From Trash to Villain Master of Card: With Harem of Evil women-Chapter 63: The City of Councils

Entry to Vestria — Fourteenth Day, Noon

The city first appeared as a shadow on the horizon.

Then as a defined form—white walls gleaming under the midday sun, towers rising like needles toward the clear sky.

Vestria.

Neutral capital. Seat of the Council of Kingdoms.

The oldest city in the Twelve Kingdoms, built before borders existed, when everything was a single empire that had collapsed a thousand years ago.

Kaito stopped his horse on a hill that offered a complete view.

"It’s... breathtaking."

Naporia rode up beside him, studying the city with tactical eyes.

"Excellent fortifications. Thirty-meter walls. Watchtowers every fifty meters. Controlled access."

Drake added from the other side.

"The city was designed to never be conquered. That’s why it’s neutral. Attacking Vestria is declaring war on all kingdoms."

Aria approached, shielding her eyes from the sun.

"It’s beautiful. Look at that architecture."

She was right.

The city wasn’t just functional. It was a work of art.

White marble buildings with columns that seemed inspired by the Greece or Rome of Earth. Arched bridges over the river that ran through the city. Gardens visible even from this distance.

Bram approached.

"Commander, the gate guards are waiting for us. They sent confirmation of our arrival."

Kaito nodded.

"Then, forward. Time to face the judgment."

The entourage descended toward the main gates.

---

Gates of Vestria

Two guards dressed in silver ceremonial armor—the symbol of neutrality—waited at the entrance.

They were living statues. They didn’t move when the entourage approached.

Only when Kaito was ten meters away did the guard on the right speak.

"Lord Kaito Yukimura of Neudämmerung. Queen Naporia. Councilor Drake. Observer Aria. Escort of twenty."

His voice was mechanical, reciting from memory.

"You are expected. You have been assigned residence in the East District. Diplomatic sector."

He handed over a sealed parchment with a map.

"Welcome banquet tonight. Mandatory attendance for Lord Kaito and Queen Naporia."

Kaito took the parchment.

"Understood."

The guard didn’t move.

"Formal warning: Vestria is a neutral city. Unprovoked violence will result in immediate expulsion and loss of all diplomatic rights."

He paused significantly.

"This applies especially to... summoned ones known for their violent temperaments."

He looked directly at Naporia.

Naporia clenched her jaw but didn’t respond.

Kaito intervened.

"We understand perfectly. There will be no incidents."

The guard nodded once.

"You may proceed."

The massive gates began to open.

---

East District — Afternoon

The assigned residence was... adequate.

Not luxurious. Not insulting. Exactly in the middle.

A three-story building with ten rooms. A small courtyard. Basic kitchen.

Enough for an entourage of twenty, but without excess.

Kaito noticed other nearby residences were similar—each with a different flag flying.

He recognized some: the golden lion of Kaltstein, the blue rose of Meridia, the hammer and anvil of Eisenhart.

And in the building directly across from theirs...

The radiant sun of Avernor.

Of course.

Naporia noticed it too.

"Seriously? They placed us right across from them?"

Drake studied the arrangement.

"Probably intentional. Vestria wants to observe interactions."

Aria added:

"Or provoke them."

Kaito exhaled.

"Let’s ignore them for now. We have three hours before the banquet. Rest, prepare."

The entourage dispersed.

Kaito went up to his room—second floor, window with a view of the courtyard.

He sat on the bed and, for the first time in two weeks, felt the full weight of what was coming.

The Council starts tomorrow.

Twelve kingdoms judging me.

One wanting to destroy me.

And me with only one real ally.

A knock at the door.

"Come in."

Naporia entered.

Still in the travel dress, but she had clearly tried to fix it up a bit.

"Kaito. About tonight..."

"Yes?"

"Aria says I need to... impress. Not just as a warrior, but as a queen."

She sat beside him, unusually nervous.

"But I don’t know how to do that. I don’t know how to speak with kings. Or how to... look like a real queen."

Kaito looked at her.

"Naporia. You already look like a queen. You’ve been doing it the whole journey."

"But tonight is different. Everyone will be watching. Judging."

She took his hand without thinking.

"And if I fail..."

Kaito squeezed her hand.

"You’re not going to fail. You’re Naporia. The one who won the contest because she connected with people. The one who rebuilt the house for a fallen soldier’s family. The one who solved problems with her heart, not just her sword."

Naporia looked at him with shining eyes.

"It sounds better when you say it."

"Because it’s true."

They stayed like that for a moment.

Then Naporia stood.

"Then I’m going to prepare. And I’m going to be the best damn queen those nobles have ever seen."

