Chapter 39
Chapter 39
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: Villain and Intrusion
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After the trial ended, I sipped my drink while watching the rats.
*Rattle-rattle-*
The cheerful sound of the rats' tiny paws spinning the wheel rang out.
Becoming subordinates of this body is always a special honor!
They look so happy—it's a privilege the other rats couldn't even dream of!
Of course, it was originally meant as punishment... but whatever. Gloomy subordinates wouldn't help with world conquest anyway.
The stress-filled day ended on a perfect note. As expected, genius villains always win!
"Master, now that the trial is over, may we discuss fridge management going forward?"
"Fridge management?"
Everlin's question came as she tidied up the mock courtroom props on the table.
No way... is she trying to regulate this body's snack time? Nah, loyal maid Everlin wouldn't do that, right?
"Speak. Thanks to today's perfect victory, this body's mood is at its peak!"
"To prevent any more unfortunate incidents like today, it might be good to establish some fridge management rules."
Rules? Why would we need those? The word 'rules' isn't in Grimoire's dictionary.
For villains, rules are something you impose on others—not something you follow!
"This body is a villain, so it hates regulations and oversight...!"
"Any organization needs discipline. Especially for world conquest, efficient resource management is essential."
I paused to think.
Come to think of it, the villain organizations in movies did have rules.
Things like the mafia's code of silence, 'Omertà.' Or 'Vendetta,' executing traitors without mercy.
"Hmm... A villain organization with discipline does sound cool... So, what rules? You're not planning to limit this body's snacks, are you?"
I narrowed my eyes and glared at Everlin. If she even mentions restricting snacks, I'll veto it immediately!
"Of course not. Master's snacks are a sacred, inviolable domain. However, could we dispose of expired ones or classify them as 'training rewards' for the rats? It would help boost their loyalty too."
'Training rewards'... It sounded like a decent idea at first glance. Rewarding subordinates for their efforts—with stuff on the verge of expiring...
"If you reward the rats this way, their loyalty will soar even higher. Loyal subordinates are essential for the greatest villain."
*Squeak-squeak-!*
Darkness and White King started spinning the wheel even harder the moment they heard that.
"What, do you crave this body's snacks that badly?"
"Plus, freeing up fridge space means we can buy even more new snacks. Don't villains deserve the latest, highest-quality treats? That'll make Master's snack collection even more valuable. Gems only shine when they're sorted properly."
"Hmm... I see... Very well! Everlin, you make a good point. But!"
I raised a finger, laying down the most important condition.
"We must be able to buy as many snacks as this body wants, whenever it wants! Ample supplies are essential for world conquest!"
"Thank you for your wise decision, Master. Truly the epitome of a true villain."
Everlin bowed deeply. As she headed back to the kitchen, she muttered under her breath.
"Finally, I can clean out the fridge..."
"Huh? What was that? What did you just say?"
"Nothing at all. I'll have dinner ready shortly."
Hmm, something feels off... but whatever. This body won, that's for sure! Organizing the fridge is the maid's job anyway!
*Rattle-rattle— rattle-rattle—*
With the wheel sounds as background music, I sank deeper into the sofa.
The subordinates diligently carrying out their punishment(?), the loyal maid preparing a delicious dinner...
Isn't this moment the very definition of a villain's happiness?
*
While Everlin prepared dinner, I decided to watch some TV.
Today's news headline was the usual trivial hero exploits. An interview with a hero who took down a monster using flame powers.
"Hmph! Anyone can make fire. The firefighters put it out—why's he bragging like that?"
I grumbled while popping potato chips into my mouth. Roasted onion flavor. The salty tang spread across my tongue.
From the kitchen came the sounds of Everlin preparing dinner.
The chop of knife on cutting board, water boiling, ingredients being sliced and stir-fried.
That rhythm, that precision! As expected of this body's maid—perfect in every way.
*Rattle-*
In one corner of the living room, Darkness and White King were still at the wheel. I'd only ordered an hour, but the rats showed no signs of stopping.
*Squeak!*
Finally, they stopped the wheel. Their beady black eyes fixed on the chip bag in my hand.
"What? Dare to eye this body's snacks? Forgot our agreement? These aren't training rewards! Expiration date's still good!"
*Squeak...*
The rats' tiny eyes sparkled innocently. They looked like the world's most pitiful creatures.
"Th... You think that look works on this body? The heart of a world-conquering villain is like steel!"
*Sparkle-sparkle-*
Ugh... This is cheating.
In the end, I tossed a few chips their way. They scampered over and gratefully accepted my gift.
*Squeak-squeak! Squeak!*
The two rats held the chips in their tiny paws and bowed politely.
For some reason, I felt a swell of pride. Of course, it's just the satisfaction of earning my subordinates' loyalty. Definitely not because they're cute or pitiful! Villains don't need sympathy!
"Managing subordinates is part of villainy too! For world conquest, a bit of generosity is necessary!"
It had been a busy day. Library expedition, villain court session, and even fridge rules established.
Resting like this for greater evil deeds wasn't bad. What villain adventure awaits tomorrow?
"Master, tonight's menu is authentic carbonara made with Iberico Guanciale."
Everlin elegantly set the table. The pasta on the plate looked like a work of art.
"Excellent! As expected, this body's maid is the best! Now, let the feast celebrating this great villain's victory begin!"
The perfect end to a perfect day. I sat at the table with a satisfied smile.
Today's world conquest plan felt one step closer.
***
A few days later.
Warm sunlight poured through the window onto my bed.
"Mmm~"
Even villains couldn't resist the terrifying allure of a fluffy bed.
