Chapter 131
Chapter 131
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 131
Chapter Title: Unexpected Makeovers
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Chapter 131
Charlotte spun around sharply.
In that instant, she quickly stashed away the cosmetics. She dumped them into a basket and threw a cloth over it.
"Why were you so late?"
"Sis has her own stuff to do, you know. Were you bored without me?"
"Nope. I wasn't bored playing with Uncle here."
"Oh? Guess Uncle kept you entertained then."
Guchi twitched his mouth under the stares of the two girls. They looked nothing alike, but their eyes were identical. They were the eyes of cats who had spotted a mouse.
"Now that Inebil's here, Uncle can head out."
As he tried to brush himself off and stand, Charlotte rushed over and grabbed the hem of his pants.
"It's not over yet."
"Do it to her."
He pointed at Inebil with his finger. Handing his face over to the kid was as grueling as chasing after a beast with a keen nose.
Hunting at least yielded byproducts after the toil, but all he'd gotten from being at Charlotte's mercy was a ruined face.
"It's almost done, so hang in there a bit longer. Can't you handle this when you're a grown-up?"
"You're the one who only brings up being a grown-up at times like this. And even adults have things that are tough no matter the age."
"I'll make sure it's not tough for you."
Her tiny hand tugged him down to sit, and if he bolted now, he'd probably get a full-blown crying fit or a scolding from "that one."
In the end, he planted his butt on the floor.
"Charlotte. The cosmetics are over there."
Inebil pointed at the basket. Unnecessary kindness.
Guchi glared at Inebil, furrowing his brow. She winked at him as if to say anyone but me was fine.
"Charlotte."
"Yeah?"
"Sis says she wants you to do her makeup too. Her face has been looking dry lately, so she needs your help."
He couldn't go down alone. Guchi even mentioned the researchers beyond the glass wall. It'd be good if they joined in too.
"Should I?"
"Do them like you did Uncle. They're all waiting because they want it so bad."
"Then I guess I have to."
He sent out the pint-sized devil bundled up in good intentions.
The quick-witted researchers scattered, but Belluna, as the person in charge, got caught by Charlotte.
Belluna, who had entered the room, said,
"Thanks, Guchi. For letting me have this nice experience."
"There's a saying that good things are meant to be shared. It's from some ancient sage, so don't take it the wrong way."
For the next hour, he sat ramrod straight. Charlotte finally stepped back after bustling about and said,
"You could head to the ball right now. Maybe I have a talent for this."
Charlotte, grinning in satisfaction, let out a big yawn. Guchi caught her before she toppled and laid her on the bed.
"You did great."
He said to Inebil and Belluna.
Both their faces were a sight. As dazzling as the streets of the Holy City in full festival swing.
"And whose fault is it that I had to go through this? Guchi, is this really how you treat people?"
Belluna said, checking her face in the glass wall. A short sigh followed.
"It's a cheap price for spectating someone else's misery."
"It wasn't spectating. It was watching over Charlotte, which is my job. You know that full well."
"You were grinning way too brightly for someone on duty. Figured you wanted in, so I called you over."
"Didn't peg you for the malicious type."
"Anyone tormented by weird researchers ends up with personality issues."
"You're one of the good ones, honestly."
"Someone once said the early signs of mental illness are self-praise."
Belluna pursed her lips.
Guchi glanced at the sleeping Charlotte. To think this little kid held the power to turn the Holy City upside down.
When he thought about the messes that caused, he felt sorry for her.
"This'll wash off with water, right?"
Belluna asked.
"You can't wash it off."
Inebil said as she pulled the blanket over Charlotte.
"She'll cry if you do. She'll bawl for ages and then demand to do it again. I know from experience. So leave it be for today."
"You want me walking around like this? My rep as lead researcher is gonna hit rock bottom."
"Can you handle Charlotte crying?"
Inebil said with a smile. Belluna shook her head vigorously. Along with a vow not to touch her face.
"Let's eat. She might wake up midway, so we'll do it in the other room."
He went to the opposite room with Belluna. Simple food had been prepared.
Guchi popped a boiled egg in his mouth while watching Charlotte. She fidgeted a few times before settling down again.
"She's improved a lot. She was emotionally unstable before you two arrived. No matter how mature she seems, a kid's a kid. Lander being around helped some."
Belluna spoke up.
"She seemed attached to Lander."
Guchi asked, spreading butter on his bread.
"Looks like he gives her a sense of security. You know how she knows Lander's the one who can restrain her."
"Haven't seen Lander around these past few days."
Inebil said.
"He seemed busy. Running around with the Special Inspector General, from what I hear. No idea what it's about, though. Speaking of which, what kind of guy is Lander exactly?"
Belluna looked at Inebil, who then turned to Guchi.
