From Trash to Villain Master of Card: With Harem of Evil women-Chapter 62: The King’s Road

Third Day of Travel

The Royal Road connecting the Twelve Kingdoms was ancient.

Paved with stones that had endured a thousand years of merchants, armies, and pilgrims. The trees on both sides were so old that their branches formed a natural tunnel in some sections.

The Neudämmerung entourage advanced at a steady but unhurried pace.

Kaito rode at the front with Drake to his right. Naporia should have been to his left—the traditional position for the Queen—but she had fallen several meters behind, visibly uncomfortable.

Aria approached Kaito with an amused expression.

"Your Queen is suffering."

Kaito looked back.

Naporia was constantly adjusting something on her clothing, grimacing every few minutes.

"What’s wrong with her?"

"The dress."

Kaito blinked.

"What dress?"

Aria pointed.

Kaito actually looked this time.

Naporia wasn’t wearing her usual imperial uniform. Instead, a formal travel dress—dark blue with silver embroidery, designed for female royalty. She still had her sword, but the rest was completely different from her normal style.

"Oh," Kaito said. "I hadn’t noticed."

Drake laughed softly.

"Commander, you need to pay more attention to these details."

Kaito sighed and slowed his horse, waiting for Naporia to catch up.

When she reached his side, she was tugging at the skirt with an expression of someone in personal torment.

"Everything alright?"

Naporia looked at him with eyes that clearly said what do you think?

"No. Nothing is alright. Why must I wear this?"

Kaito studied the dress.

"Because you’re the official Queen. And queens wear formal dresses on diplomatic journeys."

"I hate this. It restricts my movement. If we’re attacked, how do I fight with all this fabric?"

"You lift the skirt and fight anyway."

"That’s undignified."

"Dignity is less important than survival."

Naporia grumbled but stopped complaining verbally.

She continued tugging at the skirt every few minutes.

---

Roadside Inn — Fifth Night

The inn was a moderately decent establishment at an important crossroads.

Two stories, clean stables, food that smelled more good than bad.

Kaito had reserved rooms in advance—a messenger sent days earlier.

The innkeeper, a robust woman named Gerda, received them with a mix of curiosity and caution.

"Lord Kaito of Neudämmerung. Welcome."

Her tone was professional but her eyes scanned the entourage with obvious interest.

Especially Naporia.

"They say you travel with the Empress of the Sword."

Naporia looked at her.

"And?"

Gerda bowed slightly.

"Forgive me. It’s just... the rumors about you are extensive."

"What rumors?"

Gerda hesitated.

Drake intervened gently.

"Nothing concerning, Commander. Just that you’re a formidable warrior."

But Kaito noticed how several merchants in the common room watched with a mix of fear and fascination.

He heard whispers as they passed.

"...King of Villains..."

"...defeated three Avernor heroes..."

"...they say he summons demons..."

"...Hero Destroyer..."

Kaito ignored the murmurs and went up to his room.

---

Kaito’s Room — Later That Night

A knock at the door.

"Come in."

Aria entered with a tray of tea.

"Thought you might need this."

Kaito accepted gratefully.

"Did you hear the rumors?"

"Impossible not to. They were being quite obvious."

Aria sat in the chair by the window.

"’King of Villains’ is rather dramatic."

Kaito laughed without humor.

"It’s not technically false."

"No. But the way they say it... as if you’re a threat to the world order."

"Maybe I am."

Aria looked at him seriously.

"Does it worry you?"

Kaito drank his tea before answering.

"It worries me that no matter what I say at the Council, they’ve already decided who I am."

"The villain who must be stopped."

Aria nodded slowly.

"It’s possible. But you also have allies. Stahl at least. And maybe others who are tired of Avernor dictating everything."

"Let’s hope you’re right."

Another knock at the door.

"Yes?"

Naporia entered, still wearing the dress, looking absolutely miserable.

"I need to talk to you. Alone."

Aria stood immediately.

"I was just leaving." 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

She left with a knowing smile that made Kaito feel slightly nervous.

Naporia closed the door and leaned against it.

"This dress is killing me."

"Literally?"

"Almost."

She walked toward Kaito with steps that revealed she really wasn’t used to the skirt.

"Why do I have to wear this? Can’t I just wear my uniform and say I’m a War Queen or something?"

Kaito smiled despite himself.

"Because the other kingdoms have specific expectations about what a queen looks like."

"Stupid expectations."

"Completely agreed. But we have to work within the system if we want to change it."

Naporia sat on Kaito’s bed with a dramatic sigh.

"Drake said I need to learn etiquette too. Things about how to sit, how to eat, how to speak with nobles."

"It’s true."

"I hate all of this."

Kaito sat beside her.

