The Lady Only Deals With the Real Ones - Chapter 40

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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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“Didn’t William send you?”

I asked, tilting my head curiously.

I had sent a telegram to William, asking him to come if he needed more explanation.

However, Alter shook his head as if asking what I was talking about.

“No.”

At the same time, the telegraph machine rang with a ding.

Got it, there happens to be a guild member nearby? I’ll leave it to him.

It was William’s reply.

Well, it was fortunate that I didn’t have to explain everything in detail to Alter.

It wasn’t something I particularly wanted to share with multiple people.

‘But then why did Alter come?’

To urge me to bring out weapons for consultation?

“I don’t have any weapons to request consultation for yet. And even if I did, I couldn’t have given them to you today.”

“Request?”

“Yes, as you can see, the situation is quite hectic. I’m busy too.”

When I glanced toward the window, Alter frowned as he watched the knights moving around.

“…I didn’t come to ask for consultation items.”

“Then?”

“I came to tell you something for reference. Something that might make that hectic situation even worse once you know it.”

Why does he have to say things that kill my motivation to talk…

I looked at Alter with cold eyes, then shrugged my shoulders.

Surely he wouldn’t ask for money when he’s volunteering information himself.

“Please tell me. My principle is that it’s good to know anything.”

“About that knight who came before.”

“Ah, that sparkling gentle ruffian.”

“…Why does the word sparkling keep getting attached? Anyway, he’s coming again today.”

“I suppose so. Looking at all the knights packed densely on every street like they’ve set some special day.”

“Don’t be surprised. That guy is a Knight.”

Then Alter stared at me intently.

He seemed to expect my reaction, so I thought about making sounds like ‘What? Really?!’ but unfortunately I was preoccupied.

“Yes, I thought so.”

“…Did you know?”

“He seemed extraordinary in many ways. And honestly, with such a persuasive face and voice, it would be stranger if he were just an ordinary low-ranking knight. That would be a waste of talent.”

Instead of saying I heard it from Emma, I glossed over it casually.

Alter looked at me with an incredulous expression and shook his head.

“This isn’t something to brush off so casually. A persuasive face and voice? …Ha, right. At least it wouldn’t be a waste of talent as you say.”

Alter’s expression had hardened before I knew it.

“That man is the captain of the Royal Knights.”

“What? Really?!”

“Now you’re finally giving an appropriate reaction to the situation.”

That ruffian is the captain of the Royal Knights.

Alter was right.

The situation was about to get worse.

‘Wait, then what kind of person is this guy who’s supposedly Lina’s uncle? He can order around the captain of the Royal Knights as he pleases?’

I recalled the information I knew about the current situation.

The Emperor who currently rules the Empire is absent.

A year ago, the Empress died, and the grief-stricken Emperor left on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

‘According to doctrine, he has to make a pilgrimage once during his reign anyway, so he probably left to heal his heart.’

But I heard it had taken much longer than the usual period.

‘The person who ruled the country during that time…’

Count Crodil.

As regent, he steadily ruins the Empire while the Emperor is away.

‘Could Lina’s uncle be Count Crodil? Then Lina is… No, that’s not what’s important right now!’

He could be Count Crodil, or someone with enough influence to ask favors from Count Crodil.

Either way was problematic, so there was no need to worry about it right now.

But there was something else that bothered me more.

‘I definitely saw an article related to the captain of the Royal Knights around this time…!’

Remember, remember!

As I was pulling at my hair, Alter spoke in a somewhat flustered voice.

“I didn’t mean for you to react that intensely.”

“Yes, oh, suddenly the back of my head is throbbing.”

I mumbled and lowered my head.

“Anyway, thank you for letting me know.”

“…Don’t you have anything else to say?”

Anything else?

I hesitated and said.

“Anyway, thank you so very much for letting me know…?”

“Not that.”

“To think such a ruffian is the captain of this country’s Royal Knights, what will become of the Empire’s fate…”

“That’s not it either…”

Alter sighed deeply.

“Won’t you ask for help?”

He looked like he didn’t expect to say such words himself.

Alter roughly ran his hand through his hair and stepped closer.

“I told you before. That you could request security or crime prevention personnel if needed. Isn’t now that moment? The very captain of the Empire’s Royal Knights is coming to your…”

Alter paused briefly and said in a low voice.

“…to the pawnshop that’s so precious you’d cry sadly if anything went wrong with it.”

I stared at Alter quietly.

It was just a passing comment, but he remembered it.

‘It’s probably part of his business… but still, I’m grateful for this.’

Our eye contact lasted a long time.

I gazed into his eyes that held a mysterious light and spoke sincerely.

“Thank you for thinking of me. I’m a little moved.”

Alter’s eyes trembled slightly.

He slowly opened his mouth.

“If you’re going to talk such nonsense…”

It’s not nonsense, but it sounds like nonsense.

Well, given my track record, it can’t be helped.

I smiled faintly and added.

“But I’ll try handling it myself first.”

“What?”

“I’ve prepared something in my own way, and I’m curious if it’ll work.”

Is this person in their right mind?

Well, Alter’s expression, which had been showing such absurdity, hardened at my next words.

“…Actually, I’m not used to receiving help either.”

Requesting services and paying money in return is easy.

But asking for help felt awkward and difficult.

In my previous life, when I asked for help, no one took my hand.

‘Is this the aftereffect of being rejected all this time?’

I cleared my throat after hesitating.

“Besides, they say your ransom is incredibly expensive! You can’t waste your talent on something like this.”

I deliberately smiled even more cheerfully as I said this.

Alter, who had been watching my smile for a while, turned his gaze away.

I thought he was about to leave now.

Then I heard unexpected words.

“Then practice today.”

“…What?”

“You said you’re not used to receiving help. Practice it.”

Alter leaned against the wall.

“I’ll be here, so tell me when a moment comes where you need help.”

Then he added.

“…I’ll give you a bit of a discount.”

He turned his head away sharply as he said this.

It was probably because of the lighting, but his ear visible in profile looked reddish, which made me smile a little.

“I will, thank you.”

Alter gestured with his chin without answering.

When I turned my gaze, there was.

“Excuse me.”

The Ruffian had arrived at some point.

Even though the weather was cloudy, light emanated from around him. Was it because of the much more jewelry than last time?

So his expression was even more visible. His brow was slightly furrowed.

But to give such a polite greeting when coming to do rough work…

‘If you know, then don’t do it…’

As I was thinking this, the Ruffian glanced at Alter and walked toward me.

Once I became conscious of his aura, I could feel it well.

I had thought it was presence, but perhaps it felt extraordinary because he possessed both holy power and magic power?

“You have faithfully carried out what I previously notified you of.”

“Yes, about not thinking of running anywhere…”

“Therefore, I shall also gladly fulfill your request. This is a search warrant.”

So this is what a search warrant looks like.

As I read through it, I suddenly paused.

“My introduction is late. Captain of the Royal Knights of the Pressliffe Empire…”

No, this person’s name is.

“Ailen Hugo Radeian.”

‘Hugoooooo-?!’

Sorry, Mr. Something Hugo Something.

I think I’m going to dislike you a bit. Actually, I already dislike you.

“As promised, please now open the 2nd Floor door.”

‘Wait, hold on.’

Ailen Hugo Radeian.

Hearing the name reminds me. Why I remember his article!

‘Oh my god, this person…’

[…Captain of the Royal Knights of the Imperial Palace Ailen Hugo Radeian, dies heroically in mysterious terrorist attack…]

‘He’s going to die soon!’

I covered my mouth.

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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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