Ignoring him, Aileen looks down. “I think…I felt the baby kick just now.”

  Feeling as if he’s been slapped across the face, Claude follows Aileen’s gaze.

  After that, the two of them get very excited, and he doesn’t remember much about it.

  That’s a good way for a first love to end, though.

  “Cattleya.”

  As she steps out into the hall, someone calls to her. Cattleya forces a smile. “Your face is a picture, Diana.”

  “Well, I mean…”

  “It’s fine… Kilvas was never more than a stop on the way. Isn’t that right?”

  When they launched their operation, they didn’t mind if the empire fell.

  Outside, energized by Ernst’s speech, the citizens of the empire are welcoming Irena and the rest of her unit. There’s no longer any place for the two of them here. There never was, really.

  “All right: Next is Hausel, our main objective. No doubt Emperor Claude will refuse to acknowledge us, though. He’ll be a formidable foe.”

  “…Yes, it looks as if we should find the sacred sword. We’ll work cautiously next time.”

  “Right.”

  “But…you loved him?”

  Diana’s gaze and the things she says are always straightforward. She’s sure to see through any lie Cattleya tells.

  “…It’s just a memory. Even now that I know everything, it’s still a lovely memory when I look back. That dream is over now, though.”

  She thumps her friend on the shoulder, and they leave the country together.

  And so, as the ending of her first love goes, it isn’t a bad one.

  On the day when the wall in the Kilvas Empire fell, Empress Diana and Princess Cattleya vanished, taking the majority of the Valkyries with them. Emperor Vica launched a search and even called on other countries for help. However, the group’s ties to Hausel ran deep, and their whereabouts remained unknown.

  A year had already passed since the fall of the Holy Queendom of Hausel.

  Even ruined, the Queendom continued to influence the world, and the young emperor of Kilvas suggested convening the second continental conference to discuss what should be done about the country and its relics.

  The conference would be held in autumn of the following year. It was the first great achievement of Vica Tsar Kilvas, long belittled as a puppet emperor.

  Final Act

  The Final Boss’s Family

  The Ellmeyer Empire has four clear seasons.

  Winter, which arrived soon after Claude returned from Kilvas, has passed in a flash, and spring is drawing near. The strong wind that marks the transition between the two seasons; the soft, pale, hazy sky; the madder-red sunset that shyly steals in; and the arrival of night, like a lamp being gently turned down—everything about the day is a sign of spring’s coming.

  However, Claude doesn’t spare a glance for the fine weather. He doesn’t have the presence of mind for that sort of thing.

  His wife’s labor began that morning.

  “Master Claude, please calm down.” In his office, Walt speaks up as if he can’t take it anymore.

  “I am calm.”

  “No, seriously, the room is shaking. Also, your hands are trembling a little.”

  “I could not possibly be calmer. It’s because I’m staying calm with all my might that this room is the only thing I shake.”

  “…Just be grateful for that small mercy, Walt. Also, you haven’t been blinking for a while now, Master Claude.”

  “Oh, right…,” Walt says, trailing off as he and Kyle go back to work. Their main role is guarding Claude, but they can at least sort the documents and materials that have piled up. Having Keith constantly coming and going would make it hard for Claude to settle down, so right now, making tea is their job as well.

  Claude can’t tell how anything tastes today.

  Once the last month of Aileen’s pregnancy came and went, they started to worry. Aileen insisted everything was fine, but she had probably been just as uneasy. Then, finally, her birth pangs started in the morning. The imperial castle was already fully equipped and waiting to spring into action. Preparations for the birth began right away.

  Claude came running the moment he received the report, but in accordance with Aileen’s long-standing wish, he wasn’t allowed to even see her face, let alone hold her hand. In fact, he was banned from entering the room entirely and forced to return to his office. His prime minister, Cyril, was lying in wait for him there and had brought him a mountain of work. He said it was at his little sister’s request.

  For the finishing blow, Rachel gave Claude a message from his wife: “Everyone around us will be concerned. Prioritize your work.” In addition, she naturally refused the demons’ dance of support; apparently, they’re performing it in the forest instead. Claude would really have preferred to start dancing as well. It wasn’t as if he was going to get any work done.

  Adding to the general confusion, Crown Princess Lilia also went into labor a short time after Aileen. Her child was arriving significantly before its due date.

  Between the empress and the crown princess both giving birth, the imperial castle is in an uproar. Fortunately, they prepared so thoroughly that they had no problems summoning doctors, midwives, and even calling the Daughter of God over from the neighboring kingdom.

  About the only thing they didn’t plan for was dealing with Cedric, who is just as distracted as Claude, and they ended up being tossed into the same office. They’ve been lumped together because nobody wants to deal with either of them right now.

  Claude calls to his half brother, who’s sitting on a sofa in the corner by himself. “Cedric, are you calm? Calm down. I’m here. It’s all right.”

  “Be quiet, Brother. Don’t get in my way, please.”

