The Lady Only Deals With the Real Ones - Chapter 76

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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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After a while, Alter, who had composed himself, asked.

 

“Hah, ha. Why did you think that?”

 

“The sword was trembling all by itself. Like it had some kind of vibration function. But what reason would there be to put such a function in a sword? It’s not like you’d use it as a knife for crushing garlic.”

 

“You weren’t the one trembling?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

Does he think I can’t tell the difference?

 

I was feeling absurd when Alter, who had chuckled, took the sword.

 

It must have been a joke after all.

 

He had been laughing, but then his expression hardened as he examined the sword from various angles before handing it back to me.

 

“…Just think of it as a threat detection function.”

 

“A threat detection function? You mean the sword vibrates to alert me when it detects a threat?”

 

“Something like that.”

 

Would a trembling sword really help protect my body?

 

Well, there could be cases of being attacked from behind. It would be good if I could notice through the sword’s vibration.

 

I was nodding in understanding when Alter quietly asked.

 

“Are you okay?”

 

“Ah, you mean about almost getting grabbed by the collar? Of course. I received help, and nothing happened.”

 

I answered cheerfully, but Alter looked at me intently.

 

“You’re not just trying to be okay, are you?”

 

“…Pardon?”

 

When I asked back in confusion, Alter ran his hand through his hair and said.

 

“Normal people don’t need this kind of function. Yet you just accepted it with wonder. As if you’re still expecting more threats to come.”

 

“Uh…”

 

“I know it’s ridiculous for me to say this when I’m the one who gave you that dagger. Since you say you’re fine, I won’t add more, but think carefully about what I mean. You’re smart, aren’t you.”

 

Alter was right.

 

Perhaps I was trying to be okay.

 

It wasn’t a bad thing, but sometimes I needed to look at myself.

 

Unfortunately, it would be difficult right now.

 

“Thank you, Alter.”

 

I smiled brightly.

 

Alter, who had been looking at my smile, turned his head away sharply.

 

“…I didn’t expect you to accept the compliment about being smart so readily. Don’t you have any modesty?”

 

“Don’t ruin the mood after saying something nice. And it’s somewhat true, isn’t it? Don’t you come here often because you like how clever I am?”

 

“What?”

 

How consistently he gets speechless when I say something flirtatious.

 

I smiled inwardly and rested my chin on my hand.

 

“Alter, what are you doing on the day of the Ashen Street festival?”

 

“Why.”

 

“I was thinking we could go see the festival together.”

 

“…Why are you asking me that. Don’t you have other people?”

 

Alter’s tone was still rough, but his voice had softened at the end.

 

“I’d find some if I looked. Still, I thought I’d like to enjoy some leisure time with the person who told me to find leisure in life sometimes. Since that person seems to live without much leisure himself.”

 

“…”

 

“Well, if you don’t want to, I can’t help…”

 

“I have time.”

 

He must have answered reflexively.

 

Alter, who had hesitated, slowly added.

 

“…I mean, an hour or two would be fine.”

 

“That’s perfect. I have enforcement department work too, so I can’t hang out for long either.”

 

“Just what kind of work do you have so much of?”

 

“Come on, didn’t you just say you only have an hour or two because you have work too? Anyone listening would think I’m the only busy one.”

 

“That’s…!”

 

Our bickering conversation continued until the teapot was completely empty.

 

*

 

Tesagh, who had returned to the safe house, pressed the communicator vigorously.

 

It was the direct call code for the Guardian, but naturally, there was no answer.

 

Since it was obvious what he would interrogate about, Bella had deliberately closed the line.

 

Tesagh, who had loosened his shirt, muttered.

 

“She came with full determination…”

 

Still, was it fortunate?

 

Thinking back to the last conversation he had with Bella, he had expected her, who didn’t trust that pawnshop, to turn everything upside down.

 

But what did it mean that she helped Elisha? What change of heart had occurred?

 

「…If you’re going to cause trouble in the future, consider who’s around you…」

 

Tesagh, who had been thinking about how he rushed to the pawnshop as soon as Bella’s voice flowed from the magic device, paused.

 

‘Why am I thinking it’s fortunate.’

 

He had felt that way just moments ago.

 

He felt relieved that Elisha seemed fine even after facing her mother, but her excessively calm attitude bothered him.

 

So he said things he normally wouldn’t say.

 

Needlessly, because he was worried.

 

Because it weighed on his mind.

 

「I’m fine now! …Oh no, it must have hurt…」

 

What was that sound he heard the other day?

 

For whom had she left her place again, and whom had she pitied?

 

He wanted to ask. But he couldn’t ask.

