Chapter 280: Waaah! I'm Baby Nepmi! (1)[R-18]
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 280: Waaah! I'm Baby Nepmi! (1)[R-18]
Laplace's Imperial Quarters.
“Okay. I perfectly understand.”
In truth, Evelyn didn't understand at all.
No matter how deep her trust in Ian was, how was she supposed to believe this?
“So, what you're saying is that Elfriede was actually the contractor for the Spirit King of Fire, and you, Ian, despite being a mage, contracted with the Spirit Kings of Water and Wind... and that thing over there is that thing from the salon basement?”
Evelyn, resting her chin on her hand, spoke while staring at Hayangi, who was sitting on Ian’s lap.
“That’s right. But instead of calling her ‘that’ or ‘it,’ if you could use her name...”
“Mmm!! Ian~ I’m all done! Feed me more~ Feed meee~”
Hayangi wrapped her arms around Ian’s neck and shook her body, pestering him.
“Alright, Hayangi. Open wide, here comes a strawberry.”
“Yay!! Hehe! Ahhh~ Mmm! It’s yummy!”
Seeing Hayangi beaming with joy, Evelyn let out a deep sigh.
“Haaa... No, is her name really what’s important right now... Phew... Fine. But, she... Anemone is...”
“Anemone! No! Forbidden! I’m Hayangi!”
The moment Evelyn called her Anemone, Hayangi shrieked.
“...Fine, Hayangi. Sigh... Ian, why did her intelligence suddenly drop like this?”
In Ian’s explanation, hadn't they held a perfectly normal conversation?
“I’m not entirely sure myself. She was definitely fine back then... but when she woke up again, she was in this state.”
“Hehe... Strawberries are yummy!”
Since she still remembered things related to Ian, it was hard to call her a complete blank slate.
But for everything else, while it was hard to pin down an exact age, she didn't seem to exceed the level of a young child.
“Well, we have too few samples of Metamorphosis to be certain, but...”
Swish—
This time, Elfriede looked at Hayangi with her arms crossed.
“Didn't I say that during Metamorphosis, the body is reconstructed based on the Soul Form? But Hayangi’s Soul Form was twisted several times even during the process... Perhaps there were side effects during that stage?”
“Then why does she remember Ian?”
“Well, even while her Soul Form was changing, she probably kept Senior tucked away in the deepest part of her heart.”
Evelyn pouted at Elfriede’s answer.
It wasn't a particularly pleasing explanation.
“...Then, does Hayangi have to live like that for the rest of her life?”
“No. I did a quick test because I was worried about that too... Her memories are gone, but her intelligence hasn't actually dropped. In fact, her raw intellect is quite high. If we teach her for a few months, she’ll be able to live a normal life.”
“....”
It was a relief that she wouldn't be like this forever, but the conclusion for now was that she was essentially no different from a child.
“Elf-pwee!! Me!! Give me a cherry!! Hurry!!”
Well, just looking at her, one could have guessed that even before Elfriede said anything...
Squish—! Squish—! Press—! Press—!
“....”
“....”
“....”
“....”
Contrary to her childlike words and actions, Hayangi’s behavior—unhesitatingly pressing her mature, beautiful appearance and well-ripened body against Ian—made the other women feel very uncomfortable.
Every group has its unspoken rules.
Of course, Ian’s harem was no different.
A minimum line that everyone followed, even if no one spoke it aloud: let’s pick the right time and place for being lovey-dovey.
However, Hayangi was using her lowered mental age as a weapon to smash that rule to pieces.
Evelyn sighed once more and shook her head.
Since she couldn't exactly tear Hayangi away right now, she decided to deal with it later. There was something she needed to settle while they were all gathered like this.
Tap— tap—
“I have something to say to everyone.”
Evelyn spoke, tapping the table to draw their attention.
“Before I say it, I first need to explain how I persuaded the Yellow Pansy family to move the 100-Man Council.”
“Hmph, finally telling us the real method. You said you moved them through blood ties... but no matter the bloodline, there’s no way the Yellow Pansy family would move so easily at the request of someone from a mere branch family.”
As Helen replied while brushing back her hair, Evelyn nodded.
“Right. Blood ties alone weren't enough, so one more condition was needed.”
“...Why don't you stop stalling and just say it? What is it?”
“I sold myself... to the position of the Yellow Pansy Family Head.”
Thud—
“...What?”
Ian dropped the cherry he was about to feed Hayangi.
“...Evelyn?”
Estelle also looked at Evelyn with a stiff expression.
