If You Are Suited for the Villain's Secretary - Chapter 20

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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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If the Villain’s Secretary Suits Me
Chapter 20
‘Mages can sense magical energy. …The existence of a ‘Blood Contract’ as well.’
Most mages spend their entire lives confined within the Mage Tower. There’s rarely an opportunity to encounter one, so discovery is unlikely.
But now that the ‘Blood Contract’ has been revived, that mage might notice it.
‘However, given the way she’s talking about security, it seems that mage belongs to the Mage Tower that manufactures magical artifacts….’
The Empire’s Mage Towers are broadly divided into two categories.
One produces magical potions, and the other manufactures magical artifacts.
Unlike the latter, the former is a den of evil conducting covert inhumane experiments, yet potions are necessary for everyone.
Therefore, the authorities, knowing the problems, merely made a show of passive enforcement. They consider it a necessary evil.
Unfortunately, Lenox was at a Mage Tower that produced magical potions.
‘At least fortunately, mages who create magical artifacts possess relatively less magical power. They might not notice. My seal hasn’t fully regenerated yet.’
But now that circumstances had developed this way, I couldn’t intervene actively.
Lenox had no choice but to step back and observe the Protagonist, who was selling the potion.
However….
“Showing you directly would be better than explaining in words! Here, take a look at this!”
I should have stopped her somehow….
Delilah, who had eagerly lifted her bag, suddenly hurled it to the ground.
“W-what are you doing right now?”
“Just watch!”
On top of that, she stomped on the bag repeatedly.
Delilah, who had urged both Walton and the Protagonist to stomp on the bag, now even conjured flames with magic.
Walton, who had been staring blankly at the bag enduring all manner of abuse, suddenly realized something.
“The bag… isn’t burning?”
“Exactly! And it’s not just the bag that’s fine!”
Delilah, delighted, opened the bag with a flourish.
Inside it were.
“Look, despite all this chaos, the candy inside is perfectly preserved! It didn’t melt, didn’t break!”
The candy Walton had given the Protagonist earlier was intact inside.
“This is my invention! Delilah’s special security bag!”
Delilah lifted her head proudly.
“Impressive, right? Amazing, right?! I have no idea why not a single one of these has sold….”
“In other words, it’s a security strategy not yet exposed to Crimson.”
“I exhausted myself coming up with this magic, practically uprooted the foundation of my house….”
“Which means it’s the pinnacle of advanced magical engineering, developed without sparing capital or magical power.”
The Protagonist, adding interpretation as smoothly as if she were a docent, approached the bewildered Walton.
Walton nodded while wearing a somewhat uncertain expression.
“It certainly seems like a useful item. But….”
“Yes.”
“I don’t think all my collection pieces would fit in this bag….”
Lenox harbored similar doubts.
What did this have to do with Crimson’s risk of stealing the collection…?
If someone simply grabbed the bag and bolted, there was no way to stop them.
As Lenox tilted his head in confusion, he froze upon seeing me smirk.
“Exactly, Branch Manager. But consider what Delilah said. What she invented isn’t this bag—it’s a new field of ‘Mage Engineering.'”
“…Hmm?”
“The bag is off-the-shelf merchandise. See the logo here, in the lower left corner?”
I handed over an enlarged photo of the bag bearing a popular fashion brand’s logo, then clasped my hands together.
“If you applied Delilah’s ‘shock absorption magic’ to your vault locks or display cases, wouldn’t that be the ultimate security solution? No one could ever break through it.”
“Ah…!”
Walton and Lenox gasped in unison.
What was amusing was that Delilah also exclaimed in admiration. Apparently, she hadn’t considered that angle herself.
Standing between Delilah and Walton, I silently mouthed words to the bewildered Lenox.
‘The director said he’d take responsibility for whatever methods I use. That applies to me too, doesn’t it?’
Then I smiled and spoke to both of them.
“So, Branch Manager and Delilah, shall we discuss the detailed contract terms at La Mar’s office soon? We’ll facilitate the negotiations for you.”
The two didn’t deliberate long.
“Sounds good!”
“Let’s do it!”
***
On the way back to La Mar after parting with Walton.
Delilah bounced along, absolutely thrilled.
“I’m so happy! I never thought I’d meet a client here! So this is how marketing works. All you need is a capable person helping behind the scenes!”
