HPDBC Chapter 108
Chapter 108
[Translator - Night]
[Proofreader - Gun]
Chapter 108
I grabbed Melissa by the nape of her neck and dragged her along as she stared blankly.
“Stop zoning out and come quickly.”
“Huh... huh?”
Still flustered, she was pulled along by my hand with her eyes tightly shut.
Slowly, she opened them.
Realizing she had truly arrived at the Cascadia estate, her eyes widened.
“Hey, what’s going on? Why is there a teleport gate in our estate?”
I calmly explained the facts.
“Why? Because I bought it. We’re rich, after all.”
“...How much?”
“Ninety percent of our entire wealth.”
Her face turned pale at my answer.
While teleport gates couldn’t be obtained with money alone, it was true that once you poured in enough—trillions, perhaps—the future would be securely guaranteed.
However.
“You... you crazy bastard! What have you done?!”
Using estate funds in such a reckless way could lead to bankruptcy in an instant.
Her face turned literally blue as she grabbed me by the collar and shook me, looking up with trembling eyes.
“Of course I’m joking. Did you actually believe that?”
“....”
“I made it myself.”@@@@
“You’re unbelievable.”
She looked up at the massive teleport gate, making no effort to hide her shock.
“Countess, you’ve arrived.”
When those who recognized her began to show up, Melissa smiled softly and greeted them.
“Was everything okay while I was gone?”
“Nothing much... happened?”
Sensing something amiss, Melissa immediately pounced.
“What’s going on? What did you do this time?”
Her suspicion naturally turned to me.
“What did I even do?”
“Highly suspicious...”
Just then, familiar figures approached from afar, seemingly informed of her return.
“It’s been a while, Melissa.”
“Aurora? You stayed here? It’s been a while.”
“Would I leave such a goldmine? Let’s work well together. Our Planetaria Merchant Guild is always ready for good deals.”
Aurora extended her hand with a giggle.
Melissa, though suspicious, still shook hands with her.
“Sure. I may not trust your personality, but your credit is reliable.”
“Actually, I have a lot to discuss with you regarding the branch establishment. While you were gone, I talked to Sir Leon, but it’s best to discuss these matters with the head.”
Aurora flashed a casual smile.
“Perfect timing, I have several proposals too.”
Melissa silently stared at her and then chuckled softly.
“What’s so funny?”
“Oh, nothing. Heh... Just happy to see you after so long.”
Her behavior made Melissa’s suspicions deepen.
Was it because they were close friends that her doubts grew even more?
Despite Melissa’s intense gaze, Aurora’s stance remained unchanged.
“By the way, how’s your friend doing? I heard the news.”
“Let’s go... Let’s discuss it inside. I’m exhausted.”
Realizing she wouldn’t get any answers, Melissa stepped back with a weary expression, the relief of returning to Cascadia washing over her.
What she didn’t expect was what awaited her as she passed through the plaza, exchanging greetings with the estate’s residents.
Regardless of her intentions, being engaged made this situation far from ideal...
“Hey, I’m engaged. This isn’t right.”
“You’re not the type to marry without true feelings.”
Now she was leaving me speechless.
I’ll return the cursed sword someday, but...
I took in the sight of her eyes as she gazed up at me.
Ever since I first saw her, I’d been strangely fixated on her eyes.
I don’t know why, but whenever I silently looked into her eyes, I felt myself falling into them.
How long did we stand there awkwardly like that?
Feeling a bit embarrassed by our closeness, I gently pushed her away.
“Let’s take a step back for now.”
Then Luna spoke my name.
“Leon.”
“What?”
I turned my head at her words, only to see a demon glaring at me with a face twisted in fury, like a vengeful spirit.
I must have been too distracted by Luna’s eyes to notice its presence.
"If you’re going to make a statue, at least make it properly. What kind of madman embezzles the estate's funds for something like this?"
“It’s proper enough. Besides, I barely spent any money.”
“Do those look normal to you?”
“Yeah.”
Melissa’s response was swift: a flying knee kick.
* * *
A holy temple.
People dressed in pristine white priestly robes moved with orderly precision as they hurried along.
“This is the report.”
Inside an office overlooking the scene, a man who appeared to be a high-ranking priest accepted a document from another man.
“The Holy Crown has disappeared. Prince Dorn has been confirmed dead.”
“Hmm... what a shame.”
The man in the robe answered with a bitter tone, making it difficult to discern his identity.
“It’s unfortunate, but there’s nothing we can do. Cancel the plan involving the Holy Crown.”
“Understood.”
Though the other man seemed to have a much higher status, he was deferential to the robed figure.
“Who’s responsible for the Holy Crown’s destruction?”
“I don’t know the details, but I heard that the Moon Watchers and a noble from the Kingdom of Bata were involved.”
The robed man let out a displeased groan at the news.
“It’s the Holy Crown, for heaven’s sake. How could some noble manage to destroy it?”
“Yes. It’s just a rumor, but I heard this noble contributed greatly to the Kraken subjugation led by Mielephon. Apparently, he’s an archmage and a swordmaster, despite not even being in his twenties.”
“Ridiculous nonsense. It’s hard to believe one claim, let alone both.”
The robed man scoffed, and the high-ranking priest nodded.
“In that case, it’s most likely the Moon Watchers who are behind this. Send more surveillance their way. If they interfere with the Great Plan, we’ll have to eradicate them.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Oh, and I’ve noticed Nadia has been quite active lately. There’s growing concern.”
Nadia.
Nadia Ten Lilibel.
The Saintess of the Holy Nation.
A name they couldn’t afford to ignore.
“She’s been trying to build an alliance with the barbarian Hael tribe. The higher-ups oppose it, so she’s been blocked so far.”
“They say swans are beautiful because they’re white.”
“Are you implying...?”
“Tell the Inquisitors to prepare. The swan is turning into an ugly duckling.”
“Understood, Lord Baril.”
“Good. Call me that in public.”
The robed man smiled with satisfaction.
[Translator - Night]
[Proofreader - Gun]