From Trash to Villain Master of Card: With Harem of Evil women-Chapter 69: Tense Reunion

Gates of Aschenfall — Noon

The entourage passed through the main gates with panting horses and exhausted riders.

Ten days of forced march had left visible marks on everyone—deep dark circles, dusty clothes, gaunt faces.

But none of that mattered the moment Kaito saw the three queens waiting.

Adelheid was beside them, but she decided to run and positioned herself at the front next to Lilith and Valeria, still with a slight limp from her old wound but with perfect military posture. Her expression was controlled but her eyes revealed pure relief.

Lilith to her right, her dress flowing in the breeze, a smile that mixed satisfaction and something deeper.

Valeria to her left, motionless as a statue but her eyes—normally empty—showed something that might be... anticipation?

Kaito dismounted before his horse had completely stopped.

Adelheid ran toward him—didn’t walk, ran—closing the distance in seconds.

"Commander!"

Lilith moved with fluid grace, arriving at the same time.

"My king."

Valeria walked with measured steps but faster than usual.

"Commander. You have returned."

Adelheid opened her mouth to speak but the words got stuck.

"I know it’s not the time, Commander, but..."

She didn’t finish the sentence.

Instead, she did something completely out of character.

She hugged him.

Tightly. As if afraid he would disappear again.

Lilith joined a second later, her arms wrapping around him from the other side.

"We missed you," she murmured against his shoulder. "More than I expected."

Kaito, surprised by such an open display, returned the hug awkwardly.

Then he felt a third presence.

Valeria had stepped forward.

She hesitated for a fraction of a second—as if processing what to do—then extended her arms and... hugged too.

With mechanical stiffness at first.

But then, something changed.

Her arms adjusted slightly, finding a more natural position.

"Function of... welcome," she said in a voice that almost held warmth. "Executed."

Naporia had dismounted and approached, watching the scene with a complex expression.

Half jealous. Half moved.

Then she felt Valeria’s hand reaching for her.

"Naporia. You too."

And before she could protest, Valeria pulled her into the collective hug with surprising strength.

The five of them—Kaito and his four queens—in a group embrace in the middle of the courtyard.

Guards watched with discreet smiles.

Citizens who had come out to see the return applauded softly.

For a moment, everything was peace.

Then Adelheid separated first, quickly wiping her eyes.

"Sorry. That was... inappropriate."

Kaito shook his head.

"No. It was exactly what I needed."

Naporia also pulled away, cheeks slightly pink.

"Yes, well. Don’t get used to it."

But her smile betrayed her.

Lilith was the last to separate, touching Kaito’s cheek with tenderness.

"Welcome home, my king."

Valeria simply nodded once.

"Welcome process: complete. Now to urgent matters."

And with that, the moment ended.

Adelheid visibly recomposed herself, military posture returning.

"Commander. We need to talk. There are situations requiring immediate attention."

"The spy," Kaito said. "Your message was brief."

"Intentional. We couldn’t risk interception of details."

She began walking toward the fortress, the others following.

"We identified him. Captain Werner. Veteran of Vargun who swore loyalty to you."

Kaito felt something cold in his stomach.

"Werner? But he..."

"He’s been leaking information to Avernor for six months. Since right after the battle against Eldric."

They reached the war room.

Adelheid laid out documents—evidence collected, timeline of events.

"Supplies disappearing. Intercepted messages. Strategic information compromised."

Kaito studied the documents with a somber expression.

"Why? Motivation?"

Lilith responded.

"Coercion. Avernor kidnapped his family—wife and two children. They forced him under threat of killing them."

That changed everything.

Kaito straightened.

"Where is he now?"

"The cells. In custody but not brutally chained. Adelheid decided on arrest instead of execution."

Kaito looked at Adelheid.

"Why?"

Adelheid held his gaze.

"Because it’s what you would have done. He’s a victim too, forced into an impossible situation."

"Executing him would be easy. But it wouldn’t be just."

Kaito felt warm pride in his chest.

"You did the right thing."

Adelheid exhaled slightly—she hadn’t even known she was holding her breath.

