MV – Chapter 140: Parents and the Minor Villain

Previous Chapter l Next Chapter

The failure to restore the ruins of the botanical garden and the resulting power struggle of the Underground District. No, technically it wasn’t a power struggle of the Underground District, but the academy district was destroyed as a result. A large pit had opened, and it was no longer possible to restore it.

The ones affected by this disaster were the Tateno family, and the instigator was the heir of the Yoroizuka family. It was expected that the damages would be compensated by the Yoroizuka heir through the family head, and a large sum of money would be paid to the Tateno family, but…

“That’s not how it went.”

A few days after that incident, Lanpeach, finally calm, tossed the newspaper he was reading onto the table. The headline on the third page screamed, “Tateno Family on the Verge of Bankruptcy?!” in large, sensational letters.

“It seems so. Although it’s true a single boy trespassed into the botanical garden without permission, no one expected the entire academy district to disappear. The Yoroizuka family issued a formal apology, but the compensation is said to be minimal. The real cause was the criminals in the Underground District who set the trap, and the district was destroyed by the official military forces sent to apprehend them, who fired a battleship cannon.”

“…Yeah, that’s how it looks. Just reading the text, that’s the conclusion anyone would reach. Aah, the battleship cannon was overkill, wasn’t it?” (Lanpeach)

Lanpeach sat on the sofa in the usual meeting room, holding his head over the information Sage obtained. It was true the heir of the Yoroizuka family couldn’t have done something like this. The whole situation had been expertly diverted.

“No wonder we haven’t seen Mana, who was ecstatic about the battleship. She must be running around trying to gather funds.” (Lanpeach)

“There are apparently some movements to seek compensation from the Underground District, but it’s just a few voices. People can guess what would happen if they left the monsters unchecked, and they’re too scared to push too much and have their protection withdrawn, so no one is speaking up, Lan.” (Chihiro)

Chihiro placed a glass of orange juice on the table, and spoke with a sympathetic expression.

“Well, yeah, I didn’t think it would get this bad either. I do feel a little guilty, but…” (Lanpeach)

“If monsters run rampant, they’ll bankrupt the family just the same. In the end, they were just unlucky, Stepbrother.” (Nono)

Nono, who was sitting across from them, downing her orange juice and constantly refilling it as if it were from a drink bar, commented. She wasn’t too sympathetic since the Shukou family had similarly gone bankrupt due to a monster stampede. It was sad, but that was just the way things worked in this world.

“Gahahaha, you’re absolutely right. Hey, Lanpeach, how about investing some money in me? I can buy up the Tateno family heirlooms dirt cheap with how desperate they are.” (Krita)

Krita, sitting next to Sage, chimed in with his scheming. He was far too sensitive to the scent of money. He was clearly planning to cash in on this opportunity. A truly wicked man.

“As the article suggests, they’re not quite bankrupt yet. They own many businesses and produce numerous magical tools. They’ll probably just fall a few steps behind other Armed Families. What they’re really struggling with is deciding what to do now that the academy is gone. It’s not like another family can quickly build an academy with such vast grounds and well-equipped facilities.” (Sage)

“The Surface Districts are all tight on space, so it’s no surprise.” (Lanpeach)

Lanpeach gave up on the conversation and laid back on the sofa. All this talk about people far above his station had nothing to do with a minor villain scraping by on the surface. He did feel for Mana, but all he could do was pray for her success.

“Well then, I’ve got the information I needed, so my work for today is done.” (Lanpeach)

Lanpeach is leaving the management of the city to Chihiro and Sage. He only listened to reports about once a month. Truly a slacker villain.

However, today didn’t end there. Nono was staring intently at him, clearly wanting to say something.

“What’s up, Nono?” (Lanpeach)

“Did you forget? Or are you just pretending not to know? Either way…” (Nono)

A commotion broke out outside the meeting room doors before Nono could finish.

“Do you know who we are?”

“That’s right! We’re Arata’s parents! Step aside!”

Voices of protest, mixed with the sound of guards trying to keep out unwanted visitors, rang out. A man and woman shouting angrily; voices Lanpeach definitely didn’t want to hear.

It seemed the guards couldn’t hold the door, as it suddenly burst open, and a middle-aged couple leading a large group barged in.

They scanned the meeting room, spotted Lanpeach and Nono, and spread their arms wide with bright smiles.

“Arata! Nono’s here too. Perfect timing. Tell these people who we are.”

“You look well, Arata. There hasn’t been a day I didn’t worry about you since you ran away. But you’ve been secretly working hard for the revival of our family, haven’t you? I’m so proud!”

They directed condescending smiles at the guards, and yet, turned genuinely kind expressions toward Lanpeach and Nono, which made them troublesome.

These were the parents of Lanpeach Kouza, also known as Shukou Arata.

◇◇

“Oh my, this is real orange juice! As expected of Arata. Maid, would you be so kind as to serve me some as well?”

“Wahahaha, Arata, you’ve gotten used to drinking fresh juice, huh. How delightful, how delightful. Oi, bring me some too.”

