Exiled Villainess Becomes Ruler (Republished/Edited)

The Other Villages

As the four continued their walk through the market, their senses suddenly heightened.

Eve felt a presence behind them and instinctively turned around.

"Who the hell are you, and what do you think you're doing?!" Eve demanded coldly, glaring at the stranger.

The man, appearing average in looks, had a shocked expression on his face. His hand was awkwardly outstretched toward Eve's backside. Startled, he quickly withdrew his hand and began to feign searching for someone.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I thought you were someone else. I'll just be on my way," the man stammered, trying to make an exit.

"No, you're not going anywhere! How dare you try to grab me!" Eve said angrily, grabbing the man by the collar of his shirt before he could flee. The commotion drew the attention of nearby market-goers, and the market fell silent.

"I should report you to our village leader for your actions," Eve growled at him.

"W-wait! You can't do that! I didn't do anything to you!" the man protested desperately.

"And you can't report me to your village leader because I'm not even from your village!" the man added, trying to shift the blame.

"Oh really? What village are you from?" Eve asked, her tone icy.

"I'm from Brothel Village!" the man declared proudly.

Eve sneered in disgust. "Let me guess... It's a village of perverts like you."

"Hey! You may be famous, but I won't tolerate that insult! Let me go, or I'll report you for assault!" the man yelled, struggling to break free.

"You can't report me to your village leader because I'm not from your village!" Eve retorted, echoing his earlier words as she let him drop unceremoniously to the ground.

"Gah!" the man yelped in pain and struggled to stand on trembling legs. Angered, he tried to throw a punch at Eve.

Her three students watched in shock, initially confident that Eve could handle the situation. Now, they were stunned by the man's audacity.

As the man swung his fist, Eve prepared to defend herself. But before she could act, the man's arm was caught in a firm grip.

"What's going on here?!" a new voice demanded.

Eve gasped as she recognized the familiar face.

"Jon!" she exclaimed, surprised and relieved to see him.

"Eve," Jon greeted her, still holding the man's arm firmly.

"What's happening?" Jon asked, looking at the scene.

"This man tried to harass me," Eve explained, grateful that Jon had intervened.

"This pervert claimed to be from Brothel Village," Julia added.

"He got angry when his village was insulted and tried to hit Eve," Kyle explained.

"Is that so..." Jon said, tightening his grip on the man painfully.

The man tried to pull his arm free, but Jon's hold was too strong. In a desperate move, the man swung his free arm at Jon's face, but Jon easily caught it with his other hand. In a swift motion, Jon had both of the man's arms pinned behind his back.

"Let me go, you brute!" the man yelled, struggling in vain.

"No can do, my man. You tried to harm someone, and I'm not taking any risks," Jon said calmly.

"Hector! Hector! Help me!" the man screamed, calling for assistance.

The surrounding villagers, now fully engrossed in the spectacle, watched with keen interest.