I Became the Narrow-Eyed Villain in a Dropped Novel

When the Eight Council meeting approached, the busiest department was the Strategy Division.

After all, it was the Strategy Division's job to collect and synthesize the requests of the whimsical and stubborn higher-ups and present them at the meeting.

Still, until last year, there were often only two or three attendees, so the workload didn't increase that much, but this year was different.

At the rumor that Count Valheit had returned, even those who usually attended sporadically announced their intention to participate.

“…With the exception of Professor Zain, who has stated his non-attendance due to his research schedule, and the Commander, who we cannot contact, everyone has expressed their intention to attend.”

At Doruga's report, even the great Count Valheit responded with a small sigh.

It was indeed dizzying to think about what six people would say when they gathered.

“Did everyone send the proposal documents I asked for in advance?”

“Miss Regina, the Duke's representative, and Mr. Cesare have sent them, and the rest….”

“Cleanly ignored me? I understand. It's not like I didn't expect it.”

“Ah, Professor Zain did send one. He just sent four words, though: Research funds.”

“How like the professor.”

Valheit sneered and straightened his posture.

“It can't be helped since it has been managed like a mess until now. Ah, I'm not just blaming you.”

It meant he was planning to blame him.

I couldn't really refute it, so I kept quiet.

“What's the point of bringing up the past. Isn't it enough to do it right from now on? Properly, I mean.”

“Yep.”

“I made it clear that I would give priority to those who submitted proposals, so let's deal with the two who sent them first.”

Valheit pulled out the thick proposal sent by Cesare from the heaping pile of paper.

“The content is long, but to summarize, it says that more manpower and support are needed to send the resources that the others have requested.”

Doruga quickly summarized the contents.

The resources of the North certainly had high potential, but due to the Federation's harsh nature and poor political and economic situation, they hadn't received much attention until now.

Development was only just beginning to proceed now that Cesare had taken control of the underworld.

Therefore, it was ridiculously insufficient to meet the demands of the other members.

“Considering the money Cesare is making, he's probably not asking for money.”

“Yes. He says that professional manpower and technical support are the most urgent. There is also a shortage of manpower for simple labor, and the roads need to be maintained.”

“We can request equipment and technology from Professor Zain, and ask Avantnik for manpower.”

“Will those two give them up so easily?”

Both are used to receiving but are stingy when it comes to giving.

When the Commander was around, it was somehow mediated, but since the Commander's whereabouts became unknown, mutual cooperation had almost disappeared.

“Isn't making them do it the reason we hold the Eight Council meeting? Was there anything else?”

“Ah, yes. He says that since the slave incident last time, he has purged a significant number of the barons who were up to no good, so there are no major problems.”

“Good news.”

Valheit smiled brightly.

It wasn't his usual irritating smile, but a natural and comfortable one.

That unexpected side of him did not last long.

Doruga quickly prepared the next report, following Valheit who had already moved on.

“Leitche has once again brought the northern pioneering and the reorganization of the Raven organization as their agenda. The Raven problem can be dealt with as usual, but the pioneering is….”

“They must have started to encroach on the Demon's territory by now.”

“Uh, yes, that's right. How did you know? That was something they left out of their proposal.”

“Let's just say I have my ways.”

I didn't bother to ask how.

Having worked at the headquarters for a long time, I had learned that there are some things in the world that are better left unknown.

“If we leave it as it is, it will become a problem that makes the dispute between Vestol and Charnirasho look trivial. Above all, there's no way Avantnik would stand by and watch them invade the Demon territory.”

“Even though Charnirasho and the pioneering lands are far apart?”

“Just know that it is so.”

This time too, I decided to back down without a word.

If it were last year, I would have had to find out somehow since I would have been in charge of the meeting, but this year was different.

Since Count Valheit had decided to preside over the meeting himself, he just had to be faithful to his role as an assistant.

“Do you have any agenda items to raise regarding the Empire?”

I asked cautiously.

Since the Eslick Empire was a region that Valheit was personally in charge of, it was faster to ask him directly.

“If I did, I would have sent a proposal. The reason I didn't send one is because there's nothing special going on.”

“I understand. We will end the preliminary discussion here. The rest will pop up all over the place in the meeting room anyway.”

The Eight Council meetings had always had much more, and more important, things to talk about after they gathered.

I had asked them to submit proposals to try and change that, but how could it change all at once.

“Good. Please go in first. I have someone to meet. Miss Regina, you may come in.”

When I turned my head, Regina, with a raven on her shoulder, opened the door and came in.

Doruga quickly gathered the documents and left the study.

If you get caught eavesdropping on the stories of the higher-ups, it won't end with a reprimand.

Especially if the Count is involved in that story.

This too was a lesson learned from experience.

***

Preparing for the Eight Council meeting was not as difficult as I thought.

There were many things I could only know after they came and spoke, but a bigger reason was that I had dealt with the troublesome issues of the Northern Federation and the Empire in advance.

Normally, Cesare would have been busy dealing with Noah, and the Empire would have been bursting with the Dukes' complaints due to the foolish emperor, but for now, there were no major problems.

It would have been nice if it had flowed smoothly like that….

