Countess Youngae’s Money-Sweeping Makeup Shop - Chapter 91
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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91
I stared at the necklace intently and then nodded my head.
Right, the case must be resolved perfectly.
I took out a medicine that helps with body recovery, chewed it, and swallowed it before standing up from my seat.
After receiving my confirmation as well, Lucian told us all to put on our hoods so our faces wouldn’t be visible, then moved his steps outside the alley.
Following Lucian, the area in front of the shop was already in a chaotic situation.
“Marquis Nekiard, a history of dark magic use has been confirmed, so we need your cooperation in the investigation.”
“I don’t understand what you mean by that. I have never used dark magic. If you wish, feel free to investigate as much as you want.”
As we reached the front of the shop, several young ladies inside were looking back and forth between Juber and the knights with surprised faces.
However, Juber stood with his arms crossed, appearing confident and unintimidated.
Does he have something to rely on?
Lucian seemed to intend to observe for now, quietly watching the situation.
Next to us, two men in black uniforms got out of a golden carriage and flinched when they saw Lucian.
But when Lucian nodded as if to ignore them, the men naturally pretended not to know and entered the shop.
But I heard that it’s usually difficult to distinguish dark magic.
How do they investigate it?
I very lightly tapped Lucian’s arm.
At his questioning gaze, I covered my mouth with one hand and whispered softly.
“The investigation, how do they do it?”
At my question, Lucian looked at me with a pathetic expression for a moment, then sighed and looked toward the shop.
“Those guys are Dragon Disciples. They’re similar to spirits, but think of them as people created as humans. They can’t really use magic. Instead, they can distinguish dark magic.”
“If we had asked those people from the beginning, we could have known for sure.”
“Those guys are the Imperial Court’s, or more precisely, the Emperor’s property. They’re not the kind you can easily ask favors from.”
“But it seemed like you knew them?”
“Yeah, I know them. I know their parents.”
“Going to the dragon…”
“He’s sleeping. You impatient young lady, just reporting to the Imperial Court like today and having them send investigators is the fastest way.”
I see.
When I nodded, Lucian frowned and then, seeing the situation inside, slowly passed the carriage and approached the knights.
“I don’t see any particular dark magic. These are ordinary cosmetics.”
“I agree as well.”
“That’s what I told you. I’ve never used such magic.”
“Excuse me, sorry to interrupt.”
“Who are you…”
“I brought some interesting evidence.”
Lucian, who had been smiling brightly, looked at the surprised knight, then narrowed his eyes with a strange smile and showed the necklace.
At the same time, Lucian’s eyes began to glow, and the blue gem also changed to an orange light following Lucian’s eyes and sparkled.
Then, like before, the gem began to pour information into the air.
“This is a magical tool that we frequently supply to the Imperial Court. You know what it is, right?”
“This is…!”
“Well, you probably know how to use it too. Shall we check?”
When Lucian handed over the necklace, the knight carefully received it and checked the records.
Soon, darkness appeared on the faces of the knight and the men called Dragon Disciples.
Everyone present turned their gaze toward Juber.
Juber also seemed to have confirmed the contents, his expression hardening as he stared at the necklace, then frowned deeply with displeasure.
“This is all a plan by Yeongae Ebennain to frame me! Since my shop is doing too well, out of jealousy—”
“Marquis Nekiard, this is something I gave. Dark magic came from your cosmetics, so I gave it to Yeongae Ebennain who said she would visit today to confirm.”
“You might have manipulated it!”
“…Manipulated?”
Lucian’s lips twitched, and Juber seemed to realize his mistake as his body trembled slightly.
In this novel, magic was the most powerful force, and even the Imperial Court couldn’t treat Lucian, the Magic Tower Master, carelessly.
Therefore, there were taboos: the derogatory term ‘witch’ for mages and doubting the Tower Master.
The Tower Master was the being with the strongest magical power in this world, capable of performing most magic.
Since the past, Tower Masters had promised financial cooperation from the Imperial Court in exchange for always showing only the truth in matters related to the Empire.
For this reason, dark magic that could create falsehoods was made illegal.
Lucian’s orange eyes flashed menacingly.
As if he would devour Juber.
It seemed he had properly touched a nerve.
Of course he would.
