This Emperor Is Running a Marriage Scam - Chapter 31

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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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Chapter 31

 

Raven’s complexion completely changed.

 

“…What? K-kidnapping?”

 

“Yeah! So Nuna and I are going to have dinner at the restaurant with Ben Ajusshi and look for Peter.”

 

“Dinner?”

 

“Yeah, Nuna heard that Gomchi Restaurant is really delicious, so we’re going to check it out. There’s a sign with coral reef and moray eel pictures in that direction. Raven, come with us to hear the story and help.”

 

Baron blurted it out so suddenly that I had nothing left to say, and I felt somewhat troubled by his request that seemed to assume Raven would naturally help.

 

‘How can you ask so forcefully like that…!’

 

Also, if Raven was going to join us, it seemed proper to get Ben and Susan’s consent first, but to suggest it so abruptly like this.

 

Still, Raven is an adult man, so rather than trying to butt in recklessly, he’d ask for permission first, right?

 

If I sensed any awkwardness, I’d step in and tell him it’s fine and he should feel comfortable going, then politely send him off.

 

But Raven rubbed his stomach and broke my expectations.

 

“Baron, you’re a good judge of character. I’d be happy to help with something like that. Besides, I haven’t had dinner yet either, so let’s eat together.”

 

Raven politely greeted Ben and Susan with a smile.

 

“Nice to meet you. I’m Raven, Hailey’s neighbor.”

 

Ben and Susan couldn’t hide their uncomfortable expressions. It was understandable since a stranger was suddenly joining them when their child had been kidnapped.

 

However, Ben, who had met Baron first, greeted Raven. It was because of the child’s words, and since the content was about helping them, he seemed to have decided to endure the slight discomfort.

 

“Ah, yes. Nice to meet you. Just call me Ben. This is my wife.”

 

“Please call me Susan.”

 

“Thank you for helping us.”

 

“Yes, Ben, Susan.”

 

Raven calmly started walking and spoke.

 

“Please tell me the details when we get there. I’m a merchant, so I have many connections. If I get hints, I might be able to find him, and I have strong guards who follow me secretly.”

 

At those words, Ben and Susan’s eyes widened.

 

“S-sir? Is that really true?”

 

Ahaha, suddenly the way they address him changed.

 

“Of course. Friends of Hailey and Baron are my friends too. I’ll catch those bastards by any means necessary and give them a thorough beating.”

 

At Raven’s strong determination, the couple’s uncomfortable expressions instantly disappeared and hope arose.

 

“Oh! Thank you! Sir! Thank you!”

 

The couple’s eyes as they glanced at Baron and me were overflowing with gratitude, even becoming moist.

 

Thanks to Raven, I felt much more reassured and saw Baron in a new light.

 

‘He just charges ahead and brings back a mighty army.’

 

Looking back, even when Baron’s words seemed rude to Raven, there had never been any problems.

 

Then maybe I should just let Baron’s words to Raven be? I’ll only caution him when it seems too excessive, right?

 

“Save the thanks for later. That’s for after we safely find Peter.”

 

Raven smiled and looked down at Baron intently, then ruffled his black hair with his hand.

 

“How can I just stand by when a child Baron’s age has been kidnapped.”

 

“Eek!”

 

At the same time, Baron was startled and covered his head with both hands, sticking close to my side. Then he grumbled at Raven with a sharp expression like an angry black cat.

 

“Don’t just pet me like that!”

 

“Eh, wasn’t that okay? I saw before that you liked it when Hailey petted your head.”

 

“That’s because she’s Nuna! Only Nuna can touch my head, okay?”

 

“Ah, is that so? Haha, my apologies.”

 

Raven’s sly tone in responding to the angry Baron was tinged with amusement.

 

Seeing that, I couldn’t help but laugh.

 

‘Because she’s Nuna.’

 

Baron, you’re so cute!

 

Moreover, since he was sticking right next to me, my hand naturally went to Baron’s soft hair.

 

Baron, who was about to say something more to Raven, gradually let out the air puffed in his cheeks when my hand touched his head.

 

“Tch, I’m only letting this slide this once.”