"Thank you, Commander."

"I want to see him. Now."

---

The Cells — Minutes Later

Werner was sitting in a simple but clean cell.

Not chained. Not tortured. Just... waiting.

When Kaito entered, Werner stood immediately.

"Lord Kaito. I..."

"Sit down."

Werner obeyed.

Kaito sat on the bench facing the cell, studying the man.

Werner had aged ten years in six months. Unkempt beard. Sunken eyes. Hands trembling slightly.

"They told me what you did. And why."

Werner didn’t look up.

"I have no excuses. I betrayed your trust. I endangered the kingdom."

"But you did it under coercion. Family kidnapped."

"That doesn’t... doesn’t make it right."

"No. But it makes it understandable."

Kaito leaned forward.

"Werner. Look at me."

Werner slowly looked up.

"Your family. Avernor has them. Correct?"

"Yes. My wife Elena. My children Thomas and Greta. Eight and six years old."

His voice broke.

"They send proof every month. A lock of Elena’s hair. To show she’s still alive."

"Do you know where they are?"

"No. The contact never said. Only that they’re in Avernor territory. That if I try anything... they’ll kill them."

Kaito nodded slowly.

"Then I offer you this: help us rescue them. Any information you have—contacts, communication methods, schedules. Everything."

Werner blinked.

"What?"

"If your family is being used as hostages, they are victims. Rescuing them is the right thing to do."

"But... after what I did..."

Kaito interrupted him.

"After what you did, you’ll work for the rest of your life to make up for it. But first, we save your family."

Werner began to cry.

Not sobs. Just silent tears falling.

"Why? Why would you help me after I betrayed you?"

Kaito stood.

"Because Neudämmerung is a kingdom of second chances. Even for forced traitors."

He extended his hand through the bars.

"Do you accept?"

Werner took his hand with both of his, gripping it like a lifeline.

"Yes. Yes. I’ll do anything. Give any information. Just... please... save them."

"We will. Or we’ll die trying."

---

War Room

The four queens, Drake, Bram, Gorman, and Aria were gathered.

Kaito unfolded a map of the border territories.

"Werner gave us information. Probable location: a small fortress on Avernor’s eastern border. Used for minor political prisoners."

He pointed to a specific position.

"Fifty guards. Stone walls but no major fortification. Rescuable with the right equipment."

Drake studied the map.

"Risky. Venturing into Avernor territory, even for a rescue mission, could be interpreted as an act of war."

"That’s why it will be a black operation. No Neudämmerung symbols. No official uniforms. Disguised as mercenaries."

Naporia leaned forward.

"Who’s going?"

"Small team. Ten maximum. Varied skills."

Kaito looked around.

"I’ll lead. Naporia for combat. Valeria for brute force if we need to break things. Drake for tactical coordination."

Bram volunteered.

"I’ll bring five of my best. Infiltration specialists."

"Accepted. That makes nine. One more..."

Aria raised her hand.

"I’m going. Medical knowledge if there are injuries. And I speak several languages if we need to deceive guards."

Kaito hesitated.

"Aria, it’s dangerous..."

"Everything is dangerous. And I won’t stay here while you risk your life again."

Her tone allowed no argument.

"Fine. Ten. We leave in two days. Time to prepare equipment and reconnaissance."

Adelheid spoke.

"I’ll stay and govern in your absence. Again."

There was a touch of frustration in her voice.

Kaito looked at her.

"It’s not punishment, Adelheid. It’s trust. You’re the best for this."

"I know. But still..."

She didn’t finish.

Lilith was about to speak as well, but then—

BANG!

The war room door exploded open.

A soldier entered, gasping.

"Commander! Urgent news!"

Kaito stood.

"What happened?"

"The village of Rothenberg. Southern border. Attacked an hour ago."

The soldier extended a blood-stained message.

"Fifteen dead. Including children. Fifty wounded. Warehouses completely destroyed."

Absolute silence fell over the room.

Kaito took the message, reading it.

He felt cold fury settling in his stomach.

"The attackers?"

