Chapter 7: Let’s Push the Dirty Work onto Others!

The day after I unfortunately saved the elves from the Phantom Hand, I was in my room with my head in my hands.

“Why, why does everything keep backfiring like this…!”

All I wanted was to reign as a charismatic villain who torments people…

To end up in a mess like this is just too cruel.

As I wallowed in despair,

“Master, it’s almost time,” came a voice.

“Marie. Right, it’s already that time, huh…”

I nodded at Marie, my ever-present shadow (I’m used to it by now), who had appeared behind me without a sound.

Today, we were set to discuss the fate of the elves I’d inadvertently saved.

I wasn’t thrilled, but there was no avoiding it.

Time to teach these fools who think I’m some kind of savior the harsh truth.

“Let’s get this over with.”

◇◆◇

“““We’ve been awaiting you, Savior!”””

Ugh!!!

The moment Marie and I arrived at the elf village, their chorus of praise hit me like a punch to the gut. But I kept my cool, standing tall.

I turned to the elf chieftain, Sedia.

“You’re Sedia, the chieftain, right?”

“Indeed. I’m honored you remember, Klaus-sama.”

“Don’t thank me. I don’t deserve it.”

“What?! Klaus-sama…!”

No, seriously.

I don’t want your gratitude—I’d rather you all despised me.

Sedia’s shocked expression told me my words had hit home, but I wasn’t done yet.

I’d spent all night scheming to tank their opinion of me.

“I’ve got something important to tell you all.”

“Something important?” Sedia asked.

“Exactly. You know the 【Great Forest of the Underworld】 you’re squatting in is Solstia Kingdom territory, right? And I’m the one calling the shots here.”

“…!”

Sedia’s face twisted with a mix of shock and anguish. The elves behind her flinched, knowing I could order them out with a single word.

Sure, they’d declared themselves my vassals yesterday, but I could just reject them.

But that wasn’t the plan.

(Banish them from the 【Great Forest of the Underworld】? Nah, too easy.)

Right now, the elves’ affection for me was sky-high, thanks to my little accident.

Even if I kicked them out, it might dent their goodwill, but would it make them hate me? Doubtful.

So, what’s the move?

Simple—inflict ongoing pain worse than banishment.

“We’ll continue this talk over there. Follow me.”

“…Understood. I know you have your position to consider, Klaus-sama. We’ll accept whatever judgment you pass.”

Perfect, I’ve got her word.

With a smirk, I led Sedia and her crew to the spot.

“【Link—Overwhelming Barrage: Explosive Inferno】!”

The knights and Sophia unleashed their flames, torching the forest as usual.

Sedia and the elves gaped in horror.

“This… you’re burning the forest? Why? I thought Phantom Hand was already destroyed…”

I chuckled inwardly at her murmur.

(As I thought, they assumed I was burning the forest to take out Phantom Hand…)

Elves, in every story, are nature’s biggest fans.

They might stomach destroying nature to defeat an enemy, but to learn I’m doing it for no good reason—hell, to spite the kingdom—should tank their opinion of me.

And there’s more.

I locked eyes with Sedia and laid it out.

“Starting today, you elves will manage all the wastelands we’ve created and join the knights in—cough—developing the forest.”

Just like with the knights, I’d make them accomplices.

That ought to stoke their hatred, and I’d be free from managing this annoying forest!

A perfect plan!

“““…”””

The elves stared, dumbfounded, probably because the idea was so absurd.

(Mwahahaha… flawless!)

As I reveled in their confusion, Sedia snapped out of it.

“W-Wait, Klaus-sama. This is far too—”

“There’s more,” I cut her off, sensing she was about to say it was unfair.

“You elves have a knack for special skills, don’t you?”

“Y-Yes. To escape the chaos around us, we’ve honed stealth and covert information-gathering techniques.”

“Simple, then. Hand over a few of your best to me.”

“What?! For what purpose…?”

They trembled, probably imagining some dirty work.

As I watched, I mentally reviewed my plan.

Thanks to yesterday’s unfortunate accident, Phantom Hand—my leverage to cough persuade Marquis Markovar—was gone.

A shame, but time to find new dirt.

And for that, I need skilled spies.

In short—

“Obvious, isn’t it? With Phantom Hand gone, we need intel to make Markovar bow to me.”

“—! Klaus-sama, just how far are you…”

Mocking us, is that what she wanted to say?

Too bad—this isn’t a request, it’s an order.

No matter how Sedia resists, I’m not stopping.

“That’s the deal. By the end of the day, select your elite and send them to me.”

“Tch! F-Fine, understood.”

“And—Marie.”

“Yes, Master.”

I turned to Marie, who stood silently behind me.

Despite her skewed skill tree, her assassin training makes her perfect for this.

“I’m appointing you leader of the new intelligence unit. Got it?”

“—Yes. All as you command, Master.”

Marie nodded, and the plan was set.

Everything was ready.

By dumping the 【Great Forest of the Underworld】 management on the elves, I’d have free time. Forcing them into dirty spy work would breed resentment. And the intel would help me control Markovar.

A three-birds-one-stone masterpiece!

“Ha-hahaha!” I let out a booming laugh.

◇◆◇

Days after being placed under Klaus Renford’s protection, the elves were living a dreamlike life of fulfillment.

Sedia, the chieftain, understood this better than anyone, receiving reports from all.

The biggest deal? Klaus personally granted the elves management of the 【Great Forest of the Underworld】.

As the king’s direct envoy, his order was a formal recognition of the elves as Solstia Kingdom citizens, ending their long fugitive days.

And that wasn’t all.

The forest was teeming with dangerous monsters and plants even the nature-savvy elves avoided.

They’d been confined to a small, warded area—until Klaus stepped in.

He lent them the elite kingdom knights, who used powerful magic to expand the territory.

With the wastelands as a starting point, the elves’ village grew and thrived in mere days.

Sedia tried to thank Klaus repeatedly, her heart full of gratitude.

“Everything you’ve done… Klaus-sama, you truly are…”

“Keep your mouth shut, Sedia. I’m doing this for me. Don’t say a word.”

“…!”

His attitude—selfless generosity without expecting thanks—left her speechless with awe.

She lost count of how many times she’d been moved to tears.

But it didn’t end there.

Beyond the village’s growth, there was more good news.

The young elves assigned to Klaus’s intelligence unit were thriving.

Most, born after the elves settled here, had lived quiet, hidden lives.

But working for Klaus was fulfilling.

Especially Linsia, a blonde, semi-long-haired girl who’d handled information-gathering before, raved about Klaus daily.

“My lord is truly magnificent. His orders seem cryptic at first, but once carried out, their brilliance becomes clear… every one effective and for the good of all. I asked Master Marie, and she said this is just who our lord is—always helping others this way. I, Linsia, am overjoyed to serve him. I’ll dedicate my entire being to his cause!”

Her devotion was intense.

For a justice-driven girl like Linsia, Klaus’s ways were magnetic.

Plus, the chance to investigate Marquis Markovar, the mastermind behind Phantom Hand, thrilled them.

They didn’t want to leave everything to Klaus—they wanted to contribute.

Linsia’s eyes sparkled as she said their lord understood their wishes.

And so, the days passed.

“Klaus-sama… I thank you from the bottom of my heart. You’re more than a savior—a true saint!”

Knowing he wouldn’t accept direct thanks, Sedia whispered this to herself.

Just then, Klaus’s “Ha-hahaha!” echoed through the air.

The elves, hearing it, took it as approval of their work, spurring them to push harder with renewed zeal.