Let the Whales Fight, This Shrimp is Leaving! - Chapter 27

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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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Chapter 27
At those unexpected words, I did something I normally wouldn’t do.
“……Beg pardon?”
I had reflexively countered with a question of my own.
However, Sariel was not particularly kind to me.
[How foolish.]
“…….”
‘Picking a fight out of nowhere?’
Leaving behind words whose intent I couldn’t fathom, Sariel turned and walked down the corridor.
His posture remained perfectly straight as he moved away, his form gradually blurring until he vanished like a mirage.
“……What was that about?”
Why did he even come here?
Did he happen to overhear our conversation?
I mulled over the exchange I’d just had with Deyan before giving a light shrug.
‘Doesn’t matter, I suppose.’
I didn’t know why Sariel took an interest in our talk, but since it was just a few words, I decided not to dwell on it.
I crossed the quiet corridor and returned to the main building.
I considered heading straight to the office but changed my mind, turning toward the room where Holdin was being kept.
Deyan, as a subject of negotiation, was allowed to stay freely in the annex, but Holdin’s situation as a hostage was different.
His quarters were moved roughly every two days.
This was to fundamentally block any attempt by Deyan to rescue his subordinate and flee.
Naturally, Holdin couldn’t take a single step outside the room.
I had also stationed guards in a way that wasn’t too conspicuous.
“Please, save me.”
As soon as I entered his confinement, Holdin dropped to his knees before me.
[Idir, you’re here?]
Beval, who was lounging sideways on Holdin’s bed, turned only his head to acknowledge me.
He seemed to be reading something intently; glancing at the cover, I saw it was a picture book for adults.
‘Typical demon behavior.’
Indulging in such vulgarity in broad daylight.
“So this is where you were.”
Despite my thoughts, I spoke with a smile, and Beval responded cheerfully.
[You timed it well. I was getting bored of tormenting this bastard.]
“He burst in at dawn and has been prattling on in that exact position ever since.”
[It can’t be helped. My contractor is this guy, so I have to stick close to him for a certain amount of time to stay active in the human realm.]
“I’m going to die.”
[That damn pigeon. Why the hell is he sticking around and getting in my way?]
“Pleeease, just take this demon away.”
Holdin pleaded, rubbing his palms together fervently.
I could more or less grasp the situation.
‘It seems Lord Sariel is still exerting his influence.’
He must be doing something to prevent Beval from staying in the human realm permanently.
Because of that, Beval’s state seemed unstable…….
“I’ll do whatever you ask, just let me rest in peace.”
Only Holdin, hounded by the demon, was suffering.
‘I actually prefer the silence.’
It was a relief not to have a demon constantly pestering me during work or snoring loudly while sprawled on the sofa or bed.
As a bonus, since he wasn’t near the angel, they weren’t fighting, and the furniture remained intact.
“Hmm. I don’t know about that.”
“Please!”
“I only came to check on your condition……. but this works out well.”
“Are you mocking my situation? Or are you saying it’s good because I’ll do whatever you order?”
His question was surprisingly sharp despite his state.
I looked at the near-tears Holdin and let out a thin smirk.
“Both.”
“Aha. Both. You really have a nasty personality. Fine. I didn’t expect much anyway…….”
He muttered gloomily, staggering to his feet.
Dragging his slumped shoulders, he trudged over and collapsed into a chair.
[Hey, Contractor.]
“Stop it, please, just stop!”
Holdin clutched his ears with both hands like a man driven mad by hallucinations.
Seeing him frantically mess up his already disheveled hair, he looked to be right on the verge of a breakdown.
[Bring me a new book. Something more provocative. You stupid humans. Is this the limit of your imagination?]
Beval, who had been lazily flipping the corner of a page, suddenly brightened when he looked at me.
[Ah! Idir is the exception. You’re my type.]
“Yes. Thank you.”
[Don’t mention it.]
I brushed off Beval’s remark casually and sat down opposite Holdin.
“I only requested books because he kept acting like that……. Don’t misunderstand. I’m not a pervert.”
