I, reincarnate as the leader of the villainous knight order

Chapter 33: Meals in the Dungeon

“Alright, the smell’s gone.”

Satisfied, I let out a contented sigh.

“What… What are you thinking?”

“Huh? Just trying to make this place a bit more comfortable since it’s dirty and smelly, isn’t it? Guest rooms are a no-go, right? Plus, if your body’s dirty, it messes with your mood. Maybe the prisoners will feel better and behave themselves a bit?”

I smirked, but Constant looked at me as if he’d seen a ghost.

“You… Are you really Justin?”

“Haha, you’re calling me by my old name now? Who else would I be but Justin de Vandière?”

Internally, I felt a chill, but there was no denying that I was Justin. The prisoners, who had been dirty and grimy just moments ago, were now amazed and frolicking like children in their suddenly clean and odorless surroundings.

Most of the people here are probably from the slums, unable to make a living through normal means. They likely never witnessed or experienced the kind of magic used by nobles.

“…Well, never mind. Let’s not do anything unnecessary from now on.”

“After the trial, you’ll be bowing to me anyway, so I’ll behave for now. Oh, but I do want to eat my own food, so bring me my magic bag. That’s okay, right? It’ll save on the second budget too.”

“Your magic bag should be designed to only be usable by the owner… I’ll be present when you retrieve it. Now, put it in here.”

Of the eight rooms in this underground dungeon, six were meant for eight people, while two were for two people. The one I was placed in, immediately after the entrance, was one of the empty two-person cells. However, probably for mutual surveillance, a third of the wall facing the adjacent cell was made of bars, allowing the prisoners in the neighboring cell to peek in.

Cut it out, I’m neither a zoo panda nor a koala. But well, being in prison all the time must be boring, so I’ll entertain them for a bit. Just as I thought that, one of the prisoners spoke up.

“Captain, what on earth did you do? Even though you’re a noble, you’ve been thrown into this bottom-tier cell.”

“Hm? Bottom-tier cell? Aren’t all prison cells like this?”

I don’t have memories of being in a dungeon. I’ve only ever encountered monsters or bandits on the road, and when I did, I killed them all. The dungeons in my family’s estate were similar too.

“Hahaha! Normally, nobles get their own fancy rooms! But you, of all people!”

“Well… It’s probably just harassment. Small-minded men who want to degrade others by falsely accusing them. It’s the kind of thing someone with a small heart would think of.”

“Heh, you sure have made enemies, huh?”

“Ah well, for you guys, having me here and cleaning up both the cell and yourselves must be a relief, right? Your bodies are clean now, so you must feel refreshed, don’t you think? Just a few minutes ago, you wouldn’t even want to touch your own heads, right?”

Approaching the iron bars, I ruffled their hair. The guy I thought was older based on his speech sounded younger up close. He must have picked up the language from those around him.

“Hey, stop it!”

“Hahaha, what, embarrassed?”

When I first appeared in the dungeon, there was nothing but malice directed towards me. But thanks to the purification magic, even if only in terms of speech, the prisoners’ attitudes softened considerably. Constant left with a sour look, but the guards seemed visibly happier. The place had been quite smelly before.

At lunchtime, a sort of bread porridge was brought in and distributed to the prisoners. Apparently, this was standard for breakfast and lunch. It was a good thing I insisted on having my own meal! As declared, Constant showed up with my magic bag.

“Here, brought it. Don’t take anything out except for meals.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

Reaching through the bars, I opened the bag and retrieved two bento boxes made in the Marchioness of Taleraan’s territory. One contained warm dishes, while the other had sandwiches. After taking out the bento, I closed the bag. Now no one could take anything out without my permission.

“That’s enough. I’ll be collecting the magic bag now.”

“Yeah, I’ll need it for dinner too.”

“…How many meals are in there exactly?”

“Hmm, let’s see… They made three days’ worth, but since I’ll be back in a day, there’s some leftover.”

“Hmph, apparently the trial will be held tomorrow. Once you’re found guilty, you’ll eat the same as the other prisoners. So savor it until then.”

“Sure thing. Too bad for you, but once the trial’s over, I’ll be a free man, right? Well, since you’ve been cooperative this time, and it’s also part of your duty, I’ll spare you from revenge. I don’t know what’ll happen to the mastermind, though. Hehehe.”

“Huh, you’re back to the Vandière I know.”

“…”

I hadn’t intended to make a bad face, but apparently, I’d ended up with that infamous smirk again. I needed to quickly enjoy this delicious bento and fix my expression.

As soon as I opened the bento box, the refreshing aroma of chicken and thyme filled the clean dungeon. If it were still the smelly dungeon from before I arrived, I wouldn’t have been able to enjoy this scent at all.

Naturally, the prisoners began clamoring again. “Please share,” “Just a bite,” they begged. To prevent them from seeing inside, I turned my back to them and finished both bento boxes on my own.