I’m the Main Villain but the Heroines Are Obsessed With Me

36 – 17. Bring the money right now!

“I have great expectations for today’s event. Please do your best.”

“I’ve done my best. It’s an honor to show it to the prince.”

“hahahaha, this person…”

Ian carefully accepted the hand that Bedon extended and shook it.

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In fact, from Ian’s perspective, Bedon was not someone he could easily welcome.

“Bedon Arcana is a competitor for Erzebeth and the throne.”

From Ian’s perspective, who had a close relationship with Erzebeth, Bedon was a rather uncomfortable presence.

“Of course, he can’t compete with Erzebeth in terms of skill. Originally, it was the first prince, who was the best, who left for Edenia as a top disciple after saying that he would become a teacher, so Bedon, who got a chance, came.”

The actual ability was a step ahead on Erzabeth’s side. How could someone like Bedon compete with Erzabeth?

The reason was simple.

It was because Ariel supported Bedon.

“My father showed support for Erzabeth, but Ariel didn’t.”

Ariel had clashed with Erzabeth from their first meeting, and from then on, she had shown an attitude supporting Bedon.

The empire’s one and only hero supporting Bedon? It wasn’t a situation that could be easily ignored.

“She’s a hero, a hero. She’s practically a living treasure of the empire. Her support is nothing short of a golden opportunity for Bedon.”

The people supporting Bedon were marginalized nobles from the border regions or ignorant commoners.

Because that alone was not enough for him to seize the throne, Bedon needed to somehow gain the support of influential individuals.

That’s when Ariel appeared.

If Ariel successfully thwarted the imperial succession, it could completely change the game.

“The reason Bedon held on stubbornly even when he was far behind was that.”

If the Hero Party succeeds, the nobles supporting Erzabeth would become inconsequential.

Of course, they experienced a failure once, but it wasn’t a complete failure, so Bedon continued to compete to the end.

He also had a busy life, handling imperial duties and attending events on behalf of the emperor. He even participated in the ceremony of the New Life Day, representing the emperor.

“This must be part of his strategy.”

New Life Day was an event commemorating the achievements of the empire’s hero, Alex. Being there as the emperor’s representative could show the nobles that he was still alive.

In any case, Bedon’s arrival wasn’t good news for Ian.

He supported Erzabeth while also being the cause of the Hero Party’s failure.

We can’t know his true intentions, but he probably had a negative perception of Ian.

“There’s a need to keep an eye on him.”

Ian watched Bedon’s departing figure as he left calmly.

***

“Next, we will make a vow for the spirits of the homeland. Let’s all make the vow together.”

Although he expected Bedon to nitpick every detail, Bedon surprisingly participated in the event quietly.

Ian felt a slight tension looking at Bedon, who had his head bowed and eyes closed.

“Has something troubled him?”

Perhaps he had been busy with recent affairs, causing him to be on edge. The term “human paranoia” suited him better.

Even the once-great family, on the brink of collapse, and the Gashin with no proper men left, all were a part of it.

Working with such people, wouldn’t one’s nerves become sharper and unable to relax?

I also worried that they might not handle the tasks at the event properly.

Fortunately, the worrying turned out to be unnecessary.

“I was worried about the lazy ones. But strangely, they are doing a good job.”

So far, the handling of the tasks by the lazy ones has been smooth to the extent that one would wonder why they hadn’t been like this before.

It’s a good thing…. To think that they are finally taking their work seriously and handling it properly….

However, doubts began to creep back in, as usual.

“They are not such troublesome individuals for no reason.”

Of course, it’s not entirely impossible to change one’s mindset.

At first, they arrogantly took on the tasks without knowing anything. But later on, they might actually try to handle the tasks properly, thinking, “Hmm, they seem competent enough.”

However, in Ian’s eyes, it didn’t seem like the lazy ones had changed their mindset.

“If they really wanted to change, they should have started when I started making money with potatoes.”

Those who were mocking me when I achieved miracles with potato farming now suddenly want to change their mindset? Anyone would think they were being hypocrites, right?

It wasn’t just Ian who had such thoughts. Rhea also had the same thoughts.

“…Ian, there seems to be something going on.”

“Yeah, it seems so.”

Since Jorye couldn’t read their minds, he didn’t know what they were thinking.

However, considering their attitudes, he could make some guesswork.

“Are they trying to embarrass me by blowing up the event? They used unexpected methods.”

They chose to act cunningly instead of openly criticizing.

By pretending to fully support the Festival of Divine Punishment, they were giving Ian good things, but it wasn’t just that. They were clearly gaining something.

“This way, they can greatly emphasize the flaws in the event.”

If they promote it using any means necessary, people will naturally have high expectations.

But what if the preparation for the event is inadequate when it’s actually put on display?

Wouldn’t that be a huge embarrassment?

“They are probably aiming for that. If the flaws are clearly exposed, they will criticize and condemn them.”

Usually, if an event fails, Gaju and Gashin would be blamed, but if the lazy ones work hard and show their dedication, all the blame will fall on Ian.

“They are probably planning to make remarks that cast doubt on his ability. It’s a way to increase the pressure on him under the guise of friendship.”

This is truly a despicable and unparalleled method. It’s hard to say that it outwardly appears to have done a good job.

Unfortunately, they find themselves in a pitiable situation. If any flaws in the event become apparent, they will be the ones to bear all the blame.

