The Villain's Reincarnation – Tired of Working Hard, I'm Slacking Off! The Peacefully Oblivious Slacker Avoids Ruin! - Chapter 3

“So we’re on babysitting duty this time, huh?”

As the sun began to set, one of the knight orders under the Mitsurugi family was preparing for a raid on a group of bandits.

“Well, don’t be too quick to complain. I heard it’s the young master’s younger brother this time.”

“The young master’s brother?! Then we better be on our A-game and make sure he’s protected.”

The knights had only been informed that a member of the main Mitsurugi family would be joining them.

“What kind of person is the young master’s brother, anyway? Captain, do you know anything?”

“I’m afraid not. The Mitsurugi family is notoriously secretive, after all. The young master himself is the only exception.”

“True…”

The Mitsurugi family was said to wield power equal to an entire nation, yet very few truly knew their inner workings.

Even a knight captain knew little beyond the name of the current head and the next heir.

It was likely that even the royal family had only a slightly better understanding of them.

“I just hope he’s as good of a person as the young master.”

“Who knows? The young master is an extreme exception. It’s more likely that he won’t be anything like him.”

Unlike the rest of his family, the young master actively interacted with the people and frequently visited the knights.

Of course, his actions had initially faced resistance from the main household, but it was said that he had silenced all opposition with sheer strength.

Given the Mitsurugi family’s secrecy, no one knew exactly how he had managed it.

However, the fact that he could move freely without interference suggested that the Mitsurugi family had acknowledged him as a singular force unto himself.

“By the way, who was the first to start calling him a ‘peacefully oblivious slacker’?”

“If you spend even a little time with him, you’d realize how wrong that is.”

“It must have been someone who only saw him from a distance and made assumptions. Besides, the young master actually seems to like the nickname.”

“That’s true. If the Mitsurugi family wanted to, they could erase that rumor in a single day.”

“No doubt about that.”

Among the knights, not a single one of them believed that the young master was a mere slacker.

Sure, his usual demeanor might give that impression, but what truly mattered was substance, not appearances.

None of the knights had ever seen him actively display the overwhelming talent he was rumored to possess.

Yet, they were all certain that he was a force to be reckoned with.

Why?

Because the young master recognized and respected the value of hard work.

Although he mostly visited the knights for casual conversations, on occasion, he would offer advice.

At first, they had dismissed him as a spoiled noble child with too much time on his hands.

But that illusion was shattered instantly.

It happened after he observed a sparring match between two knights.

One of them was a powerhouse, physically strong but struggling to secure victories.

After watching for a bit, the young master approached him and casually said:

“You’ve been neglecting your flexibility training, haven’t you? Also, you’re overexerting yourself.”

The knight froze in place.

“You’ve built an impressive physique, but you’re losing power due to unnecessary tension. Because of that, you take too long to execute your swings, and your stiff body makes your follow-through awkward, throwing off your technique.”

The knights stared in stunned silence as he continued.

“Your dedication to training is obvious from your build. That’s why you should adjust your regimen. From tomorrow onward, prioritize mobility exercises and flexibility training.”

Then, he pointed to another knight, one of the more technical fighters.

“Also, get guidance from him. Of everyone here, he pays the most attention to minute details like finger positioning and footwork.”

“By learning from him, you’ll gain the precision and control you currently lack.”

Then, he turned to the technical fighter.

“And you, in turn, should train with him. You rely too much on exploiting openings, but at the higher levels, your opponents will be both skilled and strong. You need to face raw power early on to break through your limits.”

“……”

“……”

“Huh? Why do you both look like pigeons that got hit with a pebble? Did I say something weird?”

“N-No!! Thank you for your invaluable guidance, young master!!”

The two knights bowed deeply, overwhelmed with respect.

His advice was pinpoint accurate, tailored to each of their strengths and weaknesses.

More than that—he had acknowledged their efforts.

For warriors who had trained relentlessly, the fact that he had noticed and praised their hard work was deeply meaningful.

Following his guidance, both knights dramatically improved, becoming some of the most promising talents in the order.

Since then, whenever the young master visited, knights would line up to seek his advice.

Although he often grumbled, saying, “I just came to chat…”, he always gave valuable insight.

Afterward, they would share a small feast as thanks, turning it into an enjoyable gathering.

Because of this, no one in the knight order viewed him as a mere slacker.

His keen perception and ability to give precise, actionable guidance proved that he was more than just raw talent.

