Maintaining the body enhancement magic, Dark Arma, I ran for three days and three nights straight. While there were stagecoaches running from the Kingdom to the Empire, it was faster for me to simply run at my current level of strength. Besides, it served as good training.
"Whoa, so this is..."
『The capital of the Ultima Empire... Apolus, huh?』
It was a strikingly white city. The roads, the buildings, even the castle—everything was unified in a pristine ivory. The clothes of the people passing by seemed to favor white as well. It was a different kind of beauty compared to the more eclectic culture of the Kingdom of Militail.
This country worshipped the Second Mythos, Eternity. I wondered if the city’s appearance was a reflection of that faith. Apolus looked solemn and sacred. In a way, the landscape felt almost stifling, and yet...
"It's quite lively, isn't it?"
Chesa was right.
We had secretly leapt over the checkpoint to enter the city, and what greeted us was a level of heat and clamor intense enough to evaporate that sacred atmosphere.
Stalls were packed tightly along the cobblestone streets. Every person we passed wore a smile, their steps light with a certain restless energy.
With crowds this thick, finding Reiji might be a hassle.
"Chesa, what is this festival for?"
"My apologies, Master. I am still poorly informed regarding the Empire’s affairs..."
"Hmph. You useless girl."
『Like you have any idea either.』
Of course I didn't. Just how many major incidents did he think I'd been caught up in lately? If there was anyone currently living in the Kingdom of Militail who knew the intricacies of foreign nations, they'd have to be a brainless, happy-go-lucky fool.
Regardless, I needed to gather information.
I approached a bakery wafting a savory aroma and stood before it with an arrogant air.
"You there, shopkeeper. What is the meaning of all this noise?"
"Huh? Who’s this arrogant brat...? If you aren't a customer, beat it."
The shopkeeper furrowed his brows and shooed me away with a flick of his hand.
I grabbed a bag of freshly baked bread and held my hand out toward Chesa. ...No, not for a "paw" command. Give me the wallet. After I shook my head in annoyance, Chesa finally handed it over.
"Heh."
Clink.
I flicked a coin from the pouch onto the counter.
"Keep the change. Consider it a fee for the information."
"This is the exact amount."
『That was incredibly lame of you.』
Did I stingy it too much? Well, we were short on funds...
As a villain, I wanted to be generous with my spending, but I had to prioritize our survival.
"Well, I don't mind a bit of small talk with a customer," the shopkeeper said. "You from out of town, kid? The city is all fired up for tomorrow’s Advent Festival."
"The Advent Festival? I might deign to listen if you have details worth sharing."
"You should drop that act; it’s not going to get you far here. ...The Advent Festival is a grand, nationwide celebration for His Majesty the Emperor's continued health."
It was a more traditional festival than I had expected.
"To celebrate his health... Is the Emperor that old?"
"Of course he is. He turned eight hundred and twenty-three this year, I think..."
"What?"
"Ah, folks from outside always react like that. This is the world-famous Land of Eternity, you know. While we aren't quite on the Emperor's level, the average lifespan of a citizen is around a hundred and fifty. For the record, I’m seventy."
Was he serious?
They didn't look like a different race...
『I also thought this man was in his forties...』
Both Zest and Chesa seemed equally shocked.
So this was the Land of Eternity, the Ultima Empire. Just as the people of the Kingdom of Militail received prophecies from Fate, it seemed the people of the Empire were blessed with longevity.
An average lifespan of a hundred and fifty.
I see. Now that he mentioned it...
『They do seem to possess a certain... weight of years.』
I agreed with Zest as I looked around.
If tomorrow was the main event, then today was likely the eve of the festival. While there was the typical feverish excitement and noise, the crowd seemed remarkably well-behaved and orderly. Customers were lined up in perfect rows, and no one was littering. There were loud voices, yes, but no one was making a scene.
"The Advent Festival only happens once a year," the shopkeeper continued. "Everyone is excited, but usually, this country has a much calmer atmosphere. ...By the way, did you want a portion for the young lady there?"
