The Villain Bought the Female Lead - Ch. 109
After saving Rubid Village, I started using it as a farm to raise monsters.
Though it was called a <farm>, in reality, it was more about assisting the technicians I’d sent in modifying Naias’ secret dungeon rather than directly feeding the monsters myself.
Almost all of Rubid’s workforce was involved.
Of course, for the village to function as before, agricultural and other miscellaneous jobs had to continue, so I had to support them initially.
However, over time, they developed farming and livelihood methods that incorporated monsters, allowing for effective progress in all areas, eventually eliminating the need for support.
Ah.
Now, you might wonder why I wanted to make this place my territory. The reason was the combination of justification, pretext, and secrecy.
The key lied in the <large number of monsters raised in the secret dungeon> and the <increased affinity between the villagers and the monsters>.
While the secret dungeon remained hidden, as it had been in previous developments, the village was different.
When Helion visited Rubid village by chance, it was fine because the monsters were only closely related to their lifestyle.
However, now it was no exaggeration to say that monsters form the backbone of their everyday lives.
From plowing fields, enriching the soil, providing water, and more. The previous way of life without monsters was hard to imagine.
Although some other places used monsters in farming, it was by no means common.
As time passed, monsters would further integrate into the lives of Rubid’s villagers, coexisting with them. If this unique situation attracted the attention of outsiders, it could become problematic.
That was why I planned to naturally make this place my territory.
The Schugenhartz family business involved managing, distributing, and utilizing dungeons and monsters.
Rubid village was part of a church territory not affiliated with any particular country.
So, if Rubid village came under my influence in a natural and uncontroversial manner, there wouldn’t be any serious objections from outsiders.
However.
Since the Schugenhartz family dealt with dungeons, and even though the restrictions were quite lenient, monsters were considered private soldiers, and that implied an army.
If I, as an individual, was seen commanding them, it would obviously become an issue.
Thus, I was trying to solidify the legitimacy of Rubid’s transformation while hiding the secret dungeon.
As time went by.
And the bond between the villagers and the monsters strengthened, we wouldn’t just increase the number of monsters—we would also be able to enhance them.
How? I would save the explanation for later.
As it would get quite messy.
Anyway, this would form the foundation for the great war that would mark the final chapter of the narrative.
How great was it to make the most out of the village that helped Alicia overcome her trauma?
Now, to summarize why I was trying to receive the territory and title.
-It was to prepare for war, raise a large number of monsters without issue, and foster emotional connections between the villagers and monsters.
It could be organized like this.
***
In the subsequent conversation with Sylvester, it was confirmed that I would receive the baronial title from the church and the territory of Rubid village and the surrounding area, known as <Church Ordinance No. 31>.
Though I was not an official hero yet, I now had the duty to protect this place and could legally exert influence.
Of course, if I were to severely mistreat the villagers or overtax them, I could lose my title. But I was confident I was a good person, so that wouldn’t happen.
… one curious thing I noticed during the process.
How, after scribbling my name on the paper provided by the church and stamping it, the land officially became mine.
If I had designated somewhere other than Rubid village, the people there would’ve unknowingly gained a new lord.
Anyway, after showing the nameplate of the Holy King of Dortmund, I was granted the right to select one item from the central church’s main warehouse.
—Or so I thought, until I heard something unexpected.
“Select from the out-of-class shelf, not the main warehouse.”
Out of-class items.
A level of item that even Naias achieved only after absorbing the artifact of judgment from Zagan, and one that couldn’t be evaluated.
I remembered asking again, thinking I’d heard something wrong.
And even rudely rubbing my ears.
Sylvester said with clarity.
“I knew you received the nameplate from Dortmund. Had you chosen an artifact from the main warehouse in your first choice, this wouldn’t have been suggested. But you chose territory and a title.”
In other words.
The Central Church’s rewards and the nameplate.
If I’d taken two of the highest-regarded artifacts from the main warehouse, the matter would’ve ended there.
However, since I took the lowest-regarded reward—the honorary and cumbersome title and territory.
The balance was shifted, and now I was being offered an even better artifact.
He said this without knowing the circumstances of the secret dungeon, but from my perspective, it was like getting two coins back for selling an item worth one.
Where else would I find such a profitable deal?
They said they would provide the service at the original price.
Holding back my laughter, I acted surprised and simply asked.
“Is that really okay?”
Of course, it was fine, but I acted as if I was uncertain.
Knowing how rare out-of-class items were—far superior to the colorful artifacts in the main warehouse.
I played the part of being gracious.
“This is the church’s will, not mine. You don’t need to refuse.”
So that the person giving the things felt good.
There was nothing to gain by upsetting Sylvester, the one offering the goods.
Before going to see the out-of-class items.
It was Finn’s turn to make his selection. He was confirmed to choose from the main warehouse.
Which made sense since, although he participated, he hadn’t made any significant contributions.
-Thank you! Truly, thank you!
