From Trash to Villain Master of Card: With Harem of Evil women-Chapter 48: The Price of Victory

Make-Shift Cemetery — Three Days Later

Sixty graves dug in perfect rows.

Each marked with a name and the fallen’s personal symbol.

The entire population of Neudämmerung was present.

Soldiers in formation. Families weeping. Children not fully understanding.

The sky was gray, as if the world itself was in mourning.

Kaito stood at the front, dressed entirely in black.

No armor. No adornments. Only simple cloth.

The four queens behind him.

Adelheid in a wheelchair, still too weak to stand.

Lilith with a somber expression.

Naporia with visible bandages but military posture.

Valeria standing like a statue, showing no emotion.

Kaito stepped forward.

His voice came out clear, amplified by the absolute silence.

"Sixty names. Sixty lives. Sixty broken families."

He paused.

"They didn’t die for me. They died for their home. For their families. For you."

He pointed toward the distant fortress.

"And that home will continue to exist. Because of them. Thanks to them."

He looked directly at the families.

"But I also understand you. I understand if you hate me. If you blame my decisions."

His voice cracked slightly.

"So I’ll tell you this. If you want to leave... go ahead. The gates are open."

A murmur ran through the crowd.

Kaito continued.

"If you want me to stop being your king... I’ll go. No hard feelings. No punishment."

He looked around.

"Because this kingdom wasn’t formed nor will it grow because of me. It forms and grows because of you."

Total silence.

Then, an elderly man stepped forward.

He was Rolf’s father, the ex-bandit who had died defending Adelheid.

Everyone expected him to shout. To curse.

Instead, he knelt.

"My son died protecting something worth protecting. That’s more than most people have."

His voice trembled but was firm.

"You gave him purpose. Gave him a home. I don’t blame you."

Others began to kneel.

One by one. Entire families.

A woman who had lost her husband spoke.

"My husband chose to fight. No one forced him. He died free."

A young man who had lost his brother.

"My brother believed in this. In you. I won’t betray that belief by hating you."

Kaito felt tears forming.

He tried to hold them back. Failed.

"Thank you... thank you..."

The ceremony continued.

Names read aloud.

Stories shared.

Tears shed.

At the end, as the sun began to set, Kaito remained alone before the graves.

The four queens had withdrawn, giving him space.

"I’m sorry," he whispered. "I’ll make it worth it. I promise."

---

Cells — That Same Day

Eldric woke with sharp pain throughout his body.

He opened his eyes slowly.

Stone cell. Dark. Damp.

Chains on wrists and ankles.

They glowed with faint light—anti-magic.

He tried to activate his power.

Nothing.

The chains suppressed him completely.

The door opened.

Kaito entered, alone.

No guards. No visible weapons.

Eldric laughed bitterly.

"Come to mock the fallen hero?"

Kaito shook his head.

He sat in a chair facing the cell.

"Came to talk."

Eldric spat toward him.

Missed by several meters.

"I have nothing to say to you, failure."

Kaito didn’t react.

"You should have killed me when you had the chance."

Kaito looked directly at him.

"Believe me, part of me wanted to. After seeing my people die because of your pride."

He paused.

"But I’m not like you."

Eldric laughed harder.

"You’re not like me? You’re worse!"

He leaned forward as far as the chains allowed.

"At least I admit what I am. A weapon. A tool of Avernor."

His eyes gleamed with malice.

"You hide behind noble excuses. ’Protecting my people.’ ’Giving them a home.’"

"But you’re the same. You use your people. Sacrifice them. You just pretend you care."

Kaito didn’t respond immediately.

He let the words resonate.

Then spoke with a calm voice.

"Maybe you’re right. Maybe I am the same as you."

He stood.

"But there’s one difference. I ask if what I’m doing is right. You never did."

He started to leave.

"I know you won’t accept. But I’ll ask you just this once. Join."

Eldric spat again.

"I’d rather die."

Kaito nodded.

"I figured."

He left without looking back.

---

Marcus’ Cell — Minutes Later

Marcus was awake when Kaito entered.

Unlike Eldric, he showed no immediate hostility.