“...The current head of the Yellow Pansy family was definitely Alet Yellow Pansy. Don't tell me, Evelyn, you... to Alet...”
Bang—!!
“Fuck, what the hell are you saying?! You think I’d do something like that? Stop talking out of your ass! I didn't sell myself to the Family Head, I sold myself to the position of Family Head!!”
“...Hic!!”
At the sudden outburst, Hayangi whimpered and burrowed into Ian’s arms.
“Hey! If it’s not true, just say it’s not! Why are you screaming in front of the kid!! There, there~ Our Harin... no, Hayangi is a good girl, right? Don't cry. A-Ah... what did I even do! Why are you crying harder?!”
“Now, now, Lady Helen. I’ll take Hayangi over there for a moment.”
Swish—
Only after Yuris took Hayangi and stepped back did Evelyn continue.
“...Geez, it’s because you were saying such weird things... And Helen, the head of the Yellow Pansy family isn't Alet. It’s my great-great-grandmother, Elena Yellow Pansy.”
“...What does that... Ah...!”
“...I see... so that’s how it was... That explains what happened back then.”
Laplace and Helen seemed to have realized something at Evelyn’s words.
“Excuse me~ Could we get an explanation instead of you guys just talking amongst yourselves?”
At Elfriede’s request, Laplace spoke up.
“The Yellow Pansy family has kept its distance from the Empire for a long time... but that tendency worsened after Alet Yellow Pansy completely vanished from public life for health reasons, and Elena Yellow Pansy appeared in his stead.”
“In our Red Rose family, we interpreted that as the Yellow Pansy family preparing for independence... but it seems we were wrong. If it wasn't independence... there’s only one reason.”
“...Yeah, Lord Alet passed away. It was an accidental death. Following my grandmother’s wishes, the funeral was held in secret among relatives.”
Click—
The puzzle pieces clicked together in Helen’s mind.
Because she naturally assumed Alet was the Family Head, she had undervalued Evelyn’s importance in the Empire’s power structure...
But if Alet died without leaving an heir, the situation changed completely.
—Right now, there are only two people in this world who carry the blood of the Yellow Pansy family.
“The ones who can become the head of the Yellow Pansy family are... Lady Audrey Marigold... and you.”
“Right. In exchange for passing the Imperial amendment through the 100-Man Council, I agreed to become the Yellow Pansy Family Head. Actually, though it hasn't been announced, my surname has already changed from Marigold to Yellow Pansy.”
At Evelyn’s calm tone, Helen let out a hollow laugh.
“...No, what on earth... I told you to go do some persuading, and you suddenly became the head of one of the Three Primary Colors Families? And you didn't say anything until now?”
“Things were urgent back then... and I didn't have the confidence to explain it. But I’m telling you now before I leave.”
“So... Evelyn... when are you leaving?”
“...Next week.”
“What?”
“That’s how it turned out. Even if it wasn't for this incident, it was something I had to wrap up eventually. Don't worry too much about it.”
Evelyn said, hiding her bitterness.
If possible, she wanted to graduate from the Sacred Academy before going down...
‘They said the successor training would take at least two years.’
Given Ian’s personality, he would likely marry everyone together after Elfriede graduated...
To make it in time for the wedding date, she had to leave immediately.
“And if it’s an exchange between me and the Yellow Pansy Family Head... it feels like I lost out a bit, but it’s not a bad deal, right?”
“It’s absurd that you’d evaluate one of the Three Primary Colors Families in such a way... But... if you leave, who will succeed the Marigold family?”
“Who else? Ian. Ian will be the Marigold head for now, and I’ll take over the Yellow Pansy... later, when we have kids, we can just split the positions between them.”
She planned to have at least five children anyway.
What was that about the Yellow Pansy bloodline always having only one child, with Grandmother Elena being the only exception?
‘...That’s just because they didn't do it with Ian. If it’s with Ian, I can even have five.’
No, what do you mean five?
If they didn't use proper contraception, they might end up with more than ten.
“Anyway, here’s the main point.”
Thwip—
Evelyn held up three fingers.
“Three months.”
“What? What about three months?”
“Send Ian to me for three months every year.”
“...What does that mean, Evelyn?”
Estelle asked, her voice dropping sharply in temperature.
“Is there a problem? It’s only about a quarter of the year. I won’t even be able to see Ian’s face for a while, but you guys will be together every day. You should obviously compromise this much.”
“Ha, you can just come up here, can't you?”
