Became the Villainess’s Guardian

It was an unfortunate reality, albeit unsurprising.
This handout was not because the Glassgow Kingdom’s Parliament had finally acknowledged the changing tides favoring grand and majestic weapons.

Despite the occasional incident, the fact that Parliament, better informed than anyone else, had reached this decision meant:

“The Demonic Tribe’s movements appear suspicious. While Parliament is not considering a preemptive strike, they view the possibility of provocations and localized conflicts as likely.”

“Well, peace has lasted over half a century, so it was overdue.”

“Her Majesty the Queen and His Excellency the Prime Minister are, of course, opposed to war. Therefore, we must demonstrate our military readiness, including ostentatious weaponry, to the Demonic Tribe.”

The official’s statement about lacking sufficient funds to allocate was truthful.
At this very moment, the kingdom’s finance ministry was likely screaming bloody murder.

Just last week, the newspapers had been churning out headlines about budget cuts across various departments and the resulting chaos gripping the kingdom.
This Demonic Tribe arrest had merely shifted the clickbait – slitting their bellies would not yield a single coin, so the situation remained largely unchanged.

“Could you specify the extent of support available?”

“It will be provided in the form of subsidies from the Royal Academy, and we plan to quadruple the Academy’s budget starting this quarter.”

“Ah, so we’re free to take and utilize the funds as we see fit.”

When discussing politics, one must grasp the underlying implications.

This very conversation carried a subtle nuance:
Essentially, ‘We will no longer heavily scrutinize whatever you develop.’

They had promised support and classified information sharing. What else could it imply other than carte blanche to develop even offensive magic akin to, ‘Isn’t this a potential terrorist weapon?’
In other words, we had been certified to freely craft whatever we desired, including potentially kingdom-employed weapons and spells.

Furthermore, this granted our club the qualification to design the kingdom’s future arms and offensive magic, opportunities that would increase as the prospect of war loomed closer.

If we later feigned denial with remarks like, ‘Surely an actual war won’t break out,’ having invested such effort, would we not be entitled to throw a tantrum while sprawled on the ground, touting our arduous labors?

At the very least, we would no longer need to avert our eyes and deny the Demonic Tribe’s threat until the bitter end.

“And Edan.”

“Yes.”

“I have something separate to discuss with you. It will only take a moment.”

Singled out, I remained seated as the other members filed out.
Once confirming we were alone, the official retrieved a letter from his pocket.

“Her Majesty has expressed her personal gratitude to you, sir.”

“…Pardon, could you repeat that?”

“Of course. Please accept this.”

It bore a name I had never expected to hear in this setting.
What he handed me was a letter sealed with a design slightly different from the Royal Academy’s insignia.

While the monarchy had inevitably been swept aside by the changing tides, the royal family’s influence within this kingdom could not be disregarded.
Thus, when the war against the Demonic Tribe had erupted, temporarily paralyzing government institutions like Parliament, it was the Queen who had partially filled that vacuum.

Yet why would the Queen take an interest in me now?

‘Could Her Majesty have profound interest in my rail gun?’

If so, she would make for an engaging conversation partner, alongside the club members.
Come to think of it, the Royal Academy’s funding did ultimately originate from the royal coffers. So rather than puffing out my chest defiantly before the financier, I decided to humbly play along with a sheepish grin.

“It was not my efforts alone, but those of the other members as well……”

“This is separate from our previous discussion.”

“Then?”

“Do you recall the rebellion that recently occurred, centered around the slums?”

“Yes, I heard it was suppressed within three days.”

“Correct, it was quelled rather swiftly for an armed rebellion. This was certainly due to the efforts of the city’s defense forces and Metropolitan Police, but also because the number of participants fell short of initial expectations.”

Somehow, for a purported rebellion, the scale seemed rather underwhelming, despite their apparent intention to resort to violence against Londinium.
While the Demonic Tribe’s instigation played a role, it would only make sense if they had also succeeded in recruiting participants.

“Thanks to your tireless charitable efforts following the unrest, you helped stabilize public sentiment to a degree.”

“I’m glad to have been of assistance. Of course, I have no intention of ceasing such efforts anytime soon.”

“If you were to continue, it would certainly benefit the kingdom greatly.”

Simplifying his somewhat convoluted phrasing, it amounted to:

‘You have done well in appeasing the public, so please continue.’

And for him to state this implied, at the very least, that it would not merely be lip service before clamming up.