Only... sadness.

"Kaito."

Kaito sat.

"Marcus."

Awkward silence.

Finally, Marcus spoke.

"Drake really stayed with you."

It wasn’t a question. It was acceptance.

Kaito nodded.

"He chose to stay. Of his own free will."

Marcus closed his eyes.

"Then we really are different. You and Avernor."

He opened his eyes.

"What will you do with me?"

Kaito leaned forward.

"The same thing I offered Drake. Join. Not as a prisoner. As an ally."

Marcus looked at him for a long time.

"I need time."

Kaito nodded.

"You’ll have it. There’s no hurry."

He stood.

"Think about it carefully, Marcus. I’m not asking for betrayal. I’m asking you to choose your own path."

He left.

Marcus remained alone.

With conflicting thoughts.

---

Adelheid’s Room — Night of the Third Day

Adelheid woke slowly.

Candlelight softly illuminated the room.

She tried to sit up. Sharp pain stopped her.

"Still."

Kaito’s voice.

He was sitting beside her bed, holding her hand.

Adelheid blinked several times.

"Commander...? How long...?"

"Three days since the funeral. You’ve been unconscious for three days."

Adelheid looked at her bandaged abdomen.

"I failed... again..."

Kaito squeezed her hand.

"No. You survived. That’s what matters."

Adelheid shook her head weakly.

"I lost to Eldric twice. I’m not worthy of..."

"You are worthy," Kaito interrupted firmly. "You’re the most capable commander I have. And you’re..."

He hesitated.

Adelheid looked at him with eyes that gleamed faintly.

"I’m...?"

Kaito blushed.

"You’re important to me. More than I should admit."

Adelheid smiled genuinely.

"Commander..."

The door opened abruptly.

Lilith entered with a food tray.

She saw Kaito holding Adelheid’s hand.

Her eyes sharpened.

"What a touching scene."

She set the tray down harder than necessary.

"I heard about the kiss."

Adelheid blushed intensely.

"I... that was..."

Lilith approached Kaito.

"If we’re handing out kisses, I want one too."

Kaito turned red.

"What? No!"

Lilith leaned dangerously close.

"Why not? Is Adelheid special?"

Her voice had a mocking tone, but her eyes showed something else.

Genuine jealousy.

Adelheid tried to sit up.

"The Commander doesn’t need to...!"

Pain stopped her. She winced.

Kaito raised his hands defensively.

"Both of you, calm down!"

Lilith laughed softly.

"Just teasing. Mostly."

But she looked at Adelheid with a competitive expression.

The message was clear: This isn’t over.

---

Meeting Room — The Next Day

First official meeting of the four queens.

Adelheid in a wheelchair, still wounded.

Lilith sitting elegantly.

Naporia standing, refusing to sit.

Valeria standing in a corner, like a statue.

Kaito presided.

"We need to establish clear roles."

He looked at each one.

"Adelheid, when you recover, you’ll continue as military commander."

Adelheid nodded.

"Lilith, internal affairs and diplomacy."

Lilith smiled.

"Naporia, special forces and assault operations."

Naporia bared her teeth.

"And Valeria..."

Everyone looked at the fourth queen.

Valeria spoke with a flat voice.

"I will serve. But I’m not political nor a spy."

She looked directly at Kaito.

"I am a weapon. Use me as such." 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Kaito nodded.

"Understood. You’ll be our... strategic reserve. For threats the others can’t handle."

Valeria nodded once.

"Acceptable."

But she added.

"And when this war ends... I want freedom to wander."

Kaito blinked.

"Wander?"

Valeria nodded.

"I won’t stay locked up. I need movement. Purpose."

She paused.

"But I’ll return when you call me."

Kaito considered, then nodded.

"I agree. When this is all over, you’re free."

Naporia snorted.

"And me? Can I wander too?"

Kaito looked at her.

"Do you want to?"

Naporia considered.

"...No. This is fun."

Lilith laughed.

"How honest."

Adelheid tried to mediate.

"We need coordination. We can’t..."

Naporia interrupted.

"I don’t need coordination. I just point and destroy."

Valeria nodded.

"Similar function."

