Staring with a chiling gaze at Bavalein, who pulled up the monetary issue card as a last-ditch effort, Duke Lönnrot took out an accessory wrapped in a pure white handkerchief.
âIs that so? And yet despite that, youâre still able to buy this?â
Duke Lönnrot dropped the cursed magic tool that they had made the girl who was their own step-daughter wore.
âT-thatâsâŠâ
The amount of money required to purchase a magic tool was far from meager. Especially a cursed magic tool that could enforce the wearer to act in a certain way. This type of magic tool couldnât be displayed publicly, hence why their price was more exorbant than normal magic tools.
âThe most peculiar thing about this magic tool is that it was worn by Miltia, who was supposed to marry me⊠Ah, of course, Iâve forcibly unfasten this from Miltia through magic.â
The only ways to forcibly take a cursed magic tool off was either by suppressing the magic power bestowed by the creator of the curse with an even greater amount of magic power or by finding the right method to break the curse. For this particular cursed magic tool, a drop of blood of the buyer, which was Countess Lyran, was required to undo the curse.
Pavada stole a fleeting glance toward Bavalein, who was sitting next to him. Judging from how stiff her smile was and how pale she became, it was clear to see the possibilities of the duke willing to cooperate with them was zero.
âŠ. This manâs magic power, the amount was tremendous enough that the magic power residing in this cursed magic tool amounted to nothing. Especially since this curse was dispelled forcibly, it was possible the curse in this magic tool had been ăoverwrittenăwith an even more heinous curse and the price required to break theăoverwrittenăcurse would definitely be extremely expensive.
The dukeâs tone of speaking was pleasant but there was no speck of mercy in his gaze.
âY-Youâre wrong. This⊠Just something that had been in our familyâs custody for a long while but then my daughter put it on her own without me knowingâŠ. I didnât know the method required to break the curse⊠Itâd be dangerous if we forcibly removed the necklace from her neck and something bad happened s-so⊠We had no other choiceâŠ!â
âIs that so?â
Duke Lönnrot actually knew the countess was the one who purchased this cursed magic tool but he never downright said ăI know youâre the one who bought ităinstead the duke was speaking in a round-about way. Bavalein was none the wiser of the implications hidden behind the dukeâs word.
Hanging on her last thread of hope, Bavalein tried to come up with pathetic excuses after excuses. Even though the look of disdain in the dukeâs chilling face was plain for everyone to see.
BAM!!
Suddenly, the door to the parlour was slammed open.
âS-SistanaâŠ! Whatâs the matter?â
Standing before the door was a young girl with her cheeks flushed and her eyes sparkling from curiosity and adoration.
Taken aback Duke Lönnrot by the sudden declaration from this girl who appeared to be a little dim-witted judging from her speech and conduct, the duke stared at the girl incredulously.
ââŠ. What are you talking about?â
âIsnât it great?! Rather than my gloomy big sister whoâs not only a little odd but also sticks thin, Iâm a much better choice, right? For your information, Iâm able to use ărecovery magică, you know?â
The duke, who had been keeping a relatively civil smile despite his blatant confrontation, was now showing his displeasure and fury.
âAh! This must be the proof of our engagement, right?!â
âAhâŠ..!â
âThatâs!!â
âStop!!â
The girl, who the countess referred to as Sistana, put the cursed necklace, that had been left laying on the table, around her neck without heeding the voice of everyone around her.
âFufufu~ With this I will be the duchessâŠ!â
âNo! Youâre mistaken! That necklace isâŠ!â
The shock quickly overwhelmed the feeling of displeasure and anger. Duke Lönnrot adjusted his glasses before he started to tell them the truth whenâŠA black-blue grime began to appear on the girlâs face.
âHuh? Huh??? KYAAAAA?! WHAT- WHAT IS THIS?!â
âHiiiieeee!!â
âSISTANA!! MY ADORABLE SISTANA!!â
The young girlâs appearance quickly transformed into an appearance resembling the old ăcursed dukeă. Despite everything, Duke Lönnrot looked at the girl with pity as he began to answer her question.
âThatâs the ăcursed necklaceăthat Miltia had been wearing before⊠Apparently, when I forcibly removed the necklace from Miltia,the original curse fixated on the necklace got overwritten by the demon kingâs curse in me.â
âT-thatâŠ.!! N-No! I donât want this! AAAAHHHHH!!!â
âD-duke Lönnrot, how do we break the curse?â
âFret not. I know the key to break the curse. You only need to ăeat the seafood brought forth by the curse together with the person who love you backă. Thatâs all.â
âUWAHHHH!!!â
âT-thatâs right! If itâs Nador-sama then!â