Helen snapped back.
“No, do you think it makes sense to send Senior away for three months? You’re just one person, but how many people do you think are here?”
“Hmph, then you guys can go a long time without seeing Ian’s face too.”
“...Evelyn, isn't that your own problem? Do we really need to care about that?”
“Wow, as expected of the Second Princess. ...Those words are truly profound. You hit the nail right on the head.”
“...She’s not wrong.”
Murmur, murmur—
As the voices grew louder, I clenched my fists.
‘...Is it time?’
If one creates a harem, one must take responsibility for it.
Evelyn becoming the head of the Yellow Pansy family was quite a shock, but for now, calming them down was the priority.
“Now, everyone, just a moment... let’s calm down a bit.”
“You stay out of this.”
“Don't you butt in!”
“Ian, wait.”
“Senior, be quiet for a second.”
“...Yes, ma'am.”
Swish—
Even though they were fighting each other, they united in an instant to kick me out of the conversation.
“Whaaat?? No, what do you mean two weeks!! Two weeks is way too short. Let’s make it three months.”
“...One month. That’s double, Evelyn.”
“Three months.”
“...One month and one week.”
“Estelle! Do you know how far it is from here to the Yellow Pansy territory? With that much time, I’d literally just see his face and have to leave immediately. Isn't that too much? Weren't we friends?”
“Ha! ...I think I’ve already compromised a lot. If you really don't like it, let’s put it to a vote.”
“A vote?? Don't give me that 'vote' crap!! Helen, with that bright red hair of yours, I knew you were a total democratic commie! If you’re a citizen of the Empire, act like one and go by power, not a vote! Now, let’s see. A Second Princess with a 0% chance of succession, the Black Dahlia head, and Elvenheim’s worst criminal? On the other hand, who am I? The head of the Yellow Pansy family, one of the Three Primary Colors! Evelyn wins.”
“Why are you skipping over me? This rose brooch proves that I am the successor of the Red Rose...”
“It’s not officially confirmed yet~ Mine is!”
“Ah, enough!! Why are you guys just talking when you have perfectly good fists? Let’s just settle this with a fight. Follow me to the roof. The winner gets to decide.”
“...How truly barbaric.”
Clatter, bang!
A meeting regarding Ian’s ownership was taking place without Ian.
“Yuris big sister is pretty!”
“Fufu! Hayangi is pretty too!”
“Ian! Come here!”
Hayangi patted the seat next to her and called me.
It was a mess of a hierarchy where she called Yuris, who was younger than me, "big sister" while calling me by my name, but she was cute, so it didn't matter.
Plop—
“Yuris, don't you need to join them?”
I asked, sitting between Hayangi and Yuris.
Human psychology is strange.
While I hoped they wouldn't fight over me, I felt a little slighted that Yuris didn't join the fray.
“...Hmm. I don't really mind. I’ll be with you while you’re here, Master, and when you go to the Yellow Pansy territory, I’ll just follow you!”
Yuris replied with a bright smile.
Unlike the women fighting over there... or Chloe, who had become an associate professor at the Academy, or Poporing, who was bound by a slave contract of 6 hours a day, 4 days a week, Yuris was freer than anyone.
Of course, the status of ‘Next Saintess Candidate’ existed...
But Yuris was ready to throw that away at any moment if it hindered her from meeting Ian.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
“—Princess Laplace!”
At the sound of someone pounding violently on the door, Laplace frowned.
Creeak—
“...What is it? I specifically said not to disturb...”
“M-My apologies. But there is urgent news to report.”
“...Sigh, I understand. Report.”
A moment later, after receiving the report, Laplace returned with a stiff face and spoke.
Step, step—
“Evelyn, I have good news and bad news.”
“...What is it all of a sudden, Princess?”
“The good news is that you don't have to leave for the Yellow Pansy territory.”
“No, what are you talking about... That’s already been decided. If I say I’m not going now, do you know what kind of trouble—”
“And now for the bad news.”
Ignoring Evelyn’s protest, Laplace pulled a photograph from her robe and threw it onto the table.
“...Not just the Yellow Pansy family, but the Empire itself might disappear.”
*
“...O Goddess Ellis.”
An Imperial soldier muttered at the sight unfolding before his eyes.
Thump—! Thump—! Thump—!
Beyond the horizon, an uncountable Army of the Dead was approaching.
And standing in the center was the Special-Class Subjugation Target and Fallen Saintess.
Laura Lavandula spoke in an enchanting voice.
“...The time has come.”
