Lord Baby Runs A Romance Fantasy With Cash [EN]: Chapter 51

Runs a Romance Fantasy with Baby’s Cash – Episode 51 (51/353)

☆ Episode 51 ☆

Why are you sugarcoating it with fancy words like ‘tax collection’!

You’re just a thief!

Even as I thought that, I carefully examined the list of assets to be collected.

I can summon and take anything on this list whenever I want, right?

‘Wow, they really took a lot.’

Can’t I just take it all?

For a moment, I had that thought, but if it became known that a large amount of assets disappeared while Count Yozenheim was imprisoned, it would be troublesome.

‘But the slush fund is okay, right? No one else knew it existed, so they won’t know it’s gone.’

Now, this slush fund is mine. I can use it as I please.

“But what happens if Count Yozenheim dies?”

[It’s already a taxed asset. The Arentwell Empire doesn’t forgive taxes just because someone died.]

‘Wow, this is why the Emperor is a true tyrant.’

It was the completion of a plausibility I didn’t realize when reading the novel.

“Then, even if the ownership is transferred?”

[The ownership of this item already belongs to the tax collector.]

Right. Since the red seizure sticker is on it, no one else can take it.

Though others may not know.

Then, even if someone else takes it, I can still summon it.

‘Then, there are endless ways to utilize it?’

For now, conspicuous movements wouldn’t be good.

If problems arise with Count Yozenheim’s private property while he’s in prison, the Paeraton Dukedom might be suspected.

But it’s a shame to not take anything at all like this.

I wanted to try using the ability first.

Coincidentally, there was an item on the list that caught my eye.

‘Daphne’s Necklace?’

Daphne.

Isn’t that a nymph’s name?

In fantasy, they often name spirits after nymphs.

The most famous one is the water spirit, Naias.

‘Then, is this also a spirit’s necklace?’

That would be so cool!

It’s literally romance fantasy itself!

My heart fluttered with excitement.

‘There are many more expensive things, so taking just this one should be fine, right?’

I won’t take no for an answer.

I definitely want to have a spirit necklace from a fantasy world!

“This time, I’ll only collect Daphne’s Necklace.”

[Collecting Daphne’s Necklace.]

Swish.

I expected a flash of light or something, but without any sign, the necklace appeared in my hand.

The old and slightly discolored necklace had an antique charm.

It felt like a real spirit was sleeping inside.

I examined the necklace, suppressing my pounding heart.

“This is…….”

* * *

I walked diligently towards the East Annex.

The East Annex was where vassals mainly handled their duties, and today, there was said to be an Elder’s Council meeting.

‘If they’re elders, they’re vassals, so it’s a perfect opportunity for me.’

Unfortunately, the Council of Elders wouldn’t be holding political affairs meetings for a while due to the head’s absence.

‘Hmm, that’s why there are so many elders as well as council members?’

I didn’t go inside the annex, but instead, I peeked over the windowsill on tiptoes.

The grandfathers I saw at the New Year’s banquet were there.

‘The story about Count Yozenheim’s treatment will definitely come up. It’s a story about the head of the Council of Elders, so they couldn’t not attend.’

I waved my hand at the maid in the garden over there.

The maid smiled brightly and ran towards me.

“Sister, please open that window just a little bit.”

I could barely peek inside even on tiptoes, so opening the window was impossible.

“Are you trying to eavesdrop? You can’t do that.”

“Ehh, but I’m curious. Yozenheim grandpa is in big trouble because of me. What if he gets punished because of me?”

“It’s not your fault, miss. He’s just paying the price for his sins.”

“But…….”

When I trailed off and looked at the ground with tearful eyes, the maid finally opened her mouth.

“Okay. Then you have to give me two of those.”

“Two?”

“If you give me two, I’ll even keep watch.”

“Okay.”

I slipped the trade goods out of my pocket.

The maid checked the items thoroughly with a solemn look, then smiled brightly.

“Haa, so cute. This is you, miss? This is…… an explosion……? Did you draw an explosion?”

“It’s a flower.”

When I said sullenly, the maid muttered, “It’s a flower, a flower. Cute…….”

How rude!

“If you have anything else you want me to do next time, please call me.”

The maid, who had carefully put away my drawing in her pocket, quietly opened the window and turned the corner of the annex.

