CHGD 26

Chapter 26

‘Looking at the monsters, each one has one or two oddly human traits.’

Loaz had hatred and resentment, Ikavel had loyalty and stupidity—there were quite a few angles to exploit.

Of course, in normal circumstances, one would lose their mind to a monster’s rage before finding such openings, but thanks to the shadow’s protection, this was a viable strategy for me.

‘Family bonds and religion, huh.’

Still, with this much, there was room for dialogue.

Just then, the maid brought in the tea, and the village representative returned, cleaned up.

“…So what’s your real business?”

Whether he couldn’t drink the tea we provided or simply refused, the village representative didn’t even touch his cup and immediately got to the point.

Judging that further pleasantries were unnecessary, I answered casually.

“The Count sent me to help with your convenience. To assist with your current uncomfortable living situation…”

“Now you come to help us?”

The village representative snapped, cutting me off. It seemed he was about to spew curses again, so I paused and looked him straight in the eye.

“……”

Still, he seemed to have some reason left—the village representative cleared his throat and forced himself to calm down.

“Ahem! So what kind of convenience are you talking about?”

“First, we can solve your housing problem. Isn’t living in the swamp uncomfortable?”

“Th-then you mean… you’ll let us return to the lake?”

It wasn’t a difficult matter, so I nodded. Although the Count had tidied the lake for my sake, to me it was nothing more than an ornamental decoration.

‘…But from what I’ve heard, they seem to be sea creatures—can they live well in freshwater?’

Biological details were beyond my knowledge, but I was curious. However, if I asked, they might get angry, thinking I was treating them like fish, so I hesitated.

Hearing that they could return to the lake, the village representative’s face flushed and he half-rose from his seat, asking loudly.

“Y-you’re not lying, are you!”

“Why would I lie?”

“You always do! Last time, you suddenly said you needed sea fish and told us to farm them! After giving us a puddle barely worth a damn! And the fish you told us to raise were freshwater fish!”

“…When exactly was that?”

“Three days ago!”

Three days ago… that was the day I had mumbled that I wanted to eat grilled mackerel for the first time in a while.

Feeling Ikavel’s intense gaze, I put on an expression of ‘Oh my, what a shame’ and pretended not to know.

As I kept assuring him not to worry, the village representative’s large eyes lit up with joy, seeming quite pleased with my proposal.

Thinking the first resident issue was about to be resolved nicely, I pulled a small wooden emblem from my pocket and held it out to him.

The emblem had a long string attached, so it could be worn as a necklace or bracelet depending on use.

“This is…”

“The Count’s emblem. If you like my proposal, I’d like you, as the village representative, to wear this from now on.”

The shape engraved on the emblem was peculiar even to call it a symbol.

It depicted several yellow earthworms drawn diagonally in a hook-like shape—a pattern better described as a footprint or scar. For reference, my name ‘Dell’ was also engraved in small letters beneath the design.

This pattern was the symbol of the Acheim family—that is, the Count’s crest.

The Count had said that wearing it signified reconciliation with him. Since most nobles also distributed items engraved with their family crests to their vassals, it wasn’t unusual.

But it seemed the village representative felt differently.

“You mean for us to… become servants of the yellow one now?”

“That’s right.”

The village representative’s face flushed red in an instant. Wondering if it was really such an offensive matter, I glanced at Ikavel again, who leaned in and whispered so the village representative couldn’t hear.

“To them, it could be interpreted in a religious sense. As I mentioned before, they’re a fanatical group.”

“…So it sounded like I was asking them to convert?”

“Something like that.”

I hadn’t intended to bring up such heavy topics like religion.

Frowning, I looked back at the village representative. But this was also a condition I couldn’t back down from.

‘They’re already living in this castle, aren’t they all the Count’s subjects? What’s so hard about wearing one necklace?’

Putting religion above family convenience and safety—it was hard to understand.

I was contemplating whether I’d have to take a hardline stance again when the village representative spoke with a hesitant expression.

“No matter what… it’s difficult to brand the yellow one’s mark on my body.”

“That’s disappointing, considering your position as representative—”

“Instead! If you grant me one more favor, I will offer up this body!”

The village representative suddenly rose from his seat and shouted. Startled, I blinked, and he snatched the emblem from my hand and continued.

