The Villain's Reincarnation – Tired of Working Hard, I'm Slacking Off! The Peacefully Oblivious Slacker Avoids Ruin! - Chapter 19

“So then, how did you overcome the crisis where you nearly had to close your shop?”

“That was thanks to Lord Kaito.”

“You mean Master?”

By now, I had already been helped by him countless times, so I wasn’t surprised to hear his name again. What I wanted to know was how he had helped this time.

“Yes. It was on the very day I had decided to shut down the shop, especially with my wife expecting a child. That’s when Lord Kaito came to visit.”

With that, the shopkeeper began recounting his encounter with Master.

It happened on yet another quiet day when not a single customer had come by, just like usual.

A well-dressed child stopped in front of the shop, gazed at the flowers on display, and said:

“What beautiful flowers.”

“Eh, ah, thank you very much.”

“I especially like that one.”

The child pointed—not at one of the flowers for sale—but at a plant my wife had been nurturing ever since we married, wanting to learn more about flowers for my sake, despite knowing nothing about them before.

That flower was an ordinary variety, common and easy to grow, chosen precisely because it suited a beginner like my wife.

Even though many rare and beautiful flowers I had personally selected from across the land surrounded it, the child chose that plain, unremarkable flower—and I was stunned.

“Why that one? There are plenty of more beautiful flowers.”

“Well, sure. Objectively, there are better-looking flowers here, but to me, that one seems to hold the most love and care—it feels the most beautiful.”

“It holds love and care… What makes you think that?”

“Well, it’s obvious, isn’t it? That flower’s being treated quite specially. The most noticeable thing is the hole above it—wasn’t that hole in the ceiling made just so sunlight could reach that flower, even indoors?”

“Eh, ah… yes, that’s right.”

Naturally, I wanted to keep close what my beloved wife had grown for me. So, I had created a special place in the shop just for that flower.

My wife had told me I didn’t need to go that far, but I couldn’t bring myself to compromise on that.

“Besides, the way it’s blooming—proud and flawless—shows just how much love has gone into it.”

“Haha… Thank you for saying that.”

His praise made me happy. But back then, I had already given up on my ideals and was trying to distance myself from flowers, so my smile must have looked weak and lifeless.

Of course, Lord Kaito couldn’t have missed that.

“Is it not that satisfying coming from someone like me, a complete amateur?”

“No, that’s not it at all.”

A lie.

Back then, I desperately wanted to believe that everything I’d done up to that point hadn’t been in vain.

If someone of true worth had told me my work was amazing, it might have felt meaningful—like I was finally being rewarded. I probably would have been overjoyed.

“I’m not blaming you. It’s true—I’m an amateur. I get why you might not see much value in what I say.

But can’t you think of it this way?

Among all these colorful, eye-catching flowers, you nurtured one that even someone with no expertise could see as beautiful—one that caught my eye.

Doesn’t that fact alone make it even more impressive than being noticed by someone who can discern value?

You’ve created something that even an amateur can recognize as worthwhile.”

“…”

Before I realized it, I was crying.

Because I was an amateur, I couldn’t tell the real value of things—but that’s exactly why the flower that caught my attention had true worth.

It was a complete reversal of my thinking, but his words were more than enough to make me believe that all my efforts hadn’t been wasted.

“Eh, did I say something so moving that it made you break down in tears?”

Lord Kaito seemed flustered by my sudden tears, but even so, he kindly handed me a handkerchief and stayed by my side.

After I shamelessly wept in front of him and he learned a bit more about my circumstances, Lord Kaito gave me an opportunity.

“Go tomorrow, or whenever you can, and ask this merchant to take a look at your flowers. If they’re the real deal, you’ll find a path forward.”

With that, Lord Kaito used magic to create a piece of paper with information about a certain merchant and handed it to me.

“Next, take your knowledge of flowers and apply it to herbs or medicinal plants. If you think it’s something you can manage, start a business in that area as well.

Even if the flower shop struggles, you can cover it with the success of the herbal side.

And as you go forward, remember this:

If you want to pursue your ideals, you need a broad perspective and a flexible mind.

And don’t fight with ideals.

Ideals are, in other words, the fuel that keeps you moving—not the power to change reality.

It’s your actions that change the world.

Ideals are your vision for the future—your goal.

To achieve that goal, use the power you have to reshape reality.