“…Isn’t the conclusion that you should focus marketing on the foundational technology itself, not the product?”
“Yes!”
Iliana couldn’t help but smile at Delilah’s bright demeanor.
“Actually, I entered the academy much earlier than my peers, so I was ostracized. Because of that, I had no connections and no friends, so I couldn’t get into any prestigious Mage Tower. I developed magical artifacts on my own, but I had no route to promote or sell them…”
“So you planned to win auction items and perform by smashing them in the bag to get attention?”
“I thought that might make people notice me. Maybe even get a newspaper article.”
In the original story, Delilah did get noticed.
‘By the guards, that is.’
She was arrested for lèse-majesté when she tried to destroy Imperial Palace charity auction items on stage.
No one listened to her explanation.
It was the Protagonist and her companions who recognized Delilah’s talent and got her out of prison.
And with that magical talent, Delilah would…
‘Find extremely damaging evidence about Aden’s past and provide it to the Protagonist’s group.’
I would do my best to prevent Aden’s “misdeeds,” but it was wise to defuse potential bombs in advance.
This was precisely why Iliana had searched so desperately for Delilah at the auction house.
As a result, the naive mage wouldn’t suffer in prison, I’d gained favor from someone who could become Aden’s enemy, and I’d solved the client’s problem as well.
An incredibly successful day. Yet for me, there remained one more task.
Iliana caught a glimpse of Lenox, who was walking while reporting to Aden via communication device from a distance, and spoke to Delilah.
“Delilah, if you have questions about the Merchant Guild, ask Lenox. He has far more experience than I do.”
“Oh, I will!”
Delilah recalled what Iliana had said.
“If I succeed in creating new sales channels for you, will you grant me one favor in return?”
“Of course! But what kind of favor?”
“Before I return to the Mage Tower, let’s have coffee together at the La Mar office.”
“Huh? That’s your favor? That’s what I wanted to suggest! Anyway, I’m happy to!”
That was why they were walking to La Mar despite having a carriage available—it was too cramped for three people.
I should invite Lenox to have coffee with us too!
Delilah bounded toward Lenox with a skip in her step, then suddenly stopped.
‘That’s strange. I’ve been sensing magical energy this whole time. Is it coming from this person?’
Lenox flinched as he sensed her presence and turned around.
“Director, I’ll contact you again in a moment!”
Then he began backing away slowly.
“What’s wrong?”
“I promised to have coffee with Secretary Iliana, so why don’t you join us too? I also have some questions about the Merchant Guild….”
As she took a step forward, Lenox retreated again.
“I’m busy.”
“You don’t have time for just one cup of coffee?”
“I don’t.”
“Hmm?”
Just as Lenox, who had been backing away to avoid Delilah’s persistent approach, was about to say something—
“Ugh!”
He let out a short groan and clutched his shoulder, and at that very moment, a wave of magical energy surged through the air.
Could it be?
Delilah, whose actions always preceded her words, quickly placed her hand over Lenox’s shoulder.
“Wait, hold on! What are you—!”
The anguish and terror etched across Lenox’s face, combined with the sinister magical energy she felt at her fingertips. The moment she understood what it meant—
Delilah murmured without thinking.
“A blood contract?”
That was when—
“What do you mean? A contract?”
Iliana, standing a step behind, cautiously leaned forward.
It was all over.
Lenox, glancing between Delilah and Iliana, covered his face.
When he finally lifted his head moments later, his complexion had turned deathly pale.
“That is, well…”
He never thought it would be exposed like this.
He never imagined his pathetic past would be revealed in such a manner….
Lenox, who had been on the verge of despair, was barely managing to continue speaking when—
“A ‘blood contract’ is an utterly vile and contemptible agreement. It’s the sort of pact that unscrupulous mages use to deceive and ensnare others.”
“Are you saying Lenox was deceived by mages into signing such a contract?”
“Exactly. It’s called a contract in name, but it’s really enslavement.”
“Then Lenox is a victim of that contract.”
“That’s right.”
Delilah cut in with her explanation, and Iliana responded in her characteristically measured tone.
That was all. Neither of them pressed Lenox further.
Lenox, who had collapsed in exhaustion, simply stared up at them in a daze.

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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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