Reincarnated as the Hated Villainous Prince, I Thought I Could Live Freely in This Life, but Unconsciously Acted Like a Saint ~Trying to Create an Evil Kingdom, but for Some Reason I'm Highly Respected by Everyone~ - Chapter 25

“Hou…?”

After the light from the World Tree’s Dewdrop enveloped me, I instinctively opened my eyes wide.

Truly a cheat-class item.

The burning pain I had felt all over my body until just moments ago was completely gone.

I recall that in the game from my previous life, this was a rare item you’d be lucky to obtain once in a yearly event.

To think they would generously use such an item for me… Kukkukku, it seems even Queen Clophe is quite devoted to me.

This surely means my kingdom building is steadily progressing.

“How are you…? The extent of your injuries…”

To the anxious Queen Clophe, I gave a wry smile and responded.

“Ah, no problem at all. I’ve fully recovered.”

“Yay…!”

Not just Queen Clophe.

My response caused Sword Emperor Mirua, Rofemia, and even the other elves to rejoice immensely.

Some elves even started hugging each other or doing high-fives.

“I’m glad, so glad…! If Esmeralda-sama is safe, that’s all we need…!”

“Esmeralda-sama…”

Kukukuku, as expected, the elves are incredibly infatuated with me.

There was a close call on whether I’d survive the Blood Death Dragon’s flame breath, but all’s well that ends well, I suppose.

A true villain must be decisive in such moments.

“Well then…”

After everyone had their fill of joy, Queen Clophe, surveying the elves, spoke.

“I apologize for the inconvenience, but could everyone except Rofemia and Mirua-san please step outside? I have an important matter to discuss with Esmeralda-sama.”

…Oh, what’s happening for such formality?

Could it be that they’ve figured out my true intentions?

That my rescue of the elf child was all to gain control over the elves’ hearts?

Following the queen’s request, the elves nodded and began to leave the room one by one.

Of course, except for Mirua and Rofemia.

“I’m terribly sorry, Esmeralda-sama. Offering the World Tree’s Dewdrop to heal your wounds, and now summoning you, whom we dearly admire, to the royal castle like this―it’s an outrageously disrespectful act. It’s an action worthy of the harshest punishment.”

“…”

Correction, my conspiracy was entirely undetected.

What a relief, Queen, really.

“So… what might be the matter? It seems to be no small issue…”

“Yes, you are correct.”

Queen Clophe cleared her throat and looked at me with an earnest expression.

“―This is about nothing less but asking Esmeralda-sama to govern the Elf Kingdom.”

“…Ha?”

“Of course, I will continue to handle the minutiae of national administration. However, for major decisions that shake the nation’s core, we would like to seek Esmeralda-sama’s judgment… Literally having Esmeralda-sama ‘govern’.”

“…”

Hey hey hey.

This is surprising.

I hadn’t even proposed it, and yet it seems the Elf Kingdom will wholly become mine.

“I felt it. Esmeralda-sama is not only intelligent. You possess a sense of justice that would risk your life to protect the people. You hold firmly to what I had almost forgotten.”

“Yes, exactly that…!”

Perhaps resonating with that, Mirua deeply nodded.

“Of course, asking for your governance means you will have more authority than I do. …How do you feel about this?”

“Authority beyond the queen…”

I remembered.

When I stepped into the Elf Kingdom, I saw many elves with large breasts.

And they were all cute, too.

“…I can really do as I like?”

“Yes! We believe Esmeralda-sama will surely lead the Elf Kingdom in a good direction!”

Kukkukku, this queen knows nothing.

I am the Evil Emperor, Esmeralda Dia Vefeld.

Up until now, the elves liking me was all part of my scheme.

Yet they’re willingly handing over an entire country to me…

“I’ll ask one more time. Are you really okay with it?”

“Yes, of course! Because we absolutely absolutely absolutely absolutely absolutely absolutely absolutely absolutely trust Esmeralda-sama!”

“Kuku… Very well. If that’s what you say, I shall accept.”

“Thank you!!!”

Saying so, Queen Clophe actually bowed deeply in front of me.

Normally, this would be a bizarre scene―but now, I stand in a position above that of the queen.

…Kukkukku, how amusing.

Having lived such a trashy life in my previous existence, I’m going to live this one exactly as I please.