The Baby Raising A Devil - Chapter 171

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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 171

Greedy people gathered from across the Empire assembled in front of the Central Courtyard and shouted.

“This child is your youngest daughter!”

“Nonsense! Look at this. Such dazzling silver hair and blue eyes! Our child is definitely Dubbled’s daughter!”

“No, it’s me. I’m the one. I’m ten years old, born in Dubbled Territory. My current parents took me in when I was abandoned.”

North, who was calming the people in the Central Courtyard, had an unusually cold expression.

When I tugged at his sleeve, he startled and turned to look at me.

“This is not a very pleasant sight for Young Lady to witness…”

He spoke with a worried voice, so I smiled brightly.

“It’s okay.”

“But…”

North had reason to be concerned. Dubbled’s Central Courtyard was truly a hotbed of greedy people.

A father and daughter who looked identical as if stamped from the same mold came claiming the daughter was Baby Bird, and a child who looked at least fifteen claimed to have been abandoned in Dubbled Territory.

‘Wow, there are so many greedy people eyeing others’ positions.’

I was truly unbothered.

Rather, I felt like cheering them on, thinking ‘Yes, well done! You cute greedy people! Shout more, more!’

Because Augustino’s face, who had rushed over upon hearing the rumors, was growing increasingly yellow.

“Look at these eyes! Don’t they closely resemble your youngest Young Master?”

“A woman dressed as a maid, covered in blood, came to my current parents and entrusted me to them. This is a coin the maid left with me. It was issued by Dubbled, wasn’t it?”

“This child’s birthday is the same as your youngest daughter’s. I brought this child who was crying alone on a mountain in Dubbled Territory to the orphanage. There are witnesses too. Calypso, Eric! Quickly tell them about that day in detail.”

Unlike Augustino, they even presented evidence.

‘At this rate, it seems like Emeline might get kicked out?’

Are you scared that there might be an uproar saying the great 21st Priest brought a fake child?

If Dubbled formally protests to the Central Temple, your Cardinal position might fly away. Right?

I giggled inwardly and approached the bewildered Augustino. Of course, with my eyes wide open as if very puzzled.

“Priest, Priest.”

“…Yes, Young Lady.”

“Baby Birds keep coming. It’s strange.”

“…”

“Baby Bird is Emeline, right? After all! She was brought by none other than Augustino, one of the 21 priests of the Central Temple!”

He gritted his teeth and glared at the numerous Baby Birds as he spoke.

“Of course.”

“But what if she’s not?”

“…Pardon?”

“If, really, by any chance Emeline isn’t the real one, Family Members will be hurt. Father, who would be so deeply wounded, might formally protest to the shrine… and if protesting isn’t enough and he draws his sword…?”

“…S-sword?”

“Why do people say that Duke Dubbled’s House are reckless moths drawn to flame? Of course, I think it’s a misunderstanding… but just in case, really just in case. But do you know? The battle at Rones Peninsula also started from mocking Dubbled. That battle where 3,000 soldiers all burned to death.”

When people panic, they tend to think of extremes.

In Augustino’s mind, an image must be unfolding of Duke Dubbled holding a sword in one hand and a torch in the other, charging into the shrine.

Augustino, who had turned pale yellow and now even blue, forced himself to speak.

“P-please put your worries to rest. How could a servant of God speak falsehoods? It is definitely Emeline.”

‘Right, now’s the time.’

When I flashed the communication stone in my pouch, Zachary, who received the signal, shouted.

“Yes, Little One, please put your worries to rest!”

When Zachary, who had already become famous from the mock battle, shouted loudly, the attention of the greedy people who had brought fake baby birds gathered.

I clapped my hands with a snap!

“Priests have divine abilities through God’s grace, don’t they? Like seeing the future or seeing through the truth. Right?”

“Yes? Yes, well… that’s right.”

“The priest also received God’s revelation and brought Emeline! I’m right, aren’t I?!”

People began to murmur.

The greedy people burning with desire glared at Augustino with displeasure.

Because I had spread the rumor that ‘Dubbled’s youngest daughter who was kept secret has returned. A priest brought her. There’s no evidence, but since a priest brought her, it’s probably true!’

