The Villain Wants to Change Genres

Chapter 41

Remembering Luwen’s last face left at the mansion, a sudden wave of longing washed over me. I thought that if I had known he would cry like that, I should have brought him along.

“I’ve brought it.”

It was when I was absentmindedly digging at the ground with my toes out of gloominess. Taran, whom I had sent on an errand, returned.

I gestured to the table as Taran handed me the fur coat that I had earlier thrown away, saying it wasn’t needed.

“Spread it there.”

“Here?”

“Yeah.”

He tilted his head, seemingly not understanding why I wanted the coat spread on the table, but he moved to do as instructed anyway. Then, as if asking for confirmation, he stepped back, and I sat on the table.

The height is just right when used as a chair. My legs were aching from standing all this time because there was nowhere to sit.

At that, the cheeky little one raised his eyes with a face full of displeasure. It seemed he didn’t like my behavior. Still, apparently not having the guts to disobey the boss’s orders, he pouted his lips and stayed put.

What should I do with this guy?

Originally, I was planning to toy with him to the point where he’d want to hit me. Then, if I got hit, I’d tell on him to the boss and enjoy watching him get scolded. Since he seemed to have strong loyalty to the boss, I thought that would be the most upsetting thing for him.

But when I realized that might be what the boss wanted, I didn’t feel like doing it anymore. There’s no need to waste my energy educating someone else’s kid.

“Taran.”

“What now?”

“Were you serious about trying to kill me at the mansion?”

His blank face turned towards me.

“I know how to discern situations. It’s true that I hate nobles, but I’m not stupid enough to kill you there. I just stepped in because everyone else seemed incompetent.”

Oh? So that was an act? It was absolutely perfect, scoring 100 out of 100. He seemed to have fully utilized his hatred for nobles. He was definitely a smart kid.

“So you mean you wouldn’t have attacked even if the boss hadn’t stopped you?”

“Well, I’m not sure.”

Taran answered ambiguously and then turned his head. But it was enough of an answer for me.

‘Even if the boss hadn’t stopped him, this guy wouldn’t have killed me.’

As if to prove his words about knowing how to discern situations, he’s still showing his dislike quite openly, but there’s no killing intent.

I stared at Taran while fiddling with the fur coat, which had an unexpectedly nice texture. Enjoying how he kept glancing at me uncomfortably due to my gaze.

The problem was that as I was fiddling with the fluffy fur, the discomfort I had momentarily forgotten reared its head again. I need to wash up quickly, change clothes, and make a hammock, but when on earth are they coming?

“When will the person who went on the errand come back? I want to wash up soon.”

“How would I know that?”

“Aren’t you part of the same group? You don’t even know that much?”

“I don’t know.”

Is he really not knowing? Or does he just not want to tell me?

By the way, it’s uncomfortable without a backrest. Is there anything like a cushion? Ah, right. Of course there isn’t. I got up from my seat after asking and answering myself.

“I can’t wait anymore. I’m just going to wash up. Can you bring me a clean cloth?”

“Why don’t you ask for everything at once?”

“I wish I could. But earlier I didn’t need it, and now I do, so I’m asking.”

When I smiled brightly, Taran’s face turned red and blue in a frenzy. Soon, he left the tent, stomping his feet with a face like he’d eaten something sour.

I was about to wait like this, but thinking he’d find me on his own if I wasn’t here, I moved. I couldn’t stand being in this dirty state any longer. I had reached my limit.

They said there was a pool for washing inside the cave. As I bent down to enter the cave, a winding path unfolded. The good thing was that it was a single path, but I was concerned about having to wash in water found in such a cave.

But to my surprise, as I walked to the end, guided by the splashing sound of water, I found a space filled with water where sunlight was pouring in through an open ceiling. Moreover, clear water was seeping out between the rocks, and on the opposite side, I could hear the sound of a waterfall, probably falling off the cliff outside.

“Oh.”

This is better than I thought? It’s a pity there are other people here, but since there’s nowhere else to wash, it can’t be helped. I wanted to order them to leave, but even the time it would take to argue wasn’t worth it.

“Young master, are you here to wash up too?”

