Deadline Is Raining in the Status Window - Chapter 51

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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To clear my name, I had Titi testify that she was already riding before I arrived. Mother furrowed her brow in thought and muttered to herself.
“That’s strange… I extinguished all the embers from the ironing before I left.”
“The kitchen?”
“I checked there too.”
“What about Thomas?”
“Did that fool cause trouble and disappear?”
He was there when I asked Titi where she’d gone earlier, but he’s nowhere to be found now—so that possibility isn’t entirely out of the question.
Either way, we had ridden everything we could and now had no choice but to devise a plan while watching our home crumble into ash.
“Oh dear, what do we do? We have nowhere to sleep tonight.”
“At least no one was hurt. That’s a blessing.”
“Tsk.”
“You, your mother, and your brother are all so remarkably calm. How do the three of you manage to be so alike?”
We’d lived together for years, so some resemblance was inevitable. Feeling oddly embarrassed, I twisted my body awkwardly, and Titi mirrored my discomfort, squirming in the same way. We’d only been living together for less than a year—why had she picked up my mannerisms already?
“For now, it seems we’ll have no choice but to impose on Gerth.”
“Miss. You’re still friends with that married man?”
“Gerth just spoke carelessly back then. He’s a good friend.”
“Well, does that bastard have a decent house? If we three are going to stay with him, the place needs to be spacious, doesn’t it?”
“It’s enormous.”
“Tsk, so he’s loaded.”
Why does Mother dislike Gerth so much?
As Mother launched into a tirade against Gerth, grumbling that an old fool with a child had no business eyeing the young lady, Leri, who had been listening quietly, suddenly interjected, clearly offended.
“Now listen here, madam. The Serpent King is a man without flaw, so there’s no reason to speak of him that way.”
“Should I praise him instead of curse him when I’m a mother protecting my daughter? He’s a grown man with a child! How much older is he than our young lady?!”
“The age difference is… well, I’ll admit that bothered me too. But still! The Serpent King is handsome! He’s wealthy, he’s strong, he’s kind! Where else would you find such a male?!”
“If you like him so much, why don’t you take him for yourself!”
“Have you lost your mind? How could anyone live with such a gullible fool? What if he signs a guarantee or falls for a contract scam somewhere?”
Leri, the talkative beast-man, blurted out the truth in his frustration, then clamped his mouth shut and glanced at me nervously. There was no need to be cautious—I already knew about it anyway. I’d been planning to warn him not to play with the Dragon King, given how likely it seemed he’d fall victim to some guarantee or contract fraud.
“Let’s just go to Gerth’s. He’s apparently prepared food for my return.”
“No, how dare he presume to prepare food for the young lady’s consumption?!”
Let’s calm down and go. We have no home or shelter right now.
With my persuasion, Mother—who despised the thought of imposing on Thomas’s garbage heap of a house—obediently followed me.
“Oh, I should have brought Fox along. My hands are full without him for the return journey.”
“Consider it pre-meal exercise.”
After a light stretch, I scooped up Titi and leaped forward. Leri mounted Mother on a horse and took the lead, directing the animals as we rode. From the way the Horse Racing Track staff were tied to the trees, it looked like we’d have subordinates retrieve them later. Not that it mattered to me either way.

As we approached the tower, Leri first brought Mother back using the return skill, descended to the entrance, and then transported me and Titi to the top. I was about to apologize to Gerth for taking longer than expected to bring Titi, but I noticed an odd exchange of glances between Gerth, who was moving the braised short ribs while wearing oven mitts, and Mother.
“So you’re saying the Serpent King isn’t just a name, but he’s actually the true king of the beast-men? Like a Demon Lord or something?”
“That’s correct. When I first introduced myself, I said I was Gerth, the Serpent King.”
Did Mother really just find out now that Gerth was a Demon Lord?
Mother looked utterly bewildered, glancing around rapidly—at Hubert once, at Lakne once, at the ceiling once, and then back at Gerth. Then she stubbornly dug in her heels.
“Demon Lord or not, you’re still just an old man with a child! What gives you the right to fuss over preparing food when our daughter comes home?”
“I am Evan’s friend.”
“Friend? Since when did you want to pull out her tendons completely?”
“That’s true. Ultimately, I’m even considering mating.”
“Aaaah! This is nonsense!”
Mother certainly had quite the temperament. No wonder in the original story, when she thought I was dead, she beat Duke Neftis and ran away from home.
In any case, when Mother threw a tantrum and stomped her feet, Hubert didn’t know what to do, and the Tiger Man seemed to be trying to intimidate her by extending his fist. Since I didn’t sense any intention to harm Mother, I stayed still, but the man who stopped his fist right in front of Mother’s face was bewildered that the old lady wasn’t even scared.
Then Mother gripped her pretty bag tightly with both hands and started beating the Tiger Man mercilessly.
“Listen here, you fool! My fear resistance is level 10! Don’t you have parents, you tiger-faced bastard!”
Wow, so that’s why Mother feared nothing in this world. It was my first time learning this. No wonder I never even smirked when I beat someone up or when Duchess Neftis exploited her territory’s people.