She left with renewed determination.

Leaving Kaito with a warm feeling in his chest.

---

Central Palace — Welcome Banquet, Nightfall

The banquet hall was exactly as opulent as Kaito had feared.

A vaulted ceiling fifteen meters high decorated with frescoes of historical battles. Crystal chandeliers hanging like stars. The main table in a U-shape that could accommodate a hundred people.

And it was already partially full.

Representatives from eleven kingdoms—Neudämmerung was the twelfth.

Kaito entered with Naporia at his side, Drake two steps behind, Aria another two steps back.

The effect was immediate.

Conversations stopped.

Heads turned.

Eyes evaluated.

But most of those eyes weren’t looking at Kaito.

They were looking at Naporia.

She had worn the formal dress Lilith had insisted on packing—midnight blue with silver embroidery that caught the candlelight, a cut that accentuated her small but perfectly proportioned figure, her hair, for the first time, arranged in elaborate braids instead of a practical ponytail.

A simple silver crown rested on her head.

She looked...

Stunning.

A young noble near the entrance murmured to his companion:

"Is that the Empress of the Sword? The rumors didn’t mention she was..."

"Beautiful," the other completed.

Naporia heard them. Kaito saw the slightest blush on her cheeks.

But she maintained her composure, walking with the grace Aria had been perfecting for two weeks.

A herald announced:

"Lord Kaito Yukimura of Neudämmerung. Queen Naporia."

The silence continued for three more seconds.

Then, from the head of the table, a voice:

"Welcome."

The voice belonged to a middle-aged woman with a simple crown of white gold.

Platinum blonde hair. Ice-blue eyes that revealed nothing.

A white dress that seemed made of light.

"I am Queen Isolde of Vestria. Host of the Council. Take your seats."

She indicated specific places—not random ones.

Kaito and Naporia were directed to the middle section of the table. It wasn’t an honor, but neither was it an insult. Exactly neutral.

As they walked, Kaito noticed other attendees.

To his right, an elderly man with a white beard and eyes that had seen too much. A crown of black iron on his head.

King Aldric of Kaltstein.

Kaito had read about him. Seventy-two years old. Had ruled for forty. And he was one of the few kings, besides Kaito, who had summoned ones.

Three of them.

Two were seated near him.

The first was a middle-aged man with clothing that seemed halfway between scientist and noble. Small spectacles on his nose. Ink-stained hands. He was constantly taking notes in a small notebook.

The second was a woman in her thirties with hair red as fire and visible scars on her exposed arms. She wore light armor even at the banquet. Eyes that never stopped scanning for threats.

Aldric noticed Kaito’s gaze.

"Ah. You observe my summoned ones. Allow me to introduce them."

He pointed to the man.

"This is Leonardo. The Architect of Reason. A hero of the mind, not muscle."

Leonardo glanced up briefly, nodded, and returned to his notes.

"And this is Boudica. The Warrior Queen. A heroine who led a rebellion against an empire in her time."

Boudica studied Naporia with professional interest.

"I’ve heard of you, Empress. They say you massacred twenty assassins in an ambush two days ago."

Naporia looked directly at her.

"Fifteen. Five escaped."

Boudica smiled—respect between warriors.

"Impressive nonetheless."

Aldric interjected with a voice that carried decades.

"Three summoned ones. You have four, from what I’ve heard. Ambitious, young Kaito."

His tone wasn’t hostile. Just... evaluative.

Kaito responded carefully:

"Circumstances required it."

"They always do."

Aldric took his glass.

"We’ll talk more tomorrow. During the Council."

He turned to another noble.

Kaito exhaled the breath he didn’t know he’d been holding.

Then he noticed a presence on the other side of the table.

A man in his forties wearing formal black clothing with gold details. No crown—he wasn’t a king.

But the radiant sun symbol of Avernor was embroidered on his chest.

Lord Magistrate.

Official representative of Avernor.

His eyes met Kaito’s.

And the hatred there was palpable.

He said nothing. He didn’t need to.

The message was clear:

I will destroy you.

Naporia whispered:

"That’s..."

"Yes."

"He looks like he wants to kill you."

"He probably does."

"You want me to kill him first?"

"Naporia."

"I was joking. Almost."

The banquet began.

---

During Dinner

The food was elaborate—seven courses, each more complicated than the last.

Kaito barely tasted a bite.

He was too busy observing.

Noting who spoke with whom. Who avoided whom. The invisible alliances being woven between conversations about weather and wine.

Naporia tried to eat with the etiquette Aria had taught her.

