The Obsessive Male Leads Want to Eat Me Alive - Chapter 27

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 27
“That’s a lie, it has to be a lie! Glutinous rice!”
Um, struck by cognitive dissonance at Anette’s ‘grand and lofty’ dream, leaped to his feet and cried out.
Then Anette opened her round eyes wide like a puppy and spoke.
“I’m serious though.”
“…!!!”
Her jade-green eyes narrowed.
“I’ve always wanted to try it at least once—becoming the owner of a bakery that produces savory, fragrant, and fluffy bread!”
Sordi quietly withdrew a handkerchief and wiped his face. The milk tea splattered across his features glistened like honey draped upon a lily.
Um’s face flushed as red as his hair.
“B-but with that power, you could even become an emperor, glutinous rice!”
Well, it would be strange if glutinous rice were emperor anyway.
“Besides, emperors can’t sleep in, you know.”
As I blinked and spoke, Um made a face as if struck by a hammer, muttering “Just for that reason…?” before hastily continuing.
“Or you could make ability users grovel at your feet and obey your every command. Trembling at a single word from you!”
…Are you seriously trying to make a twelve-year-old do something that terrifying?
I answered with clouded eyes.
“That sounds a bit scary, Um.”
I don’t really want to make anyone tremble like that.
When I looked at Um with eyes that said ‘What is this… frightening…’, he let out a strangled cry and clutched at his heart.
“But with such tremendous power, to become merely a bakery owner!”
Sordi, who had finally finished wiping his face clean, folded the damp handkerchief neatly and set it down, then placed a hand on the excited wolf’s shoulder.
“Um, calm yourself.”
“…But! A bakery! A bakery, of all things!”
“She’s still young. Dreams can change as one lives, and even if she does become a bakery owner, we must respect this child’s choice.”
“Ugh!”
After calmly soothing the frantic wolf, Sordi looked at me with affection and spoke gently.
“Little one, as Um said, your power doesn’t have to be used solely for personal gain. You can also use it to protect those dear to you.”
It was the most heartwarming thing I’d heard. My eyes sparkled with light.
‘I can protect those who are precious to me!’
Heinrich’s face came to mind, followed by Sisrain’s. And the large, innocent eyes of the Forest Children as well.
“That really is a wonderful thing….”
From now on, I could protect anyone I hold dear.
My heart raced and my chest warmed with emotion.
“Um, so does that mean I can defeat monsters by releasing light like that from now on?”
When I asked somewhat naively, Sordi lowered his brows and smiled.
“That was a moment of ‘succession’—you were able to wield great power only then. For now, Exordium’s soul and you haven’t achieved perfect resonance yet, so that’s impossible.”
“Ah….”
Seeing my disappointed face, Sordi quickly added.
“But the longer you spend time with us, the stronger you will become.”
“Wonderful! So how much power can you currently exert?”
Sordi pondered for a moment, then held up his index finger with a smile.
“I should be able to produce a very small light, at least.”
Oh? That’s actually quite impressive.
I covered my mouth with both hands, delighted.
“Then you could light up the darkness and bake bread!”
A life where I don’t have to worry about candle expenses!
For a self-employed baker, cost reduction is truly vital. Yes, absolutely.
“Hehe, how adorable.”
Sordi chuckled softly at my reaction, but Um’s expression grew increasingly grim.
‘Hmm, his face seems to darken more every time I mention bread…’
It appeared he still hadn’t accepted that Exordium’s heir would become an excellent bakery owner.
How troublesome, truly.
Then Um, who had been holding his forehead, spoke up.
“…My power should only allow me to control fire at present.”
I clapped my hands in response.
“Then you could bake bread at the perfect temperature!”
“Argh, stop connecting everything to the bakery! Please!”
The red wolf tore at his hair in anguish at my bread-obsessed remarks.
‘Hehe. But this is my long-held dream, after all.’
I paid him no mind and simply sipped the sweet milk tea before me.
I shall be a magnificent bakery owner who bakes perfect bread with the finest fire control, tra-la.
I’m sorry, but Mom and Dad, please stay out of my career guidance.
Having finished my milk tea with satisfaction, I rose from my seat and bowed politely. Very courteously.
“Well then, I should be going! The children must be waiting.”
“Child, remember one thing.”
Sordi then grasped my wrist, his expression turning serious.
“Never reveal your abilities carelessly.”
“Yes. I understand.”
I nodded.
“Some will fear your power like death itself, while others will covet you like dogs drooling over drugged meat.”
From the moment Um spoke those words, I resolved in my heart never to reveal my abilities lightly.
