I Reincarnated As A Villainess, But Why Did I Become A Cat Butler Instead? - Chapter 240

Chapter 120.1

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Aside from the conflict between Dimitri and Rowaine, word of mouth was spreading about the Cool Cat Mercenaries after the dinner party.

“A cat shapeshifter mercenary group? What kind of ridiculous organization is that?”

“The Duchess runs it herself? A mercenary group? That’s beyond vulgarity.”

A few days after the banquet at Blois, the story of that day was discussed at a hunting-gathering of young lords.

Those who heard the story of Rowaine’s mercenary group shook their heads and openly criticized it without hesitation. Just the fact that the Duchess had formed a mercenary group was strange enough, but even more so was the fact that the members of the group were shapeshifters slaves.

“The end… the word is coming to the end.”

The criticism of her excessive collection of cats was already a hot topic among the nobility, but with the rumor of her mercenary group, it spread even further, reaching the capital as well.

Nevertheless, forming a shapeshifter mercenary group and paying them salaries couldn’t simply be seen as a hobby. Many people were murmuring about the concern that if such good treatment was given to slaves, it might embolden other slaves.

“Does the Duke of Blois have any ideas at all?”

“Perhaps his wife is out of control? Like the rumors among the central aristocracy that she has a temper?”

“Even so, a cat mercenary group? It’s embarrassing.”

At that moment, Lord Freddy, who had attended the dinner party, hurriedly intervened.

“It’s better not to run your mouth and speak so carelessly. You can’t shorten it like that.”

“What?”

“The Duchess has made a threat. If she catches anyone shortening the name of the mercenary group, she won’t take on any requests from them.”

“Ha! What are you worried about? Who would even entrust a request to a mercenary group like that?”

In response to his friends’ ridicule, Freddy shook his head as if to say that they didn’t know what they were talking about.

“Hey guys, haven’t you heard the story that the dream demons in Blois have disappeared?”

“Is it true that the cat shapeshifters are the ones who control the dream demons? Is that why? Are the cat shapeshifters in Blois so formidable that even the dream demons kneel before them?”

“No, it’s rather the opposite. They say the cat shapeshifters are the natural enemies of dream demons. They say the Cool Cat Mercenaries spent a few days hunting down dream demons. Some lords entrusted requests on a whim, and they said it definitely worked.”

“It must be a coincidence.”

The gathered people waved their hands and laughed as if they had heard something funny. However, the situation with the dream demons was so dire, so even though the lords scoffed, they were secretly perking up their ears.

“Whether it’s a coincidence or not, it seems like requests are coming in from all over the place, saying it’s worth a shot.”

“Is that so?”

Freddy nodded gravely, wearing a toad-like expression*.

[ T/N: The phrase ‘두꺼비 같은 표정을 지으며’ (literally: wearing a toad-like expression) is an idiom. It implies that someone is making a solemn or serious expression, often likened to the appearance of a toad. ]

“I saw it with my own eyes. The cat shapeshifters handling the dream demons.”

“What do you mean…”

“What I’m saying is, don’t run your mouth recklessly. We don’t know what’s going to happen.”

“What do you mean, ‘what’s going to happen’?”

Freddy let out a deep sigh.

“Did you know that Count Tara has earned the disdain of the Duchess of Blois, so he’s unable to send in requests? It seems that at the gathering, he mocked and ridiculed the Cool Cat Mercenaries. But…”

“But?”

“But the nobles, who were previously hesitant due to the dream demons, rushed over and groveled to the Duchess about him, and they received priority for requests in return.”

Upon hearing this, the people gathered rolled their eyes and exchanged glances.

“Is the… Is the Cool Cat Mercenaries… really that impressive?”

“P-Priority? Are there quite a few requests…?”

“Well, if the damages from the dream demons continue to escalate unchecked, even if we take a gamble compared to the losses, the cost of the contracts wouldn’t be that burdensome…”

One of those listening suddenly let out a deep sigh and confessed.

“Ha. Honestly, if the harvest goes south this year, I’m done for. I might have to sell off my estate because of debts. You know, my situation…”

He was someone who had mortgaged all his future taxes to other nobles due to gambling debts.

“Since I’m already on the brink of losing everything due to gambling, it’s all or nothing. So, why don’t I take a gamble on this? I’m going to go to Blois.”

As he stormed out of the place at his words, the remaining lords rolled their eyes and quietly got up from their seats.

“Ahem. I also have urgent matters to attend to.”

“E-Everyone seems busy, so I’ll take my leave as well.”

At first, the man who had mocked the mercenary group by calling them by their shortened name became restless as he watched his friends leave. It was because the story about the prioritization of requests was on his mind.

“Don’t, don’t tell me that you guys are going to sell me out… Hey!”