The Teddy Bear Sends the Insomniac Villain to Dreamland - Chapter 25

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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 25
“So you’ve gotten along well with Nix.”
“Yes, sir.”
The central foyer of the Mansion.
Ronald answered swiftly as he followed Blake, who was dressed in formal attire for his departure to attend a Council meeting that hadn’t convened in quite some time.
“She’s a trustworthy girl, so she’ll do well. She wasn’t even that surprised after meeting Vivian. And as you instructed, I’ve thoroughly briefed her on how to handle all the butler-like duties and more.”
“Good.”
Well, that should suffice.
Blake thought as much.
Regardless of what abilities the butler Max possessed, the clever and perceptive Nix would certainly be able to assist the reckless Vivian well.
Perhaps even better than Max.
‘And she’ll handle the surveillance role admirably as well.’
Nix was an intelligent girl.
Years ago, when the beasts that had ravaged the Central Region were being subdued, the girl’s entire family became ‘sacrifices’ for that purpose.
She was rescued by Blake and barely survived.
It was a tragic affair. When word spread of how her family had been annihilated under the terrible pretext of the greater good, leaving only her alive, everyone pitied the child.
But Nix herself despised such pity more than anything in the world.
So instead of sympathizing with the girl he’d saved, Blake chose to respect her.
‘Commander, I will dedicate my life to you. Please allow me to repay your kindness throughout my lifetime.’
He had accepted the loyalty oath of a girl with nowhere else to go.
At merely twelve years old, she had matured far too quickly—an age when she should have known only cuteness and affection.
She was remarkably agile and wise, often leaving him in awe. She handled whatever role was given to her with remarkable competence.
Even within the Vanta Cartel under his direct command, Nix had succeeded in every covert and dangerous operation.
So she was indeed trustworthy.
An elite among elites.
‘And it’s rather convenient to remove her from dangerous assignments.’
The Vanta Cartel was an organization that constantly handled perilous operations at the frontlines.
Though their success rate was high, everyone in the organization worried about young Nix, who seemed reckless with her own life.
This assignment was a suitable opportunity to temporarily remove Nix from Cartel work.
“As for Vivian.”
“She seemed to like her. It appeared she felt she’d made a new friend.”
And Vivian wouldn’t pity the girl.
He couldn’t claim to know Vivian well. Her true identity remained a mystery—whether she was truly a witch, where she came from, all of it unknown.
But in not knowing her well, there was something he could understand.
For instance, Vivian generally approached humans with only pure expectations and curiosity.
That was distinctly different from the uncomfortable expectations and affection he knew all too well—those that came seeking repayment.
It brought a strange sense of comfort.
Vivian would likely treat Nix the same way.
‘Fairly, that is.’
Blake murmured the word “fairly” softly as it lingered in his mind, then finished adjusting his attire.
In any case, the most crucial aspect was the sense of freedom that Vivian would experience through Nix.
With Nix around, she could operate with considerably more ease.
‘If you discover anything suspicious about that bear doll, report it to me immediately.’
‘Yes, understood. Should I kill it?’
‘…No. Don’t kill it—just report what you find.’
‘Yes, understood.’
With this arrangement in place, even if I left the Mansion like last time, there would be far less to worry about.
Nix was part of my plan.
To become my hands and feet, my eyes and ears.
Since I couldn’t predict what chaos she might cause in my absence, surveillance was necessary—and she could also help ensure my true nature remained hidden from others.
An appropriate measure for a witch whose next move was utterly unpredictable.
Since Nix’s mental age seemed far younger than hers, Nix would surely care for her well.
‘Have a safe trip. You need to come back quickly. I need you here to feel strong!’
Recalling Vivian’s words from this morning, urging him to return swiftly, Blake’s brow furrowed slightly.
Did witches typically behave with such familiarity?
He fell briefly into thought before shaking his head gently. Without knowing other witches, there was no basis for comparison.
Besides, could Vivian even be compared to anyone else?
Unaware that he himself couldn’t determine whether that thought was favorable or unfavorable, Blake mounted his horse.
“Ah, Young Master. There is one more matter I must report.”
“Speak.”
Ronald, who had caught Blake’s attention, wore a notably serious expression as he glanced around before stepping closer.
“I received word that the Thermon Baroness’s Daughter and her female servant who infiltrated the Operation Room days ago have safely arrived at their Territory. I’ve already deleted the servant ledger records to ensure rumors of disguised employees don’t spread among the staff.”
“Well done.”
Blake nodded at the thorough report.
“The trade rights for the commercial route have been officially recorded as a normal transaction.”
“Good. If she visits the Mansion again, show her out without mercy. There’s no further business with her.”
“Yes, understood.”
As Blake prepared to leave, Ronald hesitated, as if he had more to say.
