Chapter 91
Chapter 91
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 91
Chapter Title: My Cozy Home #2
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Marmar was absolutely delighted when I suggested contracting the room for ten million coins.
“Really? Is that okay?”
It was like kids thrilled over Christmas presents, warming my heart just to watch.
“Yeah.”
“But, comrade, I saw your account balance—it’s not much. Ten million coins is basically all the ark currency you have. You sure about this?”
Even so, Marmar hesitated, considering my finances and not jumping to agree right away.
She had a point.
My total currency was just 12.5 million.
Still, I had a dorm room anyway, and plenty of ways to earn money.
I could take quests on the city outskirts every weekend to build up my magic skills.
Plus, I’d soon level up with the golden brooch, bringing in more scholarship funds.
“Don’t worry about me. I withdrew it today specifically to spend on you, Marmar.”
“……!!!’
Marmar trembled in shock at my words.
Her orange eyes seemed to well up with moisture—almost like she might cry—but surprisingly, she swallowed her emotions, held back the tears, and spoke bravely.
“Then… can I really use that ten million coins?”
“Yeah. You’ll work hard for me from now on, so think of it as an advance. It’s your money now.”
I handed Marmar a thick stack of banknotes.
But Marmar’s reaction was astonishing.
“Broker! We’ll take this room!”
She went ahead and contracted the windowless, bedless room on the spot. I was so shocked I nearly yelled.
“What are you thinking, Marmar?”
“It’s my money, so I used it my way!”
I stood there dumbfounded as she swiftly contracted the windowless room. It felt like I’d been scammed.
“Hehe. Now this room is the imp lady’s quarters. You can do whatever, except set it on fire. That’s in the contract.”
Clink.
The broker handed over the key and scurried off, job done. Watching his retreating back, I had no choice but to ask Marmar.
“Marmar, what was that? We should’ve taken the next room!”
But Marmar just shook her head.
“Trust me, comrade. I’ve got a plan! First, we need some furniture…!”
Marmar strode off purposefully somewhere, and I had no choice but to follow.
But the place she headed wasn’t a furniture store—it was an art supply shop selling paper and paints.
After buying paper, brushes, paints, and such, Marmar returned to the room she’d just contracted and started drawing something swiftly.
It was a window.
She painted a sunrise over a hill, like a Windows wallpaper, stuck it firmly to the wall, and asked me.
“How’s this? Pretty good, right?”
“No, what is…”
Before I could process it, Marmar scribbled more words on papers: ‘Bed’, ‘Lamp’, ‘Drawer’. She placed them around the room’s corners.
“Marmar, I have no idea what you’re thinking.”
“Comrade, this is the cheaper way! Making a real window would cost about a million coins. Sink and plumbing, another million. Bed, furniture, odds and ends—another million.”
“Yeah?”
“So for just eight million coins upfront and two hundred thousand monthly rent, we get the same as the next room at ten million and fifty thousand rent!”
“So, Marmar, you mean you’ll renovate the room yourself?”
“Yeah!”
I see.
Marmar had her own ideas. Hearing her out, it did sound wiser.
“But Marmar, are those renovation estimates accurate?”
“Totally! I checked tons of lodgings. The issue is construction takes over a month…, but we’ve got time.”
Marmar was tougher and smarter than I’d thought. She had serious survival instincts—drop her anywhere, she’d thrive.
Are all imps like this?
I suddenly grew curious about other imps besides Marmar.
Angmar the Demon King had personally evolved nymphs into them as shadow legion members, so yeah, they had that resilient, tough side.
“Then, comrade, help me clean! And let’s grab lunch—I’ll treat!”
“Sure.”
* * *
Lunchtime after cleaning.
I headed with Marmar to a park near her lodging, “Fairy’s Paradise.” Having a strollable park nearby felt nice.
Marmar munched on a street vendor sandwich and asked me.
“So, comrade, what’s in that book?”
“Book?”
“The one with the saintess and your name. I’ve been dying to know, but too busy to ask!”
“Oh, yeah, me too.”
I’d mostly finished eating, so I pulled yesterday’s book from my bag.
