Lord Baby Runs A Romance Fantasy With Cash [EN]: Chapter 24

With a deafening roar, the ceiling and walls collapsed. Dust, once part of the structure, scattered in every direction.

“Ugh, kuh…”

The Marquis, caught in the shockwave, tumbled across the floor, his insides feeling like they’d been violently churned.

A metallic taste filled his mouth, and he spat out a clot of blood.

Thud, thud…

In the sudden silence, slow, deliberate footsteps echoed.

In an instant, the building’s interior had been utterly destroyed, yet Duke Paeraton showed no sign of strain.

Clunk.

The Duke stopped directly in front of the Marquis, looking down at him with an intense gaze.

Dark mana enveloped the Marquis’s body, lifting him effortlessly into the air.

“Ugh, keuh…”

The moment his eyes met the Duke’s crimson gaze, the Marquis forgot even how to groan.

A ferocious and ominous dark energy, honed to a sharper edge than any sword, was thrust right in front of his face.

“What about my daughter?”

He’s going to die.

He’s going to die.

He’s going to die.

“I, I, I, I’m sorry… P, please, spare me…”

Thwack!

The honed mana pierced its target in an instant and was withdrawn just as quickly.

Thud, thud.

Blood, as red as Duke Paeraton’s eyes, dripped in the darkness.

“Hah, hah, hah…”

Marquis Tarenka touched his neck with trembling hands.

It was still attached.

He was still alive.

He hadn’t died yet.

His whole body was sticky with blood, sweat, and other unmentionable fluids.

It was unpleasant, of course, but Marquis Tarenka was experiencing profound relief.

He had survived.

He was alive.

Duke Paeraton held a hard, glittering object in his hand, retrieved from the dissipating mana.

It was the signet ring the Marquis had worn around his neck, the symbol of being the head of the Tarenka family.

“This is a message from the previous Marquis Tarenka.”

He looked down at Tarenka, or rather, Nicholas, the man who was now essentially a commoner, as if he were a mere insect.

“He said you weren’t even worthy of the title of Marquis, let alone the name of Tarenka.”

At those words, Nicholas snapped his head up, his eyes wide with disbelief.

The relief of being alive vanished in an instant, replaced by a chilling dread.

“The marquisate has been stripped away…?”

“Even the name of Tarenka.”

Nicholas’s mouth hung open in a daze, unable to comprehend the words.

It couldn’t be.

It couldn’t be true.

He wasn’t even a noble anymore?

What kind of nonsense was this!

It couldn’t be happening!

But Duke Paeraton offered no further explanation. He had delivered his message and exacted his measure of revenge.

Having finished his business, he slowly turned and walked away, leaving Nicholas to wallow in his despair.

Nicholas, left alone in the darkness, groped at his neck with trembling hands.

The signet ring of the Tarenka family head, which had always been there, a constant reminder of his status, was gone.

Really?

Truly?

Like this?

Squeeze.

Pressing on his neck, he felt the mixture of blood and sweat, sticky and thick, a testament to his humiliation.

“Hah, hah…”

Panicked, he gasped for breath and reached out to the floor for support.

The floor was wet.

Only then did Nicholas realize he had wet himself in terror and was lying on top of it.

This wasn’t right.

This wasn’t him.

This wasn’t him, he repeated in his mind.

“Uwaaaaaah!”

A bloodcurdling scream burst from within, echoing through the ruined building.

It was over.

Everything.

Chapter 6. I’ll Only Be A Little Cute From Now On

I was happily squishing my doll when, whoa, I snapped back to my senses.

‘This isn’t the time! I have things to do!’

I neatly smoothed out the doll, trying to regain my composure.

Ah, but this feels so good…

Squishy? Stretch, stretch! Squishy?

‘That’s not it!’

I reluctantly let go of Hamster’s cheek.

It was such an incredibly tempting mochi texture that I felt like I’d lose the reason I’d barely managed to hold onto if I messed up even a little.

‘It feels like the penalties are getting stronger and stronger…’

It was supposed to be random, but I had a sneaking suspicion that the odds had been adjusted behind my back, right?

‘Anyway, let’s look at the quest while I’m still sane.’