What Juber had just done to Lucian was: making him work during paid leave with dark magic use, making him use magic until he coughed blood to regain customers, calling someone who can’t manipulate things a manipulator…
That’s what you get for dabbling in dark magic.
Lucian approached Juber with large strides, his long white hair flowing.
Sensing danger instinctively, Juber also stepped backward, but Lucian’s steps were faster, and soon the two were facing each other at a very close distance.
Juber was quite remarkable too, not shedding even a slight tear in this situation.
Though his body trembled slightly, Juber didn’t run away and stood straight in place.
Watching this, Lucian smirked, lifting the corners of his mouth, and lifted Juber into the air.
“Kyaaaah!”
The young ladies inside the shop screamed in surprise and moved toward the entrance, while Lucian, regardless, only looked at Juber and held just his neck with magic so he wouldn’t fall.
It didn’t seem like he was particularly pressuring him, but the area between his neck and face was pressed hard, looking extremely painful.
“Manipulation is something scum like you do. Where in the world is there anyone more truthful than me? Hm? Everyone~ isn’t that right?”
Lucian spun around and looked at us with the brightest smile in the world.
Even though he was on our side, that sight was truly grotesque.
Behind him, he had Juber displayed in the air, struggling in fear with magic gripping around his neck, while leading the crowd like a circus ringmaster.
The Dragon Disciples watching this scene nodded with expressionless faces.
Then Lucian smiled with satisfaction and turned back to look at Juber.
“Being affiliated somewhere is such a troublesome thing. There are promises, and if you break promises, you have to pay the appropriate price. Don’t you think?”
“Ugh, ah, put me down—”
“You should answer my question first, what are you doing? I could go crazy and decide not to receive Empire support and punish you here. The Magic Tower has money to spare now!”
Thank goodness he’s on our side.
Thank goodness we wrote a contract.
Thank goodness I’m above him.
Hearing Lucian’s words gave me chills.
He said he wasn’t inhuman, but honestly, that seemed like the thinking of a being too difficult to call human.
At the same time, I felt somewhat guilty.
I wondered if I had given him too much money.
No, for using a Tower Master, that level of investment seems appropriate—
If he could say such things, I couldn’t even imagine how much the Magic Tower had earned during this time.
I think we should stop soon.
What if something really happens?
It would be very troublesome if Lucian went to prison.
There are still plenty of things Lucian needs to make, so what would happen to all that if Lucian disappeared?
But right now Lucian seemed quite angry, and I felt like I might get caught in the crossfire if I touched the wrong nerve.
But I couldn’t just leave it like this either.
In the end, I sighed and was about to approach Lucian when I heard a familiar voice from behind.
“Lucian.”
Lucian’s head turned slowly to identify the owner of the voice.
I also turned my head in that direction, and there stood Helena, who had gotten out of a carriage.
Helena lightly brushed her annoying golden hair back and gestured to the knights before quickly entering the shop.
Then, with her arms crossed, she quietly stared at Juber for a while before her violet eyes turned to Lucian.
“She is a dark mage, and the disposal of dark mages is handled by the Imperial Court.”
“I have no intention of touching that, Helena. He’s currently being punished for insulting me.”
“Insult.”
“Yes, insult.”
“Our Imperial Court will compensate for that. We will also measure the appropriate punishment for that matter during the trial.”
Lucian’s vivid amber eyes stared persistently at Helena before slowly dimming as he released Juber.
As Juber dropped to the floor with a thud, she hurriedly clutched her throat, busy coughing.
Whether she was struggling or not seemed to be none of Helena’s concern, as Helena spoke a single word.
“Take her away.”
“Ah, yes! Your Highness, Crown Princess.”
The knights entered the shop, grabbed Juber by both arms and dragged her away, but Juber had exhausted all her strength resisting Lucian and was dragged out while only repeating that it wasn’t her.
Helena, who had been watching this scene, told the frightened Young Ladies that it was okay to leave and sent them out of the shop, and once even the Young Ladies disappeared, the shop became quiet as if nothing had ever happened.
At the same time, Lucian’s eyes lost focus and he collapsed forward, unable to maintain his balance.
Helena, who had instinctively caught the man larger than herself to prevent Lucian from hitting the floor, staggered briefly, then sighed and looked toward us.
“Excuse me, if it’s alright, could you help me out a bit?”
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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