Chapter 27
Chapter 27
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: Villain and Tacos
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The smell of burning stung her nose.
Everlin blinked. She snapped out of her flashback and returned to reality.
"Everlin? You okay?"
Right in front of Everlin was a smoking cast-iron pan. The meat inside was turning black.
"The meat's burning! My dinner's in danger!"
"I'm sorry, Master."
Everlin quickly reached out and pulled the frying pan off the heat. Fortunately, it hadn't burned completely. She let out a sigh of relief. Ruining Grimoire's delightful dinner would make her a failure as a maid.
"I've called your name three times already, and you didn't even respond. Ignoring your master like that? Disloyal! Arrogant!"
Grimoire was resting her chin on the kitchen counter, gazing at Everlin. Her ruby-red eyes sparkled with curiosity and a hint of concern.
"I was too focused on Master's world conquest plans."
"Oh? Well, luckily for you, I'm a merciful villain, so I'll forgive you just this once!"
Grimoire's face lit up with a bright smile. That pure expression pulled Everlin completely out of her dark past.
Everlin refocused on cooking.
To her, knives had once been tools for taking lives, but now they were just for slicing tomatoes.
Avocado, onion, cilantro, cheese, lime... Preparing the perfect dinner for Grimoire was her most important mission in the world right now.
"Whoa! That's amazing! Are you a samurai, Everlin?"
Her eyes were mesmerized by Everlin's knife skills.
She was so adorable that Everlin kept her gaze fixed on the ingredients, afraid a smile might slip out.
That was when it happened.
"Me too! I want to cook too! I'll help you! Even great villains have to lighten the load for their minions sometimes! Just tell me what to do!"
Everlin's knife paused for a split second at her fingertips. A 0.3-second wave of panic hit her.
Grimoire and cooking.
That combination spelled disaster.
Memories of the last time Grimoire tried cooking flashed through her mind. The kitchen turned white from a flour explosion. The chef's knife stuck in the ceiling, refusing to come down. Flames and smoke billowing from the pan. And the all-day cleanup...
Cold sweat beaded on Everlin's forehead. Ironically, she could face an S-Rank Villain without flinching, but Grimoire entering the kitchen terrified her.
"It would be an honor to have your help, Master, but..."
'Stay calm. I have to protect the kitchen without hurting Master's feelings.'
A plan formed in Everlin's mind in an instant.
"Perfect timing. There's an important mission only you can handle."
"Hm? Something only I can do?"
She opened the fridge door, revealing a package of premium Italian prosciutto ham right up front. Everlin had prepared it specifically for situations like this.
"This prosciutto ham's expiration date is today. It's too premium to throw away..."
Grimoire's eyes lit up.
"Prosciutto ham!"
Everlin prepared a plate and fork for the ham. She gestured toward the living room sofa.
"How about enjoying it comfortably in the living room? If you watch TV and gather intel on the situation, it'll be a huge help for world conquest."
"A brilliant idea! A great villain knows how to delegate. You cook, and I'll take responsibility for this ham!"
Grimoire grabbed the plate and headed to the living room. Once she settled comfortably on the sofa, Everlin sighed in relief.
'Whew.'
She had successfully averted the crisis with clever tactics.
Everlin focused on cooking again. As a perfect maid, she pursued flawlessness in every detail.
The balance of tomato acidity and umami, the creamy texture of avocado, the perfect spiciness of jalapeños.
Tomato salsa, guacamole, spicy jalapeño sauce... Each one came together perfectly under her hands.
Thirty minutes later, the table was perfectly set in a Mexican vibe.
Colorful dishware and little cactus decorations added to the atmosphere. Taco shells and quesadillas were artistically arranged, while layers of nachos and cheese whetted the appetite.
In the center plate, she drew a crown-shaped 'G' mark with tomato salsa. It was Grimoire's villain mark.
"Master, dinner is ready."
Everlin went to the living room and called Grimoire. Grimoire wolfed down the last of the ham and stood up.
"I just saw the US President giving a speech! He's imposing tariffs on the whole world? But what's a tariff? Is it a tax foreigners pay?"
"Tariffs are taxes on imported goods from foreign countries. It's a measure to protect domestic industries."
