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I went to the town, Braham.

We met at an inconspicuous place in the town.

When I arrived at the promised place Crescent Moon was already waiting there.

“I kept you waiting, Crescent Moon.”

“No, I arrived just a moment ago, too.”

After having exchanged some words I followed Crescent Moon and we entered a nearby shop.

Somehow Crescent Moon was really familiar with this shop.

“Welcome – -”

When I open the door and enter the shop, the heavy voice of a short, old man sitting within the shop greeted us.

In the shop, various masks were on display.

“There are plenty of kinds here, you don’t have to worry about the information leaking out. After all, I recommended the shop.”

Crescent Moon was right, there were so many kinds one could spend hours to count every single one.

“What kind of mask would be good? First of all, we have to cover that big scar of yours.”

That’s right, I have to cover the scar on my cheek.

For that, I would need a slightly bigger mask.

Because the full-faced ones look like Jason’s, I rejected them. (TN: It’s Jason form Friday the 13th))

There were also helmet types, like the ones used in American football, but because I would look like that useless third son of the end of the century, I rejected them. (TN: A reference to one of Hokuto no Shinken’s characters Jagi)

It has to be one that covers the upper half of my face till the nose, made out of metal and coloured silver after all.

The holes for the eyes need to have a sharp, villain like feeling to it.

There was just the right mask here.

“Doesn’t this one look pretty good? Isn’t that fine?”

As Crescent Moon said so, we decided on that one.

The material it was made of was a silver alloy called Sterling silver.

It had some decorations making it stylish.

It was a little expensive with a price of 3 Yuroa gold coins but a villain has to care for his appearance, right?

I brought plenty of war funds so it’s okay.

It had a leather strap attached so that I could wear it on the spot and take it home.

Meaning I immediately put it on.

If you asked me why I immediately put it on, it’s because we are going to register at the adventurer’s guild after this.

So I, too, will be able to join the adventurer’s today.

I’m getting excited.

When I entered the guild building it seemed like a bar at first glance.

A large number of adventurers were talking noisily.

Deep inside were some counters where you had to report your finished quests apparently.

Most of the adventurers had a dubious, rough feel to them, like Pikaru told me.

“You can register there.”

I and Crescent Moon go to the counters in the back.

Some men sitting at a table across the room seemed to be familiar with Crescent Moon and called out to her.

“Crescent Moon, pretty rare seeing you with a friend. Never saw his face here. But wearing a mask, huh?”

“Is he your new lover? Next time keep me company in bed as well”

Crescent Moon pressed on without paying any attention to those vulgar voices.

“This is the registration counter”

At the counter sat a very unmotivated looking Onee-san. (TN: older sister…)

“Does this person want to register? Then please fill in your name, preferred weapon, magic abilities, age and occupation on this formー”

Name. Name, huh?

I didn’t think about that.

I can’t write Carlo.

Let’s fill in the rest first.

It’s an iron rule to first fill in the things you are able to answer while taking an exam.

My preferred weapons would be two-handed swords like a ******* Sword, but I’m also fine with one-handed swords.

I’m most skilful in fire attribute magic.

Let’s keep it a secret that I completely lack control.

Let’s make me a little older, 25 years old.

My occupation is mercenary, I guess.

Last but not least the name.

Hmm, maybe, as a silver masked villain, something like “Hi〇mes”. (TN: Hilmes or Hirumesu from Arslan Senki)

Though I don’t have any burns, but a scar on my cheek.

Then should I become “Fake Hil〇s”?

No, no, no, like I thought, that’s really bad.

This is so hard.

“Lord silver mask” would be adventurer-like, right?

Well, then, as a masked character and rival of the hero it has to be……”Ch〇r”? (TN: Char Aznable from Mobile Suit Gundam)

As I thought if we’re talking about masked characters he would be number one.

“Let’s see how skilled you really are Hero!” saying stuff like that.

But, as expected, that’s a little…

Then how about “Red Comet”? That’s a proper name, right? (TN: Char’s nom de guerre)

However, nothing on me is red and I don’t really want to say “I’m the Red Comet” myself.

Ah~ troubling, this is troubling!

“Hurry up! Can’t you see the line behind you?”

While I was worrying myself to death, I got surprised by someone shouting at me from behind.

When I looked back I saw an angry guy looking like a high-schooler.

He had a very hot-blooded feel to him, the type I can’t deal with.

This is bad, if I don’t hurry up then…

What should I do, what should I do, what should I do?

I hastily wrote something down.

I wrote “Akatsuki” (TN: Dawn)

Guwaaaaaaaa

I became Akatsuki, what should I do?

The identity of the mysterious masked mercenary “Akatsuki” is Carlo.

I don’t know about something like thaaat!

“Oookaay, Akatsuki-san, the documents are fiiiine. Please wait for 30 minutes for the registration documents to be processed.”

The unmotivated Onee-san received the documents.

The guy behind me after giving me a death stare walked towards the counter.

“Didn’t you say you were looking for a guy named Akatsuki? Is it fine to name yourself like that?”

Crescent Moon, please don’t ask me.

After approximately 30 minutes the adventurer card was finished.

It’s the birth of the marvellous masked mercenary, Akatsuki.

I already gave up.

“If I gain enough fame under the name Akatsuki the real one might hear about it and show up, right?”

“I see, so you thought about that.”

Though Crescent Moon looked at me with admiration, I feel like this will never happen.

Just my author’s intuition.

Once I was ready to try to dive into the dungeon I promised her to contact her.

After we left the guild Crescent Moon and I parted, leaving me to walk through the city alone.

The mysterious masked mercenary, Akatsuki.

I headed towards the blacksmith.

In fact, there was a legendary blacksmith in this town of Braham.

He’s the dwarven blacksmith who will forge the Hero’s sword in the future.

This is reliable because I wrote that.

On the way, I buy a special liquor called “Hobbit Sake” at the liquor store.

That blacksmith is stubborn, but he loves this liquor.

There’s no doubt about that either because I wrote it.

I asked a person for the way and arrived at my objective, the blacksmith.

There was a short man with a long beard hitting metal hard inside a hut.

This should be the legendary blacksmith, Mohkan.

“I’m looking for a man called Mohkan.”

“I’m Mohkan, what’s your business?”

“I want you to make a ******* Sword.”

“Sorry, but I have a lot on my hands right now. Come back later.”

This person is stubborn after all.

He isn’t likely to take over an order so lightly.

That’s where the liquor comes in.

“Here, it’s nothing special but please take it.”

“Hey, hey, isn’t that my all-time favourite? You’re giving that to me?”

“Yeah. Drinking it will make one forget their woes.”

“Thank you. So, what kind of sword was it that you wanted?”

Mufufu, one-hit K.O.

“A two-handed sword like a ******* sword, but I can use one-handed swords, too.”

“Hoh, that’s rare in this age. Are you also able to use magic?”

Right, in fact in this world it is mainstream to either use a one-handed sword and a shield or two-handed swords.

Because it’s extremely rare that a magical warrior would cast magic while wielding a sword at the same time.

One has to have at least one hand free to cast magic, after all, so one can’t hold a shield.

“So, what about the material? Bronze would be the cheapest after that would be iron. Steel is a high-quality product.”

“If I wanted stuff like that then I came to the wrong place. It has to be Oricalcum, right?”

“You. You know about that?”

The legendary metal, Oricalcum.

Alongside Mithril it’s a rare metal of the fantasy world.

It’s not only extremely hard but also has a superior toughness and it is known for its good compatibility with magic.

The Hero will also have an Oricalcum weapon made later on.

“I just heard some rumours. You have it, right?”

“I have it, but it’s expensive.”

“I don’t care. How much is it?”

“I’ll hand it over for 10 white gold coins”

Dowaaa!

The legendary white gold coin and even 10 pieces.

In other words, it’s 100 gold coins, converted in Japanese yen that would be 10 million yen.

I was surprised, but I desperately tried not to show it on my face.

This is a question of a man’s pride.

“I don’t care, make it. I’ll pay you 10 gold coins today for now.”

“Sure, that’s fine. It’ll take one week to complete so come pick it up by then. Don’t forget to pay the remaining money.”

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1. N/a

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“Welcome back, Carlo-sama. Those people are?”

I put Mirea-san and Lucia-chan on White King and returned together with Crescent Moon to the mansion.

I asked the maid, Reina, who greeted us to call the butler, Pikaru, and the head maid, Melissa.

“So you were a feudal lord? I’m surprised.”

The masked mercenary, Crescent Moon, was dumbfounded and looked at me.

Looks like she knew that this was the estate of the feudal lord Carlo.

“Feu, feudal lord……?!”

After she heard that Mirea tensed up.

Did it surprise her?

“Sorry, I didn’t tell you, I’m the feudal lord Carlo de Medici. Melissa, please take care of those two. They are injured.”

I left Mirea-san and Lucia-chan, who were really grateful, with Melissa and went over to my office together with Crescent Moon.

As we entered the room Crescent Moon came closer to me.

“Hey, you’re the lord, right? You’ll hold your promise and pay up, right? You won’t say things like I don’t have money or I won’t pay now, right?”

I saw two round mountains as I lowered my gaze because she was that close.

What splendid roundness, those are the miracles the earth is made of.

I wondered whether they are pushed up or natural products.

I, who is a virgin, can’t distinguish between those things.

“Hey, are you listening?!”

Aah, I was preoccupied with those mountains so I didn’t hear it.

Why are you climbing that mountain? Because there’s a mountain there.

“You, give me a break!”

“Carlo-sama, you called?”

Just when Crescent Moon started to get seriously angry, Pikaru entered.

“Pikaru, I’m sorry but could you bring me five Yuroa gold coins? For helping me take care of the villains which attacked me I promised her a reward.”

“Certainly, I shall promptly get it.”

After Pikaru lowered his head and left, Crescent Moon suddenly was in a good mood.

“If you pay up that’s good. But I’m surprised, feudal lord-sama. You’re willing to pay the exact price.”

“You said you were Crescent Moon? You’re working as a mercenary, right?”

“That’s right. I work as a lone mercenary. Like I said before I’m the famous “Crescent Moon Mercenary.”

“You’ll do anything as long as it is profitable?”

“Yeah, that’s right. If feudal lord-sama wants something to be done which can’t be told to other people I’ll do it. As long as the price is right, that is.”

Yeah, no matter how I look at it, it’s just like Akatsuki’s character.

Soon Pikaru came back with a small pouch.

“I’m sorry to have kept you waiting”

When I gave her the small pouch I received from Pikaru, Crescent Moon checked the gold coins inside.

Carlo isn’t such a stingy villain that he would hand over fake money.

“Pikaru, I want to have a talk with this person. Leave us alone for a while.”

“Is that really all right?”

“You don’t have to worry. Tell the others not to enter here for a while.”

“Certainly”

When Pikaru left Crescent Moon suddenly grew cautious.

“Listen, even if I said I’m a woman who would do anything for money, I won’t do that kind of stuff”

What kind of stuff?

Though Carlo is a villain, the person inside is a virgin so I won’t do anything.

Ah, there are no people inside of me. (TN: Badum tss.)

“I know, I don’t have such intentions. I wouldn’t do anything to inconvenience a woman.”

