The Baby Raising A Devil - Chapter 296

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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 296

After telling the employees I would be going to the Trading Company, I immediately teleported to the Imperial Office.

Seria, who had been waiting for me, held out a pile of Blue Spinel.

“It’s quite a large quantity. Will you be alright? Your health isn’t good to begin with.”

I waved my hand dismissively.

“It’s only difficult when I use Demonic Abilities. This is nothing.”

“Borrowing those abilities must be incredibly taxing.”

I nodded.

Demons are beings that transcend human power. No matter how capable a human might be, surpassing a demon is nearly impossible.

Even I couldn’t dream of summoning demons or borrowing their abilities without Etoile.

‘Mina summoning Ami and using her abilities without Etoile should be considered a suicide attempt.’

What’s even more remarkable is that she’s still alive despite that.

As I infused my power, with a low rumble and small vibration, the transparency of the Blue Spinel changed.

Spinel ‘processing’ wasn’t a time-consuming task. I completed the processing of all the Spinel Seria had given me in just a couple of hours.

“This should do it, right?”

“Yes.”

“It’s been a while since we’ve demonstrated Spinel charged with Divine Power. Is the potential buyer particularly picky?”

“Extremely so. But it’s understandable. We’re dealing with astronomical amounts of money. Speaking of which…”

“Hmm?”

“They want to meet directly with the Guild Master.”

I frowned.

In the 13 years since Hope Trading Company launched, countless merchants had wanted to deal directly with the Guild Master, but Seria had wisely held them back.

With considerable experience as acting Guild Master, Seria had never lost in negotiations with any major merchant.

‘Someone troublesome enough to make even Seria struggle?’

As I hummed thoughtfully while stroking my chin, Seria spoke.

“There aren’t many Trading Companies capable of handling a deal of this magnitude. Especially given our conditions.”

The conditions I set were indeed quite demanding.

【A Trading Company from Other Continent that has no ties to the Empire, the center of trade, and has no connections whatsoever to This Continent.】

Excluding this current trading partner, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say there were none.

‘I was going to send Rain, the ball-jointed doll… Oh right, I can’t use Rain right now.’

I remembered modifying her during the Reginald incident last time.

I had focused the core’s power on defense, making Remote Control impossible.

‘Modifying her again would take quite a long time. I might miss the trading opportunity.’

Funds were absolutely necessary to prepare for the war with the Shrine.

“Bring me a mask. I’ll meet them directly. When are they supposed to arrive?”

“They’re coming to the Trading Company today to see the demonstration.”

“I’ll handle the demonstration myself. If it’s a trap, scheduling a separate time would just give them time to prepare.”

“Yes.”

Seria immediately brought the mask. I changed my voice with magic, then pulled the robe’s hood deep over my head.

Eventually, evening came.

News arrived that people from the trading company hoping to make a deal had arrived.

I hid myself in a small room connected to the Deputy Leader’s Office, and Seria disguised herself as Seche, the publicly known deputy leader of Hope Trading Company, before greeting the people from the other trading company.

And the door opened.

The people who entered through the door were also wearing black robes.

“I’m still overwhelmed by your noble presence, my lord!”

A kindly-looking old man who had lowered his robe laughed heartily and offered a handshake to Seria.

Being from the Other Continent, his accent was quite awkward.

Seria smiled brightly and extended her hand.

“Welcome, Duke Trihan.”

“Yes. But who is that person…?”

“That is the Guild Master.”

“Oh!”

The old man slightly bowed toward me and placed his hand on his chest. It seemed he had learned the Empire’s etiquette.

I lightly touched the edge of my hand to my lips, following the greeting customs of Servertium, their homeland.

The old man laughed heartily and said, “Hahaha!”

“I’m pleased to meet someone who knows proper etiquette. You’re younger than I expected. It’s amazing that someone of your age rules as the head of such a great trading company. Let us introduce our boss as well.”

Seria looked at him in surprise.

“Are you saying Duke Trihan is not the Trading Company Head?”

“Didn’t we tell you? We said we’re a guild. I am indeed the head of Trihan Trading Company, but we have a separate guild leader.”

“This is different from what we discussed, Duke Trihan!”

“Now, now, let’s move past such trivial matters.”

He laughed heartily and looked at the man behind him.

“Duke Nikolai.”

Nikolai?

I stiffened at the familiar name.

The man who stepped forward lightly lowered his hood, revealing jet-black hair.

At the same time, I recalled the correspondence we had exchanged like a storm just a few days ago. The name written at the end of those letters was.

[Nikolai Grimoire]

“I am Nikolai Grimoire, guild leader of the Servertium Trading Company.”

“…”

“Lady Dubbled.”

‘He knows exactly who the Hope Trading Company Master is.’

At this point, I couldn’t deny it.

I bit down hard on the soft flesh inside my mouth and slowly lowered my mask.

Dark green eyes like midsummer foliage and my lake-blue eyes met in mid-air.

* * *

Duke Grimoire and I sat facing each other across the sofa table.

