Chapter 136: The Gemstone
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 136: The Gemstone
"This place... it feels so foreign, yet so nostalgic."
As soon as she stepped off the carriage, Anna looked at the surrounding streets and buildings—now completely different from her memories—and couldn't help but sigh with emotion.
"Did you live here before, Senior?" Muen asked.
"I stayed here for a while. Back then, this street was considered one of the more chaotic areas in the entire Lower District. I didn't expect it to look brand new after only two years. I remember there used to be several dark, gloomy alleys over there that I’d often take as shortcuts to save time. Now, they’re all gone," Anna remarked, looking ahead.
The narrow alleys that once harbored only darkness and filth had long since been leveled. In their place, beautiful two-story buildings had been erected upon the ruins.
"I see..."
Looks like I chose the right spot!
Muen let out an excited cheer in his heart.
Revisiting an old haunt after two years would surely give his Senior a sense of comfort and security. And for a pleasant date, a sense of security was an absolute necessity!
"Since you're so nostalgic, you must have had a very deep impression of this place," Muen said, following her lead.
"It was quite deep."
Anna stroked her cheek and smiled. "After all, I beat several thugs to death here back then. They were ogling me and trying to get handsy, so I buried their corpses in those alleys I mentioned. I wonder if they were dug up when these buildings were being renovated?
"Sigh, it would be a real hassle if they were found. After all, that’s several lives. Maybe the scary police officers would come and arrest me. If that happens, Junior Muen, you absolutely must use your ducal influence to bail me out."
"Eh?"
Muen’s expression froze instantly.
Although a little devil in his mind was telling him that this was the moment to thump his chest and heroically declare that she shouldn't worry because no mere policeman would dare lay a finger on her...
I didn't expect 'nostalgia' to mean this to you, Senior!
Was this place originally where you committed murders and hid bodies?!
Doesn't that mean my choice of location was a total disaster?!
"Pfft."
Just as Muen was painfully wondering if he should quickly change locations while it was still early, Anna burst into laughter.
"I'm just teasing you, Junior."
"Huh?"
"No matter how chaotic a place is, it's still a city district. No one would be stupid enough to kill people and hide the bodies right on the spot. How dumb would you have to be to do that?"
Muen stunned for a moment, then realized what happened. He said indignantly, "Senior, you're teasing me again!"
"I'm not."
Her expression turned serious as she lowered her voice. "Actually, I dismembered them first and then hid them under the floorboards of the house."
"Ah."
"Giggle... Junior, the way you look when you're dazed is so funny..."
Anna laughed again, her whole body trembling with mirth. "How could something like that be possible? In your eyes, am I really the kind of bad woman who would kill and dismember people on a whim? Senior will be very sad if you think of her that way."
"I know you're a very kind person, Senior."
Muen, completely helpless against Anna’s "little devil" personality, scratched his head with a wry smile. "But I was thinking, if those people really tried to lay hands on you, wouldn't they deserve to die?"
"..."
Anna’s smile vanished instantly. She gazed at Muen in silence.
"Hmm? Is there something on my face?"
"Junior."
"Yes?"
"Forget it, it's nothing."
Anna’s tone shifted suddenly, and she flashed a radiant smile once more. "Just consider it my punishment for you."
"Eh? Punishment?" Muen was bewildered. "Did I do something wrong?"
"Of course."
Anna smiled and reached out a finger, tapping the tip of Muen’s nose. "You asked me out, yet you didn't even have a plan ready. You’re even checking a guide on the fly. Any other girl would feel neglected and get angry. It’s only because I have such a good temper that I’m just teasing you a little."
"I was found out?" Muen scratched his head awkwardly. "I thought I was being so discreet."
"A woman’s intuition is very sharp at times like this, you know."
Her tone seemed somewhat meaningful. "So, Junior, it’s better to put away those little schemes of yours."
...
...
Since he had been caught, Muen shamelessly pulled out the Belland Dating Guide and began flipping through it right in front of Anna.
He quickly settled on a route that looked interesting.
They strolled along. It was late autumn, so even in the bright midday sun, there was still a lingering chill in the air. However, for the pedestrians on the street, it was just right.
On the vigorously developing commercial street, vendors on both sides were shouting their wares. A dazzling array of goods was on display, and the flow of people was constant.
Anna stopped from time to time, showing interest in a few trinkets, and occasionally bought things that Muen found quite strange. However, every time Muen expressed his desire to pay for her, she refused.
Because of this, Muen looked a bit dejected. "Senior, how am I supposed to repay your kindness if you're like this?"
"Giggle... I don't want you to waste your 'repayment' on such meaningless little things." Anna tucked away the object she had just bought—something that looked like a black tree root—and smiled.
"Oh? Then what do you want..."
Muen was about to press for an answer when he was interrupted by a piercing shout:
"Gemstones! True Love Gemstones! The legendary Tear of True Love! Tenfold refund if it's fake!"
The Tear of True Love?
Muen frowned slightly. In his memory, the Tear of True Love was a gemstone that had been hyped up by jewelers a few years ago. It supposedly symbolized pure and flawless love, but before it could be sold for a high price, it had been stolen.
How could such a precious gem appear in a place like this?
Muen was about to ignore it, but he suddenly saw Anna’s eyes light up, as if she were quite interested.
So, he immediately changed his tune. "Shall we go take a look?"
Anna nodded gently. "Sure."
The two approached the vendor.
The owner was a hideously ugly old man with a scabby, bald head. Upon seeing the two of them, he stopped shouting and grinned, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth.
"Would you two like to take a look? This is the legendary Tear of True Love, a magical gemstone that can help you find your true love!"
On the ground in front of the old man lay a pink, translucent gemstone the size of a pigeon's egg. It shimmered with an enchanting luster under the sunlight.
"Is it genuine?" Muen asked.
"Tenfold refund if it's fake!" the old man guaranteed, thumping his chest.
However, Muen wasn't asking him; he was looking at Anna.
Anna leaned down, picked up the gem, and examined it closely. Then, she shook her head in disappointment.
"It's a fake."
"As I thought."
Muen took the gem and tossed it lightly in his hand. From the weight alone, it wasn't even a stone, let alone a gemstone. Besides, if it were the Tear of True Love worth millions, there was no way it would be sold so casually on the street.
His Senior likely knew this as well and had only checked it out on a whim.
"Let's go."
Muen shook his head, placed the gem back down, and prepared to head to the next location without wasting any more time.
But just as he took a step, he felt a weight on his ankle, making it difficult to move.
He looked back. The bald-headed old man was clutching his leg with a look of fury, screaming at the top of his lungs:
"You brat! You broke my gemstone and you think you can just walk away?!"