Lord Baby Runs A Romance Fantasy With Cash [EN]: Chapter 20

☆ Chapter 20 ☆

[Summoning the novel 〈I Seduced Ten Men in a Reverse Harem World〉.]

Fluttering—.

The pages turn with a sound like the flapping of a bird’s wings.

The book floats in the air, and letters are inscribed on the pure white pages.

“Wow….”

I couldn’t help but marvel at the magical sight, like something out of a fairy tale.

Whirr, thud.

The book closed after the last page turned and landed in my hands.

“Was it summoned?”

When I opened the first page of the book, I saw the title and densely packed letters.

“It’s written in letters here.”

I wonder if this is also being patched [updated or modified to fit the current situation].

At least I wouldn’t be suspected of having a book written in strange characters.

Reading the beginning of the novel brought back memories.

“Sigh…. To think I’d summon this novel.”

There are many novels that are fun enough to summon and read again.

But this novel was definitely not one of them.

Because….

“Seducing ten men without even one kiss! Isn’t that the worst novel ever?”

I naturally dropped it [stopped reading it].

“I know it’s for all ages, but isn’t that too much!”

Was I asking for too much?

You can have a kiss even in something for all ages!

“I thought there would be a kiss at least in the last episode….”

Thanks to the comments telling me there were no kisses, I dropped it right away.

“To think this novel would be helpful now.”

The world is truly a place where you live and see.

It’s funny that a four-year-old baby who’s only lived for three years is thinking this.

“I’ve summoned it. How do I get the abilities?”

As if waiting for those words, a window appeared.

[Would you like to extract the abilities of the heroine in the 〈Novel〉 summoned using the trait 〈Rush and Cash〉?]

“Yes.”

[Extracting abilities.]

[You can extract 5 abilities from the current grade.]

Streams of light particles flowed out from the opened book.

The light particles floated in the air and began to swirl gently, merging into five light orbs.

Soon, when all the particles became five lights.

The light disappeared, and something emerged from within.

A pink jewel with wings, delicately cut into a heart shape.

It was the same shape as the emblem on the cover of the book.

The only difference was the color of the jewel.

[You can use 1 ability from the current grade.]

[Choose one of the extracted abilities.]

‘Ah, right. This was also a gacha [a lottery-like mechanic].’

Cash, penalties, and abilities are all random.

It was truly a trait full of gambling.

“What if I pick something random? I have to pick that ability….”

I deliberately summoned the worst novel that didn’t even have one kiss.

I have to pick the ability I want to make it worthwhile.

I trust you, my hand!

My intuition from watching countless romance fantasy novels!

It’s time to make up for the 100 cash of bad luck!

I put my energy into it and reached out to one of the five jewels.

[You have selected the ability 〈It’s Not Fish Management! I Just See Your Feelings!〉.]

“…?”

No, why is the ability name like this?

[Equipping the ability.]

The jewel in my hand fluttered up and seeped into the emblem on the book’s cover.

The transparent jewel on the cover was tinged with pink.

At that moment.

[This is a dropped novel!]

[Understanding of the novel is low.]

[The heroine’s abilities are downgraded.]

Huh.

Abilities are downgraded for dropped novels…?

“You should have explained that in advance! You scammer devil!”

I fumed, but all that came back was an explanation of the downgraded ability.

[Ability 〈It’s Not Fish Management! I Just See Your Feelings!〉]

– Empathy Phrase:

I’m not managing fish [playing with multiple romantic interests]! How can I ignore the feelings of the male leads when I can see them! I was just comforting them!

But why do they all like me? Weird?

This is the heartfelt cry of the heroine in 〈How to Seduce Ten Men in a Reverse Harem World〉.

She seduced ten male leads by reading and caressing the emotions of others.

How you use this ability is entirely up to the reader.

– Ability Effect: Displays the emotional state message of the designated target for three hours.

– Uses Available: 0/5

*This ability has been downgraded because it is from a dropped novel.

‘…Fortunately, it’s the ability I wanted.’

The heroine of 〈Ten.Men.Sed〉 has the ability to hear the emotions of others.

In other words, telepathy.

I was planning to cook the Tarenka Marquis [manipulate or outsmart him] using telepathy.

‘But the emotional state is displayed as a message….’

It’s a shame.

‘Still, this is manageable.’

I avoided the worst-case scenario of choosing a useless ability.

I jumped off the bed.

‘First, I need to find out about the mana stone mine and the Marquis’s situation.’

