My Dream is to Get My Own House - Chapter 77

Episode 77

His hand naturally intertwined with mine. 

No, I didn’t appeal that strongly, but Dylan looked very serious. 

I couldn’t resist him. 

His pupils seemed half-mesmerized, as if he would turn away if I tried to stop him… 

No matter how I thought about it, my casual words these days seemed to push Dylan’s buttons. 

It was like some strange button that, when pressed, made possessiveness stronger. But why does his possessiveness feel…

“…Well, as long as you’re not uncomfortable.”

…Why am I not surprised? 

Why does a smile keep creeping up on my lips? 

I pressed my lips together and looked back at the ledger. 

Now was the time to check the magic formula for real.

***

At the same time, the dormant figure inside the mausoleum opened its eyes wide.

“The prophecy about Diana has begun!”

“Oh, really?”

“Soon, Diana might fall for her husband!”

“That trash-like husband?”

“That’s right!”

[We need to save her. Prepare yourselves to stay up all night.]

The party of Duke Saboia was furious. 

Fueled by excessive anger, they exerted their strength as if going mad and managed to quickly extract the flowers from the glass tube. 

The arduous journey that lasted for a week was now over in half a day. 

Despite being just half a day, the dormant figure felt the greatest suffering in its life, no, in its existence. 

It had even lost partial proficiency in human language!

“Mmurmur. (Finally, it’s over!)”

They hugged each other tightly, raising their voices in cheer.

“The moment of camaraderie!”

[Let’s quickly find Diana.]

They found a peculiar magic formula written on the list of children in the <Sangermane Nursery> rolled up inside the empty flower stem.

“Hmm, what’s this?”

[The Director’s information is written at the very top.]

“Too subtle. (Nothing important.)”

[Both the real names and nicknames of the orphanage children are written in the magic formula.]

“If it’s written in the magic formula, how do we figure it out? (If it’s written in the magic formula, how do we figure it out?)”

The dormant figure tilted its head. “Maybe if we solve this, we’ll know who went where.”

<???>

      <???>P</???>

      <???>D</???>

      <???>X</???>

   </???>

[Damn it, what is this rascal-like magic formula? Are we supposed to fill in those holes?]

“Seems like it. It looks like the list is under a magic spell.”

The dormant figure mumbled prophetically.

“If we undo the magic formula, we’ll find out!”

Then, Claude murmured with a suspicious expression.

[If we undo the magic formula and get rid of the Director at the same time, we’ll find out soon.]

“Oh, are you talking about the Director of Sangermane Nursery?”

He showed a wicked smile.

[Yes. I recognized him through the image we saw with the tracking magic and had him on the wanted list.]

Claude was indeed quick.

“When can we bring him?”

Claude chuckled and looked towards the entrance.

[Hmm, right now?]

Right at that moment, Helic rolled in a man tied up tightly with ropes.

“I’ve brought the director of the orphanage.”

The appearance of the person brought in looked like trash. 

The director of the orphanage started coughing and rolling on the floor.

“Then, make sure to extract all the information through torture.”

[Understood.]

Claude clenched his fist and kicked a few times on the floor. The pitiful cries of the director of the orphanage were heard even though he hadn’t even started acting yet.

Either way, Duke Saboia stared intently at the magic formula.

“I will investigate more about this magic formula.”

I had heard about this magic formula before. It was the method used to handle the ledger… 

‘I may not know much about magic formulas, but I’ve heard about this one.’

At that moment, an urgent message from the emperor arrived and perched on Duke Saboia’s shoulder. 

He tried to ignore it nonchalantly, but upon reading the contents, he couldn’t help but react.

“Oh, I should go for a moment.”

Looking at the oddly cheerful Duke Saboia, Mung Mungi’s eyes widened sharply. 

Mung Mungi, who had an extraordinary vision of 5.0, could clearly see the writing on the note that had slipped out of Duke Saboia’s pocket.

[“Ishael did it again! Come to the palace right away!”]

Look at that old man. He responded to the summon with just one word. At this rate, he might even empty Ishael Sister’s purse!

* * *

The emperor was continuously amazed while receiving reports. 