Lilith smiled maliciously.

"And I manipulate from the shadows. We’re perfectly complementary."

She looked at Adelheid.

"Though some need to recover first."

Adelheid gripped the armrest of her chair.

Kaito raised his hands.

"Enough. You’re all valuable. You all have roles."

He looked severely at each one.

"And you all obey. Understood?"

Three nodded.

Valeria simply said.

"Always."

---

That Same Day — Messenger Arrival

A messenger arrived with escort.

Not from Avernor.

From Stahl.

He carried a letter sealed with Serafina’s emblem.

Kaito opened it before his council.

He read aloud.

Lord Kaito,

Congratulations on your victory. Impressive, considering the odds.

However, I must warn you.

Avernor will convene the Council of Kingdoms within three months.

They will declare you a continental enemy. An outlaw. A threat to all.

Prepare for total war.

Not all kingdoms will support you. Some will see an opportunity to conquer.

Choose allies wisely.

— Serafina von Eisenhardt

Silence fell over the room.

Gorman spoke first.

"The Council of Kingdoms... that’s..."

"War on multiple fronts," Adelheid completed. "Not just Avernor. Possibly five or six kingdoms."

Naporia smiled.

"Finally, a real challenge."

Lilith looked at her.

"A challenge that could destroy us."

Kaito set down the letter.

"Then we have three months. To prepare. To find allies."

He looked at everyone.

"And to become a kingdom no one dares to attack."

---

Later — Aria Joins Officially

Aria was summoned to Kaito’s private room.

She entered, limping slightly, arm still in a sling.

"You called for me?"

Kaito nodded.

"I wanted to talk about your future."

Aria tensed.

"I understand if you want me to leave..."

Kaito shook his head.

"On the contrary. There’s no turning back for you now. Avernor will execute you if you return."

He paused.

"So, officially... welcome to Neudämmerung. Permanently."

Aria felt tears forming.

"Thank you... you don’t know how much..."

Kaito smiled.

"But I have a question. What role do you want?"

Aria blinked.

"Role?"

"The others are queens. They have defined positions. What do you want to be?"

Aria considered.

Then she smiled.

"A friend. Just your friend."

Kaito raised an eyebrow.

"A friend?"

Aria nodded.

"I don’t want to be a queen. You have enough with four."

She laughed softly.

"But I want to be someone who reminds you who you are. When the villains and the power make you forget."

Kaito felt something warm in his chest.

"I would like that."

He extended his hand.

"Then, officially friends."

Aria shook it.

"Friends."

When Aria left, she passed by the four queens who were "coincidentally" nearby.

They all looked at her warily.

Aria smiled innocently.

"Relax. I’m not going to compete."

Naporia snorted.

"Good."

Lilith simply observed.

Adelheid nodded politely.

Valeria showed no reaction.

Aria continued walking, but smiled to herself.

This will be interesting.

---

Balcony — Midnight

Kaito was alone, looking at his kingdom.

Lights flickering in the distance.

Sounds of reconstruction even at this hour.

He took out the remaining cards from his pocket.

Unfolded them.

There were still some not summoned.

Names visible but not completely clear.

"How many more will I need?" he murmured. "Five? Ten?"

He looked at his hands.

He felt the void that the fourth summoning had left.

As if part of his soul was... absent.

"And how much of me will be left at the end?"

He put away the cards.

Not today.

Today he had paid enough price.

He looked toward the horizon.

Where dark clouds were gathering.

Literal—a storm was approaching.

But metaphorical too.

War. Council. Enemies multiplying.

"The first battle ended," he said aloud. "But the war..."

Thunder rumbled in the distance.

"...is just beginning."

---

The view slowly pulls away.

Showing Aschenfall Fortress.

The surrounding villages.

The three mountain fortresses.

Dreisburg in the distance.

Banners waving with the black phoenix on silver.

Lights on. Life. Hope.

But beyond...

In all directions...

Storm clouds approaching.

Dark. Threatening.

Converging on the small kingdom.

The image slowly fades.

---

END OF ARC I: FOUNDATION

The first battle had ended.

But the war... was just beginning.