Head Butler of the Fallen Villainess-Chapter 80 : 19th Days (2) | Check-In at The Hell’s Lodge (2)

[A few days before...]

It was a busy day where yet another construction spot was held inside Anastasia's region.

Located in the northeast section, the land had been cleared, the foundations laid, and now… the framework of a new lodge house had been established.

And as expected, it was a sight filled with controlled chaos.

Hammers rang, sawdust drifted through the crisp spring air alongside the scent of freshly cut wood, and, of course, the mingling and banter between the 'construction workers.'

"Miss Knight, don't forget to check the beam alignment~," Sebas called out, his voice laced with that usual teasing smoothness.

"I know, I know… you don't have to tell me twice…" Martha huffed, adjusting the wooden support while shooting a brief glare his way—somewhat irritated by his constant reminders.

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These two had been working diligently, making sure that the lodge house their mistress had envisioned would come to life—despite their occasional bickering here and there.

Naturally, their mistress was watching their every bit of work, acting as the bona fide foreman of the site.

"Reinforce that corner joint before moving on," Anastasia instructed, her tone crisp and authoritative.

"Yes, my lady!"

"Sure thing, Lady Ana~."

She occasionally gave instructions and input on what her two trusted servants were doing. But, being mostly inexperienced with construction work, she left the more technical decisions—and practically everything else regarding civil works—to those two.

"E-everyone, I brought lunch~!"

And, of course, not forgetting about Bella—the ever-diligent maid—who arrived with a basket in her hands, carefully balancing trays of food and freshly brewed beverages. While her current role mostly involved cooking and making sure everyone was well-fed, she would often lend a hand with small tasks whenever needed.

Basically put… it was the same kind of scene that had transpired during their first construction project. Only this time, they were more coordinated than ever… and the size of what they were building was twice as large and far more complex.

After all, this wasn't just some simple structure—it was a lodge house meant for future guests. And if they wanted to leave a good impression… it had to be done right. Which was why there was a subtle tension that was felt by everyone present...

Except for the butler who still maintained his cheery demeanor.

Sebas hopped off from the almost-finished rooftop of the lodge house.

"Coming along quite well, wouldn't you say, my lady?" he remarked, stepping beside Anastasia, who held a serious expression that contrasted with his.

The young noble… could only exhale softly.

"Honestly, I cannot say for sure..." she admitted, gazing at her would-be lodge house with a puzzled expression, "but if this is anything like last time—then I trust that it's going well."

"Haha~, your trust is reassuring, my lady. Though I'd say we're ahead of schedule, and at this rate, the lodge should be ready for guests sooner than expected."

Anastasia's gaze flickered slightly.

"…Guests," she echoed, as if the word itself felt foreign to her.

"Yeah... That is the purpose of this lodge house, is it not?"

A brief pause.

"…Yes, but... I'm wondering who our first guest will be..." Anastasia mused, almost absentmindedly. "It's still quite... difficult for me to imagine anyone willingly coming here."

"Hmm? Still not sure yourself?"

"…I guess I am," she nodded slowly, a sheepish smile etched on her lips.

"…Didn't we plan this to attract adventurers first?"

"W-well, yes... but..." she turned to him with a slight frown, "…do adventurers even want to be here?"

"Many of them do, my lady~," Sebas chuckled softly, "many of them thrive in danger. Seek it out, even."

"R-really…?"

A single nod from Sebas confirmed her disbelief. However, his smile turned into one that felt… oddly melancholic.

"Be that as it may, there's still one thing that we—...they still value... and that is a place where they can rest, recover... and prepare for their next venture... thus, this lodge house will provide just that."

Anastasia fell silent; her lips pressed into a thin line as she contemplated his words. There was something about the way he said they—a subtle weight behind it—that hinted at something more.

And, of course, she didn't miss that slip of the tongue of his that seemed to refer to those adventurers as if he were still one of them.

"I do hope that we could make this place into that very place, my lady," he glanced toward the structure, eyes filled with a quiet longing, "and if this succeeds..."

"…More will come," she continued his thought, "Word will spread that civilization is taking root here… and eventually, others may follow."

