Lord Baby Runs A Romance Fantasy With Cash [EN]: Chapter 160

☆ Chapter 160 ☆

“I’m a member of , huh?”

Honestly, this was something I hadn’t even considered.

The quest also told me to receive an ‘invitation’ from .

Being a member and being invited as a guest were on different levels.

“Yes, whether you know it or not, is a long-standing book club. I’m honored to be the president.”

Madam Sherwin didn’t offer much more explanation.

About what great roots had, what great figures were members, what privileges it held, and what influence it had on the empire.

Well, there was no need to explain it.

As the notification window said, was one of the empire’s three major social clubs.

And the only book club among them.

“Of course, I know. But as far as I know, I heard that requires unanimous consent from all members when accepting new members.”

“That’s right.”

“Hmm, honestly, unanimous consent seems difficult……”

Above all, I was too young.

Social clubs are, as the name suggests, clubs created for socialization—people to get to know each other.

“There’s one exception: my recommendation as the president.”

At those words, my eyes widened.

The president of Metis has the authority to use it only once.

And she’s saying she’ll use it for me.

“Is that okay?”

“Luatisha’s membership conditions are sufficient. The developer of the Black Death cure, this era’s Aurora [referring to a legendary healer or figure of great skill], reactivated the ancient healing device, and reproduced the ancient elixir.”

“Reactivating the healing device is practically the achievement of the Asheltein twins.”

“If the captain is incompetent, even a skilled navigator will run the ship aground. The technology itself is important, but the project’s success greatly depends on the leader’s role. Recognizing the two’s abilities is also your ability.”

Honestly, receiving such praise from someone who is practically a living historical figure made me a little embarrassed and awkward.

Madam Croffel smiled as she watched me fidget.

“You were so confident demanding payment earlier, but seeing this side of you, you’re just a baby.”

In the eyes of the seasoned madam, I must look like a baby just learning to walk.

The two of them were wearing very gentle and affectionate smiles.

I was lost in thought for a moment.

‘Can I really accept it as is?’

If you eat too much of something good, you’re bound to have problems.

“It seems like I’m receiving more than what I paid Madam Sherwin. Above all, you’re using your only opportunity for me.”

Madam Sherwin’s expression hardened.

“Are you saying you’ll refuse, then?”

“No. I can’t miss such a great opportunity.”

I shook my head and took out a small painting from my pocket.

The gazes of the two noblewomen turned to the painting I presented.

A seaside landscape that was refreshing to look at was depicted.

It was a painting Dana had drawn and sent with a letter, saying she wanted to show me this scenery.

And.

[Reward Delayed!]

[The time has not yet come!]

[When the time comes, your fame will spread throughout the land!]

The reward that had been delayed after completing the quest to save Dana had not yet been paid.

I realized after seeing this painting.

Why saving young Dana from child abuse would return as my fame.

This wasn’t just a well-drawn painting.

* * *

After Luatisha returned, Madam Sherwin and Madam Croffel were left alone.

The two were silent for a moment.

“……What an amazing child. It’s hard to believe she’s eleven years old.”

The first to speak was Madam Croffel.

“Everyone knows that Paeraton has special abilities. But that’s about her extraordinary mind and magic, not about matters between people.”

Being smart didn’t necessarily mean being good at handling people.

Why else would there be so many eccentrics among geniuses?

“You’re right. Rather, Paeraton was worse than others in terms of politics, diplomacy, and social skills.”

“But that child is completely different. I never expected her to say she would pay me an additional fee because the price wasn’t right.”

Madam Sherwin using her only opportunity on Luatisha was because she saw that much potential and future in her.

But it didn’t fit with what Luatisha had said earlier about ‘calculation’ or ‘mutually beneficial relationships.’

It was Madam Sherwin unilaterally giving.

“Not only demanding proper value from others but also properly paying the value herself is not something adults easily do. No, rather, there are plenty of people who don’t pay their own value but demand more from others……”

“I see why that calculating emperor listened to that child’s words.”