“Promise me—if I accept this mark, the mistress will guarantee our relocation and grant me one request.”

“Relocation isn’t difficult, but… what request do you have in mind?”

“It won’t be a great matter for the mistress. Just, deliver one word to the yellow one for me.”

“That shouldn’t be hard, but…”

As I was about to ask what the request was, the village representative put on a resolute expression and hung the emblem around his neck.

Suddenly, the emblem emitted a dazzling yellow light.

“Wh-what is this?”

As I panicked, wondering what was happening, the village representative gritted his teeth to suppress a scream.

“Ugh, ugh……”

The emblem, which had been emitting light, began to heat up, gradually burrowing into the village representative’s chest.

It burned through his clothes and seeped into his skin, leaving a yellow and red mark in the center of his chest.

It resembled the act of branding a slave’s mark onto the body with a heated iron.

“Huff!”

The village representative, with the emblem now branded on his chest, collapsed to the floor. Watching blankly, I called out to Ikavel again.

“Ikavel.”

“Yes.”

“You said it was a mark of reconciliation.”

How is this a mark of reconciliation?

Ikavel squinted and smirked.

“Isn’t this reconciliation? Now that Lord Haster and the Lady’s names are engraved on him, he won’t be able to make petty complaints anymore.”

“Putting aside the family crest, branding my name on a resident’s body—do you take me for some demon noble who bathes in the blood of the common people?”

“Demon… isn’t it something similar?”

You really need to have a sincere conversation with me. When I glared at him with blazing eyes, Ikavel flinched and stepped back.

“Hoo… Hey, are you alright?”

Leaving Ikavel aside for now, I approached to check on the village representative, but he had already regained his strength and came crawling over on his knees.

He grabbed the hand that had offered the emblem and placed it on his chest.

“Now… I am yours.”

“No, that’s not necessary.”

Then came the sudden confessions.

“I hope my sacrifice has satisfied you.”

“Satisfied or not, I didn’t know this would happen.”

“Mistress…”

I wish he wouldn’t call me so earnestly with those fish eyes.

As I recoiled in disgust and tried to pull my arm away, the village representative wouldn’t let go. The idiot Wendy beside him, completely missing the mood, explained.

“Placing a hand on the brand is a contract of subservience. Just accept it.”

It really is a brand after all!

I nearly shouted, but managed to change my words.

“Can’t you be quiet? I’m already annoyed by the fishy smell.”

Ah, damn.

What slipped out ‘this time’ as well was something different from what I truly meant.

Looking as if he had seen a real demon, Ikavel stared at me in astonishment.

‘Why do I always act like this when I’m in front of monsters?’

It was something I’d never even thought of saying normally. Of course, due to the emblem burning his skin, there was an undercooked fish smell coming from him, but… I wasn’t foolish enough to say that to his face.

“Ah, that was just…”

As I was about to politely apologize for my slip of the tongue, the village representative, who had already lowered my hand, nodded with a somehow moved expression.

“Hmm, I’ll be careful, Mistress.”

“What?”

“The one who will become our ruler—it’s only proper to show a firm stance.”

Then he composed himself and sat back down on the sofa.

His attitude was much more polite than before, and the apology I was about to offer vanished. Rather, I even sensed a strange respect in his eyes.

Confused by the baffling change, I called Ikavel again.

“Ikavel, is this guy always this unpredictable?”

“This is my first time seeing this too.”

Ikavel frowned as if he found it absurd.

‘Could it be… the type that’s moved by people who act rude?’

I didn’t know what era’s setting that was, but it was the only explanation.

A word impulsively blurted out had brought about such a good result—it was completely incomprehensible.

‘It was the same with Blacky and Loaz. What on earth is going on…?’

I couldn’t understand the nature of this ability. It always produced good results, but the method was far from reliable. As I fell silent, lost in thought, the village representative spoke cautiously.

“Um, may I tell you my next request now?”

“Ah, right. I forgot about that. Go ahead.”

The village representative nodded gravely.

“I ask that you return our idol.”

“…Idol?”

“A beautiful, noble, lovely idol, I mean.”

‘Do you guys like idols or something?’

My face scrunched up at the incomprehensible words.