The Lady Only Deals With the Real Ones - Chapter 148

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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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Crescens, who had been asking what I meant, looked at my face and burst into laughter.

No, is this something to laugh about?

“I’m being serious right now, Crescens. Tell me honestly. Is there a problem with the holy water?”

“No, haha…”

“Then why did you act so serious? You scared me for nothing.”

Crescens, who had been laughing so hard he was wiping tears, straightened up with huffing breaths.

Before I knew it, the mischievous expression I knew had returned to his face.

“Right, our Manager was quite generous to people close to him. That’s true.”

The Cardinal was like that too, so this strange sense of humor must be common among Temple people.

Crescens glanced toward the 2nd floor and continued hesitantly.

“Actually, the reason I came here… was because of the Cardinal.”

From his earlier mumbling, I thought he had no intention of stopping by the pawnshop.

Had something happened?

I sat closer and asked.

“Really?”

“Yeah. The Cardinal said he recently did something he felt sorry to the Manager about. Something about not being able to help at the right time. So he seemed worried that you might dislike him.”

If it was about not being able to help at the right time, it must have been about what happened in the County of Delphia.

I waved my hand dismissively.

“Please tell him that’s absolutely not the case. Rather, I was able to stay safe thanks to the Cardinal.”

Perhaps understanding that I was sincere, the tension left Crescens’s shoulders.

Had he been nervous?

I said teasingly.

“So he sent Crescens to check my mood?”

“Ugh, normally people would say it more indirectly, wouldn’t they? …It’s embarrassing, but to summarize, yes.”

“Why would he give you such a difficult task? He’s usually such a straightforward person, he could have just called me and asked directly.”

“That’s what I’m saying. He must have really hated the idea of being disliked by the Manager. And…”

Crescens, who had been grinning broadly, spoke in a slightly lower voice.

“I think he also thought that even if the Cardinal was disliked, ‘Crescens’ wouldn’t be. It’s a bit cowardly though.”

Is it okay to say such things about the Cardinal?

In a state of wondering whether agreeing would be blasphemous or not, I asked.

“I’m not upset with him in the first place. But it seems the Cardinal trusts Crescens a lot?”

“Huh?”

“Well, seeing how he made such an embarrassing request, it seems like he thinks highly of Crescens.”

Crescens smiled with his eyes crinkling.

“Ah. Maybe it’s because the Manager said good things about me.”

“You won’t regret giving Crescens a second chance. Please trust him and watch over him.”

I remembered saying those words to the Cardinal.

But Cardinal, did you even tell Crescens what I said?

As I was grumbling internally that he seemed more loose-lipped than I thought, I looked up at his next words.

“So I think he’s started to view me a bit more positively. But that’s not good.”

It didn’t seem like he was just talking about passing along words.

“Not good?”

“Preferences, tastes, personal will. These things shouldn’t influence important decisions.”

Crescens continued gently, as if explaining to a child.

“The Cardinal is merely a tool of the World Tree, not the will itself. But if his ego becomes too strong… he might mistake himself for the will.”

“…”

“In the worst case, he might punish people as he pleases while rationalizing it as divine punishment, things like that.”

Of course, the example Crescens gave was indeed something to be wary of.

But I had a fundamental question.

“Is that okay?”

“It’s something that must be endured as long as one walks the path of a seeker.”

“No, I mean whether it would be okay from the World Tree’s perspective. Of course, I’m not a believer so I might be thinking this way because I don’t know well…”

Crescens hesitated.

“Would the World Tree like his followers to consider themselves mere tools?”

“…Manager.”

“If it’s blasphemous, I apologize, but before being a seeker, he’s a person. A person who can make mistakes and misjudgments.”

Crescens, who was about to say something, stared at me blankly.

“Of course, the higher someone’s position, the more responsibility they should have for their judgments, but that’s a virtue anyone should have, not just the Cardinal.”

“Is that… so.”

“Yes, so… I think it’s okay to follow your heart a little. Even if you make a wrong judgment.”

I nodded.

“If there are people around to correct you, you can turn things around.”

“…I never… thought of it that way.”

“I think what’s dangerous is stubbornness, not will and intention. That’s what I think.”

I shrugged at Crescens, who looked bewildered.

“Of course, I couldn’t say such things directly to the priests.”

Crescens talked about it as if it were someone else’s business, even though it was his own.

So I added those words thinking he was probably relaying stories about other priests.

‘There must have been people who were jealous and gossiping since he promoted Crescens, who was an outsider, as his errand boy.’

Saying things like the Cardinal made a mistake, what was he thinking when he chose him.

So I meant that Crescens didn’t need to be hurt by such talk, but he lowered his eyes.

“Come to think of it, Michele said something similar.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. But what the Manager said… touches my heart more.”

“My words must have been more to Crescens’s taste.”

“…I guess so.”

Crescens murmured quietly like someone who had realized something.

