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

"This is the first time I’ve given orders while having a meal like this."

We, the children of the Balfont family, are sitting around the dining table, getting along with our parents.

It’s an ordinary scene you could find anywhere, but the topics discussed at the table are anything but peaceful.

Especially this time, since orders are being given during the meal, and Leorg seems unusually pleased.

I thought for sure he’d be furious about the attack on the academy by the Allgan Kingdom, but maybe I overthought it?

If the "World King Flag" hasn’t been raised, then that’s a shame in its own way.

"Wow! Father! You prepared my favorite, the Alphis Course?!"

"Why am I the full course meal here?"

"Because I get to eat with Alphis! Here, say ‘ah—’"

"I have zero confidence in being able to communicate with this damn sister of mine."

My shitty sister aggressively shoves a forkful of side-dish vegetables toward me.

Even if I try to push her hand away, she’s reinforcing her arm strength with magic, so I’m steadily overpowered.

There’s no world where you’d get shown the difference in strength over something this stupid.

"Dammit! You’re too strong…!"

"Eating vegetables first helps suppress sugar absorption, you know?"

"Nobody asked, and why won’t you listen when I tell you to stop?!"

"Here, say ‘ah—!’"

"Guh—!"

Resistance is futile, and the vegetables are unceremoniously stuffed into my mouth.

It’s humiliating, but even the side dishes in our household are exquisite.

If our family’s private chef ever opened a restaurant, it’d revolutionize the culinary world.

The Balfont family doesn’t cut corners—not just with family, but even with chefs.

Leorg, being something of a gourmet, really went all out using every resource to find this one.

If I recall, just one month of his salary was about the average commoner’s yearly income.

And so, I’m being force-fed delicious dishes one after another by my damn sister.

Ahem.

"Vaid, how have things been lately? You did well on your last mission."

"That merchant who colluded with the bandits… What a waste."

"Oh? How so?"

"With his connections, we could’ve found even stronger opponents. It’s a shame we had to capture him."

Vaid chews on his meat while lamenting something trivial.

That brother of mine took days on a mission I could’ve finished in one.

He probably just played around with the bandits as much as he wanted.

"Once the meal’s over, I plan to rematch those guys sent to the prison. They had some impressive strength for bandits."

"No, let’s save that for another time."

Even Leorg is gently telling him to drop it.

The kingdom’s Helzheim Prison is four mountains away from here, but Vaid treats it like a trip to the convenience store.

Is he planning to go without sleeping? Those guys are definitely already broken in spirit.

"Big Bro Vaid really loves fighting, huh? Winning battles just tires me out, so I leave them to my underlings."

"Gillium, next time, let me fight your lackeys. They’re a well-rounded bunch—tempting."

"N-No way! You’d wipe them all out!"

"Don’t worry. I’d be the one in danger."

Gillium never learns, always poking the hornet’s nest.

The idea of Vaid losing to Gillium’s underlings is as likely as me losing to Galeo.

(Sorry for dragging such a good senior into this.)

"Now, with the mood set, let’s move to the main topic. As you already know, the recent academy attack was carried out by the Allgan Kingdom."

The warm atmosphere instantly freezes over at Leorg’s words.

Even the servants stiffen.

"Why would that rotten, weak little country pull such a stunt? Frankly, it doesn’t matter. The problem is that my garden was trampled. Those worthless fools, lower than livestock, stomped through it with boots covered in dog shit from the streets… Truly, utterly revolting."

We get it, so just give us the orders already.

Next to me, Miley is trying to force-feed me while Luciel tries to stop her—it’s distracting.

No one else in the country could mess around like this in such a tense atmosphere.

"Now then. The Allgan Kingdom is nothing. They’re insignificant. But… Why were they able to run wild in our territory like that? There must be a reason."

"You’re saying there’s someone inside the country backing them, right?"

"Well said, Alphis. If you understand that much, this’ll be quick."

"During the academy attack, there were those who helped guide the Grim Reapers, after all."

Of course, we’ve already dealt with those guys.

What Leorg means is the country as a whole.

"Vaid, Miley, Gillium, Alphis—you four will handle cleaning up the country. Vaid, you take the western Krent region."

"Got it. The Krent region is hosting a martial arts tournament right now, isn’t it?"

The clear mismatch in their objectives is none of my business.

"Gillium, you investigate the area around Gillium Castle. It’s newly built, so it hasn’t been checked yet, right?"

"Yep, leave it to me. If there’s any trash, I’ll crush ‘em in seconds."

The fact that Gillium Castle is being acknowledged is pure chaos.

Well, if it’s about overwhelming numbers, he’s the right man for the job.

"Miley, continue your research on summoning magic."

"Eh? I’m on house duty?"

"Can’t rule out that the capital’s trash has disappeared. Investigate that in parallel."

"Yessir~"

Miley’s role stays the same, huh?

Her research lab reminds me of someone… That guy should be under her right now.

"Alphis, you’re assigned to the Paskuda region."

"Hah? That backwater?"

"Even the Balfont family doesn’t have eyes everywhere. Remote areas have been neglected for too long—they’re bound to be full of filth."

"Makes sense."

Leorg’s right—the Balfonts aren’t omnipotent.

The farther you go from the capital, the harder it is to gather intel.

That’s why we exist, but still… the Paskuda region?

In the game, that’s where that major sub-event happened.

Honestly, I’d rather deal with it later.

Typical Alphis Route—zero consideration for the player.

But is there really anyone there connected to the Allgan Kingdom?

…Wait, there is. But I’m not sure. If I’m wrong, this’ll be a pain.

Hm? Now that I think about it, wasn’t that guy from Paskuda originally?

"Hey, there’s someone I wanna bring along for the mission. That cool?"

"Fine. But don’t involve them in Balfont family business."

With permission secured, I might as well check it out.

That guy, who was just a mob character in the game, might actually be useful.

If we’re talking about the Invernam family of Paskuda… it’s gotta be him.