The Oracle of the Villainous Baby - Chapter 12

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

Chapter 12
“An egg? Ah, the quail egg you summoned yesterday…”
“A quail? No, no. It’s a baby egg. A little thunder dragon was born.”
Bunny wiped her nose and whispered as if sharing a secret, causing Kiriel Yudia to tilt his head slightly.
“It seems unlikely that a dragon would be born from such a small egg…”
Rumble, crash crash!
Flash!
Thunder and lightning struck above Bunny’s head without fail once again today. Bunny gazed at Kiriel Yudia with drooping eyes, her voice trembling.
“Whimper…”
As Kiriel Yudia watched Bunny with a whimpering face murmuring “baby egg…” and “little thunder dragon…” he turned his head slightly to look at the quail egg held so carefully in both of Bunny’s hands, and without thinking, he opened his mouth.
“Perhaps it could be born with a one-in-ten-million chance…”
At that unconvincing murmur, people throughout the area drew sharp breaths once more. They were astonished at Kiriel Yudia’s act of telling an outright lie.
This was because Kiriel Yudia was famous for saying that honesty was the virtue of the Yudia Duchy, which symbolized holiness, and when a passing child would ask “Can I become like you, Kiriel?” he would respond with “Even if you were reborn, it would be impossible…” and simply continue on his way!
“Right?”
Bunny, who didn’t even understand what one-in-ten-million meant, simply burst into a bright smile again at the mere suggestion that it could be born. Kiriel Yudia’s eyes widened slightly.
‘She smiles well.’
Kiriel Yudia thought this and opened his mouth.
“So then, why did you tell me about the plague outbreak?”
“Oh!”
Ahem.
Kiriel Yudia stared intently at the coughing Bunny.
“Bunny is smart! And I have a wonderful egg too!”
“Is that so…”
“Yes! And I can handle really big magic… spells too!”
As Bunny continued speaking, Kiriel Yudia’s head tilted very slowly.
In truth, those who carried the blood of the Yudia Duchy could not become mages. Holy power and magical power were completely incompatible.
“Yes! So if Bunny is here, you’ll get huge benefits!”
Bunny thrust out her thumb decisively.
Then she put the egg back in her bag, fumbled around to retrieve something, and carefully approached Kiriel Yudia to place it in his palm.
It was a fairly heavy cloth pouch.
From the jingling sound, it appeared to be a pouch filled with money.
“I do it all by myself so it’s no trouble at all, and I even give you pocket money!”
“I see…”
So what was the conclusion of this lengthy and drawn-out preamble?
Kiriel Yudia stared intently down at the grimy old cloth pouch that still retained the warmth of the child’s hands and pondered.
“Will you raise me, handsome mister?”
Mister…?
Kiriel Yudia involuntarily blinked at that refreshingly novel form of address.
“Bunny! Will you raise me?”
“…What?”
“Now’s the time to sell! Quail eggs for sale!”
Bunny spoke with conviction, recalling how people would rush to the Market and line up whenever she shouted those words.
“Bunny, future king’s great demon egg…!”
King…!
“Looking for a guardian!”
Realizing no one had lined up behind her, Bunny cleverly followed Luriel’s teachings and became the first to stand in line behind the most handsome person present.
Siiiiigh――
At Bunny’s words, the surroundings fell silent. It felt as though a sharp wind swept through the indoor space.
Kiriel Yudia, who had been crouching with his chin resting in his hand and staring intently at Bunny, let out a soft chuckle.
“You need a guardian?”
“Yes! Bunny wants to grow up, but to grow up you need a guardian, they say…”
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
“But why me? There are plenty of other people.”
“Black hair! Red eyes!”
At Bunny’s words, Kiriel Yudia went rigid.
“You’re the coolest!! And pretty! Bunny likes you the best!”
As the child with sparkling eyes added those words, Kiriel Yudia’s eyes widened dramatically.
He had heard himself called creepy, unlucky, and ominous before, but never cool and pretty.
“And….”
Bunny leaned in closer and whispered softly, as if sharing a secret.
“You’re the most handsome! Um… it makes a difference in importance.”
“My eyes are pretty?”
Kiriel Yudia stared intently at Bunny, who was saying things he couldn’t quite understand, before asking.
“Yes!”
At the answer that came without a moment’s hesitation, Kiriel Yudia’s pupils dilated sharply before gradually contracting.
He nodded slowly.
“Then….”
His voice, slightly drawn out, returned with a hint of amusement.
“Should I be Bunny’s guardian…?”
At Kiriel Yudia’s words, Bunny’s eyes widened in circles.
