Chapter 124
I gasped and looked at Irene.
Even Irene, who had seemed so fearless, couldn’t remain unfazed by this spectacle.
Her face turned pale with shock.
“I, I’m sorry…”
“…Just read it quickly!”
Irene urged, closing her eyes.
…Tough as always, Irene. She wouldn’t leave until she made sure I read the document. Dealing with Claude’s outrageous behavior would have to wait. The priority was to get Irene out.
Claude, now blatantly licking my neck and pawing at the bare skin under my clothes, seemed undeterred. I twisted and turned futilely, rolling my eyes to quickly scan the document.
…But then.
The contents of the document were completely unexpected.
My hand trembled as I held the paper. I was so stunned by what I read that I couldn’t even stop Claude’s wandering hands.
“…Rose?”
His movements paused, seemingly surprised by my sudden lack of resistance.
I murmured.
“…I think I need to go.”
“Where to?”
“To the guiding training!”
“What? I told you, you don’t need to go. I’ll talk to them about it…”
“No! I want to go! I really want to go!”
Claude’s arms weakened in shock, and I quickly wriggled out of his grasp.
I turned around and thrust the document I had been holding tightly until then towards him.
“This.”
Finally, Claude took it, raising his eyebrows in curiosity.
“What is this all about…?”
He skimmed through the document rapidly, his gaze stopping at a particular point. His face turned cold and stern.
A long sigh escaped him after a while, like a breath of resignation.
The document stated, ‘Scholarships are provided weekly for participating in guiding training.’
Irene, watching us, finally let a satisfied smirk lift the corners of her mouth.
A clear smile of victory.
***
Claude tried to persuade me in every way.
“You said your dream was to retire early and live without working. Why insist on working and earning money again?”
“Eh, how did you know my dream was early retirement?”
“……”
“Anyway. You might not understand, Claude, but ordinary people feel guilty about spending a lot of money. They want to work and earn more to alleviate that guilt. I need to earn some money, even if it’s just a small amount, to ease my conscience.”
The nearest training session was in 20 minutes, so there was no time to lose.
I hurriedly grabbed a bag. There was no specified list of things to bring, but I figured it would be good to at least take writing materials to a training session.
I put a pen and a small notebook in my bag, then headed to my closet to change clothes.
All the while, Claude followed me closely.
“400 billion Berks isn’t a small amount, but it’s not like I can’t afford to take care of you. If you want, I’ll give you the rest of my fortune.”
“That’s one thing, this is another. It’s like wanting ice cream for dessert even when you’re full from your meal.”
“That analogy is….”
“And learn the value of money this time. Be careful not to casually double your expenses like you did. Just a while ago, you were ready to give away the rest of your fortune after throwing 400 billion Berks into the sky.”
“You’re not the type to spend much anyway, even if you’d have a lot of money. Why are you so greedy for it?”
“Because I’m a commoner earning a salary less than one forty-millionth of 400 billion Berks! I’m going to change clothes now, so could you please leave?”
“What’s there to leave for? I’ve seen it all anyway. Just change in front of me…”
“…You’re not leaving?”
When I glared at him with wide eyes, Claude flinched.
He ran a hand through his hair, sighing in frustration, and eventually left the room with a scowl.
After quickly changing, I finished preparing to leave. Claude then changed his tactics.
“Then I’ll go with you.”
“What?”
“I can’t let you go alone. It’s dangerous.”
I was flabbergasted. Dangerous? What danger?
Even the youngest, softest guides attend guiding training without issue. Why would it be dangerous for me, a grown adult?
Feeling it wasn’t even worth responding, I silently began putting on my shoes.
But Claude seemed serious, ready to follow me out.
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