued to dig with his front paws, completely absorbed in the task.

A voice came from beside me, instead of the earth dragon.

"Isn't Yumiera embarrassed by her own actions?"

"What do you mean?"

"...If not, that's fine."

Patrick sometimes says strange things. He's a bit off or different, I guess.

We looked at the scenery that had changed dramatically in just a few months. It's hard to believe this place was empty not long ago.

"Finally, it feels like it's over."

"The aftermath was more troublesome, I think."

After introducing Elenora to her father, it finally felt like this whole series of events had come to an end.

The situation in my territory has also settled down, so I don't need to worry about anything else...

"What's a wedding, anyway?"

"Beats me. Ask me something else."

Our wedding, which had been decided without us knowing and invitations already sent out, was less than half a year away. We would be busy with the harvest season, and after that, the scheduled day would come quickly.

"I think it's Damon's clumsiness."

"Yumiera must have said something confusing."

"Of course, it's my fault."

I was blamed for something I didn't do. If you doubt me any more, I won't throw you a Level 99 congratulations party.

But what to do? I accepted the proposal, received the engagement ring, but I'm not mentally prepared. Considering the need to sort out my feelings and rest before a big event, I think five years from now would be good.

"A wedding, huh?"

"Do you dislike it, Yumiera?"

I don't like it. I don't want to wear an uncomfortable dress, be considerate of the guests, greet them politely, and go through an event packed with tiring elements.

But, even so, thinking about it as Patrick's wedding, I feel a little excited. I can't help but smile unconsciously.

I'm happy to become a couple with him, and I think even an unpleasant event would be enjoyable with him.

"I never found weddings appealing."

"Ah."

"But with Patrick—"

Maybe because the atmosphere had somehow turned out to be good, I felt like I could speak my true feelings.

I had forgotten that I had brought an atmosphere-ruiner to this village.

My words were interrupted by a loud voice.

"Hey, what are you giving Elenora?"

"Wait, Father! It's a gift from Yumiera!"

The father and daughter were running towards us. The father was also ruining the atmosphere.

He was holding the monster-summoning flute. I had given him one because he had many, but was it a bad idea?

"Isn't he being overprotective of his daughter?"

"I think it's a normal reaction."

Seeing the similar father and daughter who ruined the atmosphere, we looked at each other and smiled wryly.

〈The Villainess Level 99, Chapter 2: The Duke Edition Instead of the Domestic Affairs Edition, Complete〉