  Lilia also chased Cedric out, saying, “You’re in the way ,” and told him to finish making the clothes for the newborn that she had started. He’s been wielding knitting needles like a professional artisan for some time now. The fact that he’s staying this focused on his knitting when the room is rocking is actually terrifying. Claude is concerned that if he keeps knitting with such dull and lifeless eyes, he’ll end up making cursed baby clothes.

  He understands how his brother feels, though. It’s easier to endure the wait if his mind is occupied.

  No matter how much Claude struggles, there’s no place for him here. However, the short hand on the clock has already made a full circle since he was first informed that Aileen’s labor had begun. He heard these things took time, but it can’t possibly continue until dawn…can it? The idea makes his hands shake.

  “…It’s no good. My signature is illegible, and so is the writing.”

  “V-very well, Master Claude. Use the state seal to… W-wait, that’s also shaking too much, isn’t it…?”

  “For the first time ever, I’m keenly aware of my own powerlessness…!”

  “H-haaah, so you’re confessing you’ve never felt powerless before. That’s sort of irritating.”

  “Master Claude, are you still sane? I’ve brought a letter from Emperor Vica.”

  Elefas, who Claude sent to Kilvas with a letter that morning, has returned. He enters through the door and sets the letter on the desk. However, seeing that Claude’s hands are shaking terribly, he breaks the seal and hands him the contents of the envelope.

  Walt calls to Elefas across the sofa. “Has Kilvas settled down? I’d like to make a trip over there myself.”

  “Yes, the cold has finally eased a bit. The demons also seem to have calmed down. They’ve decided to leave the wall to mark the boundary of the demons’ residential district… Oh, that’s right: They don’t call them demons anymore.”

  “Apparently, they’re called demonborn now.”

  The demons in Kilvas were human originally, after all. Lumping them in with the other demons didn’t seem very sensible, and after some discussion, they finally decided on a name. Names define beings and are of great import.

  “Those who can return to their human forms are building a village on the other side of the wall. The letter also says Vica and his people are going to go interview their community to learn more. It’s possible that they’ll all be able to regain their human forms someday.”

  Vica managed to switch back with Claude without incident, and it sounds as if he’s running the country well. Fewer people seem to be calling him a puppet these days.

  The whereabouts of Diana, Cattleya, and the missing Valkyries are unknown, but at present, there are no signs of ominous activity anywhere. The only concerning thing is that the voices calling for the revival of the Queendom of Hausel grow louder by the day. However, Kilvas has scheduled an international conference. If the countries of the world can reach a consensus there, the problem of Hausel may be settled once and for all.

  That means the important thing will be international cooperation.

  “Send word of this to Ashmael. The sacred accessory the holy king gave me may prove useful here.”

  “All right. By the way, Master Claude, could you do something about the way the room is shaking?”

  “I’m so powerless…!”

  “Come on, Elefas,” Walt says, “Don’t make him remember. He almost calmed down for a second there.”

  “It’s only this room. Think of it as a core-strengthening exercise. Just for today, and possibly tomorrow,” Kyle admonishes.

  Elefas nods. “I see.”

  Claude scowls in agony. “If only it was already born, there would be things I could do as well…! Like give it a name!”

  “I dunno how useful that would be, really.”

  “No, it’s crucial. I have several ready, so I’ll be able to rise to the occasion whether it’s a girl or a boy.”

  The door flies open, and Keith enters calmly, stopping after few paces.

  He seems to have something to announce.

  Claude stands up, turning pale. Cedric rises just as quickly.

  “The delivery is complete.”

  ““Which one?!”” the half brothers ask in unison.

  Keith beams.

  “They’re both girls.”

  Aileen has seen and heard various expressions to describe the pain of childbirth, and going through it herself has reminded her of every single one of them.

  Even with all the technological advances in my previous world, giving birth is still dangerous…

  Even so, Aileen is empress, and she’s one of the fortunate ones. The moment she hears the baby cry and sees its face, the relief and fatigue she feels are so great that she immediately passes out. When she comes to, she’s already been cleaned up and tucked into her own soft bed.

  There’s also a bonus: Her husband is holding her hand.

  “…Master Claude…I…”

  Aileen’s mind is still hazy. Claude looks down at her kindly, then signals at a spot beside her pillow with a glance.

  A tiny baby wrapped in white swaddling clothes is lying there in a little woven basket. She’s sleeping peacefully. Timidly, Aileen reaches out—then tilts her head, puzzled. “She’s not…crying?”

  “She was crying fit to rock the castle until a minute ago. She’s probably worn-out.”

  Really? Will she wake the baby if she touches her? Aileen still doesn’t understand anything, and Claude gently takes her hand. “They say she’s a girl.”

  “I…see. I see…”

  “You worked very hard. Thank you.”

  Oh, she’s been born. I gave birth to her.

  The realization suddenly hits Aileen, and she holds her head high. “It’s nothing to thank me for. As the demon king’s wife and the empress, it’s only natural.”