However, Ian didn’t seem to be bothered by it.

“Getting scolded like that is just part of the story if this event fails.”

If they were properly prepared, it might even be to their advantage.

Ian looked at Ria with a sly smile.

“Is everything ready, Ria?”

“Yes. All the reference materials for our feasts are complete, and Erri has thoroughly checked all the minor preparations. As for the equipment, it’s better left unsaid. The skills of our family’s blacksmiths are solid.”

Ria, with a cheeky smile, continued to speak.

“The biggest challenge was setting up the arena. Fortunately, we had an arena previously used in the Colosseum in our family’s warehouse. We were able to modify and install it in time, and it’s sturdy, so there shouldn’t be any problems.”

“I thought it had already disappeared, but it’s still here.”

“hehehehe. Our father has a hobby of collecting antiques. Even if they seem useless on the surface, they can serve as inspiration for art or something like that. So, he has quite a lot of things piled up in the warehouse. I told him I would take care of clearing the space.”

Even if it’s your own child, it’s not easy to take things that the head of the family has stored.

Ria’s father, Count Hest, is a well-known figure in the Empire, known as a child-obsessed person.

But if it’s a request from Ria, the youngest and most beloved, he couldn’t refuse.

Thinking of her father, Ria suddenly flashed her eyes as if she had remembered something.

“Oh, that’s right! Our father is also showing quite an interest in this tournament! If he plans to continue, he wants to sign a sponsorship contract for the equipment.”

“In that case, we must do our best to finish this tournament well so that we can continue with the tournament.”

Responding positively to Ria’s suggestion, Ian looked around.

The dimly lit dome arena.

The nobles sitting there were engaged in various conversations.

“Will the knights appear again this time to demonstrate their swordsmanship? The reason for doing it in this dome shape is probably because they received criticism about the weather last time.”

“But this time, they didn’t make any grand promises. Maybe there will be a new event, so let’s wait and see.”

Nobles thinking about what lies ahead. However, Bedon remained silent, focusing his gaze on the center rather than raising his expectations based on the words of others.

It seemed that he intended to experience the new event prepared by Volkanoth as it was, rather than let other people’s words make him unnecessarily hopeful.

Bedon started to move when the stones on the ceiling began to glow.

Chwajajak!

The luminescent stones hanging from the ceiling began to emit light in unison.

“Wow… What on earth is this…?”

As the majestic night sky appeared overhead, those inside the dome all let out a simultaneous exclamation.

Of course, it was artificially created, but it was so intricate that it felt like a real night sky had been transferred to it.

And what revealed itself was not just the night sky.

The ring where the competition would begin. It also revealed its appearance.

As the lights converged on the ring and began to illuminate it, Shulkin, dressed neatly in a suit, stood on the ring.

“Thank you for waiting patiently. Now, let us begin the final event of this divine festival, the Danoto.”

“Danoto?”

As soon as Shulkin finished speaking, the dome arena became noisy. It was because of the appearance of the new event called “Danoto.”

Reading the atmosphere, Shulkin continued his explanation without being flustered.

“Danoto is a hand-to-hand combat tournament where mana and weapons cannot be used, and it is carried out one-on-one. Except for minimal restrictions, such as not poking the eyes or attacking vital points, any kind of attack is allowed. If a player becomes incapacitated or suffers severe injuries, the referee will immediately stop the match and determine the winner.”

“…”

“Furthermore, those watching the match can predict the outcome and bet on the players. The voting results will be announced right before the start of the match, and if the player with fewer votes wins, you can earn money according to the odds. Of course, if the player you selected loses, you will not receive any money. Now, let us begin!”

As soon as Shulkin finished speaking, a giant screen appeared in the air.

1. Henry vs. Mertens

2. Neil vs. Heather

3. Thomas vs. Allen

4. Lucas vs. Samuel

The names of the players appearing in this event appeared on the screen.

As soon as it was revealed, the nobles who participated in the event started checking the players’ physical information written on the papers distributed by Erika and began to predict the winners.

“The first match, do you think Henry will win? Looking at his face, his beard seems quite strong. Yes.”

“This person? Look at him, sitting at the desk all day, he must have lost his mind. Look, Henry is not even 19 cm shorter than Mertens as he is rich. Henry will be punched and knocked down before he even gets close.”

At that moment, there were no more nobles who doubted the event.

The new entertainment captured the nobles’ attention and they began to immerse themselves in predicting using all the knowledge they had.

Watching them silently, Bedon dropped his head and trembled his clenched fist.

“Ian Volkáno…”

As his words quietly echoed through the arena, people fell silent. They understood that the crown prince’s condition was not normal and they should not act clumsily.

The arena fell silent in an instant. It felt as if the entire place was submerged in water.

And it was Bedon Arcana who broke that silence.

“How dare you! How could you create such a tournament! I can’t stand it!”

Standing up from his seat, Bedon pointed his index finger at Ian. Wide awake, he called his bodyguard who was next to him.

“Look!”

(Note: The translation has been edited to improve accuracy and readability)

“Yes, Your Highness!”

The Crown Prince was furious. He would undoubtedly hold Ian Volkanov accountable for this. That was the moment when such words echoed from all directions.

“Bring the money immediately! I command you to wager 2 billion Valus with that young man in the office!”

Prince Bedon Arcana, the Second Prince, began to release money as if he had gone mad.