“Furthermore, Her Majesty acknowledges your dedication to this kingdom. Thus, with the understanding that you bear no association with the Demonic Tribe, we would like to grant you certain exemptions.”

While opinions might differ on which martop produces the finest magical equipment,
if limited to those capable of immediately fulfilling orders, the answer would undoubtedly be Ceres Martop.

Hence, as one such ‘exemption’, it was hardly surprising for me to receive government contracts at Ceres Martop.
Existing clientele? They were currently reeling from the unrest, so would it not be appropriate to shoulder that burden instead?

Nevertheless, bypassing all the usual procedures and competition did indeed constitute an exemption.
While unable to place large-scale orders immediately, the official stated that volumes would gradually increase as the situation improved.

As someone who needed to be informed, I ascended to the top floor of the martop the following day and knocked on Freyja’s office door.

“I’ve brought a new job.”

“Oh? Did you finally break into the overseas export market? I’ve been considering that myself lately.”

“A government project.”

“What……”

If asked whether this reeked of corruption, it absolutely did.
However, not only would it contribute to society, but more importantly, with my vague foreknowledge of the future, it would ultimately benefit humanity under my guidance.

After mentally processing what she had just heard, Freyja finally spoke again.

“But how did you manage to secure that?”

“Why, I’m a member of the Royal Academy.”

“Stop joking and be serious.”

“It’s the reward for being a good person regularly engaging in charitable acts. If others had heeded the advice to nurture public goodwill as I have, they too could have seized such opportunities.”

“Well, I appreciate the sentiment, but I’ve never received any such advice myself.”

“Of course not. I’ve never offered you that advice.”

“……?”

In any case, I had now gained a foothold in Londinium’s military-industrial complex.

The decisive moment against the Demonic Tribe drew ever nearer.
Simultaneously, the plans I had conceived over a decade ago were gradually materializing one by one. It seemed my life had not been entirely in vain.

While small-scale, the kingdom’s public safety had been relatively stable despite the recent rebellion and the Demonic Tribe’s continued lurking presence, all thanks to the efforts of the Metropolitan Police Department.

“Let’s give it our all again today.”

“West Londinium, huh. We’ve already found four here.”

“Shh. We’re moving in now!”

– or so most people would assume.

The reality was slightly different.

Wham! A group of men broke down the door, raiding an ordinary residential home.
Instead of looting valuables, they immediately smashed through another door leading to the basement, emerging moments later with a Demonic Tribe member in tow, horns protruding and bat wings flapping.

They were neither the police nor city defense forces.
This large-scale Demonic Tribe sweep was primarily conducted by Ulr’s direct subordinates from Freugne’s organization, tasked with employing force.

A private military force. In ages past, this might have been permissible when nobles bore actual titles like Duke or Earl and commanded their own troops. But in the present, where such designations were mere honorifics, it was undoubtedly illegal.

However, with Baldor spearheading every aspect from the Demonic Tribe’s apprehension to processing, his sole superior, the Metropolitan Commander, had naturally been reduced to a figurehead relic.
And Baldor duly followed Freugne’s tacit instructions to turn a blind eye. Lacking sufficient manpower, he had judged it better to outsource these minor matters. The police force was spread thin as it was.

Thus, under Baldor’s unofficial approval as the Metropolitan Police Department’s true authority,
Freugne, having essentially been granted cheat codes to play Londinium Tycoon, faced no impediments.

With implicit permission, her organization’s members could freely roam the city’s nighttime streets. If they crossed any lines, Freugne would promptly intervene, preventing further escalation.

“Spill it. What do you know about the man in the white suit?”

“I don’t… Gurghhhh!”

“Then what nefarious schemes are you plotting? Confess everything, now!”

“I’m just a grunt, I don’t know much……”

After a simple round of interrogation, their captives became the Metropolitan Police’s official arrests.
With positive results, Parliament saw no need to slash budgets, while Baldor’s path had been paved – a win-win scenario.

And on the city’s outskirts where this purge unfolded,
one individual had been entrusted with a somewhat more specialized mission.

An ordinary student by day, a member of the kingdom’s dark underbelly by night.
Freugne was not the only one living a double life in this city.

“Oh, how many should we capture today……”

“One will suffice. The rest have either already left the city or are not in a capturable position today.”

“Then who is today’s target?”

“We can let the others slip, but the Demonic Tribe member in the white suit is the only one that matters.”

Freugne had brought along Circe, honed through years of training and live combat experience. It was time to bring this to a conclusion.