The Female Lead Takes Care of Everything - Chapter 72

“Ahhh!”

The evil dragon Ather screamed when he saw Nivellia barge in without warning.

“…”

“…”

Aref and Soles were at a loss for words and froze on the spot, but Nivellia marched straight in.

She grabbed a patch of scales on the back of Ather’s neck, which seemed to be the closest thing to his hair.

“Squawk!”

“Ather! You’re a dragon, right?”

“Kugh! Y-yes, I am…”

“I heard dragons are super smart. Is that true?”

Ather’s eyes sparkled.

“For once, you’re actually saying something that makes sense.”

He shook off Nivellia’s hand and gave his body a sharp shake.

“Yes, I am the last remaining dragon on this land. I am Ather, the evil dragon who inherited the memories and knowledge of those before me. There is very little I do not know.”

“Then do you know where the Magic Stone is?”

Nivellia asked directly.

“Give me the Magic Stone!”

“Did you leave it with me or something? You sure don’t hold back.”

“D-do you really know where the Magic Stone is?”

Soles approached and asked cautiously.

Ather hummed thoughtfully and looked over the children with a meaningful gaze.

“I do.”

Hope appeared on their faces.

“But I can’t just tell you for free.”

Ather flicked his long tongue.

“A dragon’s knowledge can turn a mortal into an immortal. It can raise a worm from the ground and turn it into a hero who flies across the sky.”

“Nini doesn’t want to be a hero.”

“…That’s not what I meant.”

Ather, who had been trying to set the mood for once, lost his momentum.

“What I mean is, if you want my help, you have to give something in return. Nothing in this world is free. You understand that, right?”

“But you’re living in our house for free.”

“It’s not free.”

Ather pointed to a part of his body covered in scales.

One area had fewer scales than the rest.

“I sacrificed my own scales to protect you.”

“Nini never asked you to do that…”

“Even if you didn’t, it still matters. Armiphera asked me to protect you, and I’m doing even more than that now.”

“Then get paid by my aunt.”

“I already did. She got me out of Latro.”

His thick tail swayed happily.

“And I’m working on something else, too.”

“What is it?”

“That’s a secret.”

With a smug grin, Ather looked, for the first time, truly like an evil dragon.

Angry, Nivellia smacked the back of his head with her palm.

“Ow!”

Ather fell over with a cry, but no one tried to help him.

Meanwhile

“…”

“…”

Soles exchanged a look with Aref.

Then Aref lowered his head and whispered sadly.

“I thought evil dragons were supposed to be really cool and impressive…”

“Maybe we expected too much. What if he doesn’t actually know anything? Maybe he’s just a lizard with wings.”

“A heroic dragon who saves people, like a prince…”

“Aref, don’t be too sad. That thing is just a lizard pervert who likes wearing costumes. He’s not the great evil dragon everyone talked about.”

The two boys hugged each other in disappointment.

“Hmph…”

Feeling sad too, Nivellia wrapped her arms around them both.

“It’s okay. Even without the evil dragon, Nini will find the Magic Stone!”

“Nini!”

“My lady…”

The three of them hugged tightly, united in determination.

Ather watched them silently and snorted through his nose.

“Nice try, kids.”

Tsk.

Soles and Aref clicked their tongues in frustration.

“Huh? What? What’s going on?”

Nivellia blinked, confused.

“Well, it’s not like I won’t help you at all.”

Ather strolled over lazily.

Like a well-fed cat searching for a sunny spot to nap, he moved slowly and surrounded the children within his steps.

“I actually kind of like you all. And I like Deiamor in my own way.”

Maybe, if he helped them, he could restore the memories twisted by something strange. Maybe he could rediscover who he truly was.

“We like you too, evil dragon. If you help us, we’ll like you even more.”

Especially this bold little saint.

Ather could see it clearly in her.

There was a trace of divine power left behind.

If that trace was real, then Nivellia had the potential to surpass even her grandmother, Muniel, as a saint.

But right now, there was nothing in her body.

Only a faint presence remained, like a drop of water clinging to the ladle that once fetched water from the well.

It barely qualified as divine power.

That level of divine power was commonly seen even in ordinary people.

Actually, the maids taking care of that bold girl had even stronger divine power. But why were they still working as maids?

