“Are you alright.”

Arkle, who quickly grabbed my shoulder, looked down at me.

“I’m sorry— ah….”

As I hurriedly apologized in surprise, seeing his face made me blurt out something unexpected.

“You’re definitely the lead actor material.”

“Pardon?”

Arkle looked puzzled, but I nodded with confidence.

His looks were unrealistic—no, surrealistic—enough to humble even the top star actors I’d seen in my previous life.

‘Not making someone with a face like this the protagonist… would be a failure of human duty.’

I even began to feel an obligation that, as a human being, such looks should be shared with as many people as possible.

‘Yes, acting skills can somehow be covered by his face… no, that won’t work.’

Recalling Arkle’s acting, it seemed better to abandon that thought completely.

‘Then… I’ll create a role with few lines!’

There’s always a way, isn’t there?

Having made up my mind, I looked at Arkle with confident eyes.

“Arkle, would you like to be the lead in my movie?”

“……!”

His pupils trembled slightly. Though there seemed to be no particular reaction on the surface, after spending quite some time by his side, I could tell. This was a sign of joy.

After looking at me for a moment, he suddenly knelt on one knee. Then he placed his clenched right fist against his chest.

“If you would entrust me with it… it would be an honor.”

His voice was solemn and grave.

His attitude revealed a firm determination not to miss this role.

‘The shock of being rejected from all auditions last time must have been significant.’

I laughed with an “ahaha” and added an explanation.

“Just so you know, it’s a role with few lines, not much movement, and you’ll just be in charge of being beautiful… is that okay?”

After hearing my words, Arkle thought for a moment and then spoke.

“It must be a respected character. One who doesn’t engage in frivolous wordplay or actions. I’ll do my best.”

As he spoke, he frowned slightly as if lacking confidence.

“Beauty… I can’t speak to that part.”

“Oh, that’s fine. Just do what you normally do, so don’t worry at all.”

“Pardon? What I normally do?”

Arkle still looked puzzled, but I patted his shoulder as if to say not to worry.

As for beauty, he was already doing more than enough.

“Now that we’ve decided on the protagonist’s personality, let’s move quickly! Will you help me?”

“Gladly.”

Heading straight to my room, I began drafting a plan using Arkle as my persona.

“Ah—! Here you should wear this kind of clothes… and wouldn’t it look cool if there’s a scene where you’re tied up with rope here? Right, Arkle?”

“Of course.”

Arkle accepted whatever proposal I made. It wasn’t because he understood what I was saying, but because of his strong desire to keep the role.

‘A legal opportunity to make Arkle do whatever I want…!’

I wrote down all the things I had wanted to see one after another, and half the plot was already complete.

In truth, it was hard to distinguish whether it was a plot or just a list of my personal desires….

“Thank you, Arkle. Thanks to you, I’ve completed it safely.”

A few hours later, I was able to complete a rough draft.

‘The budget won’t be as much as I thought. That’s a shame, considering this is a rare opportunity to receive substantial support….’

Since that’s the case, all costumes and props will be top quality. I should take advantage of everything I can get.

“I’ll prepare a budget based on this, report what I need to Martha, and then depart for Kelston right away.”

“Will this work also be made there?”

“That’s right. Aren’t you excited to meet the villagers again? Ah, I wonder how much their acting has improved.”

The Kelston villagers had established a theater specifically for studying acting and were continuing their training.

When I sent them a pile of plays and classic works for practice not long ago, they were reportedly delighted.

“Some of them had real talent…. I’m excited thinking they’ll be much better now than they were then….”

“……”

Somehow, Arkle’s expression seemed to darken rapidly.

After keeping his mouth shut for a moment, he carefully asked.

“May I ask… what are the qualifications of an outstanding actor.”

“Hmm… the most basic thing would be vocalization, right? Since delivering lines is important.”

“Vocalization… delivery.”

Arkle, who had been muttering, solemnly nodded.

“I understand. Please let me know as soon as the departure date is set.”

And then he immediately left the room, his back somehow looking solemn.

A moment later, I heard someone clearing their throat with “Ahem, ahem…!! Ah— Ah—” from somewhere.

I couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

‘Is he feeling pressured? There’s no need for that….’

As I told Arkle, his role was designed to showcase beauty alone, requiring no acting skills whatsoever.

‘I need to finish other tasks quickly so I can start writing the script.’

I immediately began preparing the budget based on the draft. Costumes, props, staff….

Come to think of it, since Arkle would be acting this time, I needed someone else to be the assistant director.

There was no need to think long about it.

‘This person will do.’

Without hesitation, I wrote Juan’s name under required personnel.

‘He’s meticulous, good with video stones, and seems capable of controlling people. Perfect!’

