Raise Me, So That I Can Eat You Up - Chapter 27

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[System: Congratulations!

‘Black Dragon’ has made a ‘friend’ for the first time.

As a reward, ‘Black Dragon’s’ ‘Social Skills’ (Lv.1) will develop.]

‘Is he serious?’

They say it’s the stormy period of hatchlings. Oscar’s inner thoughts were truly unpredictable.

‘I was sure they wouldn’t get along. I guess you really have to meet to know.’

It was unexpected, but if they both liked it, what could I do?

[System: Effect: When certain conditions (???) are met, you can make friends. When ‘Black Dragon’ is with a ‘friend’, the probability of rampage decreases significantly.

Title ‘Dragon’s Friendship’ acquired.]

The most important part about the conditions was marked with question marks.

It seemed a bit suspicious, but being able to make friends? And the probability of rampage decreases?

That alone was welcome news.

“Grand Magician. Will you be friends with the baby?”

I carefully asked Benedict. Benedict’s willingness was important too, not just Oscar’s.

Friends. For ‘extreme introverts’ like Benedict, acting overly familiar was like crossing a line.

Even earlier, it was unavoidable because of Oscar, but that made me more nervous.

‘I’m still worried about that mana core incident.’

Since Oscar had declared him a ‘friend’. It seemed best to confirm in advance for Oscar’s safety.

“Yes. I will. Friend.”

“Are you sure? The child can be quite energetic.”

Although it was unavoidable due to the imprinting, even I often felt drained just watching.

I felt I should warn him about such aspects in advance.

“Ah, it’s something I need too. I’m interested in gifted education, you see.”

“Gifted education?”

I repeated the unexpected words in bewilderment.

“Yes, talented individuals who research dragons are rare. We must hold onto them. He seems very bright, even if he can’t count numbers well yet.”

“He is smart.”

The part about not being able to count numbers was all lies. He was smart enough to memorize entire books.

“Indeed. And above all, loving dragons is important. He seems to have plenty of that.”

“I… I see.”

Of course he loves dragons since he is one, but to hear our child called gifted.

It didn’t feel bad.

‘Is this how we’re glossing over it, as a dragon-obsessed gifted baby? Can I really relax?’

Something felt unsettling, but what could I do? It wasn’t a problem I could solve.

“Ah, and. It seems you’ll need to participate in the compensation as well, My Lady.”

“Of course. An adult is responsible for a child’s mistakes. I bear much of the blame for being careless. Please tell me what to do.”

If it was about helping with ‘gifted education’, I was confident since I was also devoted to Oscar.

I nodded enthusiastically, my eyes shining.

“About that novel you said you’d write.”

“No-novel…?”

Why is the novel being mentioned here?

This is clearly referring to the R-rated novel I agreed to write about dragons.

A high-intensity earthquake occurred in my pupils.

Leon and Oscar, who couldn’t possibly understand, stared at me blankly.

“Ah, ah, yes, th-that.”

“Yes. Write a manuscript every week and submit it to me for review.”

“Are you serious?”

Are you determined to stab me to death with shame? Right now?

I wanted to protest, but I couldn’t reveal it in front of Leon and Oscar, who still knew nothing.

“I am serious. The reason you borrowed that book in the first place was for ‘novel writing’, wasn’t it?”

“…That’s true, but.”

“I think you need to prove that there was no other reason.”

“I understand, but isn’t showing it a different matter from writing it?”

My face turned bright red.

I had to put on such a thick face when picking out those books every week to be treated like a pervert.

‘You want me to write and show my trash-like tastes directly?’

Just imagining it made me want to disappear into cosmic dust.

“I think that’s how you should proceed. I need to get the Dragon Encyclopedia back too, don’t I? And I’d like you to publish it as a book.”

“Pu-publish?”

“Yes. Shouldn’t we share good things with everyone?”

Oh my, this was getting worse and worse.

This is what happens when you make up such excuses from the start. I had dug my own grave.

