「と、いうわけでこの城を修繕しましょう。わたくしのポケットマネーで」
結界に阻まれず廃城にたどり着いたアイリーンは、にこやかに交渉を開始した。
廃城内で唯一部屋として機能している応接間はさわやかな日差しが降り注いでおり、心なしかいつもより明るい。森の小道も季節外れの小さな花がいくつも咲いていたので、クロードの機嫌がいいのかもしれなかった。目視する限りは、相変わらずの無表情だったが。
そんな中真っ先に反応したのは、想定通り、今日も寒そうな格好のベルゼビュートだ。
「人間共を城に入れろというのか! 不敬にもほどがある、娘!」
「こんなぼろぼろの城に王を住まわせている方が不敬でしてよ」
「ぼろぼろだと? かっこいいだろう! あの退廃的な空気のよさが分からないとは、これだから人間は」
あ、こいつ厨二病だ。
誇らしげなベルゼビュートの説得を一瞬で諦めたアイリーンは、まともに話のできるキースの方に話を差し向ける。
「どうでしょうキース様? いい話ではなくって?」
「確かにすきま風ひどいし、城の修繕は有り難いですけどねえ......ただアイリーン嬢のポケットマネーからの支払いというのがどうにも。利率いくらです?」
「無利子で。担保はクロード様でいいですわ」
「うっわあ非人道的ですね。のった!」
「誰が担保だ」
一人掛けの椅子に座っているクロードが、頬杖をついたまま呆れている。風が吹いたり花がしおれたりしないあたり、アイリーンに慣れてきたらしい。
ベルゼビュートが一人、首を傾げた。
「担保とはなんだ......?」
「妻にとっての夫のことです」
「いや、それはいくらなんでもあんまりじゃないですかね、アイリーン様......」
「クロード様。人助けだと思って城の修繕を許可してくださいませ。クロード様にも悪い話ではないでしょう?」
最後に話を向けてみると、クロードは無表情で足を組み替えた。
「......人間に魔王の城を修繕させるなんて無理だ。君に貸しは作る気はないし、そもそも魔物に必要ない――と指摘しても、君は答えを用意してるんだろう」
まさしく答えを用意していたアイリーンは、先回りの指摘に戸惑う。
「確かに、用意はしておりますけれども......」
「だからこう聞きたい。どうして公爵令嬢の君がそんな事業を自分でやる必要がある?」
「それは――人助けですわ」
クロードが半眼になった。居心地の悪さを感じながら、アイリーンはさらに説明をする。
「それに、セドリック様を見返すいい機会ですし」
「セドリックのために人生を一秒も無駄にしたくないと豪語していた気がしたが」
記憶力のいい男だ。アイリーンは別方向から攻めてみた。
「いい人材なんですもの。捨て置くのはわたくしの信条に反します」
「答えないならもういい、時間の無駄だ。結界で人間の出入りは監視するが、目立たないように出入りしてくれ。うるさい貴族連中に目をつけられたくない」
「そ、それはもちろん気をつけます。......って、いいのですか? 修繕しても」
「ああ。君のやり方はともかく、もたらそうとする結果は信頼している」
掛け値なしの評価に、言いくるめる気満々だったアイリーンは出鼻を挫かれて口を噤む。
「キース。お前の給金の件だが、僕への補助金も出てないだろう。うまくやって資金を作ってこい。それを支払いに充てる」
「お、久し振りのお仕事ですね。はりきって参りますよ」
慣れた様子で指示を出すクロードに、アイリーンは慌てた。
「あの! ジャスパーという記者がいまして、その方に探るように......」
「もう手を回したのか。なるほど、僕を担保にする気なんて最初からなかったわけだ」
さらっと見破られてアイリーンは唸る。
そう、まずはアイリーンが資金を出す。そしてジャスパーに情報と証拠をつかませて、横領の犯人を脅すか暴く。その流れでクロード達に金を回す。そうしたら、アイリーンが負担した分は取り返せることになる。
頭の中にあった資料だけでクロード達に回っていない金の総額を見込んだだけの大雑把な計算だったが、今回の修繕費を払ってなおクロード達の手元に金が残るはずだ。だが借金という形がなければ、金を取り戻したとしても、クロードは受け取らない気がしたのだ。
「君は本当に素直じゃない」
