ch39

[Chapter 39 - The Villain and the Intruder]

After the trial, I sipped my drink and watched the mice.

Drip-drip-

The sound of their tiny feet spinning the wheels was cheerful.

As expected, becoming my subordinate is always a special honor!

Look how happy they are, a privilege other mice can only dream of!

Of course, it was originally a punishment… but whatever, gloomy subordinates won't help with world domination.

A stressful day finally ended with a perfect conclusion. As expected, a genius Villain always wins!

"Master, with this trial as an opportunity, may we discuss the future management of the refrigerator?"

"Refrigerator management?"

Evelyn's question as she organized the props from the mock trial on the table.

Could this be an attempt to regulate my snack time…? No, surely my loyal maid Evelyn wouldn't do that, would she?

"Speak. Thanks to today's perfect victory, my mood is at its peak!"

"To prevent such unfortunate events from recurring, I think it would be good to establish rules for refrigerator management."

Rules? Why would we need those? The word 'rules' doesn't exist in Grimoire's dictionary.

Rules are for Villains to impose on others, not to follow themselves!

"I am a Villain, so I hate regulations and censorship…!"

"Any organization must have discipline. Especially for world domination, efficient resource management is essential."

I paused to think.

Certainly, the Villain organizations I've seen in movies did have rules.

The Mafia's silence, 'Omertà,' and 'Vendetta,' which mercilessly punished traitors.

"Hmm… an evil organization with discipline does sound cool… so what rules? You're not going to limit my snacks, are you?"

I narrowed my eyes and glared at Evelyn. If she said anything about limiting snacks, I would immediately veto it!

"Of course not. Master's snacks are sacrosanct. However, may we dispose of expired snacks or classify them as 'training rewards' for the mice? It would also help increase the loyalty of your subordinates."

'Training rewards'… it sounded like a good idea at first glance. Giving rewards to subordinates who have done well, with things that are about to expire…

"Giving rewards to the mice in this way will further increase their loyalty. A loyal subordinate is essential for a proper Villain."

Squeak-!

Darkness and White King started spinning their wheels even harder as soon as they heard that.

"What, are you that greedy for my snacks?"

"Besides, if there's more space in the refrigerator, you can buy more new snacks. Shouldn't a Villain always enjoy the latest and greatest snacks? That will make Master's snack collection even more valuable. Even jewels need to be selected to shine."

"Hmm… I see… Alright! Evelyn, you make a good point. But!"

I raised a finger and stated the most important condition.

"I must be able to buy as many snacks as I want at any time! Sufficient supplies are essential for world domination!"

"Thank you for your wise decision, Master. You are truly the epitome of a Villain."

Evelyn bowed deeply. As she returned to the kitchen, she muttered in a small voice.

"Finally, I can clean out the refrigerator…"

"Huh? What? What did you just say?"

"It's nothing. I'll prepare dinner soon."

Hmm, something's strange… but whatever. It's certain that I won! Besides, cleaning the refrigerator is a maid's job in the first place!

Drip-drip— Drip-drip—

With the sound of the wheels in the background, I sank deeper into the sofa.

The subordinates are diligently carrying out their punishment(?), and the loyal maid is preparing a delicious dinner…

Isn't this, right now, the happiness of a Villain?

• -

While Evelyn prepared dinner, I decided to watch TV.

Today's news headlines were again about the trivial exploits of heroes. An interview with a hero who defeated a monster with fire powers was playing.

"Hmph! Anyone can start a fire, right? The firefighters probably put it out, so why is he talking so proudly?"

I muttered while popping potato chips into my mouth. Grilled onion flavor. The saltiness spread across my tongue.

From the kitchen, I could hear Evelyn preparing dinner.

The sound of a knife hitting the cutting board, water boiling, ingredients being chopped and stir-fried.

That rhythm, that precision! As expected of my maid, perfect in every way.

