CHAPTER 31
“You’re interested. How adorable.”
The baby dragon rolled its eyes like a cranky old man.
“As I said, it’s very simple. I’ll lend you a mysterious power that can modify the magic circle trap created by the two Transcendents.”
Ooh…
“However, there’s a time limit—15 minutes.”
Oh, it’s time-limited?
So you’re saying I have to modify Aldensis and Zikren’s terrifying trap within 15 minutes, so Ruellian doesn’t die like that and can escape instead?
“Exactly. Correct.”
The baby dragon nodded with satisfaction.
“Just make sure not to exceed the 15 minutes, and at the very end, don’t forget to erase all records created after the magic circle was formed. That way, no matter how you intervene, no one will ever find out.”
Really?
That doesn’t sound too bad on the surface…
But how am I supposed to know when and where it’s going to happen? You said the time and place haven’t been decided yet?
To my question, the baby dragon replied proudly,
“That’s why you have to make it happen right in front of you.”
How?
“Use your head? I don’t know either. I’m just the will of a powerful being.”
…
Of course.
Cute baby dragon or not—blocked.
Isn’t there a or option for hallucinations?
As I looked around, the baby dragon waved its tiny front paws in a panic.
“Wait! Didn’t I say there’d be a reward? Surely there’s something you desperately want from those two Transcendents. I can see it—some intense desire hidden deep within your heart…”
At that moment, I felt like those golden eyes were peering directly into my soul.
That strong desire buried deep within… It definitely existed.
Yeah. I really want to… interrogate them!
The baby dragon leaned in closer.
“What is it? What do you want to do?”
…In.
“Hmm?”
…terrogate! I want to interrogate them!
The hidden desire burst out of me before I even realized it.
A powerful urge to interrogate.
“Interrogate? Hmm… I’ve heard all kinds of things, but that’s a new one.”
The baby dragon looked momentarily flustered but soon regained its composure.
“Very well. If you grant my request, I’ll grant that wish in return. The two Transcendents will speak only the truth—and will have no memory of any of your questions.”
But I’m guessing there’s a time limit for that, too?
“Five minutes. Any longer is impossible…”
Then the dragon showed me another vision.
Ruellian, kneeling alone in front of the altar of the gods.
“Don’t forget the divine agent, either. He doesn’t even know he’s about to die. But what if you save his life by disabling the trap right in front of his eyes?”
The baby dragon’s large tail swayed behind him.
“He’s someone who refuses to be indebted to anyone. If you save him, he’ll definitely repay the favor. Think about that, too.”
…
He’s right. It really is worth thinking about.
An opportunity to hear the truth from two top suspects—and a chance to make another one owe me his life.
It’d be a real shame to let this pass.
My mental calculator started running at full speed.
“Contractor… make your decision quickly. If you want to take on this mission, now is the best time to act.”
The baby dragon waved his paw again. A glittering magic wand appeared before me.
“If you’re willing to accept my request, take this. It’s the power I’ll lend you—you just have to give the command. Well then…”
The dragon’s voice faded away, and vivid reality returned.
I blinked. My blurry vision cleared, as if snapping out of dizziness.
“…If this operation succeeds, even that infamous phantom thief will be finished.”
The Security Chief’s voice rang out. They were still in the middle of their conversation. It hadn’t even been a few seconds.
Did I just imagine all that? A hallucination? A daydream?
But… no.
That wand was still glowing before my eyes. The power the baby dragon had promised.
He said all I had to do was grab it.
The conversation around me continued.
“You said the operation is flawless. But the real issue is how to lure him into the trap, since he’s so elusive…”
“Exactly.”
Zikren frowned slightly.
“It’s about time for him to make a move again. Based on his usual patterns, he should’ve already posted another warning note somewhere by now.”
“Nothing particularly newsworthy has surfaced lately. We probably need to showcase something flashy to bait him.”
“Isn’t there a natural way to throw out some bait?”
“We’ve prepared a few ideas. Let me show you while you’re here—this one, or maybe this one…”
The Security Chief showed Zikren several documents.
One of those would become the official plan to capture the thief?
If I butt in and claim one before they decide, I can control the whole setup. That must be why the dragon told me to act now.
A bait plan for a thief…
A good idea suddenly popped into my head.