Moreover, if my power were exposed while I’m still so young and fragile, I would vanish without a trace, torn to pieces.
In the hands of those who fear me and wish to eliminate me, or those who covet me.
A chill ran down my spine.
At my response, Sordi seemed relieved.
“Indeed, you are clever, child. Now you may go.”
“Yes! It was truly wonderful to see you both. Sordi, and Um.”
After shaking hands with Sordi and Um in turn, I scooped up jellies and candies from the dessert platter and crammed them into my pockets—like a squirrel storing cashews in its cheeks.
Sordi covered his mouth, chuckling as if amused, and asked:
“Are you planning to take them and eat them later?”
“No, I want to bring them to the Forest Children. Treats like these are rare, so everyone will love them.”
When I smiled softly, the handsome man with lily-white hair suddenly flushed and wore a wistful expression.
“My goodness, Um, look at our little one…! So young, yet caring for the other children like this. How can something be so sweet?”
“…Certainly lacking in ambition like glutinous rice, but possessing a remarkably warm heart. The successor is truly different.”
That seems like a bit of an overinterpretation, doesn’t it?
“Even the pockets are adorable. Like a hamster, Um.”
“Hmm. To be precise, cheeks made of glutinous rice on a hamster.”
Ting-ting— They delighted in pulling my cheeks from both sides.
“….”
With hazy eyes as my cheeks were pulled, I thought to myself.
‘Both of them are completely smitten….’
Smack—
“Regrettably, you must go now, little one.”
Sordi reluctantly released my cheeks and kissed my forehead.
Then the surroundings scattered dizzily like five-colored paint dissolved in water, and I returned to reality in an instant.
* * *
When I opened my eyes, the boys’ faces were clustered around me.
On my left was a boy with silver hair and beautiful feline eyes.
On my right was a boy with an expressionless face, black hair, and crimson eyes like a young beast.
“Sister!”
“Anette, did you sleep well?”
I smiled somewhat awkwardly.
“Ah, y-yes!”
Is this that cave?
Could meeting Sordi and Um have all been a dream?
I hastily felt my pockets, and candies and jellies still filled them.
‘So it wasn’t a dream after all.’
To have been eaten by the monster plant, met Sordi and Um, and returned with a tender kiss.
It was a mysterious experience.
That space must have been either my subconscious or a special imaginary realm they created.
I briefly told Sisrain and Heinrich about what I had experienced.
I shared quite detailed information about my abilities. I had to conceal my power, but Sisrain and Heinrich were my true allies—the only children I could truly trust.
‘Above all, I need allies to make hiding in the Forest easier.’
However, I deliberately said nothing about Sordi and Um. Some secrets were necessary, after all.
“Sister, you’ve awakened such tremendous power?!”
As Heinrich spoke in amazement, Sisrain, who had been quietly listening beside him, opened his mouth.
“Don’t worry from now on, Anette. I will protect your secret.”
“Yes. Thank you!”
“And even if you were discovered….”
Sisrain closed his crimson eyes quietly, then opened them as he continued speaking.
“I will protect you. Even if it costs me my life.”
Please don’t sacrifice yourself at eleven years old, child. Most eleven-year-olds don’t say things like that!
‘This obsessive little sprout of a miner is truly different, so very different.’
Just then, that dramatic little chihuahua came bounding over with a yelp and shoved Sisrain aside to take his place.
“No way! I’m the one who’s going to protect Sister!”
Smack! Sisrain pushed Heinrich back again.
Then, his crimson eyes gleaming, he spoke seriously once more.
“Don’t worry. Anette.”
“Hey, you beast, get out of here! I’m the one protecting Sister. Sister, don’t worry about anything! Not at all! You understand? You can’t worry!”
I’m the one who’s most worried about you two…
Without you two, I wouldn’t have a single thing to worry about.
I smiled awkwardly and nodded, thinking that there was no real reason to stay here any longer.
So I picked up the Pluto Clan ring.
“Are you thinking of going back now?”
I answered Sisrain’s question.
“Yes! If I rub this, Teacher Julius should come right away.”
Probably.
Since this was my first time using the ring’s power, I couldn’t be certain.
Even in the original work, the explanation had only been glossed over vaguely, and there was never a proper scene showing the Pluto Clan obeying the ring’s master.
‘They said he appears in a very respectful manner.’
Like a servant attending to his master.
Hmm, and I think he also struck a rather cringey pose, but what was that again.
I fumbled through my hazy memories and decided to call him anyway. Feeling nervous, I exhaled slightly and rubbed the ring.
Then, with a bang! Something extraordinary happened.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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