Chapter 41
Chapter 41
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: Villain and Nuisance
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Cackle! The day of world conquest is not far off!"
Stretching lazily, I muttered in satisfaction. Today was definitely going to be a good day.
I recalled the moment yesterday when I'd completely demolished Cat Mom's arguments.
My genius brain had pierced every logical flaw in her reasoning, so that woman must have come to her senses by now.
The cats wouldn't dare invade my territory anymore either. I, who had restored peace to Crown Villa, was the true hero... no, villain!
"Everlin, is breakfast ready for this great one?"
"Yes, Master. I've prepared French toast and clam chowder today. With bacon on the side."
"As expected of my maid—perfect from the morning! A flawless meal befitting a great villain's breakfast!"
Today, I would live a true villain's day! I'd plot for world conquest, or seek inspiration for new villainy... anyway, something properly villainous!
"This great one's footsteps toward world conquest will not stop today either—"
Bang! Crash!
My words cut off at the sound of a trash bin toppling over from below.
"What the heck!?"
I rushed to the window and yanked the curtains open.
The recycling area in front of Crown Villa was a total mess... or rather, a cat-astrophe. Trash bags torn everywhere, contents scattered across the ground.
And then the yowling began.
Meeeooow!
Waaah!
What in the world...?
"Everlin! Come look at this!"
"What is it, Master?"
"Look at this! I clearly warned them yesterday not to invade my territory, and now this!?"
Everlin peered out the window for a moment, then bowed her head.
"It seems yesterday's talk wasn't very effective."
"She must be getting revenge in this cowardly way because I logically demolished her! This is a clear declaration of war!"
My horns throbbed with rage.
"Darkness! White King! Emergency muster!"
Squeak squeak.
Darkness and White King, who'd been spinning their wheel, scampered over and got ready to deploy.
"Listen up! Today's mission is the 'Cat Nuisance Evidence Collection Operation'! I'll gather solid proof of how much damage that Cat Mom's causing my territory and drive her out!"
Squeak!
Darkness raised a paw in salute. White King followed suit. True soldier spirit!
"Everlin, we're heading out for the on-site investigation. Skip lunch if you have to—just prepare lots of snacks!"
"Understood, Master. Please be careful."
I hurriedly threw on some clothes and stepped outside.
I'd tried to settle it nicely with words, but no dice. Lady Grimoire's iron fist demands justice!
The first person I ran into outside the villa was Uncle Kim, the confirmed bachelor taxi driver. He was pacing around his taxi, fuming.
"Again!? How many times is this gonna happen! Insurance won't even cover it!"
I approached slowly and inspected Uncle Kim's car. A pretty vintage model—his one pride and joy.
But now, there were clear paw prints and scratches on the hood and windshield.
"Scratching up a car like this means your driving sucks! You got a Class 2 auto license or something?"
Uncle Kim's face lit up when he saw me, and he grinned.
"Oh, Grimoire! Driving skills? Uncle here's the best driver around. This wasn't me. These neighborhood cats are driving me nuts. Every day they climb on the car, leaving claw marks and scratches—repair bills already over 300,000 won!"
300,000 won... that's enough for five premium chocolate sets! Or ten royal snack boxes!
"Where's your proof? This just an excuse?"
Uncle pointed under the car.
"See? Cat food again. That Cat Mom puts it under here every day. If one ever gets into the engine bay... ugh, gives me chills just thinking about it."
I peeked under the car—sure enough, a small plastic bag of food. Darkness and White King darted over to investigate.
Squeak squeak.
"Total cheap crap food? Then it's definitely that woman's doing!"
I crossed my arms. Clear evidence.
"Fear not, lowly human. This great one will personally discipline that Cat Mom!!"
"Yeah, go get her, little villain!"
Little...? Did he just call this great one 'little'?
"This great one is not 'little'—I'm a great villain! Call me little one more time, and I'll confiscate your taxi license!"
But Uncle was already laughing and walking away.
