Chapter: 97
Kurze Newman definitely had a soft face, but inside I felt like I was burning up.
Mesugaki skill, did you really have to point out that my forehead is regressing there?
In the Soul Academy world, being bald is never a compliment.
Just because our family’s bald knight laughs off bald jokes doesn’t mean he’s jolly; it’s definitely not something to be proud of.
At a time when sweet talk is already lacking, you go and hurt someone’s feelings!
While I was flustered, trying to choose my next words, Kurze spoke up first.
“Do you know about the Crow’s Emblem?”
‘Yeah, I know about it.’
“Shit, Lord, if I didn’t know, would I have brought it up? Your thought process is as short as your hair.”
Ugh, whatever.
Even if Kurze tries to stab me, my knife will block it.
“It’s surprising. If you weren’t from the Newman family, you wouldn’t know such information.”
That’s typically how it is.
But I’m a person from outside this world.
I almost know everything about this game.
I might ramble like this, but when unexpected events occur, I tumble like a dog; still, I know most of the information!
Maybe I know more about that emblem than you, Kurze.
So no need to explain that item.
“That item is given to the benefactor of the Newman family.”
‘If it saves your son’s life, isn’t that worthy of being a benefactor?’
“Is it not enough to save the life of that sloppy weakling Yeongsik? Lord, you’re quite the penny-pincher, aren’t you?”
“Of course, he is worthy of being a benefactor, but that doesn’t mean it’s something I can give lightly.”
I see fingers tapping on the tabletop, gently brushing the back of his hand.
“At the very least, this is a tale that can only be told after Young Lady saves my son’s life.”
‘I think I could explain after I receive the item.’
“Lord, who here is in a position to bow their head? I certainly am not. Have you maybe lost your intellect along with your hair? Pfft.”
Hearing the laugh I didn’t expect come from my mouth, I looked into my opponent’s eyes.
Kurze Newman showed no change in his expression.
Alsatine looked a bit annoyed as well.
Is he an aristocrat from the Underworld who has seen it all?
The laughter that spilled from my lips ceased, and after a brief silence, Kurze exhaled deeply.
“Lady Allen, do you truly have a way to lift Agra’s Curse?”
‘Yes.’
“And… can you swear it under the oath of the god?”
‘Of course.’
“Of course. Unlike Lord, I’m not gloomy.”
Naturally, I can swear.
If it’s a method to lift Agra’s Curse, I know countless ways.
I just need to share one of them.
“Indeed.”
He nodded in satisfaction and continued.
“Very well. My proposal is this: If you heal my son, I will gladly give you the Crow’s Emblem.”
No way. Is this guy for real?
Just hand over the items first, will you?
How can I trust that after you tell me how to heal your kid, you won’t just shut up?
You should know your place, acting all high and mighty.
As Kurze delayed, clearly unwilling to continue bargaining, he spoke again.
“After swearing to the god of oaths, of course.”
Huh? Really? Now that changes things.
The penalty of the oath might mean nothing to a user, but from the perspective of a noble family head, it’s a different story.
As I mentioned before, breaking an oath is a massive disgrace.
No matter how much the Newman family is rooted in the Underworld, maintaining a public image is essential.
What if it spreads that the head of the family broke his oath?
Who would want to make deals with someone who carries such disgrace?
Moreover, considering it would give other families that don’t like the Newman family reason to attack, saying he’s willing to swear is the same as saying he’ll give me the Crow’s Emblem.
I thought he was just trying to give me less, but it turns out, that’s not the case?
“Then will you swear as well, Lady? To heal my son?”
‘Yes, I will.’
“Not difficult, right? Good. I swear to the sloppy god of oaths.”
I thought the negotiations would heat up a bit more.
It seems the value of his son’s life means a lot to Kurze Newman.
[Are we going to exchange oaths?]
‘Isn’t that the fastest and most accurate method?’
[Of course. However, you must know an oath must be taken carefully.]
‘What does that mean?’
[It will take quite a long time to decide exactly what kind of oath to take.]
So this feels like writing a contract through mutual agreement, huh?
‘Grandpa!’
[I know. Let's take our time to discuss.]
I can only trust Grandpa! I absolutely hate making calculations like this!
*
“Lord.”
As soon as I finished the oath and returned to the family mansion after leaving the Soul Academy, the loyal subordinate who had acted as Kurze spoke.
“What is it?”
“Are you really going to give that girl the Crow’s Emblem?”
“I have no choice. That’s what we rigorously discussed in the oath.”
I expected him to be arrogant and unfamiliar with political dealings.
Lucy Allen always exceeded Kurze’s expectations.
Even specifying a single inquiry for the oath was something not many noble family heads would meticulously do.
He looks like a foolish little kid, but inside, he resembles a cunning court snake.