“What is it.”
Blake’s eyebrow rose—this matter should have ended cleanly by now.
Ronald, who had been fidgeting, cleared his throat with a soft cough.
“The Baroness’s Daughter asked the attendant who accompanied them to the Territory to relay a message to you directly.”
“…To me?”
Blake pointed to himself, his expression bewildered.
Ronald unfolded a creased piece of paper and showed it to him.
[I was harsh in saying that the Leblanc Family deserved to be cursed. I acknowledge that thanks to you, I survived.
That the portrait’s words about trusting the Leblanc Prince might be correct—I accept that as well.
I will not forget your help. Thank you.]
After reading it all, Ronald carefully folded the paper again and tucked it into his pocket, letting out a short laugh.
“A portrait, no less. Who exactly were you conversing with?”
It was obvious that the sharp-witted fox of a butler had immediately seen through the audacious bear cub masquerading as a portrait.
Yet what truly lodged itself in Blake’s mind was something else entirely.
‘Perhaps his words about trusting the Leblanc Family heir held merit. Grateful? Me?’
When was the last time I’d heard someone express gratitude toward me?
At words of thanks I hadn’t heard in an eternity, I awkwardly scratched my jaw.
“To think someone would come to know how compassionate the young master truly is… how moving.”
“Nonsense.”
Despite the cutting dismissal, Ronald simply laughed heartily.
Accepting Ronald’s farewell, Blake departed the Mansion and raced along the riverside road.
The delicate fragrance of hyacinths blooming along the spring-awakened path drifted softly past my nose. Perhaps from sleeping well, the hyacinth scent that had only brought headaches before now felt refreshingly sweet.
***
“Well then, how does it taste?”
….
“I asked how it tastes!”
Meanwhile, just beside the Mansion’s Annex.
A sprawling Garden lined with apple trees.
Standing there with commanding presence, I furrowed my brows into triangles and asked again.
At my terrifying tone, Nix hesitated and rolled her eyes.
“It’s amazing, right?”
A small nod.
Confirming that tiny nod, I grinned wickedly.
“Now hurry and finish it all. That’s the only way we’ll be forgiven for what we’ve done.”
Upon the peaceful grass, sparse of people.
Bathed in the languid sunlight and seated on the ground, I watched Nix contentedly unwrap the next sandwich from the small picnic bag.
Nix, her cheeks stuffed full with sandwich, asked carefully.
“Um, Vivian… don’t you want any?”
“I’m not eating.”
At those words, Nix’s eyes widened slightly before she asked again.
“Then why did you tell me to raid the Kitchen for sandwiches?”
“You were hungry.”
“Pardon?”
“I heard your stomach growling earlier. My ears are quite sharp, you know.”
How could I not notice the shy rumbling from the belly of a girl who’d been demanding orders? It was impossible to miss.
Everything we do is to survive, and I couldn’t let a growing girl like her go hungry.
So my first command was the ‘Kitchen Raid.’
The name was perhaps a bit childish, but it wasn’t an exaggeration.
It was quite literally a raid.
Nix’s skill was exceptional—slipping through the slightly open Kitchen window without breaking a single plate.
‘H-hey, who’s there! Wait, you’re from the Vanta Cartel—’
‘Bring out the most delicious sandwich in this Mansion.’
‘Why is she holding that teddy bear?’
‘Hand it over this instant. If you refuse to…’
Nix trailed off mid-threat, her eyes flashing with menace.
In that moment, faced with her sharp, threatening gaze, even I felt my throat tighten with tension.
‘I’ll be beaten to a pulp by a terrifying teddy bear driven mad with hunger, and I’ll be condemned to make sandwiches for eternity.’
‘….’
‘Gulp!’
‘…Oh no! How frightening! I’m so scared I’ll have to give up all the sandwiches I have!’
They really couldn’t act to save their lives.
Watching the two of them deliver such stiff performances, I swallowed hard.
They looked bewildered at each other, yet they kept going with the act anyway.
Even the head chef, who’d seemed startled at first, apparently caught the spirit and added more theatrics to the performance.
‘Oh, I also made a beverage today—I wonder if she’d like to try that too! My goodness, did I really just say that?’
‘…You should hand over the beverage as well.’
‘Absolutely not! My homemade soda!’
That’s enough.
Nix finished her awkward performance with a bow and made her escape from the Kitchen.
The way she’d brazenly snatched the sandwich from the head chef and shrewdly secured the soda as well was something to behold.
Even as Nix arrived at the Garden—a place few people frequented—clutching the sandwich to her chest, she remained tense.
At least until I handed her the sandwich.
Her dark eyes, which had been confused as to why I was giving her the sandwich, remained fixed on me.
She looked like a cat on edge.

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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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