What would those inconvenient things be? I wonder when I will be free. (TN: of being a virgin, I guess)

Though I pretended to be tough, I fret about such philosophical problems inside.

“Is that so? Well, I guess. So, what do you want from me?”

“Yeah, do you know a man called “Akatsuki”? He’s a mercenary wearing a mask like you.”

“A mercenary called Akatsuki? He has the same mask as me? That guy smells like and imitation. I never heard of such a guy.”

Like I thought, you don’t know him, huh?

This Crescent Moon is an Akatsuki-like character then.

I wonder where I made a mistake, well, as long as those mountains are there, it’s fine.

Those mountains are really wonderful, someday I’d like to view that scenery more in detail.

Somehow I completely felt like a wanderer today. (TN: Mountain man lit.)

“That’s fine, too. Crescent moon, I plan to enter a dungeon soon. At that time would you lend me a hand?”

“Will you pay the proper price? If so, then it would be my pleasure to go together. There’s no customer that pays as well as you.”

Crescent Moon answered joyfully.

It seems like she is thinking about the profit she would make.

“There’s something I want to ask about, is there a way for someone to register as an adventurer without getting noticed? My position is kind of annoying.”

“I see, it’s unavoidable to attract attention if someone like you registers as an adventurer. Hmm……”

While Crescent Moon thought she seemed troubled for a while.

“I got it, why don’t you wear a mask like me? If you use a fake name it should be fine. There are even mercenaries that do this. They don’t really check that in detail.”

I see, like this, I don’t have to worry about Pikaru finding out.

Besides, wearing a mask is very villain-like and isn’t it kind of cool, too?

“Good idea, let’s go with this. Good Idea, indeed. You have my thanks.” (TN: The second idea was in katakana)

“That’s good! If you can’t go, I won’t make any money either.”

Crescent moon laughed cheerfully.

She really likes money.

Let’s ask her later about why she wants to earn that much money and what she uses it for.

Also, the reason for her wearing a mask covering her real face.

Would she get angry if I ask unnecessary things?

Crescent Moon will accompany me when I register at the adventurer’s guild.

Looks like she wants to introduce me to her favourite shop to buy masks.

It’s customer service, she said.

After Crescent Moon left head maid Melissa brought Mirea-san.

Her left hand was miserably covered in bandages.

Lucia who was exhausted seemed to have fallen asleep.

I was relieved.

“Carlo-sama, thank you for saving mine and my daughter’s life this time.”

Mirea-san deeply lowered her head and thanked me.

“Don’t mind it. I was just passing by coincidently. How’s the condition of your wounds?”

“Thank you, I had the doctor treat it. I’m relieved that I can soon move it around again like before.”

“That’s good. So, what do you intend to do after this? You said that you would go to your relatives, right?”

“That’s what I said, but, Carlo-sama”

Mirea looked at my face with an earnest expression.

“Would it be alright to employ me here? I’m hurt now, but I’m really good with housework. Of course, I will do my best until my wounds have cured. Lucia would help out too. Please employ me and Lucia.”

Ehm, that’s a little troubling.

I didn’t expect such a development.

Not knowing what to do I looked at Melissa.

“Carlo-sama, I think this would be advantageous. After having talked to them I could determine that both of them had a good personality and mind, what’s more, the situation they are in deserves sympathy. With just me and Reina we can’t perfectly care for Carlo-sama, so I thought about searching for a new maid anyway.”

“I see, if Melissa says so, then it should be fine. But there is one condition. Lucia-chan has to properly go to school. I’ll pay for it. She can help out in her free time. If you agree to that condition you can work here.”

“Ca, Carlo-sama, not only are we allowed to work here but Lucia can also go to school……Thank you very much. I will serve you with all my heart”

Oh, Mirea-san started to cry.

Looks like she was just that concerned, was she that happy that Lucia-chan could go to school?

Though this isn’t really villain-like, but child education is important.

Well, I’ll just act more like a villain from now on.

“Well then, Melissa, prepare a room for Mirea and Lucia and buy some necessities. Subtract the money spent from Mirea’s salary.”

“Thank you, Melissa-sama, please take care of us from now on.”

Because I’m a villain I’ll have it deducted from your salary.

(TN: Pff, like they would care about that lol)

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1. N/a

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I was on my way back from my magic lessons with Knopf.

Though I improved, my control of “Fireball” still isn’t good enough.

Originally I didn’t have any motoric skills.

While I was riding White King two women ran in my direction.

They seemed to be desperately running away from someone chasing them.

I went down from White King and called out to them.

“What’s the matter?”

“We are being chased, please help us!”

One of them seemed to be in her early 30 and the other one was a girl looking like an elementary school student. They looked like mother and daughter.

The mother like person’s left arm was covered in cut wounds.

Both of them were rather beautiful, though their bodies were covered in dirt, probably because they desperately ran away.

The girl’s knees were covered in blood. Seems like she fell on the way.

Then two men on horses arrived here.

Both of them had a dangerous atmosphere around them having their swords in their hands.

They seem like scoundrels.

“What’s with you? Hand over those two.”

“Don’t get in our way, if you do you’ll get hurt!”

They threatened me from their horses, probably because they were cautious of me who suddenly appeared.

If I had a sword this would be no problem, but I don’t have one right now.

The mother like-person took the girl’s hand and took cover in my shadow.

“Are you listening? I told you to get out of the way!”

“You, that’s some good clothes. Let’s catch him and ask for ransom.”

What refreshing villains, I should learn from them.

But I’m the villain of all villains, Margrave Carlo de Medici.

I can’t be done in by those guys.

But unfortunately, I don’t have a sword right now.

The two men holding swords came closer on their horses.

Now, what should I do?

At that point, I remembered I practised magic today.

I call Reus in my mind.

I form the seals with one hand and form an image in my mind.

It’s the 160 km/h fireball I was practising just recently.

“Fireball!”

I cast the spell and swung my arm at the same time.

The fireball flew out with the same force as I imagined and then it grazed one of the villains and flew to somewhere.

This happened during practice as well, as I thought I got some problems with my control.

I wonder if this is the fastball’s fate as well.

“****, that guy’s a magician!”

“Retreat! Hurry up!”

The villains who saw this ran away at full speed.

Yup, being quick to run is certainly villain-like.

I’ll study hard, seniors.

“Thank you very much”

When she had tears in her eyes while thanking me, I became embarrassed.

The only thing I did was throwing a fireball.

While I listened to their story I heard their names. The woman’s name was Mirea and the girl was her daughter Lucia.

As I thought, they were mother and daughter after all.

She lost her husband to illness and got attacked while she was traveling from the Ruan Kingdom to Braham to visit relatives.

They were kidnapped and their kidnappers seemed to have intended to sell them.

That was really villainous and atrocious, seniors.

“You’re injured, huh?”

“No, this isn’t a big deal.”

The wound on Mirea-san’s arm seemed to be shallow, but if left alone it will fester.

It’s possible that tetanus exists in this world.

Anyway, I decided to take those two people to the mansion.

Head Maid Melissa will surely be able to do something.

It’s my Special move “Leaving it to someone else”.

(TN:Heey, that’s mine already!)

I put those two on White king and grabbed the reins from behind them.

I saw this in movies, but it’s actually pretty hard.

But this is more like a two-seat motorcycle.

Well, that widow is kind of, a little, you know.

Oh well, I can’t bring myself to do anything strange in front of one’s child.

Like this, we were on our way to return to the mansion, but then my seniors returned.

Good grief, you even brought your friends.

That attitude to never give up and that cowardice to not hesitate to attack a single person with a large group.

What charming ruffianism.

I’ll study hard, I admire you, seniors.

Seniors and their friends have a total number of 1, 2, 3,……Seven people.

I don’t really feel any danger because I could just hit them with a fireball and close off the road with a firewall, but that’s troublesome.

That’s rather flashy and I want to treat Mirea-san’s injuries as soon as possible.

“We’re surrounded, what should we do?”

Mirea-san and Lucia-chan are frightened.

Well, that’s to be expected. Being surrounded by bad guys like this is scary.

Though White King’s speed can’t be compared to those horses, but I can’t do that with two more people here.

“Hey, that guy’s a magician. Don’t be careless.”

“That’s right, he suddenly threw a fireball a while ago. I splendidly avoided it, though, hehe.”

My two seniors tried to warn their friends since a while ago.

Senior didn’t avoid it, I missed, I’m sorry for my bad control.

“Hey, magician, hand those two over. If you do we’ll spare your life”

Exactly what a villain would say.

Even if I hand them over you’ll kill me nevertheless, that’s smart seniors.

The seven people surrounding us gradually came closer.

Mmm, what should I do? As I thought I have to do something with magic, but when I thought that someone suddenly called out from behind me.

“Hey, I’ll help you if you are in trouble. Although it depends on the money.”

When I turned back I saw a swordsman wearing a red mask on top of a horse.

For some reason, that person didn’t seem like one of senior’s friends.

Still, I’m sure I heard that line somewhere before.

“Hey, did you hear me? How much are you willing to pay for your and those women’s life? Depending on the price I’ll help you.”

Mmm, Where was it?…….

……

……

……

Ah, I got it!

Those were the lines of the mercenary “Akatsuki” (Dawn) an unidentified masked person and ally of Carlo who would do anything for money.

Whatever he says he adds his favourite sentence “But it depends on the money. “

“I’m the crescent moon mercenary. I, “The Masked Crescent Moon Mercenary”, am known for my strength. So, what will you do?”

Huh? They are both mercenaries and the mask is also the same, but the name is different.

By the way, there’s a bigger difference, but, oh well, it should be fine, right?

“You said you were Crescent Moon? I’m Carlo. If you drive them away I’ll say you five Yuroa gold coins”

Regarding the five Yuroa gold coins, in Japanese Yen that would be 500.000 yen. (TN:4.408 USD , 4.130 Euro)

If I paid that much he would definitely go for it if it was the character Akatsuki.

“Just driving them away for five gold coins? Don’t you want me to catch them or kill them or something?”

“Yeah, just driving them away is fine. Even if you kill them, I don’t really care, but the pay will stay the same.”

“That’s easy work, then. That’s not a lie, right? I’ll kill you if you say you can’t pay afterwards.”

“I didn’t lie. I’ll pay you later in my mansion, so please”

“Okay, got it! You ********, this crescent moon will be your opponent!”

After the swordsman, Crescent moon, gave his name he drew his sword and faced the seniors.

Then one of my senior’s friends started to panic after hearing our conversation.

“This is bad, I’ve heard about the red masked mercenary called crescent moon. I heard rumours that as long as the amount of gold is right, she would do anything and even though she is a woman …… she’s supposed to be awfully strong.”

……Yeah, that’s right.

Akatsuki and Crescent moon, the names are different and Akatsuki is supposed to me a muscular macho man while Crescent moon is a woman.

Besides, she only wore a breast amour directly on her skin and two bulges could be made out. Splendid.

While I think was thinking about such Crescent moon was going around fighting, they are swaying together with her actions.

Meanwhile, the masked mercenary sent away my seniors in no time.

Why running away my seniors left the words “We’ll remember thiiiis!” properly, my senior’s really are the role model villains.

I should follow their example.

