The Villainess is Retiring

Chapter 5

I slowly crossed my arms and legs as I lifted my chin like the bullies do in movies. I wanted to look as arrogant and badass as possible, so I tried to do it with confidence.

For better or for worse, my plan worked. The puzzled faces of the two people looking at me hardened a little. It was surely what they expected of me, so I decided to double down.

“What? Are you unsatisfied? I’m telling you that’s what I’d like to do.”

I raised the tone of my voice until it sounded nasty even to me.

Wow. I can’t believe I sound so terrible with so little effort. I must’ve been born to be a villain.

Admiring Everia’s villainous genes, I hugged Harry.

[I, who inherited the blood of my ancesto—agh!]

Harry, who had been reciting his genealogy to himself, began to cough as I held his neck tightly.

“I’m telling you I want to keep him! Are you going to say no?”

This time, my voice was snarky—ferocious even. I decided to glare at them too, so I was sure I looked fierce.

“If that’s what you want, all right.”

Eventually, the baron succumbed to my villainy.

“We’ll look for his owner first, and if no one claims him, please take care of him. He'll thank you too. It would be better for him to stay in here rather than freeze to death out in the cold.”

* * *

Lost in thought, Baron Incentia stared at the burning fireplace. The flame from Everia’s fire continued to burn the black steel logs.

How is the black steel wood burning? Everia said her earnest prayers created this flame, but how is that possible? If that were true, no one in Airelle would suffer in the cold.

After hearing that magicians possess great power, the baron once brought a famous magician from the royal capital. However, that magician failed to light the black steel wood.

This was definitely not an accident. Lady Everia must have created this with her power.

He wasn’t the type who could be fooled by a young noble lady. How many years had he endured the harsh conditions of the north? Baron Incentia was too experienced. A child who grew up within the bubble of the capital couldn’t fool him.

Everyone said that the lady’s mana level was low. Why did they say that when her mana is strong enough to create a powerful fire like this?

The baron recalled the face of Everia's father and his superior, Duke Oberon. Oberon was a meticulous strategist, so he must have had a reason for hiding his daughter’s strong magical power.

He most likely wanted to protect her from outside threats. A person with powerful abilities inevitably becomes a target.

The Oberon family boasted tradition and prestige comparable to that of the royal family. What if a child with great power was born into such a family? Everia would not have been able to live freely like she does now.

However, the aura I felt was too ordinary for a person with such great power.

The baron shook his head. It’s said that when a magician reaches a very powerful state, ordinary people aren’t able to recognize their mana level anymore.

Does that mean Lady Everia has reached that state?

He felt goosebumps travel up his arms.

It seems the duke is keeping the big picture in mind.

If so, Baron Incentia had no choice but to follow his superior’s will. Even though he was full of doubts, he did not question Everia too deeply.

Until the duke mentions it first, I have to keep my mouth shut.

Still, he couldn't help but recall the old legend of Airelle. It was a myth that was only passed down in the north. It wasn’t comparable to the kingdom's founding myth, but the people of the north had their own stories. Although the north was currently under the kingdom’s rule, it was originally a separate country, both ethnically and culturally. It was a country completely different from the central nobility of the royal capital.

The people of the north lived freely before getting destroyed by the mighty flames of the blue wizard in the kingdom's mythology. The Oberon family was also born in the north. Because House Oberon had different roots, the imperial family was especially wary of them.

The legend says that here, in the northernmost part of Airelle, the new fire that will drive out suffering will begin. That will be the first act of the hero who saves this land.

Could this fire created by Everia be the legendary flame? Was the duke aware of this, and was that the reason he sent his daughter to Airelle? Was he testing the freedom of their land and the legend held dear in the hearts of all northerners?

I’ll stay silent until everything comes into the light.

Baron Incentia's eyes looked deeply sunken.

“First things first, I need to make sure people don’t talk about this.”

He had to prevent rumors about the existence of Everia’s fire from getting out.

* * *

The butler went around the mansion all day asking questions, but of course, no one said that they had lost a dog. Harry, who was certainly a dog without an owner, was dragged to the butler’s room late at night. Then without a warning, a collar was wrapped around his neck.

“Is that a collar?”

“That human you call the butler put it on me. He said that big dogs are dangerous. I can’t believe I have to wear this. This is the greatest humiliation of my life!”

Harry lay on the floor and stretched his leg to scratch his collar, but it didn’t budge.

“Do you think that’s going to work?”

I chuckled and leaned over to pat Harry's head. His feet, which had been struggling desperately, froze in midair.

“Why are you patting my head at a time like this?” he asked with confusion in his voice. “You said that patting was for comfort, no?”

He seemed to have remembered what I said the first time I patted his head.

“A single action can have multiple meanings. Right now, it's meant as a compliment.”

I shrugged and kept moving my hand.

“Thank you for putting up with the humiliation, Harry.”

He snorted as he said, “Are you kidding me? If you hadn't asked me to turn myself into a dog, I wouldn't have suffered this kind of humiliation!”

“I know. That's why I'm so proud of you and giving you a compliment. See, you’re so nice! Good job.”

I praised him mechanically, then took off his collar. Once it was off, he stood with a more animated expression.

“That feels better.”

“I will tell others not to put a collar or leash on you. In return, you can't act aggressively in front of people. Otherwise, they’ll have justification to put a leash on you.”

“Yesterday, you told me to be a dog, and today, you’re telling me to be a sheep.”

Harry groaned and jumped onto the bed. I was taken aback when I saw him stretch and proudly take his position.

“Harry, that’s my bed.”

“I know, but I’m your pet dog.”

“So?”

