The Teddy Bear Sends the Insomniac Villain to Dreamland - Chapter 33

—————

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

—————

Chapter 33
“Ah.”
Lea Everett noticed the gravity in my vacant gaze and, after a moment of deliberation, spoke with careful consideration.
“Actually, I still support you. No matter what your tastes are, I’ll be your friend.”
“….”
Though I offered no response, Lea Everett refused to back down.
“So here’s the thing—everyone who’s seen your bear doll says the same thing. They all say your bear doll is incredibly grimy and filthy.”
“…Damn it.”
I’d forbidden her from going out, so what was she doing out there right now?
Lea Everett misinterpreted my curse in a different light and shook her head as if helpless.
“I know you’re upset. So let me help you out. Since I understand your tastes, why don’t we at least decorate it? Want to go out and look at doll clothes?”
Blake Leblanc shot to his feet at Lea Everett’s suggestion, uncertain whether she was teasing or serious.
“R-really? You’d do that much?”
I hadn’t anticipated such a reaction.
Startled by the unexpectedly intense response, Lea Everett soon rose calmly to follow.
“I know a doll shop. We’ll need to know the size to buy clothes—do you have the bear doll with you right now?”
Unfortunately, Blake Leblanc’s mind was too preoccupied to register Lea Everett’s words.
As Blake Leblanc hurried toward the window, the round ears that had been fluttering anxiously vanished, and a sheet of paper fluttered in their place.
Blake Leblanc’s temples tensed as he squinted and hastily read the note.
Blake Leblanc.
I have something to buy, so Vivian and I are heading out for a bit.
Don’t go far!
Fighting spirit for your date! >_<
I felt my mind slipping away.
Thanks to Vivian, I'd been sleeping soundly, yet it felt as though I was dreaming without fail every single day.
When exactly had Nix, whom I'd stationed to watch over Vivian, become that reckless bear's personal assistant?
And she demonstrated the skillful ability to unlock and slip through the doors I'd firmly secured from the outside, forbidding exit?
"Ugh, this is driving me insane…."
My gaze followed the note as it fluttered downward to the floor.
"Ah, I get it! You're embarrassed to show me your bear doll? Then I'll just go pick out clothes by myself."
Lea Everett interpreted my action as a sign of reluctance and reassured me instead.
"Besides, I played with dolls when I was younger. I can tell at a glance what clothes would suit it. In this case, I'd be better at it than Ian."
Blake Leblanc pressed his lips together firmly as he watched Lea Everett, eager to drag him along by the hand.
I had no idea where to even begin explaining.
Vivian was mine, certainly, but she wasn't a comfort doll.
Besides, even if I explained that, Lea Everett would never understand.
The real problem was that judging by Lea Everett's current state, she didn't seem likely to leave quietly.
"Where is it? The bear doll? Huh?"
To make matters worse, seeing Lea Everett's delighted expression, Blake Leblanc deeply regretted that Ian wasn't here.
If Ian had been present, he could have stopped Lea Everett.
Blake took a deep breath, doing his best to compose himself, and his sharp mind quickly arrived at an answer.
Fortunately, his brilliant intellect produced a swift solution.
"Fine. Let's go."
"…Really?"
"Hurry up."
The most effective way to drive Lea—who was obsessed with seeing the bear doll—out of the Mansion was to simply go along with her.
We slip out of the Mansion together.
And then we find Vivian, who has escaped.
Lea eagerly followed Blake, who had turned to leave, and quickly made her way toward the carriage.
"I can't believe this is happening. It's hilarious!"
Her voice was lively, having discovered material for lifelong teasing.
Blake caught sight of his subordinates trailing behind him discreetly and gave them a subtle signal with his eyes.
They nodded at the signal to follow closely—a gesture meaning they would obey any command without hesitation.
Vivian. If you get caught this time…
Blake closed his weary eyes firmly, resolving to make her sleep on the floor tonight.
***
"Achoo!"
"What's wrong?"
"I don't know. Someone must have been talking about me. My ears were itching terribly."
"Shall I blow on them?"
"Yes."
As she blew a gentle breath across my ears, they felt much better. My short ears fluttered slightly.
We were in an alley somewhat removed from the heart of the Capital.
In the alley lined with shops selling magical items, mages wearing pointed hats bustled about busily.
I shook out my now-comfortable ears and asked, moving only my lips.