“Anyway, I’m sorry and grateful for all the trouble you went through today because of me. I’ll eat well.”
“If you eat deliciously, that will be reward enough.”
While Mother kept pounding the Tiger Man’s back and stabbing him with her heel, I followed Gerth’s guidance to the Dining Hall and took my seat. Once Gerth placed the final dish on the table and sat at the head, the beast-men who had helped with today’s preparations and Leri took their seats in turn, and Titi coaxed Mother over to sit beside me.
“Then let’s begin.”
“Where did you learn such crude cooking? Our young lady doesn’t like anything unless it’s spicy and salty, or….”
“I’m grateful for this meal!”
I was thrilled—there was seolleongtang, japchae, dumplings, and braised short ribs! Most of all, I was so happy to see rice that I shouted “I’m grateful for this meal!” and immediately started shoveling rice into my mouth, causing Mother to open her eyes wide and poke my side.
“Miss, you didn’t like bland food!”
Mother, just try it—it’s really delicious!
As I mumbled with my mouth full, Mother looked skeptical but picked up her spoon and tasted the broth.
“See, the seasoning really isn’t right! It’s completely bland, and our young lady is eating this…!”
“If you need pepper and salt, there’s a small dish right beside you.”
Mother, you’re supposed to add some from that dish to adjust the seasoning.
Gerth kindly pointed out where the dish was, so I quickly grabbed Mother’s spoon, added some salt to the broth, and stirred it around. Mother frowned with displeasure and put another spoonful in her mouth.
“It’s delicious.”
Did she really have to say that with a face full of hatred for everything in the world?
“If it’s Evan’s taste, it’s beyond my knowledge, so please teach me much, Mother.”
“Why am I your mother?”
“That toxin-like spicy flavor from before—how do you make that?”
“I said, why am I your mother?”
I was worried they’d fight at first, but it seems they’re getting along well now. That’s a relief.
I ate my food quickly to fill my stomach, then, with the still-overflowing table of dishes before me, I spoke to Gerth.
“Gerth. Did you know my younger brother borrowed money?”
“I received a report about that. You don’t need to worry.”
“I’ll repay it during the break, but there’s something I’d like your help with.”
“Evan need not concern herself with the matter of funds.”
“I’ve also heard tales of what transpired in Brandenburg Territory during the academic term. It seems it would help reduce the damage to Serpent King’s Tower as well.”
“I don’t consider it a loan, so there’s no issue.”
“Ultimately, I wish to lay railway tracks all the way to Ilam. I’ve managed to secure the Third Princess’s cooperation.”
“You need not repay the funds.”
I laid out everything I wished to say, and Gerth continued to reiterate his own position. We had exhausted our arguments and now merely stared at each other in silence. Strangely, I could not hear the breathing of the others around us, though their attention was clearly fixed upon Gerth and me. How peculiar.
“…Do as you see fit.”
“Thank you.”
With Hubert leading the way, I heard successive exhales of relief ripple through the room.
Ah, I should have sought permission for this first.
“And Gerth—Mother, Titi, and I will likely need to impose upon your hospitality at the Tower for some time.”
“I shall prepare rooms.”
“I apologize.”
“There is nothing to apologize for.”
How could someone be so genuinely kind? No wonder Leri worried about him vouching for the wrong people.
“Ah…well then. I’m quite full, so I’ll take my leave.”
“Leri. We have not yet served the post-meal dessert.”
“I fear I shall become ill, Your Highness.”
“Go take a digestive remedy.”
As Leri rose from the table, Titi, Mother, and the Tiger Man all quietly raised their hands and announced their intention to depart as well. Seizing the opportunity, Lakne sprang up and offered to guide Mother and Titi to their rooms.
I remained seated, intending to finish the post-meal fruit, when Gerth returned with a knife and spoke to me.
“What are your plans for the remainder of the evening?”
“I must retire early.”
“Why is that?”
“Squid is in season now.”
To repay Titi’s debt, I had no choice but to make a haul from the Sea. Since it was summer, tuna would be tasteless regardless, so I would have to venture out at dawn for squid fishing and bring back a substantial catch. I would earn money from squid fishing each dawn, discuss the marble and Horse Racing Track matters with Gerth gradually, and that was my only immediate means of earning independently. Starting tomorrow, I would have to board a squid boat.
“I see. Squid is indeed in season.”
Gerth nodded in understanding and peeled a melon, when Hubert, who had held out until the end, suddenly raised his hand and stood.
“Father! I shall go take a digestive remedy!”
“You are dismissed.”
The beast-form demons cleared away all the food from the table, leaving only the melon Gerth had peeled and a fork. As Gerth continued slicing the fruit elegantly, a question seemed to occur to him, and he asked me.
“Was the food particularly oily today?”
“There was quite a bit of sesame oil in it. But these are dishes for special occasions, so it couldn’t be helped.”
“True enough.”
Gerth nodded. I nodded as well. The melon was truly sweet and delicious.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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