‘Hmph, I’m glad I drew two just in case.’

Why do the employees use my drawings as currency?

“A letter from the Imperial Palace?”

At that moment, a voice was heard from inside.

I crouched down on the lawn and perked up my ears.

“Hmm, what does everyone think?”

“Are you talking about Count Yozenheim?”

“That’s right. How can the head of the Council of Elders collude with another family and threaten the safety of the direct line princess! This is unacceptable!”

“Of course, it’s wrong for Count Yozenheim to have received bribes. But to say that the Count was involved in that matter…… It’s possible that he received the gifts without knowing what they were doing!”

“Nonsense! How can that be! The auditor hasn’t been changed for three years, and there hasn’t been any word from the higher-ups!”

“It’s not known whether that was just because they wanted him to look the other way, or whether the Count directly ordered it!”

There were voices from many people, but the two loudest voices stood out the most.

I tiptoed again and peeked inside.

‘Those two uncles seem to have the most influence. Wow, they’re fighting like they’re going to eat each other alive.’

Rather than the Council of Elders, they’re raising their voices even louder, so they must be the powerhouses among the elders.

‘Is this a fight between the next generation of powerhouses?’

It was truly interesting.

But I’m not interested in the ‘next generation.’

‘If I’m going to make someone my ally, it’s better to have the best person right now!’

At that moment, the door to the conference room opened, and an old man appeared.

‘Grumpy Grandpa.’

His neat face, straight back, and trained physique were by no means those of an old man.

He entered quietly through the back door, but the conference room instantly fell silent.

Even the next-generation powerhouses, who were fighting with flushed faces, stopped talking and bowed.

‘Yes, that’s the kind of person I want.’

“I only came to see how things were going because a letter came from the Imperial Family. Don’t mind me, and everyone, continue the story you were telling.”

Step, step.

In the silence, Count Kandor crossed the conference room.

I was impressed to see that no one resumed the meeting and waited for Count Kandor to take his seat.

‘Huh?’

But why does it seem like he’s coming this way?

I quickly crouched down.

Pressing down on my anxious heart, I held my breath, but I didn’t hear anything in particular.

‘Was I not caught?’

The moment I raised my head slightly,

“……!”

My eyes met with sharp silver eyes.

Eek!

At the same time as I covered my mouth, Count Kandor pushed the open window.

Clang.

The window closed with a rough sound.

The shadow by the window slowly moved away.

I couldn’t move.

‘Rat.’

I didn’t say it out loud, but it was a clear lip movement.

‘I have to get up.’

I thought so, but I couldn’t muster any strength in my body.

It was then.

A long shadow fell over me.

Could it be that Count Kandor came? I don’t want to see him then.

I lowered my head further, but I heard a blunt voice.

“Cotton ball.”

When I raised my head, I saw Ixion’s face.

He had a sulky face, but his eyes looking at me were filled with warmth.

“What are you doing here?”

A blunt but warm voice.

“Ixiooon?”

“What, what is it? Are you sick somewhere?”

“Carry me.”

“……You’ve gotten a taste for it. Seriously, what kind of vehicle do you think I am?”

Hey, your lips are curling up.

Ixion grumbled, but he still carried me.

As he slowly moved his steps, I felt a pleasant vibration.

A firm and broad back.

I relaxed my body and leaned against him.

“You’re really bad at drawing.”

“No. I’m good at drawing.”

“I’m telling you, you’re not good? Ahem. ……If you draw a lot, you might improve?”

“I’m good at drawing. Everyone wants my drawings. I’m a 5-year-old genius artist.”

“What genius. I could draw better even if I drew with my feet. Draw more! Draw a lot! So I……!”

“Me?”

“……Well, I still might not be able to draw better than me, though.”

“Ixion, you idiot!”

When I pulled on Ixion’s hair, he shouted, “Ouch!”

“As expected, my sister only says what’s right.”

When I turned around at the voice from behind, Ares smiled gently.

“Why did you come?”

“The idiot should shut his mouth.”

Ares, who had come to my side, stroked my head.

“Don’t pay too much attention to the idiot’s words. You draw really well, my sister.”

Sparkling, sparkling. His face, curving his eyes as he smiled, was excessively forceful.

‘What is it? Why is he like this?’

It seemed like a meaningful remark.