“Really?”
“Yes. I had nothing to do anyway, and no children.”
Besides, the demonic aura that felt strange and subtly unsettling was worth keeping an eye on, so it would be better to keep her close.
‘That way, I can dispose of her quickly if needed.’
After all, if she’s a demon child, it would be best to quickly uproot her rather than bother keeping her alive.
“Mister, are you Bunny’s guardian now?!”
As Kiriel Yudia nodded once more with an unhurried expression, Bunny’s face lit up brilliantly.
At that, Kiriel Yudia’s eyes widened once again.
‘Luriel, truly a genius!’
Just as Luriel had instructed, I actually gained a guardian. Not a single one existed just moments ago!
“Thank you so much! Bunny will serve you with utmost devotion and excellence!”
Bunny thrust her thumb upward with a flourish.
Of course, Kiriel understood not a single word.
‘When Bunny becomes a great and mighty demon king, I’ll make sure to make her rich.’
With that thought, having completed all her business, Bunny bowed deeply at the waist once more, then spun around—only to freeze.
Her eyes had met those of Allen, who stood apart from the crowd, isolated and alone.
His gaze seemed drenched in shock, buried beneath a profound sense of betrayal.
“Ah!”
The snake king has no mother or father!
‘To become a fine adult, one needs a mother and father.’
So the snake king wants to become a fine adult too!
Having leaped to this conclusion, Bunny blinked and bounded down from the platform, seizing Allen’s hand.
“Snake king, come here!”
“What? What are you doing…!”
Allen hesitated as the small hands pulled insistently, but ultimately found himself awkwardly dragged along by the child’s grip.
“Um, mister…”
Bunny paused mid-sentence.
‘Mister… that feels too distant.’
I was told I needed to become especially close with my guardian.
“Kiriel. Kiriel Yudia…”
As if reading Bunny’s thoughts, Kiriel Yudia gently offered his name. The title of “mister” had never sat well with him either.
No one wishes to be called “mister” by the child who will become their own.
“Ludbreed Yudia the Marquis, Klein Yudia the First Holy Paladin Commander, Salame Yudia the Holy Maiden, and Prince Kiriel Yudia have entered.”
Bunny’s eyes sparkled as she recalled the announcement with impressive precision.
“Prince!”
“…”
“So the snake king here—no wait, Allen also needs an adult to raise him, so shouldn’t Allen also be raised and nurtured? Isn’t that right? Right?”
“What? Don’t say strange things, now put that down… mmph.”
Thump!
Rising onto her tiptoes, Bunny covered Allen’s mouth with her small, maple-leaf-like hand.
“Shush. Don’t say things you shouldn’t.”
Bunny whispered softly into Allen’s ear, then spun around to face Kiriel Yudia once more.
“It’s fine. Bunny will take good care of him and teach him pretty words! Bunny takes good care of sweet potatoes and potatoes too!”
Allen, suddenly ranked equal to sweet potatoes and potatoes, stood with his mouth agape.
‘It doesn’t matter.’
Kiriel Yudia turned his gaze silently toward Allen at Bunny’s words, then with a languid expression, continued to nod leisurely.
“Do as you wish.”
At Kiriel Yudia’s words, Allen’s eyes widened to the size of lanterns.
Kiriel Yudia, observing Allen’s rounded eyes for a moment, slowly unfolded his body from its crouched position.
Shocked glances darted across the venue from every direction, yet Kiriel and Bunny themselves remained utterly indifferent to it all.
The astonishment wasn’t limited to the collateral branches attending the party.
The Marquis Ludbreed Yudia and Kiriel Yudia’s own brothers looked equally taken aback.
It was clear to everyone that this was something that had never been agreed upon beforehand.
“Well then, thank you so much. I’ll come again next time! Goodbye!”
Bunny bowed her head respectfully and grasped Allen’s hand, scurrying briskly toward the Entrance. Allen, whose head towered over hers, followed awkwardly in tow, held fast by the child’s grip.
Unlike before, her rabbit-shaped bag hung limply without its usual contents, its little arms and legs swaying with each of Bunny’s hurried steps.
“…Ah.”
Kiriel Yudia, who had been preparing to arrange a separate meeting to ask whether she needed anything—if she’d like a new room, whether she’d consider leaving the Dormitory Mansion, how much allowance she’d require—froze in place entirely.
The child had needed only that single word, it seemed, for she departed the Party Venue cleanly without so much as a backward glance.
Kiriel Yudia stood rooted to the spot for a long while, unable to move.

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