Drip-drip-

In one corner of the living room, Darkness and White King were still spinning their wheels. I had only told them to do it for an hour, but the mice showed no sign of getting off the wheels.

Squeak!

Then, they finally stopped the wheels. Their black eyes stared at the bag of snacks in my hand.

"What is it? Are you daring to covet my snacks? Have you forgotten what we just agreed on? This is not eligible for training rewards! It's not even close to expiring!"

Squeak…

The mice's small eyes sparkled. They looked like the most pitiful creatures in the world.

"D-Do you think you can get to me with those eyes? The heart of a Villain who will conquer the world is as strong as steel!"

Sparkle-sparkle-

Ugh… this is cheating.

In the end, I threw a few pieces of the snack to the two of them. They quickly ran out and received my gift.

Squeak! Squeak!

The two mice held the snacks with their tiny paws and bowed politely.

Strangely, I felt proud. Of course, this is just a sense of accomplishment from gaining the loyalty of my subordinates. It's definitely not because they're cute or pitiful! A Villain doesn't need compassion!

"Subordinate management is also part of villainy! This much generosity is necessary for world domination!"

Today was a really busy day. From the library expedition to holding a Villain court. And in the end, I even made rules for refrigerator management.

It wasn't bad to take a break like this for the sake of greater villainy. What kind of Villain adventure awaits me tomorrow?

"Master, today's menu is authentic carbonara using Iberico guanciale."

Evelyn set the table with elegant movements. The pasta on the plate looked like a work of art.

"Good! As expected, my maid is the best! Now, let's begin the feast to celebrate the victory of this great Villain!"

At the end of a perfect day, I sat at the table with a satisfied smile.

I felt like the world domination plan had progressed one step further today.

A few days later.

Warm sunlight poured through the window and onto the bed.

"Yawn~"

The fluffy bed had a terrifying charm that even Villains couldn't resist.

But today's Grimoire is different! A great Villain who will conquer the world cannot be sleeping in.

I stretched out my arms and yawned.

Crack-

Along with the pleasant sensation of my joints stretching, my horns also trembled slightly.

"Stretch-stretch- stretching in the morning─"

After stretching, I got out of bed and walked to the window, throwing open the curtains. A clear sky unfolded before my eyes.

"Kakat! Even the weather is ready to help my villainy! Today, I will spread the fame of the great Villain Grimoire!"

I had charged enough Villain energy with yesterday's court case, so now it was time to take one step, no, two steps further towards world domination.

I opened the bedroom door and walked into the hallway, where the warm smell of toast tickled my nose.

"As expected, Evelyn! Like a proper maid, you delight me every day with new feasts!"

But instead of a reply, I heard Evelyn's phone call.

"Yes, this is the manager. Yes… it happened again… I'll check it out soon."

Evelyn's voice was slightly tense, unlike usual.

Something unusual must have happened!

"What's wrong?"

"Good morning, Master. There's a problem around the villa. I think I should go check it out."

"A problem? What is it?"

"We received a report that the garbage disposal area is a mess. This is the third time this has happened."

Who dares to cause trouble in my territory? Are they not afraid of Grimoire's iron fist?

"I'll go too! I'll solve it myself! I must perfectly dominate my territory before world domination!"

Evelyn nodded.

"Then let's go together after breakfast."

"No, right now! I can take the toast with me! I need to find the person who invaded my territory right away!"

She quickly put two pieces of toast on a plate and handed them to me.

"Understood, Master."

"Squeak?"

Darkness and White King were also looking at us with curious eyes. I gestured to them.

"You guys come too! As my intelligence unit, it's your duty to find the culprit who is threatening the territory!"

Evelyn and I, along with the mice, headed to the garbage disposal area in front of the villa.

When we arrived, the situation was more serious than I had expected.

The garbage bags, which should have been neatly organized, were torn open, and the contents were scattered everywhere, creating a mess.

"Who did this…?"

Anger surged within me. This act was a clear challenge. Daring to threaten the peace of Crown Villa!