"Hmm... Then once I conquer America, tariffs won't be needed! The whole Earth will be mine, cackle!"
"Excellent. Would you share more detailed plans over dinner?"
Grimoire rushed to the table, her eyes widening.
"Perfect! This is a villain's feast! A meal fit for someone with the King's DNA!"
Squeak squeak-!
Suddenly, two mice scampered up onto the table and took positions in the corner. It was Darkness and White King.
Grimoire's expression sharpened instantly.
"You two, loafing around all day and only showing up for food!"
Squeak squeak-!!
The mice protested by thumping their tails on the table, looking indignant.
"Darkness and White King were busy scouting around the villa and gathering intel today. They say they've brought a lot of new information."
Grimoire glared at the mice for a while before finally nodding in permission.
"In that case, you earn the right to eat. Here, your share."
Grimoire tore off a small piece of taco and handed it to them. Darkness and White King wagged their tails happily as they accepted the food.
Everlin quietly watched Grimoire enjoy her meal. The way her little mouth chewed enthusiastically, her eyelids drooping slightly in satisfaction, her smile full of joy. Grimoire's happiness was Everlin's happiness.
"Mmm! It's fantastic! Everlin, your cooking skills are world-conquest level!"
"Thank you. That's the highest praise."
Grimoire spoke passionately with salsa sauce smeared on her mouth.
"Oh, yeah! Once I conquer the world, the first thing I'll do is make Taco Day! Every country in the world will be required to eat tacos!"
Her eyes brimmed with boundless imagination.
"And Monday will be Chicken Day, Tuesday Pizza Day, Wednesday Tonkatsu Day, Thursday Ramen Day, Friday Ice Cream Day, Saturday Potato Chip Day, Sunday..."
Grimoire kept listing her food plans. Salsa sauce still clung to her mouth.
"All 365 days of the year will be different food holidays! Every day a festival!"
Everlin quietly reached out with a napkin and wiped the sauce from Grimoire's mouth.
"A wonderful plan, Master. It will surely boost your subjects' loyalty even higher."
After dinner, Grimoire sprawled out on the sofa.
"Ugh... So full... My villain mobility's down... World conquest starts tomorrow..."
She rubbed her belly contentedly and lay horizontally on the sofa.
Everlin efficiently cleared the table. Darkness and White King helped by carrying small dishes.
Grimoire pulled out her phone and started watching travel videos.
"I need to research our next conquest target! Look, this is Rome! That building's called the Colosseum, where gladiators fought back in the day. Once I conquer it, I'll turn it into a villain arena and lock heroes inside."
Her plans always carried a childlike innocence.
"Everlin, where do you think our next conquest should be?"
"Anywhere Master desires is perfect."
The clock struck 10 p.m. Grimoire's eyelids were growing heavy.
Her phone nearly dropped onto her face while watching the travel video.
'Bedtime now.'
Everlin went to the kitchen and prepared a glass of warm milk. She returned to the sofa and handed it to Grimoire.
"How about saving the rest for tomorrow, Master? You'll need plenty of rest to devise more conquest plans."
Grimoire nodded sleepily and took the milk, sipping it slowly.
Everlin gently took her phone and plugged it into the charger.
It was all so natural, everyday routine. But to Everlin, these little moments were everything.
The two headed to Grimoire's room.
Everlin straightened the bed and spread out the covers. Grimoire, in her bunny pajamas, jumped onto the bed and wriggled under the blankets.
"Sweet dreams, Master. I'll look forward to tomorrow's villainy."
Grimoire mumbled with half-closed eyes.
"Everlin... I'm glad I have you... You're the best maid..."
Her words slowed and grew quieter.
"You seem stoic... but I know you're not... If you don't know how to smile... I'll teach you..."
Without finishing her last sentence, Grimoire fell into a deep sleep. Steady breathing filled the room.
A deep emotion flickered across Everlin's face.
Joy, gratitude, and above all, a fierce protective instinct filled her heart.
She walked to the window, drew the curtains, and left only a small light on before quietly sitting in the chair by the bed. She gazed at the sleeping Grimoire.
Grimoire's horns faintly glowed gray and twinkled softly. A small smile played on her lips. She was probably conquering the world in her dreams.
'You're having happy dreams. I'll make everything you dream of come true, Master.'