アイリーンの思惑をその一言で片付けてしまったクロードは、斜め後ろのキースに目をやる。
「キース。ジャスパーという男は信頼できそうか?」
「バリエ新聞社の社長ですね。ガッツのあるいい記事書きますよねぇ、彼。アイリーン様は目の付け所が大変よろしいかと」
「......随分色々ご存知ですのね」
「魔王様の左腕ですので。ではお久し振りに私め、出勤致しますかねぇ」
ふふふと笑うキースがただ者ではない気がして、アイリーンは渋面になる。ゲームでも油断のならない有能従者だと描かれてはいたが、現実で見るとただ不気味だ。
もちろん、有能でもなんでもない平凡な人間が、魔王の従者として人間社会で生き残れるはずがない。
それは分かっているが、なんだか悔しい。
「――君は貸しを作られるのが苦手だろう」
陰がかかったと思ったらクロードの顔が鼻先にあった。驚いて息を飲んだアイリーンは、上ずった声で反論する。
「ク、クロード様が動くのは、わたくしへの嫌がらせ、ですかっ!?」
「いや? ただ、君が泣くのを期待してる」
魔性のささやきに歯を食いしばり、距離を取る。
無駄に跳ね上がる胸の鼓動を押さえ、つとめて冷静に唇を動かした。
「では、もう一つお願いします、クロード様。この森を含むクロード様所有の土地を貸してくださいません? 賃料はもちろん払います。小さな農園を作りたいのです」
「それはここへ人間の出入りを、長期にさせたいということか?」
「......そうですわね。ものになりそうなら、そういうことになります」
「やってみればいい。だが、魔物とトラブルを起こすようなら、城の修繕と一緒に途中で出ていってもらう」
逆に言えば、魔物とうまくやっていけるなら話を聞いてもらう余地はある。何より魔王であるクロードがもっとも憂慮すべきことを、無下にしてはいけない。
「分かりました。城の修繕で様子を見ながら......ということでよろしい?」
「そうだな。あとは君がいかに素直に頼めるかだ」
「......。どうして、素直に、なんて言葉がつきますの。きちんと正当な対価は支払いますわ」
「そこに興味はあまりない。ただ君は、素直に頼むのは苦手だろう?」
むかっ腹が立ったアイリーンはすっくと立ち上がり、
甘いんだか辛いんだか分からない言葉を平気で吐くクロードを睨め付けた。
「ではわたくしは早速作業に入りますわね。ベルゼビュート様!」
「な、なんだ」
「城を案内してくださいな。どう城を修繕・改修していくか考えます」
「アイリーン」
「なんですか」
名前を呼ばれて振り返ると、クロードの人差し指が淡く光っていた。
だが、光る指先をアイリーンに向けふっと横切らせただけで、光は消えてしまう。
訝しんで左右に目だけを動かして、違和感を覚えた。足下の自分の影だ。穴がある。
「え......え、ええぇっ!?」
影が膨らみ、ぱっくりと割れた穴から鋭い爪が、太い前脚が、明らかに影よりも大きい胴体が、穴から這い上がってきた。
[And so, let's repair this castle. By using my own pocket money] 
After finally arriving at the abandoned castle without being obstructed by the barrier, Irene started the discussion with a radiant smile.
The invigorating sunlight spilled forth in the reception room, the only functional room inside of the abandoned castle, making it somewhat brighter than usual. Judging from how several small flowers were blooming along the forest's trail despite being out of season, Claude probably was in a good mood. But, as far as she could see, he was as expressionless as ever.
