Chapter 33: Magical Tools Loved by Nobles

“I didn’t expect Lankaka to actually be a real person.

I just wonder whether she looks the same as the illustration on the signboard, or if there’s some image fraud going on.”

Yiluo silently gave Lankaka Blood Pastry Shop an extremely high evaluation in her heart.

When she casually asked the goat-headed shopkeeper out of curiosity before leaving, she was surprised to learn that the illustrated signboard—the little girl in a traditional European long dress with a white apron—really did exist.

Not only that, she was the founder of the shop, and a graduate of Caledonia Academy.

Seeing that her master had taken an interest in the shop’s founder because of the blood pastries, Coco thought for a moment and said to Yiluo,

“Coco will work hard to learn how to make blood pastries.”

Yiluo tilted her head to look at the earnest Coco, smiled with relief, and shook her head.

“I don’t love them that much.

They’re just nice to try once in a while.”

In truth, Yiluo really was a little obsessed with blood pastries.

But when she imagined pure, innocent Coco making pastries for her with hands full of blood, she just couldn’t bear it.

Coco was still a child.

Even if that child was already bigger than her dad.

“Really?”

Coco looked at Yiluo with suspicion.

Yiluo put on an especially sincere smile, blinked at Coco, and said,

“Of course.

Actually, I’m not that interested in sweets either.”

Watching Yiluo’s expression, Coco leaned her little head closer.

Like a puppy, she sniffed lightly near Yiluo’s face, then nodded with a blush.

“Okay.”

Seeing Coco stop insisting, Yiluo secretly thought to herself that she’d managed to fool her.

Lately, Coco had really been getting harder and harder to deceive.

Had it reached the point where she could tell whether Yiluo was lying just by scent?!

Sigh…

Is this what happens when a daughter grows up?

Although Yiluo felt a bit emotional about how being a “dad” was getting harder by the day, she was also genuinely glad to see Coco growing.

As for Coco, she didn’t dare lift her head to look at Yiluo.

She only wanted to breathe in her master’s refreshing, intoxicating scent.

Those thin, pale-red lips were so small and lovely that she always felt the urge to touch them—

but was too embarrassed to do so.

As for what Miss Yiluo had just said…

Mm.

That was a lie.

Coco had seen through Yiluo’s deception immediately.

Deep down, she quietly resolved to secretly learn how to make blood pastries.

Making blood pastries that would captivate Miss Yiluo became Coco’s number-one goal at that moment.

Coco might not be able to discern other people’s sophisticated lies,

but when it came to her own master, Yiluo—

she could usually tell just from expressions and small movements, without a single word spoken.

After all, she was Yiluo’s Coco.

And so, with each harboring their own secret thoughts, the two of them walked the rest of the way without starting any conversations.

Before dusk, they finally arrived at the registration office of Caledonia Academy.

Because Yiluo and Coco had spent too much time at Lankaka Blood Pastry Shop, they just barely missed the last day of registration for the semester.

By the time they reached the office, only one young male staff member remained, tidying up and getting ready to head home.

When they learned that the next registration period wouldn’t begin until six months later, Yiluo decisively stopped the staff member before he could leave.

She disguised herself as an imperial princess and launched an offensive using authority—and her cuteness.

“Miss, please leave.

I, Jingze, am a serious worker who strictly follows registration rules—a qualified wage s*ave.

I will absolutely not work even one extra second after getting off duty.

I’ve seen no fewer than eight hundred princesses.

Compared to manga’s two-dimensional big sisters, a ‘plain’ lady like you doesn’t even compare.

I will never betray my faith.”

“Even if I die here today, exhausted by you,

I absolutely will not fill out an enrollment form for you!”

Watching Jingze swear to the heavens with a raised hand, vowing never to fill out her form, Yiluo turned around and took a gold coin out of Coco’s backpack.

She opened her palm in front of him.

“Honored lady, I love my job the most.

I am devoted and professional.

Even after work hours, I must never neglect a single applicant.

Among the eight hundred princesses I’ve met combined, none shine as brilliantly as you.

Even paper waifu big sisters pale in comparison.

As long as I’m alive and well, I will ensure that your enrollment form is filled out properly!”

Seeing Coco snickering beside her, Yiluo used the moment to teach her,

“Coco, we usually call Jingze’s behavior the ‘true fragrance’ principle.”

“Oh, oh.

Miss Yiluo really knows a lot.”

Coco looked at her master and wondered—

would she really give that guy a gold coin?

Unless she was in an especially good mood, taking advantage of someone without ill intent didn’t really fit Miss Yiluo’s habits.

After all, in less than twenty days of traveling, Miss Yiluo had already robbed, scammed, and borrowed over a thousand gold coins.

While Coco was thinking this, she saw Yiluo use a trace of bloodkin energy to make a beautiful glass orb float out of her bag.

Then Yiluo asked Jingze, who had just retrieved the form,

“Little brother Jingze, have you ever heard of a magical item called the Eye of窥视?”

Being suddenly asked this, Jingze felt confused.

But since he had just taken a gold coin, he played along obediently.

“I’ve never heard of it.

What does it do?

Is it that glass ball floating there with red mist inside?”

Yiluo smiled slyly, her eyes fixed on Jingze.

She wrapped a finger around her silver hair as she spoke,

“Little brother Jingze, you’re really lacking in common knowledge.

Out of kindness, I’ll explain it to you.”

“The Eye of窥视 is a mid-tier magical item.

It’s very expensive and deeply loved by nobles.

Whether it’s recording indescribable acts or secretly observing whether any strange people have entered your home, it’s an excellent tool.”

“Of course, because it’s small and easy to hide,

it’s also commonly used against business or political rivals.”

“So—

are you interested, little brother Jingze?”

As Yiluo cheerfully explained, Jingze’s face grew darker and darker.

He had never heard of such a magical item, but the way Yiluo described it—so vividly and convincingly—left him no room to doubt.

“Miss…

that really does sound like an amazing magical item.

Would you be willing to sell it to me?

I—I’m truly interested!”

Jingze forced his expression to look less grim and smiled awkwardly.

Yiluo narrowed her eyes, curving them into crescent moons.

“Of course…

not.”

Her tone shifted.

Tilting her head, she smiled mischievously and blinked at him.

Ah.

So this was just pure torment.

Watching Jingze begin to beg Yiluo for mercy, Coco’s gaze returned to Yiluo’s innocent-looking face, and she smiled happily as well.

Today, Miss Yiluo was happy again.

How wonderful~

This time, however, Yiluo didn’t ask Jingze for money.

Instead, she made a request—

one that left Coco rather surprised.