“I chased them away as promised. Give me the gold coins.”

“Like I said, I’ll pay you in my mansion. If you understand come.”

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1. N/a

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After having learned how to use fireball from the Cat-girl, Knopf, I had her teach me some more fire attribute magic.

First I learned the spell “Light”.

It’s a very basic spell to create fireballs to float in the air. But it has many uses for example when one stays in a dungeon for the night or as a substitute for heating if one controls the brightness and heat.

I can use it for a long time because it consumes little magical power and it’s convenient for moving around.

When I see the fireball flutter around so smoothly it makes me feel like some kind of ghost will pop out from somewhere.

(TN: Ya know, cause that kinda looks like a Will o wisp)

The next spell was the “Firewall” spell.

It’s a simple spell that only produces a firewall which burns at a high temperature, but it can continue to burn for a certain period of time even if you aren’t around it. If you use it well it can be effective for cutting off escape roads and enclosing your enemy.

It can be immediately put out by water magic.

The third one was the “Flame shield” spell.

It enables me to make an invisible shield made out of flames from my palm.

It can’t defend against physical damage like sword attacks unlike a common shield, but it reduces the damage of magic attacks by a fixed quantity.

However one has to be careful when one’s opponent is a water magic user because they can naturally make the shield disappear.

The last one was the “Fire Sword” spell.

It coats normal weapons like common swords in flames, adding a magic attribute to it and increasing the damage dealt by physical attacks.

Furthermore, it seems like it has quite the huge effect on the undead like zombies and skeletons.

It gets destroyed if one sets up a defence with water magic.

I seemed to have succeeded in everything which should be impossible for someone of the beginner level and I was looked on coldly again by the Cat-girl.

Well, if a person who tried their best to learn magic watched this they would get irritated.

But this is the author correction, I’m really sorry that I learned it so easily.

In the end, all the magic spells I learned are extremely weak against water attribute magic.

It’s rather convenient if I think about the Hero Kazuma forming a contract with Undine, the water spirit of the four major spirits, enabling him to use water magic.

After finally being defeated by the hero I’ll reform myself and help him defeat the Demon king after all (planned) because I’m the villain Carlo de Medici.

I’ll boldly use nothing more than fire spells in the fight against the Hero, let’s resolve ourself to lose boldly.

Actually, there is one more, it’s Carlo’s unique spell which doesn’t belong to any of the 4 attributes. How could I forget about that?

Though it’s very convenient, oh well, I’ll steadily think about that later.

“Thank you, Knopf, I was able to learn magic thanks to you.”

“Good for you, right, Carlo-san? So, what are you going to do from now on?”

“Yeah, I’ll come over from time to time to learn magic so I’m in your care.”

“Don’t decide that on your own. Why did Carlo-san want to learn magic in the first place? Even though you’re a noble.”

“I thought I might go look around the dungeons a little.”

“Ah, so it was that, huh? If that’s the case I have a request, Carlo-san”

What Knopf said surprised me.

Her cat ears twitched in a worried way.

“It’s my first time seeing one of the four major spirits what’s more a Salamander’s child. Regarding my request, would it be fine to take me with you when you go into the dungeons? I want to look at Reus state after he matured.”

It’s convenient for the party to have a magician, but the researcher Knopf wants to go into the dungeon.

She can’t use any high-ranking spells of the four systems, but I appreciate it.

After all, I would have invited Knopf to be my ally anyway if I went to the dungeon.

For that time it seems like Knopf registered as an adventurer in the adventurer’s guild already.

Adventurer Registration……What should I do?

I’ll definitely get caught by Pikaru right away if I do something big like that.

I left Knopf’s windmill and mounted White King.

On my way home towards the mansion, I came across a field with various plants growing on it.

When I took a look incidentally, I saw some familiar shrubs.

I looked down from White King. Isn’t that Thyme?

A kind of herb used in meat dishes.

Cultivating and using herbs in cooking was my mother’s hobby and because I was made to help her with it I am rather knowledgeable, too.

With those you’re able to accent the food’s flavour to make it shine, with some, you can even substitute certain things!

When I look around the vicinity in an excited manner I spotted a tree I recognize.

That was the Sage tree.

If you have this you can even make sausages!

Furthermore, if you look closely at the grass growing around here you can spot Italian parsley and basil in there.

This field seems to be a Herb garden.

To me who is frustrated with this world’s flavour of the dishes this is a gold mine.

But isn’t this too convenient, me coming across a field which incidentally grows all kinds of herbs and it’s just the right season?

Is this a kind of author correction, too?

Before I even noticed it time flew by while I was absorbed in picking up those herbs.

In that time I’ve become very hungry.

I haven’t eaten lunch either.

I’ve decided to come back here with White King and entrust the task of earnestly harvest them to someone else.

Melissa and Reina greeted me as I arrived at the mansion.

I seemed to have worried them because I took my time to return.

I also was somehow able to deceive Pikaru.

So I was saved from a sermon.

Anyway, when I told her that I felt hungry Melissa immediately cooked some rice.

I heard the menu was something like grilled salted fish or bird meat.

Here it comes again, the saltiness.

“Melissa, I’ll cook lunch. Inform the kitchen”

“Absolutely not, a gentleman entering the kitchen! Pikaru-sama will get angry again if you do something like that.”

“If you keep it a secret it should be fine. There’s a dish I want to make.”

Today there are herbs.

I’ll have Melissa and Reina learn how to use them.

Even though Melissa was unwilling she approved of it somehow after I begged.

Excellent, now I can enjoy a wider variety of dishes.

“Still, is Carlo-sama able to cook?”

Reina asked curiously.

Well, she has a point. A nobleman wouldn’t cook himself.

I can’t just say, “because I had to help my mother, I can”, though.

“When I was outside there were dishes I found delicious, so I memorized the recipes.”

Was I able to deceive her?

When I entered the kitchen I first prepared the bird.

I opened up the chicken’s thighs and cut them into easy to eat pieces.

Then I seasoned it with salt and pepper and let it steep so that the flavour can be absorbed.

Meanwhile, I bake some bread before crushing it into bread crumbs.

I also grind the cheese into fine cheese powder.

I put the cheese powder, salt and pepper, finely chopped up basil leaves and the bread crumbs together and mix them with some olive oil.

I put the chicken thighs on top of an iron plate covered in olive oil and spread the bread crumb mix on the chicken’s skin.

Besides that, I place some peeled potatoes next to it. It has to stay in the oven approximately 30 minutes.

Unlike a gas oven ,it’s difficult to heat this oven.

With this, I somehow managed to complete grilled, fragrant spice chicken with bread crumb coating.

(TN: This is torture … Now I’m hungry 鶏もも肉の香草パン粉焼き T_T)

“Carlo-sama, how skilled! It doesn’t look like this is your first time cooking at all.”

“It looks delicious as well. What a nice fragrance.”

Both Melissa and Reina were surprised at my skill.

It turned out pretty delicious, huh?

“There’s also a share for you. Anyway, I’m hungry so let’s eat here together as it is.”

“That, such a thing like eating together with Carlo-sama. We shall receive it later so-”

“I don’t care. If this precious food cools down it will taste bad. This is an order, let’s eat together.”

This is one of villain Carlo’s outbursts of selfishness. (TN: heeeh~ oh really?)

A meal eaten alone isn’t as delicious.

Moreover, I wanted to see those two’s expression when they eat this.

“Okay then, let’s dig in.”

“Though I might lack manners, I shall eat. Reina, eat some, too.”

“Yes, well then, I’ll have some.”

Like this, we ate together at the small desk, inside the kitchen.

“This is very delicious! It’s fragrant and……”

“The meat is very juicy and those herbs on top of it have a really nice fragrance.”

Yep, yep, I’m content that you are that pleased.

Using cheese powder and the basil I picked up made it delicious.

I did a good job if I do say so myself.

“This can also be applied to pig and cow meat. I’ll teach you some other things later so make this from now on.”

“Certainly. I’m rather happy that my repertoire of dishes has increased~.”

With this I made one step forward towards improved eating habits.

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1. N/a

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“Then, tell me about fire magic first.”

“Sure. One has to borrow the power of a spirit to create fuel and heat to let fire magic take effect as I said before. Therefore one has to call a fire spirit. Try it.”

Knopf starts to meditate with her hands facing up.

She breathed slowly and seemed to concentrate.

“I close my eyes and imagine fire spirits in the atmosphere and call one. Usually, it’s in the form of a dwarf.”

I do the same thing and close my eyes with my palm’s facing upwards.

Fire spirit, come here, Fire spirit-chan, come closer……

However, there weren’t any signs of it at all.

“Is it no use? It can’t be that difficult. Maybe you lack talent?”

Thunk.

I’m not able to do anything, I remembered the hard reality of not having talent I was blessed with and became blue.

Ah, I’m useless, huh? Even in the world, I created as an author I’m useless, huh?

I unintentionally switched back from Carlo to my original self.

“I, it’s okay even it failed this time. How about you try to imagine a flame on your hand this time?”

Knopf hurriedly tried to encourage me and nearly fell over.

I took it to heart and tried to do what she told me somehow.

Then the image of a bright red lizard suddenly came out.

“Uwaa!?”

When I opened my eyes in wonder an approximately 3 centimetre tall lizard appeared on my palm.

Its bright red colour was just like the image but its eyes were kind of cute.

Overall it was just blurred and there was no sense of touch.

“How is it? Did you feel something?”

“Rather than feel, there was a red lizard on top of my hand.”

Because Knopf asked me I answered her truthfully.

“Like I said, it’s fine, so you don’t have to act tough. You didn’t feel anything, did you? You can’t fool me so please tell the truth.”

Knopf was smirking at me disgusted.

Her cat ears were moving angrily too.

I didn’t particularly lie, though.

“Even if you’re telling me that it’s still on top of my hand. Can’t you see it?”

“Eh, Are you sure?! A lizard, you say, it can’t be, is it a Salamander?! I mean this is your first time and it should be impossible”

You, you’re a salamander?

However I look at it, it looks just like a small lizard.

“You, I wonder if I can make you appear.”

At that moment, the blurry outlines became clearer and I felt it touching my palm.

Uuuh, it feels a little ticklish, it kind of has a reptile feel to it.

“It’s the truth……”

After Knopf saw the lizard she looked surprised with her mouth wide open.

Come on, Cat-girl, your drool will flow out!

“This certainly is a salamander’s child. It’s still small. But to suddenly call a salamander……”

Knopf still seemed like she didn’t believe it yet.

She stared at the lizard for a while longer but then turned towards me in the blink of an eye and began to talk with a serious face.

“Magic, if one excludes light and darkness, consists out of four elements, Fire, Water, Wind and Earth. Those are the four major elements that is what is being said. Fire, Water, Air and Earth.”

The theory of four major elements got supported from the ancient Greece/Rome to the Islamic world and the European Middle Ages.

“For those four major elements, there exist four spirits and one governing them. The water Undine, the wind Sylph, the earth Gnome and the fire Salamander.”

Ooh, in my novel the hero forms a contract with the spirit Undine and uses water magic.

Speaking of Undine, was that the name of one of those four spirits?

I imagined it as something like TinkOrbell.

As the author, I am sorry for my lack of research.