“She’s a worthy opponent for a long-term deal.”

“Hmph, amazing, amazing.”

Madam Croffel repeatedly admired.

Many people came to her with various requests.

From people who gave her huge sums of money first to people who asked what they could give in return.

She had met all sorts of people, but she never thought that a mere eleven-year-old would act so cleverly.

No, this wasn’t a matter of cleverness. It was something that had to be built up through experience.

How could a child with no experience have such thoughts?

‘Perhaps just by making a connection with that child, I may have gained a great advantage.’

“……If your reputation goes down, there will always be an opportunity to rise again. Don’t worry too much.”

Madam Croffel suddenly recalled the words of her old nemesis, Duke Delbartren.

At the time, she just thought it was consolation and suspected, ‘Is this old man about to die?’

But only today did she realize the meaning of those words.

He was talking with Princess Paeraton in mind.

‘So, when that guy came to me and asked me to change the time of the party, and asked me to look into Madam Huen’s movements, it was all Princess Paeraton’s request.’

It was even more surprising when she realized where it had started.

‘That little brat was the one who orchestrated it.’

No wonder.

She thought it was strange from the beginning when she came to someone else’s party and said she didn’t need the elixir.

She initially showed suspicion about Madam Huen, so she thought she was trying to prevent a successful debut, but she dismissed it.

‘How fun.’

Madam Croffel looked at the painting Luatisha had left behind and opened her mouth.

“I should go now. It seems I haven’t finished calculating with the princess yet.”

She got up from her seat and casually continued.

“There’s still a value I have to pay that child.”

“……Luatisha has obtained a joker.”

“Hmm, don’t you think similarly?”

Madam Sherwin quietly smiled without answering.

Madam Croffel raised the corners of her lips as she looked at that face.

“Are you going to be her chaperone? But well, it seems there will be many competitors in my view.”

Families who came to Madam Sherwin asking her to be their chaperone were overflowing.

She was a noblewoman so highly regarded that others couldn’t dare to compete with her.

“I must try harder.”

But Madam Sherwin sincerely answered that way.

* * *

After returning home, I immediately checked the new quest.

[Would you like to check the previous notification?]

‘Yes.’

[A new quest has arrived.]

〈Conquer the Social World! (2)〉

Dear Reader!

Congratulations on becoming a member of !

I thought even receiving an invitation would be a success, but you’ve become a member!

I’m deeply moved that it seems I haven’t raised you in vain!

‘Why does this guy keep saying he raised me?’

But there is one gateway that people who become members through the president’s recommendation must pass.

If you are not recognized as a true member by the other members of , it will be worse than not joining.

Show your abilities!

And let’s conquer and make them kneel at your feet!

– Condition: To be recognized as a true member by the members of

– Reward: 3000 Cash Gacha Ticket, Increased Influence within the Empire, Linked Quest 〈???〉 Progress

‘No, is a social gathering……’

It’s also a reading club that can be called the hall of intellect and scholarship.

‘What do you mean conquer and make them kneel at my feet.’

Anyway, as expected of someone who’s practically a devil, he’s violent.

As someone who loves peace and values harmony, I was appalled.

[I don’t think the reader who said they would beat them all up should be saying that.]

‘Shut up.’

[Hmph.]

[Tsk.]

[Ptooey.]

‘Ah, whatever. Seriously.’

I waved my hand to clear the notification window.

‘Certainly, has quite important figures. If I can win them over and make them my allies, it will be a great help.’

Among them, the person I especially need to make my ally is definitely

‘The White Rose’s Noble.’

The young man with a slightly cheesy nickname was a young genius the same age as Zeon.

Before me, he was the youngest to join .

‘……Would Zeon know anything if I asked him?’

Zeon hated people, but that didn’t mean he never came to the capital.

Didn’t Cynthia also rave about how popular Zeon was in the capital?

Since they were two famous young masters of the same age, they must have met once or twice.

‘Let’s ask!’

