ch48

[Chapter 48 - The Villain and the Garden]

World domination is never achieved overnight. A more gradual expansion of power is needed.

To rule a city, you must start with a town; to rule a town, you must start with a neighborhood; and to rule a neighborhood, you must first conquer the land beneath your feet.

In the past, I conquered the eastern park of S City and made it my territory! But true conquest is not just about leaving footprints on the land!

"Kakat! Today, I shall spread my firm control to the whole world! Today's evil deed is to create my own vegetable garden and flower garden in the park! It shall be called… Operation: Grimoire Garden!"

Of course, it's definitely not because I stayed up late watching a weekend farm reality show last night! I just don't want to experience farming, not at all!

"But Master, a vegetable garden… isn't that more of a healthy hobby than an evil deed?" Evelyn asked.

"What? Evelyn, you don't seem to understand the essence of evil!"

I pointed a finger at Evelyn.

"Privatizing a public space for citizens! Could there be a more wicked plan? It's the core evil of capitalism!"

Evelyn was silent for a moment. She must be speechless with admiration for my genius.

"That's clearly an evil deed. I'll prepare the necessary items."

"Good! Prepare a farmer's outfit for me! And some light farming tools too!"

The efficiency of maids is truly admirable. All the preparations were completed in 15 minutes.

I checked my villainous outfit for the day in front of the mirror.

Blue overalls, a checkered shirt, and a straw hat befitting my dignity! Of course, Evelyn had made a custom one with holes so my horns could fit through.

And on my waist, I had the great invention of Koreans, the hoe, and the gardener's essential tool, the trowel!

"How is it? Isn't it the perfect villainous look for world domination?"

Evelyn smiled as she looked at me.

"Master, the farmer's outfit suits you very well."

"Farmer? I am a ruler! A conqueror! The new King of the world!"

But the image reflected in the mirror… hmm, it was closer to a cute fairy tale character than a villain.

"Evelyn, can't you make it look more menacing? Something's off… I don't think it fully captures my dignity…"

"You're perfect as you are, Master. A farmer villain is a very original concept."

A farmer villain… Anyway, I will create my vegetable garden and flower garden in the park to strengthen my control.

Evelyn handed me a lunch box.

"I prepared it especially for your villainous activities."

"Heh heh, you're a smart subordinate! Physical strength is also important for committing evil deeds! You know me well, as expected of my maid! I'll give you a special compliment!"

"Have a pleasant… no, a wicked day, Master."

I left Evelyn's greeting behind and headed to the park. My stride was more confident! My chin was higher! Because I am a conqueror who rules the territory and a great villain!

S City Central Park was already an area where I had declared my control. But today, I will mark it more clearly as my territory.

"Hmm… where would be good?"

I looked around the park, searching for a strategic location. The south-facing slope with good sunlight caught my eye. It was close to the walking path where many people passed by, and the water supply was easy.

Wait, the goal isn't to succeed in farming, it's to commit evil, so it just needs to be in a conspicuous place!

"Here! This is where Grimoire Garden will be born!"

I took out the trowel and hoe and started digging the ground.

Thwack! Thwack!

Thanks to my superhuman strength, the work progressed quickly. Faster than one… no, three tractors!

With a few shovels, the hard soil was easily tilled. What would take an ordinary person half a day, I finished in ten minutes.

"Which one works better, a black cow or a yellow cow? Grimoire works better! Cows are just for grilling and eating!"

I used the trowel to smooth the ground, make furrows… and the rectangular vegetable garden site was completed.

"Hoo, good. As expected, I have a talent for farming too."

But… it's harder than I thought. Beads of sweat formed on my forehead and dripped down.

I didn't know farming was such hard work. I should respect the farmers who do this hard work.

Wait, what am I thinking? Respect farmers? No way! I am a villain, a villain! I never eat vegetables!

Still, it didn't feel bad. The feeling of creating something yourself… was quite nice.

"What's that over there? Oh, they're trying to make a vegetable garden! They have a good hobby."

"These days, kids only play games, but it's good to see them touching the soil outside like this. Very commendable."

"Tsk, tsk. That's not how you do it."

What? A hobby? Commendable? And even giving advice!?

"Your digging skills are pretty good?"