“Are you asking that because you really don’t know? Dogs have the right to share their owners’ beds.”

It’s true, sleeping in bed with one’s pet is common.

“But your true self is a dark demon.”

“I can't harm my contractor anyway. What’s there to worry about?”

“Well, that’s a good point, but...”

Since he was a demon, I couldn't help but feel suspicious. Bewitching people is a demon’s specialty.

“I won’t do anything. Not a thing. I have no desire to do anything to a kid like you, anyway.”

Harry flicked his tail slowly in annoyance.

“By the way, how old are you?”

“I’m turning eighteen this year. I’ll be an adult soon.”

My actual age is much older than that, but Everia was still only seventeen.

Harry huffed, “I can’t believe you’re seventeen. You’re just a crumb.”

Was he holding my age against me because that’s all he had? Stunned, I crossed my arms.

“Crumbs? How old are you then?”

“Me? I’m 2,176 years old!”

“‘2,176’?”

My head went blank for a moment at the unexpectedly large number. Well, Theoharis has existed since the founding of the kingdom. Of course, he’s old. He looked like he was in his early twenties though, so I never even thought about it.

“Harry... you’re a grandpa, aren’t you?”

“Who are you calling a grandpa?! I’m a young man with a bright future!”

Harry perked up his ears at my insult. Is 2,176 years old considered young by demon standards? Was that it? Still shocked by his age, I stared at him as he triumphantly stretched out on the bed.

“What are you doing? Aren’t you going to sleep? It’s late. If you don't like the bed, you can sleep on the sofa.”

He was talking as if it was his bed.

“This is my bed. Why would I sleep on the sofa when I have a bed?”

Pouting, I lay down. Because the bed was so big, I didn’t feel Harry's presence on the other side. Instead, the cozy blanket and warm air melted my worries away. It was all thanks to the roaring flames in my fireplace and how tired I was from shivering in the cold all day. But that was all over. Shedding tears of joy, I fell asleep in an instant.

Now the hardship ends and happiness begins! Hooray!

* * *

“Hey, are you asleep?”

Harry narrowed his eyes as he lay in the bed. Before he knew it, he had transformed from a dog into his human form.

“Is it because she’s still just a crumb? She’s so naïve.”

I can’t believe she’s sleeping in bed with a demon just because I told her I wouldn’t do anything.

I thought she was supposed to be suspicious of others.

Harry stretched his arm out and ran his hand through Everia's hair. In contrast to his silver hair, Everia’s was a common auburn color. He liked it because it resembled fire, which was the source of his power.

She’s not waking up even when I touch her like this.

He tried poking her cheeks with his finger, but Everia just tossed and turned without showing any signs of waking up.

I’m thankful that she trusts me, but...

The fact that she was so relaxed hurt his ego.

Don’t I look handsome? All the girls used to like me.

Demons were quite skilled at winning people’s hearts and taking advantage of them. An attractive figure was the easiest way to bewitch people. For this reason, demons evolved to have beautiful appearances. Even among demons, Harry’s good looks were exceptional. However, the new contractor didn't seem to like his look.

Does she think I’m a real dog because of my animal form?

Seeing how comfortably she was sleeping, that seemed likely.

I finally came to the human world after a long time, but they’re treating me like a dog.

If those in the underworld found out that he even wore a dog collar, they would laugh at him for at least a hundred years.

I must receive compensation for working like an animal.

The problem was how to seduce this contractor.

What’s my master’s desire? She has good looks, high status, and lots of money. Is there anything she lacks?

Harry wasn't too worried. All human beings have desires buried deep in their hearts. All he had to do was awaken hers. For the time being, she said she didn’t want a war, but if he were to slowly plant ideas in her head, she could change her mind.

That’s how humans are.

Smiling, Harry kissed Everia's hair lightly.

I'm going to find out your desires soon, so look forward to it.

The demon would get his pleasure, and Harry grinned at the thought. At that moment, he felt a presence in the parlor outside. Someone was moving cautiously. Their movements were quite clumsy, but the person was trying to be as silent as possible.

Is it an assassin?

He had experienced situations like that many times when he was with his first contractor. Anyone coming into the room at that hour had to be an assassin. Harry looked at Everia who was deep asleep.

If I don’t do anything, she’ll die, right? Then the contract will end naturally.

It was best for him not to do anything in such a situation, but he didn't like that idea.

Theoharis’ contractor can’t be killed by a clumsy assassin. No, that’s not right.

The person who called his name deserved a better death than that.

I'll be her loyal dog for now.

* * *

[Master! Wake up!]

Harry's voice of urgency woke me up from my sweet sleep.

“You’re waking me up? Is it morning already?”

I lifted my heavy eyelids and looked around. However, the room was still shrouded in darkness.

What? It's still nighttime.

Annoyed, I tried to push Harry away from me, but it wasn’t enough to get rid of the huge, heavy dog.

[You need to wake up! There’s someone in the parlor!]

[Why would anyone come here at night?]

[That's why it's weird! What if it’s an assassin? Get up!]

[An assassin? Why would an assassin come all the way here for me? I’m nothing.]

I reached out and stroked his body as if I were comforting a fussy child.

[You’re probably mistaken. Just go back to sleep, Harry.]

[There’s no way I’m wrong. I am Theoharis, the blue wizard!]

[I see. I know very well what a great magician you are, so go back to sleep.]

[Ugh, seriously?!]

Harry jumped off the bed and gave up on persuading me. Then came the sound of the dog's light footsteps heading into the parlor.

He finally gave up.

Feeling the joy of winning the battle against Harry, I once again fell into a deep sleep. Or rather, I was about to, but then...

“Aaah!”

A scream suddenly came from the parlor.