I was Reincarnated as the Youngest Child of a Villainous Noble Family Who Controls the Kingdom from Behind the Scenes

"Badora, you're unusually late."

I, the head of the Demaseka family, was filled with anxiety in my room.

It had been five years since I successfully cultivated Bellanna in secret from the royal family, and two years since I started distributing it through underground channels. Through diligent dealings with the domestic mafia, the Demaseka family had managed to recover splendidly.

When I first became the head of the family, the Demaseka household was on the brink of collapse. For generations, the Demaseka family had prospered from cultivating Bellanna flowers. These flowers contained components that enhanced magical power, making them a crucial ingredient for magical potions. However, after the war, the government suddenly banned the trade of Bellanna. The reason for this remains unclear.

Officially, the ban was justified by the potential side effects, but before the war, even the kingdom's knights used it. It had contributed to their victories and was considered a boon to the kingdom. My father, the previous head of the family, was devastated by this sudden announcement.

I still remember how the knights confiscated and burned all the Bellanna. My father was furious at the injustice, but the knights turned a deaf ear. After that, we tried to engage in legitimate pharmaceutical business, but such a makeshift venture was doomed to fail.

As a result, the Demaseka family shrank in size and rapidly weakened. We had to reduce the number of servants and sell off most of our properties, leaving only this mansion. The former glory was nowhere to be seen.

Then, my father fell ill and eventually passed away, entrusting me with the revival of the Demaseka family.

(What a joke. How can such an unreasonable situation be allowed?)

I sought to restore the Demaseka family as a form of revenge for my father. Illegal drugs? I don't care. If the country abandons us, we owe them no loyalty.

After finding a suitable place to cultivate Bellanna, I made sure it remained hidden. It took several years to establish distribution routes and customers under the noses of the royal family. Now, the Demaseka family is gradually regaining its former glory.

(Hahaha, you royals. Bellanna is circulating within the country again. Just wait and see.)

Once the Demaseka family fully recovers, I plan to provide substantial support to the country. This way, the royal family will be grateful to us and eventually become dependent on the Demaseka family. After all, this is what every noble family does. The prosperous nobles today can act so arrogantly because they provide significant support to the royal family. Yes, the so-called royal family and the nobles are in a mutually dependent relationship.

This time, the Demaseka family will rise again. That is the wish of both my father and me.

——Knock knock

"What is it?"

"A guest has arrived."

"A guest at this late hour? I haven't heard anything about this."

"B-but..."

At that moment, the door was opened. I was about to yell at the servant for acting on their own.

"Excuse me. Are you the head of the Demaseka family?"

"A child!? Hey, why are you acting so presumptuously..."

As I spoke, I noticed something. The pale-faced servant had a sword pointed at their back. Did these two young children, a boy and a girl, threaten an adult woman to get here? Wait, even though reduced, there should still be guards in the mansion.

"Hey! What are the guards doing?"

"They weren't cooperative. Look outside."

Urged by the boy, I looked out the window at the garden. There, the guards lay bleeding and unconscious. What is this?

"Do you understand now?"

"B-Badora is..."

"By now, there's not even a corpse left. Black Death Butterfly, was it? He was decent, but relying too much on a retired old soldier isn't good."

This is no joke. Even though he was old, Badora's skills were such that even a group of knights would struggle against him. I can't believe he was killed by this boy.

"By the way, you must have some idea, right?"

"It's about Bellanna, isn't it!? What a joke! Why should it be banned!?"

"If you ask why, it's probably because of the Barufonto family's wishes."

"The Barufonto family!?"

I've heard rumors that the Barufonto family has close ties with the royal family. But I can't believe they could easily influence the royals. No matter how much support they provide, meddling in politics would not go unpunished.

We nobles interact with the royal family by drawing clear lines. When invited to parties, we exchange formal greetings, offer insincere compliments, and put on polite smiles. That's how we deal with nobles and royals.

The Barufonto family is no exception. Their head, Leorg, surely kneels before the king.

"Officially, the royal family has designated it as an illegal drug. It seems Bellanna is inconvenient for the Barufonto family."

"So, the Barufonto family... for just that reason... for just that reason, they destroyed us!?"

"Yeah, if my father caused you trouble, I'll apologize. I'm sorry."

The boy bowed his head casually. I couldn't comprehend it. Why would the Barufonto family go that far? No, more importantly, why would even the royal family comply?

"But that's beside the point. You handled illegal drugs, so I have to kill you."

"Stop joking! It's always you powerful nobles who get the sweet deals! We weaker nobles are oppressed and lose even our means of survival! We have no other choice!"

"Stop whining."

A black mist-like substance emanated from the boy's sword. My legs gave out, and I leaned against the wall. Even this young boy exudes such terror. Is this the power of the Barufonto family?

"In this world, many people die without even access to water. Some are orphaned as children and forced to become soldiers, only to die. Compared to them, you have water to drink. You can use your head to survive in countless ways. No one holds the power of life and death over you."

"Th-that's true, but..."

"In the end, you just couldn't let go of past glories and abandoned living appropriately. No, it's more accurate to say 'you all.'"

"U-understood... I'll change my ways... Please spare me..."

The boy lowered his sword upon hearing my words. Did he understand?

"Is that so? You'll truly change your ways?"

"I promise! From now on, I'll live righteously for the world!"

"Understood."

Good, I'm spared. I can still live. Hmph, next time, I'll make sure not to get caught. I'll be even more cunning than before——Ah, guh, gah...

"Why...?"

"For a brief moment, you lived righteously. Now, you can die."@@novelbin@@

"Goh..."

The boy's sword cleaved me from shoulder to abdomen, and my consciousness faded.