The Dutiful Kid Who Saved the Villainous Family - Chapter 12

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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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Episode 12

* * *

Meanwhile, Airi, who had returned, was serious in her own way.

She had strongly appealed that she was a hero, but she couldn’t even get within 5 meters of him.

“Then safely return that bean… no, that child.”

“Wait, uh, sir! I have something to tell you…!”

But he had long since disappeared without a trace!

There was no chance to catch him. He was 5 meters away!

Even if Airi had been a cheetah instead of a child, she wouldn’t have been able to catch him.

‘There are only a few nights left in the Northern Region.’

While she was worrying, Cookie spoke up.

“Now, Airi. Let’s use ‘that’ map to make a strong appeal.”

“Huh? That map?”

“Yeah! The map that sir gave us! How about using it to meet that sir and then persuade him?”

Cookie, who had been looking down at the map Airi handed over, narrowed his chocolate eyes.

His mouth, drawn with white pen, also closed.

Then Cookie said.

“No, but what’s with this human? This isn’t an ordinary map.”

“Huh?”

“You can see all the secret passages of the castle! It’s practically like he gave you full authority over this castle!”

“Oh my…”

“But why on earth doesn’t he want to be friends with you! You’re both so strange!”

Neither Cookie’s small head nor Airi’s tiny head could understand it at all.

Then Cookie spoke solemnly.

“Still, it’s fortunate. Now that we have the map, I have something to do.”

“What is it?”

The gingerbread cookie, the size of Airi’s palm and so crispy that it would break immediately if stepped on, said.

“I, with my powerful strength, will check on Declann Ortejo’s movements. Since we have ‘that’ map, I’ll have to move secretly through ‘those’ passages on ‘that’ map. I’ll secretly assess ‘that’ guy’s psychological state. Kukukuk…”

“Wow, really? But, but.”

“Huh?”

“What if you get stepped on while moving around?”

At those words, the cookie, the size of a child’s palm, muttered solemnly.

“If that happens, that would be my fate too.”

The gingerbread cookie truly had the spirit befitting a hero’s close friend.

For a moment, tears welled up in Airi’s eyes.

“Cookie!”

“Airi!”

After Cookie and Airi hugged each other.

Cookie, wrapped entirely in a chocolate cloak, declared solemnly.

“Wait for me, Airi. I’ll be back.”

“Yeah!”

“Declann Ortejo, who completely ignored you, completely roughed you up, and tormented you so much!”

Was it that bad?

“I’ll find out what he’s doing now and where he is!”

Cookie walked solemnly toward the door.

However, perhaps due to his short stride.

It took roughly more than 5 minutes to walk from the bed to the door.

* * *

At the same time, inside the VIP reception room of the Education Hall.

Schultz’s mother, Deira Marquess, visited Ortejo Duchy Castle with urgent steps.

“The thing is… it seems you need to have a parent-teacher conference with Lord Ortejo.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Master Schultz laid hands on Lady Airi… Lord Ortejo is currently returning from the battlefield.”

She looked down at her son, who was anxiously picking at his fingernails and fidgeting.

‘They said he was last in class at the Education Hall and causing trouble everywhere!’

Deira Marquess looked down at Schultz and muttered coldly.

“Schultz, weren’t you in your right mind? When Lord Ortejo arrives, kneel down and beg for forgiveness.”

“Ah, I don’t know. And even if she’s Ortejo’s daughter, she was just stuck in the Southern Region anyway.”

“…You shouldn’t say such things!”

“Ah, why! My friends say she’s nothing special. She was banished to the south because she has no abilities, and Lord Ortejo doesn’t really care about her either, right?”

Deira Marquess also knew about the rumors circulating about Airi.

‘Well, yes. That could be true.’

Declann Ortejo’s nickname is the Demon Slaughterer.

It didn’t seem like someone who roamed bloody battlefields would cherish his own daughter.

“And mom, you know too! I’m scheduled to be drafted for the demon war when I grow up!”

That’s why.

That’s why they had no choice but to overlook it even when these delinquent children kept causing trouble.

Without these children, the Northern Region couldn’t dream of the next generation, and even the capital would be consumed by demonic energy.

‘So if he apologizes and pledges loyalty, maybe he’ll overlook it…’

But right at that moment.