"I know. But Naporia... you chose to be Queen. This comes with the territory."

Naporia looked at him with an expression that was unusually vulnerable.

"What if I fail? What if I say something wrong and ruin everything?"

Kaito touched her shoulder.

"You’re not going to fail. And if you say something wrong, we improvise. You’re not perfect. No one is."

Naporia nodded slowly.

"Alright. Then teach me."

"Now?"

"Now."

Kaito considered.

"Fine. Lesson one: how to sit formally."

Naporia automatically straightened into military posture.

"Not like that. More... relaxed but dignified."

He demonstrated, sitting with back straight but shoulders not so tense.

Naporia tried to imitate him.

She looked ridiculous—half soldier, half attempting to be elegant.

Kaito couldn’t help but laugh.

"What?" Naporia asked defensively.

"Nothing. Just... you’re trying too hard."

"Because it’s hard!"

"I know, I know."

Kaito stood.

"Look. When you speak with nobles, the most important thing is eye contact. Don’t look down. Don’t look up. Direct."

He demonstrated by looking directly at her.

Naporia imitated him.

Their eyes met.

And something changed in the air.

They both realized at the same time how close they were. How the candlelight made Naporia’s eyes gleam slightly.

Naporia cleared her throat and looked away first.

"Understood. Eye contact."

Kaito stepped back, feeling heat in his cheeks.

"Yes. That’s... the basics."

Awkward silence.

Finally, Naporia stood.

"I should go. Before rumors start."

"Good idea."

She walked to the door but stopped.

"Kaito."

"Yes?"

"Thank you. For being patient with me about this."

"You don’t have to thank me."

Naporia smiled—one of her genuine smiles, not her battle ones.

"Still."

She left, closing the door softly.

Kaito stood for a moment, processing what had just happened.

That was... something.

---

Hallway — Minutes Later

Naporia was walking to her room when Aria appeared from a corner.

"I see you survived the etiquette lesson."

Naporia looked at her.

"Were you listening?"

"Didn’t need to. Your expression says it all."

Aria approached with a conspiratorial smile.

"Can I give you advice?"

"About?"

"The dress. I know you hate it."

"With burning passion."

Aria laughed.

"But it can be... a useful tool."

Naporia raised an eyebrow.

"A tool?"

"For impressing Kaito."

Naporia blushed slightly.

"I don’t... that’s not..."

"Please. I saw how you looked at him in there."

Naporia opened her mouth to protest.

Aria continued.

"The dress makes you look different. Not like a warrior. Like a woman. And Kaito... he notices those things even if he won’t admit it."

Naporia processed this.

"Are you saying I should use the dress to... seduce him?"

"I’m saying you should use all your advantages. You’re strong in combat. But there are other kinds of strength."

She touched Naporia’s shoulder.

"Femininity isn’t weakness. It’s a different kind of power."

Naporia looked at her with a confused expression.

"I don’t know how to do that."

"No one is born knowing. But you can learn."

Aria smiled.

"And I have a whole week and a half to teach you."

Naporia considered this for a long moment.

Then she nodded slowly.

"...Alright. Teach me."

---

Eighth Day

The entourage stopped at a crossroads where a merchant caravan was resting.

Drake suggested interacting—good diplomatic practice.

The caravan leader, an elderly man named Rudolf, bowed as Kaito approached.

"Lord Kaito. I’ve heard of your kingdom. Neudämmerung, correct?"

"Correct."

"And this is your Queen?"

Naporia stepped forward.

Aria had been working with her for days. Small adjustments. How to walk in the dress. How to smile without seeming threatening. How to use a softer tone without losing authority.

"Naporia of Neudämmerung," she introduced herself with a voice that was firm but not aggressive.

Rudolf studied her for a moment.

"The rumors don’t do you justice, Your Majesty."

"In what way?"

"They say you’re terrifying. But you seem... noble."

Naporia didn’t know how to respond to that.

Kaito intervened gently.

"She’s both when the situation requires it."

Rudolf laughed.

"Good answer."

They exchanged pleasantries and information about the road ahead.

Rudolf warned.

"There are bandits operating near the Vestria border. Nothing your escort can’t handle, but worth being alert."

Kaito thanked him for the information.

When they returned to the entourage, Aria whispered to Naporia.

"You did well. Natural."

Naporia allowed herself a small smile of satisfaction.

---

Tenth Day

They found a group of refugees camped in a clearing beside the road.

Thirty people, mostly families. Tattered clothes. Exhausted expressions.

Kaito ordered a stop.

"What happened?"

An elderly man stepped forward.

"We come from the Kingdom of Kaltstein. The crops failed this year. The king raised taxes anyway. Those who couldn’t pay... were expelled."

Kaito looked at the group.