“As Salamander is the fire spirit of the four spirits it’s quite the high-ranked spirit. One can’t just call Upper-rank fire spirits like the flame demon Ifrit or the Phoenix or the Salamander that simply.”

When you think about it, this is also author correction, I’m really sorry in various ways.

“Though it’s still like a child right now, but I think it will gradually grow if it steadily absorbs magical power. Seems like it got used to you.”

Yeah, no matter how I look at it seems like it got attached.

It was sitting very peacefully on top of my hand.

“The problems start here. As I said before a little while ago, you can use stronger spells if you form a contract with a high-ranking spirit. But it also has its disadvantages.”

disadvantages?

“Yeah, the magic of other systems becomes unusable if one forms a contract with a spirit. That’s the reason for me researching the combination of low-ranking magic to achieve equal power. You don’t have to form any contracts with high-ranking spirits for that and the magic of the four systems can all be used.”

I see, it’s like that, huh?

“What do you want to do? You are able to use fire magic if you form a contract with this Salamander. After it grows bigger I believe you are able to use considerably strong magic. But on the other hand, you can’t use any magic of other systems.”

Mmm, this is rather troublesome, isn’t it?

But honestly I don’t really want to learn that much magic and it might be good that Carlo as the rival of the Hero, who uses water magic, is able to use fire magic.

I’ll be defeated by the hero anyway so why not have bad elemental compatibility.

“Knopf, what should I do to form a contract with this fellow?”

“It’s easy. You have to name it. If a spirit receives a name the contract is established. Do you want to form a contract?”

“That’s right, just being able to use fire magic is enough. I don’t want to become a magician.”

“I see, if that’s the case please name this child. I guess it will be alright as long as it’s nothing too weird.”

Mmm, a name for a lizard, huh?

This is a Salamander and in Japanese that would be a fire dragon.

Speaking of fire dragons, yeah, it has to be Rioreia…… something like that.

(TN: Rathian in the English version. A wyvern from monster hunter)

“I’ve decided. You are Reus, the fire dragon Reus. How’s that?”

(TN: shortened form of Rioreus. Rathalos in the English version. A wyvern from monster hunter)

When I said that the lizard turned over and disappeared just when I thought that it was shining a little.

“Did it fail?”

“I think it’s different. Call its name”

“Reus!”

When I called its name the lizard appeared on my right shoulder.

“See, looks like it likes it. The contract was successful.”

“I see, then you are Reus from today onwards. Take care not to get hunted by a hunter.”

(TN: Cause ya know it’s a monster in monster hunter lol)

Knopf wasn’t able to understand this reference.

“One usually isn’t able to see them, but spirits are always around us, Carlo-san. Because that’s the case they will even come out if you just call them in your mind.”

I see, so it’s something like a mobile pet?

She said it grows up by absorbing my magical power so it’s fine not to feed it.

“Now that you have a spirit let’s practice fire magic, shall we? Let’s start with the incantation for “Fireball” first.”

First, we went outside to practice magic.

Using fire magic in a wooden hut is rather dangerous after all.

Even though I don’t really understand this stuff I try to imitate Knopf’s actions.

“Like I said before, you borrow the spirit’s power to create fuel for the fire to burn in the air. Then you draw the seals with one hand and concentrate.”

Well then, I close my eyes to concentrate, Reus, please lend me your power…….

Was the seal like that?

Then I should create a ball of burnable material in the air.

Something like a ball of flammable gas?

“If you’re ready, imagine adding heat to it, burn the fuel and aim towards your target while casting “Fireball”. That stake over there should be a good target, right?”

Reus, that’s enough.

I imagined adding heat to the ball and throwing it like a fastball.

That’s right, a straight with over 160 kilometres per hour!

“Fireball!”

As soon as I moved my arm a flame ball was flying like a fastball towards the target stake and hit it.

As for the stake, no trace remains of it.

“Again, this, suddenly producing a fireball of such speed, that’s impossible”

Rather than surprised, the cat girl looked at me with amazement.

Again, I’m sorry in various ways.

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1. N/a

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A few days later Melissa came over.

“Carlo-sama, it’s regarding the distantly related magician we talked about the other day.”

“Yeah, how was it?”

“Carlo-sama should contact her to inform her about the date you are able to take lessons. Even today would be possible if it is convenient for you.”

“Unfortunately, I am busy today so I cannot act as a guide for you.”

“It’s fine, I am no child after all.”

I’m able to go learn magic alone this way.

Because if Pikaru finds out about this he’ll start to nag again so I’ll do it secretly.

It seems like Melissa’s magician relative lives in a windmill out-of-town.

I saw the windmill after I rode White King for a while.

After I tied White King to the stake in front of the windmill I knocked on the door of the hut.

As soon as the door opened a child came from the inside.

The girl looks like she is 14 or 15 years old.

She wore a grey robe with a hood attached.

“I’m called Carlo. I’m here to visit the magician Knopf.”

“Please enter”

I entered the windmill under the guidance of the girl.

Inside were a lot of wooden gears turning with a gakkon gakkon sound.

Heh, so it looked like this inside of a windmill, huh?

“Please, have a seat”

I sat down on the sofa the girl prompted me to sit on.

Test tubes and beakers were scattered throughout the hut and it had a laboratory atmosphere to it.

However, there is no sign of another person being inside this hut.

“Is Knopf away? Then I shall come another time.”

“I’m Knopf. I heard everything from Aunt Melissa.”

I was seriously surprised by that girl’s words.

Melissa said she is young, but no matter how I look at her this is too young.

Is it possible to change your appearance with magic?

“Are you surprised by my young appearance? Even with me being like that I believe I’m older than you.”

This self-proclaimed Knopf brought some food while saying that.

Then I saw those fluffy cat ears.

“I’m half human, half cat person. I’ll be 30 this year. Because the average life expectancy of the cat people is approximately 150 years it seems like I am able to look this young for my age.” (TN: The author used katakana to write cat person so not my crappy naming sense)

A mix of cat humans, the “Cat People”, and humans, did I write about such characters?

The Cat People I wrote had a more cat-like face and grew whiskers.

In that respect, Knopf, being a half, has the face of a human and cat ears.

……I can’t help but be interested whether she has a tail, too.

Speaking of which, Melissa, you should have told me!

Even before telling me that she’s young or an oddball.

Is this not as important here? Is it different?

“I see, I was disrespectful. Then again I’m Carlo. Please take care of me.”

“I’m surprised that Carlo-san doesn’t dislike me for being a sub-human.”

I see, in this world there are a lot of tribes of different races the cat humans included, those races are called sub-humans.

Even if the person is half human they seem to be put in the category of sub-humans as well.

Those sub-humans are discriminated against by humans all the time.

That is the setting I made.

“I don’t particularly care. Is that why you live in this windmill out-of-town?”

“There is that, but it’s also convenient for executing experiments as well. Ah, I shouldn’t speak this way.” (TN: She spoke in an informal way)

“I don’t mind. I’ll tell you now, you don’t have to use formal speech with me.”

“I’m saved. It’s hard for me to keep being formal.”

Knopf showed a relieved expression and laughed.

Her cat ears twitch when she laughed and made me want to touch them.

“What kind of magic do you want to learn?”

“What kind of magic can Knopf use?”

“Hmm, let’s see……”

After Knopf thought for a while she began to talk.

“Do you already know that magic is divided into six basic systems? Fire, water, wind, earth, light and darkness.”

Yeah, I know this already, because I set it up like this.

This is just the standard for fantasy, right?

Well, I can’t say that so I nodded.

“Of these Light and Darkness are a little different, but the other four kinds, Fire, Water, Wind and Earth are of the same system.”

Yeah, those four kinds are called spirit magic and can be used by borrowing the power of spirits.

Light and Darkness use a different kind of power other than God, Demons, and Spirits.

This is also according to my setting.

“To activate magic of these four systems one has to borrow the power of spirits. For example, using the same Fire magic system to use the elementary spell light ball “Light” and the flame ball “Fireball” it’s fine to borrow the power of low-grade spirits in the vicinity. However, to use more powerful magic like fire tornado, fire storm or explosive flare, one as to form a contract with a higher ranked spirit before being able to use them.”

That’s correct as well.

Therefore in order to use higher ranked magic, it is necessary to find a stronger spirit and form a contract with it.

“But I’m doing research on how to increase the strength of lower grade magic. Those can be explosive, too.”

What did you say?

Did I describe a method like that in my novel?

“Do you know what is needed to set a fire? Fuel, heat, and oxygen. If those three things are in one place I can ignite a fire without having to use fire to make it burn.”

Hey hey, that’s rather chemical.

Do they study such things here in this Fantasy world?

“For example to use the fire magic “Fireball” you create heat and fuel with the spirit’s power. Using one’s mental strength moves the ball towards one’s opponent.”

There’s such a mechanism, huh? I want to study it.

“What do you think will happen if I create pure oxygen using wind magic and add it to the fireball?”

Hey, hey, that’ll be dangerous.

I heard it will explode and even metal like iron would burn with such a high concentration of oxygen.

“It’ll explode. By the way, even things that normally don’t burn will burn if the oxygen enriched fire is used.”

Like I thought.

“I sprinkled fine metal dust created with earth magic all over a room and when I threw a fireball in there it surprisingly caused a chain of explosions.”

That’s a dust explosion. (TN: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dust_explosion)

“It’ll even cause an explosion if you treat a rock made with earth magic with a high-temperature flame and then hit it with water magic.”

What you are describing is a phreatic explosion and that’s also very dangerous. (TN: That’s what happens when a volcano erupts https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phreatic_eruption)

“With that in mind, I’m researching whether one can achieve the same effect as a more advanced spirit magic with the combination of various kinds of lower grade elementary magic.”

Ehm, this Knopf-chan seems more like a mad scientist rather than a slightly odd person.

“Therefore I can’t use highly advanced spirit magic but if it’s lower ranked spirit magic I can use all four systems. Though I’m slightly weak with water.”

As I thought because you’re a Cat-girl you’re weak against water, huh?

“That’ll be enough. I want you to teach me the usage of fire, wind and earth magic.”

“That’s fine, then with what do you want to start?”

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1. N/a

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The morning after a few days.

After having eaten breakfast, I was waiting for the doctor in this room.

“Good morning. I brought the doctor.”

Melissa entered the room followed by a doctor.

After the doctor removed the gauze and disinfected the cut he cut the thread with a pair of scissors.

He pulled the thread out with tweezers but I still tensed up at that point.

I almost closed my eyes unintentionally, but I had to endure it as the villain Carlo and somehow was able to stay calm.

It didn’t really hurt after all and just made a little shick sound.

“It’s such a big scar. What a shame”

While I was looking in the mirror Melissa standing on my side seemed to feel sorry for me.

It certainly is quite a big scar.

But I’m not particularly depressed because I wrote this setting of Carlo having a scar myself.

Rather, it’s kind of cool like a wanderer once feared by men.

At last, the gauze was removed and I felt relief above all.

I still have to continue to disinfect it for a while.

I decided to call F and train horseback riding afterward.

Even though Melissa is worried that I will fall again but I would be rather troubled if I’m not able to ride a horse.