“Something like that happened in the Ast Peninsula?”

While the emperor’s knights withdrew, there seemed to be a brief gap in the protection. 

They efficiently exploited that gap.

As the emperor read the report and chuckled, “Creating a mine with black magic, they’re truly remarkable people.”

Ishael also participated in today’s meeting.
He had a proud expression on his face, in contrast to his usual rough demeanor.

“Master, why such an expression?”

“I am just so proud.”

A question mark appeared on the emperor’s face.

Ishael’s actions to reclaim the territories of the province were indeed impressive. 

But why was he so proud of Ishael’s actions to the point of emphasizing it?

With a trembling expression, Duke Saboia smiled.

“Such things happen.”

He whispered with a feeling of heartfelt admiration building up within him.

“Ishael is truly amazing.”

He felt strangely uplifted. 

He was nothing compared to Ishael, and he couldn’t even become a patron. 

“Really, she is truly amazing.”

Emphasizing it twice.

The emperor watched the unusual Duke Saboia with curiosity. 

He tilted his head and asked, “Master.”

“Yes.”

“Are you doing well in finding the child?”

At that moment, Duke Saboia’s expression instantly relaxed. 

As if he had been waiting for this question all along.

“Yes, I believe we will find them soon.”

He gazed intently at the ledger in Ishael’s report.

A magic formula of the same format.

Somehow, a method to solve it similar to that one came to mind. 

* * *

After sending a messenger to the emperor and completing all the reports, Duke Saboia felt relieved.

The emperor explained briefly about the individuals to be dealt with. 

The Viscount Orleans, who dared to meddle in my territory, said he would hang himself. 

Fortunately, due to the Viscount Orleans’ wife’s tyranny, he had already lost all real power. 

In the end, the mastermind behind all this was concluded to be Viscount Orleans alone.

Dylan and I removed the appearance-changing magical tool provided by Claude and headed to the villa. 

Ishael’s appearance was restored, but everything wasn’t finished yet. 

There were still follow-up measures to take care of, like interpreting Ann and Hans’ ledgers…

“Duke Odette!”

The territory’s residents gathered in front of my villa!

I unexpectedly faced the residents of my territory pouring out tears head-on.

“What will happen to our money?”

“My lifelong savings…”

“Those damn scoundrels! They must have stolen the money behind our backs…”

I gazed at them directly.

Honestly, the money was blind. 

If I wanted, I could take all 20 billion gold coins without anyone knowing. 

20 billion gold coins. 

In my life as an ordinary commoner, it was an enormous amount of money that made my mouth water.

However, I didn’t hesitate to think, “This 20 billion is not all mine.” 

What was 20 billion for them? 

It was money made with the hard work, blood, sweat, and tears of people like me before the regression.

“You should know that there’s another mine in Odette Territory other than the Fjord Mine.”

They exchanged glances with each other. 

Perhaps they were already scammed once. 

They looked very distrustful.

“By the way, if I say it, I’ve already recovered around fifty percent of the 20 billion gold coins you invested.”

At my words, astonishment spread through their eyes.

“Duke Odette?”

“Is, is that true?”

I understood why they fell for the scam. 

They were too naive. 

But now, their innocence was quite beneficial to me.

With a broad grin, I said, “Yes. So, will you all listen to me now?”

Everyone’s gaze was fixed on me.

“After confirming the list of scammers, I will immediately return around fifty percent of the swindled money to the victims.”

In fact, I had considered returning the entire amount immediately. 

But after careful consideration, I changed my mind. 

People tend to spend money they easily obtain without much thought. 

Of course, it was money they had worked hard to save, but losing it and getting it back were different. 

This money should not become easily reimbursed funds for them. 

Otherwise, they might fall into another scam again.

As a lord, I had to address the fundamental issue of Odette Territory’s high unemployment rate, people’s vulnerability to scams due to their naivety, and work toward improving the core qualities of the territory.

“Ah, um. Then…”

“You have a question?”

“That is…”

“You must be curious about how I will return the remaining half.”

I chuckled while shaking the extra-dimensional pocket that contained the 20 billion gold coins.