The Villainess Builds a Department Store - Chapter 57

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Villainess Establishes a Department Store

Chapter 57

How could I save Father from Uncle’s fraudulent scheme?

I had been pondering this for quite some time since that day, but no brilliant idea that made me think “This is it!” came to mind.

Then instead of worrying about new weapons, let me change my approach and check if there’s anything among what I already possess that could be used as a weapon.

I brought some paper and began writing down everything that came to mind – my knowledge of the future and even the smallest facts about people I had met.

Among them was the Duke of Sologne, whom I had seen from afar, and the Countess of Satin, who had been featured in newspaper articles and noble ladies’ gossip.

Following the nobles were ordinary citizens, and people from back alleys and streets.

And…

“Alain Lemur…”

Among the neat, slender handwriting befitting a child, there was a name written in trembling script like a salted earthworm.

The man who would become the king ruling not only Nantes but eventually the entire Loire underworld.

Right now, he was probably busy expanding his power in Nantes, handling all sorts of illegal activities – the same man from whom I had borrowed money from loan sharks in my previous life.

‘I really don’t want to meet him in this life if I can help it…’

On the surface, his business was a pawn shop. However, the collateral he dealt with wasn’t the commonly thought of jewels, land deeds, or house deeds, but people’s desperation.

He would buy someone’s desperation at a cheap price and then resell it at an absurdly expensive rate.

If necessary, he wouldn’t hesitate to cut off someone’s thumb and stamp it on a blank contract first. Whether it was a deceased mother’s keepsake or the debtor themselves, he would sell anything that could be sold.

Of course, it was all illegal, but anyone who had the luxury to point out or report that fact probably wouldn’t have borrowed money from him in the first place.

I was the same. I still remember that nightmarish moment. His cruelty remains as such a deep trauma for me that even now it gives me goosebumps all over my body.

“It’s okay… It’s okay now…”

Unlike then, it’s okay now. I rubbed my arms vigorously, which were covered in goosebumps like a plucked chicken, and whispered to myself.

Coincidentally, I needed him in this life as well.

In my previous life, he ‘also’ dealt with all sorts of illegal drugs under the guise of herbs imported from the Eastern Lands.

So perhaps this time too, he would show interest in the ‘cure-all medicine.’ More precisely, the cure-all medicine would be an excuse, and he would try to import illegal drugs earlier than in my previous life through it.

That infectious disease of a man.

‘But that means I have to meet that bastard somehow!’

That’s the one thing I want to avoid.

Then I thought of Bastian’s existence. Perhaps Bastian might know something?

Camille is busy preparing for Antoine’s boarding school entrance exam, and since I’m going to Mother’s shop anyway, it should be fine to take just one maid, right?

* * *

As expected, Bastian showed an intense reaction with a serious expression when I asked if he knew Alain Lemur.

“Alain Lemur?”

He frowned his thin eyebrows as much as possible and glared at me with sharp eyes. His two red eyes, full of wariness, were warning me not to approach any further.

Despite his neat uniform, he instantly seemed to return to his days wandering the streets, growling softly with fierce eyes.

“You, where did you hear that name?”

Well, it’s not a name that a baron’s daughter would know unless she was born and raised in back alleys.

When I exercised my right to remain silent, Bastian glared at me for a long time with eyes full of displeasure, then finally let out a deep sigh.

“I don’t know what you’re planning to do again, but give up. That bastard is a demon who would sell even a child without batting an eye.”

“That’s exactly why I’m asking. Doesn’t that demon have any weaknesses?”

“Would he have any?”

Despite the immediate response, Bastian remained lost in thought for a while, just gnawing on a large lollipop. It was something I brought as both a bribe and snack – I hope it’s effective.

“Weaknesses are called weaknesses because they hurt when attacked. But nothing works on that guy. So it’s as if he has no weaknesses.”

“Then let’s change the perspective. What does that person need most right now? Something like his most desperate wish.”

“Why, are you planning to make that bastard sit in the shop as a mascot too?”

Bastian teased me mercilessly with a mischievous smile. A mascot… So that’s how I’ve been treating him…

I narrowed my eyes and looked Bastian up and down carefully. Originally a handsome boy, after being cleaned up, dressed well, and fed properly until he gained some weight, he had grown splendidly enough to serve as the shop’s mascot and more.

Indeed, a face worthy of becoming as famous as the new concept of department stores in the future to come.

“Why are you staring like that? I’ll have you know I even have regular customers who come to see me.”

“I didn’t say anything, did I? How unfair. If you’re going to be like that, give me back the candy.”

“Who takes back what they’ve given? Really, rich people are even worse…”

When I reached out my hand, Bastian hurriedly backed away and began frantically biting and eating the candy. If he breaks his front teeth doing that, it would be a real disaster, so I raised both hands to show I had no intention of taking it. Only then did Bastian’s eyebrows relax.

“…He has a sick nephew.”

“Huh?”

A sick nephew. I have a strong feeling about this. I need to be careful not to get deeply involved. Let me not forget, this is a world inside a romance fantasy novel.

‘The younger sister and nephew that the underworld organization boss cherishes’? If I want to live peacefully, they’re practically the number one people I shouldn’t get involved with, even by mistake.

“He’s tried all sorts of medicine, but there seems to be little improvement. Rather, recently when he switched to expensive medicine that even nobles use, it apparently got worse.”

“You know quite a lot of details, don’t you?”

“Well, the rumor was widespread that he gave new shoes to both the doctor who recommended that medicine and the subordinate who brought the doctor, then kicked them out.”

Bastian replied indifferently. New shoes? That doesn’t sound like his personality.

“He made them wear stone shoes and kicked them out into the sea.”

At his calm addition while making the sign of the cross, I quietly agreed.

I think I understand why he wasn’t certain. A weakness should be something you can dig into and attack, but who in the world would dare touch Alain Lemur’s family?

But still, a sick nephew. This wasn’t content from the original work or my memories. Perhaps by the time I got involved with him, the child had already died.

Hmm. If I handle this well, things might resolve easily.

“Oh my. That’s quite unfortunate.”

“Suddenly? Did you eat something wrong?”

At my stiff tone, like reading a court verdict, Bastian’s expression became terribly distorted again. Even to my own ears it sounded a bit awkward, but was it really that strange…?

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