Despite Kurtz Newman's calm demeanor, I felt a burning sensation in my gut as I watched him.
Mesugaki skill, did you really have to point out his receding hairline?
Even in the world of Soul Academy, being bald is far from a compliment.
The only reason the bald knight in our family laughs off bald jokes is because he's a good-natured person, not because he's proud of being bald.
In a situation where sweet talk would be insufficient, I’ve gone and managed to insult the other party!
As I struggled to find the next words, Kurtz spoke first.
"Do you know about the Raven's Crest?"
‘Yes, I do.’ "Of course, Mister Trashy Family Head. Do you think I’d bring it up if I didn’t? Your thinking is as sparse as your hair."
Oh, screw it.
Even if Kurtz tries to stab me in the back, Carl will protect me.
"It’s surprising. That’s information only a member of the Newman family would know."
Normally, yes.
But I’m someone who comes from outside this world.
There’s almost nothing in this game that I don’t know.
I mean, I might sometimes get caught off guard by unexpected events, but I have most of the important information down!
In fact, Kurtz, I might know more about that crest than you do.
So, no need for explanations.
"That item is given only to the benefactors of the Newman family."
‘Wouldn't saving your son's life make me a benefactor?’ "I'm about to save your weakling son’s life, but that’s not enough for you? Mister Trashy Family Head, you’re really stingy, aren’t you?"
"Of course, it would make you a benefactor. But it’s not something I can give away lightly."
As he spoke in a flat tone, I noticed his fingers tapping lightly on the back of the hand resting on the table.
"It’s a matter that can only be discussed after Lady Allen has saved my son's life."
‘And I can only explain after I’ve received the item.’ "Mister Trashy Family Head, who’s in the position to bow their head here? I don’t think it’s me. Have you lost your sense along with your hair? Pfft."
Even though I hadn’t intended it, a laugh escaped my lips as I stared into his eyes.
Kurtz Newman's expression didn’t budge an inch.
Even Alsatian showed a bit of irritation at times.
This man really is a noble from the underworld, hardened by countless trials.
After a brief silence following my fading laughter, Kurtz let out a long sigh.
"Lady Allen, do you truly possess the means to lift Agra’s curse?"
‘Yes.’ "And?"
"Can you swear it under the God of Oaths?"
‘Of course.’ "Naturally. Unlike you, Mister Trashy Family Head, I’m not shady."
Of course, I can swear it.
I know countless ways to lift Agra’s curse.
I just need to reveal one of them.
"I see."
He nodded in satisfaction and continued.
"Very well. Here’s my proposal: If Lady Allen saves my son, I will gladly give you the Raven’s Crest."
No way. Is he serious?
I told you to hand over the item first.
How can I be sure you won’t just shut your mouth after I tell you how to save your son?
If you’re in the lesser position, act like it and grovel under me.
As I silently grumbled, annoyed by his bargaining as if we were equals, Kurtz added after a pause.
"And you’ll swear it under the God of Oaths."
Huh? Really? Well, that changes things.
While the penalty of breaking an oath means little to a player, it’s a different story for the head of a noble family.
As I’ve mentioned before, breaking an oath is a serious dishonor.
Even though the Newman family is deeply rooted in the underworld, their public image is still crucial.
If rumors spread that the head of the family broke an oath, who would want to do business with a house so dishonored?
Moreover, it would give other families who dislike the Newmans an excuse to tear them apart.
So, Kurtz agreeing to swear an oath is practically the same as saying he’ll give me the Raven’s Crest.
I thought he was trying to weasel out of giving me what I wanted, but that’s not the case?
"And will you swear to save my son as well, Lady Allen?"
‘Yes, I will.’ "That’s easy. I swear under the God of Oaths."
I expected a more intense negotiation, but I guess his son’s life really does mean a lot to Kurtz Newman.
<Do you intend to enter into an oath?> ‘Isn’t it the quickest and most straightforward way?’ <Indeed. But as you know, oaths should be taken seriously.> ‘What do you mean by that?’ <It means that determining the exact terms of the oath will take a considerable amount of time.>
So it’s like drafting a contract together?
‘Grandpa!’ <I understand. Let’s discuss this carefully.>
I’ll rely on you, Grandpa! I hate using my brain for this kind of stuff!
As soon as Kurtz returned to the Newman estate after completing the oath at Soul Academy, his trusted aide spoke up.
"What is it?" "Do you truly intend to give that girl the Raven’s Crest?" "I must, given how meticulous the oath was."
I had thought that, with her arrogance, she wouldn’t be skilled in political negotiations.
