Chapter 50
Chapter 50
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: Any Last Words?
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After that, I kept raising my paddle nonstop. I bought lucky charms for the Captain and little gifts that my maid sisters would like, one by one. For example...
“Magic elbow pads.”
“Number one!”
These were magic elbow pads that could protect their joints during intense workouts. Honestly, you could buy these anywhere else, but I wanted to give each of my sisters a gift, so this was the perfect chance!
Dedri sister was grinning from ear to ear, but Bench sister looked a bit worried. She even grabbed my hand and paddle tightly, asking with a concerned face.
“Wh-where on earth is all this money coming from... Did you get a huge allowance?”
Only then did Dedri sister seem to catch on, her mouth falling open in shock before snapping shut.
“...S-so, you’re planning to take it from Sir Matthias’s vault?”
I shook my head firmly.
No. I had never intended to touch stupid Dad’s money in the first place.
‘As if. My dad’s definitely broke.’
Even if he had inherited something, a potato farmer’s wealth wouldn’t amount to much compared to the other promising heirs in the family. Still...
‘If we dig up gold bars from the ground, we can pay then!’
But I couldn’t exactly say that to her here.
“There’s a way.”
Bench sister still looked worried at my smug expression, but Dedri sister was different.
“As expected of our Baby Master.”
After that, I fully enjoyed the perks of being number one.
Men behind me were whispering and buzzing like they thought I was an idiot, but in the future, I’d be the winner anyway.
***
While Sien was diligently scraping together her slush fund and shopping for magic tools for her friends...
Matthias, who had headed to the Mercy region in search of Axel, wasn’t idle either.
That very night, he arrived in the Mercy region where Axel Mirmod was staying. Of course, via a complex teleportation spell. Unlike others, it didn’t take him long.
No one could guess what powers he possessed since his wife’s death. At the very least, unlike others who collapsed from exhaustion and needed a full day’s rest after using teleportation magic, it was a breeze for Matthias.
And so, he arrived at the castle in the Mercy region with a few close aides.
‘Surprisingly, there are both beastkin brats and humans here.’
It wasn’t like Axel Mirmod to let people live like this.
‘Must be that sorceress’s influence.’
Matthias smirked and brushed back his hair.
“Axel’s defending that castle ahead while massacring the surroundings, right?”
“Yes. He’s got some sorceress inside with him, listening to her words. The worry is how to extract her.”
Even for Matthias Mirmod, he had lost much of his power after going berserk in the Gudo demon incident.
His sealed powers were gradually unsealing, but there were still limits.
Plus, Axel Mirmod would go all out against him.
‘He must have heard I’m back.’
He stroked his chin, lost in thought. Sneaking into that sturdy fortress alone wouldn’t be easy.
What to do.
“Better to just extract that one gypsy woman.”
“It’ll be risky, but we’ll do it.”
“If it’s too hard for you, I’ll handle it.”
The gypsy sorceress woman with Axel Mirmod was probably his weakness.
And they planned to rip that weakness away.
They expected infiltration to be tough. They were prepared for some bloodshed.
But as they approached the castle walls, a woman who looked over forty had already slipped through the tight security and come out.
He’d already received intel that the gypsy had somnambulism and wandered in and out.
Matthias deftly gestured to the aide beside him.
“Lure the knights away somewhere else.”
“How many minutes do you need?”
At the aide’s serious question, he replied without hesitation.
“Ten minutes is plenty.”
There were plenty of knights near the gypsy. Probably Axel Mirmod’s precaution against attacks. But luring them away was something even his aide could handle, no need for Matthias himself.
Axel Mirmod present here was the real danger.
After entrusting the knights to his aide, Matthias strolled leisurely.
The aide easily shook off the knights. Seeing that, Matthias approached the gypsy woman wandering pitifully near the fortress.
“Time to wake up.”
At his dry greeting, the gypsy woman responded without a hint of surprise.
“The stars were dark tonight... So the villain has come.”
Even calling him a villain, the gypsy showed no panic or fear.
She trembled faintly, but that was it. Somnambulism, they said, but she didn’t seem to be dreaming.
Staring down at her, Matthias asked businesslike.
“Were you waiting?”
“You could say that... I suppose we’ll see.”
Her attitude was nonchalant, as if she’d anticipated his arrival. Matthias smirked in reply.
“Looks like you knew I was coming.”
“I read the shadows of the stars in the sky and guessed we’d have a visitor.”
“Then you know who I am?”
“...No clue.”
Matthias tilted his head crookedly and spoke.
Now was the time to play his gamble.
That nagging, irritating kid Sien had brought, the one called ‘Captain.’
And from investigating the kid.
“Your son, Carol.”