As expected, the first one to respond was Beelzebub, who's today as well, wore an exposing attire.
[Do you mean letting the humans to enter this castle?! There's a limit to your impudence, girl!] 
[The people who let the King lives in this crumbling castle are the one who are being disrespectful] 
[Crumbling you say? It's cool, isn't it?! To not understand the virtue of the decadent air is; this is why the human is] 
Ah, this guy has chuunibyou. (1)
Instantly giving up trying to persuade the arrogant Beelzebub, Irene directed the discussion to the person who can actually hold a proper conversation, Keith.
[What do you think, Keith-sama? Isn't it a good discussion?] 
[Certainly, the cold air entering through the window cracks is awful, so I'll be grateful if the castle is repaired, but...... to pay for it from Lady Irene's pocket money is somehow... How much would the interest rate be?] 
[There's no interest. Claude-sama is good enough for the collateral] 
[Uwaa, it's inhumane. Deal!] 
[Who are you calling a collateral] 
Claude who was sitting on an armchair with his chin resting on his hand was astonished. It seems like he's getting used to Irene as the wind didn't blow nor the flowers were withered.
Only Beelzebub tilted his head.
[What's a collateral......?] 
[It's a husband to a wife thing] 
[No, that's not even close to it, Irene-sama......] 
[Claude-sama. Please give me your permission to repair the castle for the sake of helping the people. Claude-sama too, don't think it's a bad idea, right?] 
When she finally directed the conversation to Claude, Claude expressionlessly crossed his legs the other way.
[......It's impossible to let the humans fix the Demon King's castle. I have no intention to be indebted to you, and it's also unnecessary for the monsters in the first place----even if I point that out, you've already prepared an answer, aren't you?] 
Irene who was no doubt had prepared an answer was puzzled when Claude pointing it out first.
[Certainly, I have made a preparation, but......] 
[Then allow me to ask you this. Why a Duke's Daughter such as yourself, want to do such deed by yourself] 
[That is----to help the people] 
Claude narrowed his eyes. Feeling uneasy, Irene further explained her reasoning.
[Besides, it's a good opportunity to prove myself as superior to Cedric-sama] 
[But, I remembered you boasting off about not wasting even a second of your life for Cedric's sake] 
This man had a good memory. Irene decided to use another strategy.
[All of them are capable person. To simply discard them is against my belief] 
[It's alright if you can't answer me; It'll be a waste of time (2). The barrier is meant to monitor the ins and outs of the human, but in order for them not to be conspicuous, I'll allow them to come and go. I don't want to be noticed by those troublesome n.o.bles] 
[O-of course I'll be careful about that.......eh? Is it okay? To repair the castle] 
[Yeah. Your way of doing things aside, I have faith with the result you will bring about] 
His truthful evaluation managed to dampen Irene's enthusiasm who initially was br.i.m.m.i.n.g with the intention of cajoling him. She could not help but to keep her mouth shut.
[Keith. It's a matter of your salary, but I'm sure my subsidiary aid won't be issued. So, do something that can be used as a funding. And set that aside as the payment to fix the castle] 
[Oh, it's my first job after a long time. I will do my best] 
Irene was fl.u.s.tered after listening to Claude issuing an instruction as if he was familiar with this situation before.
[Umm!There's a reporter named Jasper. If you look for that man......] 
[So you've already made some necessary preparations? I see. You didn't really intend on using me as the collateral from the beginning] 
Irene groaned upon being discovered so easily by Claude.
That's right. First of all, Irene will be providing the fund. And then, Jasper will be gathering the intel and evidence needed to threaten the culprits responsible for the embezzlement. And following that course of the event, she'll lend that money to Claude and the others. Then, Irene will be able to make up for her share of responsibility.
By only using the material inside his mind, Claude managed to make a rough calculation based on the estimated total amount of money that should've come around, but in addition to the expenses for the repair this time, there should be some money left on Claude's hand. However, if they don't have a debt, even if they manage to retrieve their money back, she had a feeling that Claude won't take the money.
