Too Lazy to be a Villainess novel Chapter 318

Chapter 318: The Child Who Hunts Kings

[Lavinia’s POV—Outside the Black Wall Fortress—Continuation]

The wind was colder today, Sharper and Less forgiving. As if even the air god had finally decided he no longer wished to comfort anyone in this cursed war.

The moment I stepped past the fortress gates, the noise hit me like a crashing tide—Screaming. Shoving. Grain sacks tearing open like burst veins.

The villagers—skinny, ragged, hollow-eyed—were clawing at each other in the mud for a single sack of rations.

One man slammed another to the ground. A woman ripped food from a child’s hands. Two young men punched each other until blood dripped onto the frost.

My jaw clenched.

"SEIZE EVERY ONE OF THEM!!!"

My roar echoed across the field.

Soldiers rushed forward at once, pulling the villagers apart with brutal efficiency. The moment those starving people saw me—blood-stained cloak, cold crimson eyes—they froze mid-fight, But the desperation... It still burned in their eyes.

Sir Haldor reached me and bowed. "Your Highness, according to reports, they were left starving for months while the Meren soldiers controlled this region. They barely got any rations. Fear and hunger... have turned them wild."

I stepped toward them slowly.

Dozens of villagers—men, women, and children—kneeling in the mud, shivering, some clutching empty sacks, some crying silently. Many are too weak to even lift their heads.

Pathetic. And heartbreaking.

But I didn’t show that.

I let my voice fall calm and cruel.

"It’s pitiful, truly..." I said, pacing before them, my boots splashing in the muddy grain. "You have endured so much under Meren’s rule. Starvation. Abuse. Neglect."

Some lowered their heads, ashamed.

"But now—" my voice sharpened, slicing the air, "—this territory belongs to Eloria."

Their breaths hitched.

"And if you dare fight each other like animals for food..." I stopped in front of a young man still panting from the brawl. My shadow swallowed him whole. "...I will have no choice but to kill every one of you myself."

A ripple of terror ran through the crowd.

Some cried. Some clutched their children tighter. Some pressed their foreheads into the dirt.

"Have mercy... Empress... have mercy," they begged.

I exhaled—a slow, disappointed breath.

"You will all receive rations," I said. "Every day, until the war ends and the land stabilizes. I don’t give my people empty promises."

Their trembling eased slightly.

"So there is no need to steal. No need to fight. No need to disgrace yourselves any further. Understood?"

"Yes, Your Highness! Yes—!"

"My soldiers risked their lives escorting these grains," I continued, cold and controlled. "We shed blood to protect this land. And you repay that by acting like bandits?"

No one dared speak.

My voice dropped to icy frost. "If anyone lays a hand on grain that does not belong to them—" I lifted my sword just a fraction. "—I will personally handle the punishment."

A violent shiver went through all of them.

I scanned the kneeling crowd. "Who managed law and order here before this land fell?"

A thin old man stood up slowly, clutching his cane, trembling. "I... I was the village chief, Your Highness."

I stepped toward him.

"Then continue managing it," I said. "But now under my rule. Not Meren’s. And certainly not chaos."

His knees buckled, but he nodded rapidly. "Y-Yes, Your Highness... I will maintain order. I swear it."

"See that you do," I said coldly. "If I hear even a whisper of unrest—" I leaned down, meeting his terrified eyes. "—it will not end well."

He swallowed hard. "I... understand."

I turned to Haldor.

"Begin distributing rations again. Slowly. Fairly. No one leaves without their share."

"Yes, Your Highness." His hand rose to his heart in salute.

"And place soldiers around the boundary," I added. "No one enters. No one leaves. Not until order is restored."

"Immediately, Your Highness."

As Haldor strode off shouting commands, I looked at the villagers one last time—huddled, shaking, exhausted, broken.

I wasn’t their hero. I didn’t need to be. But I would be their ruler. Whether through fear... Or through stability.

Preferably both.

As I stepped back toward my commanders, I found both General Arwin and Sir Haldor staring at me with the exact same expression:

Proud. Too proud. Suspiciously proud. I raised a brow. "...What’s wrong with you two?"

Arwin cleared his throat, failing—miserably—to hide a grin.

"Your Highness," he said, voice far too earnest, "you are... very attractive when you are a tyrant and gentle at the same time."

I blinked.

Once.

Twice.

Then stared at him like he had grown a second head. Behind him, Haldor looked away quickly—ears slightly red.

"Pfft—!"

The laugh escaped me before I could stop it. I walked past them, flicking my cloak dramatically just because I could. "Saying nonsense won’t get you extra wages, General Arwin."

He placed a hand over his heart, deeply offended. "Then... did I fail?"

"Very badly," I said, smirking. "Tragic performance."

"I shall practice more, Your Highness," he said solemnly, as if this was a matter of national importance.

Haldor coughed to hide a laugh. The tense morning cracked just a little—enough for a sliver of warmth to slip through.

I exhaled softly. "Alright, We leave for the Eastern Region," I continued. "Select a few trusted colonels to remain here. The villagers need order and protection."

Arwin nodded sharply. "Already prepared, Your Highness."

"Good." I stepped toward my horse, Marshi padding behind me in silent, regal stride. "We move as soon as the last ration is delivered."

"As you command, Your Highness," they echoed.

The wind cut across the valley—cold, sharp, and ready.

Just like that...We moved toward the Eastern Region.

Where Meren’s spine waited to be broken.

***

[Meren Kingdom Capital City—Imperial Palace of Meren]

The soldier pushed the door open and entered. There, sitting atop a carved throne far too large for his small frame, was Prince Kaelren.

SWISH—THUNK!

THUD.

"Someone."

***

[Later]

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