“Is this Carlo-sama’s favourite horse? It’s excellent”

F raised his voice in admiration.

That’s right, you can’t find such a good horse anywhere else.

The firm tightened muscles were coated in snow-white fur.

It has smart-looking eyes and was twice as big as other horses.

This was Carlo’s favourite horse, the white king.

White horses as the name suggests are said to originate from age-old legends.

To be honest I was a little scared but because I am Carlo I can’t hesitate here.

First I tried to pet its nose slowly.

Followed by that the white king nestles its head against me and behaves like a baby.

Isn’t that fellow rather cute?

I asked F to teach me the foundations so that I may never fall from the horse again.

Thanks to that I learned how to put on a saddle and how to affix the stirrups and harness carefully.

Thereupon I was able to get on smoothly like I thought this is author correction, right?!

Trot, gallop, anything that comes at me even battles on horseback seems to be possible now already.

Anyway, this white king is rather bright and is able to immediately read my intentions.

“As expected of Carlo-sama, you are skillful. If you don’t mind would you like to go on a long distance ride?”

“Then want to go hunt some kobolds?”

It’s not a bad experience to take advantage of this to try exterminating some monsters.

F and I left the mansion on horseback with some weapons.

In one hand F held an iron shield with the crest of the Imperial Knight Order on it and in his other he held a long sword, I myself had a ******* Sword in one hand.

I stirred up white king a little to rush forward.

The surrounding scenery flows past me in no time and the autumn wind feels good.

What speed, what refreshment.

Is that the feeling of riding a large motorcycle?

Because they damage the fields kobold’s are disliked by the farmers.

Therefore the probability is high to encounter them in the fields, I, as the author, of course, know this.

“F, let’s go to the fields.”

I cross the poorly made bridge, a large tree lying across the Holmes river, and leave for the fields on the opposite bank.

I want to replace this bridge with a stone bridge later on.

Because that side of the river is close to the Reed forest I know that there was a setting in my novel where one encounters monsters frequently there.

I put a monster-filled forest near a town because it was convenient for my story but in reality, this kind of setting is rather annoying for the people living there.

They don’t know when they might get attacked while doing field work.

I feel responsible as the author.

I’m really sorry for troubling you because I thought the setting was convenient.

After we rode our horses for a while F discovered a small group of kobolds in a field of wheat.

“Carlo-sama, there. Their numbers are about five.”

“Okay, F, go around the right. We’ll do a pinch attack.”

I get on the white king and draw a semi-circular arc from the left and approach the group.

I pulled the ******* Sword out of its sheath and held it in my hand.

F approached from the right-hand side.

When we approached them several Kobolds noticed us and raised their voices.

A Kobold’s head resembles a dog or a hyena but its body was nearly like that of a human’s.

They are able to wield weapons because their intelligence is closer to that of a human’s rather than a monkey’s and they seem to be able to hold simple conversations.

As an individual, they aren’t very strong but their propagative power is high and they tend to form and act in groups.

When they mutate they become High Kobold’s and are able to use magic and long-distance weapons so one has to be cautious.

Most of the Kobold’s weapons are clubs and spears made by cutting trees.

But several of them have a sword.

They probably got them when they attacked a traveler or a farmer and took their weapons.

Kobolds are harmful to fields and humans because they also are quick to increase in numbers they were designated as a subjugation class species.

If it’s a single individual then their monster rank is D but if they are in a group it’s C.

By the way, Monster Ranks are divided into the six ranks E to A and S.

An S ranked monster is of the disaster class and has to be subjugated on a national level, to subjugate an A class monster the military force is needed.

For B class it’s appropriate for several parties to collaborate and defeat it and for C class a single party is usually enough to deal with it.

For D class a single powerful person or an amateur group is enough and it is said that even a common person can take care of E class types.

Those Kobold’s numbering 5 are slightly below C class but it’s an easy victory for F and me.

Because we attacked at the same time the Kobolds who noticed us ran from right to left in utter confusion.

I aimed for the nearest one of them by letting white king run past it and wielded my sword.

Thump!

The Kobold fell down in response.

I immediately pulled white kings reins and slowly returned to the Kobold, sword in hand.

The Kobold brandished its sword and came straight at me, too.

This is the first time I am wielding a sword on top of a horse, the author correction is too strong here.

I calmly judged the Kobold’s sword strike, struck a gap and knocked it down with my sword.

You go, me.

While I knocked down two, F defeated three Kobolds.

“F, your abilities are just as I expected. With you being like this I’d have to ask you to participate in the sword fighting tournament.”

“Carlo-sama said that you don’t have any experience in fighting on top of a horse, but after seeing you fight like this it’s hard to believe.”

When I praised him, F praised me.

It’s nice to be recognized by a strong person.

Though this isn’t a power I worked hard for to acquire, even if I recently practiced for the sword fighting tournament.

Because Kobolds were a subjugation targets it would be profitable to cut off their ears and take them to the adventure guild, but I stopped myself from doing it this time.

Well, it wouldn’t earn me a great amount of money and I’m a feudal lord.

But talking about adventurers I yearn for that life.

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1. N/a

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I who returned together with Doji to the residence called Pikaru to my office.

“How may I help you?”

“Pikaru, how is the tax rate of this place currently?”

“The farmers are paying 40% of their harvest to Carlo-sama and the merchants and craftsman are paying 20% of the income they made.”

It was a system where the farmers had to pay four-tenth of the farm’s products as land tax and the people with monetary income would have to pay 20% of it as taxes.

“Inform me about the present financial status.”

“The current financial situation cannot be described as good. This area has bad drainage and it is impossible to expand the farmland so if the harvest is bad there would be a famine and the tax revenue would decrease. It seems like this year there was a good harvest and we are able to catch a breath.”

“How is the cash flow?”

“Not good. Braham is distant from the castle town so they are having trouble exporting. The commerce and industry don’t develop too much either because the prices are too high and there isn’t anything we could call a specialty available here.”

It’s like this after all, huh?

The productivity is low because the social infrastructure isn’t stable.

If we don’t do anything having a stable territory management would be difficult and if that’s the case I fear the Hero and the Demonlord might neglect this place.

There will be a huge event five years later and now I have to set the stage for it.

“Pikaru, make an announcement. This year the tax rate will be raised by 1. 5 times.”

“Eh?! Carlo-sama, what are you saying? If we do something like that the whole country will be thrown into chaos.”

“I don’t care. Wasn’t there a huge harvest this year?”

“This might be true, but the tax rate hasn’t been changed since the time the predecessor–”

“If the harvest was good then they are able to live. Give an official announcement that the farmers are to give 60% of their harvest and the merchants and craftsman are to pay 30% of their income.”

“Please reconsider, Carlo-sama’s reputation will be ruined if you do something like that!”

Well, I figured as much.

They are happy they had a good harvest this year and can live a rich life and then suddenly the tax rate gets raised by 1.5 times.

This country’s people will bear a grudge against Carlo and will raise voices of protest.

My originally earnest mind aches when I think about it.

But I’m the villain, Margrave Carlo de Medici.

I can’t be afraid of being hated by other people.

The more Carlo is hated the higher the hero Kazuma’s popularity will be.

I decided to become an excellent villain and lead this story to the ending.

To let the novel, which I wrote, have a conclusion.

“I don’t care. I do not intend to listen to the voices of the people. Please announce it as soon as possible.”

Pikaru stared at me with eyes seeming to want to say something, but after he realized I wouldn’t change my mind he just lowered his head and left the room without saying anything.

“Fuu……”

I was lying on the sofa while wearing shoes.

To be frank, I was tired.

Not physically but mentally.

It’s hard to be hated by people.

Originally I hated to fight with people.

I lived my life minding other people’s mood.

It’s considerably hard for that me to live as a villain.

But I decided this by myself.

To live as a villain, to be the hero’s rival.

I’ll become an excellent villain.

While I was lying down I rang the bell resting on the desk.

Ting Ting――

“How can I be of service?”

Melissa entered immediately.

She watched me who was plopped down on the sofa with a puzzled look.

“It’s nothing, just a little tired.”

Melissa thought for a while and then smiled at me.

“I heard a little from Pikaru-sama. But Carlo-sama must have a plan. Because I believe in Carlo-sama.”

……Aah, It’s good that there is a person supporting me.

“Sorry. Oh yeah, Melissa do you know a person who is able to use magic?”

“Magic, is it? There’s one person I am distantly related to. Even though they are young in age, I heard they are rather talented.”

“I see, in fact I want to learn how to use magic. Can I ask you to contact this person?”

“That person is actually rather odd, I wonder if they will be useful. Shall I call them here?”

“No, if it’s here Pikaru will nag again. I’ll go meet that person myself soon.”

“Certainly, I will contact them. Also, Marcus-sama and Carlo-sama’s newly appointed captain Fui-Fitz……”

“Fitzgerald, huh?”

“That is right. He said that he wants to greet you on the occasion of being appointed to the new post.”

“The letter “F” will be enough as a name. I also call him like this. Let him through.”

“Then I shall lead Marcus-sama and F-sama into the office.”

After Melissa left F came in together with Marcus.

“Excuse me. Thank you very much for appointing me as Captain of the Imperial Knights.”

“You don’t have to be so stiff. Sit.”

I urged F who stiffly stood at attention to sit down on the sofa.

Marcus sat down long before being told to do so.

“Marcus, I caused trouble for you.”

“No, no, this was just a simple job of writing on a piece of paper.”

Following Marcus, F started to talk.

“I, with a low social standing, joined the Imperial Knights and shortly after for patronizing–”

“It’s nice to be formal.”

I used my hand to interrupt F who tried to thank me again and talked to Marcus.

“And? Did you think about the later arrangements?”

“I think it’s a pretty good hand.”

Marcus grins.

“Hoo, what kind of hand?”

“I will soon announce my resignation of my seat as the Imperial Knight leader.”

“Fumu, and then?”

“Then I will select a successor from the Imperial Knights. Specifically, how about I hold a sword fighting tournament between the five captains and make the winner the new head?”

“It might turn out to be very interesting!”

“Indeed, fufufu”

“Will Leader Marcus quit?”

Watching the excited me and Marcus, F’s eyes roll in bewilderment.

That’s to be expected, suddenly when you came to this place after being newly appointed to the post of captain the leader starts to talk about quitting.

“Rather than quitting, getting promoted to a general. I’ll let you, F, become the leader’s successor.”

“N, No matter how you put it”

“Fitzgerald, those are Carlo-sama’s earnest hopes. Don’t refuse.”

Marcus was obviously amused.

Let me in, too.

“The purpose of the sword fighting tournament is to let you win. You won’t lose, F”

“W, well I’ll do my best, however”

Impatient F’s sidelong glances accelerate mine and Marcus’ wickedness.

“I also came up with something good, Marcus.”

“Hoho, I wonder what it is?”

“The tournament just having five people is badly divided. I’ll participate, too.”

“Hoh, Does Carlo-sama also have confidence in his sword arm?”

“I’m not bad. Right, F?”

“The Margrave’s ability is considerable. It’s not on a level most people would be able to match.”

“That’s interesting, shall I pull some strings so that Carlo-sama and Fitzgerald will fight in the finals?”

Marcus exchanged looks with me and chuckled to himself.