Lanpeach’s parents ordered Chihiro as if it were the most natural thing in the world. The very same parents who troubled Nono by indulging in extravagant luxuries for the sake of the family’s restoration. Their manners alone were those of the upper class. It was absurd.

Chihiro, who was about to introduce herself, glanced over at Lanpeach with a troubled expression, clearly seeking guidance.

After a brief moment of hesitation, Lanpeach shook his head.

“Chihiro isn’t a maid. She’s my girlfriend and a co-owner of Lanpeach City.” (Lanpeach)

Lanpeach answered with a firm and manly response. Chihiro blushed happily at the declaration, not minding that most of the work was dumped on her. Truly, she was too good for him.

“Oh my, is that so? I apologize. I wasn’t aware. Which noble family do you come from?” 

His mother apologized, but naturally assumed Chihiro hailed from a respectable noble family and asked, not out of malice, but genuine curiosity. If it had been a snide remark, Lanpeach would have thrown them out, but his Super Senses told him she was sincere.

“Uh… I’m…uhm…from the slums…” (Chihiro)

Though Chihiro usually asserted herself as his girlfriend, she faltered when it came to her origins.

They thought his parents would mock her after hearing that, but…

“Oh, is that so? Then you should be adopted into a well-off and trustworthy branch family. After that, you can say you’re his girlfriend all you like. Can you wait for a bit? It’ll only take a month or so.”

“Your mother’s right. You’ve been supporting Arata and helping with the management, haven’t you? I can’t ask you to leave him.”

To their surprise, his parents cheerfully made the suggestion.

“Uh, well, I guess… yes…” (Chihiro)

Chihiro, bracing herself for harsher words, was left stunned by their unexpected kindness. Lanpeach, too, expected them to look down on her.

(I’ve never seen characters like these before! If they were just arrogant, I could throw them out… but this is tricky.) (Lanpeach)

Lanpeach, who was preparing to pull off a heroic move by yelling at them not to insult Chihiro, found himself at a loss.

However, the hesitation must have been interpreted as approval, as a few of the people who came with his parents sat down on the sofa, forcing Nono and Sage to stand.

“In that case, perhaps my family would be best. My wife has been saying she wanted a daughter, and I’m sure she’ll be doted on.”

That’s a lie. This man was easier to understand. He wore a pleasant smile, but Lanpeach saw right through him. All he wanted was to forge a connection with Shukou Arata, who was now seen as having risen in status.

Still, he wouldn’t mistreat her. Even if he secretly looked down on Chihiro, he’d likely treat her well enough on the surface. In real life, only a few evil guys make easy to tell villainous smiles like Lanpeach. 

Well, there are people who can put on a smile that suits a villain, but it’s exactly those types who, in times like this, are skilled at making a pleasant, friendly smile.

No one can really know what’s going on inside the head of someone else anyways. If they’re smiling kindly at you, there’s no real problem, right? He was troubled with that thought.

(Neither Sage nor Nono said anything, even though they noticed my inner conflict.) (Lanpeach) 

Only Krita, who was flashing a sneaky minor villain grin, seemed to be thinking he might make some money out of this situation. He’s a simple guy.

――And then, the sofa flipped over.

“Gwah!”

“Kyah!”

“Guheh!”

The parents and their entourage, who were sitting on the sofa, tumbled over and screamed as they rolled onto the carpet.

“I don’t know what you’re hesitating about, but anyone whose breath reeks like oil and tries to steal my money should be thrown out, Pla-san.” (Mira)

And there she was, a black-haired girl standing with the sofa held in one hand. Her sharp eyes like a savage dog glared down at the toppled parents, and she began to lower the sofa down onto them.

“Ugh, we’re being crushed! We’re going to be crushed!”

“What… Who are you? Arata, stop this girl!”

The parents groaned like squashed toads, and begged for mercy from the unrelenting Mira.

“Who are these people? They don’t look like robbers. Are they some kind of scam group? I think sweetness should only be for desserts.” (Mira)

Mira tilted her head in confusion, and Lanpeach couldn’t help but chuckle.

――Yeah, that’s right.

Let’s go back to the basics. 

(I have no memory of these people. And though I tried to be considerate of Lanpeach’s original position, these arrogant folks fall squarely into the category of people I would dislike, no matter how nice they pretend to be.) (Lanpeach)

That being the case, as the ruler of Lanpeach City, there’s only one thing left to say.

“Father, Mother, I’m truly sorry, but I am the leader of this district, and Chihiro has worked hard, regardless of where she came from. I don’t need a foster father with a rotten heart, nor do I plan on forming useless ties. I’ll have to ask you to leave this mansion. Don’t worry, I’ll give you some money and prepare a luxurious house. You can enjoy yourselves at a party or tea ceremony as members of a well-off Armed Family.” (Lanpeach)

Lanpeach politely bowed his head with a sly villainous smile and proceeded to kick his parents out.

[Ahaha, Mira seems more like the main character, doesn’t she?] (Libra)

[All I can do is play the minor villain role anyways.] (Lanpeach)

(I wondered why she had been so quiet, but of course, the little devil Libra was waiting for the perfect moment!) (Lanpeach)

Previous Chapter l Next Chapter