Lastly, never fall into this trap:

There’s no such thing as an absolute right answer. Keep thinking without being bound by that illusion.”

“Yes, I understand.”

They were the words of a child far younger than me. Yet his words carried true strength—true weight.

With his sharp, encouraging words and quick thinking that offered immediate solutions to the problem at hand, it was clear he wasn’t just any child. He was undoubtedly someone far more capable than I.

That’s why I accepted his words without hesitation.

**“That’s right. My younger brother and sister think I’m some sort of heartless demon or villain. And I’m not that kind of person at all!!

If this keeps up, they’ll grow to hate me and one day assassinate me out of revenge!!”**

Just moments ago, he had appeared so dignified that I couldn’t help but admire him, yet now he looked completely desperate—as if he’d lost everything gambling and was running for his life from debt collectors.

“Assassination? That’s a bit much, isn’t it?”

At that time, I still didn’t realize that this child was Lord Kaito himself, and I couldn’t help but let those words slip out.

All I saw was an older brother desperately trying to win the affection of his siblings.

“No, it’s entirely possible. You only say that because you haven’t seen how those two behave.

Every time I visit, they act like they’re trying to protect each other from me. It makes me feel like I should just disappear!”

“Ah… I see.”

For a brief moment, I wondered if he might be the problem, but I quickly dismissed the thought—someone capable of conducting himself the way he does could never be that sort of person.

There must be circumstances beyond my understanding.

“In any case, I want to give them a present. Could you help me choose something suitable?”

“Yes, I’ll do everything I can to assist.”

And so, on the very day I had decided to close the shop, Lord Kaito helped me rediscover my original passion.

His words of praise were certainly heartening, but more than that, when we worked together to choose a gift, I realized how much joy it brought me that my knowledge of flowers was useful—and that he appreciated it. That reminded me why I loved flowers in the first place.

“That was how I first met Lord Kaito. My life changed completely from that point on.

I regained my original passion, received a chance, and decided not to close the shop. I bowed my head to my wife and asked her to let me continue—and I have, ever since.

I followed Lord Kaito’s advice—approached the merchant directly, studied medicinal herbs, spent time enjoying his occasional ‘escapes from responsibility’ when he’d visit me. A lot happened, but one thing led to another, and now here we are.”

“I see… so that’s what happened.”

Listening to the shopkeeper’s story, I became even more aware of just how remarkable Master truly is.

His skill in connecting people to merchants was impressive, but more than anything, his ability to discern the true value of things stood out.

From the advice he gave to the shopkeeper, it was clear: Master understood precisely what was needed to achieve a goal.

That’s why he could offer the perfect words to guide people like the shopkeeper—and me—who had lost their way and were struggling.

This ability is vital for someone who stands above others.

It means that whatever he sets out to accomplish, he won’t lose his way.

Even as I admired Master’s greatness, I couldn’t help but feel a tiny hint of dissatisfaction.

(I wish he had given me more hints, too.)

All he told me was to think, seek, and discover.

In contrast, he had given the shopkeeper specific advice: show your flowers to a merchant, study medicinal herbs… detailed, actionable hints.

Of course, Master provided me with the best possible environment, so it’s not like I could complain—but still, I wish he had offered me just a little more guidance.

“Lord Kaito is truly kind and an incredible person. Whenever he says he’s ‘just slacking off’ by coming here, he always shows genuine care for us and does something to help.”

“Is that so?”

The shopkeeper spoke with absolute confidence, which piqued my interest and made me ask further.

“Yes, absolutely. Lord Kaito’s actions may seem like shirking responsibility at first glance, but there’s always meaning behind them.

Especially during the Trial of Overcoming—I realized then just how much he’s done for us.”

“The… Trial of Overcoming?”

It was a term I’d never heard before.

Even in the royal capital, I’d never once come across something called the “Trial of Overcoming.” Perhaps it was unique to the Mitsurugi family.

“Ah, that’s right—you’ve only just arrived here, haven’t you?

Lord Kaito sees the future. I don’t know exactly what kind of future he envisions, but… I suspect he’s seen many tragic misfortunes awaiting people.”

“Tragic misfortunes…? Why do you think that?”

At my question, the shopkeeper’s expression turned more serious than I had ever seen it. He looked straight at me and replied:

“Because the Trial of Overcoming is a challenge Lord Kaito prepares for someone, to help them survive the worst tragedy they will ever face. It’s a trial where one must stake everything they have—and overcome.”