Chapter 48
Chapter 48
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: Villain and the Allotment Garden
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World conquest doesn't happen overnight. What’s needed is a more gradual expansion of dominance.
To dominate a city, you start with the villages. To dominate the villages, you start with the neighborhoods. And to dominate the neighborhoods, you first conquer the land right beneath your feet.
In the past, this body conquered S City's East Park and claimed it as my territory! But true conquest isn't just planting your feet on the soil!
"Cackle! Today, this body shall proclaim its unassailable dominion to all the world! Today's villainy: creating my very own vegetable patch and flower bed in the park! I dub it... Operation: Grimoire Garden!"
Of course, this has absolutely nothing to do with binge-watching that weekend farming variety show last night! I'm definitely not just itching for a farm experience!
"But Master, a vegetable patch... isn't that less villainy and more just a wholesome hobby?"
"What? Everlin, it seems you don't grasp the true essence of evil!"
I pointed dramatically at Everlin.
"Privatizing a public space meant for the citizens! Could there be a more nefarious scheme? It's the core evil of capitalism!"
Everlin fell silent for a moment. Clearly, she was awestruck by this body's genius, lost for words.
"Undeniably villainous. I'll prepare the supplies."
"Excellent! Prepare farmer's garb fit for this body! And some light gardening tools too!"
A maid's efficiency is truly something to behold. In just fifteen minutes, everything was ready.
I checked my villainous outfit for the day in the mirror.
Blue overalls with a plaid shirt, topped with a straw hat befitting this body's dignity! Of course, Everlin had custom-drilled holes for my horns.
And at my waist, the great Korean invention—the hoe—and the gardener's essential, a trowel!
"Well? The perfect look for a world-conquering villain, wouldn't you say?"
Everlin gazed at me and smiled.
"Master, the farmer's outfit suits you perfectly."
"Farmer? This body is a ruler! A conqueror! The new king of the world!"
But my reflection in the mirror... hmm, it looked less like a villain and more like a cute fairy-tale character.
"Everlin, can't we make it a bit more intimidating? Something's off... it doesn't quite capture this body's majesty..."
"It's plenty perfect, Master. A farmer villain is a highly original concept."
A farmer villain, huh... Well, regardless, I'd strengthen my dominion by carving out my vegetable patch and garden in the park.
Everlin handed me a bento box.
"Specially prepared for your villainous endeavors."
"Heh heh, what a clever minion! Stamina management is key for committing evil! As expected of this body's maid—you get it! I'll even give you special praise!"
"Have a... joyful—no, wicked day, Master."
With Everlin's farewell behind me, I headed to the park. My stride even more confident! Chin held higher! For this body is the conqueror ruling its territory—a great villain!
S City's Central Park was already territory where I'd declared my dominion. Still, today I'd mark it unmistakably as mine.
"Hmm... where to?"
I scouted the park for a strategic spot. A sunny south-facing slope caught my eye—near a busy walking path, easy access to water.
Wait, this isn't about successful farming; it's villainy! Just pick somewhere eye-catching!
"Here it is! This shall be the birthplace of Grimoire Garden!"
I pulled out the trowel and hoe and started digging.
Thud! Thud!
Thanks to this body's superhuman strength, the work progressed swiftly. Faster than one tractor... no, three!
A few scoops, and the hard soil was tilled. What would take an ordinary person half a day, I finished in ten minutes.
"Between the black ox and the yellow ox, which works better? Grimoire does! Just grill the oxen and eat 'em!"
I smoothed the soil with the trowel, made furrows... and a neat rectangular plot was complete.
"Phew, excellent. This body has talent in farming too."
But... it's tougher than I thought. Beads of sweat trickled down my forehead.
I never knew farming was such grueling work. Farmers who do this deserve respect.
Wait, what am I thinking? Respecting farmers? Nonsense! This body is a villain, a villain! I never eat vegetables!
Still, it didn't feel bad. There's something nice about creating something with your own hands...
"What's that? Oh, starting a vegetable patch! Nice hobby."