Even though he saw me securing a higher reward, he sincerely expressed gratitude for the opportunity to choose from the main warehouse.
His expression and tone were clearly genuine.
How could someone be so free of greed, even after achieving so little?
It was clear that Finn, like Alicia, lacked any material desires.
As the conversation wrapped up, Finn headed to the main warehouse with the newly arrived priest, and I, accompanied by Sylvester, went to where the out-of-class items were stored.
‘Ha, so this is where it was!’
I internally rejoiced when I saw the <perfume bottle>, one of the ten out-of-class items.
To think I’d acquired something that only appeared near the endgame!
Today, I would not only refrain from damaging any trees, but also make sure to give them water and nutrients.
Just as the Holy King of Dortmund prayed, it seemed the Yggdrasil faith was truly blessing my path.
Today, it seemed I, too, had come to believe in the existence of God, at least a little.
***
Among the many rooms of the Central Church, there was one that contained absolutely nothing inside.
No furniture, no books, nothing.
An empty room.
The place was composed solely of white walls, a white floor, and a white ceiling, making it uninhabitable for long periods.
It was completely sealed off from the outside, allowing no sound to come in or out.
It was as if it were a world separate from the outside.
A room that rejected communication and change.
In this suffocating place.
The <32nd Holy Emperor Liovergo>, the one with the highest authority and absolute power of the Yggdrasil Church, would often spend his time.
This was his space, a place just for him.
“Helion. Your arm has been restored… that’s fortunate.”
The sound from his aged mouth barely squeezed out into the world, as if it might disappear at any moment.
He was so old that he had begun to lose track of his age, comparable only to the head of the Academia.
Liovergo had summoned the hero Helion to this place.
Helion knelt before him, bowing his head. While expressing his gratitude, Helion said.
“The 2nd Rank Danger-class Ami has been annihilated, but the 2nd Rank Danger-class Glashalabolas has taken its power.”
“So, does that mean a new Archbishop may emerge soon?”
“It will take no more than half a year to select one.”
There had always been overwhelmingly powerful entities at the bishop level that caused great damage.
Furthermore, in a sudden turn of events, an unprecedented Archbishop in the form of a hero named Salecius emerged and filled one of the vacant seats.
In such circumstances, they had failed to seize Ami’s power, leaving the possibility open for another Archbishop to inherit it soon. No, it was certain that one would emerge.
Helion predicted the dormant period would last no more than six months.
Liovergo agreed with this judgment.
“Hah… even after generations pass, war never seems to cease.”
Liovergo expressed pity over the unbreakable chain of tragedy.
The Yggdrasil faith had been founded to save people, gathering them under the sacred tree ever since Altife began to devour the world.
When a Holy Emperor passed away, the next one was chosen through a vote by the Holy Kings in advance.
The fact that Liovergo was the 32nd meant that the fight against Altife had persisted for a long time, spanning 32 generations.
Liovergo, lost in thought for a moment, spoke again.
“… is your interest in that student still unchanged?”
“The more I observe Vargan Troa Schugenhartz, the more intriguing he becomes. Though I am monitoring him, I still haven’t resolved my doubts.”
“That… whether or not he is a Saint, right?”
Saints were individuals who perform miracles such as resurrecting the dead and seeing the future through divine revelations, and there were two of them at any given time.
“Yes, but I have come to a firm conclusion.”
Helion spoke with certainty.
“Student Vargan is not a Saint.”
The revelations of Saints were vague and irregular.
However, Vargan seemed to possess more detailed knowledge, even identifying precise timings.
Helion shared his judgment, and Liovergo, who had been listening quietly, asked.
“Helion… you said he might possess the power to foresee the future.”
Helion, a hero ranked in the top 10, had made time to interact with this student.
This indicated that it was not merely due to his exceptional intellect.
“The events that transpired at Dortmund were also practically guided by his intentions.”
Holy Emperor Liovergo inquired further.
“And yet, you say he’s not a Saint?”
If he wasn’t a Saint, what ability allowed him to foresee the future and act so decisively?
Liovergo was also indirectly asking about the reason he allowed Helion to mentor Vargan, and to stay close to him.
Helion understood this.
“As I mentioned before, Student Vargan shares similar beliefs with me.”
“I know. If those beliefs are used in the wrong way, it could lead to terrible consequences.”
“…….”
Helion, who had kept his head bowed, finally lifted it.
He looked at Holy Emperor Liovergo.
With eyes that were difficult to read, making it hard to discern where he was looking or what he was thinking.
And then, he spoke.
“He is a capable and intelligent student. For now, I plan to continue supporting him and watch as he grows.”
“… and if, with his sharp intellect and ideas, he turns his blade toward us?”
To that question, Helion answered.
With the voice he had long trained.
“My stance from the beginning remains unchanged.”
The tone, though steady and pleasing to the ear, with a gentle cadence, was—
“I will kill him.”
Utterly devoid of emotion.