The Villainous Aristocrat's Efforts Led to a Genuine Harem - Episode 33

Episode 33

Since I was able to get a new weapon as planned, I was quietly doing a little dance inside.

“Well then, we’re done here. So let’s head back home for now.”

“…Yeah… please.”

Maybe because she had done smithing back-to-back, Vilias looked tired.

…Anyway, we had pushed her to come along this far. So I needed to send her back home.

I immediately activated my spatial magic and moved us to Vilias’ house.

Once we were freed from the dungeon’s distinct atmosphere, I felt like my body had gotten lighter.

It seemed the same was true for Vilias and Inaesia. They both stretched while yawning.

Once they were done, Vilias muttered softly,

“…Looks like I can make weapons again.”

“Looks like it. Are you thinking of opening a shop or something?”

If she were to put her blacksmithing skills to use, that would be the best way.

But Vilias lowered her eyes. She looked uncertain.

“…But even if I suddenly opened a shop… I don’t know if anyone would buy from me.”

“With your skills, I think you’ll be fine. You can even process mithril.”

…In the first place, in the main game, there were extremely few blacksmiths who could even work with mithril.

On this continent, there are probably only a handful of people besides Vilias who can process it.

That alone makes her valuable.

Especially since there’s a dungeon near Vale that can be used as a mine.

“Besides… I’m not good at customer service.”

“…I see.”

“…Also, this is inside the territory of House Validor. If I’m going to open a shop, I’d rather it be somewhere else.”

…Ah, I get it.

Inaesia nodded at Vilias’ words.

“Yeah, running a business in Validor territory would be rough. Really, House Validor is the worst.”

…Sorry.

“Yeah. Back when my master was around, it wasn’t so bad… but now, the taxes are terrible.”

…Seriously, I’m sorry.

Still, it would be a problem if Vilias left this town.

At least in the main game, Vilias was in Vale. Which was in the middle of being rebuilt.

More importantly, even if I want to casually shop, it’s more convenient if she’s in Vale.

Isn’t there some way I can get her to stay…?

After thinking desperately for a while, I voiced a certain secret plan.

“In that case… how about visiting Reis Validor?”

“…Who’s that?”

“He’s the third son of House Validor. I’ve been personally teaching him magic. And he’s… a bit different from the rest of House Validor.”

…Saying that myself was a bit embarrassing.

But… it’s also a good opportunity to improve the soldiers’ weapons.

…If I can talk things over with Zangell and secure some funding, that’d be ideal.

“…Reis Validor.”

Vilias quietly repeated the name. And Inaesia asked with concern,

“That Reis guy… is he really okay?”

—You’re the one who’s been relying on that shady guy, you know? I wanted to say that.

“He’s fine. On the surface, he acts rough and intimidating. But that’s just so others won’t get suspicious. He can also use spatial magic. So I’ve been teaching him. At the very least, he’s not a bad person.”

“If I meet Reis Validor… will something come of it?”

“…Apparently, he’s been struggling with the soldiers’ weapons lately. It’s not about opening a shop. But you could be directly involved with making and maintaining weapons, and negotiate your payment directly.”

“…I see.”

Vilias nodded slowly. It was as if she was thinking it over.

…I don’t have that much money. But I could probably scrape some together by using what I’ve saved from adventuring. Or I could quietly sell off some unneeded things from the mansion.

“But Reis is the third son, right? Does he even have that much authority?”

“…Well, not really. I’ll start by talking to Reis, then go through Zangell, the head of the soldiers. How about just meeting him and hearing him out first?”

“…Okay. Got it.”

Vilias gave a small nod.

Really, it’s House Validor’s excessive taxation that drove her into this situation. And now I’m trying to make her deal with them again…

…W-Well, Vilias said she wasn’t good with customers. And if she could make something like an exclusive contract with House Validor, maybe it wouldn’t be so bad for her.

As I was thinking about that, Vilias gave me a small smile.

“…Ryō, thank you.”

“I was helped too, with everything you made for me. Could I ask you to make more weapons again sometime?”

“If you do, you’ll have to praise me again and boost my self-esteem.”

“…Understood.”

Well, if that’s all it takes, it’s a small price to pay.

I looked at her smiling happily. I then headed out the door of her house.

“Come again.”

“Yeah, I will.”

“Inaesia, you too. Come clean the place anytime.”

“Try to keep it clean yourself, honestly.”

Inaesia gave Vilias a sharp glare. But Vilias didn’t seem to mind at all.

…Still, her smile now shone more brightly than when we first visited this house.