The Teddy Bear Sends the Insomniac Villain to Dreamland - Chapter 38

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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 38
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How does it feel to be back in your original body?
Ah, it’s incredible.
If I’d known my original body felt this good, I would’ve spent every day gazing in the mirror, praising myself like peeling layers off an onion.
I trembled as I touched my body, tears of joy welling in my eyes.
The small, humble bear doll wearing a straw hat lay placidly beside me.
What was even more astonishing was that mana surged through my mana channels.
The enormous mana that couldn’t fit inside the bear’s body hummed and enveloped me.
Like a shield protecting me.
I sprang to my feet. There was no reason to hesitate now.
“Come here, Demon Beast. Look at me.”
The Demon Beast’s eyes gleamed at my clapping, and I could see the boy sitting ahead, along with the Crown Prince’s entourage, all wearing expressions of shock.
Contrary to their concern, I was in an excellent mood, brimming with overflowing mana.
“Peek-a-boo.”
As I flicked my finger lightly at the Demon Beast rushing toward me with a screech, it vanished with a pop.
Even though not all of my power had returned, this much mana alone made dealing with Demon Beasts trivial.
With the Demon Beast gone, peace finally descended upon the alley. How had something so easy been so difficult all this time?
Feeling the power of mana anew, I approached the crouching child and asked.
“Are you alright…”
“Who are you?!”
“You startled me.”
It was the Guard Captain who shouted before I could even finish my question.
Why was he yelling like that?
The Guard Captain, who had stood motionless before the Demon Beast, was now pointing accusingly.
I felt the frightened boy’s shoulders trembling. I patted him gently and cried out.
“Why are you shouting?!”
“…H-how dare you speak so casually to His Highness…!”
“Are you okay, little one?”
There was no need to listen to these noisy men who’d abandoned their conscience.
The Guard Captain, having eagerly picked up on our private conversation, bellowed again.
“This is Edwin Albert Cardenas Crown Prince, Your Highness!”
“I see. So that’s how it is. Little one, where do you live?”
“Are you not hearing our words?!”
Goodness, he certainly talks a lot.
“Hey.”
“…W-what? Did you just call me?”
I nodded as I watched the Guard Captain point back and forth between himself and me.
“Yeah, you.”
“Hah!”
“Hush. Be quiet. Aren’t you ashamed of yourselves? Humans are truly something else.”
I stared intently at the Crown Prince, who maintained his silence while the Guard Captain stood before him.
“You didn’t even consider saving this small child, yet you have so much to say. If you were truly selfish, you should have been embarrassed enough to slink away quietly without another word.”
“Your Highness! I shall apprehend that woman at once—”
At that moment, Edwin Albert Cardenas Crown Prince raised his hand gently. The Guard Captain’s mouth snapped shut at the signal.
The Crown Prince’s sky-blue eyes remained fixed on me, the corners slightly curved upward.
Why was he smiling?
I glared at him, tapping my foot against the ground and standing at an angle.
I wanted to take back what I’d said about him being angelic.
He was still beautiful and gentle, a handsome man—but after witnessing his cowardly actions, he didn’t seem quite so lovely anymore.
“Anyway, we’ll be on our way. You should go your own way as well.”
“Please wait a moment.”
But at the soft, trembling voice that reached my ears, I couldn’t help but furrow my brow and look at him again.
Edwin Albert Cardenas Crown Prince had dismounted and approached me.
“What?”
“Thank you for saving the child in my stead. And… I would like to apologize for my cowardice.”
“Your Highness!”
I could see the Guard Captain startled and flustered, but neither Edwin nor I paid him any mind.
Instead, Edwin placed his hand over his chest and bowed his head deeply.
He was a remarkably noble man.
With movements as graceful and elegant as the poise of the Royal Family itself, he bent at the waist and then straightened, speaking.
“Just now… truthfully, I was paralyzed by fear and couldn’t move at all. Even as I thought I must save that child, my body froze completely. Driven by the desire to survive, I showed my shameful side. As a member of the Royal Family, I feel deep embarrassment.”
His words flowed so eloquently that I suspected he had prepared them beforehand. Yet looking at his expression, it seemed genuine.
The atmosphere was quite different from before, which left me bewildered.
For a brief moment, our eyes met—those sky-blue eyes trembled slightly before falling to the ground.
With his already gentle gaze now downcast, I felt as though I had scolded him unfairly.
So this is what it means to trigger someone’s protective instinct.
I nodded reluctantly.
“…Well, I suppose that’s understandable. No one can blame you for not stepping forward when everyone naturally wants to survive.”
I didn’t approve of his cowardice, but his inability to act out of fear was also very human.
What human is purely righteous and upright all the time?
He simply hadn’t made a good impression on me.
“But your apology shouldn’t be to me.”
“….”
“You should apologize to this bright-eyed, adorable young boy who nearly died because of your cowardice.”