Marcus, your lord is also bad.

---

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1. N/a

---

---

After Marcus left, I had another salty dinner.

Afterwards, Reina came over when I was relaxing in my bedroom because I didn’t have anything better to do.

“The bath is ready. Do you want to enter?”

Oh yeah, the nobles of this country have the custom to take baths

I made this bath setting because I myself like taking baths.

It’s also easier to write Mufufu scenes when a bath-setting exist. (TN: Well, ya know Ecchi stuff.)

“I see, then I will do that.”

Together with Reina, I went to the bathroom.

Ooh, it’s huge!

Then, Reina helped me take off my clothes.

Hey, hey, hey, hey!!

“Re, Reina, that’s enough.”

“Don’t you need me to wash your back? “

No, no, no, is this an eroge? (TN: Adult games for those who don’t know)

The hurdle is too high for me, a virgin, to suddenly get my back washed by a 17-year-old.

I am not ready.

“I can wash it by myself just fine, so you don’t have to.”

I wanted to rip my hair out but I swallowed down those emotions and declined.

I feel like I broke an important flag all by myself.

Haah~

Despite being a little shaken I started to relax in the bathtub.

Okay, so what am I going to do from now on?

I was able to meet F, but should I start looking for my other allies?

As for the members of my party, there’s the masked mercenary “Akatsuki”.

His real identity is a mystery but he’d do anything for money.

Then there’s the dark elf warrior, Zarissh, who could do unjust acts without thinking twice about it.

I want to become friends with them as soon as possible.

Another member is farmer Doji, I think we are going to meet soon.

Then the talented person whom I’ll leave diplomacy to, the military’s schemer, Nals.

It would be great if I could meet such a talented individual soon.

Ah, I also have to find someone to teach me magic.

Princess Charlotte is another person I have to absolutely meet.

To win over Carlo King Franz Johann III. makes the princess his fiancée.

However, in the second part of the story, Carlo imprisons Johann III. with plans to become the king of Franz Kingdom himself.

Princess Charlotte who noticed Carlo’s plot asked the hero for help leading them to fall in love with each other which triggered the creation of a new country and the end of the story. (planned).

Since Carlo was already engaged to Charlotte at the beginning of the novel, I have to somehow get engaged to her within the five years before the hero arrives.

There are a lot of things I have to do.

I can’t leave anything out.

Oh yeah, I have to indulge in alcohol and women, too.

Carlo was set to be a playboy.

I have to change girls like clothes and make them cry.

Doing Mufufu things with those girls.

Doing some naughty stuff with some older sisters.

That means I can’t stay a virgin forever.

That would be a serious problem, right?

It’s not like I want to do it but it can’t be helped role-wise.

Let’s note that as an immediately to solve problem.

I got fired up when I thought about such things.

After feeling a little dizzy in the bath I went back to my bedroom and just slept.

The next morning, the third day after my Reincarnation.

I took a walk around mansion’s vicinity.

I was asked if I want to take the guards with me, but I declined.

It is autumn and the sky seemed to have grown wider.

The color of the wheat ears on the nearby field seemed to have considerably changed.

Pikaru did say we had a good harvest this year.

Then I happened to meet a large man cutting firewood.

He used a huge ax to cut it while wearing a straw hat.

He was 190 cm tall, he was both large vertically and horizontally.

His face looks really strict, but I knew that he had a gentle personality.

My companion Doji from my novel.

“Doji, you’re a really hard worker, aren’t you?”

“Aah, Carlo-sama, good morning. Are you feeling well again?”

Doji lowered his head while wiping off his sweat with a towel.

He’s the son of a peasant, currently 18 years old and working for Carlo.

He really respected Carlo and didn’t betray him until the very end (planned).

With is strength, he would even be a reliable fighting force if given an ax or a club.

He would play an active part as a party member.

“Yeah, I’m fine again. Is Doji busy after this? If you can I’d like you to come with me.”

“It’s fine. I can do my work later.”

I took Doji and walked to the top of the small hill a mansion was standing on.

The scenery from the top of the hill gave off a medieval feeling. (TN:a European medieval feeling to be exact)

At several farms, huge windmills could be seen turning.

In the distance, I could see Braham’s townscape with its chestnut-brown brick roofs.

It’s a remote local city but it’s the largest town in the Medici border territory.

One could see the town spread around several hills.

The dome seen in the middle belongs to the Saint Perrier cathedral.

A Church following the teachings of the Light Religion and also the town’s symbol.

A road was leading to the town.

Because it wasn’t paved clouds of dust were blown upwards every time a horse carriage was driving over it.

The world I imagined when I wrote my novel spread out before me.

The townscape, the windmills, the farms, and the cathedral.

As I look at the scenery, ah, it’s no good, tears are coming out.

This is the world I made.

I wonder if it feels like this when your novel gets turned into an anime or a live action movie.

“Carlo-sama, what’s wrong?”

“No, it’s nothing. How many days does it take you to go to the capital Rue Ann, Doji?”

“Let’s see, if you have a fast horse 3 days, in a carriage 5 days and 7 days when you walk.”

It would take long, just as I thought.

Information transmission and marching speed are important.

If I improve the roads the distribution of goods will also become more active.

“That’s the Holmes River.”

A large river flows through the town’s east side.

It’s called Holmes River and has its origin in the Barbaross Mountain range located in the far north.

The Medici territory depends upon the Holmes River’s aquatic resources.

While it gives great blessings, it is also a double-edged sword that, once the riverbanks break down, will cause major flood damage.

My model was the Egyptian Nile.

The vast Reed forest spreads over the other side.

“How’s the Holmes River recently?”

“There does not seem to be any floods recently. It’s just that this area’s drainage is bad which causes trouble.”

I see, now that he mentions it, there’s a lot of damp ground around here.

This might interfere with further development.

Now that I think about it, there are a lot of big mansions lined up around here.

“Doji, do many rich people live on this town’s hill?”

“That’s right. Usually the rich live on the hill and the poor at the bottom of it.”

Together with Doji, I went down the hill.

It seems because I’m wearing a big gauze on my cheek and bandages around my head no one recognized me as Carlo.

The stores were lined up in the town and people were barking like dogs, trying to invite customers to their shop.

Housewives with shopping baskets hanging from their arms were walking around.

Unlike the quiet townscape, seen from the hill, here is where the common people live.

“Is it always this humid here? And isn’t the drainage a little too bad?”

“My house is close by, my mother always complains about the mold growing because of the water always flowing in.”

As I thought.

It’s obvious that this is connected to the bad drainage.

When I wrote my novel I didn’t even bother writing about things like drainage.

But it’s a serious matter if you actually live here.

This also needs improvement.

“I see, so how is living here?”

“Because the farmers had a good harvest we are able to live or lives without much trouble now and are pretty happy.”

Doji smiled joyfully.

I see, so they can effort to live without worry this year, huh?

---

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1. N/a

---

---

After Carlo returned, I had a talk with Pikaru in my office. (TN: Pretty sure he meant F is the one who returned)

I sat down in a cat-like position on the chair which was near the massive desk.

I wondered if the large desk was made out of mahogany, but I didn’t know much about it.

I felt like the president, which felt good.

It would be great to have an attractive woman as a secretary rather than a bald……I mean the old Pickaru-san.

“Well then, Pikaru, as I said a while ago appoint F as the captain of the Imperial Guard.”

“Carlo-sama, I am not responsible for this. Please give the order to the head of the Imperial Knight Order.”

Oh, I thought that I could ask Pickaru to do anything.

“Fumu, so who is the leader of the imperial knights?”

I used the sure-kill “Amnesia from falling off a horse” technique.

“Sir Marcus is the leader of the imperial knights. He is a person who has served you since your father’s generation.”

Marcus, Marcus……It feels like I’ve heard that name somewhere before.

Oh, that’s right……!

General Marcus blah blah, I feel like I have written that sentence.

It was not written for some kind of special episode but I wrote it more to match the flow of my writing.

That means I’ll make Marcus a general and make F replace him as the head of the Imperial Guard, huh?

But a General is quite the high-ranking position.

I feel like we would have a hard time later if I’ll employ a person without the right abilities for such a position.

Well, alright, let’s try meeting him once, shall we?

“Well then, Pikaru, call Marcus here.”

“Certainly”

Pikaru lowered his head before leaving.

Ah, this is my room.

The overall atmosphere had an antique feeling to it.

I don’t hate it but even if a picture was put in here it wouldn’t make the room look any better.

I walked around the room, looked inside the cupboard and sat down on the sofa in front of the desk.

Incidentally, my gaze fell on the bell on the desk.

I rang the bell because I was thirsty.

Ting Ting――

“You called?”

The maid Reina immediately came over.

Yeah, she looks cute after all, her chest isn’t so big, though.

I wonder how old she is.

Ah, but this girl saw my everything.

……Bad memories.

The past can’t be deleted.

Two people who were destined not to be together just after meeting.

What a tragedy.

But, wait.

At that time I didn’t know I was Carlo.

So it’s Master Carlo she saw and not me.

It wasn’t me who used the urinal, but Carlo!

It’s mysterious, when I started to think like this I suddenly felt somewhat better again.

“Carlo-sama?”

That’s right, I’m Carlo, the broad-minded, arrogant, villain Carlo.

So I was seen peeing into a urinal, so what?

“Carlo-sama? What is your order?”

“Ah, I’m sorry, I was thinking about something. By the way, how old are you Reina?”

“Eh? Ah, I’ll turn 17 this year.”

Strike!

JK it’s an excellent throw. (TN: JK Joshikousei= Female High school student. He talks about how he can’t do her I think or that she’s his type, but I think it’s latter cause baseball terms)

“I, is that so? I’m thirsty. Could you bring me some water?”

“Certainly, I shall immediately bring it.”

After Reina lowered her head she left.

Mmm, I didn’t do badly.

To be able to talk to a girl so casually since years … … Carlo’s effect is amazing.

If I was still in my original world this wouldn’t be possible for me.

At the same time as Reina returned, a man entered the room.

It was a slightly older man with an excellent white mustache.

His eyes were really thin, you can’t tell whether his eyes are opened or closed.

He felt like the first Captain of a Space Battleship and seemed stubborn.

“It’s been a long time, Carlo-sama. Please give any orders to this Marcus.”

He sat down on the sofa without me waiting for me to tell him.

He has a powerful presence, like a veteran knight.

But I can’t pull back now. I’m the villain Carlo.

“Marcus. Have you been in good health?”

“Yes, thank you. So, what is your order?”

Uuh, this is kind of pressuring.

Don’t lose, me.

“Have you heard about a man called Fitzgerald who was recently assigned to the Imperial Guard?”

“I know him. Is there a problem with that man?”

“What does Marcus think about him?”

“He is considerably skilled with the sword and has nerves of steel. Honestly, it’s a mystery how he stayed as a low ranking knight for so long. Well, it’s probably because of his family’s low standing.”

Yeah, that old man sure has a good eye for people.

“Is it so? So, appoint Fitzgerald as a captain under my direct control.”

Old man Marcus looked at me, his thin eyes wide open.

Looks like he realizes it more and more.

Oops, I almost forgot this is the place where I change the subject.

“Understood. I shall immediately take care of it tomorrow.”

