Chapter 22

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter Title: We Don't Buy People

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Three days later.

I heard two voices echoing through the quiet mountain.

"Th-there, that house is where Uncle lives, right?"

"Yes, Count Hugo!"

Hugo Lionet.

He was Grandfather's nephew.

"But there's a condition. Never set foot in this empire again. Absolutely."

The very man who had driven me out.

"Whew, I'm so nervous I could die. Of all people, barging into Uncle's house!"

"Come on, he's bedridden, isn't he? Even someone as tough as His Excellency can't win against a long illness..."

"You can talk so casually because you've never met him in person. Do you even know what kind of man he is?!"

Hugo snapped at his aide.

The startled aide mumbled awkwardly.

"B-but if something happens, the others agreed to come too."

"Then they should've come with me from the start! Sis's thinking is obvious. If someone's stepping on a landmine, better it be me alone, damn it."

Hugo grumbled, and finally, my name came up.

"Watch out for that twenty-year-old wench named Elisha. She's sure to be a vicious one!"

"You mean His Excellency's granddaughter? Vicious, you say?"

"Just the fact that she's stuck around through his fiery temper tells you everything! God knows how spoiled and rude she must be..."

Vicious? Rude? Spoiled?

The words bordered on outright insults, but I wasn't particularly offended.

Because.

'Just you wait. I'll show you exactly what real viciousness looks like.'

I planned to make good on that promise.

As their voices drew closer, I picked up a long stick.

All preparations were already complete.

'Alright. Hugo Lionet, you're first.'

Finally arriving at his uncle's house, Hugo came to an abrupt halt.

A woman stood in the shadowed spot in front of the house.

With what looked like a long stick slung over her shoulder...

"Wh-what the hell is that?"

A spear? A plow? A pitchfork?

A chill ran down Hugo's spine, and he couldn't help yelling like a fool.

"Gah! Who the hell are you?!"

"Hmm, that's what I should be asking."

'...Huh?'

The woman tilted her head and chuckled.

"But I'll answer anyway. I'm the granddaughter of the house, Elisha."

"Th-that stick thing?"

"Oh, this? I was painting the door."

So she was Elisha?

Hugo eyed her up and down.

'Hmph, at least her eyes are the Lionet lavender.'

Honestly, aside from that, she didn't resemble Uncle—or even her parents.

The Lionet Duke had such a sharp, icy demeanor, but this girl?

'She looks like she couldn't swat a fly.'

As he thought that, Elisha suddenly spoke up.

"But I still haven't heard who you are."

"This man is..."

"Never mind. I'll introduce myself. I'm Hugo Lionet, Count of Parong and Uncle Michele's nephew."

Introducing his title and family always made his heart race.

It felt like reaffirming his power and status.

But Elisha seemed focused on something else besides "Count."

"Grandfather's nephew...?"

"Yes, and the reason I'm here is..."

"Ah, you're here to visit the sick!"

Hugo was a bit flustered.

Was she tearing up? Why? And visiting the sick? What sick visit?

Before he could retort, Elisha unleashed a barrage of words.

"I'm so glad you came. Grandfather's really ill... I wanted to contact the relatives, but I don't have any contacts."

"Uh, uh, yeah."

"Look at me, I forgot. I should at least offer some tea, but I got paint all over the door handle, so I can't open it."

"Ah, whatever. Consider the tea had."

When he came to, they were sitting side by side on the bench, chatting.

He'd come ready to twist her arm if needed.

Hugo shook his head sharply and gathered his thoughts.

'What is this? She's incredibly naive? She loves Uncle like an idiot. She'd do anything for him.'

Far from rude, she seemed ridiculously easy to deal with.

Hugo smirked inwardly.

'No need to call Sis or the others. This'll all be my achievement!'

With a glance, his aide dumped out documents and certificates.

When he revealed that the pawnshop owner Michele was actually a duke, Elisha's eyes widened.

Hugo launched into his prepared threats, persuasions, and lies.

"...To be honest, isn't Uncle's illness worsening because of you? Now it's time for you to repay his kindness."

The aide chimed in.

"There are medicines only nobles can use. But they're outrageously expensive, so we need His Excellency's hidden savings."

"Exactly."

Elisha's long lashes trembled pitifully as she listened.

"So if I just sign and give up everything, you'll cure Grandfather?"

"Yes, of course!"

Rejoicing inwardly, Hugo whispered coolly.

"But there's a condition."

"What condition?"

"Never set foot in this empire again. Absolutely."

Ha.

Elisha let out a deep sigh and nodded.

"Give me the documents."

Yes!

Hugo suppressed a cheer and handed over the papers and fountain pen.

Elisha took only the documents and pulled out her own pen.

She muttered as she read every clause and signed.

"Here... Oh, wait a second."

She covered the documents and paused before handing them back.

"But what if Grandfather has no savings left? It could all be debt. Then the medicine costs..."

Hugo nearly laughed.

Worried Uncle might have no money left?

'She really knows nothing.'

"That won't happen."

"How can you be so sure?"

He couldn't reveal the true scale of Uncle's wealth, so Hugo said magnanimously.

"Ah, well, even if there isn't, I'll make it work somehow. As repayment for your sacrifice."

"...So you're promising it'll be fine, Count Hugo?"

"Yes. Even if Uncle has not a penny left, it'll be no problem."

"Could you say that one more time?"

There was a faint click, like something being pressed.

His imagination?

Impatient, Hugo said quickly.

"I'm promising there'll be no issue. On my name, Hugo Lionet."

"Really? That's a relief."

Elisha's final words had a strangely cold edge.

But the thrilled Hugo brushed it off as her being distraught.

Dressed in paint-stained clothes with nothing but her body to her name, Elisha stared at the house.

'It does look a bit pitiful like this.'

Hugo decided to show a little mercy.

The job was done smoothly, and he'd never see her again anyway.

He slyly removed the gold coins, leaving only silver in the pouch, tossed it to her, and boasted.

"Here. It's not much, but buy some new clothes."

"Yes, it really isn't much."

Elisha took the pouch without looking and said flatly.

'What? Is this the same girl who was crying earlier?'

Something felt off, but pressing her would just make things messy.

Probably just cold feet now that she was actually leaving.

"It's the last time. Don't you want to see Uncle off?"

Elisha glanced at the sunset sky and murmured.

"He's probably sleeping by now."

"I see. Well, that makes escorting you easier."

"...No. It'll be hard."

"What? I didn't hear."

"Nothing. Oh, the paint will dry in about an hour. I'll be going now."

Elisha turned sharply and vanished down the mountain.

She never once looked back.

One hour later.

The paint had dried.

'Finally!'

Half tense, half excited, Hugo flung open the door.

His jaw dropped.

"Un-Uncle? Uncle?!"

Uncle was not at home.

And he wasn't the only thing missing.

"Wh-what... What the hell is this...!"

To his shock, the house was completely empty.