Hmph! Cheeky! I'll curse him so his white pillow's covered in hair every morning he wakes up!
Still seething, I headed to the shops around the villa. Gotta find more evidence! A villain's investigation must be flawless!
The bakery lady was wiping down her display case with a sigh.
"What's wrong, Bread Auntie? Business bad? If you've got extras bothering you, this great one will specially dispose of them for free!"
Bread Auntie smiled at me and handed over a red bean bun.
Nom nom.
"Aigoo, what to do... business has been awful lately. At this rate, I might not even have buns to give you."
"What!?"
No more red bean buns? This is a crisis! I'm a villain, but I don't want the world turning bleak!
"Why? What's tanking sales? Want this great one to do some under-the-table promo on TV?"
"Cats keep jumping on the display and ruining the bread—sales down over 30%."
30%? Does that mean 30% fewer red bean buns? Unacceptable!
"Don't worry, Bread Auntie! This bakery's a strategic special zone under this great one's protection! I'll handle the Cat Mom problem! Of course, protection fees apply..."
"Thanks, Grimoire. You're really our neighborhood's little hero..."
"Not hero—villain!!"
"Okay, okay."
Auntie laughed and handed me another bun.
This is my chance—solve this case, and I'll raise protection to three buns!
Munching the red bean bun, I headed to the next shop. The clothing store owner next door was installing some weird curtain at the entrance.
"That decor's totally tacky! You gonna show customers that outdated design? If this great one advises, Gothic style would suit better!"
"This isn't decor—it's a soundproof curtain. Cats yowling in front of the window's bothering customers."
"Soundproof... curtain?"
"Yeah, from morning till night, cat noise gives me headaches. Can't even display properly. They keep leaning on the glass doors, scratching them up."
Cats again?
The fish shop uncle nearby was installing wire mesh at his door. He waved when he saw me.
"Look at this! Can't even leave stuff out front anymore. Cats take it all! Lost a whole jumbo mackerel yesterday!"
"Those cats are the real problem! Don't worry— this great one will handle it!"
"With our villain stepping up, I feel secure~ Solve it, and I'll gift you a fresh mackerel!"
"For real? Promise?"
I kept patrolling around the villa, investigating more damage. Darkness and White King diligently sniffed out evidence.
This wasn't just a minor issue. The whole neighborhood was suffering cat terrorism! Cat Mom's misdeeds turned up everywhere.
Next, I headed to East Park... no, now Grimoire Park, my domain and the king's rest spot!
But today's park vibe was off.
"What the...?"
Dug-up patches all over the grass, cat poop scattered around benches. No pigeons in sight—instead, a few mangled bird corpses near the trash bins, heads torn off.
A few residents gathered by a bench, arguing fiercely.
"I'm thinking of sprinkling Tylenol around. Can't take it anymore."
A middle-aged man clenched his fist. Still in work clothes covered in dirt—probably the gardener.
"No way! That's animal abuse! Better to set cat traps. Release them far away..."
"That takes too long! Third time fixing flower beds this month! Maybe plant tulips instead!"
"If you really love animals, you wouldn't raise them causing trouble for the neighborhood."
Scary stuff. At this rate, a horrific cat massacre might happen.
"It's all that Cat Mom's fault! Won't take responsibility!"
"Someone needs to step up and scold her. Or report to city hall?"
"Reported to city hall tons of times—useless. Just 'complaint received' and done."
The residents kept raising voices, insisting their way was right.
The anger and pain rising everywhere was, in a way, satisfying for a villain like me.
Division and conflict among people... good omen for a villain aiming to rule the world.
But it had to be chaos I created directly—not some other fool stirring it in my domain!
A top-tier villain cares about the process, not just the result!
"Alright, I've gathered enough evidence. Clear conclusion reached."
Squeak?
The two rats looked up at me.
"We gotta beat up that Cat Mom and chase her off! The strays... hmm... ship 'em to the mountains to become wild cats?"