[You have unread notifications. Would you like to view them?]

‘Yes.’

[Additional rewards have been granted.]

[Would you like to receive the additional rewards now?]

‘Of course!’

[Calculating additional rewards… Calculation complete.]

[Additional reward has been granted.]

[Linked quest has arrived.]

Reader, you are amazing! You are incredible! You are magnificent!

The way you confidently plundered Marquis Tarenka’s wealth!

Even I didn’t expect you to squeeze him so dry that only his bones remained!

My eyes did not deceive me.

You, Reader, are the true entrepreneur of this era!

Applause, clap, clap, clap!

…Is that even a compliment?

It was the first time I’d ever felt so dirty after receiving applause.

But we can’t be satisfied here!

Just as a rolling stone gathers no moss, rolling wealth gathers more wealth!

Roll it, wealth, wealth!

Don’t stop rolling your wealth and pile it up like a mountain!

No, I have enough.

My dream was to be a building owner.

I’m already a building owner, a mine owner, a horse ranch owner, and a landowner!

Ahem!

You’re not thinking about not wanting to work, are you?

I believe you have a conscience.

You are a K-Romance reader [Korean Romance novel reader].

K-Romance readers want both the female lead and the male lead to work.

Didn’t you also shout, ‘An emperor who doesn’t work cannot be forgiven, no matter how much they are the female or male lead!’

You are the successor to the Joseon administrative system [Korean dynastic era] that ground the workers to dust!

You are a K-Romance reader!

Now it’s your turn.

Stand tall and go to work!

“……”

I silently picked up the Hamster doll.

And stretched its soft, mochi-like cheeks, stretch, stretch.

“Ah, this is fun! I’m four years old, waaa!”

But the quest window stood between me and Hamster, a constant reminder of my obligations.

I closed my eyes to avoid the quest window thrust in front of my face, but it was no use. It was like it was burned into my eyelids!

I could see it even with my eyes closed!

– Condition: Become rich from the mana stone business!

– Reward: 10000 Cash

Huh?

I opened my eyes wide, blinking in surprise.

This time, there were no annoying addendums like ‘Quest Failure Penalty’ or ‘Quest Rejection Penalty’.

But that wasn’t why I was surprised.

I rubbed my eyes and looked at the quest window again, making sure I wasn’t seeing things.

‘10000 Cash?!’

It was 10000 Cash, even after looking again! A substantial amount of in-game currency.

‘……I don’t want to work, but.’

But still.

Haven’t I asked countless romance fantasy female and male leads if they were managing their countries and territories well while dating?

I can’t just play around while they’re doing that.

‘Yes, working is bound to make a person grow. It’s good to learn about the world through early business (?) from a young age.’

Of course, that’s right. It’s character development!

It’s definitely not because I’m greedy for the reward. Absolutely not.

[You have accepted the quest.]

‘I’m definitely getting that 10000 Cash!’

I clenched my fist, determined to succeed.

……It was too much Cash to refuse. The temptation was too strong.

‘Ah, come to think of it, I think I had a quest from before.’

Can’t I see the quests in progress or something? I wondered, trying to recall the details.

The moment I thought that, an information window popped up as if it had been waiting, displaying my character stats and quest information.

[Loading…]

Luatisha L Paeraton – Contractor of Aphtaneth

Trait

Trait Rank F

Summoned Novel –

Extracting Ability 1/5

Applied Ability 2/5

Penalty

Ongoing Quests 1. , 2.

Completed Quests View More ▼

Cash on Hand 6100 Cash

Items on Hand 3000 Cash Gacha Ticket

“If you had this, you should have shown it to me sooner!”

How hard did I try to remember how much Cash I had with my four-year-old brain!

Of course, there was no answer to my complaints. The system remained silent.

Sighing, I checked the quest that was my original purpose, the one I’d been trying to complete.

‘The Path of a Good Reader. Yes, this was the quest. Wasn’t this supposed to be about using my ability?’

But why isn’t it completed? What am I missing?

When I pressed and held the quest name, a detailed explanation appeared, outlining the requirements.

I found and read the condition section, searching for the reason for my failure.

– Condition: Use Cash to summon a novel and extract and use the ability.