"But you still have a long way to go. Your posture is wrong."

"You have to hold the hoe at an angle so you don't strain your wrist."

"Do not interfere with the work of a villain!"

One old man tilted his head and examined the ground I had dug.

"Aigo, you still have a long way to go. Let's see… there's no drainage. If you plant it like this, it will all be washed away during the rainy season."

I was speechless for a moment. The drainage he mentioned… that's right. I hadn't thought of it at all.

"Of, of course I knew that! Did you think I wouldn't know that much? I was just… testing your reactions!"

I bluffed, but the old man just smiled, as if he had noticed.

"Hehe, good. Shall I help you out? When I was young, I was second to none when it came to farming."

"I don't need help! I can do it perfectly on my own…"

Before I could finish speaking, the old man picked up the hoe and skillfully started digging the drainage. It was amazing.

Uh… I could have done that too… probably.

Other old men who were sitting on the bench began to gather one by one.

"What's going on? Old Man Yoon, are you starting to farm again?"

"Aigo, this kid made a vegetable garden in the park. Isn't it cute?"

"Oho! It reminds me of our younger days. When we used to farm together in the village."

Before I knew it, five old men had gathered around me and were chatting noisily. Where did my plan go?

"Well, let's plant lettuce in that corner, and peppers would be good over there since it gets sunlight."

"What are you talking about? Flowers are better in a park."

"Tsk, tsk, you're both stubborn. I think it would be good to do half and half, how about that?"

The old men gave their opinions and interfered with the vegetable garden plan. Without my permission, the vegetable garden was being organized at an amazing speed.

"I, I didn't give permission!"

"Aigo, in our hometown, we used to transplant rice together and weed together as a whole village. Here, I brought these seeds from home."

Unintentionally, the situation was flowing quickly.

Now that it's come to this, I have no choice but to use this situation! Yes, I am a first-class villain! A master of improvisation!

"You old men! Then don't just talk, work for me! From now on, you are tenant farmers belonging to my territory!"

Unexpectedly, the old men were delighted.

"Aigo, I've been waiting for you to say that! It's time for this old man to step up!"

"Hehe, I was getting bored with golf anyway, so I finally have something to do!"

"Then, I'll take charge of watering. The Japanese watering can I have at home is still usable."

The old men divided their roles and moved in an orderly manner. Before I could even give instructions, the vegetable garden was quickly taking shape.

"Is this… is this going according to my plan…?"

I was caught off guard. I was clearly trying to commit evil, but why does everyone seem so happy?

"This is exploitation, exploitation! I am using the labor of you old men!"

If I had known this would happen, I would have brought a whip instead of a trowel and hoe…!

"This is how you plant the roots so they touch the soil well."

"You have to water it in the morning and evening. Not during the day."

I muttered and started planting seeds in the ground. I dug holes, put in the seeds, and covered them with soil, just like my grandmother taught me.

"Hey, grandma. What color are these flowers when they bloom?"

"Cornflowers are blue, and cosmos are pink. They bloom beautifully in the fall."

"Then, are there no black and purple flowers, which are villain colors?"

"Aha, that's a good idea! How about planting black tulips or purple lavender? I'll bring them next time."

Before I knew it, I was laughing and chatting with the old men and tending the garden. It was going differently than originally planned, but strangely, it didn't feel bad.

"Wow…"

It's prettier than I thought! Is this the result of my evil deed?

"We did it all. How is it? The old men's skills are pretty good, right?"

"Th, this is… it went according to my plan! Kakat!"

After two hours, the vegetable garden was completed. The barren land was filled with vibrant vegetables, and next to it, a small flower garden with colorful flowers was created.

"Now, let's put up a sign. Everyone needs to know whose garden this is!"

I wrote 'Grimoire Garden' in large letters on the wooden sign I had brought and stuck it in front of the vegetable garden. The old men applauded and cheered.

"From today, this place is my territory! Remember that! No one can touch this without my permission!"

"Yes, yes, it's your garden. But can these old men come to water it sometimes?"

"Th, that's… um… I'll give you special permission!"

The cheers of the old men echoed.

My land! My garden! Although it was different from the original plan, the goal was achieved. Now everyone will know that this is Grimoire's territory!

TOC | Next Chapter