Became the Villainess’s Guardian

After observing the situation for a few days, I finally grasped the gist of it.
It was an insightful time that allowed me to understand why humanity had floundered and perished.

In Parliament, not only austerity measures but even tax hike cards were being toyed with.
While the kingdom’s industries would not be completely decimated, it was clear that returning to their previous trajectory would take years.
As for the defense industry… since my efforts would not improve matters, I decided to let it go without regret.

And upon reaching this point in my thoughts, one question arose:

‘…So what now?’

Even if I were the queen or prime minister, in this situation, I could hardly advocate rebuilding the military and preparing for the Demonic Tribe’s invasion.

And if I were to sound the alarm about the Demonic Tribe’s imminent invasion, the already frantic atmosphere would only lead the police to engage me in a heart-to-heart talk about inciting social unrest.

While I do privately sponsor a weapons development company, I honestly think it is inadequate on its own.

Interpreting the Demonic Tribe’s preemptive strike as them being prepared would make sense. And they were unlikely floundering in a panic like humanity.
The reason they had been driven back after initially putting up resistance during the Demon Lord’s invasion was probably due to their dwindling numbers from a weaker foundation.

As the situation grew increasingly dire, the urge to brush it all aside occasionally surfaced, but I ultimately never took any action.

“Are you doing alright? Is everything okay?”

“Yes, yes. I’m fine.”

To organize my thoughts, I would visit the orphanages and residential facilities managed by my foundation.
Watching them merrily playing from afar filled me with a sense of fulfillment.

However, it seemed these children had also sensed that something was amiss of late.

“Um, about that…!”

“What is it?”

“In that sense, since we’re not exactly going hungry, couldn’t we reduce the food budget a little…?”

“…Hm?”

“We may not understand the world fully, but we’ve heard that everyone is struggling. So we thought we should adjust accordingly…”

“And I think it might be okay for me to drop out of school now!”

If I understood correctly, this was an appeal not to be abandoned in order to reduce expenses.

Faced with the children silently looking up, conveying their fear of being discarded, I could not bring myself to tell them to start begging on the streets from now on.

Unless they could find employment, even able-bodied adults were whiling away their time smoking at job centers, so the children would fare no better.
Their only advantage in the job market would be cheap daily wages, but even the surviving companies looking to cut labor costs would hardly entrust skilled positions to snotty brats in their preteens.

Ultimately, being told the foundation could no longer operate was tantamount to being told to die.
Having experienced an era where being oblivious meant failing to survive, these children already fully understood that predicament.

While not showing it outwardly, the situation was truly dire.
And just as I was pondering how to establish a reputation for being well-prepared against the Demonic Tribe, Lord Norton requested a meeting.

“Mr. Edan, you have a visitor.”

“Is that so? Shall I have them shown in?”

“Yes.”

Freugne soon returned with a familiar face in tow.
Then, mentioning she would bring some light snacks, she swiftly excused herself.

After briefly watching Freugne depart, the lord greeted me and got straight to the point.

“I wish to make a donation to Mr. Edan’s foundation.”

“Then you’ve come to the right place. If you’re seeking someone who operates their foundation with unparalleled transparency, that would be me.”

“Transparency… yes, indeed.”

As expected, those who have earned a fortune also spend differently.
With the poise of a hustler taking only half the winnings, he also broached the subject of investment alongside his donation.

After roughly determining the amount and intended use with him, we had an evening tea time. Thanks to the lord having given it some prior thought, the discussion concluded swiftly.
He suggested revisiting the various details later and promptly steered the conversation elsewhere.

“I believe this panic will end soon. The current turmoil should last about two years at most.”

“That short a period? I find it hard to believe, if I may say so.”

“That’s merely in reference to emerging from the chaos; the aftershocks will likely linger for several more years. Personally, I think it will take far longer to regain our original vitality. You are aware of this, are you not?”

“Am I aware?”

The lord hastily waved his hand in response.

“Ah, I misspoke. In any case, I don’t think it’s too late to seize the market. After all, our competitors have either vanished or are staggering, have they not?”

“Indeed. In times like these, even if we release new products, there would be no one to purchase them at their proper value.”

“Then, if I may impose a rather presumptuous query…”

The lord inquired with an exaggerated buildup that left me slightly taken aback.

“Might I know your plans for the future… what you intend to do next?”

“What I intend to do next…?”

“Ah! If it’s too intrusive a question, feel free not to answer.”

“No, no, it’s alright to share this much with an investor.”

As for the defense industry, I consider that having provided life support was the extent of what I could do.