‘……Is he telling me not to interfere too much with family matters and just draw?’

I knew that Ares had accepted me and liked me quite a bit, but for him, who was trying to become the head of the family, my actions right now were just a hindrance.

I lowered my head gloomily.

As if satisfied with my appearance of understanding his words at once, Ares held out his hand to me.

“Do you want to eat snacks with me? There’s also pudding that my sister likes.”

“What? This guy was planning to look at the drawings with me.”

Ixion turned his body away, preventing Ares’s hand from reaching me.

“Hmph, looking at the drawings, what are you going to do?”

“If you look at them, you’ll naturally get inspiration, and, well…….”

“You’re just not saying it directly, but it’s no different from begging. Well, you’ll only be able to receive it if you beg.”

“Hee, what are you going to prepare there after luring her with snacks like a sly fox? Isn’t giving all the tools begging?”

Ares and Ixion suddenly glared at each other as if they were going to kill each other, raising their fighting spirit.

‘No, why are they doing this again.’

It was then.

Shururuk.

Mana gently covered my body and floated me into the air.

“My daughter was going to put medicine on me.”

When I came to my senses, Dad was holding me tightly in his arms.

“How can you take someone who’s being carried!”

“Is my daughter an object? To be taken away.”

Dad chuckled and pressed my head against his chest.

“Ruatisha will be more comfortable being held by me than by small things like you.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to be with someone you like?”

“In that case, it would be even more comfortable and better.”

“…….”

What is this, a childish argument.

* * *

Liu Bei visited Zhuge Liang three times to make him feel the sincerity of the visit [A famous historical anecdote in China where Liu Bei, seeking Zhuge Liang’s wisdom, visited him three times despite Zhuge Liang’s initial reluctance].

But I’m going to make him come to me!

I gifted the grumpy Count Kandor with a drawing of a golden arrow and a lead arrow.

“I am the spirit of capitalism, squawk! Put out the price!”

Of course, the delivery person was Hermes Squawk.

I gave him a cookie filled with chocolate chips and macadamia nuts.

There was no reaction from Count Kandor.

Next, I drew and gifted a laurel tree.

“Si, since it’s the third time, you can ca, call me by a nickname, squawk!”

“Weren’t you supposed to allow it after meeting three more times? There’s one more time left.”

“Y, you trampled on the pure heart of the spirit, squawk!”

“……Weren’t you the spirit of capitalism just now.”

That day, I had to offer all the snacks to Hermes Squawk, who was crying in anger.

In any case, Hermes Squawk was a truly capable messenger.

‘So, it’s about time for him to take the bait.’

I sat on the greenhouse flower bed and looked at the flowers.

‘Ah, balsam flowers!’

I have to dye my nails with balsam.

As I hummed and picked the petals, a shadow fell over my head.

I slowly raised my head.

Sharp silver eyes.

A straight nose.

A stubborn mouth.

Despite being an old man, he had broad shoulders, a straight back, and a trained body.

It was Grumpy Grandpa, Count Kandor.

“You’ve mistaken me for someone else.”

He said quietly.

“I have no intention of becoming someone’s dog.”

It was a low but very imposing voice.

‘He certainly lives up to his nickname of an untamed wolf.’

“I don’t know where you heard that story and are playing this kind of prank, but you should stop immediately一”

“Really? Do you really want me to stop, Grandpa?”

When I asked, staring intently, Count Kandor frowned.

“That’s obvious.”

“Really?”

I unfolded the hand I had put in my pocket.

In it was a faded silver necklace.

Count Kandor’s eyes, which had been sharp, wavered like a candle in the wind.

“That, how…….”

He couldn’t continue speaking.

He hurriedly took the necklace from my hand and opened the locket.

On one side of the locket was a portrait of a young woman, and on the other side…….

Sharp silver eyes, a straight nose, a stubborn mouth—yes, there was a man who looked like Count Kandor would have looked like when he was young.

“Where on earth did you get this!”

Count Kandor shouted at me, clutching the locket tightly with his trembling hands.

“Princess!”

He fiercely scolded me, but I wasn’t scared.

I could feel his desperate and anxious heart.

“Grandpa, my legs hurt. I’ve been squatting for a long time waiting for you.”

“……Is this a deal? What would you like me to do?”

“Carry me.”