But Lucy Allen exceeded Kurtz’s expectations once again.
The way she precisely dictated every clause of the oath was impressive.
Not even most heads of knightly families would be that thorough.
She looks like a naïve child, but inside, she’s as cunning as a seasoned courtier.
But it seems even she couldn’t predict one thing. Lucy Allen must have thought I was trying to avoid giving her the Raven’s Crest.
But my true goal lay elsewhere entirely.
She said she would save my son.
If interpreted cleverly, that could mean she intends to come to our estate to treat him.
Even if I say so myself, my son inherited his mother’s handsome features.
No matter how arrogant she is, she won’t be able to resist showing some interest.
Hah. The best way to forge a bond is through this method, after all.
Having given what he had to give and gotten what he needed in return, Kurtz chuckled lightly and gave his aide further instructions.
"Search where Lucy Allen mentioned. If her words are true, there should be a way to save my son there." "Understood. I’ll organize a search party right away."
Kurtz didn’t need to give any more detailed instructions.
He trusted that his aide, who had listened to the explanation with him, would know what to do.
"Then, immediately." "Ah, one moment." "Yes, Master?" "Look into some remedies for hair loss as well."
His aide raised his head slightly at the uncharacteristically personal request from the master, who usually only discussed work, but then lowered it again when he saw the master avoid his gaze.
"...Understood, Master."
The aide was not foolish enough to comment on his master’s embarrassment.
Did I learn that? I can’t quite remember.
If I think hard enough, maybe I’ll recall it.
Or maybe not.
<Did you forget?> ‘Of course not!’ <Then tell me about that historical event.>
As soon as I hesitated, Grandpa’s nagging filled my ears.
But I’ve dealt with Grandpa’s nagging for a long time.
Ever since I gained him, I’ve had to listen to his lectures daily, so I know how to handle it.
Just let it go in one ear and out the other!
Let’s focus on something else.
The necklace is what’s most important right now.
The Burrow family’s necklace.
The item Kurtz Newman handed over as an advance payment after the oath was complete.
With this, it’ll be a piece of cake to increase that inferior noble’s favorability!
Once I hand this necklace over and complete the resulting quest together, Jackal Burrow’s heart will be wide open!
Then I can complete that annoying quest from the Trash God!
I wonder what the Trash God will give me this time.
Well, the Trash God does reward me properly, even though he irritates me to no end.
As long as I keep my mouth shut, everything should be fine.
It’s too late to go now, so I’ll meet Jackal Burrow tomorrow.
I’m looking forward to it.
<Girl! Are you listening to me?> ‘Yes, I am~’
I’m listening.
Just not taking it to heart.
The inferior noble is someone who believes he must become the best in the academy, so he’s always putting in his best effort.
Although he often feels jealous of those who are better than him due to his inferiority complex, his passion is genuine.
While other students take a break at this time, the inferior noble never rests.
It’s a shame that no matter how much he sacrifices and works hard, all his efforts will still pale in comparison to Arthur’s.
But what can you do? That’s just his character.
If he wants to complain, he should blame the game developers.
I opened the door to the study room and headed to where the inferior noble was.
At a desk right next to the window.
There, the inferior noble was scribbling away with his pen.
When I sat down across from Jackal, who was glaring intently at his book, he slowly lifted his head.
‘Hello.’ “Hello, Mister Inferior Noble.”
Ah, I knew it.
There’s no way you’d address someone properly.
Since I had already expected it, I wasn’t surprised when I saw Jackal’s face twist in displeasure.
"Why do you insist on provoking me, Lady Allen?"
‘I have something for you.’ "I found something that will make you drool, Mister Inferior Noble."
I took out the jewelry box from my coat.
Even then, Jackal didn’t relax his expression.
He just glanced at the box indifferently.
"What’s this?"
‘Take a good look.’ “Look closely, Mister Inferior Noble. You’re going to say something foolish.”
This chapt𝓮r is updat𝒆d by ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom.
"Sigh. Fine. If you have something to say, make it quick and leave. Don’t interrupt me."
Judging by the sharpness in his tone, it’s clear he doesn’t like me.
No surprise there.
More people in this academy dislike me than like me by a mile.
And how could he like someone who calls him an inferior noble?
But that’s going to change when he sees this.
When I slowly opened the jewelry box, Jackal Burrow’s eyes widened.
Hah. I knew this would happen.
There’s no way he wouldn’t recognize this.
How could he ever forget?
‘Do you like it?’ “Judging by that dumbstruck look, you must like it, Mister Inferior Noble?”