[You really are not honest] 
Claude who managed to read into Irene's intention with those few words, looked towards Keith who was standing somewhere behind him.
[Keith. Can we put our trust on this man named Jasper?] 
[Barry newspaper company's president, right? He's a courageous man with talent in writing good news. Irene-sama has a good eye] 
[......You know quite a lot of things] 
[I am Demon King-sama's left-hand man, after all. Then, I shall go to work for the first time in a long time] 
Frowning, Irene had a feeling that Keith who was laughing enthusiastically, wasn't just a normal guy. In the game, he was drawn as a cunningly capable attendant, but, in reality, he's just creepy.
Of course, as an ordinary human being, regardless of whether or not he's capable, there's no way he could survive in the human society as the Demon King's attendant.
She understood that, but for some reason, she felt frustrated.
[----You truly do dislike being indebted to someone, don't you?] 
When she thought she was covered by a shadow, Claude's face was right in front of her. Shocked, Irene gasped and let out her objection in a high pitched voice.
[C-Claude-sama, did you move just to hara.s.s me!?] 
[No? I was just hoping that you will cry] 
She clenched her teeth at his devilish whisper and distanced herself from Claude.
She tried to keep control of her uselessly palpitating erratic heartbeats and to speak as calmly as possible.
[Then, I have one more request, Claude-sama. Can you rent out the land owned by you including this forest? Of course, I'll pay the rent. I'm planning to create a small farm] 
[Does that mean you plan to make me allow people to come in and out of this place into something long-term?] 
[......That's correct. If that something looks like it'll be something, then it'll become that something] 
[You can try to do it. However, if it caused trouble to the monsters, I'll make everyone including the repairmen for the castle to abandon their work halfway and leave] 
Conversely speaking, if people can get along well with the monsters, there's room to listen to their stories. More than that, the most important thing to worry about is we must not disregard the Demon King Claude.
[I understand. So it's alright......as long as people are careful while repairing the castle?] (3)
[That's right. All that's left is whether or not you can honestly ask me for a favor] 
[....... What do you mean by "honestly"? How did you arrive at such word?  I'll properly pay a proper compensation, you know?] 
[I don't have much interest in that. It's just, you're bad at genuinely asking for a favor, aren't you?] 
Losing her temper, Irene jumped on her feet.
Irene glowered at Claude who nonchalantly spat out those words while she struggled to understand whether those words were meant to be sweet or bitter for her to hear.
[Then, I'll start working immediately. Beelzebub-sama!] 
[Wh-what?] 
[Please guide me around the castle. I need to consider how I'm going to repair and renovate this castle] 
[Irene] 
[What is it?] 
Irene turned around at the mention of her name, only to be greeted by the sight of Claude with his index finger dimly glowing.
But, the light went out as soon as his dimly lit fingertip was pointed across Irene.
Feeling uneasy, Irene's eyes darted around suspiciously. There was a hole in the shadow of her own feet.
[Eh......eh, eeeeeeeeeeeeeeehhhhhhhhhhh!?] 
Her shadow was swelling and from the gapping and cracking hole... something with sharp claws, thick forelegs and a torso bigger than her shadow was crawling up from beneath her.
Villainous Daughter Aims for the Last Boss
悪役令嬢なのでラスボスを飼ってみました
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/villainous-daughter-aims-for-the-last-boss/
Drama Fantasy Romance School Life Shoujo
Adapted to Anime Adapted to Manga Aristocracy Beautiful Female Lead Bloodlines Broken Engagement Business Management Businessmen Calm Protagonist Demon Lord Demons Female Protagonist Handsome Male Lead Hated Protagonist Kuudere Multiple Reincarnated Individuals Nobles Otome Game Politics Reincarnated in a Game World Royalty Saints Sword And Magic Villainess Noble Girls
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2766dz/
永瀬さらさ