This Villain Is Mine Now

Chapter 89

“The news is that the merchant guild has safely crossed the mountain.”

As soon as the news arrived, Drane reported it to Lyle. It was only natural.

A merchant guild protected by monsters on land imbued with a dragon’s magic—what could be safer than that? Still, Drane had been quite tense until he received confirmation that the guild had crossed the mountain. This project was a monumental undertaking, one that determined the very survival of Mabel. Getting the first step right was crucial for any future plans.

The merchants, upon seeing monsters for the first time, were struck with terror. Even after witnessing how the monsters coexisted with humans in Mabel, it was hard for them to believe they were safe.

Of course, this reaction was understandable. Their appearance alone, so ferocious and otherworldly, was enough to make anyone tremble. While dead monsters had been exhibited in the capital after the Grant knights concluded monster subjugations, seeing them alive and moving was an entirely different experience.

Although they had taken their first steps with a mixture of suspicion and anxiety, the guild soon realized that they were under the safest escort imaginable.

These monsters were once apex predators in the Mabel mountain range. Unless someone had a death wish, neither wild animals nor bandits dared to approach the procession.

“It seems the guild leader made several requests to use the path again on their return journey.”

Drane smiled faintly.

The land route development project was, simply put, a resounding success.

“Well done.”

“Thank you.”

Drane responded, his face etched with exhaustion. He had hardly slept in the past few days. However, despite his physical fatigue, he felt a sense of peace.

“When do you plan to leave?”

“In a day or two.”

“Will you be traveling with Her Grace?”

At Drane’s question, Lyle raised an eyebrow, as if the question itself was puzzling.

“Of course.”

Of course.

It seemed his liege had conveniently forgotten how he had tormented everyone around him just a few days ago. Drane decided not to point out such trivial matters and instead nodded obediently.

“It seems it will be quite a long journey. I’m sure it will be a delightful experience for Her Grace. This will be her first time visiting the Archducal Castle.”

Before returning to the capital, Lyle planned to visit the newly granted territories bestowed upon him by the Emperor, with Elaina accompanying him. The purpose was to meet the lords managing these lands, understand the challenges they faced, and address any issues.

The Archducal Castle.

As Lyle thought of his childhood visits to meet his grandfather, his lips tightened slightly. If the Archducal residence in the capital symbolized the former glory of the Archduchy, then the Archducal Castle of Pendita represented the very history of the Grant family.

Because it was located so far from the capital, his father, the heir, had stayed in the capital to manage central affairs. Still, whenever possible, they had traveled to the north to visit his grandfather.

In Lyle’s memory, his grandfather was a large man with a kind smile, not the madman who had committed treason in his final days.

Drane, observing Lyle lost in thought, bowed and left the room, realizing that the mention of the Archducal Castle had stirred something within him.

***

Two days later, Lyle and Elaina completed their preparations for the journey and boarded the carriage. The maids silently fretted as Lyle treated Elaina with the utmost care, as if she were a fragile artifact.

“I wish I could go with you, but for now, I’ll need to stay in Mabel to oversee the project until it’s fully on track.”

Since news of the merchant guild’s successful crossing had spread, countless letters had flooded into Mabel. Merchants from all over the country were reaching out, requesting permission to use the land route.

Drane decided to set up toll booths at the starting and ending points of the mountain path. With an increasing number of merchants expected to use the route, a more systematic approach was necessary.

“You’ve worked hard, Drane.”

Elaina spoke sincerely to Drane. From the moment they had first been introduced, she had known he would become indispensable to Lyle. However, she hadn’t realized just how competent he truly was.

Despite his weary face, Drane smiled gently.

If anyone owed gratitude, it was Drane, not Elaina. Without her, he would have led a small, insignificant life, merely managing a minor guild. Instead, he now played a pivotal role in shaping Mabel’s future.

“Have a safe journey, Your Grace. The next time you visit, you’ll be amazed by how much Mabel has changed.”

Drane’s confident words brought a smile to Elaina’s face, and she nodded.

The people of Mabel showered Lyle and Elaina with flower petals as they departed. Behind their carriage, the Grant knights, mounted on horseback, followed in formation.

With Mabel now secure, the knights had little to do there. They, too, would return to the capital, escorting Lyle along the way.

Inside the carriage, Elaina gazed out the window at the receding view of Mabel.

“The transformation is incredible, isn’t it? Drane is truly remarkable.”

Lyle agreed with Elaina’s words.

“He’s the most valuable gift you’ve given me.”

For Lyle, who had once possessed nothing, the support of the Winchester family had been like rain on parched land, and Drane was the seed planted in that soil.

Without Drane, Lyle might never have considered coexistence with monsters. As the only person aside from Elaina who could communicate with the dragon, Drane was essential not just to Lyle but to the entire northern region.

“When things settle down, I plan to entrust Mabel to Drane.”

Elaina blinked in surprise at Lyle’s declaration.

“Why are you surprised? Isn’t it an obvious decision?”

“No, I expected it. I’m just surprised you made the decision so quickly.”

“We’ll need the Emperor’s approval, of course, but granting him an appropriate title shouldn’t be an issue.”

Due to its geographical characteristics, the North was regarded as semi-autonomous within the Empire. The Grant family had been bestowed the title of Archduke precisely because of this.

In reality, although it was unlikely to happen, the title of Archduke included the authority to establish an archduchy. Thus, awarding a title to a vassal managing one’s territory was also within the realm of possibility.

“That’s a great idea.”

Elaina nodded in agreement.

“The Grant family needs more talented individuals.”

For the Grant family, now rising again, individuals like Drane were indispensable—not merely to elevate the family’s prestige but to restore the North itself.

The North had long been plagued by famine. The vassals managing the territories under the previous Archduke had done their best, but the Marquis of Redwood cared only about the taxes from the lands. In such neglect, there was little the lords could achieve through effort alone.

As the saying goes, rumors travel the farthest without legs. Lyle’s bold decision to appoint Drane would quickly become widely known. As a result, others with abilities comparable to Drane’s, who had been forced to stifle their ambitions due to their humble origins, would come to Lyle willingly.

“The North will change even more.”

Elaina spoke with conviction. Just look at the transformation Drane had brought to Mabel. Under the name of the Grant family, the North would once again see a glorious era.

“If you say so, then it will happen.”

Lyle murmured in agreement. From the first time he met her until now, Elaina’s words had never been wrong.

“By the way, have you ever met the lord of Pendita? I’ve heard a brief explanation, but I’m curious about what kind of person he is.”

“Well… it was a very long time ago, so I don’t remember clearly, but I vaguely recall that he was an enormous man.”

Shawd Dewiran.

A face flashed dimly in his mind, like a shadow in a thick mist—the face of the bear-like giant who had joyfully greeted Lyle and his father during their visit to the North.

“I doubt he remembers me either. It was such a long time ago.”

Life before the war felt like a distant dream. Lyle assumed the people of Pendita would feel the same. Closing his eyes, he reflected on the past.

After some time had passed, the carriage finally arrived in Pendita. Escorting Elaina as she stepped down, Lyle heard a booming voice.

“I greet Your Grace, the Archduke!”

Startled by the thunderous voice, Elaina lifted her head.

Standing there was a massive man, his large frame upright despite his advanced age.