The Villainess Builds a Department Store - Chapter 58

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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 58

When I sympathized with whether that child was his nephew or cousin, Bastian jumped up from his spot with his lips sticky and covered in candy.

“Normal people feel sorry when they hear a child is sick.”

“Normal people think ‘that child’ deserves it, that it’s karma, that it serves him right.”

Honestly, I agree too. At least the me from my previous life would have thought it served him right. The thought of having to give ‘that thing’ to that bastard’s family makes my stomach twist with regret.

“Fortunately, there’s some Hong-sam left at home that Mother used to take. If I bring that, they’ll at least listen to what I have to say.”

“Are you really insane? You’re going to give that precious thing to the devil’s nephew? Just a moment ago you were grilling me about whether the devil had any weaknesses, but now that you’ve heard about it, do you feel sorry for him?”

This is why nobles are like this. Since it’s not your problem, you have the luxury of worrying about others without a care? Sharp sarcasm followed.

Even I felt offended by that.

Be patient, I must be patient. Bastian is still young. I repeated this to myself as I tried to soothe Bastian.

“Let’s say that’s the case. Anyway, the child isn’t at fault.”

“Then what about me, did I sell out the country from inside the womb or something?”

“You know that’s not what I meant.”

Why is Bastian acting like this today? Of course, he never had what you’d call a particularly good personality, but he seems strangely more prickly today.

His tightly shut mouth glared only at the ground, his eyes full of hurt feelings. His small lips protruded forward like a goose’s beak.

Hmm…

Aha!

As I replayed my conversation with Bastian, I soon realized the cause of why Bastian was bristling like a hedgehog.

How old am I that reading a kid’s feelings would be anything more than eating macarons while lying down.

Young Master Bastian, when you feel that way, being honest instead of jealous would be much cuter, you know?

“What, what’s that? Why are you suddenly making that weird expression?”

“What am I doing?”

“Please, I’m begging you, stop it… Seeing that kind of face while dealing with more than ten noblewomen a day is quite enough!”

“Hmph, Bastian. You’re quite popular with the ladies, aren’t you?”

“Don’t interfere with my work, and if you’re done with your business, why don’t you leave?”

As I kept making idle chatter, Bastian finally got annoyed and stomped his foot. I held back the laughter that was about to burst out. Bastian was indeed better suited to grumbling and being coy while scratching at people’s nerves rather than being honest.

Getting back to the main point, it wasn’t that I didn’t understand why Bastian was showing such a negative attitude.

Alain Lemur’s name was everyone’s curse and resentment. Too frightening to even speak aloud.

Living as a street boy, Bastian had spent his entire life crushed under the fear of Alain Lemur.

I too had felt relief that it wasn’t me when I saw those who lived lives worse than death because they couldn’t repay their debts, while simultaneously fearing that I might be next.

But Bastian, isn’t it enough for adults to pass down to children the wealth accumulated over generations, parental love, and ancient wisdom?

“Bastian, do you know what the most frightening debt in the world is?”

“…What is it.”

“A kindness given without expecting anything in return.”

Bastian furrowed his brow and blinked as if trying to understand what I meant. I smiled gently and explained carefully.

“Since no compensation was ever desired from the start, it can’t be repaid with anything. Too little, or too much. The thought that ‘this should be enough’ is ultimately just self-satisfaction and comfort to ease one’s own conscience. Moreover, if it’s a life, it can’t be repaid even with another life. Because that’s not what the other person wanted. So isn’t a debt that can’t be repaid with anything terrifying?”

“So?”

“I’m planning to turn Alain Lemur into a debtor from now on.”

You’re crazy. Bastian spat out those words curtly and then shut his mouth.

I just shrugged. Even I thought this was an insane plan.

But if it succeeds… everyone could face a better future.

Except for Uncle.

So please help me. Just once! I was about to cling to Bastian, even if it meant threatening him.

“…And I’m crazy too.”

“Huh?”

Bastian muttered something in a small voice. What? It was too quiet for me to hear.

But without giving me a chance to ask what he said again, Bastian crunched down on what little candy remained, then stepped out onto the street, twirling the empty stick.

“Follow me. I’ll take you to that guy’s nest. But that’s all I can do for you.”

* * *

I couldn’t understand why Bastian suddenly changed his mind and decided to cooperate with me, but thanks to that, I was able to safely arrive in front of Alain Lemur’s nest… no, his headquarters.

When people think of where an underworld emperor lives, they usually imagine the darkest, most secluded back alley. But the place Bastian guided me to was neither dark nor secluded, and certainly not a back alley – it was an extremely ordinary residential area.

Street vendors selling snacks, clean roads without a pile of horse dung in sight, and equally well-mannered residents who knew to apologize first when bumping shoulders – faced with this typical upscale residential scene, I was momentarily speechless.

“Anyway, this neighborhood and that neighborhood…”

I swallowed the rest of my words and clicked my tongue lightly. Come to think of it, it would be strange for someone called the king of the back alleys to live in a dirty, old, crumbling alley house. You could tell just by looking at any map of high-amount tax delinquents in reality.

“Here it is.”

The place where Bastian finally stopped was a house that looked exceptionally expensive even among the upscale homes. This was comparable to our family estate, wasn’t it?

Since two children were loitering around without a guardian, the security guards beyond the iron gate were looking at us suspiciously.

“So, how exactly do you plan to get in now?”

Bastian was now staring at me intently, even crossing his arms as if he was going to watch what I would do.

Then I’ll have to show him.

Behold, this is the ultimate spell that any locked door has no choice but to respond to!

“Hello? We came to share some good news!”

“Get lost! Do you know where this is!”

Hmm. As expected, it doesn’t work.

Bastian rolled his eyes as if asking whether this was the plan I had mentioned, but I was confident. Why, what, why. I said it would respond, but I never said it would open, did I?

There’s really no choice. I really didn’t want to use this.

Though he told us to get lost with threats, the Security Guard seemed bothered by my attire and couldn’t bring himself to use physical force, just looking me up and down.

“I came to see the boss.”

When I whispered to the Security Guard in a voice so small that Bastian couldn’t hear, the Security Guard’s broad shoulders flinched for a moment and his expression changed instantly.

“…Wait a moment.”

The Security Guard soon composed his expression and ran toward the estate. I wanted to give high marks to the Security Guard’s prudence – he was shocked but didn’t immediately chase me away. I suppose you have to be at least this good to work as that devil’s Security Guard.

“What? How did you do that? What did you say?”

Bastian grabbed me in disbelief and shook me back and forth. I replied with a relaxed smile.

“I said I urgently needed the bathroom. That I’d do it here if they didn’t open the door.”

Bastian moved about five steps away from me.

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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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