And how the emotions of others are displayed.

I pulled the bell cord with a flick.

It’s time to move quickly to clear the quest.

* * *

Tarenka Marquis Residence, Reception Room.

“Let’s not waste any more time with useless arguments.”

“You told me the Paeraton Archduke family didn’t invest!”

“If you don’t return the investment immediately, we’ll take it to court.”

Sharp voices pressured the Tarenka Marquis.

The Tarenka Marquis looked up at his opponents.

Duke Delvatren, Duke Iskamill, and Marquis Sherodel.

All three had invested heavily in the mana stone mining business.

“That’s incorrect information. Look at this check here.”

The Tarenka Marquis held out a check.

The three were silent at the clearly stamped seal of the Paeraton Archduke.

“You know better than anyone that it’s not a forgery.”

“Ahem.”

“But a vassal [a subordinate or servant] of the Paeraton family told me directly that they didn’t invest. How did that happen?”

At Duke Iskamill’s question, the Tarenka Marquis smiled triumphantly.

He brought out the excuse he had prepared.

“It’s a very natural principle. What happens when other investors increase from an investor’s perspective?”

“…They have to share the profits.”

“That’s right!”

The Tarenka Marquis exclaimed as if it were the correct answer.

“So, are you saying that the Paeraton Archduke deliberately spread false information to monopolize the profits?”

The Tarenka Marquis took a step back at Marquis Sherodel’s question.

“I didn’t say that far.”

However, there was no one in this place who couldn’t understand the hidden meaning.

“Hmph, what are you going to do when it’s all revealed after the mana stones are mined?”

“I don’t think the Paeraton Archduke would tell a lie that would be discovered so quickly.”

I didn’t expect them to believe it right away anyway.

The Tarenka Marquis added without panicking.

“Even if a huge profit returns to Paeraton at that time, would you know that fact?”

“Hmm….”

“Paeraton can just deny that they didn’t receive a share of the mine’s profits because they didn’t invest.”

That was true.

“But would the Archduke be so petty?”

“Don’t you know how arrogant, selfish, and evil the Paeraton family is?”

The three were silent at the Tarenka Marquis’s words.

Each had a different evaluation of the Paeraton Archduke family.

However, it was undeniable that Paeraton was as infamous as it was famous.

“Then show us the investment contract that the Paeraton Archduke invested in your mana stone mining business.”

The Tarenka Marquis was taken aback.

Since they hadn’t invested, there was no way there would be a contract.

He tried to act calm and opened his mouth.

“Are you saying I should show the investment contract to you, a third party, at my discretion?”

“….”

“If I did, would you be able to trust me and invest? I could show the investment contract I made with you to someone else?”

“That’s not wrong.”

“But if you thought that way, you should have hidden the fact that the Paeraton Archduke invested in the first place.”

“There’s no problem with talking about the investment itself. There was no separate confidentiality clause. But showing the contract is a completely different story.”

The Tarenka Marquis, reading the agreeing atmosphere, smiled triumphantly.

“Now it’s my turn to ask. Does the Paeraton Archduke have concepts such as justice, morality, ethics, and benevolence?”

The three were silent.

“Material evidence is more certain than a hundred words.”

Thud.

The Tarenka Marquis confidently placed the check on the table.

The eyes of the three all turned to the check. More precisely, to the seal of the Paeraton Archduke stamped on the check.

A heavy silence fell in the reception room.

They had previously notified the Tarenka Marquis of the recovery of their investment.

However, instead of returning the investment, the Tarenka Marquis requested a meeting, and today’s gathering was the result.

They responded to the Tarenka Marquis’s request to urge the return of the investment.

But since the story was flowing in a completely different direction, they couldn’t make a decision right away.

Eventually, Duke Iskamill opened his mouth.

“…Give us some time to think.”

“I have prepared 781-year-old Eindelf for today’s meeting. Please enjoy it slowly [a very old and presumably expensive wine].”

At those words, the maid who had been waiting poured wine.

The Tarenka Marquis smiled and stood up.

‘Hmph, the old men have too many thoughts.’

However, his face as he left the room was filled with annoyance.

‘Still, they’ve all fallen for it. I even presented material evidence. Now it’s just a matter of time.’

It was a fake, but the check was real.

It was just a check that paid for child support, not an investment.

“Haha, I’m too smart after all.”

At first, I was embarrassed when transactions were cut off here and there, and even the big shots were going to recover their investments in the mana stone mining business.

But after calming down and thinking, I saw a way out.