To those greedy people, Emeline who became a baby bird without evidence, merely because a priest brought her, was a public enemy.

And the liar Augustino was greatly flustered by the distrustful gazes. Those who are guilty are bound to feel guilty.

I made my final move.

‘Then in the end…’

“I swear before God Neriad! Emeline is definitely Dubbled’s youngest daughter!”

‘He’ll make a reckless move!’

I cheered inwardly.

Yes, yes. Keep escalating things like this. To the point where the shrine can’t handle it.

* * *

Augustino’s face showed clear fatigue when he returned to the shrine.

Unlike the morning, the shrine was in turmoil. As he walked unsteadily, priests gathered around him in groups.

They were priests who supported him for cardinal appointment.

“Is the child you brought really Duke Dubbled’s daughter?”

“You mentioned God’s name and expressed certainty. How could you make such hasty statements? If by any chance it’s not true, you know what will happen.”

“He donated that huge amount for finding his youngest daughter, but if it turns out to be false…”

Augustino’s eyes widened as he looked around at the priests.

“Donation?”

“Didn’t you know? Duke Dubbled donated 50 million francs and recommended you as the officiant for the harvest festival. It must be a sign of gratitude.”

Augustino stammered in confusion.

“50 million francs?”

He couldn’t believe such a huge amount was donated as a sign of gratitude.

Everyone knew that the relationship between Dubbled and the shrine was colder than the north wind in midwinter.

They believed the shrine was involved in the Duchess’s death. And it was actually true.

No matter how much he had helped find their daughter, this wasn’t resentment that would easily fade.

“His Imperial Majesty was greatly pleased and conveyed that he would designate you as the harvest festival priest to the Papal Court. Of course, if you become the priest, the cardinal position would be as good as yours, but we just can’t shake our worries…”

‘The Imperial Palace and Papal Court are involved too?’

Now it had truly become something difficult to turn back from.

If it was discovered that Emeline wasn’t the youngest daughter, it would no longer be just his problem alone.

The prestige of the Neriad faith would crumble, and the entire country would be turned upside down.

Augustino’s hands trembled finely.

* * *

Augustino secretly called Emeline out to a dark alley.

“What are they chattering about at the mansion? Do they suspect you? Did they say they’d verify the mana of the children who came?”

“I don’t really know…”

“Insolent thing!”

He shouted angrily. Emeline flinched and stepped back, but he pulled the child toward him with a furious face.

“Does it make sense for someone who used to beg for scraps to live in a mansion as luxurious as the Imperial Palace? After being spoon-fed this much, you should know how to chew by yourself!”

Augustino’s eyes gleamed with desire and anger.

Emeline spoke with a completely dejected face.

“I, I can’t do anything. I told you already. My mother wasn’t a maid. I’m not Lady Dubbled.”

“Emeline.”

“B-but I can’t lie. You’re bad, Priest! You’re a bad person!”

Emeline cried loudly and shook her head.

“You stupid girl. The Child of Fate doesn’t share a drop of blood with them anyway. So if you, who might actually be their real daughter, just act cute, House Dubbled will fall into yours and my hands!”

“…”

“Do you want to go back to begging? If you go back, you’ll live more miserably than before. Because I’ll make it so!”

“I’ll tell His Holiness the Pope.”

“Report me? The Imperial Palace, Papal Court, and Central Temple are all involved in this matter. The Emperor even received money from Duke Dubbled to appoint me as priest. Do you think the Imperial Palace and shrine would tarnish their own honor over a child’s nonsense? They’d burn your tongue to silence you.”

“The shrine is a place that works hard for the common people…”

“To protect the Neriad faith, would the lives of mere common people matter?”

That’s when it happened.

Emeline, who had been crying like a frightened lamb, took something out of her pocket and fiddled with it, then frowned.

“Is it done now?”

“Yes.”

Augustino was startled and looked at the child who had come around the corner of the alley.

‘This voice is definitely…!’

Leblaine, who had removed the hood of her robe, received something from Emeline and then looked at Augustino.

Augustino gritted his teeth.

