Chapter 41
Chapter 41
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: Allowance and Eavesdroppers
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"I'm tired. Aiel, I'm so worn out."
Mayches hugged me and started whining the moment he got back.
It was always like this on days when he treated Bandaen and returned home. Did he not just catch the escaped Bandaen this time but actually treat him too?
I patted Mayches' shoulder. My eyes suddenly caught the window covered with cloth, and I burst out laughing.
I'd known Mayches was rich, so even hearing the details didn't faze me much.
His endless rants only made me think he had a bit more money than I'd imagined.
That said, I'd been a little worried that he'd veered into some original-story-transcending villain route, squeezing money out of not just his rich colleagues but ordinary folks too with his healing spells—without me even realizing.
Me of all people... doubting Mayches like that.
It must've been seeing those side characters brawling right in front of me that unconsciously stirred up my anxiety again.
This won't do. Trust is a key part of child-rearing.
I smiled, and Mayches asked in a low voice, his fatigue still evident.
"Why are you laughing...?"
"Your big bro's loaded, right?"
There's a mage out there who looks up to your capital as a role model.
"Yeah? I've told you that every time..."
Right, he had. But I'd figured it was partly bluffing.
Anyway, perfect timing. I patted his shoulder more gently than usual.
"Big bro, then..."
"Yeah."
"Can you give me some pocket money? I really need it for something."
Mayches released me from his hug and looked down at my face. His eyes were red around the edges, like he'd rubbed them from exhaustion several times.
"......"
Mayches stared blankly at me, then his eyes crinkled softly.
He reached for my cheeks but clenched his fists in midair instead. Suddenly, he flailed his fisted hands around helplessly. He even pulled a pen from his front pocket and snapped it with a crack. W-what's going on...?!
"Heh-heh. Heh-heh-heh. Aiel, how can you say something so cute with such a cute face?"
What? Beating around the bush? My uncle had always sneered similar things whenever I asked for problem book money.
No, no! Mayches isn't that obnoxious. Shaking off my doubts, I pressed on with trust.
"You gonna?"
Mayches pulled me into another tight hug.
He let out a deep, contented sigh, like someone finally sinking into a soft, cozy blanket.
His voice whispered in my ear.
"Who told you I have a lot of money?"
"Yeah. You made good medicine and sold it too. So impressive... so cool, big bro."
"Ah, so this is why I've been working day and night on Panraia..."
Mayches stroked my hair with practiced gentleness, careful not to hurt me.
"Pocket money? All the money I earned is yours, Aiel. Your big bro slaved away like an ox just to buy you tasty food and nice clothes."
Oh dear. And we have a finance minister right here. Talk about a teenage boy struck by sudden wealth and his economic sense.
"Then, instead of pocket money, can you do me a favor? Actually, it's something you can handle with your skills, not money."
"Yeah."
I clamped my mouth shut, then opened it again.
"First favor: fix that habit of answering without even listening..."
"Ahaha. Got it, I'll work on it."
"Oh... there must be a reason you all suddenly requested an audience, right?"
Bamper's smile looked chilling today.
The Orelot retainers, who had been stealthily eavesdropping on the next room from the second reception hall, froze like ice blocks.
It had been too thrilling—they'd missed the perfect moment to slip away!
They hadn't planned this from the start.
They'd just popped into the second reception hall for a quick peek: at the Friedelric Antier remade after seven years, the much-rumored countess's lady, and what the count who arrived in that fancy carriage might want...
They'd even plotted to dodge extra work from the grumpy crown prince.
Slip out before Bamper arrived, and if asked later, brush it off with, "We only came to check on Your Highness's well-being—nothing major."
But when they overheard Count Rudelriz whining to his little sister and crept right up to the reception hall door, their feet halted dead.
'Shall we stick around just a bit longer?'
They tacitly agreed.
Everyone's eyes lit up at this new side of Count Rudelriz, who hated people so much he'd have no rivals for second place.
