Deadline Is Raining in the Status Window - Chapter 90

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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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I glossed over the fact that the Third Princess was spearheading Ilam’s development initiative, then boasted that with the Emperor’s full backing, a train station would soon materialize. A region with large-scale entertainment facilities was ideal for constructing villas, and once the train station opened, real estate investment would skyrocket in value.
“If you were to visit, I fear us country folk would be so startled we’d barely manage a word. We’ve never laid eyes on such refined individuals.”
“Hehe, such honeyed words.”
“No, I mean every word.”
After I appealed to how creatures like me roamed Ilam and how the water was absolutely magnificent, the noblewomen laughed mischievously and tapped me playfully. Though their touches landed mostly on my chest and thighs, the wisest course was to ignore it.
“Sera is arriving.”
“Now that I think about it, Brandenburg’s young lord attended the same academy as the Third Princess, didn’t he?”
“Yes, that’s how it came to be.”
Sera appeared in the most casual attire of anyone at the party, with Sunbird tucked under one arm. No one found fault with her complete lack of adornment—as if she’d simply come to her sister’s birthday celebration. Everyone was accustomed to it by now, and besides, no one dared utter a word about the Third Princess’s appearance.
“Oh, Eugene!”
Sera entered to applause from everyone at the party, and the moment she spotted us, she greeted us warmly and approached. The noblewomen who’d been crowding around me scattered like startled birds.
Tsk, this tactless princess wants to invite more criticism, does she?
“Evan looks even more radiant under these lights. I’ve never seen anyone as beautiful as Seian.”
“It’s the power of makeup. More importantly, step aside. I need to work.”
“Hmm, if that’s the case, I’d be more helpful.”
What are you planning to do, you fool? Don’t. Whatever it is, just don’t do it!
“Listen up!”
This is maddening—I told you not to do it!
I screamed internally, but my silent cry never reached Sera. She proceeded to reveal everything—how she’d petitioned His Majesty for permission to open the horse racing track, which would soon launch in Unified Racecourse, and how seeing the crowds gather had prompted her to push for train station development as well.
Well, this will certainly become known to many people, Your Highness.
“Everyone should visit at least once! That’s all!”
It would merely become widely known with no actual demand materializing. The noblewomen who’d been tempted by my earlier enticement to secure a stake wore expressions of disgust. Their precious information, supposedly shared only with them, had been broadcast to the entire world. They had every right to be upset.
After finishing her announcement, Sera approached me with her chest puffed out and a self-satisfied expression. She clearly expected praise. Yes, your unspoiled upbringing is your charm. Sure. I preferred to admire from a distance and had no desire to be part of her inner circle.
“Oh my, our dear Princess did wonderfully, just wonderfully.”
“Evan, what you’re doing isn’t praise. Your face is contorting. It hurts.”
As I grabbed both of Sera’s cheeks and stretched them playfully, a suppressed cry burst from the black bean. Simultaneously, an unwelcome figure also appeared.
“Brandenburg, and now Ilam. My younger sister certainly has interesting ideas.”
No no no no no! The one woman I least wanted to meet!
I trembled as if I’d seen a ghost and hid behind Sunbird, lowering my head. If Reina couldn’t serve as a shield, Sunbird would have to do. I was bowing to him anyway.
“This is Brandenburg, and that’s Letem. So then, is this Evan?”
How does this woman know my name? The woman with lightless black eyes studied me for a long moment, and beside her stood an attendant playing the role of partner. This small one was also staring at me intently. I hadn’t noticed at first, but up close, this attendant resembled Seian. The way the long black hair was styled, and it seemed deliberately arranged to match Seian’s appearance.
This woman is absolutely infuriating!
“I never heard anything about a man.”
Cecilia Crowell, Crown Princess of the Crowell Empire, tapped my chin with her folded fan to make me lift my head, then circled around me with a bounce. Finally, she tapped my rear and made a thoroughly rude remark.
“The young lady of Letem has peculiar tastes. Scrawny like that, you hardly look presentable.”
Hey, I’m working hard to build muscle by eating meat, thank you very much!
It was irritating enough that Cecilia was underestimating me, but the Seian-like attendant beside her laughing and snickering at me stirred something deeply uncomfortable within.
I couldn’t simply accept defeat. Yet contradicting the Crown Princess would violate protocol, and I had no desire to engage with Cecilia, so I leaned close to Sera and whispered my response.
“Your Highness Cecilia, if I may be so bold as to offer a word?”
“You have my permission. Speak.”
“They say dry kindling burns longest.”
I shrugged my shoulders with satisfaction, having said my piece. Eugene stared at me with a look of utter dismay. Sunbird covered his face as though he might weep. Sera appeared utterly bewildered, as though she couldn’t fathom my meaning. And Cecilia snapped open her fan to conceal her mouth, then spoke as though nothing could be less amusing.