"This has been happening since last week. Last time, the garbage was just scattered, but today it's even worse."

"What's that?"

I walked towards the utility pole next to the villa. I noticed a wire lying on the ground. It looked like someone had chewed on it.

Evelyn approached and checked it.

"So this is why we've been having power outages lately."

A bolt of lightning struck my mind at that moment.

Garbage piles, cut wires… and those who would commit such evil deeds…

I glared at Darkness and White King at my feet.

"You guys! It's you again, isn't it?!"

The two mice widened their eyes in surprise.

"Squeak!"

Darkness shook his head violently from side to side. White King also shook his paws, desperately denying it.

"Don't lie! I won't forgive you this time! I'll take away your wheels again! And you won't get any snacks for two months!"

Did they do this again because I let them off too easily yesterday? I thought they were loyal subordinates, but they disappointed me again!!

Squeak-!

The mice cried out desperately. Their faces were filled with genuine fear and injustice.

"Master, this is not something the mice could have done."

"What?"

Squeak!

Darkness and White King nodded vigorously, shouting, "The maid is right!"

"Then who on earth is it? Who dares to spread a garbage plague in my sanctuary!"

Evelyn quietly looked around. Her eyes sharpened.

"Recently, we've received complaints from several residents. There are many stray cats in the villa complex these days."

She pointed to the ground. When I looked closely, there were faint footprints.

"This is… a cat's paw print?"

When I looked more closely, there were small cat paw prints everywhere. Around the garbage piles, near the utility pole, and even on the villa wall.

Wait… I suspected my subordinates!

"What? O-Of course, I knew that too! There's no way Darkness and White King would do something like this! This is, uh… of course, I was just testing your loyalty!"

There's no way I suspected my subordinates! I was just keeping all possibilities open!

"Squeak-"

The mice's resentful eyes continued to stab at me.

"A-Anyway! Let's find the real culprit now!"

"This is a video taken last night."

The video on the tablet showed several cats rummaging through the garbage and chewing on the wires.

"Cats are moving this organized? Did they receive some kind of military training?"

"There is information that a 'cat mom' has recently appeared in this area."

"Cat mom?"

"A Villain who feeds stray cats and throws the streets into chaos. They mainly engage in activities such as rummaging through garbage, noise pollution, and disrupting the power grid."

"So someone is using cats to throw this area into chaos?"

Evelyn nodded.

"Exactly. And it seems our villa has recently become a target." "So, there's a scoundrel who dares to invade my territory! Unforgivable! A cat mom? Just an old hag, isn't she? How dare she trespass on the domain of the great Grimoire!"

"Master, you don't need to worry too much. I'll 'handle' this matter quickly."

"No! This is a matter of villainous dignity!"

Grimoire puffed out her chest. Her horns shone proudly.

"A villain must defend their own territory! If you leave everything to your subordinates, you won't have the dignity of a villain! I will personally judge those impudent ones who dared to trespass in my area and leave their footprints!"

"Understood, Master. Here is a map summarizing the locations where complaints have been filed."

Evelyn displayed a map of eastern S City on the tablet. Several red dots were marked around Crown Villa.

"These are the locations where 'stray cat sightings' have been reported in the past week. They have been concentrated in this area in particular."

"Hmm… I shall conduct a field investigation myself!"

"I will remain at headquarters."

Evelyn bowed politely.

"Please contact me anytime if you need anything. I will come to your aid immediately."

"There's no need for that! This is something I can handle alone… no, it will be enough with Darkness and White King! I will unleash the mice to hunt the cats!"

"Squeak!?"

"Don't be weak! Overcoming your natural enemies is also part of a villain's aesthetic!"

"Squeak squeak…"

The mice looked at each other and gave a small salute with their trembling paws.

The first destination was a vacant lot in the neighborhood with the most red dots. That was likely the cat mom's hideout.

Prepare yourselves! The great villain Grimoire is coming!

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