Two Kans who were the source of the water sound were looking at me. One of them, a Kans with a chest and arms full of hair, asked. I didn’t bother to answer and squatted down to check the water temperature. Even though it was summer, probably because it was in a cave, it was quite cold.

‘But this should be fine.’

Eager to wash up quickly, I started unbuttoning my shirt one by one when the hairy Kans cleared his throat. Wondering why, I glanced at him to see him waving his hand with a grin.

He’s acting like we’re close. I shook my head at his greasy smile and took off my shirt and pants, placing them on the ground.

“Ugh. It’s cold.”

My body involuntarily shivered as I immersed my thighs in the cold water. As I was adjusting by splashing water on my chest before fully entering, the hairy Kans spoke to me.

“It’s quite deep over there, so it’s better not to go unless you want to swim.”

Is he kinder than he looks? The depth seemed to differ quite a bit based on where the water color changed.

“Is that so?”

“Come on, I’ll hold you. Just trust me.”

How long has it been since I thought well of him? I couldn’t help but laugh at his words as he subtly made contact. Meanwhile, he grabbed my arm and pulled me close, placing his hand on my waist.

“Take your hand off while I’m asking nicely.”

“I’m just saying we should have some fun. Right?”

His hand was creeping up my back. It was so repulsive that I immediately tried to kick him, but the resistance of the water significantly reduced the speed.

“Ticklish? Are you throwing a tantrum?”

“I said take your hand off. I won’t say it a third time.”

“Don’t be like that. You think I want to get aroused by a man? With all the women taken away, I’m frustrated, and when a young master who looks confusing strips down, what can I do? It’s not my fault.”

“What do you mean it’s not your fault, you pervert!”

That’s when it happened. A somewhat high-pitched voice pierced from behind me, followed by a clear sound of impact. A kick had cleanly landed on the back of the Kans’s head.

“…Taran?”

“Didn’t! The boss! Tell you! To treat him properly!”

Thwack! Slap!

The sound echoing in the cave was fierce. The hairy Kans who got hit on the back whined exaggeratedly.

“Ow! Ow! Taran! Ow! Stop it!”

“Get away from the young master right now!”

“It was a joke. Just a prank. You think I’d really disobey the boss’s orders? I just wanted to scare him a bit because he’s wandering around with that smooth face. So you absolutely can’t tell the boss about this. Got it?”

“Shut up. Are you going to leave or not?”

“I’m leaving! I’m leaving right now! So, you won’t tell the boss, right? Hehe.”

The now submissive Kans hurriedly ran out.

I looked at Taran while scrubbing the parts of my body that had been grabbed. Is this guy’s position unexpectedly high? He looked the youngest among the Kans the boss brought in the end, so I thought he was the youngest.

“Why do I have to not only tend to a noble bastard but also take his side? This is really annoying.”

He grumbles while picking up the cloth I dropped on the ground and shaking it out. It must be the cloth I asked him to bring. I hugged a rock and floated in the water, lying on my stomach.

“Is that really a clean cloth? It looks dirty.”

I asked while splashing water briefly, and his eyes, burning with anger, rolled towards me.

“This is the best I could find, okay? There’s nothing better than this.”

I thought he would complain about me not thanking him for helping, but he didn’t say a word about that. I wonder what image of nobles this guy has. Does he not even expect that much? Yet he diligently helped me because of the boss’s orders…

Hah. I like kids like this.

The type that’s stubbornly loyal to the point of foolishness. He’s a bit like our Luwen. I rested my cheek on my arm and gazed steadily at Taran. Seeming to feel my gaze, Taran held out the cloth to me.

“If you’re suspicious, why don’t you check it yourself?”

“No, I trust you.”

He must have picked the cleanest one. Honestly, the stains looked quite large to my eyes, but it’s probably the best in this dirty den.

“Taran~”

“What? Why are you calling me so disgustingly?”

“Can you wash my back for me?”

“You really… Ugh, damn.”

“Hahaha.”

It seems Taran finds me quite disgusting. It’s quite fun to tease him as he reacts to every touch.

What should I do? I really like this kid.

“Hurry up. It’s itchy.”

“Young master, is there anything you can do by yourself?”

“Why should I know how to do things by myself? There are always people to help me, aren’t there?”