“If it’s the young master… maybe we won’t even need a succession war.”

“Seriously?! If that’s how it is, I’ll follow the young master for life!!”

“Same here!!”

The succession war.

A brutal battle for the position of head of the Mitsurugi family.

The Mitsurugi family’s authority rivaled that of an entire nation, making the position of family head equivalent to that of a king.

As a result, whenever a new leader was chosen, fierce battles would erupt over the seat of power.

These conflicts were often on the scale of a civil war, even drawing in the knight orders despite their usual detachment from the Mitsurugi family’s internal affairs.

For those who served the Mitsurugi household, this was a nightmarish battle, a life-or-death struggle in which they were forced to participate.

Everyone hoped it would never happen.

Yet, history had shown that none of the formidable warriors who survived the Mitsurugi family’s ruthless training would ever give up their claim so easily.

Since the time of the founder, every succession had inevitably led to conflict.

And yet—this time, some whispered that it might not happen.

The reason?

The prodigy. The one called the reincarnation of the founder. The child beloved by the gods—Kaito Mitsurugi.

With overwhelming talent that left no room for argument, there was a possibility that, for the first time in history, all candidates would unanimously acknowledge one heir.

If that were to happen, the Mitsurugi family—and all who served them—would enter a new golden era, free from bloodshed.

“I get that you’re all excited, but don’t get carried away. Unlike the other candidates, we actually know what kind of person the young master is.”

“…You’re right. We shouldn’t let our expectations get out of hand.”

The knight captain’s words instantly dampened the excitement.

Because the knights knew the truth.

The young master was not a man who craved power.

He preferred idle conversations over titles and glory.

He was just like them—someone who could laugh, complain, and get frustrated like any normal person.

To the knights, the young master was a friend, a respected leader, and a cherished companion.

They could not stand the thought of him being sacrificed for the sake of the family’s power struggles.

The knights fell into a heavy silence, weighing the implications of their loyalty.

The knight captain, realizing the mood was turning too grim, quickly changed the subject.

“By the way, the young master has promised to serve us Heavenly Ox if we complete this mission successfully.”

“HEAVENLY OX?!”

The knights exploded in excitement.

“Wait… you mean the same Heavenly Ox that even the royal family rarely gets to taste?!”

“The one they say is so delicious that once you eat it, no other meat will ever satisfy you again?!”

“The one worth as much as a noble’s mansion if it ever hits the market?!”

“Young master, you’re the best—no, you’re a god!!”

The mythical delicacy, something beyond their wildest dreams, had suddenly become reality.

Some knights even began worshiping Kaito as a divine being.

(Is this really okay for a group of knights…?)

The knight captain sighed, feeling conflicted about the scene before him.

Still, a lively atmosphere was far better than letting them march into battle with heavy hearts.

“I’m really glad I ended up serving the young master.”

“Same here. The young master is a god.”

“Indeed. My brother is divine. It fills me with joy to see so many who share this sentiment.”

“Of course! We all think—wait, what?”

The knights, caught up in their excitement, suddenly froze.

A single child had somehow slipped into their ranks unnoticed.

The child’s sapphire eyes were clear and untainted, their delicate features so ethereal and elegant that they could easily be mistaken for a girl.

Their presence alone evoked a protective instinct—the kind that made people want to shield them from harm.

Had the child been dressed normally, the knights would have immediately moved to escort them to safety.

But the clothes they wore were anything but ordinary.

The pure white military uniform, embroidered with the crest of the sword, was reserved exclusively for members of the main Mitsurugi family.

At their waist hung a pristine, masterfully crafted sword, a weapon so exquisite that one glance was enough to confirm its deadly potential.

Then, the child smiled angelically and spoke.

“Why did you all suddenly go quiet? Please, don’t hold back on my account. Feel free to continue praising my brother as much as you’d like.”

A beautiful, innocent smile.

But the knights barely noticed.

Because in that moment, their bodies moved on instinct.

Every single knight, without hesitation, fell to one knee.

The knight captain immediately bowed his head and spoke.

“My deepest apologies, Lord Yūki Mitsurugi.”

“There is no need to apologize. I was the one who failed to inform you of my exact arrival time.”

This was Yūki Mitsurugi.

The younger twin of Satsuki Mitsurugi.

A child who, like Satsuki, was adored in the first arc of the manga for their innocent, affectionate nature and beautiful, doll-like appearance.

And the very one who, in the second arc, had personally sent Kaito Mitsurugi to his demise.