"Kids these days just game all the time. Seeing one play in the dirt outside is refreshing. Good on ya."
"Eh, tsk. That's not how you do it."
What? A hobby? Commendable? And advice too!?
"Not bad digging technique."
"Still got a ways to go. Your posture's off."
"Hold the hoe at an angle so it doesn't strain your wrist."
"Cease interfering with a villain's labors!"
One old man tilted his head, then inspected my plot.
"Oh dear, you're far from done. Let's see... no drainage ditches. Plant like this, and a rainy season flood'll wash it all away."
I was speechless for a moment. Drainage ditches... right. I hadn't considered that.
"O-Of course I knew that! Did you think this body wouldn't know something so basic? I was merely... testing your reactions!"
I bluffed, but the old man saw through me and just smiled.
"Heh heh, alright then. Mind if I lend a hand? Back in my youth, no one topped me at farm work."
"I need no help! This body can handle it perfectly alone..."
Before I could finish, he snatched the hoe and dug drainage ditches with expert ease. Impressive skill.
Er... I could have done that... probably.
Other old men from the benches started gathering one by one.
"What's this? Old man Yoon starting farm work again?"
"Oh, this kid's making a vegetable patch in the park. Ain't it cute?"
"Oh ho! Reminds me of our young days, communal village farming."
Suddenly, five old men clustered around me, chattering away. Where did my plan go?
"Now, lettuce in that corner, peppers over there—they get good sun."
"Nonsense. It's a park—flowers would be better."
"Tsk tsk, both so stubborn. Why not half and half?"
The old men threw out opinions, meddling with the plot. Without my permission, it was shaping up at startling speed.
"Th-This body never gave permission!"
"Oh, back in the countryside, we all transplanted rice paddies together, weeded as a village. Here, these seeds are from my house."
The situation spiraled out of control unintentionally.
No choice but to turn it to my advantage! That's right—this body is a top-tier villain! Master of improvisation!
"You old folks! Enough talk—work for this body! From now on, you're tenant farmers on this body's fiefdom!"
Unexpectedly, they were delighted.
"Oh, been waiting for you to say that! Time for this old-timer to step up!"
"Heh heh, golf's getting boring anyway. Finally, something to do!"
"Then I'll handle watering. My old Japanese sprinkler still works fine."
The old men divided tasks and moved with military precision. Before I could even direct, the plot took form rapidly.
"This... is going according to this body's plan... right?"
I'd been outmaneuvered. I meant to commit evil, so why does everyone look so happy?
"This is exploitation, exploitation! This body is exploiting your old bones' labor!"
Should've brought a whip instead of a trowel and hoe...!
"Plant 'em so the roots touch soil good like this."
"Water morning and evening. Never midday."
I muttered as I planted seeds, digging holes, dropping them in, and covering with soil, just like grandma taught.
"Hey, granny. What color do these flowers bloom?"
"Cornflowers are blue, cosmos pink. They bloom so pretty in fall."
"No black or purple ones, like villain colors?"
"Ha, good idea! How about black tulips or purple lavender? This granny'll bring some next time."
Before I knew it, I was laughing and chatting with the old folks, tending the garden. It veered from the original plan, but oddly, it didn't feel bad.
"Wow..."
It's way prettier than I thought! The result of my villainy?
"We did it all. Not bad, huh? Old folks' handiwork holds up."
"It... it went according to this body's plan! Cackle!"
Two hours later, the allotment was complete. The barren ground brimmed with vibrant veggies, and beside it, a small flower bed bloomed in every color.
"Now, the sign. Everyone needs to know whose garden this is!"
I wrote 'Grimoire Garden' boldly on the wooden sign I'd brought and staked it in front. The old men clapped and cheered.
"From today, this is this body's territory! Remember that! No one touches it without my permission!"
"Sure sure, it's your garden. But can us old timers come water it sometimes?"
"Th-That... well... you have special permission!"
The old men's cheers rang out.
My land! My garden! It strayed from the initial scheme, but the goal was achieved. Now anyone could see this was Lady Grimoire's territory!