I spoke up.
“No need to overthink it. Just use that.”
They both turned toward me at once.
“You were listening? I thought you weren’t interested.”
Zikren looked surprised.
“But use what? Aristina, do you have a good idea?”
“It just came to me while listening to you two talk…”
I carefully led in,
“Remember how I recently partnered with the royal family to start that department store business? It’s opening soon—why not use the grand opening?”
“Huh?”
Zikren and the Security Chief’s expressions shifted. That… actually makes sense, their faces seemed to say.
Even though that department store had been hijacked for another agenda, now I had a perfect chance to turn it to my advantage.
“That’s brilliant! Everyone already expects you to promote the new business in a big way. So we display a priceless treasure at the opening—it’ll draw attention like wildfire!”
“Exactly. We pretend it’s just a marketing stunt to attract customers, but the treasure becomes bait. How’s that for luring a thief?”
“Perfect!”
Zikren shouted.
“Why didn’t I think of that? That way we can set the trap naturally. Aristina, how’d you even come up with this? I just brought you here to prove I wasn’t lying, but this is a total bonus!”
“Indeed.”
The Security Chief beamed and immediately wrote on the paper: ‘Lady Aristina’s Department Store’.
Just like that, I claimed the location for the mission. That was easy.
And…
Looks like I can set the date, too.
I glanced at the Security Chief’s desk.
Documents lay spread out—records of what the thief had stolen, places he’d broken into, eyewitness reports…
And the warning notes.
[img001]
(My note: This seems to be a placeholder for an image, maybe a document or drawing in the original text.)
My eyes stopped on one of those distinct notes, made of unique paper and ink.
I can make good use of that. I felt a surge of confidence.
Alright. Let’s do this.
I reached out toward the glowing wand.
Pop.
With a soft sound, it turned into a small emblem and landed on my wrist.
A power that lets me modify the fearsome magic circle trap created by Aldensis and Zikren however I want—for 15 minutes, completely undetected.
It probably wasn’t visible to anyone else, but just to be safe, I pulled down my sleeve and covered my wrist.
The die is cast.
I turned to the still-chatting Zikren and the Chief and declared:
“I know this kind of thing well, so I’ll join the operation too. What do you think, Chief? As the store’s manager, I’ll prepare the treasure and host the exhibition to lure in the thief.”
“What?”
Both men looked shocked—especially the Chief, who beamed with delight.
“That would be perfect. Haha! I never imagined you’d get this involved and even help us plan!”
He looked at me like he was seeing me in a whole new light.
“Aristina…”
Zikren stared at me, stunned.
“You don’t even like me. And you still want to help with this mission? I’m really surprised.”
“You’ve misjudged me. Sure, we’re not exactly close, but I’m not the kind of fool who lets personal feelings get in the way of something important. For someone like me, who loses her mind over luxury goods, this thief is a huge problem. How dare he interfere with my hobbies? I’ll do everything I can to help catch him.”
“Right, right.”
Zikren nodded eagerly. The Chief smiled.
“His Highness the Second Prince seems very pleased.”
“Of course. It’s always uplifting to see a brave citizen of the Empire. Thanks for joining us. I’m counting on you.”
Zikren gave a charming smile—the kind that made him the most beloved Second Prince in the Empire, blending good looks with a strangely pure heart.
If he really did kill Aristina and is still acting like this… he’s a monster.
That thought must have shown on my face, because the Chief quickly added:
“Ah, and don’t worry—there’s no danger. You’ve got the protection of two Transcendents, after all.”
“Exactly.”
Zikren replied smugly.
“You just let your name be listed. I’ll tell Father you played a big role.”
Oh, is this the legendary “group project freeloader”?
After always being the one holding the wheel in group projects and part-time jobs, finally—a freeloading opportunity?
Yeah, no chance.
That smug prince was deeply mistaken.
He wishes…
I’m the one holding the wheel now.
Planning: Me.
Investment: Me.
Execution: Me.
A ridiculous holy trinity. But…
All rewards: Me.
Which means, it’s more than worth doing.
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
I looked Zikren in the eye and smiled.
If this works out, I’ll finally know whether one of these brothers is the real killer.
“I’m really looking forward to this.”
I held my dress lightly with both hands and gave a graceful bow, smiling brightly.
