Let the Whales Fight, This Shrimp is Leaving! - Chapter 28

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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 28
Glay Holdin, his brow furrowed in a deep scowl, asked in a tone laced with irritation.
“Let me be blunt. What exactly is it that you want?”
“I wonder. Am I under some obligation to tell you everything?”
“I need to know what you’re looking for so I can accommodate you.”
“You’ve certainly become cooperative all of a sudden.”
“It’s because you’ve taken my liege hostage, My Lady.”
“Aha.”
I nodded slowly, acknowledging his point.
Then, with a simple, beaming smile, I rose from my seat.
“Your devotion to one another is truly touching, Sir Holdin.”
“I didn’t say it for your amusement.”
“I see.”
“What must I do to satisfy you?”
“Hmm, let’s see. It would be ideal if you could return accompanied by a Messenger from the Adorif Empire.”
“The Emperor will not be moved so easily.”
“Handle that part yourself. That is precisely why I am letting you go.”
“If you don’t tell me exactly how you want this resolved, I’ll do it my way.”
Holdin threw out the threat, but I dismissed it with a light wave of my hand.
“One month. Send word in some form within a month. Otherwise, I cannot guarantee what will become of Sir Nemanic.”
“Do not lay a finger on His Excellency. You’ll only end up getting hurt yourself.”
“We’ll see. I have no particular intention of harming him, but I might find myself wanting to satisfy a few curiosities.”
I tossed out the false threat and watched his reaction.
Tap, tap. Holdin, who had fallen silent again as if weighing his options, stood up and faced me.
“I wish to check on His Excellency’s condition.”
“Request denied.”
“Since we’re in the same boat now, can’t we show a little mutual trust?”
“As long as you refrain from any pathetic tricks, as much as you like.”
The man had the nerve to preach about trust when he was the one who had tried to tamper with the Summoning Circle.
It was a rather shameless demand.
“Once trust has been built over time, I’ll allow you a private audience with Sir Nemanic. Or would you rather I pull out a few of your fingernails? To use as leverage for my threats.”
Holdin reflexively hid his hands behind his back.
“What is the benefit of me entering the Plene Grand Duchy with an Adorif Messenger?”
“There is no benefit. Instead…”
I recalled the image of Joaquin Perez, his red hair slicked back with greasy oil.
“There is someone who will suffer a loss.”
Just imagining that arrogant face of his twisting in agony sent a thrill of pleasure up my spine, hitting my brain like a drug.
“Return to Adorif and report that you failed your mission.”
“And after I report?”
“Tell them Sir Nemanic went missing at the Plene Border and request permission to conduct a search.”
“And what will you do, My Lady?”
“I will announce that I am protecting Sir Nemanic. Then, using your Illegal Entry as leverage, I will arrange a negotiation with the Emperor.”
As I laid out the plausible explanation, Holdin finally fell silent.
The air between us swelled, taut with tension.
“……”
“Do you understand?”
“No. Not even a little.”
“Oh dear. You’re denser than I thought.”
“I’m sorry to disappoint you.”
The energy, which had been maintaining a precarious balance, was on the verge of exploding.
[Whine.]
Beval, face buried in a pillow, kicked his feet in frustration.
Thump, thump. The bed bounced noisily, and the Demon’s body shook along with it.
[If he goes, I have to go too.]
“……”
“……”
[I’m glad I won’t have to look at that wretched Angel’s face, but I hate traveling with a restless mortal man.]
I watched the whining Beval and thought to myself.
‘That’s right.’
If Sir Holdin leaves, Beval inevitably has to follow. Because the Angel is here.
‘This is good.’
The thought of getting that annoying Demon out of my sight for a while was delightful.
“You depart in ten days, so keep that in mind.”
I gave a satisfied smile and turned away.
Before leaving the room, I glanced around Holdin’s quarters as if doing a final check.
It was a cold, clinical room, devoid of personal touches or luggage.
“Pack your bags.”
Not that he had anything to pack.
I added the jab before turning the doorknob.
I felt like a heavy sigh was clinging to my back, but…
‘Let him curse me if he wants.’
A person can afford to be hated a little.
Dismissing it as trivial, I finally returned to my administrative duties.
* * *
Ten days later. As scheduled, the carriage carrying Holdin departed for Adorif.