“Maybe what I covet isn’t the Manager’s talent, but…”

Before his cryptic words could be completed.

Crescens, who had closed his mouth, suddenly turned his head.

There was.

“I should go now. Another customer has arrived.”

Tesagh in the form of ‘Alter’ was there.

Crescens, who stood up while meeting his sharp gaze directly, greeted me.

“See you next time, Manager.”

“Yes, and please tell the Cardinal that everything’s fine.”

“…Of course. Though maybe he’ll know even if I don’t say anything?”

Crescens smiled and brushed past Tesagh as he left.

Tesagh, who had been watching his retreating figure until the end, muttered.

“Is that the minimum conscience, I wonder.”

“Pardon?”

“Never mind.”

When I asked back because I couldn’t hear properly, Tesagh cut off his words and strode over.

Behind him, the 2nd floor door opened and Chloe came out. She must have been waiting for Crescens to leave.

“Was there any trouble today?”

“No, Sir Patrick took good care of things.”

“He looks so frail, I don’t know what you could trust him with.”

Sir Patrick is… frail…?

Do I look like an ice cream stick then?

Anyway, Tesagh, who seemed to have unusual standards for body types, dropped by the pawnshop unexpectedly every day.

It was thoughtful of him and I was grateful, but I was a bit worried about timid Chloe, but surprisingly.

“Hello.”

“Oh.”

Chloe wasn’t afraid of Tesagh. She was even quite friendly.

Tesagh naturally looked at people like they were livestock, so after accepting my explanation that she was an employee I personally selected, his indifferent attitude was familiar.

But it was curious that timid Chloe wasn’t scared, so when I asked.

“He’s someone who helped Elisha-nim, no, Elisha. So… I’m not scared.”

She smiled as she said that.

Could his emotions have been glimpsed from the note Tesagh wrote?

While I was thinking, Tesagh, who had roughly accepted Chloe’s greeting, brought up the main topic.

“You haven’t forgotten what day tomorrow is, have you?”

“Since it’s my day off, it would be hard to forget, wouldn’t it?”

He cleared his throat with a cough.

“Not that. …The promise.”

“Hey, I’m just kidding. Of course I remember.”

“…Right. My aide Milton will come to pick you up at closing time. The password is the name I used in County Delphia.”

“Yes, understood. But…”

“See you soon then.”

Then he turned and left before I could even ask.

No, at least help me choose what would be good as a housewarming gift before you go…!

While I was dumbfounded, Chloe whispered softly.

“Are you troubled about the gift?”

“Yes, but he left before I could even ask.”

“…I think.”

When I turned around with delight, Chloe said seriously.

“If it’s that person, I think he’d like anything Elisha gives him…!”

“…Thank you, Chloe.”

“Yes!”

…Oh well, I don’t know.

As long as I don’t come empty-handed, it should be fine.

*

The servants of the Duke’s residence, like their master, weren’t particularly talkative.

But today was different.

“His Grace the Duke has invited a guest?”

For some reason, a combative tension was in the air.

It was the first time the Duke had invited someone.

“For His Grace the Duke to personally invite someone, what kind of person could it be?”

“Maybe an outside expert? Someone worthy of being recruited as a tactical instructor.”

“Do we need an instructor? Isn’t His Grace the Duke in a position to teach others? Hmm, or maybe it’s a noble he met in the Empire?”

“A noble from the Empire?”

“Yeah, he’s inviting them to show his dignity and completely crush their spirit!”

“That’s right, His Grace the Duke has been staying in the Empire recently! That’s probably why he’s waiting in front of the magic circle!”

Let’s set a good example too!

What came to mind for the maids and attendants who clenched their fists was someone with a rough or menacing appearance.

The Duke was now inside the room where the magic circle was deployed, waiting to greet his guest.

The attendants and maids lined up outside waited for the door to open, imagining what kind of guest it would be.

But the voice flowing from inside was…

“No, I thought we’d come together in a carriage! I had no idea only I would come through the magic circle…!”

A young woman…?

Before they could grasp the situation, the Duke’s voice was heard.

“Then be a little less busy. Why, was the magic circle uncomfortable?”

“Milton said something about the wavelengths not matching properly, so I was prepared, but I’m really motion sick.”

“Motion sickness? I’ll call the physician immediately…!”

“Wait, wait! If I get examined for motion sickness, people will criticize it as abuse of power!”

“It’s my power and I’ll use it as I want, so who’s going to say anything?”

Walking will make it better.

No, let’s get medical attention right away.

The two people who bickered for a moment eventually agreed to walk a bit first and then have a meal.

Then the door opened wide.

“Hello, nice to meet you for the first time!”

A woman with a bright and clear face came out, warmly greeting them first, then walked alongside the Duke.

And the Duke’s expression as he looked at her…

‘He’s smiling!’

The servants all covered their mouths in unison.

‘What in the world is happening…!’

Silent questions and shock floated up, with no one to provide answers.

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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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