He glanced back at her, a faint, almost wistful smile for her hopeful outlook.

"Yup. That's the plan."

"…Would it really be that simple?"

"Well, not always, but..." Sebas gave her an easy, knowing smile. "I believe that you could do it, my lady... You'll find a way."

A soft breeze rustled through the construction site, along with the occasional sound of hammering that came from Martha's working.

The young noble's expression remained unreadable—yet, there was a quiet resolve in her eyes.

"…Let's hope you're right."

A brief, heavy pause settled between them. Only the distant clang of tools filled the silence.

But... the mistress broke the silence.

"…Sir Sebas," Anastasia spoke again, her voice softer this time. "What kind of adventurer… do you think will be our first guest?"

The butler's lips curled into a knowing grin—one that instantly put her on edge.

"Oh, I have a good guess, my lady~," he mused, a glint of mischief flickering behind his golden eyes. "In fact… you've already met her before."

Her brow furrowed as she turned to him, suspicion creeping into her tone.

"…Her?"

Sebas didn't answer right away. He let the silence stretch—just long enough for the realization to creep in.

And when it did—

"No… please not her. Anyone BUT that woman—!"

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"Woooooah! Amazing~!"

'That woman' dashed ahead, her wide eyes sparkling as she took in the sight before her—a freshly built lodge house!

"W-wait, Miss Vivi!"

Trailing behind her, Anastasia and her three servants followed hastily after the female adventurer, still taken aback by the boundless energy that this woman radiated.

But as they reached the very building… they too admired it.

The second building that had been built in Anastasia's region—the simple yet sturdy lodge house.

Raised slightly off the ground by thick wooden beams, it stood 10 by 8 meters wide, with a broad front porch welcoming any who approached. The natural scent of wood still lingered in the air, carried by the soft breeze.

Vivi, of course, wasted no time making herself comfortable.

With a quick bounce, she landed on the porch, her boots thudding lightly against the polished floorboards.

"Hmm~, not bad~, not bad at all~," she beamed, brushing her fingers over one of the support beams. "This place feels so solid—I love it!"

"She's acting like she owns the place..." Martha commented with a slight scowl. The knight wasn't exactly too keen on this woman's rather brash behavior, but… she had to hold back her sword for this unique occasion...

"U-uhm, w-well, I guess it's a good thing that she likes the place, r-right?" Bella stammered, trying to lighten the mood. "I-it means the lodge house itself is well made, r-right…?"

"…I guess so..."

Their mistress herself was baffled as well, still surprised by this woman's rather overly familiar attitude. But... she did find pride in what this house had become.

"I-I indeed so, Bella," she began, her voice lifting with a hint of satisfaction, "it's only natural that it turned out this well."

The mistress herself stepped onto the porch (using the actual stairs to do so) and then gestured toward the whole structure with her noble pride quite apparent.

"After all, we designed this lodge house to provide a safe, comfortable place for any adventurer brave enough to venture here!" Anastasia declared grandly to the astonished Vivi. "Thus, I proudly present to you the finest of my hospitality!"

"Really...?" Vivi breathed out in awe, touched by the redhead lord's generosity. "You would do that for me, Lord Anastasia...?"

"Indeed so, Miss Adventurer," Sebas chimed in smoothly, standing at Anastasia's side with that ever-present, teasing smile.

"This lodge house is a testament to my lady's vision and also... her unyielding resolve. It's a beacon of her region's civilization, rising from the wilderness of this harsh land... and also her pledge to offer refuge and respite to the brave souls who dare to venture here."

"My~, that's amazing~!" Vivi gushed, clasping her hands together with a sparkle in her eyes.

"Hmph. As it should be," Anastasia said, lifting her chin slightly, her pride rising by the second. "This is why you should show proper respect to me as the lord of this region—"

"Excuse me~!" Vivi's voice rang out again—this time from inside the lodge house.

"…What the—?!" Anastasia's eyes widened in disbelief. "Did she just—?!"

Indeed... the Sonic Thief Vivi had already made herself right at home.