Becoming the Guide of the Mysophobic Villain? Absolutely Not! - Chapter 121
“Mmmph!”
Why is he taking so long to get to the point! We didn’t imprint, so we can’t pay that money.
Just say that!
I bit my finger in frustration, and Claude’s face showed signs of fatigue.
Looking at me with a mix of emotions in his eyes, Claude continued.
“However, despite recognizing that I have violated the Center’s strict order, I don’t believe I have done anything wrong.”
“?”
“The verdict to pay 200 billion Berks is trivial compared to the satisfaction I feel now. I have no intention of repenting or regretting, making my crime doubly serious.”
“……?”
…Claude, what are you doing?
As I looked up at him with wide eyes, Claude…
“So, I will gladly pay double the sentenced 200 billion Berks, which is 400 billion Berks.”
…dropped a bombshell.
***
“Oh my god, oh my gooood…”
“…….”
“Ahh, such a waste. With 400 billion Berks, I could leave the Center and start my own country instead of wasting it on an imprinting that never happened. Ahhhhhh…”
Claude declared he would pay double the sentenced amount, 400 billion Berks.
After dropping the bombshell, he threatened me in a low voice, audible only to me, that if I dared to say anything absurd, he’d next declare 800 billion Berks.
But even without his threat, I wouldn’t have been able to say anything. The sheer amount of money was so unrealistic that it had left me speechless.
Stunned and gobsmacked, I was held by Claude as he pulled out a blank check he had prepared in advance. In a hurry, he signed it in front of everyone and hurriedly left the courtroom.
The money was paid, and there was no turning back now!
No matter how rich Claude was, 400 billion Berks was not a small amount. It might have been nearly half his entire fortune.
That amount was so enormous that even the Espers who were outraged at the mere fine now seemed to acknowledge, ‘Hmm, Lord Claude must have really cherished that imprinting…’
Would it have been less wasteful if we had actually imprinted?
“Why would you pay such a huge fine for something we didn’t do? If they sentenced us to 200 billion Berks, we should have argued that we were weren’t in our right minds, that we’re sorry for our actions, and that willing to contribute to society—anything to reduce it to a quarter of the amount. What is this, a carriage fare? You just doubled it? 400 billion Berks? It’s absurd to waste so much money, even if you have too much of it.”
While I was distressingly upset about the situation, Claude seemed indifferent…
“It’s my money and I’m spending it as I wish. Why are you making so much fuss about it?”
He responded nonchalantly, leaning back with his chin propped up, clearly unbothered by my distress. The lack of guilt on his face infuriated me further.
“Ah, so it’s just money to you? That must be the money you’ve accumulated since you were a minor, going into battle without a Guide, risking your life!”
“…….”
“And! Is that money all yours? Half of it belongs to me now, right? I have a stake in your assets from now on, don’t I!”
“Why is my money yours?”
Claude chuckled incredulously at my assertion.
I bristled in response.
“Ugh, it’s only natural! Of course I should have a share in your wealth! We’ve gone through a trial claiming we’ve imprinted. How am I supposed to date other Espers now? Lord Claude, you have a moral obligation to take care of me!”
I knew I was being unreasonable.
Anger had made me blurt out words without thinking.
But the more I spoke, the angrier I got, unlike Claude who seemed rather pleased, even smirking at times.
He’s happy after squandering 400 billion Berks?
“…You’re laughing? You find this funny?!”
I was fuming, my anger reaching its peak.
Claude pulled me in by my arm just as I was about to throw a tantrum.
He held me close and grinned slyly.
“I was wrong.”
“No, someone who knows they did wrong wouldn’t…!”
If you know you’re wrong, you should be trying to get back the 400 billion Berks, not just apologizing!
I should’ve begged the judges, saying it was just for show because of the audience. I should’ve reminded them that the original fine was only 200 billion Berks, so could he please get back the extra 200 billion Berks he paid.
But Claude, while saying he was wrong, showed no signs of doing such a thing.
“Yes, I’m wrong, so I guess I have to take responsibility for you.”
I felt his lips press against my cheek repeatedly, his smile curling up.