  She’s bluffing, and her voice wavers just a little. From now on, she’ll have to go through life nurturing this small life as well. She can’t afford to be fainthearted.

  Gently, holding his breath, Claude touches the infant’s cheek with a fingertip. The baby immediately starts crying as if she’s caught fire, and Claude panics. Seemingly waiting for this moment, Aileen’s seasoned ladies-in-waiting open the door and appear in a neat row. There’s no telling what’s going through Claude’s mind as he starts trying to make excuses. The sight makes Aileen laugh.

  All right. I’ll begin by learning how to properly hold this little one.

  They’ve already decided on her name as well.

  Alucato, the imperial capital, is jubilant over the birth of Claire Jean Ellmeyer, Imperial Ellmeyer’s first princess. On that day, even as the night grows late, the lights don’t go out.

  Parenthetically…

  “What? Lady Lilia gave birth as well?”

  “Yes, about ten minutes after you. They’re practically twins.”

  Her name is Aria. Just as Aileen and Claude gave their daughter a name that references Grace Dark, Lilia has based hers on Amelia’s name. She was born prematurely, but she has a firm, energetic cry.

  Just as twin princesses were once born in the Queendom of Hausel, two girls named after the first Maids of the Sacred Sword have been born on the same day. Or is it more that Lilia somehow managed to give birth on the same day as Aileen?

  Lilia’s sheer tenacity makes Aileen break out in goose bumps, and her eyes turn distant as she sinks into thought.

  In this era, when the power vacuum left by the Queendom of Hausel is rapidly becoming a problem, neither their daughters’ births nor their names will allow the women to distance themselves from the approaching storm. How well will they be able to protect their daughters?

  Still, when Aileen thinks of this as proof that life goes on even after the end of the game, it isn’t a bad feeling.

  Afterword

  Hello, this is Sarasa Nagase.

  Thank you very much for picking up Volume 10.

  This time, I wrote a new story specifically for publication. I hadn’t written about Aileen and the others in a long time, and it was a lot of fun.

  The story will continue in the next volume. Aileen has been held in contempt as a little princess who can’t do anything, and there’s no way she’s going to let that go unchallenged, so I hope you’ll look forward to it.

  Volume 5 of The Do-Over Damsel Conquers the Dragon Emperor is being released at the same time as this volume. I’ll be thrilled if you enjoy them both.

  In addition, the I’m the Villainess, So I’m Taming the Final Boss anime begins airing in October 2022. Considering I started this series online without knowing a thing about writing, it feels like a dream.

  I’ve been blessed by the efforts of those around me, of course, and the fact that the series is being turned into an anime is also thanks to your support. I’m already looking forward to seeing Aileen and company move and talk!

  With regard to the manga version, Anko Yuzu has drawn Aileen and the rest of the cast for me again, this time in a volume of side stories. This one is even more dynamic and splendid than the others, and I really hope you’ll enjoy it to the fullest.

  Thank you for supporting Aileen and company in the anime, the manga, and the original novels.

  And now for the thank-yous.

  Mai Murasaki, I cloned Claude’s face before I noticed I’d done it, and I’m sorry…! Thank you for always creating such magnificent covers and illustrations for me, and thank you in advance for your help on the next volume as well.

  Anko Yuzu, thank you so much for drawing manga serials for both series at the same time! Please make sure to take care of your health.

  The anime production staff, thank you for all the consideration you’ve shown to me, the completely clueless author of the original series. Please take good care of Aileen and the rest of the characters.

  My supervising editors, thank you both for adjusting schedules and helping me out on various fronts.

  I’d also like to thank the members of each editorial department (of course), the designers, the proofreaders, and the many other people who’ve helped me. I’m very grateful to you.

  Most of all, everyone who picked up this book: Thank you so much for your unwavering support for Aileen and company. I’ll continue to do my very best so you’ll be able to enjoy this series along with my other one, The Do-Over Damsel Conquers the Dragon Emperor.

  Now then, I hope we’ll meet again.

  Sarasa Nagase

  Copyright

  I’M THE VILLAINESS, SO I’M TAMING THE FINAL BOSS, Vol. 10

  Sarasa Nagase

  Translation by Taylor Engel

  Cover art by Mai Murasaki

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

  AKUYAKU REIJO NANODE LAST BOSS O KATTE MIMASHITA Vol. 10

  ©Sarasa Nagase 2022

  First published in Japan in 2022 by KADOKAWA CORPORATION, Tokyo.

  English translation rights arranged with KADOKAWA CORPORATION, Tokyo, through TUTTLE-MORI AGENCY, INC., Tokyo.

  English translation © 2025 by Yen Press, LLC

  Yen Press, LLC supports the right to free expression and the value of copyright. The purpose of copyright is to encourage writers and artists to produce the creative works that enrich our culture.

  The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book without permission is a theft of the author’s intellectual property. If you would like permission to use material from the book (other than for review purposes), please contact the publisher. Thank you for your support of the author’s rights.

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