Although I hadn’t asked him yet, it would be good for him to take a vacation to Kelston at the same time.

After submitting the completed budget to Martha, I received an old book from her.

It was information about the mage who cursed Kelston a hundred years ago, sent from the imperial palace.

‘And probably the person who stole the Chalice of Valera….’

As I was thinking this, Martha frowned as if she had a headache and said.

“Getting permission for the request was quite difficult. It’s fortunate that the administrator was close to Baron Clark… According to him, it’s almost a top-level confidential document.”

“Perhaps it’s because it was such a shocking incident?”

“You’ll understand the reason when you read it yourself.”

“Yes, Martha. Thank you!”

Some time later, after returning to my room and thoroughly reading the book, I understood what Martha meant.

“What? This person was the chief mage of the imperial palace?!”

‘No wonder it was classified as top-level confidential.’

To think that the mad mage who practiced alchemy and cursed an entire village had worked for the imperial palace….

“And he was originally a priest…. Wow.”

Why would such a person do such cruel things to the Kelston villagers?

Would any of the Kelston villagers remember this person?

“His name was… Jeronimo Robb. He was a middle-aged man, and his favorite foods were grilled mushrooms, grilled fish, and wine… why is this information included?”

The rest of the information was about his trial process and punishment.

Because the crime was so shocking, there was no particular objection during the trial, and everyone unanimously sentenced him to death.

It was written that immediately after his execution, the imperial palace erased all records related to him.

This document was supposedly the only remaining record….

‘Then there’s no other place to look for more information.’

I stretched and closed the book.

It’s a bit disappointing that there are no other records, but this material alone was valuable.

‘If he was an imperial mage, it would have been entirely possible for him to get his hands on the holy grail kept at the imperial palace.’

The probability that this person stole the Chalice of Valera had increased.

‘Good. Now all that’s left is to go to Kelston and start searching for the holy grail in earnest. We know the location, so it shouldn’t be difficult. What remains is….’

I solemnly took out my typewriter and placed it on the desk with a thud. It was an item I had purchased with the proceeds from 〈In Search of the Holy Grail〉.

“Just need to complete the script!”

Since it’s come to this, I’ll finish the script quickly and head to Kelston. Spending time with Martha seems to have unconsciously made me pursue efficient work.

“Hmm… the title is, ‘Is It So Wrong that I Like Seeing the Villain Suffer?’ It begins with a scene of a man walking into a dark village.”

❖ ❖ ❖

The next morning.

“…And so, the woman says, ‘Is It So Wrong that I Like Seeing the Villain Suffer?’ The end.”

After typing madly all night, I finally put a period on the last sentence.

“Haah….”

Overwhelmed by fatigue, I collapsed on the desk. With my face pressed against the desk, I pulled the bell cord to summon a servant.

“Please print this in multiple copies. And Juan, my assistant director….”

After that, I must have fallen into a deep sleep, as when I opened my eyes again, I was lying in bed. And I was informed that Martha had approved the budget.

The preparations for going to Kelston were complete.

❖ ❖ ❖

“Why is this one coming along as well?”

Before boarding the carriage for departure, Arkle looked at Raku with cold eyes.

I smiled and tried to soothe him.

“It can’t be helped. He has research that must be done in Kelston.”

When I reported my findings to the magic tower, the mages were delighted and requested to come along.

I granted permission thinking it would be helpful… but I never dreamed Raku would be coming.

“Ha— He must be afraid I’ll serve the goddess better. The most loyal servant of the goddess is me—! Oof!”

“I’m truly sorry, my lord. I’ve tried to teach him repeatedly, but this fellow’s speech habits haven’t improved… I told you you’d be useless like this, Raku!”

“Please… everyone get in the carriage. Haah….”

Juan rubbed his face with a voice that sounded like he was about to cry.

When I told him I would make him the assistant director for my movie and asked him to come to Kelston with us, he begged me to reconsider, saying he had too much work piled up, but I just smiled sweetly and absolutely refused to change my decision.

And as expected, he didn’t disappoint me.

“Quickly, get inside—!”

After separating the growling Raku and Arkle, he pushed Raku into the carriage and immediately closed the door.

“That’s my assistant director!”

I gave him a thumbs up.

Juan looked at me with aggrieved eyes as if he had much to say but wouldn’t, and then firmly closed his mouth.

“Well then, is everything ready? Let’s depart.”

And so, with five carriages loaded with equipment and carrying the staff, we set off for Kelston.

After traveling for some time, a familiar mountain range came into view.

‘We’re here.’

The thick fog that completely covered the village was still present.

As I got out of the carriage and started to enter the village entrance, I hesitated for a moment.