“Adventure Club 5th Term Activity Report: Theo Gospel and Priga Nightfall, eds.”
Flipping it open, the poorly preserved binding nearly fell apart, as old books do.
“Adventure Club 5th Term, President Theo Gospel. Vice President Priga Nightfall.
First Semester Activities.”
Rustle.
The densely packed first page seized my attention.
It listed purchases, club maintenance costs, food expenses—pure ledger stuff.
Financial records, basically.
Nothing jumped out at me—no real thrill in reading it.
But it was clear: Theo Gospel and the saintess Priga Nightfall had done a lot together.
Is this really me?
Before being sold into slavery, had this rascal Theo Gospel teamed up with the saintess twenty years ago in the adventure club?
A lecherous monk and a saintess…
Not surprising for a doomed nation’s rascal like Shin Don or Rasputin to have a shocking backstory.
It’d be weirder if he didn’t.
To confirm, I should meet Priga alone and ask questions.
I hadn’t heard about her since enrollment day.
She’s busy, so that tracks.
If this Theo is really me, how old am I?
Half-fairy slowing aging?
Questions piling up.
Priga likely holds the keys. I need to meet her somehow.
“Phew.”
I sighed like a cooler venting an overheated CPU. Then I quickly sorted my tasks.
1. Ultimate goal: Survive and revive House Angmar.
2. For that, conquer and dominate the house’s young lady.
3. Claim any Angmar legacy left behind; track ‘Isaiah Gospel,’ possibly my father.
4. Investigate ‘Theo Gospel’s’ activities too.
5. Prepare cards against the wildcard villain hunters, bracing for confrontation.
「Calm Situation Assessment!
Gain experience via Talent 《Composed Thinking》.
All job experience +5」
Good.
Lots to do.
Body’s weak, so brain gets the workout.
No more dark tunnel despair like solo struggling in Angmar lands. I’m not alone now.
“Then, Marmar, investigate every student named Theo Gospel.”
“Sure!”
I was about to head out for my own digging.
“Is that you? Commoner. Lounging leisurely here, eh?”
Someone addressed me. Haughty, chilling voice.
“Lady Mirna…?”
Looking up, I saw Mirna Draco approaching slowly from across the park, parasol in hand.
“What brings you here?”
“Commoner, I was looking for you. Even went to your dorm. Heard you snuck out overnight. Without telling me? Bold.”
She meant the night at Marmar’s place.
Mirna had been searching for me.
Why?
As I pondered, Mirna narrowed her slender eyes at Marmar munching the sandwich beside me.
Marmar flinched, quickly hiding her tail.
“Red eyes again…!”
Marmar froze before Mirna’s vivid crimson eyes—sharper than even Kallira’s lady—utterly speechless.
Fair enough. Mirna’s first impression was intense.
“Imp…?”
“Yes, this is Marmar, an imp. My hired colleague.”
“I see. Heard an imp joined the staff. That must be her? Walking with an imp. Theo Gospel, you’ve got some talent after all.”
“What do you mean?”
“Imps are Angmar the Demon King’s masterpieces. Proud and aloof, they bow to no one but their master. Useless as servants.”
Really?
News to me.
“Hiring one as a subordinate means, Theo Gospel, you hold the same status to her as Angmar the Demon King.”
I glanced at Marmar.
Was Marmar following me like Solomon, the imps’ old master? In a way, it hit close to the truth.
“That true?”
“No idea! First I’ve heard! Totally new!”
Got it. Marmar’s a quirky imp.
“So, Lady Mirna, why’d you seek me out?”
I cut to the chase. I’m busy too.
Mirna, shading her face under the parasol, glanced around and whispered.
“Theo Gospel, I have info that could help you. Our house still has many books on House Angmar. Care to join me for dinner tonight…?”
“Angmar!”
Marmar shrieked.
Everyone in the park froze like time-stopped, staring at us.
Mirna sighed softly at the sight.
“Imps gonna imp, reacting to that name. Anyway, Theo Gospel. I’ll send a dinner invite. Someone I want you to meet tonight.”
“Meet?”
“You know I have a little sister, right?”
“Oh. Rumors, yeah.”
No way I can skip this.