The Teddy Bear Sends the Insomniac Villain to Dreamland - Chapter 29
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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 29
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“What? A little one? What are you looking for?”
“I’m not little. I’ve told you three times—it’s Arcanum.”
“Heh, did I mishear? You want to buy Arcanum?”
This was the Capital’s largest Magic Shop.
Nix, who held me snugly in her arms amid the throng of mages, nodded stoically.
The clerk standing before the counter—slightly taller than Nix—furrowed his brow.
“Ah, so you know what it is and want to buy it? That’s an extremely rare magical artifact. It’s a strange stone only eccentrics use.”
“I’m aware of that.”
“The price is astronomical too. A Mansion would seem cheap by comparison. The seller names the price.”
“…I see.”
I hadn’t anticipated that.
Nix’s expression grew troubled as she thrust her hand into her pocket.
While she fidgeted with the small coin purse containing the money she’d diligently saved, the clerk elaborated.
“Besides, even if you wanted Arcanum, you can’t obtain it.”
“Nowhere at all?”
“That’s right. There were never many made in the first place.”
The clerk, having declared it absolutely impossible to purchase, glanced meaningfully at the hesitant Nix and the long line of customers behind us.
“Where are your parents, anyway? You didn’t come alone, did you? Come back with them. We have every magical artifact except Arcanum, so buy something else instead. Now, would you mind stepping aside? There are customers waiting behind you.”
As irritation began to show on the clerk’s distorted face, Nix reluctantly stepped outside.
After confirming no one was around in the alley, Nix lifted me up and asked.
“What should we do, Vivian?”
“Indeed.”
What a predicament.
Setting aside the price, it was uncertain whether the artifact was even sold anywhere.
I hadn’t expected to hit such an unforeseen obstacle at the very first stage.
In the end, we returned to the Mansion empty-handed.
Upon arriving at the Mansion’s gate, I greeted the guards, and after walking some distance to the entrance, I found numerous carriages lined up.
“Carriages. What’s this?”
“It seems we have guests.”
“The Leblanc Family receives visitors?”
Then I saw people descending from the carriages. Nix immediately spun around and hid beneath an inconspicuous shrub.
Curious why she’d hidden, I looked at her, and she answered with an awkward smile.
“My apologies. It’s a habit.”
Seeing this suspicious girl whose habit was to hide whenever she sensed a presence, I assured her it was fine and gently ruffled her hair.
Thanks to that, I could see the faces of those descending from the carriages much more clearly.
Men dressed in fine-looking jackets, long trousers, and boots that reached their knees were stepping out of the carriages one by one.
Following them, dogs with muzzles were also stationed around the Mansion.
Who were they?
Blake Leblanc wouldn’t have friends.
In the original story, Leah and Ian were his only companions.
As I focused on the increasingly puzzling situation, Ronald’s face came into view.
Standing in the entrance with his customary warm and gentle smile, Ronald guided them toward the back of the Mansion.
Once Ronald and the men disappeared, I immediately gestured to Nix.
Nix swiftly bounded across the Garden behind the Mansion and leaped onto a tree in the back.
“Impressive jump.”
“Thank you.”
At my silent applause for her formidable jumping ability, Nix laughed shyly.
The men, mounted on horses from somewhere, galloped swiftly ahead, but tracking them proved effortless.
Thanks to Nix flitting gracefully from tree to tree, I could see everything unfolding below.
Venturing deeper behind the Mansion, a vast Forest appeared beyond the Apple Orchard.
“This is the Hunting Grounds.”
Nix explained after confirming I was holding on securely.
As Nix described, the men positioned in the center of the expansive Forest slowly dismounted and drew rifles.
“Butler Ronald. So when is the Leblanc heir arriving?”
The man’s voice addressing the white-mustached butler was courteous yet sharp.
“Please wait a moment. He should arrive once he finishes his duties.”
Yet the mustached butler answered with an easy smile, his demeanor apparently displeasing the men, whose expressions darkened. Ronald bowed respectfully and withdrew.
It signaled his non-involvement.
Immediately, they began chattering among themselves.
“This happens every time. If the Committee gathering is bothersome, there’s no need to hold it at all.”
“Ha, indeed. Let’s wait a bit longer. If he doesn’t show, we can simply hunt and enjoy ourselves before heading back.”
“Don’t you remember what happened at the Social Club? Everyone must be careful here.”