“Ha ha ha ha ha. What an amusing child you are.”
She didn’t look amused in the slightest. More than that, her eyes held no warmth. Those eyes had never contained emotion or vitality to begin with—there was no reason to expect any change now.
“Well then, I should see what you’re capable of.”
Oh no… this is… the pattern where my big mouth has gotten me into serious trouble.
I couldn’t escape this alone, so I tried to seek help, but Eugene still wore that look of horror, Sunbird still covered his face, and Sera simply stared at me blankly, comprehending nothing.
This was bad. I was definitely going to be dragged to bed today.
“S-Sister! I’m so sorry, but I have something to discuss with her!”
And then Seian appeared!
He seized my hand firmly and bolted. I could feel him trembling violently. I’d known Seian avoided Cecilia, but was he truly this terrified of her?
“My, how jealous of you.”
Even in the corridor leading to the Guest Room, Cecilia’s voice reached us—quiet but unmistakable. When she finally invested emotion into her words, it was a sickly, viscous tone that made my skin crawl. I hated it.
“What the hell is this madman saying!”
After running for a while, Seian finally grew tired and stopped, then accused me of being mad again. I wanted to protest that I wasn’t mad, but since he’d asked a question, I decided to answer first.
“I said dry kindling burns longest.”
“Does it sound like I didn’t hear you!”
Then why are you asking? When I questioned him back in confusion, Seian tore at his hair in anguish. Don’t do that. You’ll damage your beautiful hair.
As we chatted in this empty corridor where no one else wandered, memories of the past surfaced. Back then, the atmosphere wasn’t nearly as pleasant, and I had been the one gripping Seian’s wrist as we ran.
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“I nearly ended up attending to Cecilia’s bedchamber. You saved me from that.”
“Please, just keep your mouth shut.”
Seian was suffering because of me again. It was funny.
“Let’s hide until her interest fades. Sera will handle the aftermath anyway.”
Seian, who claimed to know a good place to hide, seemed quite practiced at this. I followed him obediently while voicing my genuine question.
“Have you lived your entire life running away and hiding like this?”
“Yeah. I’ve been doing this for ten years. Does that amuse you?”
“It doesn’t amuse me.”
Why does he keep asking if I find him amusing? Does he aspire to become a jester? It would be difficult for a member of the Royal Family to become one. First, the Emperor would never permit it. Even if he renounced his status, the Imperial Court’s dignity would prevent approval.
“Rather, it’s wise. Avoiding such a woman is the best course of action.”
“I’m grateful you understand. I’m moved to tears.”
“If tears come, then cry. I love the sight of you crying.”
“I’d rather die than cry!”
“What a shame.”
“Ugh!”
Of course, I loved this expression too. I watched Seian pout with satisfaction, then removed the cotton gloves from my hands and gave them to him. Behind the sofa in the Guest Room, I suddenly rose and began removing my platform shoes and stretching—apparently this looked strange to Seian’s eyes.
“What are you doing?”
“I’d prefer you didn’t hide here again.”
The moment the words left his mouth, a black whip lashed toward me. A whip-class weapon. If my eyes hadn’t been able to track its form clearly, I wouldn’t have been able to cast magic at all. I used Guided Freezing to ice the whip’s tip and obstruct its movement. Seizing the instant it slowed, I yanked the whip hard, and the friction seared my palm with burning pain as my attacker’s form became visible.
“His Highness is curious about you.”
He didn’t specify which Highness, but it was obviously Cecilia Crowell. And I’d seen this bastard’s face before.
“The one from the Market.”
The same one who’d been fighting with Sera on Market Street the day I ate the bullfrogs on a stick. Same build, same clothes—when I probed, the Masked Man’s eyes narrowed. Though only his eyes were visible beneath the black mask, I could read his expression perfectly. This one had quite the expressive eyes.
“I’m not of an age to be called ‘that guy’ by you.”
“The mister from the Market, then.”
“Not that either.”
“….”
“….”
“…Bachelor.”
“Don’t nitpick my words.”
The bachelor pretended to banter with me while reaching for a new weapon, so I yanked the whip hard to throw off his balance. Since he was Cecilia’s subordinate, he wouldn’t harm Seian, which was reassuring—but I needed to escape now, and it was frustrating that I couldn’t use Seian. He’d know I wouldn’t hurt Seian either.
Keeping hold of the whip, I closed the distance rapidly, grabbed his wrist, and drove my hand into his armpit. I was about to break his arm, but the man spun smoothly and pulled the whip toward himself. If I got dragged in, his knee would strike my solar plexus dead-on. But I couldn’t use magic.
“If you cause a commotion, you’ll be executed.”
“Ugh!”
If I cast a large spell, I wouldn’t be dragged before Cecilia—I’d be dragged to the gallows. This bastard knew exactly what he was doing, luring me into close combat. But I’m not so easy either.
“Gate Open. Guided Freezing.”

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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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