I Reincarnated As A Villainess, But Why Did I Become A Cat Butler Instead? - Chapter 286

Chapter 143.2

“I think I know what I should do with those people.”

Dimitri had said something in the carriage on our way to the capital.

“The hilt of the sword is now in Rowaine’s hands, so if you want to do something, feel free to do whatever you wish. Anything.”

“Anything?”

“Yes, anything. For example… exercising influence in enacting laws that benefit Rowaine.”

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A few days after the day when prominent ladies from high society visited Rowaine, the ‘Cool Cat Mercenaries’ were mentioned at the National Assembly.

“I’ve been hearing a lot about the Cool Cat Mercenaries’ activities recently, Duke Blois.”

The attention turned to Dimitri, who was sitting crookedly and watching the nobles quarrel over their interests. He thought to himself that Rowaine would be happy to know that in this gathering of the empire’s great nobles and the Emperor, people kept mentioning the name ‘Cool Cat Mercenaries.’

“Is that really that effective?”

“Several lords have said that the dream demons have disappeared from their territories.”

“I’ve heard that the cat shapeshifters are being released to wreak havoc in the territories.”

Some people looked displeased, while others glanced at Dimitri desperately.

“With the country in such a difficult state, as a vassal, shouldn’t the Duke of Blois provide equal help to the various fiefdoms?”

Dimitri shrugged.

“My wife’s mercenary group isn’t part of the imperial army. Do they have such an obligation?”

“It is an obligation, indeed. Isn’t the country facing a great crisis? As a vassal, you should…!”

At that moment, someone else interjected.

“You can’t make that an obligation.”

At first glance, it seemed like he was defending Dimitri, but in reality, that wasn’t the case.

“Although it’s a mercenary group, it’s an armed force fighting demons. How is that different from private soldiers? It’s almost the same as stationing another lord’s private soldiers in my territory.”

“That’s right. I believe the Duke of Blois’s mercenary group needs to be sanctioned.”

Those were the arguments of those who were wary of the mercenary group’s military power.

As Dimitri listened quietly, those who had initially pretended to be somewhat cautious became more outspoken. Some argued that restrictions were needed to control the mercenary group, while others, given the current situation, called for the mercenary group’s voluntary assistance. The only ones remaining silent were Emperor William, who was glaring intensely at Dimitri, and Dimitri himself.

William raised his hand to silence the commotion in the room.

“To form an organized group of cat shapeshifters. I was under the impression that cat shapeshifters don’t form groups.”

This was a rather sensitive issue for William, who had consolidated his power by using a military force of shapeshifters.

The imperial family, having gained immense strength with dog shapeshifters, had continuously attempted to tame and militarily train various types of shapeshifters, though they had repeatedly failed. There were no shapeshifters as cooperative and easily trained as the dog shapeshifters.

Dimitri, sensing William’s displeasure, slowly opened his mouth.

“There are some misunderstandings here.”

He pointed out leisurely.

“First of all, the mercenary group belongs not to me but to the Duchess of Blois. I’m sure everyone here knows that according to imperial law, even spouses can’t interfere in each other’s property and business without consent.”

The nobles who had been interfering with how Dimitri should manage the mercenary group fell silent.

“Additionally, although the Cool Cat Mercenaries are called a mercenary group, none of them are armed. They don’t even carry the usual armor or blades the size of my palm.”

Dimitri looked straight at William.

“This is because they are neither a military force nor an armed group. Rather…”

Then, he made eye contact with several nobles.

“There have been a few instances where members of the mercenary group have been attacked by the territory residents who weren’t knights because they were shapeshifters in the course of carrying out a request.”

Those who made eye contact with Dimitri quickly looked away. This was an incident that occurred despite the fact that the lords had promised to protect the shapeshifters during the request as part of the contract, yet failed to handle it properly.

“My wife is very worried about this. It seems she’s reluctant to send out the mercenary company unless it’s to lords who can assured of their safety.”

At those words, the nobles who had no particular interaction with Blois shifted uncomfortably, frustrated. The damage from the dream demons had spread uncontrollably, and the collected taxes amounted to only half of what was usual.

Dimitri parted his lips again after calming down the distracted atmosphere for a moment.

“Therefore, I’d like to establish regulations here to prevent abuse towards shapeshifters.”

His firm voice clearly pierced everyone’s ears. Dimitri looked around at the people and recalled what Rowaine had said.

“I’ve obtained promises from those requesting requests from the Cool Cat Mercenaries.”

Saying so, she placed several stacks of contracts in front of him.

“When I told them I would drive away the dream demons, they all showed their tokens of friendship, agreeing to support the establishment of the shapeshifters protection law.”

Tokens of friendship!

“I learned something good from Grandmother Rosanne.”

Rowaine said this with a very bright smile on her face.