The Baby Raising A Devil - Chapter 99

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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 99

“It’s been a while!”

Duke Valois greeted Father with a hearty laugh, pretending to be friendly.

Even in my second life, he would grind his teeth murderously at the mere sight of Father’s shadow, so his overly friendly behavior now had obvious ulterior motives.

It was arrogance born from holding a medium-range teleportation circle in his hand, thinking he could surpass Dubbled’s influence.

House Valois was certainly a powerful family compared to other noble houses, but it ranked lowest among the Five Ducal Houses.

Their ancestors had always prioritized honor above all else, criticizing nobles who showed interest in making money.

But funding is the foundation of every field.

You need money to raise armies, and you need resources to gather political factions.

For that reason, Valois ranked lowest among the Five Ducal Houses not only in funding, but also in military power and political influence.

Yet according to the Valois ancestors, Dubbled was a ‘pest with bloodshot eyes only for gold nuggets, having thrown away noble honor,’ and seeing such success and influence must have been incredibly galling for Duke Valois.

‘Now they’ve thrown away their own honor and family history to collude with the Temple.’

Duke Valois looked at Father with a twisted smile at the corner of his mouth.

“When I contacted you before requesting a meeting, Duke Dubbled claimed to be so busy, yet you attended today’s party. Do you have time to talk today?”

It was a sarcastic remark implying that Father had only come because he now held a teleportation circle.

However, Father paid no attention to Duke Valois and instead examined me, as I had been unwell just moments before.

Father knelt on one knee to meet my eye level and gently lifted my eyelid to check my pupils.

“You don’t seem to be in pain.”

Duke Valois’s mouth twitched as he was completely ignored.

“I see you have no time today either.”

Only then did Father’s gaze flicker toward him.

“If you know that, then stop clinging and leave.”

“…That sounds like you’re saying you’ll ignore the gold mine before your eyes out of pride.”

His expression suggested he was asking if Father wouldn’t bow his head even knowing what I held in my hand.

Father stood up. Being much taller than Duke Valois, when Father straightened up, he ended up looking down at Duke Valois from above.

“A wild dog that just found prey is foolish. It thinks a well-fed predator wants what’s in its mouth.”

“What, what did you say?”

“That measly teleportation circle. Whether it’s extended by 3 kilometers or 30 kilometers, it has nothing to do with Dubbled. We have the means to buy large quantities of teleportation circles already on the market.”

“…!”

“If you’re thinking of doing business, go to those who tremble at buying a single teleportation circle.”

—said Father, the continent’s greatest magnate.

Duke Valois’s face turned bright red. But he couldn’t say anything.

‘Because it’s true.’

I laughed inwardly, “Ehehe.”

Even without Duke Valois’s teleportation circle, couldn’t we just use two teleportation circles sold by the Magic Tower?

‘Unless it’s extended by about 30 kilometers, it’s not particularly necessary for my wealthy father.’

Of course, only Father, who could buy teleportation magic tools worth 300,000 francs each like children’s toys, could say such a thing.

Duke Valois, his lips pursed darkly, whipped around and turned his back.

Whether he left or not, Father checked my condition again. When he told a page to bring a doctor, I grabbed Father’s hand.

“I’m not hurt!”

“But just now…”

“I was just nervous.”

Then Isaac said with a serious face.

“Little one. You don’t need to be nervous at all. If anyone bothers you, I’ll kill them all for you.”

“You can’t kill them!”

“Then I’ll tear their limbs off.”

Just as I was about to shout that wouldn’t work either.

“His Imperial Majesty enters!”

At the sound announcing the Emperor’s entrance, people scattered along the walls in a rush.

I also took Johan and Henri’s hands respectively and walked to the wall, bowing my head.

Glancing toward the center, I saw the Emperor in luxurious red robes appearing with a boy with navy blue hair and a beautiful noble lady with the same navy blue hair.

‘Imperial Consort Yvonne and the First Prince.’

I looked at Imperial Consort Yvonne smiling gracefully and First Prince Andre laughing with an arrogant expression beside her.

Yvonne Luerge. The eldest daughter of Duke Marche.

She spent the night with the heavily intoxicated Emperor with the Empress Dowager’s help and bore the First Prince.

Since even the Emperor’s seed could not receive treatment as a prince if not born to an empress or imperial consort, the Emperor appointed Yvonne as imperial consort for his child’s sake.

Thus Andre became the First Prince, but that was only in name; Adrian, born to Empress Elsa five months later, received the title of Crown Prince (the Emperor’s eldest son). Naturally, Adrian’s legitimacy was superior.

Imperial Consort Yvonne was desperately trying to collude with nobles to revise imperial law in order to give her son the title of imperial eldest son.

‘So this time she’ll support House Valois.’

When Duke Valois strangled the nobles’ lifeline with teleportation magic tools and proposed revising imperial law as an agenda, even nobles sensitive to legitimacy would have no choice but to side with her.

“I express my gratitude to everyone who attended the First Prince’s birthday celebration.”

As Imperial Consort Yvonne smiled brightly and looked around the hall, the nobles bowed deeply.

“Glory to the Luerge Imperial Family!”

“Glory!”

After the greeting, the Emperor spoke.