However, perhaps he didn’t see one thing coming. Lucy Allen probably thinks I’m struggling not to give him the Crow’s Emblem.
But my purpose was entirely different.
You said you would heal my son.
If interpreted correctly, I could receive the meaning that you will come to my family to heal my boy.
It’s awkward to say this myself, but my son has my wife’s looks, you know.
Even a cocky brat would be slightly intrigued.
Heh. The best way to create connections is indeed this.
Once Kurze had given and received, he chuckled lightly and then spoke to his subordinate.
“Search as Lady Allen advised. If she’s correct, there might be a solution to save my son there.”
“Yes. I’ll dispatch people to form a search party.”
Kurze didn’t give any more detailed instructions.
He trusted his subordinate, who heard the same information as him, to handle things well.
“Then right away.”
“Oh, wait a moment.”
“Please, go ahead.”
“Find some medicinal herbs good for hair.”
His usually work-oriented conversations were now filled with a personal request, causing his subordinate to raise his head briefly, then immediately shyly lower it again.
“…Understood, Lord.”
His subordinate was not someone so insensitive as to point out his lord’s bashfulness.
*
‘I’m drained.’
[This isn’t bad; it ended quickly. Some discussions can stretch over years.]
‘…Really?’
[You’ve learned that, haven’t you? It’s in the history books.]
Did I really learn that? I can’t quite recall.
Thinking back, it seems like it might come to mind.
Or maybe not.
[Don’t tell me you forgot?]
‘No way!’
[Then recite what kind of event it was.]
Before I could close my mouth, Grandpa’s nagging pierced my ears.
But I’m someone who has been listening to Grandpa’s nagging for a long time.
Since I’ve had Grandpa around, I know how to handle it.
Simply put, I let it go in one ear and out the other!
Let’s think of something else.
Right now, the most crucial thing is the necklace.
Burrows Family Necklace.
The item Kurze Newman handed over as an advance payment after finishing the oath.
With this, raising the favorability of the Inferiority Complex Lord is way too easy!
Once I give him this necklace and clear the quest that comes from it, Jack Burrows’s heart will be like an open door!
Then I can clear that damn Shoddy God’s quest right away!
This time, I wonder what kind of reward the Shoddy God will give.
But you know that even the incompetent Shoddy God gives out rewards properly.
If I say something unnecessary, he might seal my lips, but all I have to do is keep my mouth shut.
Today is too late, so I’ll meet Jack Burrows tomorrow.
I’m looking forward to it.
[Hey girl! Are you listening to me?!]
‘Yeeee~’
I’m listening, just not storing it in my brain.
*
The next day, during lunch at the academy, I headed to the reading room to meet Jack Burrows.
The Inferiority Complex Lord was someone who lived life with the constant belief that he must be the best at the academy.
Although he’s frustrated by his inferiority complex and envies those above him, his passion is undeniably real.
While regular students think it’s time to take a break, the Inferiority Complex Lord doesn’t take a break.
How unfortunate that no matter how hard he works, he will always be overshadowed by Arthur’s achievements.
But what can I say? That’s just his character.
If you want to complain, you should blame the game company that created this game.
I opened the door to the reading room and headed to the place where the Inferiority Complex Lord was.
At a desk right next to the window.
There, Jack was moving his pen, intensely staring at the book across from him as I sat down opposite him.
“Hello.”
“Hello, Inferiority Complex Lord.”
Oh, I saw this coming.
You wouldn’t greet anyone normally.
Predicting this, I wasn’t flustered when I saw Jack’s face scowl.
“Why did you bother coming here to pick a fight? Lady Allen?”
‘I have something to give you.’
“Trying to find something to drool over?”
I pulled out a jewelry box from my pocket.
Until then, Jack didn’t show a single change in expression.
He only stared at the box indifferently.
“What’s this?”
‘Take a good look.’
“Look carefully, Inferiority Complex Lord. You’re going to end up saying something stupid.”
“Hah. If you have something to say, just say it quickly and leave. Don’t waste my time.”
His tone was filled with thorns, indicating he probably didn’t like me.
That’s understandable.
In this academy, there are far more people who dislike me than like me.
Plus, how could he like someone who called him the Inferiority Complex Lord?
But once he sees this, his attitude will probably change.
As I slowly opened the jewelry box, Jack Burrows’s eyes widened.
Ha-ha! I knew it would be like this.
It’s impossible for you not to know what this is.
You can’t forget this.
‘Do you like it?’
“From that stupid expression on your face, it looks like you do.”
My site has received a lot of DMCA notices, lol. From now on, I will update the MTL on https://darkmtl.com/.
The site is fast and lightweight because there are no ads yet. However, the theme is different from Cybor-TL, so take some time to familiarize yourself.
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.