“Don’t tell me… It’s not completed because I summoned it with a rental ticket instead of Cash?”

How much did I suffer to summon a novel even once! It was a difficult and frustrating process.

I extracted and used the ability, so that should be enough! I argued in my mind.

[Aphtaneth is applying fair and just standards.]

“Fhair and jushht shhtandards~?”

I was speechless, unable to believe the audacity.

For a con artist demon to say such a thing! It was the height of hypocrisy.

[It is your responsibility to read the contract carefully.]

My neck stiffened in annoyance.

“But you could answer like this?”

You’ve been watching me and sending messages all along?! I exclaimed, feeling betrayed.

I was about to argue more, fuming at the injustice, but suddenly there was no answer. The system had gone silent.

“Hey! Why aren’t you saying anything? Answer me! Hey!”

Silence. Nothing but silence.

Still, no notifications appeared. The demon was ignoring me.

I was about to argue more, feeling increasingly angry and frustrated.

Knock, knock, I heard a knock on the door, interrupting my internal rant.

“……Come in.”

“Young Lady, were you having fun?” Anna asked, entering the room with a warm smile.

“Yes!”

I was having very, very fun with the con artist demon. It was a sarcastic response, masking my annoyance.

It was so fun that I decided I would definitely bury his head in the ground if I ever met him. A dark thought crossed my mind.

“We’ve packed almost all of your luggage. I was wondering if there was anything else you wanted to take with you.”

Ah! Of course, there is! I exclaimed, remembering my precious companion.

“This!”

I picked up Hamster, holding it up for Anna to see.

“I’m going to take Hamster with me!”

“Oh my, this doll?” Anna’s eyes widened in surprise.

She looked curious as to why I had chosen a plain cotton doll out of the many dolls made of jewels and silk. It seemed like an odd choice.

“Ung, Anna, Nancy, Laura, and Tilda gave it to me as a gift! It’s very, very precious!”

“Young Lady……!” The sisters, looking at me with sparkling, tearful eyes, rushed at me, overcome with emotion.

They rubbed their cheeks against mine, hugged me tightly, and it was a complete mess of affection. It was a bit overwhelming.

This could be annoying, I thought, but I secretly enjoyed the attention.

“Hehe.”

I smiled, basking in their adoration.

Dad told me to say, ‘No! Bad! Kidnapper!’, but who cares? I thought, dismissing his concerns.

I like it when the sisters adore me like this! It makes me feel special.

Maybe it’s because I’ve never been loved like this in my entire life, including my past life. It’s a new and welcome experience.

Being adored is really good. It’s thrilling and makes me feel valued.

It’s always new, a constant source of joy.

Being cute is the best! I declared internally, embracing my adorable persona.

I spent a long time giggling and cuddling with the sisters before finally calming down, satiated with their affection.

“So, is this all you need to pack?” Anna asked, double-checking to make sure nothing was forgotten.

“Yes!”

In a week, we were scheduled to leave the capital and go to the Paeraton Duchy, our new home.

Everyone had been busy packing for the past few days in preparation for the journey.

“But why are we going to the territory? Don’t people usually want to stay in the capital?” I asked, curious about my father’s decision.

Dad said that he was going to the territory as soon as all the business in the capital was over. He was eager to return to his land.

But the hero who had made the greatest contribution in the war couldn’t miss the triumphal return ceremony. It was a matter of honor and duty.

So, we would only attend the triumphal return ceremony in five days and then depart for the territory.

“His Excellency, well, doesn’t really like crowds,” Anna explained, offering a reason for my father’s preference.

“I see. I thought everyone was like that because Marquis Tarenka never went to the territory,” I said, drawing a comparison.

I wondered if it was okay for the person who ruled the territory to do that, but it wasn’t my business. It seemed irresponsible.

“Tarenka is a bit of a special situation. There’s no need to go to the territory, and he probably didn’t want to go either,” Anna said, hinting at the unusual circumstances surrounding the Marquis.

I tilted my head at Anna’s words, intrigued by her statement.

What could be a special situation where the lord doesn’t take care of the territory? It seemed highly irregular.