As expected, it wasn't that easy.

“Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule, Your Excellency.”

“If you know that, let's get straight to the point. No, before that, that raven, can't you leave it outside?”

The large raven sitting on Regina's shoulder tilted its head as if it understood that we were talking about it.

“That would be difficult.”

“What are you going to do if it poops or something?”

“Pfft, it will be fine. Probably.”

Although her voice wasn't very confident, she maintained a firm appearance as much as possible.

When she stretched out her arm, the raven hopped onto the table.

“The reason I have come at this precious dinner time is because there is someone who wishes to speak with you, Count Valheit.”

“Is that person this raven?”

“Then is there anyone else in this room?”

A slightly high-toned male voice was heard.

I looked around, but there was no one else.

So that means the sound came from this raven.

“Have you forgotten my voice since it's been so long? It's me, Schultz.”

The raven let out a loud caw as a sign of protest.

I roughly grasped the situation and played along.

“It's been a very long time, Duke of Leitche.”

“Hey why so formal. This isn't an official setting, and I'm not here to talk about anything official, so just relax.”

As the raven flapped its right wing, a few feathers fluttered.

Is its behavior also linked, not just its voice?

“I have already received the proposal through Miss Regina.”

“I told you I'm not here to talk about official business. Well, since we're on the topic, you'll handle it well, right? Huh?”

“There will be no problem with the matters related to the Raven. However, I must say the pioneering issue is a bit concerning.”

“Why is the document format wrong or something? My daughter can make mistakes! You're so harsh!”

“There were no mistakes. The problem is the content.”

“…Well, talk to my daughter about the complicated stuff. That's why I put her in that position. Shall we move on to a more private conversation?”

The raven, having changed the subject, shook its head restlessly.

As someone who knew a fight with the Demons would break out because of the pioneering project, I didn't like the Duke's attitude, but if he didn't want to talk about it, there was nothing I could do.

“What made you decide to contact me directly?”

“The Count is back after a long time, so I should at least say hello! Of course, that's secondary.”

“Could you please get to the point. It's almost dinner time.”

The raven was silent for a moment, but soon it let out a cheerful voice again.

“You're as boring as ever. Alright, then let's get to the point. Kaseph has started to suspect you.”

“Was there ever a time he didn't?”

“No, not that kind of suspicion, a more fundamental suspicion.”

A fundamental suspicion.

I didn't understand what he was talking about.

Regina seemed to feel the same way and frowned.

“He said that you have changed. Not just that you've changed over time, but that you're completely different. As if you've been swapped out.”

A cackling laugh mixed with a caw, creating a bizarre sound.

Stay calm.

If I get flustered here, I'll be found out.

“That's nonsense worthy of Kaseph.”

“Right? I was about to dismiss it as bullshit too, but he begged and pleaded, so I rashly said I would help him!”

“What will you do if a great Duke like yourself makes promises so recklessly.”

I lightly ridiculed him as usual.

Regardless, the jet-black eyes of the raven scanned me from head to toe.

There's no need to be nervous.

This body is definitely Valheit's.

There is no evidence anywhere that someone has possessed it.

The raven, which had been rolling its eyes for a while, gave up and let out a caw.

“Well, I didn't just say I'd help, I added a condition that I'd help if there was proof. I contacted you just in case, but it seems Count Valheit hasn't gone anywhere.”

“Is that all? Did you use such a complicated method just to say hello?”

“Uh, pretty much. Don't be too disappointed. I brought some information that the Count might find interesting.”

The raven, lowering its head as far as it could, spoke as if whispering.

“I found a trace of the Saintess.”

“You mean the Commander?”

“Yeah! Aren't you surprised?”

Looking at the raven, who proudly lifted its head, I fell into thought for a moment.

Since I had already met Anat twice, it wasn't very surprising news.

If I react too calmly, it's like I'm blabbing that I know the Commander's whereabouts, and if I react dramatically, the difference from the original Valheit will stand out even more.

“Is the information certain?”

“I'm telling you this because it's not certain. I just found a small clue. But it's better than nothing, right?”

“Can't you investigate using the Raven?”

“The Raven is strictly an organization of the Grand Duchy. It's difficult to use it openly for something like this.”

“Please investigate as quickly as possible and inform me of the results. The next time you contact me, there must be some progress.”

“Oh my, so scary. Alright. I have nothing more to say now, so I'm leaving.”

As soon as its words ended, the raven returned to Regina's shoulder and quietly shut its mouth.

It was so quiet that it was doubtful if it was the same raven that had been chattering away just a moment ago.

“Then I will be on my way.”

“The story you just heard….”

“Yes, I will absolutely not speak of it. I know that much.”

Regina, who bowed politely and was leaving, flinched at the door.

After a moment of thought, she looked at me as if she had made up her mind.

“I heard that the Count becomes emotional whenever the Commander is mentioned but it seems that's not necessarily the case.”

“Doesn't it depend on the time and the situation?”

“Yes, well then, I will be on my way.”

I counted to 10 in my head after hearing the door close.

After those 10 seconds passed, the smile I had barely maintained disappeared.

“Damn bastard. It was a fishing trip.”