"Bandits according to survivors. But equipped with Avernor weapons. Coordinated like soldiers."

"They fled?"

"Yes. Into Avernor territory before our forces could arrive."

Gorman added with a somber voice.

"Commander. The population is... furious. They demand military response. Real protection."

"Not just diplomatic words."

Kaito looked at the map.

Four attacks now. Clear pattern. Deliberate escalation.

And this time... children dead.

Naporia slammed the table.

"Enough! Let’s attack! Cross the border and massacre those bastards!"

"Damn the verdict! We can’t let them keep killing our people!"

Adelheid shook her head.

"We must be strategic, not emotional. If we attack openly, we violate the Council’s conditions."

"Then Avernor can declare we are aggressors. Other kingdoms might unite against us."

Lilith leaned forward.

"Let’s use diplomatic channels first. Present evidence to the Council that Avernor is behind the attacks."

"Demand neutral intervention."

Naporia turned to her.

"While more of our people die waiting for politicians to decide? No!"

Valeria spoke with a flat but firm voice.

"Clear function: protect citizens. Identified threat: Avernor mercenaries."

"Logical solution: eliminate threat. We attack."

Adelheid stood.

"And then what, Valeria? When the Council declares us aggressors? When five kingdoms invade simultaneously?"

Naporia also stood.

"Then we fight! It’s what we do!"

"We can’t sit here while children die!"

Drake intervened.

"Commander Naporia has a point about immediate protection. But Commander Adelheid is right about long-term consequences."

"We need a solution that does both."

Kaito had been silent, processing.

Everyone turned to him.

Waiting.

He was the one who had to decide.

Protect people now or protect the kingdom later.

Military response or diplomatic patience.

Immediate justice or long-term survival.

There was no right option.

Only bad options and worse ones.

Finally, he spoke.

"Adelheid is right about the danger of open military response. Naporia is right about the need for immediate protection."

He looked at the map.

"So we do both. But in a way Avernor can’t use against us."

He pointed to specific positions.

"Increase border patrols. Triple guards in vulnerable villages. But remain in our territory."

"Simultaneously, Lilith contacts Stahl. Give them evidence of the attacks. Ask them to present the case to the Council."

"And..."

He paused, knowing this was risky.

"...we send a message to Avernor. Private. Not diplomatic."

"We tell them we know what they’re doing. And that if it continues, we will respond. Regardless of consequences."

Naporia smiled—her battle smile.

"I like that."

Adelheid nodded slowly.

"It’s a reasonable balance between defensive and offensive."

Lilith touched her lips thoughtfully.

"A threatening private message is risky. But it also shows we’re not completely passive."

Valeria simply nodded.

"Acceptable strategy. Multiple simultaneous approaches."

Drake added.

"And if the attacks continue after the message... then we have moral justification for a stronger response."

Kaito looked around the room.

"Everyone agreed?"

Everyone nodded.

"Then move. Adelheid, coordinate border defenses. Lilith, contact Stahl. Drake, draft the message to Avernor."

"And prepare Werner’s family rescue mission for the day after tomorrow."

The meeting dissolved, each to their tasks.

But Kaito knew.

This was just the beginning.

Avernor wouldn’t stop easily.

And eventually, they would have to face the truth:

They couldn’t play defense forever.

---

Balcony — That Night

Kaito was alone, looking at the kingdom.

Lights flickering in villages. Cooking fires. Life continuing despite threats.

Adelheid appeared silently.

"Can’t sleep?"

"No."

"Me neither."

She stood beside him.

"Did I do the right thing? In deciding what I decided?"

Adelheid considered the question seriously.

"I don’t know. Maybe there is no right decision. Only the least bad one."

"That’s... depressing."

"But honest."

Adelheid took his hand.

And she kissed him passionately while Kaito, with his free hand, held her by the waist.

Kaito squeezed her hand.

"Thank you, Adelheid."

"Always."

They stayed like that, looking at the kingdom they had sworn to protect.

Knowing that the dark days were just beginning.

But also knowing they wouldn’t face them alone.

Together, they would find a way.

Or die trying.