I observed Edwin’s expression carefully. If I saw even a hint of displeasure, it would mean his apology was false.
But Edwin showed no hesitation whatsoever and agreed readily.
“You’re right. I should apologize to this young man as well. Young boy, I am truly sorry in the name of the Royal Family. I’m ashamed for not being a better example to you.”
“…Ah, yes. That is…”
Perhaps overwhelmed by the succession of surprises, the Young Boy grasped my hand tightly.
When I said it was fine and grasped his other hand firmly, strength returned to the young boy’s voice.
“Y-yes, I understand.”
“Thank you for accepting my apology.”
How mature for his age. I gently stroked the boy’s hair, damp with cold sweat.
Meanwhile, Edwin Albert Cardenas Crown Prince continued to stare at me intently—his gaze brimming with curiosity.
Whether he did or not, my business here was finished.
I carefully picked up the bear plushie. As I bent forward, a cascade of grapefruit-colored hair tumbled down.
“What a beautiful color.”
Edwin Albert Cardenas Crown Prince tapped his own hair and laughed.
“It’s similar to mine, but far deeper and more vivid than my own.”
“Don’t worry. Your hair is lovely too.”
Edwin Albert Cardenas Crown Prince seemed unbothered by my continued casual speech, breaking into another laugh.
I couldn’t fathom why he kept laughing so carelessly, but his adorable face made it rather pleasant to watch.
“Come on, let’s go now. I’ll take you back.”
I took the nodding boy’s hand and turned to leave, but Edwin Albert Cardenas Crown Prince blocked my path.
“I need to go. Will you move aside?”
I had to show Blake Leblanc that I’d reclaimed my body.
And I needed to figure out how I’d returned, and where this magic had come from in the first place.
“May I ask what your name is?”
Edwin Albert Cardenas Crown Prince asked politely, showing no intention of stepping aside.
“No.”
I shook my head firmly. I couldn’t reveal my identity—I had made a promise with Blake Leblanc.
“Then might you at least tell me which family you belong to?”
“You wouldn’t know anyway.”
I wasn’t joking. Even if I said Halloway, there was no way this country’s crown prince would know it.
“Oh, I really did want to know….”
Edwin Albert Cardenas Crown Prince’s dejected expression resembled a rain-soaked puppy—so pitiful I nearly wanted to tell him my name.
But I was a rational and intelligent witch!
If I were the type to fall for such beauty tricks, I would have listened obediently to Blake Leblanc’s every word.
Instead, I was the runaway bear who hadn’t even done that.
“Then might you at least allow me to introduce myself?”
“I’m really busy, I’m telling you.”
I let out a heavy sigh and reluctantly nodded. It seemed like the only way to get him to move aside.
Edwin Albert Cardenas Crown Prince gently took my empty right hand and brought his lips to it.
“It was a pleasure to meet you.”
It was a greeting sweet and tender enough to make most women swoon instantly.
“Wait… this ring….”
My gaze fixed on the pale pink gemstone ring adorning his right ring finger.
Magic rippled from the jewel, which gleamed with a soft rose hue matching his hair color.
It was magic.
How could magic be contained within a ring? Could this gem possibly be an Arcanum?
Edwin Albert Cardenas Crown Prince noticed my interest and parted his lips slightly to ask.
“Are you interested in this ring?”
“Yes. Where did you get it? No, wait—you must have bought it since you’re wealthy.”
“Haha. I am indeed wealthy, but I didn’t purchase this. It seems to please you.”
I nodded eagerly.
I wanted it so badly that I could practically drool over it.
So this is what it means to be a Crown Prince—Arcanum pieces come easily to someone of his station.
But what use could he possibly have for an Arcanum?
“Are you a mage?”
“I am not.”
“Then do you practice witchcraft or divination?”
“Neither of those, either.”
Despite my sudden questions, he answered calmly before abruptly sliding the ring off. Even that deliberate movement carried an elegant grace.
Edwin Albert Cardenas Crown Prince extended the ring toward me.
“I wish to give this to you.”
What was he saying?
Just before this chaos erupted, I had heard that a single Arcanum was valued at three hundred million Gold.
Crafted so skillfully into a ring, I could roughly estimate what its worth would be in the Human World.
It would be extraordinarily expensive.
So why was he giving it to me?
There was no such thing as a free gift in this world. I wasn’t naive enough to expect charity when I knew theft when I saw it.
I stared blankly at the ring he offered. Edwin Albert Cardenas Crown Prince then moved his hand holding the ring closer to me.
“I am sincere. I wish to give you this ring in exchange for a transaction.”
“A transaction? Now that changes things. What do you want?”
If it was a fair exchange, then it wasn’t truly free—I was curious enough to listen.
“Please tell me your name. I would like to meet you again.”
Edwin Albert Cardenas Crown Prince’s crimson lips curved into a smile. It was truly beautiful.
I gazed at that smile quietly before smiling back at him.
“No. I don’t want that ring.”

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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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