The Villain Wants to Change Genres

Chapter 47

If others saw this, they’d think I made Luwen work hard even at the mansion. He didn’t mind when Merin did everything. Ah, could this be jealousy? Because he thinks I’ve made another close friend?

Thinking in terms of my past life, Luwen is still in middle school, so it’s understandable. At that age, one can feel upset even if their best friend makes another friend.

‘He’s still a child after all.’

Luwen looked even cuter, and I felt my lips trying to curl up into a smile. But since the child looked quite serious, I maintained my usual smile and said:

“Of course, Luwen is the most reliable. It’s just that we’re guests here, and Taran knows this place better.”

I should boost my little brother’s self-esteem.

It’s not a lie. The only people I trust and rely on are Luwen and my sister. They’re the only ones I want to protect too.

“Really? Am I the most reliable?”

“Of course. We’ve spent time together, after all.”

When I gave him a definite answer, he nodded with a bright smile. Seeing that, I found myself smiling back, feeling my chest fill up.

Luwen always gives me positive emotions. Every little thing comes back as a small joy, so I always enjoyed spending time with Luwen. He should be scolded for recklessly chasing after me, but on the other hand, thinking that I can now wait with Luwen made me feel at ease. I felt grateful and fond.

“Shall we go wash up now?”

“Yes!”

I immediately took Luwen to the cave.

“That’s where we bathe right over there. Fortunately, no one’s there. You can wash comfortably.”

As I was about to help him take off his dusty leather armor, Luwen’s face suddenly hardened. Not understanding why, I stared at him blankly, and then I heard a voice as stiff as his expression.

“Did you wash here too, young master?”

“Yes.”

“Surely those Kans bastards didn’t bathe with you, did they?”

I briefly recalled what happened on the first day, but there was no need to tell him about that, so I shook my head.

“I have a set time for bathing. No one’s allowed in then.”

“That’s a relief. Because you’re a precious person, young master.”

Luwen nodded and seemed satisfied, as if it was natural for me to receive such consideration. Feeling a bit strange, I just laughed it off and helped him remove his armor.

“The water is too cold. I’ll heat some water for you in the evening.”

“Hm? No, that’s not necessary.”

“You always bathe in warm water even in midsummer.”

“That’s because the mansion is cool. Here, there are only tents, so it’s hot. If I really needed it, I would have asked for it to be heated. The Kans do everything I ask.”

It’s not a lie, it’s true. If I tell Taran, he’ll do everything. He might grumble a bit about it being troublesome, but he’d end up doing it.

Just then, Taran, who had gone on an errand, returned, so I suddenly spoke to him.

“Right?”

“Huh? What?”

“If I ask you to heat bath water, you’d do it, right?”

“No, are you asking me to do such a troublesome thing? Just wash as is, it’s summer.”

See? He’s quacking again. Just like a baby duck.

Splash-

“How dare this impudent bastard to the young master!”

But what’s this? Luwen, who suddenly stood up, splashing water, reached for his sword.

“What the hell, what did I do wrong? You bastard, I’ve been pissed off at you glaring at me since earlier. You know that?”

Taran pushed the clothes and cloth he brought into my arms and rolled up his sleeves, fuming. Having received the items in confusion, I looked back and forth between the two who were glaring at each other in confrontation.

I should stop them before they start fighting.

“Luwen. Who would be scared of you when you’re naked?”

“…Ah, young master!”

Luwen’s face turned red in an instant, and he sat down with a splash, covering his private parts. The tense atmosphere dissipated immediately.

“Taran.”

“What.”

At the grumpy response, Luwen’s eyes sharpened again. Fearing Luwen might provoke Taran again, I quickly spoke up.

“We were supposed to go herb picking this morning, but we couldn’t. Were you disappointed?”

Taran, who met my eyes, quickly averted his gaze. After a moment of silence, he bowed his head and mumbled.

“…Who said I was disappointed about that? You’re acting like you forgot, but you didn’t.”

“Of course not. Let’s feed Luwen and go in the afternoon. We might not find herbs that can only be picked in the morning, but we can find others instead. How about that?”

Taran raised his head slightly and asked.

“…Is he coming with us too?”

Hmm. I don’t think Luwen will quietly wait here. Besides, I don’t want to leave Luwen alone here. I can trust the boss and Taran, but not the others at all.

