I Was Reincarnated as the Villainous Knight Commander Who Betrays Everyone at the End, So I Plan to Leave the Fake Hero’s Party with the Exiled Girl Who’s Actually the True Hero! ~While Watching Over the Protagonist Up Close, I Somehow Ended Up Destroying the Whole Scenario~ - 12

Chapter 12: The Villainous Knight Commander Observes the Negotiation

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“Phew, this is bad. Ciel-chan is just too cute, I almost lost my composure.”

“…That was you still not losing your composure?”

The private room of a high-class restaurant. It appeared to be soundproofed, making it a place where confidential conversations could happen freely. It was what you’d call a VIP room.

“Still, as expected of the infamous Lars-sama. Even though I let my guard down, I’m surprised you threw me so easily.”

“I’m more scared of you, who got up in a second even after landing headfirst into the ground.”

Earlier, I had reflexively thrown the pervert who tried to hug Ciel. It wasn’t on purpose. It really wasn’t on purpose. It was important enough to say it twice. Just to be thorough, I had to say it again. It wasn’t on purpose!!

Yet the pervert—Tiana—didn’t seem to have suffered any serious injury, and now sat gracefully in her chair, swirling a wine glass. At worst, she had just a single bump on her head.

“…You’re really something else…”

“I’ve always been sturdy since I was little.”

Of course, I knew that. I also knew that her physical abilities far surpassed those of ordinary humans. She alone was basically living in a gag manga’s logic. She could sprint faster than a horse, and wounds that would kill a normal person healed in the blink of an eye.

Ah, look—her bump was already gone.

“By the way, Ciel-chan, how is the food here? It’s the best cuisine, made by the finest chefs with the highest quality ingredients.”

“Ah, yes. It’s delicious.”

Ciel quickly averted her gaze from Tiana. She must’ve been quite traumatized in the time I wasn’t here—she looked very frightened.

…Hmm.

“I’d like you to stop scaring Ciel so much.”

“Oh, how rude!! I just can’t help myself when I see something so cute!!”

“That’s exactly the problem.”

“Isn’t it only natural to want to dote on something adorable? Especially a girl as angelically cute as Ciel-chan!!”

Hmmm. I really did create quite an extreme character, didn’t I?

“Now then, shall we talk seriously for a moment?”

Tiana chuckled softly. We had been talking seriously from the start, but of course, she couldn’t hear my internal retort. She continued straight into the conversation.

“Ciel-chan. You’ve been going around selling potions, haven’t you?”

“Eh, ah, yes. How do you know about that?”

“It’s been the talk of the town lately. A beautiful girl accompanied by a pure white wolf and a mysterious Mysterious Horned Beetle Man selling potions.”

“B-beautiful girl, you say?”

“Hold on, I need details on this Mysterious Horned Beetle Man.”

The beautiful girl and white wolf part made sense—clearly referring to Ciel and Mofumaru. But that would make the mysterious Mysterious Horned Beetle Man, by process of elimination… me. Well, to be fair, the moment she said ‘horned helmet,’ it was certain she was talking about me. Still! Calling me “Mysterious Horned Beetle Man” felt unnecessarily cruel.

“After all, Lars-sama. Didn’t you beat up the adventurers who tried to hassle Ciel-chan?”

“Well, I did.”

“They’ve been telling stories. That your strength was inhuman. That’s probably where the ‘mysterious’ part came from, and the ‘Horned Beetle’ is from your appearance.”

“…I see.”

I guess it wasn’t that surprising for me to get saddled with a weird nickname.

“Actually, Ciel-chan only became a hot topic because of the Mysterious Horned Beetle Man. It wasn’t hard to find her at all. Although I never imagined Ciel-chan would be such an adorable angel!!”

“Um, please don’t come any closer.”

“Eeeek! That embarrassed face is cute too!! I just want to eat you up… Slurp.”

Tiana stared at Ciel with eyes like a predator eyeing its prey. Watching her, I reached a conclusion. I see. The reason Ciel encountered Tiana earlier than in the original story was… Because of me.

“You knew who I really was because you investigated Ciel, didn’t you?”

“Bingo. Ever since I met Ciel-chan during the day, I did some digging. I even found out you were expelled from the hero’s party.”

“…”

Ciel’s expression stiffened.

“…So, what do you want with me?”

“…Well, it’s a very important matter.”

Despite the sharpness in Ciel’s tone, Tiana looked straight into her eyes.

“Would you consider making a contract with me?”

“A contract?”

“Yes, a business arrangement.”

Here it comes!!

I had guessed it the moment Tiana invited Ciel to dinner, and it was right on target.

“I looked into the potions you made. Their effects are astonishing and they’re delicious. My main business is fashion, but I deal in many things, including potion sales. The potion craftsmen who work for me were shocked by your potions.”

