Stuck as a Villain! - Chapter 198- Delegation

It was nighttime and the family members—except for the youngest—of the Albeck house were present in the dining hall.

The person who was at the center of focus was currently eating dinner with his parents just before his departure.

Seth could see that his mother was unhappy about his sudden decision to return but he had no other option. There were many things he needed to handle before he would get summoned back into that cave.

The first thing was to liberate himself from the school obligations and motivate Ciel to carry on the duties responsibly. She is a reliable person, Seth knew, but being a woman who has been belittled since birth, she needs to keep her composure and face the possible troublesome situation in the future.

Then there was Serena as well, with whom he wanted to spend some time. He has already received some letters from her asking about his well-being. Although she tried to hide it, Seth realized that she was missing him badly.

Then comes his hopeless teacher, Haruka. She has been so unsure of her love life with him that the letter she wrote to him was mostly related to formal greetings or to ask whether he was eating properly. She tries to act more mature and a reliable partner for him, but it only makes her look adorable and clumsy.

There were only nine days remaining. And Seth wants to meet every person in these nine days, who were close to him.

“Lili would be sad to find her big brother has already left.” Hearing his mother’s words, which were spoken in an uncaring tone, Seth couldn’t help sighing.

“Emotional blackmail in the name of my sister…quite scheming of you mother.”

Christopher wryly smiled at the remark before he calmly reproached his wife, “Seth has a lot of work to finish, dear-”

“So what? Despite being a duchess for so many years, I have always made time for my family. Hadn’t I?”

Eleanor was startled to find her mother’s eyes on her; demanding her assent which the blond young lady immediately gave, “It’s as mother says!”

Seth looked at Eleanor with a defeated look. The girl was so scared and cautious of their mother that even if Valarie commanded her to have soup using a fork, Eleanor would accept the command without a second thought.

“Mother, please try to understand my circumstances. I promise I will return as soon as I can.” Seth was lying when he said that. He hadn’t told his mother about that incident that transpired back with the Messenger. Knowing her, Seth knew his mother would outright reject such an arrangement and instantly lock Seth up.

Valarie didn’t say anything and continued eating in silence.

Seth sighed at the childish tantrum of his mother before his eyes turned toward his brother.

“Keith…how is the preparation going? I am guessing you have already acquired the authority to look after the borders of the Duchy right?”

Since Seth was busy preparing for the future, the responsibility which originally Seth should have been handling was now on Keith’s shoulder. Recalling the reports Seth read in his room an hour ago, he could tell that Keith had been performing well.

Keith didn’t look averse to being questioned by the eldest as he responded in a calm tone, “Indeed; everything is under control. The west borders are now under the security of specially trained shadow slaves. The east and northern sections are under Captain Drake’s command. And the south is under Capital’s Knight Order’s protection.”

Capital provides a portion of their high-ranking soldiers to every Duchy and being the sister of the emperor, Valarie had the right to ask for some resources in times of requirement.

It was Seth who formulated this plan to safeguard all sides under Albeck’s jurisdiction, using their own resources and leaving only the least vulnerable side to the Capital soldier. Valarie never questioned Seth’s decision and implied whatever her son deemed right.

Hearing Keith’s response, Seth took out two files from his ring and forwarded them to Keith.

Keith frowned as he took the files before he heard the content of the documents,

“The underworld gangs, small criminal organization, and also some mercenaries I have bought and enslaved are all listed in them. The total estimation of individuals would be around two thousand five hundred and eighty-four. You can contact Alba and get in contact with them, through her. ”

Keith’s eyes widened when he heard the number of soldiers Seth had recruited. The total amount of personnel stationed around the Duchy was at most fifteen hundred…and here, Seth was able to collect those many troops while handling his other duties as well?!

‘Wait…he said it’s small criminal organizations, then that means they might just be nothing but fodder…’

“Seth…are they any good? How many awakened are there in those numbers?” It was like Valarie read Keith’s mind as she asked with her left brow elevated.

“Hmmm…all those people I just said about are magicians and range from Tier 6 to 2. The second document consists of the non-magician group who surely could be used for labor and transportation.”

*CLING*

The spoon from Eleanor’s hold dropped into her bowl as she stared at Seth in great astonishment. And it was just her—Keith also seemed equally bewildered upon realizing the preparation Seth had done without letting anyone know.

A proud smile arched on Valarie’s lips as she faintly uttered,

“Well done.”

The last dinner of the Albeck family before Seth’s departure concluded on a shocking note.

*****

Once Seth boarded the carriage and left the mansion with Lara beside him, Seth couldn’t help but feel a little guilty.

He didn’t intend to expose all the preparation he had been doing in secret, all at once. However given that he might not be returning to Carta for a good while, he had to delegate everything to Keith.

However, the look Keith wore explicitly told that he was agitated at the fact that Seth outdid him, once again. However, there was nothing Seth did to elevate Keith’s mood. After all, if Keith couldn’t get over his whining phase then how he would handle the Duchy?

“Young master…is it really alright to not tell Madame about your long absence? She would get extremely hurt and worried.”

Lara leaned her head on her master’s shoulder as she asked him in a whispering tone. Although she didn’t want to force her young master to do something he had decided not to do, she couldn’t help but feel bad for a mother who cared deeply about her son.

Seth remained silent for a bit before he spoke up, “The reason I don’t want her to know about my change of plans…since I know, I can convince anyone in this world except for that lady. Mother just knows…how to make me surrender.”

Hearing his response, Lara looked at her master with her left cheek slightly bulging as she said, “Master, you say it like my opinion or concern doesn’t matter to you.”

Seth chuckled at the response before holding her shoulder and after embracing the woman he uttered in a soothing manner,

“The reason why I can make so many bold decisions and act on them without hesitation is because I know you will handle everything in my absence.”

Looking into her eyes, he concluded, “People say, your family and the people you love always become your weakness…but for me, you are my strength, Lara.”

“Master….” Lara’s eyes moistened upon hearing such heart-touching words before she snuggled closer to him and closed her eyes in satisfaction.

As such, Seth’s journey to meet all his lovers before the deadline; continued.

*****

A/N:- Valarie is so unfair…yet so sweet…ugh, can’t get enough of her. .

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