...A powerful hunch had struck him that the boy was this gypsy woman’s son.
His hunches had never been wrong once.
This time was no different.
The gypsy’s serene face twisted in that instant.
Matthias chuckled softly as he gazed at the gypsy.
His guess was right.
The little kid Sien called ‘Captain’ and brought along was this woman’s son.
Sien called him Captain, but he had a proper name.
Carol, a lively gypsy name.
“...What have you done with that child?”
Her gaze shook. Unlike someone who had ruthlessly severed ties with her son until now. Matthias looked down at the gypsy woman crookedly and said.
“Your son is under my protection.”
Precisely, under his daughter Sien’s, but.
At those words, the gypsy sorceress murmured quietly.
“You want something from me.”
“Betray Axel Mirmod and join my side.”
The gypsy lowered her eyes at Matthias’s blunt words.
“Do you know why I abandoned my child and came here?”
It was a non sequitur.
Matthias stared at her.
“I had a precognitive dream. The people of the Mercy region will die without me. I must stand by Axel’s side to save them. Even if...”
“...Even if it means your son dies.”
“...”
She couldn’t continue. Matthias sneered cynically, like the villain he was.
“Now I get it. You’re by Axel’s side to minimize casualties. Mixing half-truths into your spells and prophecies.”
“...Yes.”
Matthias smiled at the gypsy.
“I plan to send Axel Mirmod to the demon realm.”
“...The demon realm?”
It was a thoroughly demonic idea.
Only someone like...
“If Axel vanishes from this land forever, doesn’t that fulfill your dream? Seems like we could be allies.”
Of course, it was true.
But sending a living person to the demon realm...
Even if Axel Mirmod was a mountain of atrocities who’d killed countless.
The gypsy’s shocked face hardened.
And in that moment, a flash of realization streaked through her mind.
“The only one who could do that... Might I know your name...?”
Matthias brushed back his hair and whispered coldly.
“Matthias Mirmod.”
The gypsy knew that name.
The one who’d contracted with a demon but killed even the demon when it tried to bind him.
Once even disowned by the ruthless Mirmod family.
The notorious villain who killed the judge during his trial and walked out.
That Matthias Mirmod was speaking before her eyes.
“Join my side.”
“...”
“I’ll help make sure no more innocent lives are lost, just as you want. Your son too. So, ready to make a deal now?”
The gypsy’s eyes widened.
That... wasn’t a proposal Matthias Mirmod would make. She’d expected a threat to her life, like Axel.
But he was giving her a choice.
As if truly negotiating.
Facing Matthias, the gypsy spoke in a trembling voice.
“...You seem different from the rumors about Sir Matthias Mirmod.”
“Is that so.”
“Something must have happened.”
Something, huh.
Yeah, there was one thing.
He was different from before.
Now, in his heart, there was a tiny baby bringing warmth—a soft, pink ball of yarn-like child.
A lovable baby squirming into his arms.
Thinking of his dear Sien, Matthias’s lips softened unknowingly.
His face was always cold, so this gentle expression slipped out without him realizing.
The gypsy, watching closely, looked perplexed at how kind it was.
But Matthias’s expression quickly turned icy as frost.
“Is that the important part?”
“...It was, but I think I’ve heard your answer.”
From just his expression, the gypsy had noticed. That he’d changed.
Matthias didn’t point out her perceptive sloppiness, even as he looked at her.
Better to ask her decision directly. More efficient.
“So, what’s your conclusion.”
The gypsy blinked.
Matthias, gazing down at her quietly, lifted one corner of his mouth.
“...You know, ever since you saved my son... maybe then. In a future full of despair, I started seeing glimmers of hope sometimes.”
She nodded lightly, humming as she said.
“I’ll join your side.”
“Good.”
“Spies... The prophets couldn’t see my fate, but I never thought I’d become a spy.”
Her face held a hint of wistful regret.
Gazing at the gypsy, Matthias replied curtly.
“You have a mission, so you’ll do well.”
Her mission was to save people—and her child.
Matthias didn’t believe in propaganda like ‘the good triumph.’
He didn’t know how much she could handle against Axel Mirmod.
But what he knew for sure was that the more desperate one wins.
In that sense, her desperation seemed clear. Though she herself seemed to lack confidence.
Matthias whispered simply to her.
“Finish the mission, and I’ll extract you without a scratch.”
His promises had never been broken.
The gypsy didn’t know that, but she chuckled lowly at his trustworthy tone.
“That’s a happy story.”
“Wait for it. I’ll send your orders soon.”
As he turned to leave, he furrowed his brow slightly.
A final consideration for an aide heading into danger.
“Finally, anything you want to say to your son?”
“...Just.”
Her expression, which had been like sleepwalking until now, changed in that instant.