“Please do so. On another not, what do you think about the current Franz royal Family, Marcus?”

“Let’s see, their relationship to the old, traditional, noble households seems to be considerably cold.”

“I see, what about me?”

“The Medici household is powerful but gained nobility just recently. Depending on Carlo-sama’s attitude they might get closer.”

“Using me as a shield against the powerful lords, is it?”

Hmm, that old man knows what he’s talking about.

In my novel, King Franz arranges an engagement between the princess and Carlo to oppose the influential noble families.

Well, anyhow, Princess Charlotte falls in love with the Hero and later finally settles down with him (planned).

“Then, what do you think about the barbarians?”

The Franz kingdom, including the Medici border territory, borders the north side of the area where people we call the barbarians live.

The barbarians broke through the border and invaded the north and Carlo had quite the trouble repelling them in my novel.

But I didn’t write exactly when that happened.

“I listened to Fitzgerald’s report and it seems unlikely that there will be an attack this year. But the possibility of them trying to invade in the next two to three years is extremely high.”

“Hm, I see, so we should immediately work on counter-measures.”

This old man is usable.

He has great diplomatic insight he even judged the Barbarians like this. He’ll make a great General.

Carlo has to do a lot of things so capable individuals which he can entrust the military affairs are essential.

“Marcus, there’s something I want to consult with you.”

“……What is it?”

“I want to promote you as a General as soon as possible and make Fitzgerald succeed you as the head of the Imperial Guard.”

“Hoh, does that mean you aren’t satisfied with this old man’s ability?”

“The opposite. I want to leave the military affairs to you.”

---

(Marcus’ PoV)

Marcus didn’t show it on his face, but inwardly he was really surprised.

Carlo is not stupid like his predecessors, he wanted Marcus to be more than just a person who served him.

This wasn’t evident before today’s talk.

Being summoned suddenly, and talking about this, seemed a bit unusual to me.

I heard he fell from a horse. Did he hit his head at that time?

The atmosphere around him completely changed for some reason.

He feels like a totally different person.

Well, it’s not a bad choice to appoint Fitzgerald as a confidant.

That diplomatic question also hit the mark.

His decision to hurry and immediately create counter-measures against the barbarians was really admirable.

The nobles of this country, calling the barbarians a savage tribe, tend to downplay their actual power.

It’s foolish to believe the barbarians fighting power is weak just because they’re culturally less developed.

I see them as a flat-out threat so it would be the right judgment to hurry up in creating counter-measures.

Moreover, appointing me as a General and giving me military authority.

Well, even if he hit his head and is a completely changed person I can’t say it’s a bad change.

I thought he would just be a blue-eyed, blonde-haired brat, but turns out he might be quite a capable person.

I thought I would pass my days peacefully, but it seems like I unexpectedly got some more work.

“I see. As you command. I will follow your order and elevate Fitzgerald to the position of commander soon.”

“It’s bad manners, but please consider a way to put our talk into practice.”

“Yes, then, I shall take my leave.”

---

(Carlo’s PoV)

Marcus left.

He seemed to take my suggestion favorably somehow.

After F I was able to meet another capable person.

And again a step towards the end of the story was taken.

---

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1. N/a

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---

I simply can’t eat such salty food anymore, but after that salt-based lunch, the promised person visited.

“Nice to meet you. I was on border patrol until the other day but I got assigned to Carlo-sama’s imperial knights this time. Please take care of me.”

A 185 cm tall man was stiffly standing before me, you could see that he was well trained through his clothes.

His name was Sir Fitz-Morris Fitzgerald, also known as “F”.

He’s the knight I’ll make into the head of the Margrave Carlo de Medici’s Imperial Guard, he’s his right-hand man, loyal and hardy.

In the novel’s setting, he was 32 years old so he’s now 27.

Still, he’s really extremely handsome even to me who is the author.

He looks smart with brown hair, just looking at him makes me think that he could be a Hollywood actor.

It’s not like I’m jealous of his cool looks or something, Hmpf.

Because I looked really cool too when compared to others in my original world, so it’s okay.

Carlo is also a popular character with his blue eyes and blonde hair.

Though the cheek is damaged because I fell from a horse.

F would eventually get disgusted by Carlo in later chapters of the story which led him to betray him and join the Hero (planned) but at the point where I stopped writing he was still Carlo’s ally.

Though the atmosphere has already gradually worsened.

Anyway, I am lucky that I’m able to meet my strongest ally F sooner.

I hope we will get along well.

“However, sir’s name is long and difficult to call. Can I call you with a shorter name?”

“Sure. You can call me whatever you like”

“I see, then from now I’ll refer to sir as “F”.”

“Eh, F……?”

Oops, was it too early!

That ‘F’ stood there dumbfounded, and Pikaru who was listening from the side said something like “Shortening it to one letter is a little……”.

But since I have already said it, it couldn’t be helped.

I cannot change the name of an important character.

I’ve already changed Pikaru’s nickname “baldie” to his normal name again.

I have no choice but to stick with this decision!

“Wahaha, it’s a good and original name. By the way F, there aren’t any other lords who called you like that, right? I want you as my partner for sparring.”

“Partner? I don’t mind but, is it alright? I heard that you got injured while riding a horse yesterday.”

Did it already spread?

I must make an impression that Carlo is a bold character.

“What? I just got a few scratches. Your worries are unfounded.”

While pretending to be tough, I removed the bandage from my arm and showed him the wounds.

To be honest I still felt a tingling pain here and there.

Ah, Since I pulled the bandage off some of the wounds opened up again.

And the pain quickly followed it (teary eyes).

“Is that so, I said a presumptuous thing. I’ll be happy to be your sparring partner.”

“Sorry. Pikaru, please arrange a suitable place.”

“Certainly. Then I’ll lead you to the training ground.”

Accompanied by Pikaru, F and I went to the training grounds.

I just took a look while passing by, but this mansion really is as small as I thought.

It was too wide for me to live in but for the villain Carlo, this is an unsatisfactory home.

I have to build the Balhart Castle after all.

At the training grounds, I purposely chose blunt weapons for training use.

After all, F was using a longsword and a shield just like in the novel.

As I thought it had to be a two-handed ******* sword for Carlo then.

“Don’t be reserved, Sir F”

“Well, then here I come”

After we bowed towards each other the training began.

The way F held the sword was manly, as I thought.

As expected of Franz Kingdom’s best knight.

F observed me from the start. He starts attacking me decisively from the side.

Swordplay was completely unknown to me but, strangely, my body, which didn’t get any exercise for a long time, started to move without me wanting it to.

I had no time to think about how to move and I moved my sword based on instincts.

F was surprised upon seeing my smooth movements, then his attacks grew more and more intense.

I received an attack without being conscious of it, waited, and started to counter attack as well.

Amazing.

Is this the rumored cheat ability?

Those light yet powerful movements didn’t seem to be my own at all.

Besides, there are moments were F’s movements seemed to appear slower.

Not only my reflexes and instantaneous power got increased but also my kinetic vision. This is….

I don’t know whether this is author’s correction or Carlo’s actual physical ability.

But, as expected from F I can’t even land one hit.

I didn’t expect any less from Franz Kingdom’s best swordsman.

Let’s keep practicing with F for now.

If I do maybe I’ll learn some amazing finishing move.

Carlo’s body seems to have a fair amount of stamina while being absorbed in practice two hours have already passed.

Haa, Haa, Haa

As I thought I ran out of breath.

“Splendid. As expected of the one who is said to be unrivaled within this territory.”

“You’re too kind.”

“Practice swordplay with me from now on. Oh yeah, let’s make you the captain working under me.”

“Hah? No, but I got just promoted to a knight of the imperial guards and my family’s social standing is also low.”

“You’re family’s social standing doesn’t matter. I think that capable people should be assigned to appropriate positions. I think about making you the Imperial Guard’s head sometime soon, but right now I’ll be satisfied with making you a captain.”

――――――――――――

(PoV change to F)

Fitz-Morris Fitzgerald was puzzled.

I was born into a poor knight family serving the Medici household.

Having studied hard and also possessing an outstanding talent for the sword since an early age I was called a child prodigy from my surrounding.

My ambition was to become an honorable knight in the future. Based on this I have worked hard for it.

I had the confidence that there wasn’t a person stronger than me in the whole Franz kingdom anymore.

However having been born in a low social standing is something beyond my control, I was made to guard the borders from the wild tribe.

The post was located far north from Braham, it was not a pretty job.

After I received some distinguished military services, at 27 years of age I was finally allowed to join the imperial knights and came back.

When a messenger from the lord suddenly appeared I was surprised, but that person called Carlo is a considerably odd person.

I was used to people shortening my name as it was really long, but they would usually call me “Fitz”.

To suddenly shorten my name to a single letter.

I heard that he fell off a horse and got injured but he was sparring the next day without worrying about the wounds.

I heard rumors that he was supposed to be a bold person, but that seemed to be correct.

Actually, I was even more surprised when fighting.

I thought considering his position he wouldn’t have any experience with actual combat.

After all, I was taken aback since there were many times that he startled me.

Moreover, the sword style is formless and really flexible.

This image reflected that person’s character.

If he continued practicing like that he would become considerably skilled.

However, what surprised me most came afterward.

He said he wanted to make me Captain of the Imperial Guard Order out of the blue.

Saying that he didn’t mind social standing and that he would judge me for my ability.

I have never heard of such a noble in this era.

I dreamed about gaining fame as a knight a long time ago, but today this might come true.

Meeting a lord who believed in me and recognized my abilities.

How difficult to get and precious is that?

I shall dedicate my sword to Margrave Carlo de Medici and will serve him as the knight “F”.

---

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1. N/a

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**** a doodle doo – -!

It’s the second day after my reincarnation.

For the first time since I came to this world, it was dawn and I woke up because of a rooster’s call.

I didn’t know whether it would also call in a western-style because this world was set to be like the medieval Europe.

Ah, but the cry of the rooster is the same in English, German and French, isn’t it?

Oh well, whatever.

Still, it’s way too early in the morning.

I did sleep early yesterday.

The rooms at night are really dark here.

A candle is too dim for the me who was used to modern life.

I can’t even read a book without at least a lamp.

To create it, oil would be necessary, right?

There’s also still room for improvement around here.

Though I’m hesitant to call someone this early in the morning, but I would rather not walk around here without permission.

Even if it’s my own house, I’m not familiar with its insides.

So I waited for someone to come by but after a while, there were still no signs of people.

Because there was nobody around to help me I took the bell which was on the desk near the pillow and rang it.

Ting Ting――

Even though I tried to ring it as quiet as possible but the bell made a loud sound that surprised me.

I’m a timid person after all.

But right now I am the overbearing villain Margrave Carlo de Medici.

I don’t have to care for other people, so it’s fine, yeah.

While I was absorbed in such thoughts a middle-aged woman in maid-clothes entered.

It was the head maid, Melissa.

She was the most understanding amongst Carlo’s people, a really nice person.

To get up and work at such a time, it’s a hard job.

“Good morning, Carlo-sama. Do you want to eat?”

“Yes, please.”

Did I answer like Carlo would?

As a novel author, I try to write a character based on feeling.