“Yes, together.”

The emotion in Taran’s eyes as he stared at me was so clear it was almost transparent. As if asking if Luwen really had to come along.

No, why do they dislike each other so much? They haven’t even really talked to each other. If I take Taran with me, they’ll have to see each other for years to come, is this okay?

His twitching lips were full of discontent, but Taran just clenched his lips and breathed heavily through his nose. Is he trying to read my mood, worried that I might not go herb picking if he keeps saying he doesn’t like it? As I waited quietly, Taran took a few deep breaths, closed his eyes tightly, then opened them and answered.

“Alright. He won’t interfere, right?”

Somehow, it sounds like he’s telling me to keep Luwen in check. What could Luwen possibly interfere with while we’re picking herbs?

“Why would Luwen interfere with us? He’s such a good child. Taran, you’ll see when you spend time together.”

“I think you’re completely blinded when it comes to him, young master.”

Taran pouted his lips, as if saying how could such a dark male be a fairy. It seemed that living with the Kans had lowered Taran’s aesthetic sense to the boss’s level. It was truly regrettable.

* * *

After feeding Luwen a hearty meal, we left through the back path of the cave. Two large Kans, assigned by the boss as guards, were with us.

Luwen showed signs of displeasure, saying they weren’t needed, but I gladly welcomed them. Why refuse when they’re providing perfect laborers for carrying logs? Last time, I had mobilized Kans to carry logs, so they would do it again if I asked.

By the way, I didn’t notice last time because it was dark, but the forest was really beautiful. Whenever the wind blew, a faint flower scent was carried from somewhere, and the tall trees rustled their leaves, making a fluttering sound. Sunlight appeared and disappeared between the swaying leaf shadows.

Perhaps because human feet had barely touched it? The forest was full of vitality, breathing. Taking in the clean air deeply and exhaling, it couldn’t be more refreshing.

Luwen, standing beside me as if it were natural, inhaled and exhaled following me. Finding him cute, I looked at him, and when our eyes met, we both ended up smiling. I heard Taran snort beside us.

“Let’s go this way.”

I took the lead, guiding the two.

The herb picking is for Taran’s education, so I plan to first find herbs that catch my eye, then tell Taran how many types of herbs there are. And while Taran is doing his homework, I’ll get the logs for Luwen’s hammock.

After walking for about 30 minutes from the cave, we saw a fairly wide field. So this is where the flower scent carried by the wind came from. Colorful wildflowers swayed gently, creating quite a picturesque scene.

There are several types of herbs that grow in places like this, let’s see.

Scanning roughly, a few things caught my eye. I immediately picked up a long branch nearby and moved around, drawing lines on the ground. It might be a bit wide, but if it’s too narrow, it’ll be too easy.

Returning to where I first started, I threw the branch on the ground and said, dusting off my hands:

“There are three different species of herbs in here. Having three in this much space is really a lot. Since I just looked roughly, there might be more. Try to find them.”

Taran clenched his fists with an enthusiastic face. He expressed his ambitious intention to find them all and then walked around inside the line, bending deeply at the waist. His expression and actions didn’t match, making me laugh.

“Young master.”

At that moment, Luwen tugged at my sleeve, drawing my attention away from Taran.

“Yes?”

“You’ll make a hammock for me too, right?”

“I might find it a bit difficult to make it myself. I don’t have the strength to carry logs.”

“Of course, I’ll do that part.”

Luwen rolled up his sleeves and raised the corners of his mouth playfully.

Cute kid. I habitually ruffled his hair, and we headed towards the forest surrounding the field.

“Since the space is narrow, it shouldn’t be too thick. We need to find a tree of appropriate thickness that’s sturdy and healthy, not eaten by bugs.”

“Yes!”

Luwen took out the axe he had brought hanging at his waist and went around tapping trees. On the other hand, I was too hot to move, so I stood still watching the child. Meanwhile, the Kans, realizing we would be staying here for a while, looked around and came back.

“There are no traces of monsters or dangerous animals nearby. But just in case, I’ll keep an eye on that little one over there.”

One Kans headed towards Luwen, and the other stayed by my side. I was a bit impressed by their unexpectedly serious attitude, as I thought they would just wander around casually.