The Baby Raising A Devil - Chapter 114

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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 114

 

Isaac kicked open the door and entered the garden.

 

Fourth life. My instincts, naturally honed from eating my fill of reading the room, kicked in.

 

‘This isn’t good.’

 

I quickly shook off Young Lord Deliver’s hand.

 

“Leblaine, if any trash… no, if any man approaches you, first say this.”

 

“If you can’t control yourself, you should realize that you’re living in a world where a wrist or two can easily fly off!”

 

“Right, little one. Then say this next.”

 

“Get lost if you don’t want to die!”

 

“And then say this.”

 

“Dubbled is a family where swords are faster than words. Especially the eldest.”

 

I recited the lines my older brothers had taught me in order. The three of them nodded with proud faces, so I inwardly let out a sigh of relief.

 

‘I just saved someone’s life.’

 

Then I approached Father and my older brothers and pointed out something Father always paid close attention to.

 

“No hangnails formed under my fingernails.”

 

Though they wouldn’t have formed from just touching anyway.

 

Father looked displeased, but when I pulled his arm, he followed along relatively obediently.

 

Just as I thought this would settle things.

 

“I’m hurt, Young Lady… What did I even do? If I had at least grabbed your waist once, I wouldn’t feel so wronged.”

 

I flinched, and Father and my older brothers, who were about to leave the garden following me, all turned to look at Young Lord Deliver at once.

 

“Waist?”

 

“Whose waist?”

 

“Waist?”

 

“…”

 

Isaac fingered his scabbard, and Henri said.

 

“Avoid places with crowds. It’s troublesome to clean up.”

 

Then Isaac put his arm around Young Lord Deliver’s shoulder.

 

“Want to step outside for a moment?”

 

“Me?!”

 

Young Lord Deliver, who looked to be a good three or four years older than Isaac, was very pleased by his request for a private meeting.

 

“Of course… ugh.”

 

He who had been jumping with joy briefly groaned. The veins on Isaac’s hand gripping his shoulder were bulging.

 

Isaac smiled brightly and said.

 

“Smile, smile.”

 

Young Lord Deliver seemed to finally sense something was wrong, but it was too late.

 

He was already being dragged away by Isaac, with Henri and Johan following behind.

 

I quietly offered a moment of silence.

 

‘Goodbye, Young Lord. I tried my best.’

 

When Young Lord Deliver returned to the party venue, he was pale as a sheet and trembling. For some reason, he had changed out of the bright red pants he had been wearing.

 

After that, when our eyes met, he screamed “Hiiiiek─!!” and ran out of the hall.

 

And I realized.

 

There were four dangerous items that shouldn’t have been brought into this party venue.

 

I glanced at them sideways.

 

“Leblaine, shall I bring you some juice?”

 

“Leblaine, if you’re tired, you can go back first.”

 

“Little one, want to try that? Your second brother invested in it…!”

 

“Your clothes are thin. I should have someone bring an overcoat.”

 

…The four dangerous items smiled brightly.

 

* * *

 

I dragged Zachary, who was completely absorbed in his lone wolf act, to where the retainer was.

 

And I told the retainer.

 

“Keep a close eye on Father and my brothers.”

 

Zachary looked puzzled.

 

“His Excellency and the Young Masters? Is there some problem?”

 

“Make sure there are no casualties.”

 

“This is a party, not a battlefield, what casualties could there be…?”

 

Zachary, who had been speaking, looked toward Father and my brothers and hesitated. His expression became strange.

 

Father and my brothers were currently looking at all the young masters at the party venue as if searching for prey.

 

The retainer said.

 

“I’ve already warned the retainers attending the party. If His Excellency or the Young Masters try to kill someone, assault them, or assault them to near death, they should risk their lives to stop them.”

 

“Well done.”

 

Come to think of it, the retainers were wide-eyed with terrified expressions.

 

Zachary muttered.

 

“They say he’s a doting father…”

 

“It’s not just because he’s a doting father.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“Isn’t the ratio of young masters my age at this party venue excessively high?”

 

Zachary looked around the hall and nodded.

 

“That’s true. Ah!”

 

Clever Zachary, though not a noble, quickly understood the psychology of nobility.

 

“This incident has made many people think I’m truly the Child of Fate. The reactions from the Papal Court and the Temple are also quite serious. Plus, I’m quite beloved by my family, aren’t I?”

 

“You’re a coveted bride candidate.”

 

In Mina’s world’s terms, I would be like winning the lottery.

 

“Most of the participants came aiming for a marriage alliance. Among them are people whose heads are empty cans.”

 

“…You mean those scoundrels aiming for abduction marriages.”

 

“That’s right.”

 

“But surely there can’t be anyone stupid enough to lay hands on Young Lady within Dubbled’s protection?”

 

The adjutant answered that question.

 

“They think abduction marriage is possible precisely because it’s Dubbled.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“What do you think is the reason why sons and daughters of powerful families have entered into abduction marriages until now? It’s because they value honor like their lives. Once kidnapped, whether touched or not, they’ll become the subject of gossip among those rotten-minded people.”

 

“They’re trying to create a flaw that forces marriage? Crazy…!”

 

Such incidents had often occurred in the past.

 

Of course, the frequency had significantly decreased by now, but I knew well that people lose their reason when blinded by greed.

 

Of course, Father and my brothers would think the same way. That’s why they’re being excessively cautious.

 

“Congratulations, Your Excellency! You have a wonderful daughter.”

 

“Wonderful?”

 

“Yes?”