Their strength was nearly equal to that of mid-level priests.

Still, the evil dragon Ather had high hopes for Nivellia.

This girl might be the key to solving everything.

Ather’s eyes sparkled.

“What will you give me in return?”

Nivellia’s blue eyes blinked slowly.

“If you want the help of the last dragon on earth, who holds the wisdom to change fate, then offer something that will win my favor.”

“Hey,” Nivellia asked.

“Can I get a discount?”

“…”

“It’s called a friends-and-family discount. I learned it when I went to the department store with Mom. Since we know each other, you can give me a deal, right?”

“…You really are shameless.”

Lately, Deter had been dealing with stomach pain.

And she wasn’t the only one.

Everyone working at the Deiamor estate had been suffering, headaches, toothaches, stomachaches, backaches, and all kinds of other aches.

There was only one cause behind it all.

My money…

Their savings, all entrusted to Petra Bank.

That cursed pig with the mustache. If she ever saw him again, she might just skin him and roast him over a fire.

The well-hidden dagger under her skirt seemed to cry out.

Calm down, dagger. I swore I’d only use you if the young lady’s life was in danger. I made that promise when I left the Holy Knights.

But the dagger seemed to shake its imaginary head.

No, Mistress. Please soak me in that pest’s blood. Soak me beautifully.

Come on, not now…

Barely managing to stay calm, Deter soon found herself standing in front of Nivellia’s room.

Before opening the door, she gently rubbed her cheeks with both hands.

With the recent tension in the house, even the young lady and the young masters were being careful not to cause trouble.

Her own issues were personal. She couldn’t let the children notice anything.

Okay. Deep breath.

Putting on a gentle smile, Deter walked inside.

“Young lady. Young masters—”

And froze on the spot.

“Ooh, this one looks pretty good. What do you think?”

“No, not that one! Try this! It’s way more stylish!”

“You’ve got a good sense of fashion for a brat. Fine, I’ll take this one and that one. And pin that golden brooch on my hat, right now.”

“Retty knows this kind of thing better. Should I call her next time?”

Nivellia’s room was a complete mess, with dresses and accessories scattered everywhere.

It looked like a burglar had turned the place upside down.

Right in the middle of it all stood a full-length mirror someone had brought in, and around it were the children and Ather.

More specifically, they were playing dress-up, picking outfits for Ather.

The dragon stood in front of the mirror, proudly admiring himself in Nivellia’s clothes and accessories.

“…”

Deter had no idea what she was looking at.

“Deter.”

Soles suddenly appeared beside her and gestured for her to listen closely.

“It’s okay. We’re protecting the Empire right now.”

“A dragon in a little girl’s dress with a grown man’s voice—doesn’t that seem wrong to you?”

“I asked about that too. Ather said he hasn’t chosen a gender yet.”

That deep voice was just him mimicking the most common accent used in the mercenary lands.

“But what does protecting the Empire even mean?”

Soles smiled brightly.

“It means we’re protecting your and the other staff’s life savings.”

Deter was so touched she had to cover her mouth.

“But it’s going to take a while.”

“How long are we talking?” she asked.

Soles thought for a moment, calculating.

“Maybe… next spring?”

The autumn leaves had started falling, painting the ground in shades of red and gold.

By the time the Pelea Trading Company reached Western Latro, the trees were already halfway bare.

“We should pick up the pace on the way back.”

One of the staff members said this while inspecting a freshly purchased batch of stone mushrooms.

This winter was expected to be colder and arrive sooner than usual. Late autumn had already settled in.

Any delay might mean arriving at the capital later than planned due to the cold.

While the trading company’s staff moved busily around the camp…

“That’s all. Any questions?”

Armiphera had already contacted each regional mercenary leader and was now holding a secret meeting.

They were here to discuss how to revive the struggling mercenary industry.

After hearing Armiphera’s proposal, the mercenaries looked uncertain.

Some didn’t seem convinced. Others stayed quiet, calculating potential gains and risks.

“Panthera.”

Someone called out Armiphera’s old mercenary name.

“Is this really doable?”

“It is,” she replied confidently.

“But…”

Another voice murmured, clearly uncomfortable.

“Turning mercenaries into a business…?”

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