I Reincarnated As A Villainess, But Why Did I Become A Cat Butler Instead? - Chapter 230

Chapter 115.2

‘It must be Dimitri.’

He had been flirting with me all day and seemed to have carefully doused me in his pheromones.

‘Is this something that helps me?’

Though I had considered it annoying and burdensome, I began to think that if it could be useful in leading the cat shapeshifters, it wouldn’t be bad to accept it to some extent.

‘If he sticks around no matter how much I refuse, I can’t be blamed for taking advantage of that.’

Anyway, I couldn’t live without seeing him until our contract ended, and I couldn’t refuse if he came looking for me.

With that thought in my mind, I asked Lady Cat.

“So, what’s the purpose of coming to see me?”

“I heard you’re recruiting mercenaries, and I want to apply. My name is Leyla.”

I internally cheered.

Just as Leyla mentioned, I was currently recruiting members to establish a mercenary group.

‘There is too much opposition to running the shelter only with the welfare budget, and above all, there’s a limit to long-term sustainability.’

It was something we had been planning since we decided to create the shelter. Dimitri, upon hearing about the mercenary group plan, allowed the opening of the shelter.

It wasn’t fair to squeeze the hard-earned tax money from diligent people to let shapeshifters play and eat for the rest of their lives. Therefore, I intended to provide jobs for the shelter’s shapeshifters and generate profits so that the shelter could operate on its own.

That job opportunity was none other than the mercenary group. The tasks my mercenary group would handle weren’t too difficult. It was simply…

“All we have to do is deal with the rat shapeshifters?”

“That’s right.”

“Well. I’ve been doing that kind of thing all the time, but does it make money?”

I smiled at Leyla, who seemed skeptical.

“We’re going to make it profitable.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’ll find out soon. Thanks for applying. I’ll take my leave now. I’ll be assembling the mercenary group soon, so I’ll see you then.”

At my words, Leyla nodded and walked towards the door. However, just before stepping out, she hesitated and turned back to me with a sullen face.

“Really… you’re really giving me a wage for this, right?”

“Yes, you deserve to be appropriately compensated for your labor.”

“…We’re a slave class. Why are you going to such lengths for us?”

“That’s the perspective of humans, isn’t it? You don’t consider yourselves slaves, do you?”

“….”

“I thought you needed some motivation to get you moving.”

I knew that cats wouldn’t even listen to people without a treat. However, I also knew that as soon as I held up a treat, their attitude would change, and they could skillfully carry out what they were told to do.

‘Regardless of what others say, it’s impossible to handle cats without treats who think of themselves as masters.’

It was the same with Coco and Sasha. Even though they knew they were slaves who must receive my protection, they obstinately refused to listen. They even boldly challenged Dimitri without any fear.

Paying wages to cat shapeshifters and working with them would be a very enticing carrot for them.

After Leyla left, Esca spoke gently.

“As you can see, cat shapeshifters have clear desires and are quick learners. So, as long as they adapt quickly to the changed environments, they will settle in soon after.”

̊ · : * ✧ * : · ̊

A few days later, I looked through the list of mercenaries that Avila had compiled and gave orders to my aide. Baron Placen.

“Invite the lords who govern the main territories in the North to the dinner banquet. I’ll be making a business announcement.”

“A business announcement?”

“I plan to promote the mercenary group.”

At my words, Baron Placen’s pupils shook as if there had been an earthquake.

“This will be the first gathering since the rebellion led by Count Schdental, so everyone is expecting a remarkable announcement. They’ll be eager to seize the opportunity to fill the seats of those who were purged. However…”

Baron Placen seemed concerned that promoting the mercenary group in such a setting might make it a laughingstock.

It was understandable since it was quite ridiculous for a noble to create a mercenary group, and using the grandiose term ‘business’ made it sound even more preposterous.

Rather than creating a knighthood or training soldiers, I created a mercenary group who accepted requests and worked in exchange for money? It would undoubtedly damage the reputation of Blois, the head of the North.

I knew what Baron Placen was worried about, but I didn’t reverse my orders.

“Don’t worry. It’s something I agreed to with Dimitri.”

I smiled meaningfully and added an unexpected request to the Baron.

“It should be a very grand banquet.”