"Why are you laughing...?"
"Your big bro's loaded, right?"
"Yeah? I've told you that every time..."
"Big bro, then..."
"Yeah."
"Can you give me some pocket money? I really need it for something."
A breathless silence built the audience's anticipation.
"Heh-heh. Heh-heh-heh."
The moment Count Rudelriz let out that absurd laugh, the audience exploded.
Body language flooded the room as they signaled: Did you hear that? I did.
"My point exactly." "They're close— that's not the point right now." "Didn't you hear that laugh?" Silent pantomimes heated up the second reception hall.
Especially at "All the money I earned is yours, Aiel"—the capitalist mage nearly gave a standing ovation.
So much for the plan. Dodging the crown prince's icy smile? Failed.
"If you keep this up, how can I face Count Rudelriz?"
The subordinates trembled and slunk behind their superior. Isn't cleaning up messes your job as the boss?
For once, the bosses didn't bail and stepped forward. With resigned expressions, they bowed politely before Bamper.
Years as Orelot retainers had taught them: front or back, it made no difference.
The crown prince's iron rod didn't scold or yell.
"You must value work-life balance too. As servants of Orelot's people, you yourselves are precious citizens of this land. Thus, the imperial family has strived to accommodate you."
"We are deeply grateful—"
"But seeing this negligence, it seems my judgment was off."
"No, it's not—"
"You lot."
The imperial blood, with his verdant green eyes, smiled thinly.
"Got time on your hands?"
Minutes later, dazed-eyed figures poured out of the second reception hall.
"How many?"
"Fourteen."
"Then... how many all-nighters?"
"We'll know once we start tonight."
They'd been ordered to submit planning reports on their specialties for fourteen policies: bolstering local security, resolving geographic social production imbalances, strengthening magical water quality devices, equitable talent recruitment opportunities, and more.
Classic crown prince punishment—tailored just right, leaving no room for complaints.
In the first reception hall, Aiel, playing with Mayches, muttered, "That's weird. I keep hearing Bamper's voice."
Mayches chuckled and nodded. "Our Aiel has good ears too."
"Because Bamper's right next door."
"Huh?"
Mayches strode to the window, yanked off the cloth, and flung it open.
"All done?"
"Oh, yeah. Sorry about that, Mayches. I should've been more careful so you wouldn't feel uncomfortable."
Aiel greeted Bamper through the window. He returned it with an apology.
"Sorry to you too. Inviting you and then neglecting you like this."
"No, I had fun."
"Let's tour the palace together from now on. I'll give you a proper guide this time."
Aiel met Mayches' eyes and grinned.
"Can we postpone the sightseeing? I have stuff to do at home."
"Oh......"
Bamper leaned casually on the windowsill, hiding his disappointment with a smile for the siblings.
"Sure. Let me know a good date, and I'll send new invitations."
Days later, a reply came swiftly from Yan.
[What's this money?]
Mayches had sent small sums to each of his friends.
He smirked and scribbled on the magic parchment linked to Yan.
[Aiel somehow found out the cost of teleport circles powered by magic stones.]
[What are you talking about?]
[You've been teleporting to our house all the time, so she felt bad for not thinking of it sooner and, playing rich guy, said to send you cab fare. Isn't she the cutest?]
[What are you even saying?]
[Come to our house tomorrow.]
A reply from Calipan too.
[Bro, did someone raid your vault? Money just showed up in my mailbox.]
[Proof I'm a reliable, cool big bro to Aiel.]
[Is this payoff for listening to your nonsense?]
[Tomorrow at our hou]
"Ha."
Mayches sighed mid-reply and set down his pen.
Explaining one by one would take forever.
He scribbled a magic formula on a stray blank paper and solved it. His ash-gray eyes darkened briefly.
Bzzz— Five parchments linked as one. Mayches pulled one in front of him. Before his friends could flood the chat, he cut to the chase. [Everyone, come to our house tomorrow.]