Two intense pairs of eyes demanding answers. He played dumb and stuffed bread in his mouth.
"When we first got here, Lander was by His Majesty's side. He's also buddies with Captain Kalligo. A guy like that should be famous in political circles, but I've never heard the name Lander before."
Belluna tilted her head.
"I don't care much about his status, but I'm still curious. You know something, right, Uncle?"
Inebil joined in. Guchi pushed his plate toward them.
"Don't waste time on nonsense. Just eat."
"His Majesty's half-brother? They look about the same age. Or maybe the secret Think Tank manager even we haven't pinned down?"
"Nah, probably not. Lander said he was in the military. That's gotta be true at least, so he's some military figure."
"Didn't seem like a soldier. But now that Inebil mentions it, he did have that sharp edge soldiers have."
"It's definite. Anyway, Belluna. Lander was by His Majesty's side? What'd he seem like?"
"The weird part is Lander didn't act the least bit intimidated by His Majesty. And His Majesty seemed to take it as normal. That day was chaos with Sanka going berserk, so I didn't notice the little things, but looking back, they seemed pretty close."
"Tried not to think about it, but now I'm curious. Wonder what Lander's past was like."
Guchi rinsed his mouth with water and snuck a glance at the two women. On the day he arrived here, Kalligo had said,
-Staying in this 'Kea' already gives you top-level clearance, but Lander's identity requires even higher security. So exercise silence on anything about Lander.
He added to be careful, as the name Huss surfacing could shake up the political world.
It was ironic. Lander himself seemed indifferent to revealing or hiding his identity.
If Inebil and Belluna asked him outright, Lander would answer without hesitation.
That his name was Huss.
Guchi recalled the Huss statue he'd seen in the central plaza two days ago. It was a completely different-looking man. The photo next to it didn't resemble Lander either.
Looking at it had just made him chuckle. It really drove home how inaccurate and unreliable records and history could be.
What had Lander thought seeing his own statue? Probably nothing much.
The guy had casually set aside the authority others chased their whole lives. A statue was nothing.
"Things are quiet today, huh."
Inebil said. Guchi nodded. "That one" who always showed up when Charlotte slept was silent today.
"You called her a spirit, but is Sanka really a spirit?"
Inebil asked. Belluna shrugged as if to say she didn't know.
"If she says she is, then probably. But the spirits we know aren't like that. Especially ones humans can control—they have clear limits on power. Sanka doesn't."
"Do spirits have ranks?"
"There are differences in power, sure. But not hierarchies like humans. From what we know, spirits are clumps of power from another plane, fully independent entities. They don't form societies like humans or animals, or have deep interactions."
"I've seen spirits summoned by spiritists a few times. They were small and fragile. Nothing like Sanka."
Belluna stretched.
"Lately, we've been seeing bizarre phenomena more often. Up until recently, we'd joke about the world ending, but now we can't even do that. Feels like something big is really coming."
"Bizarre phenomena? Like what?"
Inebil showed interest.
"It's second-level security, but you two are fine. First, 'minor roots' protrusions have increased. I don't know the exact numbers—there's a separate agency tracking that."
"Minor roots?"
Not tree roots, obviously. Unfamiliar term.
"You know about roots? Paths of mana."
"Heard of 'em. The ones flowing underground."
"Flowing is just a metaphor. No one knows their actual form. Anyway, they sometimes protrude to the surface."
"Sounds dangerous just hearing it."
Belluna shook her head.
"Surprisingly, they're not that hazardous, apparently. Academic reports say they dissolve into the air quickly. So even if they protrude, they're hard to find."
"And if a person gets exposed?"
"Lots of theories. Instant death, no big deal, becomes mana-attuned. Some scholar says contact turns you into a magical beast, but nothing verified."
"Unverified is scarier."
Thinking of the magical beast that took his friend's leg still gave him chills.
"Not just minor roots—sky stones are changing paths too. Some automata started computing on their own, and devices turning people into spirits appeared. Plus spirits beyond measurement and humans stopping them. The ones who attacked the Holy City seem cute by comparison."
Belluna hung her head as if even thinking about it was exhausting.
"And then there's that damn Realm."
Inebil muttered lowly. Unsuppressed anger laced her words.
"Don't talk about Realms lightly. Fine among us here, though."
Belluna said, sipping water.
"Suddenly miss the days hunting without a care."
Trailing Lander had put him at the center of events. Ones that might upend the world.
Adventure was satisfying, but the fact he only had one life kept nagging at him.
"Huh? Why's she..."
Belluna wiped her mouth and stood. He wanted to tell her there was more to wipe, but she moved first.
She opened the door, stepped out, straightened her posture, and bowed.
"Good day, Bureau Chief Aleng. It's been a while."
(To be continued next time)