“…I see. Thank you.”

“To put it simply, I see great potential in your potions. Enough to upend the existing market and its vested interests.”

Tiana took a deep swig from her wine glass. Her cheeks were flushed. She was quite drunk.

“That’s why I’d like to invest in you. Specifically… I’d say at least 1,000 gold coins.”

“…Are you serious?”

“Yes. With that money, you could buy the property you’ve been eyeing and get the necessary equipment and materials.”

“You even investigated the property we wanted… But what’s in it for you?”

“Didn’t I say? This is an investment. I expect you to pay back the money eventually. Also, I want you to supply your potions to shops under my umbrella. At a discounted price, of course. Preferably for, let’s see… For about ten years.”

Ciel fixed her gaze on Tiana.

“…One year.”

“Eh?”

“If it’s not one year, I’ll leave this town immediately or find another way.”

“…”

Tiana’s smile stiffened. It was one thing for Tiana to boldly demand a decade-long contract, but for Ciel to snap back demanding just a year… That was impressive. 

Well, Ciel had displayed more than average business acumen even in the original story. I could see hints of that now. I decided not to interfere and simply watched the negotiation unfold.

“Hmm, Ciel-chan? Isn’t that demand of yours a bit unreasonable?”

“You’re the one who made an outrageous demand first. Extreme demands deserve extreme counteroffers—it’s common sense. Oh, and don’t sell my potions in Handel.”

“Y-you’re planning to monopolize the market in this city, aren’t you? But I don’t think it’ll go that smoothly, you know? New shops don’t easily build a steady clientele. Our company has the know-how to sell your potions more efficiently—”

“I’ve already secured adventurers as customers. If I take my time and earn money, I can open my own shop.”

“T-that may be true, but what if someone buys the property you want while you’re taking your time?”

“So you’re saying that if I don’t comply, you’ll sabotage my business?”

“N-no, that’s not what I meant!!”

What is this…? Ciel is terrifying.

She radiated an undeniable authority, reminiscent of her original self in the story.

“Well, if that’s how you feel, I’ll just accept someone else’s offer.”

“…”

“What’s it going to be? One year. If it’s one year, I’ll consider accepting your investment.”

Whoa—that’s one intense bluff!

She made it sound like other merchant groups had offered similar deals. Tiana’s expression stayed calm, but sweat trickled down her face. She was trying to gauge the truth. Maybe Ciel’s earlier threat of leaving town was also weighing on her.

“…Eight years.”

“One year.”

“…Seven years.”

“One year.”

“…F-five years!! Any less and the deal is off!!”

“One year.”

“…Th-three years…?”

“All right. Three years. I’ll supply my potions to your stores with priority, but only if you don’t sell them within Handel. Otherwise, I’ll lose my customers.”

“O-okay. I won’t sell them in Handel.”

Hmm. Something felt off. Ciel’s skill aside, it seemed like Tiana was holding back.

“Tiana-dono, is your goal really just Ciel’s potions?”

“…Ciel-chan is one thing, but Lars-sama, you’re sharp as well.”

“Eh?”

“Huh?”

Ciel and I tilted our heads in confusion. Tiana let out a resigned sigh and confessed.

“I knew from the start this deal favored you, but to grasp that instantly and push a hard bargain—Ciel-chan, you’re incredible. Seriously, won’t you become my adopted daughter?”

“I refuse. I don’t want to belong to anyone ever again.”

“Oh, what a shame. Lars-sama, you’re impressive too. Seeing through my real goal like that—you two really are perfect for each other.”

“P-perfect for each other…”

“I’ll say this up front. I have two goals. One is, of course, your potions. I do truly want to sell Ciel-chan’s potions through my company. The second is simple—”

“Simple?”

Tiana’s eyes gleamed.

“If I become your investor, I’ll have an excuse to see Ciel-chan whenever I want!!”

“What should we do, Lars-san? I suddenly feel like backing out of this deal…”

“I know how you feel, I do, but calm down, Ciel.”

This was just how Tiana was. As a merchant, she sought maximum profit—but she couldn’t abandon her personal desires. In the end, she only wanted to dress up cute girls and dote on them. In fact, Tiana had built her entire business empire for that purpose.

They say there was a fine line between genius and fool, and Tiana embodied that perfectly.

“Now, Ciel-chan, let’s sign this contract right away!!”

“Lars-san, what do you think?”

“There’s an extra sheet of paper underneath the contract… The bottom one looks like…A marriage certificate. Are you trying to get sued for marriage fraud?”

“W-wait—”

Seeing right through Tiana’s plot, Ciel secured a 1,000-gold-coin investment.

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