I was reincarnated as the son of the worst villain

"Master Grace!　Please look outside!”

　Maria, the maid, came running into the room.

'Yes, I know.'

　I replied as I looked out the window at the outside of the mansion.

　Outside the window, as far as I could see, it was surrounded by soldiers with the emblem of the Kingdom of Legion engraved on them.

　The reason why so many soldiers are prepared to surround a mere duke's mansion is probably because they were wary of Cedric, head of the Caiman family and my father.

　In fact, the Caiman territory has a thriving wheat harvest with an abundance of primary industry, and in addition, livestock farming is also prosperous.

　The food provided by the Caiman Territory is enough to cover more than a third of the Kingdom of Ordea, and in addition, because it is neighboring the Kingdom of Legion, it is a very important territory geopolitically.

"That was fast .......”

　Although there were signs of an invasion, the real action was electrifying.

　The invasion of Legion Kingdom exists in the game as well as the invasion route.

　However, according to that route, I should not be alive when the soldiers of the Legion Kingdom invaded, and my father Cedric should have been poisoned.

　It was I who had prevented the poisoning of my father Cedric.

　I had just ordered Maria, my maid, to secretly add a poisoning process to the meal served to my father, to find out that the new maid had poisoned him and dispose of it.

　Still, there should have been a grace period of about two or three more weeks to the invasion.

　It seemed that the course of the storyline was slowly changing into something unexpected due to my modification of the storyline.

　Then a loud voice echoed from the courtyard of the mansion.

 

“Attention Cedric Caiman, head of the Caiman family of the Kingdom of Ordea!　If you surrender quietly, the lives of your servants and those in your domain are guaranteed!　On the other hand, if you resist, you will set the entire neighborhood on fire!"

　declares the commander who has been leading the soldiers of the Legion Kingdom's army.

　He was probably half threatening and half serious.

　The Caiman territory, also known as the food supply of the Kingdom of Ordea, was supposed to be attractive, and they wanted to get it unharmed if possible.

　The commander's face was familiar.

　His name is Leonard Dulain.

　He was also known as the “ Frontier Count,” but he must have come from a family that had excelled in the martial arts for generations, and was honest, sincere, and trustworthy.

"Let us fight, Master Grace!　I would rather fight than suffer the shame of captivity without a fight!"

'No, wait, Maria."

　Maria's attitude was admirable.

　If it's only the first wave of the invasion, me, my father, and the Caiman army might be able to handle it.

　But if we do, there will surely be a lot of bloodshed.

　And if the main army of the kingdom comes, it will be extremely difficult.

　I hope reinforcements will come from the Kingdom of Ordea, but I know that is unlikely.

　At that moment, the door to the room opened again, and this time my father Cedric entered.

　I bail out to Father Cedric, but reply to Maria

 

"Maria, I admire your will to fight, but it is unwise to fight a battle you know you are going to lose.'

"Yes, that's right. We are responsible for the lives of our people. The lives of the people are irreplaceable. The enemy commander, Leonard, is a man of principle, a man of understanding, a man who always keeps his word before a battle."

"So you see, Father?”

　Cedric nodded silently.

　That meant that he would surrender and give himself up.

Grace. You must get out of this place while I surrender. Then, run to Princess Elise. Perhaps the invasion from the Kingdom of Legion this time has something to do with the turmoil in the Kingdom of Ordea."

“But, Father. Leave everyone in this situation .......”

Don't worry Grace, you know me better than I know myself. I will protect the Caiman family and the people. You can leave this place with peace of mind. ...... and you've already surpassed me, right?”

"No, that's not ...... true."

 

　My father was not supposed to have appraisal skill.

"Don't be humble. If you are above a certain level of competence, you will be able to assess the strength of your opponents. Grace, you have grown up so well!　If you return safely to our family, you will be the future head of the family!”

　I was unexpectedly told that I would be the successor to the Caiman family.

　I don't really want to be the head of the family, but it seems like a fair thing to accept.

 

"I will accept your kind offer. I will definitely do my utmost for Princess Elise and return to the Caiman family!"

It is no exaggeration to say that the future of the kingdom and the Caiman family now lies on your shoulders. There will be a hard and difficult road ahead. But I know you will make it. Go on your journey to heaven!　My son, Grace!”

　After that, as soon as my father surrendered, I went down the ladder to the underground passageway that had been secretly built under the mansion.

　At that moment, Maria pulled something out of her pocket.

“Oh, my master Grace!"

'What is it?"

May I have the hair comb that Master Grace uses to style hair?"

　The comb was a cylindrical comb with a slightly thick grip, but other than that, it was a plain comb.

'Oh, sure, but...”

"Thank you!　I will take good care of it!'

　Maria's smile was like a blossoming flower.

　I don't know why she wants a comb, but if it makes her happy, I guess it's okay.

　It's just an ordinary comb, but I'm sure it's a very important item for her, filled with memories of me.

　I get emotional when I think about it.

　My childhood memories of her and me come flooding back to my mind.

　Crying, laughing, rejoicing. Maria is like a big sister to me.

　I will make sure that I return to her and show her how I have grown up even more!

　In the meantime, I reach the underground passage.

　I lighted the lamp I had prepared.

 

“ Master Grace, you're a real pro!"

"“Yes, Maria, you too!'

　After exchanging our last greetings, I ran through the pitch-dark underground passageway.