“It’s fine, Sir Holdin. You are a man, after all.”
“No, I’m really not.”
Finally, tears began to well in Holdin’s eyes.
“That female knight, Giselle or whatever her name is—the way she looks at me! Ha……. She stares at me as if I’m some kind of insect.”
“That can’t be right. Giselle is naturally quite expressionless.”
“She says all sorts of insults with that blank face!”
“Impossible. Giselle doesn’t use foul language.”
“She does it with her eyes! Her eyes!”
Holdin shouted his protest.
I merely crinkled my eyes and smiled, watching him throw a fit.
“Please, can’t you at least change the servant to someone other than that knight? My heart drops every time I see her. I’m terrified!”
“Oh my? You shouldn’t disparage the efforts of someone who is serving you so politely. Besides, Giselle is my direct handmaid.”
When I countered that he shouldn’t treat the elite personnel I’d graciously lent him as a monster, Holdin rubbed his face dryly.
“Ha. Ah, yes. I forgot. You have the worst personality in this castle, Lady Idir.”
“…….”
I answered with a silent smile, causing Holdin’s voice to grow even more somber.
“Just kill me instead…….”
[Oh. That’s a great suggestion. Idir! Let’s kill him right now!]
“Aagh!”
[If you kill him, I’ll take care of the rest. Then we can make a contract together. How about it!]
“Didn’t you say I should use him as I see fit because it seemed interesting, Lord Beval?”
[Yeah. I did, but I’m bored now.]
Beval lightly scratched the tip of his chin with a long fingernail.
[It’s no fun. I think it would be better to just stick to Idir and flirt.]
“Sir Holdin.”
[Why are you ignoring me?]
“Joaquin Perez is scheduled to visit in two weeks.”
“……Excuse me?”
[I said, why are you ignoring me!]
“Why would Joaquin Perez come here……. Ha. Dammit.”
Holdin’s eyes darted around in confusion before he trailed off with a deep sigh.
With an expression weighted by sudden exhaustion, he swept his hair back and straightened his posture.
“He returned because he couldn’t confirm whether His Excellency and I were alive or dead.”
“Correct.”
“And he probably scheduled an official visit so he wouldn’t have to leave until he found at least a piece of a corpse.”
“Exactly. Your deductive skills are remarkable.”
“Did you grant that man permission to visit?”
He was asking the same thing.
This was why I found them annoying.
They naturally assumed ‘permission’ must have been granted.
I had no memory of anyone ever asking us for permission.
“Let’s be clear. I have never once allowed an intrusion by outside forces.”
“……So he’s just coming on his own? How can someone be so reckless?”
“I suppose you’ve forgotten the reason why you’re here in the first place?”
“Ahem.”
“I’ll keep this brief.”
Holdin cleared his throat awkwardly and sat up straight again.
“First, you will return to Adorif.”
“……Pardon?”
His calm facade vanished into a look of sheer bewilderment.
“Just…… me?”
“Yes. Sir Nemanic’s injuries haven’t healed yet, so we will protect him here in our Grand Duchy. In secret, of course.”
“Is it protection? Or is it detention?”
“I’ll provide someone to escort you. Go back to your homeland, assess the situation, and return.”
“So what you’re saying is…….”
I ignored his attempt to cut in and continued laying out my terms.
Holdin massaged his forehead and let out a hollow laugh.
“You’re going to keep His Excellency hostage and have me act as a double agent to monitor the movements of my own country?”
“Oh my. I wouldn’t put it quite like that.”
Well, the meaning was the same.
I didn’t bother denying it and simply nodded.
“But if that’s how you’ve taken it, let’s go with that.”
“It’s not just ‘taking it that way,’ that’s exactly what it is.”
“For your information, I don’t much like being contradicted. I’m the type of person who believes I’m always right.”
At my soft warning, his mouth finally snapped shut.
“As you know, Joaquin Perez has not given up on Sir Nemanic.”
As I summarized the situation, Holdin’s expression grew even more complicated.

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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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