Chapter 9
Chapter 9
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: The Cursed Paradise
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“Yaaawn...”
The golden carriage from the imperial palace offered an exceptional ride.
Leaning back against the plush cushion, Eric gazed lazily at the scenery flashing past the window, letting out a drowsy yawn.
“Tired?”
“Looks like the Emperor drained all my energy. Waking up early this morning didn't help either.”
Duke Alfonso, seated across from him, watched his son with his usual stern expression.
In truth, Eric was just feeling lazy about everything as he leaned his head back against the seat.
“Father. I'm thinking of buying a house.”
Alfonso's eyebrow twitched.
“A house? Don't tell me you're planning to set up your own household.”
The Theodore family estate was one of the grandest mansions in the capital.
Who would want to leave a place with over a hundred rooms?
“No, just as a vacation home. There are too many eyes at the main house.”
Eric shook his head lightly.
He could no longer relax freely at the main estate.
The way people watched him had changed since before, adding to the pressure.
“I want a quiet, cozy spot where no one bothers me—a place for long naps.
My own paradise, free from anyone's interference.”
“Fine. A vacation home is no big deal. Just try to sleep at the main house most nights.”
“Yes, sir. Thank you.”
A smile spread across Eric's lips.
He already had a place in mind.
On the outskirts of the capital.
A forsaken plot of land untouched by human feet.
Caw! Caw!
A place greeted by the cries of crows.
Y-Young Lord? This place, really?”
“Yes. I like it.”
The real estate agent wiped away cold sweat with a handkerchief, stealing glances at Eric.
Eric stood with his hands behind his back, looking up at the dilapidated mansion that was little more than ruins.
The windows were shattered, and the garden was overgrown with weeds.
It had all the looks of a haunted house straight out of a ghost story.
“B-But Young Lord... this place has been vacant for ten years. It's notorious as a cursed house.
Strange noises echo at night, and magical beasts are said to appear from time to time...”
Before the agent could finish,
a bluish light flashed from a broken window on the upper floor.
“Eek!”
The agent and Butler Alfred screamed and clung to each other in terror.
“Y-Young Lord! Did you see that? It's a ghost! A ghost!”
Alfred was on the verge of fainting.
But Eric nodded in satisfaction.
“Really? Then no thieves will bother it. Free security from the ghosts.”
“Pardon?!”
“How much? I'll buy it outright, so give me a discount.”
“It's not about the discount...”
The agent couldn't believe his ears.
This noble young lord must have more money than he knew what to do with.
'Ghosts? That's just clumps of mana residue.'
Eric cheered inwardly.
This spot was where a massive mana vein flowing underground from the capital erupted to the surface.
That's why beasts, ghosts, and magical creatures swarmed here.
But most importantly...
'This is where the continent's first magic train station will be built.'
The starting point of a transportation revolution and the hub for next-generation magic engineering facilities.
Currently worthless, but the moment the plans were announced, the land value would skyrocket fifty—no, a hundredfold.
“Bring the contract. I'll buy the surrounding wasteland too, all of it.”
Eric hummed a tune as he picked up the pen.
All this vast land would be his.
Just renting it out later would sustain three generations.
“Young Master, even with all our wealth, this is utter madness...”
Butler Alfred could only mutter with a pale face.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
“You bought a haunted house?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
First Princess Iris scanned the maid's report with cold eyes.
“The abandoned mansion on the capital's outskirts. He bought up all the surrounding wasteland too.”
“Disappointing. He makes a bit of money and splurges on weird luxuries?
Testing his courage in a ghost-infested house?”
Iris furrowed her brow.
'Just a lazy young lord who got lucky...'
As her interest in Eric began to wane,
the maid cautiously added,
“However, Your Highness... the location is peculiar.”
“Peculiar how?”
“It matches exactly the site the Imperial Magic Engineering Bureau was secretly surveying.
A region with abnormally high mana density, considered a candidate for next-generation magic engineering facilities...”
Clink.
The teacup in Iris's hand trembled.
“Wait... he knew the top-secret info and bought it first?”
The Bureau's survey was a state secret.
Even she, imperial royalty, had only learned of it recently.
Yet the lazy young lord had seen the land's true value?
Pieces of the puzzle clicked together in Iris's mind.
'That's why he turned down the Finance Minister position.'
Holding office would prevent him from buying land.
'Snatching up the spot for a magic engineering facility... more dangerous than I thought.'
An enigmatic smile curved Iris's lips.
“Send an invitation. Right now.”
“Pardon?”
“I need to see for myself if he'll be on my side.”
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
“Ahh... perfect.”