 

“She’s not just wonderful.”

 

…Of course, he’s also a bit of a doting father.

 

“Anyway, keep watch. I’ll be away from the hall for a moment.”

 

“Where are you going?”

 

“Now I need to go collect a debt.”

 

From Duke Valois, that is.

 

The adjutant immediately understood my words.

 

“Shall I accompany you?”

 

“No? The adjutant is frail. You look like you’d collapse if poked.”

 

“I used to be…!”

 

“Exactly. You used to be like that once upon a time.”

 

The adjutant became dejected, and I patted Zachary’s armor.

 

“Guard me from behind.”

 

Now was finally the time to properly utilize Zachary.

 

Neither Seria nor the adjutant were suitable for escort duty. Rather, if a truly urgent situation arose, Seria and the adjutant would be people I’d have to protect.

 

Zachary followed behind me, gripping his scabbard.

 

I walked through the dark corridor toward where I had confirmed Duke Valois to be.

 

“May I ask what you mean by collecting a debt?”

 

Zachary’s voice was more serious than usual.

 

During the five years of raising him, I had carefully observed Zachary.

 

Whether he was someone I could reveal my identity to or not.

 

Zachary is someone who possesses all the conditions necessary for a person to whom I should reveal my identity.

 

Loyalty.

 

Ability.

 

And desire. In other words, he must be someone who has something more precious than me.

 

The reason I don’t tell my family or Lea is because they don’t meet that last condition.

 

The captain has the desire to meet Louis again.

 

Seria has the desire to find the children from House of Hope.

 

Zachary also had the desire to protect his orphanage friends he grew up with and become the continent’s greatest knight.

 

If someone has something more precious than me, it also means they can abandon me in an emergency.

 

It means they are people who won’t try to stop me from the path I’m taking out of fear of seeing my corpse.

 

“I owe Duke Valois a debt. I’ll tell you the details another time.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

Though Zachary was a bit foolish, he was quick-witted and wise.

 

Zachary and I left the building. As soon as we came outside, Zachary hid himself in the darkness and looked toward the fountain illuminated by magic lamps. Duke Valois was holding a communication stone and shouting furiously.

 

“How could you have handled things so…! Lady Dubbled.”

 

He who had been shouting suddenly flinched and put away the communication stone.

 

“What brings the star of the party to this place.”

 

“I came to see you, Your Grace.”

 

Duke Valois let out a thin sneer.

 

In front of the dimly lit fountain, only the sound of Duke Valois’s footsteps approaching me settled down.

 

“How truly brave of you.”

 

Bending at the waist to meet my eyes, he firmly grasped my shoulder.

 

“Or should I say your guts have spilled out of your belly.”

 

“…”

 

“To see you stand before me like this after ruining all my plans, it seems the talk of you being clever was all lies.”

 

“…”

 

“What should I do with this adorable little mouse.”

 

The shoulder he gripped gave me chills as if bugs were crawling on it.

 

I am still afraid of him.

 

The physical abuse and bone-chilling verbal abuse I suffered when I couldn’t protect myself left persistent trauma in my life.

 

To the extent that I couldn’t stop my wavering eyes and trembling hands no matter how much I tried to endure it.

 

Seeing me like this, Duke Valois said.

 

“Did your father send you? To come and mock me? But you’ve become useless. You’re so pathetic before me.”

 

“Useless fool. Like a disgusting vermin.”

 

“Do you think you own the whole world because everyone praises you as the Child of Fate?”

 

“…”

 

“But, child. Those who can see the truth know. You are a fake.”

 

“…”

 

“You were beloved for the title of Child of Fate, but once the truth is revealed, you’ll soon be driven out penniless.”

 

“….”

 

“You’ll become everyone’s plaything and eventually end up begging under that bridge. So you should be humble today. Hmm?”

 

There were times I wanted to forgive him.

 

Because hating was so painful. If I could forgive, it seemed like the fear that strangled me every time would disappear too.

 

If he had knelt before me and begged for forgiveness, if he had apologized for being a beast who succumbed to desire, I would have stopped.

 

Until just now.

 

“Are you afraid of me?”

 

“What?”

 

“Father said so. A dog paralyzed with fear tries to bite people. It tries to inflict wounds somehow. To escape from its own fear.”

 

“You…!”

 

“But now you should be even more afraid.”

 

Duke Valois’s expression turned menacing.

 

“What nonsense are you…!”

 

“Pay back the money.”

 

“What?”

 

“The 3 million francs you borrowed from Lord Rain, the 5 million francs your wife borrowed. That’s my money.”

 

“What, what?!”

 

“I bought out the entire loan deal. By selling the Long-Distance Teleportation Circle. Thanks to advertising in good places, I was able to sell it at such a valuable price.”

 

I smiled brightly.

 

“You haven’t even paid the interest! When I asked my brother, he said in cases like this, we can seize the house!”

 

Other families might not have been able to because they were watching your mood, but I’m different.

 

“Hand over the house, garbage.”

 

Duke Valois, whose face had turned pale yellow, gaped his mouth.

 

“No, no way… That can’t be!”

 

I thrust the documents at him.

 

“Why can’t it be.”

 

After checking the document contents, Duke Valois’s face turned bright red. The meticulous man had reviewed the documents when borrowing 3 million francs, but his wife hadn’t.

 

If interest payments are not made, property seizure.

 

Since there’s no way that bastard can repay 5 million francs, that house he bragged about so much in his second life, and the secret storage in that house’s study are all mine!

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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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