(Risking My Life) Proposing to Miss Hazel - Chapter 55

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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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Chapter 55

 

“Good morning! Ma’am, gentlemen.”

 

I am the spirited and diligent Hazel.

 

I won’t be defeated by the oppression of the people from Cromwell Castle.

 

On my way to work in the morning, I deliberately greeted the adults I encountered with an even louder and brighter voice.

 

It was partly because I didn’t want to worry the adults, and perhaps because I had acted spoiled with Felix yesterday to my heart’s content, I really did feel better.

 

So I went to work energetically and worked hard all day long.

 

‘Those kids without parents.’

 

The malicious voice often came to mind, but I was able to forget it quickly.

 

Because I have nn mothers and nn fathers, plus a reliable grandfather.

 

So everything was fine.

 

“Hazel, let’s get off work.”

 

“Felix, eat this sandwich before you go. Don’t skip dinner.”

 

“Is this the sandwich you received yesterday?”

 

“No. She gave it to me again today.”

 

After having a simple meal with the sandwich Maria gave us, we locked the door securely and left the shop.

 

“Hmm…”

 

But somehow, even after double-locking the door, I felt uneasy.

 

Maybe it was because I had hidden two money pouches in the shop. Or maybe it was because of what happened yesterday.

 

Besides these reasons, the number of outsiders coming and going from the village had increased, so it wouldn’t hurt to be careful.

 

War refugees who couldn’t establish themselves in Cromwell Castle and were pushed all the way to Ruden Village.

 

Most of them were good people, but occasionally there were some unsavory characters mixed in.

 

‘The newspaper article I read recently also said that the flames of civil war are spreading even to the central-western regions…’

 

Felix said the west would be safe forever so there was no need to worry, but Felix isn’t a god, so how would he know the future?

 

Still, thanks to the refugees, purification water sales had increased.

 

Because to safely use items brought from the city, they had to be washed with purification water.

 

Judging by the fact that there were occasionally customers looking for undiluted solution rather than diluted ones, it seemed the degree of contamination from black magic was getting worse.

 

Black magic contamination.

 

Information that couldn’t be learned in the regular curriculum, but was essential to acquire in order to survive in the Abraksia Empire.

 

The reason schools don’t teach about black magic contamination is simple.

 

Among the countless pieces of information floating around in the world, even teachers can’t distinguish between real and fake.

 

There are only three certain truths.

 

First. When black magic is used, unknown contaminating substances like gray dust are generated.

 

Second, when contaminated by those substances, the essence is destroyed regardless of whether it’s people, animals, nature, or objects.

 

People get sick or die, water becomes undrinkable, etc. The contamination symptoms and degrees vary.

 

Third, black magic contaminating substances can only be washed away with purification water.

 

Objects can be purified even after complete erosion has progressed, but people, animals, plants, and water cannot be revived with purification water once complete erosion has progressed.

 

Purification water can be obtained from the Monster’s Domain scattered throughout the Empire’s borderlands, underground caves, and the purification water wells that were managed by the Ancient Seven Families.

 

Although it’s said that even those are being contaminated as the bloodlines of the Ancient Seven Families have been cut off, purification water can be obtained without much difficulty in the territories of the 1st and 4th Princes.

 

Though life is not easy for the imperial citizens living in the territories of the Black Magic Rebels.

 

At the end of my chain of thoughts, the shop door handle came into view again.

 

I should go home, but my feet wouldn’t move. When I glanced to the side, it seemed Felix felt the same way.

 

“Felix, aren’t you going?”

 

“Hazel, you know what?”

 

“Mm-hmm.”

 

“How about setting traps in front of the shop? I learned some amazing booby traps from the hunter uncles, and I think I could install about three of them.”

 

Felix pointed with his finger at the tree in front of the shop, beside the window, and the path leading to the back door.

 

I asked in bewilderment.

 

“Why are you suddenly talking about booby traps?”

 

“Hazel, you hid two money pouches in the shop. And you hid three at home.”

 

“!!!”

 

Wh-wh-how did he know?

 

I hid them very tightly and secretly.

 

I opened my eyes wide and hastily denied it.

 

“N-n-no! They’re all in my skirt!”