I woke at dawn to see him off, handled some morning work, and then visited the Annex as part of my daily routine.
“The weather is lovely today. Would you care to join me for a stroll?”
I made the offer to Deyan with deliberate cheerfulness, and he rose from the sofa.
Whether I liked it or not, our paths were bound to cross more often now. I figured walking together was better than spending every day glaring at each other in a battle of wills.
Of course, I had another motive.
I wanted as many people as possible to see the two of us together.
“We can have a little chat.”
Walking and talking together subconsciously makes someone feel more familiar.
Walking side-by-side toward the same horizon gives the impression of being ‘comrades’ working toward the same goal.
“Very well.”
Deyan nodded and took long strides to stand beside me.
I naturally led him toward the Back Garden, and out of habit, he adjusted his pace to match mine.
The well-tended garden was in full bloom with purple and white hydrangeas.
Their lush, rounded shapes looked like clouds gathered just before dusk—beautiful to behold.
“I’ve planted roses in the main garden. They’re stunning when in full bloom, but personally, I prefer hydrangeas.”
“Is that so.”
Deyan’s response, which was neither agreement nor affirmation, shifted toward the edge of the garden.
The roof of the Annex was visible through the carefully placed trees.
‘Is he worried that Sir Holdin might be locked up in the Annex?’
It was a futile concern.
Holdin wasn’t in the Annex anyway.
“Is there something…”
“They suit you well, My Lady.”
Just as I was about to ask if something was bothering him.
Deyan abruptly looked down, met my eyes, and spoke with total composure.
Honestly, I was a bit taken aback.
I never expected those words to come out of such a stiff man’s mouth.
‘How unexpected.’
The compliment felt surprisingly natural.
I masked my inner thoughts with a smile and treated him as I normally would.
“Thank you.”
“……”
Deyan gave a slight nod of his chin and fell silent.
We walked for a moment in quietude.
The crisp sound of our footsteps filled the silence of our surroundings.
Even though I had calculated our distance perfectly—close enough to touch, yet not—I felt strangely awkward.
‘Why did he have to say something so unnecessary?’
Had he had a change of heart over the past few days?
Was he trying to mimic my Honey Trap, deciding that since things had come to this, he might as well try to sway my heart?
If Deyan had indeed decided to use a Honey Trap on me…
I stole a glance at him from the corner of my eye.
‘He might want to rethink his strategy.’
I’m sorry to say, but I’d have to inform him it was a total failure.
His massive, bear-like frame, his height that forced me to crane my neck just to look at him.
His hair, cut short with no sense of style, and his sharp, straight eyes without any distinct charm. On top of that, his fierce, ominous aura.
Objectively speaking, he was a very ordinary handsome man—decent enough if dressed up, but lacking any real character.
If he had more varied expressions, he might be interesting to look at.
‘He’s like a wooden doll.’
With someone so stiff, even a woman who had fallen for him would want to run away.
‘That’s not how you use a Honey Trap.’
Deyan was a far cry from being a “beauty.”
Just as I was about to inwardly mock his clumsy schemes, a sudden gust of wind blew.
The sound of rustling leaves swept through like a wave, and the flowers swayed in unison.
At that moment, a large palm appeared before my eyes.
“……”
The wind gradually died down.
My grip tightened on my dress, which I had bunched up to keep from fluttering.
“The wind is strong.”
Deyan, who had shielded my face from the gust, muttered to himself as he withdrew his hand.
“…Yes. It is.”
I was momentarily startled by the hand suddenly covering my face.
I took a short breath to quickly soothe my thumping heart and changed the subject.
I quickened my pace to put some distance between us.
“What do you think about Joaquin Perez attacking you with a Holy Artifact?”
“…I’m not sure I understand the intent of your question.”
But Deyan had no trouble catching up to the distance I had created.
How irritating.
‘With those unnecessarily long legs.’
I shot a sideways glare at his lanky limbs.
Even though I wasn’t particularly short, the difference in our eye levels was far too great.
“I’m asking if you have any inkling as to why.”
“…Almost everyone who knew I made a Contract with a Demon is dead.”
“If you say almost, who is still alive?”
“His Majesty and my adjutant, Glay Holdin. And…”
Deyan paused, and I felt him looking down at me.
“You are the last, My Lady.”

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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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