The incident at the Billiards!
They were referring to the death of the female employee the servants had mentioned.
None of them knew she was an assassin; they were simply spreading vicious rumors about Blake Leblanc.
At those words, the surrounding nobles shook their heads in disgust.
“So it’s actually better that the Leblanc heir doesn’t come. The Blood Commander wouldn’t bother laughing and chatting with us anyway. We’d be fortunate if he didn’t simply sweep away all the game we’re supposed to catch.”
Wow, what are these guys doing being so childish?
Watching the grown men huddled together gossiping, I clicked my tongue disapprovingly.
The way they prattled on about Blake Leblanc’s absence was ridiculous.
“Still, don’t forget you mustn’t offend him.”
Then a man with brown hair swept perfectly back offered his counsel in a measured tone.
“Blake Leblanc is an indispensable figure in the current situation. He handles the Demonic Beasts for us.”
Right. Finally, someone with their head on straight appeared.
I turned my attention to the brown-haired man who was finally speaking sense. Just then, Nix trembled slightly, but I was too focused on what the man was saying to ask why.
The man continued with a bitter smile.
“Even if he’s cursed, there’s no harm in maintaining good relations with the Leblanc Family. You simply need to maintain appropriate distance so the curse doesn’t spread. Just enough to keep your life from being endangered. Haha.”
This bastard?
I clenched my soft fist tightly.
I’d hoped for some kind words, but he turned out to be nothing but an opportunist.
Those trembling at the mention of a curse all had the same quiet fear in their eyes, yet I could sense an undercurrent of subtle mockery beneath it.
Displeasure surged up suddenly.
“Look at how they’re talking. What do they even know about Blake Leblanc!”
I checked the flow of magical energy rippling through me. Thanks to holding Blake Leblanc’s hand tightly through the night before, the magic dwelling in my body was completely full.
I was just about to shake Nix’s arm, thinking I could give those bastards a good smack with this much power, when—
“Brown’s words aren’t entirely wrong.”
In the midst of that agreeing voice, I heard a name that sounded familiar from somewhere.
‘Brown…?’
Ah, I remembered!
It was the person Molly had mentioned. That man she said told her to spread bad rumors about Blake Leblanc!
I opened my eyes wide and examined the man called Brown.
Brown hair and snake-like eyes—that was him.
‘I’ll punish him.’
There was only one thing on my mind.
Just as I’d told Molly before, I was going to make sure that man—Brown or whatever his name was—could never speak ill of Blake Leblanc again.
It was right as I was thinking such thoughts that I looked to the side.
Nix’s black eyes were trembling like aspen leaves.
“What’s wrong, Nix? Hmm?”
Startled, I followed Nix’s gaze and lowered my head. There was Blake Leblanc, approaching slowly on horseback.
It was as though a quiet wind enveloped his entire being.
The silver hair covering his forehead fluttered gently, and his violet eyes shimmered with a soft glow.
Despite being close enough to have heard everything, Blake Leblanc said nothing. His expression was unreadable.
That appearance was truly…
“An angel.”
“…Yes? Where?”
“Blake Leblanc.”
“I doubt even the General’s family would say such things.”
Nix was the type to say things where you couldn’t tell if she was joking or serious.
Even so, I couldn’t tear my eyes away from Blake Leblanc.
Whose child was he? He was truly beautiful.
Honestly, just looking at his face, you’d believe an angel had descended.
Of course, there were dark circles under his eyes, but… didn’t they only add a certain pathos?
“Why do they keep calling someone so beautiful cursed and wretched?”
“…If you would only give the order, I would handle it immediately.”
I didn’t ask what she meant by handling it. There was no need to ask—Nix was already radiating a murderous aura.
Instead, I had a very good idea.
“Nix. How vast are the Leblanc Duchy’s Hunting Grounds?”
“Incredibly vast. The estate is large enough that you could ride for over thirty minutes on horseback.”
“That’s perfect.”
I clapped my soft palms together soundlessly, then placed my hands on my hips.
“Nix, do you believe in ghosts?”
Nix, now somewhat accustomed to my unconventional creativity, shook her head with a composed expression.
“What about me?”
“I believe in you.”
It was a satisfying answer that came without hesitation.
I whispered to Nix while glaring at those black-hearted fox bastards bowing and greeting Blake Leblanc, who had just arrived beneath the tree.
“A ghost performance is perfect for catching foxes.”
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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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