“Ah, have you heard? About Marquis Tarenka,” Nancy said, lowering her voice and leaning closer to whisper.

“He’s been stripped of his title and become a commoner!” she revealed, her eyes wide with gossip.

Huh?

I was genuinely surprised by the news.

“Can that happen suddenly? Even if he’s the head of the Marquis family… Did the Marquis’s vassal cause a rebellion or something?” I asked, imagining dramatic scenarios.

Scary. The world of K-Romance! Anything is possible.

“Ah, originally, Marquis Tarenka was more like a head of household proxy than a head of household,” Anna explained, clarifying his position.

“The previous Marquis retired and temporarily handed it over… There were many assets and secrets that the Marquis couldn’t access,” Laura added, providing more context.

“So, he started businesses here and there to get more recognition, but in the end, it was a scam,” Tilda concluded, summarizing his downfall.

The sisters shook their heads in disapproval.

I see. I don’t know the details, but the Marquis was stripped of his title and became a commoner. Justice has been served.

‘Serves you right, neener neener!’ I thought, feeling a sense of satisfaction.

“Then what happens to the Marquis’s wife and Clatier [Marquis Tarenka’s daughter]?” I asked, wondering about their fate.

“The Marquis’s wife is in the middle of a divorce lawsuit. She’s trying to take her daughter with her……” Nancy said, relaying the latest gossip.

“Clatier doesn’t want to go,” Laura added, shaking her head.

“She says she can never be a Baron’s daughter,” Tilda finished, revealing Clatier’s ambition.

Wow.

She’s amazing too, I thought, impressed by her determination.

“Then what is she going to do? Even if she doesn’t follow her mother, her father has lost his title……” I wondered aloud, pondering her options.

“I think she’s begging to go to her grandfather, the previous Marquis,” Anna speculated, offering a possible solution.

Ah.

I nodded, understanding her plan.

“There are all sorts of stories,” Nancy said, hinting at the endless stream of gossip.

“Hehe, the connections of the employees are endless!” Nancy said proudly, boasting about their information network.

“Ah, but we don’t spread stories about the Young Lady or the Paeraton Ducal Family! Never!” Laura quickly added, emphasizing their loyalty.

Ooh, loyal maid! A must-have character in romance fantasy!

A must-have character in romance fantasy!

“Because we have to monopolize the Young Lady,” Tilda said, revealing their selfish motive.

Ah, is that why? I thought, amused by their possessiveness.

I just let Nancy pinch my cheeks and asked, changing the subject.

“What is the Duchy like?”

“It’s a very cold place. It’s in the north,” Anna replied, describing the harsh environment.

“The north?!”

“Yes, it will be very cold because it’s winter,” Laura confirmed, emphasizing the frigid temperatures.

Hull, the north! That’s a significant detail!

Then our dad一.

‘Is he the Grand Duke of the North?!’ I realized, connecting the dots.

Jackpot, jackpot. This is getting interesting.

The textbook romance fantasy male lead! The epitome of cool and aloof.

I am the cold Grand Duke of the North. But I will be warm to my woman… no, my daughter. A classic trope.

‘Keuh……!’ I squealed internally, excited by the revelation.

“Oh, and you’ll be able to meet the young masters when you go to the territory,” Nancy said, mentioning my potential brothers.

“Brothers?” I asked, my eyes widening with anticipation.

Come to think of it, that demon promised me handsome brothers! It was one of the selling points of this whole situation.

……Considering how much I’ve suffered, I don’t know if I can believe it. I thought, tempering my expectations.

‘Should I pretend to believe it for the sake of my handsome dad?’ I wondered, focusing on the positive aspect.

Growing sprouts of the Grand Duke of the North! The image filled my mind.

I asked, shining my eyes with excitement.

“What are my brothers like?”

“Ah……”

“Um……”

“Uh……”

No, sisters. Why are you reacting like that? Your hesitation is making me nervous.

You’re making me anxious. What’s going on?

Why are you avoiding my gaze? What are you hiding?

No, right? Huh? Please don’t let it be what I’m thinking.

That thing I’m thinking about, it’s not that, right? It can’t be!

It can’t be. It must not be! I pleaded internally, fearing the worst.