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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: 대공가 시집살이 너무 쉬운데요 (28)화
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: Spirit Otaku's Bait
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Ever since ancient times, for otakus, goods were practically the gauge of their affection.
I smirked, having prepared my secret weapon to win over the spirit otaku Henry Corner.
Namely, spirit merchandise!
Before me lay a fossil we'd tampered with alongside the spirits.
"Isn't there anything else? No matter how I look at it, this just resembles a bear paw."
I tapped the stone imprinted with footprints, grilling the spirits. They swirled around me in protest.
— No way! That sparkling powder is our trace. Don't compare it to a bear!
"In that case, sprinkle on more glitter. It has to look convincing."
The world I'd lived in was full of craftsmen who could make fakes seem more real than reality itself.
To pull off a deception, it had to look the part.
No matter if it truly bore spirit traces, Henry Corner wouldn't buy it if it didn't show.
As I made my over-the-top gangster demands, the spirits flapped their wings, revealing their displeasure.
— Why? Why not just have us materialize and stomp around in some mud?
"Oh? Could you?"
— That's too much!
— Don't let such ugly words spill from those pretty lips!
— With your red hair and blue eyes, how could you?
The spirits pleaded in quivering, teary voices.
I had no idea why red hair and blue eyes factored into it, but oh well, spirit tastes.
Half-joking words, but their genuine hurt reaction left me chuckling awkwardly.
"Just kidding. Anyway, by now the news should've reached Henry Corner, right?"
I'd deliberately spread rumors through Shuri and Vivian, so he had to know by now.
Then it was time to give him an opening to meet.
Staying cooped up in the hotel would make it too hard for Henry to approach me.
While Akid was off meeting the Ebisu Mine manager, I'd use boredom as an excuse to head into town.
The plan was to establish a routine of outings, letting Henry time his approach perfectly.
And sure enough, on my third venture out, the baited Henry came calling.
"Pardon me, are you Grand Duchess Hadellus?"
I was browsing a sundries shop when a man sidled up to me.
His shabby attire had my escort knight blocking him at once, creating distance. Henry quickly spoke up.
"I-I'm definitely not suspicious! I just have a question for Your Grace..."
Desperation etched his face as the knight dragged him off.
I signaled the knights to halt and bring him forward. He let out a sigh of relief as he stood before me.
"Who are you?"
"Ah, I'm Henry Corner of the Corner Barony. Definitely not suspicious, Your Grace."
"You approach like a shady character and claim otherwise—why should I believe you?"
At my frosty tone, Henry floundered, eyes darting about.
"Well, the Corner Barony does ring a bell."
As I softened slightly, Henry perked up and launched into a spiel about his family.
It was all to prove his legitimacy. I listened quietly before tossing out a question.
"So, what's the reason you wanted to meet me?"
"Well... if it's not too presumptuous, could I see that spirit fossil you recently found?"
"My, the rumors spread that fast."
I played it cool, and he bobbed his head eagerly before continuing.
"Truth is, I'm huge into spirits. If it's not rude, I'd love to take a look."
"Rude?"
"Ah."
He looked caught off guard, lips twitching. I crossed my arms.
"Demanding to see it out of the blue, with nothing in return? That's hardly polite."
"My apologies. I don't have anything suitable to offer right now..."
He fumbled for his wallet, pulling out gold coins. That instant, I spotted my real target.
"Hold on."
"Yes?"
"That pocket watch at your waist. Hand it over, and I'll show you the fossil. Heck, I'm open to a trade if you want."
"R-Really?"
His face lit up as he unhooked the watch from his belt. It was his compass.
A magic tool that chimed in lands blessed by spirits—one of his patented inventions from the palace.
In the novel, it played a key role in proving a spirit's blessing. I pointed right at it.
"Yep, that one. I could use a watch anyway. You don't exactly scream 'wealthy,' so it'll do."
I spoke as if doing him a favor. He hesitated, mumbling.
"Ah, in that case, I'll give you a different watch. This isn't for telling time."
What an unnecessarily kind soul!
Even in his haste, he couldn't bear foisting a "fake" watch on a young grand duchess.
I snatched his wrist just as he moved to reattach it.
"You don't give something and then snatch it back."
"Pardon? But I haven't even given it yet..."
"I like it. I've been hunting for a design like that and striking out every time."
I dug in my heels, so he patiently explained.
"As I said earlier, it's not a timepiece."
"Then what is it?"
"It's a detector for lands blessed by spirits. Press this button here..."
Ting-a-ling!
He pressed the button, and the watch suddenly chimed. Henry startled, glancing around wildly.
I widened my eyes too—I hadn't expected him to actually press it.
The watch detected nearby spirits or their traces.
For it to ring out of nowhere, Henry was utterly flustered.
But only for a moment. He muttered to himself, assuming a malfunction. Knowing the truth, I could only stifle a laugh.
"Wha—? Why's it chiming all of a sudden? Is it busted?"
It's not broken.
Spirits are flitting right beside you.
I glanced at the butterfly swarm hovering curiously by the watch at his side. The spirits circled it, bursting into giggles.
— Ooh, neat! Delrus pollen inside the watch. Wait, dried and ground-up flower petals?
— Hee, yummy! Wonder what powdered Delrus tastes like?
Ditch any notions of spirits being pure. These were gluttonous chatterboxes through and through.
Their reasons for sticking by Henry weren't exactly innocent, but I played dumb for now.
To Henry, fumbling baffled with the button:
"So, are you giving it to me or not? I'm not exactly swimming in free time, young master Corner."
"Ah, got it. Here you go."
He switched it off and handed it over. No swaying my insistence—he'd resolved to part with it.
I pocketed it swiftly. He had the blueprints and could whip up another, but it was a must-have for me.
"Good. Follow me."
I turned and strode off, watch secured. Henry trailed behind.
Even in the carriage, he anxiously wiped his hands on a handkerchief nonstop.
Who could blame him? He was en route to traces of beings he'd chased for years. I eyed him casually.
"You must be really into spirits. Carrying a gadget like that."
"Ah, actually, I invented that watch myself. It pinpoints spirits."
"Sure didn't sound like it—chiming at random."
"Ah."
"So what's with the powder inside? Odd color."
I quizzed him while pretending ignorance, despite the spirits spilling it was dried Delrus.
Interest in his invention lit up his eyes as he dove into explanation.
"Oh, that's dried Delrus flower. Records say spirits love flowers, and this one's a dead ringer in appearance, so I used it for the watch."
I widened my eyes at his excited ramble.
"Delrus pollen? This is Delrus flower?"
"Yes. The records describe it rainbow-hued, with remarkable vitality even in the cold."
"Weird. If you're right, why no allergic reaction? Should've flared up the second I touched it."
I muttered offhand. He looked puzzled.
"Allergic reaction?"
"Truth is, I'm allergic to Delrus flowers. And as the grand duchy symbol, it's a real hassle."
I let out a heavy sigh. He panicked, at a loss.
He seemed worried he'd unwittingly endangered me.
But I'd brought it up not to guilt him—rather, as an excuse to keep him close. Drooping my brows, I continued.
"And now this freak occurrence at the mine—Delrus blooming out of nowhere, then vanishing. Makes venturing out tricky."
His eyes flashed at that. Jackpot.
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