Life Of A Nobody - as a Villain

"Take me with you." Katherine said, her words bringing a smile to her father's face, who couldn't help but show an expression that his guess was right.

"Yes, Rio. I can't count the number of times she has been to these dangerous places, despite the many warnings and rebuttals I gave her, _ she's perfect to help and guide you." Misha said with a flattering smile.

Rio ignored the baron and turned to look at Katherine, and asked. "If it's just to learn about monsters, I can take just about anyone from Raven's guild, and that'll be better?"

"But you won't. You said so yourself." Katherine cut him off, "You can't take someone stronger than you as you want the credit from Nyx, and you won't take someone weaker, as they'll just drag you down."

"I remember we're not an even match either. I beat you, remember?" Rio said with an amused smile.

"Yes, but I learn fast, don't make mistakes, and we make a good team." Katherine replied without stopping, mentioning even the rows of VR matches they won together at the academy.

"I'll be in a hurry." Rio suddenly said and continued, "I don't want to waste my precious holidays stuck in a dungeon, so I'll just speed run this thing.."

"If I hold you back, you can leave me behind." Katherine spoke, interrupting him again and finishing his words herself.

"..." Rio looked at her eyes for some time, seeing no sign of backing down, and turned his head to face her father, who seemed quite surprised at his daughter's willingness to speak so much. "What do you think, Baron Winston? Kath's being stubborn, I'm sure you'd want her to stay back."

Misha laughed hearing this, waving his hands on his meaty chin as he spoke, "Hehehe, when has this girl ever listened to me, since she wants to go there, I'm sure I can't stop her. If I try, she'll just sneak out on her own."

"Ohh? And here I thought she'll do everything her father decides." Rio replied, his words making all of them frown a little, as they asked themselves if he knew about the arranged marriage talks or something else, but ignoring their frowns and eyes, Rio chuckled and continued, "But since you want to jump into the fire pit yourself, who am I to stop you."

"..." ×3 _his words making all of them uncomfortable yet again, as they tried to understand his meaning.

"Be ready at dungeon entrance by tomorrow morning, I'll set off at dawn's first break of light." Rio said and finished this discussion.

"Umm_well, if you've made up your mind to enter, then at least find Leon and take him with you too." Finally Darren, who's been as silent as an introverted guest at a gathering, spoke his heart. "Though he's not experienced or familiar with the monsters and the dungeon like Katherine, but he can help you too."

"Plus if you're all together, chances of everyone getting back safely would only increase."

"...." Rio took a moment to answer as he wondered if this guy was really worried about Leon and them, or just wanted to use him and put Leon on Nyx's radar,... But whatever it is, it didn't matter.

"Don't worry, I'll try to find him first after we enter." Rio replied honestly.

"Also if we can have a copy of that map, _ so we can monitor your location and ensure you're safe, you know_ send backup or help if something happens immediately." Darren spoke again, his words and expressions showing the genuine worry of an old man.

Yet his words caused both Rio and Misha to look at him weirdly. Both thinking in their hearts, 'Damn, this guy could finally think brightly now. A map of a domain that they've been ruling and sharing with others for a lifetime, a place whose resources haven't run out even after half a century's digging, _ is this guy planning to finally understand and hog it all to himself.'

[Not everyone's like you two, host. Darren is the hero's father, he's the fool who filled Leon's head with all that honesty and righteousness. Stop judging him by what you would do. He is simply just worried about everyone.] System spoke, stopping Rio's wild guesses, [Even if you give him the map, my money's on the fact that he'll return it, the second you come out safely.]

'..... You're right.'

[And besides, even if he does break his character and become greedy, there'll be nothing left to loot in that place when we're done.]

'... Right.'

[And unlike Leon, he remembers your deeds and helping hand. He's still grateful for what you did for his wife, and his daughter. Chances are he can even take a sword for you and still smile so brightly.]

'....Right.'

[Are you even listening to me?]

'.... Right.'

[...]

After messing with his system for a few seconds, Rio turned his attention back to the baron awaiting his response, and nodded his head. Making him sigh with relief.

At Least now, he won't have to worry blindly, and can relax seeing his son's location live.

"Since you'll enter the dungeon tomorrow morning, why not stay here for the night? Let us host a dinner?"

"There's no need for that, baron Heartwell." Rio shook his head and refused the offer, "Since I'm here, I'll just visit a few more people and then rest at Raven's. Some other time maybe." Rio explained politely.

"That's _fine." The baron sighed and nodded his head, before adding, "Then at least stay for some time, I'll arrange the tea and some brunch for you and your friends outside."

"There's no _."

"I insist." Rio was saying something when the baron cut him off, "I heard you came here directly after coming to this city, so just for some time, rest and relax for a bit. I'm sure the little girl outside must be tired too."

Baron's words this time caused Rio to hesitate for a second, and after thinking for a few seconds, he nodded his head.

"Wonderful." Darren said and clapped his hand on the table. Next second, the door opened and the butler entered the hall respectfully, stopping a few feet away from the table and standing with one hand behind his back and one on his chest, with a bowing expression.

"Take heir Blake and his associates into the resting hall, and make arrangements for their food and drinks." Darren said, smiling at Rio as he pointed to follow him.

Rio nodded his head and stood up to leave, but before he could take two steps over, Misha's voice reached his ears, "Katherine, why don't you accompany him too? You'll only get bored sitting here with us old people here."

Rio turned his head, only to see Misha pushing his daughter away, much to the displeasure in Darren's eyes, who only felt anger in his heart seeing this scene.

The protagonist's father had probably already accepted and imagined Katherine as his son's future bride, so seeing Misha pushing her away like this,.... Yeah Rio could understand the sentiment.

Though Katherine too followed her father's words and left the place with him. Leaving the two barons to stare at each other with conflicting thoughts.