“You, did you set a trap for me!”

When Leblaine shrugged her shoulders, Augustino glared at both children with bloodshot eyes.

“Emeline, you stupid girl! Do you even know whose hand you’re holding right now?! If you had obediently helped me, you would have become Lady Dubbled…!”

“When did I ever say I wanted to become Lady Dubbled? I just wanted to find my father!”

“How could Duke Dubbled even compare to some measly biological father.”

Emeline let out a scoff as if she was dumbfounded. Leblaine placed her hand on Emeline’s shoulder and said.

“Mister. Do you think this kid doesn’t know anything just because she lived as a beggar?”

“What?”

“She’s much smarter than idiots like you. She learned from life that if you swallow something too big, either your throat or your stomach will tear.”

It was Emeline who had taught that to Leblaine.

Emeline snorted and crossed her arms.

“If Mister had been just a little bit clever, I might have considered living as Lady Dubbled, but what am I supposed to do when you’re being this stupid?”

Leblaine had approached Emeline on the first day she came to the mansion.

She brought up a story she had never told anyone, claiming she knew about her biological father.

“Your mother called your biological father ‘Hen’, didn’t she?”

“How do you know that…!”

“I told you. I know your biological father.”

Of course, it was something Leblaine could say because she had heard that story from Emeline in her previous life.

Emeline had briefly wavered between Dubbled and her biological father. The few days at Dubbled felt like a dream.

Luxurious meals, warm clothes, kind employees, a beautiful family.

It was a dream world that had everything she wanted. That’s why she hesitated to join hands with Leblaine.

So Leblaine showed her. The scene of a priest swearing an oath in God’s name. She knew well that smart Emeline would never board a boat that had any possibility of sinking.

‘I learned all my social maneuvering from Emeline.’

And as expected, Emeline took her hand.

Augustino gritted his teeth as he looked at the little villains making shameless expressions.

That must be a recording magic device.

Since the Magic Tower sold them, it wasn’t difficult for even children to obtain such magic tools.

‘I can’t kill all of them here. At minimum, I need to persuade Emeline.’

Otherwise, his own neck would be in danger.

“Fine, make a deal with me before handing it over to Duke Dubbled. I’m going to become a cardinal. I’ll pay whatever price you want, whether it’s treasure or anything else…”

“That’s not it though?”

“What?”

Leblaine pointed at mid-air.

Frowning, he turned his gaze to where the child was pointing and saw… trees?

“What’s with the trees… Wa, wait, that thing!”

Something small was hanging from the tree.

Leblaine smiled brightly.

‘Mina called that thing CCTV.’

And the place where the footage is transmitted to is…

* * *

[This incident has entangled the Imperial Family, the Papal Court, and the Central Temple. The Emperor even received money from Duke Dubbled to appoint me as a priest.]

The people gathered in the plaza stirred greatly as they watched the magic mirrors installed for events like mock battles.

[Do you think the Imperial Family and the Temple would let a child’s nonsense tarnish their honor? They’ll try to silence you even if they have to burn your tongue.]

People who heard Augustino’s continuing words covered their mouths.

“How can such a thing happen in this world…!”

“This is unbelievable. How could someone who spreads God’s grace do such terrible things!”

“That poor child.”

“Where is that place? Shouldn’t we go there?”

“Dubbled! Let’s inform Dubbled!”

At that moment, chaos also erupted in the Imperial Palace and the Temple as they watched the magic mirrors.

The Emperor, who had seen the situation through the magic mirror, shouted loudly.

“Stop the broadcast immediately!”

“The broadcast has been cut off at that point…”

The Court Mages said with pale yellow faces.

‘What in the world is this trickery.’

For some time now, images that the Imperial Family had never broadcast appeared on magic mirrors placed throughout the Empire.

‘What mage could possibly know the magic mirror codes…!’

It was such powerful mana that no matter how much they tried to cut it off, it wouldn’t disconnect.

The Emperor grabbed the back of his neck and shouted.

“Tell the Pope to come in. Capture that crazy priest immediately!!”

A collaboration between Veronica and Trigon. It was the Empire’s first hacking.

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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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