“There are times to speak of rumors and times not to.”

Was the door open?

When the flustered Deira Marquess stared at the doorway.

Declann Ortejo appeared.

Exceptionally tall stature.

Blood-red eyes.

A man filled with coldness, giving the feeling that dark energy was creeping in.

Schultz swallowed his saliva and looked at his opponent.

“I greet Lord Ortejo.”

So he is…

“Oh, I see. So that’s what you were thinking.”

Someone who possesses terrifyingly intense demonic energy.

He crouched down in front of Schultz.

“The fact that you came to think that way is also the adults’ responsibility, isn’t it?”

“Pardon?”

Schultz’s eyes wavered.

Breathing was already difficult due to the demonic energy Declann Ortejo possessed…

What he said was even more shocking.

Declan looked at the marquess who couldn’t even breathe.

“I understand your marquess house leads a cavalry unit.”

“Yes…”

“I’m going to reclaim that, today.”

She never imagined that a mere fight between children would take away her livelihood.

The marquess’s gaze wavered.

“Y-Your Grace. I apologize. I will personally apologize to Princess Airi. So please…”

“No, why would you apologize? Isn’t it my fault for not properly governing the castle?”

“Y-Your Grace. That is…”

“Ah, the discipline in the Northern Region must have become lax while I was dealing with the demons at the border. So from now on, I’m going to properly lead the cavalry myself.”

“I apologize.”

His mischievous mouth twisted terribly.

“Your comprehension is lacking. I mean there’s no need for useless apologies.”

When he said it to that extent, there was no way to dare oppose him.

The baroness’s facial muscles contorted.

What was important in a family was military power.

Losing the cavalry meant losing all real authority within the family.

To think she would lose the family’s real power because of that damned child!

Behind them, only Schultz, who didn’t understand what was happening, was rolling his eyes around in confusion.

And Grand Duke Ortezo, who had left the scene, also didn’t have a particularly peaceful expression.

‘What is this?’

He frowned as he looked at the cookie crumbs lying roughly crushed on the floor.

‘They’re not cleaning it up.’

It seemed like they had flinched and moved the moment his gaze reached them.

Strange things moving around in the Haunted Castle was quite a common occurrence.

Still, it was somewhat bothersome to worry about.

More than that, he had other things to do.

* * *

Airi waited for her hero friend, Cookie, with half worry and half excitement.

And…

“Airi! This is terrible!”

Cookie quickly put on round white chocolate-framed glasses and said.

“Look, I was stuck right next to that guy. I thought I was going to die.”

“A-are you okay?”

“I’m not okay. But it was an incredible scene. Now, listen to this!”

Cookie, trembling all over, conveyed what he had seen to Airi.

After dramatically explaining the meeting of the three people and what had happened.

Cookie quietly opened his mouth.

“I thought that old man was completely bad. But he seems to care about you more than I expected.”

“Huh?”

Airi’s eyes, which had been listening intently, shook violently.

‘That can’t be. The old man was cold to me.’

Though not as much as her parents from her previous life, it still didn’t seem like he liked Airi.

“No. That can’t be right?”

“Come on. What do you mean it can’t be?”

“…”

“I don’t know why he doesn’t get close to you, but still, be good to him. He looks like he’s going to die soon.”

“Huh?”

“Seeing him up close, it’s a miracle he’s not dead with that level of demonic energy erosion. He’s probably not even using 10% of his abilities right now.”

If Grand Duke Ortezo, the last hero protecting the Northern Region, died, this world would be doomed.

‘Grandmother and I would die.’

And…

“Your body.”

“Yes?”

“Are you alright?”

Airi remembered that the old man’s voice had trembled when he faced her.

The old man didn’t seem to like her very much.

He was someone who wouldn’t let her get close.

But still…

‘I don’t want him to die.’

It was when she looked at Cookie while harboring a very small wish.

“It would be nice if you and that guy could talk a bit closer. Right now, 5 meters is the maximum, ugh.”

When Cookie let out a deep sigh, Airi said maturely.

“You don’t have to get close.”

“Huh?”

“While you were gone, I decorated the map the old man gave me!”

Airi pulled out a crumpled piece of paper from her pocket.

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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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