I’m a Mother-in-Law, but I Dislike Conflict with My Daughter-in-Law - Chapter 233

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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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I’m a Mother-in-Law, But I Don’t Want Family Conflicts Episode 233

“If what Gerta said is true… those people must all be down below.”

“Yes, there’s probably an underground area.”

Since people couldn’t have just shot up into the sky, if there were no people in the building, the only place left was underground.

You might wonder why there would be an underground area in a desert, but surprisingly, regions with solid ground often had caves.

Just because it’s a desert doesn’t mean it’s filled only with sand.

Anyway, without Gerta’s information, we would have had quite a hard time investigating.

“The problem is how to get in there…”

We couldn’t know what people were doing underground, or how the money laundering was taking place. Since we couldn’t just recklessly search for an entrance, we needed a guide.

“We’ll have to call Gerta again, won’t we?”

“…Well, I suppose so.”

Once again, we needed Gerta who was well-versed in Haldia’s structure. Lena clicked her tongue as if she didn’t like it.

“We’ll start moving tomorrow, should I go and ask him?”

For reference, Gerta had decided to stay at the inn next to ours.

‘Then I’ll stay at the inn next door. If you feel like investigating together, please come find me anytime.’

His persistent behavior on the way had been somewhat annoying, but it wasn’t an offer to refuse.

As I was considering whether to go deliver the message, Lena shook her head and blocked me.

“I’ll deliver it myself. Please stay put, Lady. He might think of it as an opportunity.”

“No matter how much I like him, he wouldn’t go that far…”

“I told you to stay put.”

“Y, yes.”

The air turned cold at Lena’s words. Thinking I’d get a lecture if I argued further, I obediently climbed back onto the bed.

* * *

The next day, Gerta once again brought fairly decent information.

The area where people disappear is located at several shops inside the market, and if you purchase a certain amount of goods there, you receive an offer.

When I asked how he found that out, he answered nonchalantly.

“I spent my entire fortune at that shop. Then a letter came.”

“…”

Without even being certain, he said he saw people disappearing from that shop and went there with all his money.

It was an action we couldn’t replicate. Even Lena seemed to acknowledge this, sighing as if dumbfounded.

Anyway, thanks to his courageous action, we learned one more thing.

The underground of this city was seeking those with money.

I read the letter that Gerta said he had received.

[To the guest who possesses gold as abundant as the desert sun.

Please fill in the guest’s information in the blank space below, and we will invite you to the Masked Paradise.]

And below were written all sorts of items. Name and status, hometown, age and family relations.

Rather than an invitation, it was more like an investigation form.

“They used their heads.”

Lena, who had read the letter beside me, chimed in.

“If they make nobles reveal their identities in such detail, those who enter won’t carelessly speak about internal information. Besides, judging by the name Masked Paradise, it seems they wear masks inside.”

“Even if they use information as leverage, what does that have to do with masks?”

“It means they thoroughly screen those who enter, while keeping silent about what happens inside. It means they don’t care whether you commit crimes or buy whatever items.”

‘Once you enter, reveal your true nature freely regardless of status, is that it?’

Just reading one letter was already starting to make me feel bad.

But Lena seemed familiar with such events and continued speaking.

“Masked membership gatherings becoming corrupt is common enough, but this is the first time I’ve seen one this full-scale. It seems the Venice Ducal House’s power can’t reach these remote territories.”

“…That’s what you wanted to say, wasn’t it?”

“It’s merely the idle chatter of a lowly maid.”

Though she said that, I felt like she was smiling behind her mask.

When I returned the letter to Gerta, he glanced at Lena with a complicated expression.

“An ordinary maid… right?”

“That’s right, for now.”

Since I had no intention of revealing Lena’s identity, I called Anna to change the subject.

“Could you go to the shop Gerta mentioned and buy some things? You can spend money until I give you the letter.”

“If money is short, I’ll lend you some.”

“It’s fine. I have some money saved up.”

It was suspicious for a mere pilgrim to have much money, but Gerta didn’t bother to question it. He seemed to trust me deeply.

Time passed, and Anna returned carrying the same letter as Gerta’s.

Curious about what she had bought at the shop, I looked and found completely useless fake gems and accessories.

‘Shopping was just a pretext.’

Trash that any noble with decent aesthetic sense would never buy.

That meant the place called Masked Paradise must have significant merit.

“Gerta. I intend to go to this place called Masked Paradise.”

“It would be dangerous, so it’s fine if I go alone…”

“The Wolf God told us not to tolerate injustice.”

If nothing else, this was true.

The Wolf God, a native deity of the Eastern Region, was a hot-blooded god who valued justice.

Among the Wolf God’s pilgrims, there were those who died trying to represent the oppressed people.

I thought I had chosen my role well, and Gerta nodded with sparkling eyes.

“Indeed, beautiful people have beautiful hearts too.”

“…”

It was a compliment, but it made me feel worse. I could understand why Lena looked disgusted whenever she saw Gerta.

‘Making compliments feel unpleasant is quite a talent.’

I pretended not to notice his expression and called for Anna.

It was to send the letter with all the blanks filled back to the shop.

For reference, Gerta seemed to have written his real identity, while I wrote the fake identity that the Emperor and Rohan had prepared for me.

Gerta worried that lies would be exposed quickly, but I was confident they wouldn’t suspect anything.

‘How could they investigate a forged identity created by the Emperor and Duke?’

Half a day after delivering the letter, a man in a splendid uniform came to the inn.

“Guests, would you like to participate in tonight’s banquet?”

It was an abrupt question without any greeting, but what it meant was clear. Gerta and I answered that we would participate.

The man held out two masks to us with a bright smile.

They were plain masks with only holes for eyes, nose, and mouth, but they looked eerie because they were so white.

“Please come to the underground of the shop you visited. If you casually mention where the banquet hall is, an employee will guide you.”

“Hmm, understood.”

“Oh, naturally you cannot bring weapons. Blades, magic treasures, all are forbidden. Also, guards are the same. Well then, farewell.”

The man left after giving his final warning. Seeing how he wasn’t intimidated even in front of nobles, it seemed like familiar work for him.

Then, Lena, who had been listening from behind, whispered to me cautiously.

“…Lady.”

“Yes?”

“Entering without guards is dangerous. It would be better to wait for the Duke’s support…”

Of course, entering without guards was indeed a burdensome matter. If it were the old days it might be different, but the current me had certain responsibilities that made such actions inadvisable.

However, backing out now would also be strange. We were clearly companions who were eager to enter, but suddenly withdrawing?

‘I did notice the city’s abnormalities and called for Rohan, but it will take more time for him to arrive.’

“Don’t worry, Lady Rohana. I will protect you…”

“No, it’s fine.”

While I was pondering what to do, a plan happened to come to mind.

‘Though it’s a strange method to call a plan.’

It was a very traditional and effective method that worked because I was a noble.

‘Let’s be pushy.’

It was an opportunity to show that not only Lena, but I could also act.

* * *

Baron Jona Haldia, the Lord of Haldia and the noble who hosted the Masked Paradise, had been so successful lately that his smile wouldn’t fade.

The profits from the Masked Paradise were enormous, and the surrounding lords had also begun to praise him after hearing of his reputation.

The name of being a lord of remote territory surviving on just one oasis was now a thing of the past.

‘I did well to follow his words.’

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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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