Doing that is what I usually do, but actually becoming the character itself is difficult.

The breakfast that Melissa and Reina brought were green salad (salty), boiled egg (salty), bread and finally tea.

There is no sugar in the tea.

After all eating habits …… die hard.

The egg was in good boiled condition, but I want some variation to increase the taste.

I guess it’s because I settled on writing that every dish is either “salty” or “grilled with salt” in my novel.

It can’t be helped, because it’s my own fault, still, it’s painful.

That reminds me, how do they get the salt?

There was a setting that the south side of the Medici territory faced the sea.

“Melissa, how did we obtain this salt?”

“We imported the salt from eastern Itarini kingdom”

So it isn’t made from our salt bed, huh?

“Is it expensive?”

“It is. But it’s indispensable for everyday life.”

“Is everyone using this rock salt in this neighborhood?”

“As far as I know, yes.”

I see, I wonder if I can make salt to make a profit.

Shouldn’t the price of pepper be stupidly high as well?

“What about pepper?”

“As for pepper, it is imported from the southern Meriana continent.”

“Is it extremely expensive?”

“I don’t know how much you would consider extremely, but it is considerably expensive.”

“Is the price as high as the weight?”

“Ahaha, it’s not that expensive.”

Melissa put her hand in front of her mouth as she laughed with relish

I see, so the price isn’t high enough to look for a new sea route, huh?

By the way, the currency around here is called “Yuroa”.

The countries around here are called Yuroa Countries and that is the common currency used in them.

Gold, silver, nickel and copper are the four types of currency used.

1 Yuroa Gold Coin = 50 Yuroa Silver coins = 1.000 Yuroa Nickel coins = 10.000 Yuroa Copper coins.

By the way, if I convert the value into Japanese yen, the modern Japanese currency, it’s 1 Yuroa copper coin = 10 yen.

A gold coin is 100.000 yen, a silver coin is 2.000 yen, a nickel coin is 100 yen, and a copper is 10 yen is the calculation I’ve made.

Easy to understand.

Why is it that simple? Because I decided it to be.

Having different currencies for every country was troublesome.

There’s also the rarely used Yuroa white gold coin which is 1 Yuroa white gold coin= 10 Yuroa gold coins = 1 million yen.

“Good morning, Carlo-sama.”

After I finished my breakfast Pikaru came over.

“Morning, Pikaru”

“About the plans for today. Yesterday I talked to Fitz Maurice Fitzgerald about the afternoon practice and he accepted. Since you just came back from an injury there isn’t anything else scheduled?”

“Is that so? Then I want to ask you some things this morning. Is that okay?”

“Of course. Ask me whatever you want”

Pikaru lowered his head respectfully.

I wanted to tell him that he was dazzling, but I resisted.

Because I’m an adult after all.

I asked Pikaru various things in the morning.

Questions about the economic trends of this territory, the state of this country, Franz kingdom, and its capital Rue Ann, but Pikaru was able to answer all of them.

Pikaru was a man of incredible administrative processing ability and had a talent for financial management.

It’s naturally like this because I wrote that in my novel.

However, Pikaru seemed to be completely useless when it comes to diplomacy, military affairs, demon beasts, and magic.

Though this goes without saying, but demon beasts exist in this world.

That’s natural because there’s even a Demon king appearing.

There’s also the template magic systems.

They are divided into the 6 attributes, fire, water, wind, earth, light, and darkness.

Carlo as Hero Kazuma’s only rival was able to use various kinds of magic, but Pikaru doesn’t seem to have heard that Carlo is able to use magic.

Actually, I don’t know how to use magic at all.

I’ll have to learn it from someone.

It’s troublesome if I, as the Hero’s strongest rival isn’t able to use magic.

“Pikaru, is there a person who can teach me the usage of magic?”

“Magic, is it? It is said that it is possible for everyone to use magic, but it is only important for magicians and priest, so why would you want to learn magic?”

“Well, I want to enter a dungeon sooner or later.”

When he heard that Pikaru’s expression suddenly changed.

“There is no need for you to do such things! Margrave Carlo de Medici-sama entering something like a labyrinth would be the shame of the Medici house!”

“Eh, is that so?”

“Things like labyrinth explorations are done by dubious people such as adventurers. It’s not something people of a high status, like Carlo-sama, should do.”

Mmm, that’s troubling.

Carlo is a first class adventurer in my setting, there is even a story arc where he competes with the hero on who captures the labyrinth faster.

Looking at Pikaru’s angry look it seems as though he won’t give me permission to enter a dungeon, I’ll have to think of some other means.

That also means that there isn’t a possibility of me getting a magic tutor, what should I do?

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I decided I would live as the villain Margrave Carlo de Medici in this world of the novel I wrote myself “Yuusha Tensei”.

My goal isn’t only to play the role of an attractive villain but also to make this story into an even better one.

Therefore there’s a lot I’ll have to do.

As I decided on this, I felt my stomach was empty.

I picked up the bell from my desk and try to ring it.

Ting Ting――

As soon as I rang the bell the maids Melissa and Reina and the butler Pikaru entered.

“Carlo-sama, how may we be of service?”

I tried to answer Melissa’s words.

“Ehm, My stomach is……” (TN: He used Boku. A humbler male pronoun.)

“Haah- -?!”

Those three people looked at me with very surprised faces.

I thought for some time but immediately understood the reason.

It’s my way of talking.

Carlo is a broad-minded, frank, open-hearted character, so he uses the pronoun “Ore”. (TN: More arrogant than boku)

I would never talk like that.

“Ah, ehem, I’m hungry. Melissa, prepare a meal for me.” (TN: He used ore this time)

“Yes, right away. Reina, let’s start the preparations.”

Melissa and Reina lowered their heads and left.

Melissa still looked anxiously at me.

Let’s be careful from now on.

This only left me and Pikaru in the room.

I wanted to ask Pikaru various things.

But I stood before a problem.

It’s the name Pikaru.

In my novel Carlo called Pikaru “baldie” all the time.

It’s true that Pikaru is splendidly bald.

Of course, that’s the reason I named him like this in the first place. (TN: Pika Pika means glittering so he named him like that cause his head sparkles)

However Pikaru is actually secretly very concerned about his bald head and this name calling caused him so much stress that he ends up with stomach pain.

Carlo doesn’t know that Pikaru feels this way.

However, I know about it.

Besides, I’m a person who had a hard time fighting with others and hated others pointing out someone’s weak spot.

It’s impossible for me to directly call someone “baldie” even if I hate them.

Is it because I’m Japanese that I’m good at reading the mood?

I have no choice, even if it’s different from the actual setting but it should still be within range, so I decided on that with my author’s authority.

“Pikaru, there are some things I want to ask about.”

When I called him I noticed that Pikaru held his breath.

After he looked at my face with utter amazement he had tears in his eyes.

“Is there something wrong?”

Pikaru answered my question with a shaking voice.

“……It has been several years since Carlo-sama last called me by that name. I unintentionally was deeply moved by that. I apologize.”

It can’t be that he was that happy to hear his name?

I felt sorry for Pikaru, who deeply lowered his head.

Well, the name I gave him kind of has the same meaning, though.

That person just doesn’t know.

I feel responsible as the author.

I should have given him a name with a more serious feel to it like Umibo〇 or Do〇.

Ah, I have to censor this to avoid getting into trouble.

(TN: First is probably Umibozu. Might be from Gintama. Dunno the other name)

“I didn’t know Pikaru was so concerned about this. I shall call you by your name from now on, sorry.”

Actually, I did know.

“You don’t have to be. I’m grateful for your words, thank you.”

Looks like he was really happy about this.

Well, I guess I did something good.

It would be nice if I could get along better with Pikaru now.

“Now, what is it you want to know about?”

Oh, Pikaru’s expression got brighter.

“What’s today’s date?”

“It’s the 2nd of September.”

Ha ha, that tepid look in his eyes has also faded away.

“Autumn, huh? How was this year’s harvest?”

“Yes. Fortunately, we are blessed with good weather this year so a great harvest is expected.”

“That’s good. How many soldiers are in this castle right now?”

“Castle? Here is Carlo-sama’s mansion. There is no castle. There are about ten soldiers of the Imperial Guard here right now, though.”

Pikaru had a strange expression on his face.

Weird, wasn’t there a setting that Carlo lived in a castle called Balhart Castle?

That means Balhart Castle was built during those five years, something like that.

This is troublesome.

Moreover, Carlo’s setting of being Kazuma’s rival was that his swordsmanship was super first class.

However, I’m completely useless when it comes to that.

Since this body is Carlo’s it should have some muscular strength, so I have to quickly improve my skills.

Of course, the story talked about how I can’t ride a horse.

Because of the trauma which was created when I fell down the horse, I think.

I noticed that Pikaru was watching me anxiously while I was lost in thoughts.

Compared to before talking to him seemed much easier.

Feelings are important, after all.

“Pikaru, what’s the condition of my injuries?”

“Yes, I told you about your cheek a little while ago but there aren’t any other serious injuries other than that. Just some bruises and scratches. The doctor also said that it was alright to move around how you might have noticed.”

What a relief, there doesn’t seem to be a bone fracture.

“If that’s the case I want to continue my sword training at once from tomorrow on. Try finding a skilled person from this territory as my training’s partner.”

“I believe Sir Fitz-Morris Fitzgerald should be a competent individual.”

Pikaru answered my words immediately.

Sir Fitz-Morris Fitzgerald, huh?

If it’s him I know him well.

This person with the long name was a hardy knight acting as the head of the Imperial Guard and was one of Carlo’s confidants.

Because of his long name, I decided to call him “F”.

He was loyal, brave and this country’s best swordsman, additionally he also was super handsome even though he belonged to the evil characters.

He was the core of Carlo’s party but became utterly disgusted by Carlo in the end and becomes the Hero’s ally (planned).

At the point where I stopped writing, he has yet to betray Carlo.

In the novel’s setting he was 32 years old, so he should be 27 now, right?

“What kind of person is Sir Fitz-Morris Fitzgerald?”

Let’s pretend not to know and this being the first time I heard about him.

I could use the shock of the fall from the horse as an excuse.

“Yes. He is second to none in this territory and his skills aren’t inferior to even Sir Lunos. He got promoted to the imperial guard after returning from Braham.”

It’s a relief to hear that F was somewhere else and wasn’t acquainted with me yet.

Because of this, I have to be careful from now on.

By the way, Braham is the largest city of the Medici territory which Carlo rules.

“Hoh, I’m looking forward to it. Tell him to come here tomorrow.”

“Certainly”

Pikaru lowered his head.

Meanwhile, the meal seemed to be ready and was carried in by Melissa and Reina.

The problem is the meal.

I’m no gourmet, but the food from the story is from the middle ages and was completely different from modern japan.

The dish that Melissa brought me was comprised of a boar as my main dish (salty), a potato stew (salty), and some bread and wine.

Just like I expected.

Well, because I was cutting corners and just wrote that the dishes of the novel had a “salty” taste, it’s my own fault.

Oh well, it’s still edible but it will be hard for me if this will continue every day, though.

Let’s do a food reform as soon as possible for my own sake.

It was reassuring to see Melissa taking care of me.

This is how the first day of my reincarnation passed.

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