"Nix. Where do you think the item we're looking for might be?"
"You mean the Arcanum, right?"
"Yes."
Nix rolled her eyes earnestly, then answered with a dejected expression.
"Honestly, I'm not sure either."
I scratched my head and let out a small sigh as I surveyed the alley.
Then I spotted something in the hands of several mages.
What those people are carrying….
"Phoenix feather talismans!"
Throughout the alley, there were mages carrying paper talismans adorned with red feathers, jingling them as they walked.
I could immediately tell that these were no ordinary talismans.
'Those talismans are definitely… something carried by those who believe in ancient superstitions.'
As I quietly observed the human mages carrying phoenix feathers, Nix asked me.
"What are you doing?"
"Observing."
"What do you mean?"
"Those talismans the mages carry around. They say those are superstitious items made from phoenix feathers. They became famous for supposedly emitting a frequency that increases one's mana reserves!"
"Frequency?"
"Yeah, but that's a really old superstition. Basically, it's the kind of thing only fortune tellers and mages believe in—something passed down from your grandmother's grandmother's generation."
That comment meant there was likely an old magical artifact shop somewhere in this place that dealt with superstition-related items.
"If there's a magical artifact shop related to old superstitions, they might know something about Arcanum!"
"Exactly. That's what I was thinking too."
"Then we should go ask where they got that talisman."
"Impressive. You're so clever."
How did I end up with such a wonderful friend?
Nix's ears flushed at my praise as she smoothed down her clothes with quick pats.
"What if we pretend to be a pitiful, naive little mage this time? I think it would be easier to get information that way."
"Great idea. Use me!"
"A little mage holding a teddy bear roleplay, then!"
In an instant, Nix's eyes drooped and her face took on an expression of wide-eyed wonder at everything.
The way her eyes darted back and forth looked exactly like a little mage.
She was quite skilled at disguises.
Even though she hadn't changed her clothes, she looked utterly convincing.
"Perfect. Let's go."
Nix hugged me tightly again and charged toward the mage holding the talisman.
At the gentle tap-tap of her small hands on my back, the man who appeared to be a mage spun around sharply.
"Huh?"
"Hello, mage sir. Can I ask you something?"
"W-what? Someone's actually talking to me? I wasn't prepared at all!"
The flustered man looked completely disoriented.
His hair stood up like an explosion, and the dark circles extending to his chin were far from ordinary.
This guy sleeps even less than Blake does, doesn't he?
I found myself wanting to ask what superstition he believed in.
"Can I ask you something?"
"W-what do you want to ask? No wait, what if I don't know? Then people will think I'm a mage who knows nothing. Ugh, I don't know!"
And with that, he suddenly bolted away.
"…What was that?"
Seeing my bewildered expression, Nix glanced at the retreating mage and whispered softly.
"I can't believe we actually saw a mage like that. It's fascinating."
"A mage like that? Are modern human mages all like this?"
The ones I met long ago weren't like that.
They had some eccentric tendencies, but they were curious about the Demon Realm and communicated quite respectfully with witches, I think?
But things seem to have changed now.
"I've never talked to mages either, so I'm not sure, but my coworkers at my old job said there's no group as strange and peculiar as mages."
Watching the mage who had fled so desperately, I found myself understanding what they meant.
"Yeah, it does seem that way."
"I should ask another mage about it."
Nix approached a grandfather mage who looked considerably more approachable this time and offered a respectful bow.
"Hello, Mage."
"…What?!"
"That phoenix feather talisman you have—where did you buy it? I really want one too."
Despite the irritable response, Nix pressed on with her question, and the grandfather mage clicked his tongue disapprovingly.
"I bought it at that shop."
When we went to the shop he pointed to with his grumbling tone, a sign came into view.
【Aura, Gateway to the Magical World】
"We succeeded this time anyway."
"Grandfather mages always answer questions even when they're complaining. Come on, let's go in."
Nix, reading my lips, opened the door.
A bell chimed as it swung open, and the female shop attendant who had been waving a feather duster at the counter spotted us and waved her hand.
"Hey there!"

—————

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

—————