 

Raven’s eyes crinkled as he watched Baron turn his head away with a huff.

 

With an expression like a doting father, it seemed Raven also found Baron cute and lovable.

 

“Then let’s go find Gomchi Restaurant, the place with the coral reef and moray eel sign.”

 

Raven strode forward.

 

* * *

 

The tightly packed buildings of the Port District became more spaced out after we walked for about ten more minutes. And in the darkness ahead, we could see the silhouette of a building surrounded by a fence.

 

Susan pointed to the building and said.

 

“That’s the Chicken Coop over there.”

 

“Then we’re almost there.”

 

At my words, Baron said.

 

“Nuna, I think that’s it. There’s a moray eel on the sign over there.”

 

As Baron said, on the wooden sign illuminated by light flowing from inside a shabby two-story building, a moray eel poking its head out from coral reef was carved in relief.

 

I sighed as I gauged the distance between the restaurant and the Chicken Coop.

 

The two buildings were about 300 meters apart.

 

In the novel’s secret passage, armed thugs kept appearing to interfere with the protagonists. I had thought there were too many obstacles for a secret passage, but it seemed the interior was wide and long enough for that many to appear.

 

“But this is supposed to be a delicious restaurant?”

 

Ben looked through the window into the restaurant interior and continued with displeasure.

 

“If it’s really a delicious place, it should be packed with customers at this hour, right? There are about forty tables but only six are occupied.”

 

“That’s right. Nuna, did you hear wrong?”

 

Raven also looked inside through the window and tilted his head.

 

“The restaurant’s hygiene doesn’t seem very good either. How about other restaurants? The places we saw on the way looked cleaner and more appetizing.”

 

Ugh, at this rate everyone will turn back.

 

I had no choice now. I had to share information.

 

I lowered my voice.

 

“Actually, you see. I once overheard some words leaking from an alley, and that came to mind.”

 

Everyone’s gaze turned to me.

 

“Since the road is blocked, take the kid to Gomchi Restaurant. It’s near the Chicken Coop by the port and has a sign with coral reef and moray eel pictures, so it’ll be easy to find.”

 

“What? Then this place is?”

 

Ben’s voice got louder, so I quickly gestured for him to be quiet.

 

“Shh, shh! I’m not certain. That’s why I wanted to just check safely. We can just take a look and report to the Guard if anything seems suspicious, right?”

 

Ben, who had been staring at the restaurant interior, rolled up his sleeves.

 

“It doesn’t look dangerous at all to me. Let’s go in right now.”

 

“Ah, w-wait a moment.”

 

I lowered my voice even more and urged that if anything seemed even slightly suspicious, we should get out quickly.

 

“We can’t have anyone fall into danger, and most importantly, Baron is young.”

 

Raven smiled broadly.

 

“What’s there to worry about? Don’t worry since I’m here.”

 

Raven went ahead and pushed open the restaurant door, going inside.

 

As we followed him in, those who were enjoying drinks and meals glanced our way. Those gazes were uncomfortable, but we couldn’t just turn around and leave.

 

Raven waved to a middle-aged Female Server who was serving.

 

“Four adults and one child here. The most expensive and delicious meal menu.”

 

“What about drinks?”

 

“It’s fine. We’ll just eat and go.”

 

“Yes, I’ll bring it right away. Please sit wherever you’re comfortable.”

 

While Raven and the server were talking, we quickly scanned the interior.

 

On both sides of the long bar installed in the back, there were stairs going up to the second floor. Near the left staircase, four tables were occupied by groups of three to five people, and at a table near the entrance where we came in, four people were sitting together.

 

There were six customers sitting in a row at the bar, dining with drinks.

 

Raven pointed to the 6-person table by the window.

 

“Even though it’s night, how about the view of the sea? The lights from the squid fishing boats gathered together are quite a sight to see.”

 

“That sounds good. Let’s sit over there.”

 

Susan and Ben sat facing each other in the chairs by the window.

 

“Come here, sweetie.”

 

Baron nodded at Susan’s words as she pulled out the chair next to her. And before sitting down, he pulled out the chair next to his and patted it with his hand.

 

“Nuna. Sit here.”

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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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