Before that, I need to go buy food for Heugyeomryong today.
Heugyeomryong’s food was Seongryeokseok, and I could only acquire it if I went to see Grandpa.
“Alan!”
“Yeah?!”
The moment Bunny called, Alan abandoned his divine beast and came running over in a flurry.
“I’m goin’ to see Grandpa. You comin’, Alan?”
“Ah….”
At Bunny’s suggestion, Alan’s bright expression dimmed. He scratched his cheek, let out an awkward laugh, and slowly shook his head.
“The Duke doesn’t really like me much. I want to go with you, but….”
Alan licked his lips, looking regretful, and took a step back.
“Sorry, but you go by yourself.”
Bunny tilted her head.
“Grandpa doesn’t hate you, Alan.”
“…No. He hates me. I’m a beast….”
Muttering, Alan flinched. He avoided Bunny’s gaze, bit his lip, and waved his hand with a forced smile.
“Anyway, hurry and get back! If you return before snack time, I’ll give you my chocolate cookie, Bunny.”
“Gasp. Un! I’ll be back soon!!”
“Gasp, are you going somewhere? I shall escort you, Lady Bunny.”
Belial, who had appeared out of nowhere, scooped Bunny into his arms. Bunny stomped her feet and waved her hands vigorously at Alan.
Watching Bunny move away, Alan clenched his fists tightly.
*Tomorrow is already… the full moon.*
The day I become a beast.
The day I can’t even pretend to be human. The day I have to hole up somewhere out of sight was approaching.
***
“No, that’s not it! Your Excellency, this product has real investment value! Look—the long-term return rate is solid, and it’s a new product from a firm with a proven track record. We absolutely must back this one.”
“Hah, who would invest in that? It’s ridiculous! Look here instead. This clothing business has already been verified abroad. Since we’re only making slight variations, it’s far more stable.”
“You scammer! That’s a company from the freezing northern tip! Where on earth are you comparing a land of perpetual snow to our mild Empire?!”
High-pitched shouting echoed through the room as documents were tossed in chaos. A chilling aura radiated from Ludbreed Yudia.
“Did you all collectively grow holes in your heads? We haven’t held a meeting in ages, and these crazy bastards are acting like total….”
“Your Excellency, please mind your word choice. This is an official setting.”
At Pel’s calm interjection from behind, the corner of Ludbreed’s lip twitched.
The Judia Dukedom. An honest, innocent, impeccable family; a lineage straighter than any other. A household without a single bit of crookedness. As the saying goes, the people of the Judia Dukedom are noble, elegant, and refined.
Ludbreed glared at the gathering, then scoffed.
“Fine. Will you spend a month stuck in the temple’s prayer room, or should I bury you in the ground myself? Choose. I’m being kind enough to give you an option.”
His words were cool, soft, and carried a lethal threat. The men who had been tapping the table and bickering fell silent, scrambled to pick up their scattered documents, and sat back in their seats.
“We apologize.”
“Ahem. Anyway, since so many business proposals requesting investment have arrived… shouldn’t the Judia Dukedom provide support in some way….”
“Yes, that is correct. ‘Business support’ is something the Judia Dukedom has consistently maintained for a long time.”
Ludbreed remained silent. Pel quietly poured a glass of cold water and placed it on the table.
“The previous generation started this business to give opportunities to talented young people, you brainless idiots. Do you think my eyes are just decorative holes?”
He knew full well they had only brought forward business establishments associated with themselves. Ludbreed murmured in a low voice and let out a long, weary sigh. As the collateral family grew and their own situations became precarious, the problem was that these people had lost all sense of shame.
*I should cut them all off soon.*
Since it was true that they had consistently supported businesses, he had to examine these.
It was then.
*Knock, knock.*
At the sound, Ludbreed lifted his head. *Now, even bastards have the audacity to knock on a door marked ‘Meeting in Progress.’* He suppressed his irritation and spoke.
“I’m in the middle of a meeting. Who is it at this hour?”
“I will check and report back.”
Pel opened the door cautiously, his waist slightly bent, and his eyes widened.
“Your Excellency.”
“And what is it this time?”
“Lady Bunny has arrived. How shall I proceed?”
Ludbreed’s distorted face relaxed instantly, a faint smile ghosting his lips. He cleared his throat once.
“What business does that little one have again? Has she run out of Seongryeokseok?”
“Yes, it seems that is likely the case.”
Ludbreed waved his hand lightly. “Tell her to come in. The meeting is almost over; we just need to select the companies.”
The attendees looked at each other in shock, given the meeting had only just begun.
“Yes, I understand. My Lady, you may come in.”
“Okayyy.”
The door swung wide, and every gaze fixed on Bunny, who wore a black rabbit backpack. Bunny took a deep breath, rolled her eyes, and upon spotting Ludbreed, she beamed.
“Grandpa!!”
“What are you going to do if you fall, running like that again?”
“Bunny missed you so much, Grandpa!!”
Bunny clung tightly to Ludbreed’s leg.
*Today is the act-cute-act-cute strategy again.*
I managed to melt Daddy into a puddle, but Grandpa isn’t quite a puddle yet. The fact that Bunny was paying for Seongryeokseok was proof of that. Bunny wasn’t a pathetic Demon King who would tremble over a mere 15 or 20 Lostro, but her goal was to melt him and get the stones for free.
*Pfft.*
A deep smile appeared on Ludbreed’s lips. He never thought there would be a being whose mere sight was so adorable. Realizing he was in a meeting room, he quickly composed his expression.
“Ahem.”
Ludbreed gave a low cough, lifted Bunny up, and sat her on his lap.
“I am in the middle of a meeting, so can you wait quietly? Bunny.”
“Okayyy.”
“Pel, go get her some cookies.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Ludbreed scanned the documents. He planned to select companies not associated with the collateral families and be done with it.
“Th-then, would it be possible for you to decide, my Lady? Your Excellency, Duke.”
“…What are you saying now? If you talk nonsense in front of a child, don’t expect to finish with just one month in the prayer room.”
“No, My Lady possesses… a very mysterious power, doesn’t she? You predicted the strange illness incident previously, too……. Perhaps with that mysterious power, you might be able to sense which business will do well in the future!”
At the retainers’ insistence, Ludbreed’s eyes narrowed. Bunny tilted her head as she crunched on a cookie.
“Ahem, Bunny.”
“Yeah?”
“I’m thinking of investing money in the business you think is best here. Would you like to pick which one will do the best?”
As Ludbreed asked casually, having lost all interest in the proposals, Bunny’s eyes lit up.
*Is this a test?!*
If Bunny is helpful, will Grandpa melt into a puddle? Will I get Seongryeokseok for free?
*Bunny can buy lots of chocolate.*
She had been working hard to save money for a limited-edition chocolate selling ten days from now—the most important day for her!
*Bunny will buy that.*
Bunny clenched her fists and nodded with sparkling eyes.
“Yeah!”