So there was nothing for it now.
When thirsty, one must dig a well. Out of sheer frustration, I had no choice but to take the plunge myself.

“Beyond home appliances, I’m considering venturing into other fields of development.”

“Other fields, you say…?”

“Well, there are various options, aren’t there? Weapons would be fine as well.”

“Weapons…?”

It was a personal endeavor, as proposing weapons development at the Keres Martop would undoubtedly invite ridicule from the home appliance Martops, questioning if I intended to create human vacuum cleaners.

Of course, I had abandoned such pursuits after the disastrous “shooting a coin rail gun with fingers” project had indeed resulted in shooting off fingers.
And for a layman to self-study would only lead to sluggish progress. I needed assistance, or at the very least, consultation.

Fortunately, I had built a considerably solid foundation compared to my rookie years in society.
My business connections were no less extensive than those of the Martop head, Freyja.

And above all else,
a few days later, someone came knocking on my door.

“Mr. Edan?”

“Yes.”

“The Royal Academy will be holding a council meeting soon. Would you grace us with your attendance and presence?”

“Gladly.”

Such an opportune occasion was fortuitously presenting itself.

While Freugne, maintaining her identity as an ordinary Londinium high school student, could sense the gloomy atmosphere pervading the surrounding households, probing them directly would have been unwise.

“Hey, where did Benjamin go? Even his desk is empty.”

“Didn’t you know? He went back to his hometown yesterday. With one railway company after another going bankrupt, I’m worried about whether he’ll even be able to make it there properly.”

“What about you? What are your plans now?”

“I’m planning to drop out after this semester. My father is looking for a new job, but I’ll probably have to help out too. I can’t be a burden on my family.”

“Ah……”

If even the students, who merely had to sit and listen, were starting to abandon their studies, it was only natural that the teachers’ circumstances were not much better.

“There are rumors that the government will soon cut educational subsidies. Teacher, is that true?”

“The Londinium Higher Education Union cannot provide assistance either. I never thought I’d have to say this, but… we may have to reduce salaries. No, a reduction is inevitable.”

Even the children from Edan’s foundation, whose welfare had been entrusted to private entities by the government, could not hide their unease as those very private entities were crumbling in real-time.

Freugne, responsible for recruitment and mental care at Edan’s charitable foundation, could easily pick up on their concerns.

“So what happens to us now?”

“What happens?”

“I’ve heard that in times like this, orphanages send all the children away. Is that true?”

“Well… that is, um.”

In this harsh Londinium, who could one depend on if they ignored the suffering of families?
While Freugne wanted to resolve Edan’s troubles and had asked Lord Norton for charitable assistance, being familiar with the plight of living alone without parents, she could deeply empathize.

Thus, now, Edan could gently pat the children’s heads at the orphanage and reassure them:

“You don’t need to worry. I won’t be sending any of you away.”

“Really, really?”

“Yes, complicated matters are for adults like me to handle. So you kids just focus on your studies and such.”

Though it was the East End Orphanage, where close friends had already scattered far and wide in search of organizations or other opportunities, Freugne, who had tagged along to reminisce about her first encounter with Edan long ago while also volunteering, quietly observed the scene from a distance.

And yet, strangely enough,
despite undoubtedly doing a good deed that should have filled her with joy and pride – emotions she did indeed feel –

‘Why does it feel like something has been taken away from me?’

There had been a time when she had occupied that very position.
A realization struck her – Edan had many who depended on him. It was an inevitable consequence of the life he had lived.

In contrast, she herself…

‘Lord Norton?’

He was merely a pawn deployed for the economic conquest of the kingdom.
Even casual conversations about price levels or stock prices held no room for personal sentiments.

‘Superintendent Baldur?’

Theirs had been a kind of contract.
An agreement where she provided an opportunity to root out the city’s corruption while ensuring domestic peace and stability, in exchange for his cooperation.

‘Ulr?’

He could be considered the one who knew her true identity best, relatively speaking.
However, his perpetual curtness left little room for warmth. Lately, he had been approaching those who had lost their jobs due to the recession, recruiting them to join, did he not? In other words, a purely business relationship within the organization.

‘Erine and Sithe?’

Certainly, they were her closest friends… yes, one could say she depended on them to some extent.
But that was predicated on the context of school.

Ultimately, the one she depended on the most was undoubtedly:

‘Edan.’

Living a double life between school and the organization, she would return home, act spoiled by complaining about being tired, share meals and pleasant conversations.
If asked to pinpoint the source of her psychological stability, she would choose him.

While she had almost no one but Edan, he had many who depended on him.

How should she describe this realization?

Yes.
She felt a tinge of jealousy.