Children with hollow cheeks. Mothers holding babies. Elderly who probably wouldn’t survive much longer.

"Where are you going?"

"We don’t know. Just... away."

Kaito looked at Bram.

"Provision distribution. A week’s food for everyone."

Bram nodded and began organizing.

The refugees were surprised.

"Why are you helping us?"

Kaito looked at them.

"Because I can. And because I know what it’s like to have no home."

Naporia approached a young mother holding a baby.

"Do you need anything else?"

The woman looked at her with enormous eyes.

"Are... are you the Empress of the Sword?"

Naporia hesitated.

"Yes."

"We’ve heard stories. They say you kill without mercy."

Naporia didn’t know what to say to that.

The woman continued.

"But you’re here. Helping. That’s... that’s different from what they say."

Naporia touched the baby’s head with unexpected awkwardness.

"Stories aren’t always complete."

When the entourage continued, Naporia rode in silence.

Kaito looked at her.

"What are you thinking about?"

"Reputations. And how they’re formed."

"And?"

"And that maybe I can change mine. A little."

Kaito smiled.

"You already are."

---

Twelfth Day

It happened at sunset.

On a section of road bordered by dense forest on both sides.

Bram raised his hand.

"Halt!"

There was something in the road ahead. A fallen log. Blocking the path.

Too convenient.

Kaito felt ice in his stomach.

"Trap."

The words barely left his mouth when they appeared.

Twenty figures from the trees on both sides.

Dressed in black. Faces covered. Varied weapons—swords, daggers, bows.

Professional assassins.

The leader stepped forward.

"Lord Kaito. You have two options. Surrender peacefully, or die violently."

Drake drew his sword.

"Third option. You die."

The leader laughed.

"Confident. I like it."

He gestured with his hand.

The assassins attacked.

Everything exploded into chaos.

The Neudämmerung guards formed a protective circle around Kaito.

Bram shouted orders.

Drake fought two assassins simultaneously.

And Naporia...

Naporia dismounted from her horse with a fluid movement.

The dress she had hated so much tore at one side as she drew her sword.

"Finally," she murmured. "Something I know how to do."

She launched herself at the assassins with speed that caught them completely off guard.

Her sword moved in patterns that were barely visible.

Three assassins fell in the first ten seconds.

Another four tried to surround her.

She spun, using momentum to cut in a full circle.

Two more fell.

The assassin leader whistled.

"Secondary objective. Kill her first."

Six assassins converged on Naporia.

She smiled—her true battle smile.

"Try it."

Meanwhile, Kaito had drawn his own sword.

He wasn’t a warrior like Naporia or Drake. But he had trained.

An assassin approached from his blind spot.

Kaito turned but not fast enough.

The assassin’s dagger sliced his left arm.

Sharp pain.

Blood.

Kaito counterattacked instinctively.

His sword found the assassin’s side.

The man fell.

Aria screamed from where she was protected by two guards.

"Kaito!"

Drake appeared beside Kaito.

"How bad?"

"Superficial. I think."

"Stay behind me."

The battle continued for five more minutes.

Naporia was a whirlwind of death.

The guards fought with trained discipline.

Drake was an unbreakable wall.

When it ended, fifteen assassins were dead.

Five had fled.

The leader was on the ground, wounded but alive.

Naporia put her sword to his throat.

"Who sent you?"

The man spat blood.

"You’ll never know."

He bit something in his mouth.

Poison.

He convulsed and died within seconds.

Naporia cursed.

"Professionals. With suicide pills."

Bram checked the bodies.

"No identification. No symbols. But the equipment... it’s expensive. This was paid for by someone with resources."

Drake looked at Kaito.

"Avernor."

"Probably."

Aria ran to Kaito.

"Let me see your arm."

The wound was a ten-centimeter gash on his left forearm. Bleeding but not deep.

Aria pulled out a medical kit she had brought—knowledge from her world applied here.

"Cleaning first. This is going to sting."

She poured alcohol over the wound.

Kaito grimaced but didn’t scream.

Aria worked with efficiency that would have impressed any doctor.

She cleaned the wound thoroughly. Applied antibacterial ointment she had prepared with local herbs. Bandaged it with technique that minimized infection risk.

"Done. Change the bandage every day. If it gets red or swollen, tell me immediately."

"Thank you."

Naporia approached, still with sword drawn and stained with blood.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes. Thanks to you."

Naporia cleaned her sword and sheathed it.

"That was my job."

But her eyes revealed genuine concern.

Kaito touched her shoulder with his good hand.

"You did perfectly."

Naporia blushed slightly.

"I just did what was necessary."

That night, they camped with double guards.

No one slept deeply.

And everyone understood.

Avernor wouldn’t wait for the Council.

They had already begun to play.