 

Felix immediately snorted. He didn’t even pretend to believe me.

 

“Don’t worry. No one else will be able to find them except me.”

 

“You know you’re the most dangerous person, right?”

 

“I could take that money to Cromwell Castle Gambling Hall and multiply it tenfold in one night, but I won’t, so don’t worry about that either.”

 

“Absolutely not. If you gamble, I’ll kick you out of the house.”

 

I warned him firmly and then slyly asked.

 

“But what game would you…”

 

Tenfold is kind of tempting, isn’t it?

 

“The stakes are biggest in blackjack, but my main game is seven-card poker.”

 

“You mean seven-card poker is the game you mainly lose at?”

 

“Exactly.”

 

Felix grinned and tapped the tree in front of the entrance with the back of his hand.

 

Seeing him stomp the ground with his feet, it seemed he really intended to install booby traps.

 

“If I stop by the cave and install traps too, I’ll be late today. Don’t wait up and go to sleep.”

 

“Still, come back before 12 o’clock. You need to sleep at least five hours a day.”

 

“I’ll see how it goes.”

 

***

 

Felix and I parted ways in opposite directions in front of Albert’s Bookstore.

 

I walked obediently toward home and then slyly turned down a side path.

 

It was to give chocolate and candy to the man Felix had told me to kick between the legs and not even talk to.

 

‘It feels like I’m committing some kind of sin…’

 

They say that when you reach adolescence, you have many secrets you can’t tell your parents.

 

My adolescence was filled with memories(?) of tailing Felix who had become a dog, chasing him, and dragging him by the hair from bars and gambling dens.

 

I had neither the time nor opportunity to rebel. And of course, no parents either.

 

For reference, Sara and Maribel have a history of skipping school and running away to Cromwell Castle, only to be caught and brought back by their parents.

 

Sorry, but the informant was me. Back then, I thought Cromwell Castle was very dangerous.

 

‘Now that I think about it, I feel a bit sorry. They might have just had fun and come back.’

 

My friends still don’t know the truth. I’ll take this secret to my grave.

 

Just like secretly meeting Baron today.

 

“Baron!”

 

I spotted Baron from afar and waved my hand happily.

 

Baron was dressed differently from when I saw him in the morning.

 

Having his wrists and ankles properly covered was very commendable. Though there was nothing I could do about the silhouette that showed through the black fabric.

 

When our eyes met, he extended his index finger and brought it to his lips.

 

‘Is he telling me to be quiet? Why?’

 

As I just blinked my eyes, not understanding, Baron quickly closed the distance.

 

“Miss Hazel, would you please come with me for a moment.”

 

Grab, my wrist was seized without permission.

 

In the blink of an eye, I was running somewhere with him.

 

Since he was moving silently, I also made no sound with my footsteps. From his behavior, it seemed like he was following someone.

 

A moment later, as we approached the mountain—

 

“This way, sir.”

 

A Young Man’s voice could be heard.

 

Baron placed his index finger against my lips. I understood the meaning and nodded silently.

 

Soon, a Middle-aged Man’s voice I’d never heard before echoed through the forest path.

 

“So this is the path that Felix created?”

 

“Yes. His behavior seemed suspicious, so I reported it to Lord Axel several times, but since there was no particular response, I contacted you, my Lord.”

 

Felix, Axel, Lord.

 

Even just hearing those words together sent chills down my spine.

 

‘But who is that? The Young Man’s voice sounds familiar…’

 

I pricked up my ears as I went deeper into the mountain. I could only see their backs through the grass, making it difficult to identify who they were.

 

Soon they stopped in front of the cave that Felix had dug. Only then could I see the men’s faces.

 

The Middle-aged Man was a Cromwell Official who had come to collect taxes from Our Village a few years ago, and the Young Man was—

 

Gwen’s Nephew who worked at the candy shop.

 

“…!”

 

I stared blankly at the lunch box full of candy he had given me. My bewildered gaze trembled.

 

Soon, I heard labored breathing sounds, then Gwen’s Nephew raised his voice with irritation.

 

“Look, the cave entrance is blocked with heavy stones. No matter how hard I push, it won’t open.”

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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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