"I’m going shopping."

"Shopping...? Ah, to the neighboring village? Should I prepare a long-distance carriage?"

"I’m just going to the town within the territory. Why would I need long-distance travel for that?"

"...!"

Sylvia’s mouth dropped open, and her face started turning pale. Ah, I recognize that expression. It’s the same one she makes whenever she fears I, or rather Aslan, might cause trouble.

"Are you really going to torment the villagers again...?"

"..."

"Please tell me that’s not the case."

As she stared intently into my eyes, Sylvia shook her head, her complexion returning to normal.

"Young Master has changed, after all... So what’s your scheme this time?"

"I told you, it’s just shopping. Come on. You’re the only one who can play the porter."

"Understood."

Surprisingly, she followed without much protest. Maybe she’s started to trust me a little? After I berated her for being so impatient, it seems she’s trying to make an effort to change.

"Aren’t you bringing any guards? There could be dangerous situations."

"You’re enough for protection; what do I need guards for?"

"I can’t stop a mob of angry villagers."

"That won’t happen."

"...?"

I knew exactly what Sylvia was worried about. Wasn’t it a necessary event in a story about a reckless protagonist? Going out into the village and receiving the scornful glares of the villagers.

Here, that could escalate to a "getting stoned to death" event. But that wouldn’t happen this time. I had already made preparations.

Leaving the bewildered Sylvia behind, I called for Charlotte and Yulia.

"Shopping!? Are we going to buy my sword? Is that what this is?"

"Yes. Go put on some clothes."

"Do I get to go, too?"

"..."

"Is that a yes?"

"You too, Yulia. If you see anything you need, just let me know."

I realized only recently that the mansion was lacking for the children. The few outfits the maids had brought back on the first day were all designed for noble ladies, far from their taste. Yulia needed writing supplies, and Charlotte needed sportswear—there were many items in short supply.

The weather was overcast, so it was perfect for going out. It was time to replenish supplies and also find a suitable sword for Charlotte.

"Sir Knight! Sir Knight!"

"...What now?"

"The magic you cast back then! What was its name?"

"That? Boom."

"Excuse me?"

"Boom, that’s the name of the spell."

"Really!?"

"Don’t be fooled, Charlotte. There’s no spell by that name. I’ve memorized all the spells registered in the magic compendium."

"Wait! I made it up and named it!"

"Huh...?"

Charlotte clung to Sylvia, peppering her with questions. Since the duel that day, she had become quite attached to her. Yulia looked at the two with a dumbfounded expression, and I felt somewhat the same.

'The carriage is getting cramped.'

When I traveled back and forth to the Magic Academy alone, the carriage felt spacious enough to stretch out. But now that these small children were in it, it felt cramped. They were lively, making it feel uncomfortably warm.

'At least I won’t be lonely.'

I’d get tired of their noise, but I wouldn’t feel lonely anymore. That was a relief.

"We’ve arrived. Get down."

"Huh? Usually, when the carriage gets here, there’s a crowd ready to jeer at you."

Tilting her head in confusion, Sylvia stepped down and extended a hand to me. She seemed quite surprised. Unlike usual, with Aslan Vermon showing up in town, there was no uproar.

Of course, I could feel the occasional scornful glares aimed at me, but that was all. No one approached me or acknowledged me at all.

"What magic did you use? The villagers have become like docile sheep."

"Do you see those eyes as sheepish?"

"At least they’re only glaring. Last time, eggs were thrown at us, and many were killed trying to identify the culprit..."

Sylvia spoke with a bitter expression. Aslan truly was a piece of work. If the murderer who had killed the villagers was merely being glared at, I suppose they could be called docile sheep.

"It’s nothing special. I just significantly reduced their taxes. Leon and his cronies had created absurd taxes behind my back to line their own pockets. I eliminated all of that."

"Ah..."

There were all sorts of ridiculous taxes. Window taxes, hat taxes, heating taxes... These taxes had driven the public’s mood to a frenzy, to the point of becoming dangerous. The money collected from these taxes had ended up in Leon and the vermin’s pockets.