 

Because she wouldn’t answer.

 

…Because he had no right to ask about a voice he had secretly overheard.

 

“Thank you, Alter.”

 

What was there to be thankful for when he knew nothing?

 

He was only using her as a witness for the investigation. Just that and nothing more.

 

“Y-Your Grace?”

 

It was Milton’s voice that awakened Tesagh from his reverie.

 

Milton approached hesitantly.

 

“What is it?”

 

“Well, didn’t you assign me to investigate the herb called ‘Snow Drop Root’? One of the mages at the ducal residence found related records in ancient documents and is currently deciphering them. He said he would report as soon as he finishes interpreting everything…”

 

“Is there no meaningful information yet?”

 

“He says he hasn’t found what disease it’s used for.”

 

Tesagh hadn’t mentioned Elisha’s specific condition.

 

Because it didn’t appear when he searched general medical texts.

 

Since it was probably a rare disease, he concluded it would be faster to find information about the herb.

 

“But he’s certain that it’s an herb with very powerful effects. He says only some nobles in the Empire use it secretly…”

 

“If it’s a powerful herb, it must be medicine used for serious illnesses.”

 

“Hmm, probably so, don’t you think?”

 

After sending the hesitating Milton away, Tesagh approached and sat down at his desk.

 

Suddenly, he noticed a piece of paper placed on the desk. Tesagh slowly turned it over.

 

A photo of Elisha with a bright smile greeted him.

 

He had no idea why this photo had been inside the blueberry cake box, but instead of throwing it away, Tesagh left it on his desk.

 

Because it was a photo.

 

It wasn’t just any piece of paper, but a photo, so he couldn’t bring himself to throw it away. There was no other reason.

 

Tesagh’s hand stopped as he was about to turn it face down again while repeating this to himself.

 

“….”

 

Tesagh, who had been staring at Elisha’s smile in the photo, rubbed his face with his hands.

 

His ears felt hot to the touch of his fingertips.

 

*

 

Late at night.

 

I grabbed my bag and set out on the street.

 

“My legs are already starting to feel shaky.”

 

This was because my destination was the Temple of the World Tree, located at the top of high stairs.

 

A few days ago, I had sent a telegram to the Cardinal’s number that was included in the letter Crescens had delivered.

 

The content asked if he could tell me about methods to cure mana poisoning.

 

The Cardinal readily agreed.

 

However, he set the condition that I had to come in person.

 

‘Maybe it’s because the content is too long to explain through telegram. But doesn’t the Cardinal communicate through writing? Either way, his arms must be getting tired….’

 

I had to go there at least once anyway.

 

I also had to return the borrowed holy relic ring, and most importantly.

 

‘I need to deliver the new hourglass to Ailren too.’

 

It would be too conspicuous if a Knight frequently went in and out of the pawnshop.

 

But it shouldn’t be a problem for a Knight to come and go from the temple, right?

 

That’s why I set the meeting place at the temple.

 

I scheduled the time for after my conversation with the Cardinal, estimating how long it would take.

 

I quietly took out the hourglass I was going to give to Ailren and turned it around.

 

‘No matter how many times I look at it, it’s really well made. It looks exactly like that mana stone hourglass, doesn’t it?’

 

It took quite a long time to select sand of uniform size, dye it, and dry it.

 

Still, seeing that it was made in the exact same color as the mana stone, all the effort was worth it.

 

‘I’m glad I asked Nicholas to mix the colors when I went to the Duke’s residence. The color tone is absolutely perfect.’

 

While I was modifying the restraint device, Nicholas had been mixing paint to apply to the sand beside me.

 

With Nicholas being a painter, plus the Duke of Alchemiya who has deep knowledge in art helping out, ordinary people wouldn’t be able to tell the difference.

 

Even to my eyes as an appraiser, it was difficult to distinguish.

 

‘By the way, to think that the Duke of Alchemiya was Grandfather’s close friend.’

 

Although we couldn’t have a long conversation due to Chloe’s situation, I was still able to briefly share stories about Grandfather.

 

She said that even the Duke of Alchemiya found out about Grandfather’s excommunication belatedly.

 

It was proof that the excommunication was definitely processed hastily.

 

‘The Duke said she would organize and give me the letters and telegrams she exchanged with Grandfather before he went into hiding, so looking at those will help me learn more details about the Rionet Ducal House.’

 

In other words, the day to defeat Rosaline wasn’t far off.

 

I clenched my fist and climbed the temple stairs vigorously.

 

‘Ugh, I’m out of breath….’

 

Of course, clenching my fist wasn’t enough to handle the number of stairs.

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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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