The shopkeeper looked at Chesa, who was waiting quietly a step behind me.
I couldn't exactly tell him we didn't have enough money for two. Instead, I grabbed Chesa by the collar, pulled her close, and let a vulgar smirk cross my face.
"Hmph. This girl is essentially my slave. There’s no need to feed her anything."
"...You’re a piece of work, aren't you? You're going to regret that one day."
The shopkeeper glared at me, his eyes burning with righteous indignation.
Scary, scary, scary, scary...!! The pressure coming from a seventy-year-old was terrifying!!
I managed to keep a straight face as I walked away. ...This is tough!! Even a random shopkeeper has the aura of a veteran warrior.
Still, things were proceeding as planned. Judging by that shopkeeper’s reaction, he might even report me to the authorities.
If I wanted to act as a stepping stone, I needed to make my infamy known in this country as well. ...Knowing Reiji, he was likely already achieving great things here. I couldn't afford to fall behind.
However, Chesa herself seemed completely indifferent to the man’s anger. She suddenly leaned in and whispered.
"Slave..."
With a dead-serious expression, she asked in a low voice.
"Between a 'slave' and a 'tool,' which would be more convenient for you, Master?"
What kind of question is that...?
Where is this girl trying to go...?
『...This is a critical moment. You should consider your answer carefully.』
Why????
Why was Zest siding with her? He should be just as confused as I was.
A slave or a tool. Obviously, I didn't want either, but the person standing here was the peerless Evil Brat Claude. As someone acting as a stepping stone, how should I have Chesa position herself?
"...A thinking tool."
Chesa tilted her head at the answer I managed to squeeze out.
"I have no need for your will. Therefore, you are not a slave. However, a tool that requires instructions for every little thing is a nuisance. Thus, you shall be a thinking tool. ...Become a tool that thinks of nothing but me at all times."
I spoke with a stone-cold expression, masking my inner turmoil.
Chesa stared back at me, her eyes completely clouded.
"If that is your wish... if that is the condition for remaining by your side, Master, I will carry it out with pleasure, no matter what it may be."
Why was her loyalty so incredibly heavy?
No... wait.
Chesa wanted revenge!!
Right, this was all a ploy to get into my inner circle...
Interesting. Let the games begin.
I swallowed the last bite of the bread I’d secretly planned to share with her. Let that resentment fester and grow until you finally unleash it on me. Along with Reiji.
『Claude, it seems your guests have arrived.』
Immediately after Zest spoke, I heard the heavy, rhythmic clank of metal approaching from behind.
I turned to see three knights clad in silver light armor.
"You there. We have words for you. Come with us."
"What 'words'? If you have something to say, say it here."
The knights glared at me with sharp, piercing eyes. Someone must have reported me. It wasn't surprising, given I’d been mistreating a seemingly innocent girl in a high-traffic area.
This was exactly what I wanted.
"Or is this what you have business with?"
I grabbed Chesa by the collar and pulled her close.
Treating the girl like an object in such a blatant manner caused the knights' eyes to narrow further. ...It hurt my conscience, but I was glad I brought Chesa along. Playing the villain was so much easier this way.
"Ma-Master..."
Chesa’s cheeks were flushed.
She seemed to be shaking with excitement from her burning desire for revenge.
"Wicked man. ...We, the Holy Knights, shall pass judgment upon you."
Holy Knights?
Was that just a title? Or was it—
『...I feel a strange power from them.』
Agreed. They didn't seem like ordinary knights.
Still, I’d take them on. As someone who intended to stand against the hero and serve as his stepping stone, I couldn't afford to act like a timid mouse just because I was in a foreign land.
I had to establish myself as a villain before I met Reiji.
A stepping stone isn't built in a day.
In other words—it was time to start earning some infamy.
In Apolus, the capital of the Ultima Empire.
I was going to etch the name of the villain Claude into this city.