Mostly, she succeeded. She only spilled wine once. And she used the correct fork seventy percent of the time.

But then it happened.

A fat noble from a kingdom Kaito didn’t recognize—probably Meridia, by the blue rose—spoke loudly enough for half the table to hear.

"So it’s true. The King of Villains really brought one of his... summoned creatures."

Silence fell immediately.

Naporia set down her fork.

Kaito touched her hand under the table.

Don’t react.

But the noble continued, clearly drunk or stupid, or both.

"Tell me, girl. What does it feel like to be the pet of someone who can’t even summon real heroes?"

Naporia stood so quickly her chair fell backward.

"Say that again."

Her voice was dangerously calm.

The noble laughed.

"What? The truth offends?"

Naporia’s hand went to her sword hilt.

Kaito stood immediately.

"Naporia. No."

But her eyes were already red—Iron Will partially activating.

The noble also stood, clearly enjoying the attention.

"Come on, then. Show everyone why they call you the Butcher."

The Vestria guards began moving toward them.

But before they arrived, another voice cut through the air.

"Enough."

Queen Isolde.

She didn’t shout. She didn’t need to.

The authority in her voice was absolute.

"Lord Gregor of Meridia. You are drunk and deliberately being provocative. Withdraw to your quarters. Now."

Gregor opened his mouth to protest.

Isolde looked at him.

"Now."

Gregor left, muttering.

Isolde turned to Naporia.

"Queen Naporia. I appreciate your restraint. Sit down."

Naporia looked at Kaito.

He nodded.

She sat slowly, releasing her sword.

But her eyes still gleamed faintly red.

Isolde spoke to the entire table:

"This is a welcome banquet. Not a combat arena. Let everyone remember that."

Conversations resumed cautiously.

But the damage was done.

Everyone had seen.

Naporia had nearly started an international incident.

And some—especially the Lord Magistrate of Avernor—were smiling.

---

Later at Dinner

Drake was also being observed.

Recognized by several nobles and diplomats who had been at Avernor’s court.

An ambassador approached during dessert.

"Drake. Didn’t expect to see you... here."

Drake looked at him.

"Ambassador Marcus. Long time."

"Is it true? Did you really abandon Avernor for... this?"

He gestured vaguely toward Kaito.

Drake responded with a firm voice:

"I didn’t abandon Avernor. Avernor abandoned me first."

"Traitors always have excuses."

Drake stood.

"And cowards always hide behind titles."

Tension erupted again.

Kaito sighed internally.

It’s going to be a long night.

---

After the Banquet — Residence

The entourage returned in tense silence.

Once inside, Naporia exploded:

"That fat pig! I should have..."

"Nothing," Kaito interrupted firmly. "You did exactly the right thing by doing nothing."

"But he insulted me! He insulted you!"

"And if you had reacted, Vestria would have had an excuse to expel us. Before the Council even began."

Naporia looked at him.

"Do you think it was deliberate?"

Aria answered from where she had dropped into a chair.

"Absolutely. Lord Gregor is a puppet. Someone paid him to provoke you."

Drake added:

"Probably Avernor. They want you to look unstable. Dangerous."

Naporia sat heavily.

"So I almost fell into the trap."

"But you didn’t," Kaito said gently. "You stopped. You showed control."

"Barely."

"But you showed it."

Kaito approached and touched her shoulder.

"Naporia. This is what you were afraid of, remember? That you’d say something wrong. Do something wrong."

"But today, when it mattered, you did the right thing."

Naporia looked at him with eyes that still held a trace of red.

"Do you really believe that?"

"Completely."

Naporia’s eyes slowly returned to their normal color.

"Alright. Then... I’ll try again tomorrow."

"That’s all I ask."

Bram entered with a report.

"Commander. We’ve established double guards. Rotations every four hours. We’re also watching the Avernor residence."

"Good. Thank you, Bram."

When everyone had retired, Kaito remained alone in the main room.

Looking out the window.

Toward the lights of Vestria.

And thinking about the next day.

When it would all truly begin.

The Council of Kingdoms.

Where his fate would be decided.

---

Avernor Residence — Same Night

The Lord Magistrate sat with a glass of wine, smiling.

"Perfect. Absolutely perfect."

His assistant asked:

"My lord?"

"The Empress nearly attacked Lord Gregor. She showed exactly what we wanted: instability. Barely contained violence."

He took a sip of wine.

"Tomorrow, when I present the case against Kaito, I will remind everyone of that scene."

"And if she controls herself tomorrow?"

The Lord Magistrate smiled.

"Then we provoke again. More subtly. Until she breaks."

"And when she does... Kaito will lose everything."