'Good thing I seized those accounts.'

The money they had collected had returned to my hands, amounting to over ten billion. They had saved almost every penny.

"What’s more, the seized funds will be reinvested into welfare."

"Welfare...?"

"Yes. To stabilize the livelihoods of the villagers, we need to prioritize improving their quality of life..."

Just as Sylvia looked perplexed, a cold chill crept up her neck, sending shivers down her spine.

Ah.

[The dark god 'Kali' is watching you.]

Damn it. I almost forgot about that. I should have at least maintained the pretense of being a villain...

"The villagers will be happier with a better working environment, which will lead to a growing population and increased tax revenue. It’s an investment to squeeze them more. Hehe."

"It’s hard to wrap my head around it, but... this means the villagers will be happier, right?"

"Foolishness. That’s a misconception. I sit back and rake in money, while those who work hard for their money find no happiness. The villagers will live their lives laboring, believing they had happy lives as they grow old and die. Hehe."

"Ah...!"

Sylvia looked shocked as if she had just heard the sinister plans of a grand scheme. I wished Kali was as dim-witted as Sylvia...

[The dark god 'Kali' is quite pleased.]

Ah. Confirmed. Kali’s intelligence is on par with Sylvia’s or lower. Just by setting the mood a little and spewing some nonsense, it seemed to ease her grievances, which is a relief.

"Wow! The market is huge!"

"The buildings are so tall..."

As we passed through the town, Charlotte and Yulia exclaimed in awe. Count Vermon’s territory was indeed a sizable city. This must be their first time in a big city.

I was about to smile but quickly hardened my expression.

"Sylvia. They are my precious assets. Make sure nothing happens to them."

"Understood."

Given the size of the city, the shadows would be deep as well. As soon as it gets dark, kidnappings and robberies would become frequent, so we must be cautious. Of course, I felt at ease knowing Sylvia would save Charlotte and Yulia even if she left me behind.

First, we decided to buy some clothes. The outfits the maids had brought back were all suited for noble ladies, making them uncomfortable.

They always complained about how restrictive the skirts were, lifting them as if to show their annoyance, or rolling up their sleeves. It was high time to let them choose comfortable clothes that suited them.

"I want these overalls!"

"I’ll take this shirt and skirt."

Their tastes were definitely different. Charlotte preferred active wear, while Yulia favored something a bit tighter but stylish.

Was it a difference between a child who played outside and one who spent her time indoors? I wanted to push Charlotte to study more and get Yulia to exercise more, but forcing them to do things they dislike would only invite resistance.

'They’re at that age where they want to rebel against authority.'

I remember refusing whatever my parents or teachers wanted me to do back then. Forcing it wouldn’t yield good results.

Maybe for now, I should focus on having them read required books and do some morning exercises.

As I pondered which store to visit next, Charlotte suddenly tugged at my sleeve.

"Sir! Sir!"

"...?"

"Can you watch out for me for a minute?"

"Watch out?"

In an instant, she darted under a stall, crouching low. Yulia quickly followed, turning her head around vigilantly as if she were scanning for danger.

Then, with a swift movement, Charlotte grabbed a loaf of bread with one hand and hid it in her clothes.

It was evident that this wasn’t her first time.

"Here! Eat this!"

"..."

"Huh?"

Noticing my expression, Charlotte hesitated, sensing something was off. Yulia also went from triumphant to tense in a heartbeat. A deep sigh escaped my lips.

I had forgotten these kids came from a meager orphanage. With hardly any meals provided, they must have learned to fend for themselves.

For children without money, the only way to fill their stomachs would have been theft and pickpocketing.

'I didn’t realize that just because they’re the protagonist’s companions, they wouldn’t be automatically virtuous.'

I had to reprimand them.

As I settled my anger and prepared to speak, Charlotte, with teary eyes, handed me both loaves of bread.

"Um, I only took one...?"

"..."

As she teared up, holding both loaves out to me, I almost laughed.

Ah, how do I handle these innocent kids?