I hopped off the scallop sofa and headed to Zeon’s room.

* * *

“What, he’s not in his room?”

I quietly closed the door I had opened again.

As I turned around dejectedly, the maids and butlers were biting back their laughter as they looked at me.

“Do you know where Zeon went?”

“I don’t know.”

But the way they were rolling their eyes was practically telling me, ‘I’m lying right now?’

‘Why are they doing this?’

As I tilted my head, the maids and butlers began to talk to each other.

“Do you know where Master Zeon is?”

“I have no idea. He told me never to tell the young lady.”

‘What, so he’s doing something behind my back?’

Zeon is keeping a secret from me…….

Shocking.

The maids and butlers glanced at me while talking to each other.

It seemed like they wanted to see my antics.

‘Hoo……. Life is give and take. Can’t they just tell me?’

I covered my eyes with my chubby hands and shouted.

“Lulu’s not here!”

“Gasp!”

“Cough!”

“Haa…….”

After a series of strange noises passed, the maids and butlers began to talk.

“It’s a secret from the young lady, not from us. The young lady isn’t here, so tell me.”

“Then should I…… The young masters, His Excellency, and the Marquis are in the west annex.”

“The west annex? What are they doing there?”

At my question, the maids and butlers pretended to be startled.

“Oh my! Young lady, you were here?”

“Surely you didn’t hear our conversation?”

Oh, come on. Just answer me.

I pouted my lips.

The maids and butlers’ eyes sparkled as if expecting more antics, but no way.

I can just go and see what they’re doing myself.

‘Surely they’re not planning what to do with the boys I’ve met so far.’

I’m anxious, anxious.

If there was a boy I met the most during the winter, it was definitely Raphael.

Even the day before yesterday, the four of us, including Tyriel and Jasmine, gathered.

‘Raphael is in danger!’

I hurriedly ran to the annex.

* * *

What greeted me at the annex was a scene completely different from what I had expected.

“Lu, Lulu?”

My flustered dad was even wearing an apron.

“How did you get here…….”

Grandpa was also wearing an apron.

“Waaah, turn around! Turn around!”

Ixion, who was coming towards me, knocking over the dishes, was also wearing an apron.

“……The maids must have fallen for her charm.”

Ares, who had finished deducing with narrowed eyes, was also wearing an apron.

“Those useless things!”

“But the youngest’s charm is irresistible. There’s room for extenuating circumstances.”

Zeon, who was talking nonsense with a serious face, was also wearing an apron.

“The important thing is whether you’ve recorded all of my daughter’s charm.”

“What’s so important about that!”

I couldn’t help but yell at my dad, who was talking nonsense with a serious face.

The gazes of the five men simultaneously turned to me.

Only then did I realize that I hadn’t said the most important thing.

“What were you all doing here?”

At my words, my family all closed their mouths.

“Lulu, do you know what day it is today?”

In an instant, cold sweat trickled down my forehead.

I looked around, feeling like a sinner who had completely forgotten an anniversary.

‘Birthday? No. First kiss anniversary? That’s not it either. Piggyback ride anniversary is in the fall…….’

I hurriedly looked at something my family was working hard to make.

‘……Chocolate?’

At that moment, it flashed through my mind like lightning.

‘Chocolat Day!’

Whether it was referencing K-Romance [Korean romance dramas] or just referencing Earth.

There was a similar culture to Valentine’s Day here too.

The date was different, though.

It’s a day to give chocolate to your loved ones with the warmth of spring melting the frozen ground and the sweetness of newly bloomed spring flowers.

“Are you…… making it yourselves?”

“We were trying to keep it a secret.”

Thump.

I was touched.

My family, who had never even touched water, were wearing aprons and working hard to make chocolate for me.

“Chocolate is what Pudding and my younger sibling like the most.”

“I’m so touched…….”

“So?”

My family’s gazes all turned to me.

Eyes full of anticipation.

‘Ah!’

I didn’t prepare anything!