But today's Grimoire was different! A great villain conquering the world couldn't sleep in.
I stretched my arms wide.
*Crack-*
My joints popped satisfyingly, and my horns trembled faintly.
"Stretch-stretch— Morning stretches—"
After finishing, I got out of bed, went to the window, and flung the curtains wide. A clear blue sky unfolded before me.
"Kakak! Even the weather's ready to aid this body's evil deeds! Today too, the great villain Grimoire shall shake the world!"
Fully recharged on villain energy from yesterday's court, it was time to take one—no, two steps toward world conquest.
I opened the bedroom door and stepped into the hallway, where the warm scent of toast tickled my nose.
"As expected of Everlin! True to form as this body's maid, delighting me with new feasts every day!"
But instead of a reply, I heard Everlin on a phone call.
"Yes, this is the manager. Yes... another one of those... I'll check right away."
Everlin's voice held a subtle tension unlike her usual calm.
Something serious was definitely up!
"What's going on?"
"Good morning, Master. There's a problem around the villa. We should go check it out."
"Problem? What kind?"
"A report came in that the trash sorting area is a mess. This is the third time already."
Who dares cause trouble in this body's territory? Are they not afraid of Grimoire's iron fist?
"I'll come too! This body will handle it personally! Gotta dominate my domain perfectly before world conquest!"
Everlin nodded.
"Then after breakfast."
"No, right now! We can take the toast to go! We must find the intruder threatening this body's territory immediately!"
She quickly plated two pieces of toast and handed them to me.
"Understood, Master."
*Squeak?*
Darkness and White King watched us with curious eyes. I beckoned them.
"You two come too! As this body's intelligence unit, it's your duty to track down the threat to our territory!"
With Everlin and the rats, we headed to the trash sorting area in front of the villa.
The situation was worse than I'd imagined.
Trash bags that should have been neatly sorted were torn open, contents scattered everywhere in chaos.
"Who did this...?"
Anger boiled up. This was a blatant challenge. Daring to threaten Crown Villa's peace!
"It's been happening since last week. It was just scattered trash before, but today's even worse."
"What's that?"
I walked toward the utility pole by the villa. A severed wire lay on the ground, looking chewed through.
Everlin came over to inspect it.
"That's why we've had power outages lately."
A bolt of realization struck me.
Trash piles, chewed wires... And culprits capable of such mischief...
I glared down at Darkness and White King at my feet.
"You two! This is your doing again, isn't it?!"
The rats' eyes widened in shock.
*Squeak!*
Darkness shook its head vigorously side to side. White King waved its paws desperately denying it.
"Don't lie! This time, no forgiveness! I'll confiscate the wheel again! And no snacks for two months!"
I let them off too easy yesterday, and now this? I thought they were loyal, but disappointing me again!!
*Squeak-squeak-!*
The rats wailed desperately. Their faces were filled with genuine fear and injustice.
"Master, the rats couldn't have done this."
"What?"
*Squeak-squeak!*
Darkness and White King nodded furiously as if saying 'The maid's right!'
"Then who? Who dares spread this trash plague in this body's sanctuary!"
Everlin quietly surveyed the surroundings. Her eyes sharpened.
"We've had complaints from several residents lately. Stray cats have been increasing around the villa complex."
She pointed at the ground. Faint paw prints were visible up close.
"These are... cat paw prints?"
Looking closer, small cat prints were everywhere—around the trash piles, near the pole, even on the villa walls.
Wait... I suspected my subordinates!
"Wh-what? Of course this body knew! Darkness and White King would never! This was, uh... just testing your loyalty!"
This body suspecting its own subordinates? Absurd! Just keeping all possibilities open!
*Squeak-squeak-*
The rats' aggrieved stares kept piercing me.
"A-anyway! Let's find the real culprit now!"
"Here's the footage from last night."
The tablet video showed several cats rummaging through trash and gnawing wires.
"Cats acting this organized? Like they're in military training?"
"There's intel on a 'Cat Mom' appearing in the area recently."
"Cat Mom?"
"A villain who feeds stray cats, plunging streets into chaos. Mainly trash-rummaging, noise pollution, power grid sabotage."
"So someone's using cats to sow disorder here?"
Everlin nodded.
"Exactly. And it seems our villa has become a target."
"Intruders daring to invade this body's territory! Unacceptable! Cat Mom? Just some old hag? How dare she trespass in the great Grimoire's domain!"
"Don't worry too much, Master. I can 'handle' this quickly."
"No! This is a matter of villain dignity!"
I puffed out my chest. My horns gleamed proudly.
"A villain must defend their territory personally! Leaving it to subordinates undermines villain prestige! I shall judge these insolent paw-leavers myself!"
"Understood, Master. I've prepared a map of complaint locations."
The tablet showed a map of S-City's eastern district, centered on Crown Villa with multiple red dots.
"Stray cat sighting complaints from the past week. Concentrated in this area."
"Hmph... This body will investigate the scene personally!"
"I'll hold down the command post."
Everlin bowed politely.
"Contact me if needed. I'll provide immediate support."
"No need! This is nothing for this body alone... no, with Darkness and White King, more than enough! I'll unleash the rats to hunt cats!"
*Squeak!?*
"No whining! Overcoming natural predators is the aesthetic of villainy!"
*Squeak-squeak...*
The rats exchanged glances, then gave trembling tiny salutes with their paws.
First destination: the vacant lot in the neighborhood with the most red dots. Likely the Cat Mom's hideout.
Brace yourselves! The great villain Grimoire is coming!