If they revealed that Paeraton hadn’t invested, they would have one question.

Then why did they pay the check?

Would Paeraton have revealed that it was for child support?

‘No.’

The moment they revealed that fact, people’s attention would be focused on the Paeraton Duchess entrusted to the Tarenka Marquis family.

‘There are many people who have seen that girl in my house. Knowing her as an orphaned maid.’

Would the Paeraton Archduke say that the beggar maid was his daughter?

The answer is obvious.

There’s no way he’d let the Paeraton Duchess have such a label.

If he loves her, it’s to protect her.

Even if he doesn’t love her, he can’t let the Archduke family have such a stain.

‘The Archduke’s case is definitely the latter.’

How can he love a child his wife bore outside?

‘Paeraton can never reveal why they paid the check.’

That’s why the Tarenka Marquis boldly lied that he gave it as an investment.

Anyway, if those three recover their investments, it’s a cliff [a disastrous situation].

Since there’s nothing to lose, I became more daring.

“Marquis.”

At that time, the butler approached. He chose his words for a moment.

“…A guest has arrived.”

“A guest?”

“That is, it’s the Paeraton Duchess.”

“…Ha.”

The scene of Clatie, who went to the Paeraton Archduke’s residence, crying and returning, was vivid in my mind.

‘That illegitimate child who doesn’t know her place dares to…!’

The Tarenka Marquis gritted his teeth.

“Did the Paeraton Archduke come with her?”

“The Archduke didn’t come, only vassals came.”

“Well, he wouldn’t come with her since she’s not his daughter.”

The Tarenka Marquis, who let out a snort, asked the butler.

“Where is she now? Is she with Tie [likely a nickname for a female character]?”

“Well, that is, she said she came to see the Marquis, not the young lady.”

“Me?”

The Tarenka Marquis frowned.

What on earth is she coming to see me for?

‘Well, there’s no need to worry.’

What kind of scheme could that idiot have?

It’s obvious that she couldn’t stand being mistreated in Paeraton and came here.

Would that Paeraton Archduke treat the child born from his wife’s affair well?

It would be a relief if he didn’t kill her.

‘Tie said so too.’

“Uncle doesn’t cherish her at all! He’s taking care of that idiot to build the family’s prestige!”

“Because of the Archduke family’s honor… sob, he deliberately mistreated me, took care of her more, sob sob! Daddy! I’m so upset….”

“He must have been mistreating her, and when I came, he deliberately showed me…! Lien said so too!”

Compared to the Paeraton Archduke’s abuse, what happened here would be nothing.

‘She must have realized how merciful I was.’

“It’s better this way.”

If I use that lacking girl,

I can squeeze more money out of Paeraton.

Then I can tell those old men, ‘The Paeraton Archduke increased his investment after hearing that you were recovering your investments.’

Good, good.

I’m so smart after all.

“Guide the Duchess to the glass greenhouse.”

“The glass greenhouse, you say?”

The butler asked with a somewhat surprised look.

“Yes, she said she wanted to see this uncle, so I have to soothe her a little. The vassals came with her too.”

“I understand.”

“If those old men have made a decision, let me know.”

“Yes, Marquis.”

The Tarenka Marquis slowly moved to the greenhouse.

I have to give that ugly girl enough time to see the glass greenhouse.

Because it was a place she couldn’t even dare to step into when she was here.

The Marquis lit a cigarette and returned to stand in front of the greenhouse door.

‘Well, is this enough?’

The image of the shabby child, lost in the splendor of the greenhouse, was drawn in my mind.

The Tarenka Marquis slowly opened the door.

The warm and cozy air greeted him even in winter.

The dizzying fragrance emitted by the luxuriously blooming flowers.

And one that doesn’t fit in here at all—.

‘Huh?’

The Marquis’s mouth hung open stupidly.

The child with glossy hair hanging down was standing among the blooming flowers.

The child was taking off her earmuffs because the greenhouse was hot.

The silk earmuffs were embroidered with jewels, and the lining was fluffy fur.

It seemed to be a set with the muff made of silver fox fur that the vassal was holding.

‘Why?’

The child looked noble at a glance.

The clothes she was wearing were luxurious, but the unique posture of a child who had received a lot of love stood out.

The child, feeling the presence, turned to look at the Marquis.

Chubby, rosy cheeks.

Sparkling eyes.

The child smiled brightly at me.

It was a very lovely smile.

With that smile, the child said.

“I came to get my money, Marquis.”