Taming The Villainesses

Episode 243.2

Stella was quite calm, unlike usual.

Was it because she got drunk?

She felt different from Elga, who tended to get excited and caused trouble when she drank.

I didn’t know if it was because she was keeping her mouth shut, but there was an air around the drunk Stella.

Her gaze carried a certain gravitas that I couldn’t find in the other young ladies.

Thinking that now might be a good time to have a deep conversation, I decided to speak up.

“They say you were once the protagonist of a fairy tale?”

“Elice?”

Stella stuck out her tongue as if she’d been waiting for my question.

“I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve heard that story. Yes, when I was 12, I got lost in a rabbit hole-shaped dungeon. It’s something I can laugh about now, but it was serious back then.”

“I heard you were also called the Fairy Princess?”

“… Well, I was young then. Young elves often get such names. People just made a fuss over it.”

‘I see.’

“Still, I was quite charming back then. Dreamy, innocent, and the whole world was sparkling… Those were the days.”

Chureureuk-. 

Like a balloon deflating in the heat, Stella slumped over the bench’s table. The strong smell of alcohol made my nose tingle.

“Theo-kun, what would you do if you found out that the glittering gold you once knew was just fake plating?”

“Plating?”

“No, never mind…”

I could tell that Stella was about to say something important, but she stopped herself. 

I wanted to press further, but I had no choice but to get up from my seat as I heard someone calling us from afar.

* * *

Everyday life was long, but vacations were always short. The leisurely days spent at the Bellhawk family villa passed by in the blink of an eye.

Even if it was vacation, I couldn’t just do nothing.

I was busy securing funds for the upcoming martial festival while also investigating the whereabouts of Isaiah Gospel.

And the slave trader who sold me…. 

Then there were also the mercenaries who had sold me to the slave traders. It would be helpful to get some information about the bandits who had taken me from them.

However, they were likely in Monarch City of the Angmar Kingdom. And the distance from here to there was so great that it would take several days of nonstop travel by carriage.

I needed to visit the kingdom at some point to check on things, but finding the right timing wouldn’t be easy.

“Ah, the weather is nice, Master. A perfect day for scheming.”

“Is that so?”

I sought out Vassago, who was now my hard-working subordinate. 

I wondered when would be a good time to return to the Angmar Kingdom. Being the original Demon Monk, perhaps he could enlighten me.

“I heard you’ve been in contact with the elves lately. It seems you’re extending your reach to the Bellhawk family. Very impressive.”

So this guy had heard about my interactions with the elves. He continued.

“You must be aiming for the elves’ treasure, right? If you manage to acquire it now, it would significantly ease your path to achieving the grand ambition!”

“The elves’ treasure?”

“More precisely, it’s the former master’s treasure. Opal Bellhawk… The treasure of King Solomon that that guy took. If you get your hands on it now, it would be easy to get the other two great magics…!”

Was there such a thing?

This wasn’t in the original novel.

It was the first time I had heard of it!

However, overestimating me, Vassago seemed utterly convinced that I had approached Stella to seize this so-called treasure. 

“I am also impressed with the number of imps this time around. Imps are always crucial minions of the demon army…! Even their perception has improved. No one can stop us….”

Jwaljwaljwal-. 

He kept flattering me to the point where I felt a bit embarrassed listening to him.

I wondered if the guide was always like this. But thinking back, the original Demon Monk Theo was a henchman who was good at flattering the Queen. So this behavior actually fitted his character.

… He wouldn’t suddenly betray me, would he?

I had my doubts, but the loyalty he showed seemed genuine. Like Balan, if I commanded him to die, he would probably do so without hesitation.

「You have calmly judged the situation!

You have gained experience points through the talent 《Calm Thinking》.

All job experience +5」 

At this point, it was less about loyalty and more about faith.

To them, Solomon was a god, and I was his only begotten son.

How terrifying.

“So, are you having dinner with Lady Bellhawk tonight?”

“It seems so…”

Tonight, I have a dinner appointment with Stella Bellhawk. Though the sun hadn’t even set yet, I was already feeling a bit anxious. Then Vassago said. 

“If you want to learn about Isaiah Gospel, you should get closer to Stella Bellhawk. From what I know, Stella and Isaiah were quite close.”

“Really?”

I had some ideas about this…

“As far as I know, it was Stella who saw him off beyond the Witch Forest. Perhaps she knows Isaiah Gospel’s whereabouts.”

‘Is that so?’

I didn’t notice any such indication from her. Stella had also claimed she knew nothing about Isaiah’s disappearance.

So, she was toying with me while knowing everything?

The fact that she lied to me made me angry. I needed to teach this mischievous elf a lesson tonight!