“Raise your heads.”

The nobles straightened their postures.

Immediately, Imperial Consort Yvonne said “Oh my,” and looked at the people from House Valois.

“Duke Valois.”

“I greet Your Imperial Consort.”

“I heard there’s something to celebrate in your house. You must be busy, yet you came to the banquet hall.”

“No matter how busy, I cannot fail to attend the Empire’s celebratory day.”

She laughed “Ohoho,” and looked at the Emperor.

“Your Majesty, did you hear? Valois has produced an amazing magic tool.”

‘Yes, as expected, but…’

Still, I didn’t expect her to promote it so openly like this.

The Emperor also had an intrigued expression.

“I too have heard much about it. That Valois has advanced the Empire’s magic arts by another level?”

When he looked at Duke Valois, the Duke strode forward and knelt on one knee before the Emperor.

“It is thanks to Your Majesty’s grace in trusting my house.”

At those words, Empress Yvonne asked.

“Though rumors circulate, I hear Duke Valois has never directly confirmed them. Everyone must be curious, so please tell us about the teleportation magic now.”

As if this was the moment he’d been waiting for, Duke Valois pulled up the corners of his mouth in a grin.

“I have succeeded in creating new teleportation magic that extends the range by nearly 3 kilometers beyond existing teleportation arrays.”

Instantly, gasps of amazement flowed from the audience seats.

“So the rumors were true after all.”

“3 kilometers, you say. Haven’t we failed to extend the range by even 300 meters in the past hundred years?”

“House Valois will soar with wings.”

Already there were people stealthily approaching Duchess Valois.

When the Emperor murmured “Hooh… 3 kilometers,” Duke Valois bowed his head to him and rose.

“I, William Valois, offer the pinnacle of Valois technology to Your Majesty first.”

With that, he pulled out a bundle of teleportation arrays from his chest. Even at a glance, the quantity was considerable – roughly ten sheets.

He prostrated himself before the Emperor again and offered the teleportation arrays. The Emperor laughed heartily and accepted his teleportation arrays.

“I will not forget Valois’s heart.”

“It is my honor, Your Majesty.”

The face that had reddened with wounded pride when talking with Father now flushed with anticipation for the reward the Emperor would give.

‘Now’s the time.’

I cried out “Ah!”

All at once, the gazes of the audience turned to me.

Including the eyes of House Valois, the Emperor, Empress Yvonne, and even the First Prince.

I pretended to be flustered and gripped Father’s hand tightly.

“I apologize…”

When I mumbled, the Emperor stared at me intently then nodded “Ah.”

“The Child of Fate.”

At his words, Henri lightly pushed my back and nodded.

I spread my skirt hem wide and bent my knees.

“I am Leblaine Lisette Dubbled. I greet the Sun of the Empire.”

“Indeed.”

The Emperor nodded, and Empress Yvonne glanced at me sideways.

“However, is there perhaps some discomfort troubling Dubbled’s beloved child?”

She seemed displeased that attention that should have been focused on Valois had turned to me.

“Well… I also prepared a gift for Your Majesty, but Duke Valois is giving the same thing.”

“You mean teleportation arrays?”

At that, Duke Valois burst into hearty laughter.

“It must be teleportation arrays available in the market. Yes, the current ones are also excellent teleportation arrays.”

His expression suggested that mine couldn’t possibly compare to his, but the Emperor glanced at Father and smiled kindly.

“What a commendable deed. Your sincerity in sending it to me is sufficient enough, so you may keep that.”

“Well… It’s not something purchased from the Magic Tower, but something I made together with Dubbled’s mage. If Your Majesty has no need for it, I’ll put it away.”

When I deliberately put on a dejected expression, the Emperor’s eyes widened instantly.

“The Young Lady made it herself?”

“Yes. While talking with the mage, I mentioned a few ideas that came to mind, and everyone was very surprised. After we completed it, the mage said it was amazing, so I thought it would be good to present it to Your Majesty… Since the finest items should be offered to His Imperial Majesty…”

As I mumbled childishly, Duchess Valois, who was mixed in among the audience, let out a quiet laugh.

“I suppose the travel distance increased a little?”

“That’s right!”

The Emperor chuckled and said,

“Well then, how far can the Young Lady’s teleportation circle transport?”

I quietly took out two teleportation circles and fidgeted with them.

“Well, it’s eigh…”

From around me came sounds of “Eight meters?” and “Eighty meters?”

The members of House Valois looked at me with arrogant expressions, while my family members, unaware of the situation, focused on my hands with puzzled faces.

The Emperor asked,

“Is it 80 meters?”

“No.”

“Then?”

“Eight thousand kilometers.”

“…What?”

I looked straight at Duke Valois and spoke clearly.

“Eight thousand! Kilometers.”

Your teleportation circle can only go 8 kilometers? Mine goes 8,000 kilometers, you fool.

At that moment, Valois’s teleportation circle dropped from the Emperor’s hand with a thud.

“Wha, wha, what? Wha, what did you just say?”

I drooped my eyebrows and said,

“But since Your Majesty has no need for it, I’ll give it to Father instead.”

The Emperor’s mouth gaped open ridiculously wide.

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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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