I Reincarnated as a Mob Villain in a Game World I Had Been Playing~ Using My Knowledge of the Game, I Lived a Carefree Life but for Some Reason I Became Famous Everywhere~ - Chapter 40 - The Resident and the Escort

Chapter 40 – The Resident and the Escort

Shortly after 1pm.

“Thank you for visiting.”

The resident who welcomed the visit of the Ansage family, who is in charge of the Holy Church, along with Marie and Nina, and the four escorts and the coachman who surrounded the carriage they were riding, led them inside the mansion and then engaged in conversation with familiar acquaintances.

“I didn’t expect you to continue to serve here.”

It was the deputy leader of the escort group. She was Nina’s escort when she went to the inn where Jet-black often visited.

“I was worried about losing my job because of the transfer of the villa, but that gentleman was very considerate.”

“I see. So that’s the reason.”

You can find plenty of escort and security jobs, but it’s hard to find people to manage a mansion.

Concerned about such things, Jet-black had asked the Duke to station the resident here.

“I’m sure he could’ve found a better person than me. He’s such a gentleman.”

“I think he has decided that you are at a level where you can’t be replaced.”

“I don’t think that’s possible. I’ve never met him or been involved with him, so he wouldn’t have had any criteria to judge me by.”

“But it’s him we’re talking about.”

They both started to think. The other person was the Jet-black—an outrageous opponent one wouldn’t want to get involved with.

“Let’s not think too much of it.”

“…Fufu, I agree.”

The Jet-black was a secretive person and didn’t give out information easily.

And these two have been ordered from above to refrain from prying into the Jet-black. Since they can only speculate, their claims clash with each other.

“But then again, it must be hard when the landlord is that person.”

“To be honest, I’m convinced that I’m more nervous than anyone else.”

“Incidentally, the fact that there is no security posted at all at the mansion is—”

“—As you can imagine, he said he didn’t want security. He said it would be too formal.”

“…I-I see.”

The escort was surprised to hear this statement as it meant the Jet-black believed in his own strength. 

“‘If they’re going to come at me, then come at me’… I guess that’s what he’s saying.” 

“It’s not like he’s in a position where he has to refrain, so there’s no doubt that he’s very good at what he does. It’s frightening.”

The resident had not told anyone, but she had heard it from the Duke.

She had heard about the performance of the weapon that Jet-black carries.

That it has the sharpness that can cut through pebbled ground like butter, that it should be able to do the same in a fight against any human.

And should the Jet-black use it on you, you’d lose your life without feeling any pain.

“W-Well… This is his territory, so I guess you could say this is the safest place.”

“It comes at a price, though.”

“Fufufu, be careful not to get a stomach ache.”

The escort showed sympathy.

“…Anyway, let’s leave the small talk at that.”

“Is it time for the main question?”

“Yes. I would like to confirm once again that we are free to stay until the meeting with Sir Jet-black is over?”

“That is what I am telling you.”

The resident showed no sign of surprise at the question. It was as if she knew this conversation was coming.

“…Please allow me to ask this question, may I ask your opinion? Because I think it’s obvious that he has an agenda.”

“Why me?”

“Since you share your daily life with that person, there must be something that comes to your mind.”

The escort wasn’t joking. She had a serious expression on her face.

The resident couldn’t help but answer when she saw the escort who, unlike before, had switched into work mode.

“I cannot take responsibility for this statement. Additionally, if you don’t mind my imagination, I can share that as well.”

“Of course, I would still like to hear your answer.”

As an escort, she wanted as many opinions as possible.

Once the escort answered, the resident opened her mouth after a brief pause.

“I think the instruction was not meant as ‘freely’ in the sense of taking a break or freely touring the mansion.”

“As I thought.”

“Being a guardian is the most important responsibility, after all. To think that it’s acceptable to abandon that role would be truly foolish.”

When the resident was told directly by the Jet-black, she was so surprised that her mind went blank, but it was also because she was surprised that she was able to think straight.

“If we were to decide on a waiting place from our side, there is a possibility that we might not be able to protect Miss Marie and Miss Nina promptly, and the escorts may not be able to fully demonstrate their abilities. In other words, the instruction to act ‘freely’ might imply that we should consider each individual’s abilities and act accordingly.”

The resident has been considering the man’s intentions all along, that’s whyt she can speak so confidently about it.

“…If that is the reason, does that mean we are not trusted to the fullest extent from his point of view? Because if there is trust, wherever we are put on standby, we will be able to protect.”

Even if that was the case, the escort wasn’t angry.

She had already made the mistake of having Nina kidnapped.

“And I feel like it meant, ‘Since I put you in a state where you can demonstrate your true power, I have no intention of helping you in case of an emergency.'”

“No, I believe he trusts the escorts.”

“Huh?”

“The meaning may be a little different, but if Sir Jet-black has given up on you, he shouldn’t have done such a roundabout thing. It’s unlikely he would resort to heartless actions and gather hatred.”

The resident continued speaking with such confidence that it became evident she was not acting out of self-preservation.

“I believe he is deliberately confronting us with harsh realities to encourage our growth. As long as we reach that point, even if it meant losing his own life, that person would protect Miss Marie and Miss Nina. I can’t imagine he would have had any other thoughts than that, even by a fraction of a millimeter.”

“……”

“If you lose your life, don’t you think it would cause grief to the important people? Would it really be right to make the important people grieve just because we were trying to save them?”

“!!!”

The moment the resident said that, it flashed through the escort’s mind.

Nina was eating delicious food at the inn’s restaurant with a smile on her face.

Imagining the sight of Nina feeling sad…

“—It seems I… We were mistaken in our consciousness. Thinking ‘we must absolutely survive’ might bring out a sort of desperate strength, like the strength of a horse in a burning stable.”

“I hope it doesn’t come to that. I really do.”

“Thank you very much. I was wondering if you could pass on my thanks to him.”

“Understood.”

The escort then bowed and expressed her gratitude, saying, “Well then, excuse me,” and immediately gathered the remaining 3 escorts.

The resident, watching the scene, turned a worried expression in the direction of the study.

I wonder if those two are alright.

It should be time for the greetings to be over by now.

In addition, the resident had a new realization that the Jet-black was so forward-thinking and could understand even the mind of others…