Amid eerie vines and moss-covered statues,
Eric lounged on a sunbathing chair.
“No prying eyes since it's haunted. This is heaven.”
Occasional blue flames floated in the garden corners, but to Eric, they were just fluorescent lights.
“Y-Young Master!!”
Alfred came running, pale as a ghost.
“Whoa, you startled me. Thought you were a ghost. What's up?”
“An invitation from the palace! From First Princess Herself!”
“The princess? What does it say?”
📜 INVITATION 📜
Event: Northern Frontline Sponsorship Night Host: First Princess Iris Leopold P.S.: Young Lord Eric Theodore's attendance is mandatory. Important matters to discuss; refusal not permitted.
“Oh no... I'm done for.”
Sponsorship night.
A dreadful gathering where nobles wasted time with fake smiles, networking, and bragging.
“What a hassle. Can't I just send money? I'll donate generously—tell them to eat without me.”
“Y-Young Master, it's an order from the princess! Refusing will cause big trouble!”
Alfred wailed desperately.
“Sigh... such perfect weather for a nap.”
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Beneath glittering crystal chandeliers, the empire's top nobles had gathered.
But all eyes were fixed on one spot.
“Where's Lord Eric?”
“I'd love to see the face of the war hero who led the Northern Frontline victory.”
The man of the hour, Eric, was hiding behind a pillar in the farthest corner of the banquet hall.
“Whoa, this is good.”
He munched away with chicken skewers in both hands.
Fancy social debut?
Hero games?
None of that interested him.
“This sauce is killer. I should scout the chef.”
As Eric licked sauce from his lips and reached for another skewer,
the bustling hall parted to the sides.
At the end of the path strode a woman exuding the poise of an ice queen.
First Princess Iris, in a silver gown.
Her gaze locked onto Eric, hiding by the pillar.
Click. Click.
“The man everyone's seeking is enjoying his meal without so much as a greeting.”
A cold smile.
Eric looked up awkwardly, skewer still in his mouth.
“Mmph?”
“Let's talk for a moment.”
Iris led Eric out to the balcony.
Click.
She closed the door and deftly activated a sound barrier spell.
Whirr.
All outside noise was perfectly blocked.
'Skewers are best hot.'
Eric wiped his mouth with a napkin, looking annoyed.
“I'll be direct.”
“Pardon?”
“Why did you buy that land?”
“The land? Oh, the haunted house?”
Eric shrugged nonchalantly.
“It was cheap, so I bought it.
I'm sensitive about noise when sleeping, so I was looking for somewhere quiet. Ghosts sounded perfect.”
“Noise sensitivity?”
Iris's eyes narrowed.
'Liar.'
Knowing a state secret and grabbing prime real estate, only to claim it's for sleep?
'Playing dumb to the end? Even feigning innocence. What a scary man.'
Iris's lips curled slyly.
“Fine. You're hiding something. I won't pry. But...”
She paused, then stepped closer. One step. Another.
Until her breath nearly touched him.
A rich perfume invaded his senses.
“Let me make a proposal.”
“A proposal?”
“Lend your brilliant mind and funds to me.”
Iris's eyes burned with ambition.
It was an enormous offer.
A scout to become the advisor to the first princess, heir to the throne.
“The land's value? If I become emperor, it'll be worth a hundred times over—no, I'll grant you full development rights.
What do you say? An offer you can't refuse.”
Most nobles would kneel and pledge loyalty on the spot.
'Ah... yawning.'
But Eric's face twisted oddly.
He bit his lip, desperately suppressing a yawn.
“Your Highness, I appreciate the offer, but...”
“But?”
“I'm not interested.”
Eric shook his head firmly.
“My dream is to be a jobless bum.”
“What?”
Iris's expression went blank.
An unexpected word.
“Jobless... bum?”
“Yes. A total slacker. I don't want to get involved in power struggles. It's exhausting.”
Eric bowed politely.
“Besides, the land's already mine.
Even without Your Highness's help, it'll appreciate on its own. The mages will handle it fine.”
'He definitely knew.'
Iris's eyes widened in shock.
“I'll head back before my skewer gets cold. Have a pleasant evening, Your Highness.”
Eric left without a backward glance.
Click.
As the door shut, the night breeze brushed past Iris's gown, leaving her alone on the balcony.
A rejection for the first time in her life.
And the excuse? Dreaming of being a bum.
Not even a stray dog would buy it.
“Ha, hahaha!”
Iris burst into mad laughter.
“Interesting... very interesting.”
Her sleek lips twisted into a grotesque grin.
“Let's see how far you can keep bouncing, Eric Theodore.”
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