With my arms crossed and eyes tightly shut, I opened my mouth.

“Since when have you known that I am the Hope Trading Company Master?”

“Since we met in front of the trading company office last time.”

“So how did you know then?”

“That woman.”

He looked at Seria.

At that time, she wasn’t in the form of the elderly woman Seche known to the public, but in her true appearance as the young Seria.

“I know that woman.”

“How do you know me, Your Excellency…”

“Aren’t you a wanted criminal? Grimoire is developing magic to track wanted criminals in cooperation with the Imperial Palace. I’ve seen you on wanted posters.”

“…!”

“It was strange to see Lady Dubbled with a wanted person, so I investigated and found that you frequently visit the Hope Trading Company.”

“Th-that’s…”

“So I had Tree capture the deputy trading company master’s image on a video stone.”

Seria glared fiercely at Tree, and Tree turned his head away with a guilty expression. Duke Grimoire continued.

“I could read the mana formula from the video of deputy trading company master Seche. It was a formula for changing appearance.”

“…”

“The Hope Trading Company was established right after you, the Child of Fate, entered Dubbled. This woman named Seria seemed to be your subordinate.”

“…”

“It wouldn’t be strange to suspect that you might be the trading company master of Hope Trading Company, would it, Lady Dubbled?”

I let out a deep sigh and looked straight at him.

“That’s correct, Your Excellency. I am the Hope Trading Company Master.”

“You’re quite calm for someone who’s been caught.”

“I know that if your tail is too long, it gets stepped on. Thirteen years is quite a good run. So I was in the process of wrapping up the trading company.”

“Hmm.”

“Let me tell you in advance – now that most of the trading company has been wrapped up, the fact that I’m the Hope Trading Company Master won’t serve as blackmail material.”

Duke Grimoire rested his elbow on the armrest and rubbed his temple.

“If I wanted to blackmail you, I wouldn’t use such trivial matters.”

“…”

“At the very least, I would have captured ‘that maid’ you cherish like your own life. Well, since you’re at a crossroads of life and death, I suppose it couldn’t be helped if you abandoned her.”

That was definitely about Lea.

I spoke through gritted teeth.

“I forgot to mention one more thing in advance.”

“What’s that?”

“If you mention Lea’s name one more time, that mouth of yours will be torn apart.”

“Are you thinking of summoning those ghost soldiers you’re so proud of?”

“There’s nothing I can’t do. If Lea gets involved, I’ll have no choice but to turn the world upside down.”

Duke Grimoire chuckled softly.

“So it wasn’t wrong to say that Lea Chabanole is the absolute top priority who pushes aside your adoptive father and all your brothers in the family register.”

Bang, bang!

Crash─!!

The office windows shattered all at once due to the whirlwind of divine power I had unleashed.

“I told you I’d tear that mouth of yours apart.”

“How scary.”

He shrugged his shoulders.

“Then finish this quickly. I have no desire to stay in this place any longer either. Where have you hidden my father?”

“…What kind of nonsense is this now.”

“I see you don’t even feel like maintaining courtesy anymore.”

“How would I know where Grimoire’s Previous Duke is!”

“You who fearlessly kidnapped the Second Child of Fate, the Cardinal, and even Duke Amitie – wouldn’t you have kidnapped my father as well?”

I flinched.

[Little One, when you have a reputation for doing something, you get suspected even for things you didn’t do…]

[I could tell kidnapping was your hobby from way back. I could tell!]

Bune and Cheolsu spoke in turn.

I muttered ‘Shut up’ inwardly and then cleared my throat with a cough.

‘How did he even know about that.’

I could understand why Grimoire, who doesn’t emerge into the world, stands shoulder to shoulder with Dubbled.

‘It’s because of that insane intelligence network.’

“I really didn’t do it.”

“I can’t believe you.”

“I’m telling the truth. I have no reason to kidnap Grimoire’s Previous Duke.”

“Since it seems connected to the shrine, you might have kidnapped him to find out. If you’re really innocent, then provide evidence.”

“No, how do I provide evidence for something I didn’t do?”

Tell me to say something that makes sense?

Feeling wronged, I pounded my chest with bang, bang.

“It’s really true. I’m being wrongfully accused. I’ll even swear an oath!”

“I don’t trust the oaths of liars.”

“Seria! Bring me a Life Extension Technique! I’ll swear an oath that I’ll explode and die if these words are false!”

I fumed, and Seria whispered, “Should I really bring it?”

But something was strange. For some reason, Duke Grimoire had gone quiet. Wondering what was wrong, I looked at him and saw he had frozen stiff just like I had moments before.

“Du─ Ah!”

He suddenly grabbed my wrist and pulled.

“Wh-what… I really never kidnapped anyone…”

“Do you have a Life Extension Technique?”

“…I do have one?”

“How did you!”

“My mother gave it to me.”

“That’s impossible.”

“It’s real though?”

“No, that’s absolutely impossible. The Life Binding Tool is a Family Treasure of my Family House, created by Grimoar.”

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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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