“I’ll take care of the publishing, you just need to provide the manuscript. If you wish, I’ll guarantee strict anonymity.”

“But what does me writing a manuscript have to do with compensation?”

…Could it be that the satisfaction he gets from reading such novels is the compensation?

I wanted to ask but forcibly swallowed the question.

“I’ll take a portion of the profits. That will serve as compensation. Then, I’ll prepare a contract and bring it next week.”

It was quite a specific proposal. The conditions themselves were also exceptional.

In fact, the ‘Dragon Encyclopedia’ was priceless and difficult to value.

If I could compensate with the (probably) trashy manuscript I write without spending a penny, I thought there wasn’t much to lose.

“What do you think?”

Benedict’s eyes shone sharply.

I thought that this person was quite an oddball too, just like me.

“It’s… a bit sudden. I think I’ll need some time to think about it.”

“I see. I’ll give you a few days. Ah, and if you don’t want to publish, I will ‘reluctantly’ consider the appropriate price for the Dragon Encyclopedia.”

This was practically a threat to accept.

It was awkward, but with my explosive younger brother and a baby dragon who could go on a rampage, I decided to endure it for now.

“Alright. I’ll think about it.”

“If research is difficult, I can provide relevant knowledge in a Q&A format. Of course, it will be the latest knowledge.”

Oh, this was a tempting offer.

It was cumbersome to look up the encyclopedia for everything while raising Oscar, and I was curious about the latest knowledge too.

It would be very useful to have someone to ask.

“Ah, and you’ll need to read to write. I happened to bring the books you’re to borrow this week. I prepared similar types to what you usually read…”

“What? Yes, yes! I’ll do it, I’ll do it. Is it okay if I give you the first manuscript by next week?”

Thinking Benedict was about to pull out another bundle of erotic books, I hastily accepted the proposal.

The corners of his mouth drew a long arc.

‘Wow, it’s the first time I’ve seen Benedict so talkative and enthusiastic.’

He seems to have made up his mind. It looks like I’ve really caught the attention of this eccentric Grand Magician.

‘At least he won’t mess up the manuscript if I give it to him. If it weren’t for Oscar, I could have wrapped this up neatly. Oh, my fate.’

My head was throbbing, and I felt like crying.

“Sister, was being a writer your dream?”

The tactless Leon asked with a grin. He smirked ominously as if to tease me.

“Uh, yeah. Everyone has a dream in their heart. Just like you.”

“You always read those kinds of books….”

“Haha, haha, it’s gotten quite late. It’s time for the baby to sleep. I’ll accept the proposal. Shall we meet next week then?”

Be patient, they say if you endure three times, you can even avoid murder.

I forced a smile and escaped this situation. And so, today’s chaotic dinner party came to an end.

***

Benedict’s carriage was ready, and we were on our way to see him off.

Oscar was being carried by Leon, walking ahead, while I was following behind with Benedict.

“Yes. I apologize for the late hour and any inconveniences.”

He greeted politely.

“Not at all. I’m sorry you didn’t seem to eat much.”

I felt guilty for hastily wrapping up the dinner.

“It was delicious.”

Benedict smiled faintly. It seems I’m seeing him smile a lot today.

Even with his cool impression, when he smiles, it feels as warm as a spring breeze.

‘Although he’s an eccentric weirdo, his smile still makes my heart flutter.’

Indeed, the male lead buff was intense.

Even after such torment(?), I still couldn’t shake off the chronic condition of brightening my face.

“Ah, and my lady.”

“Yes?”

“Well….”

What is he trying to say? He hesitated for a long time again.

‘What kind of eccentric thing is he going to say now?’

It felt even more unsettling because he couldn’t speak easily.

He wasn’t usually talkative, but when he did engage in conversation, he was rather straightforward.

This hesitation was unlike the usual Benedict.

“Yes, yes, please speak freely.”

It’s better to take the hit quickly when Oscar and Leon can’t hear anyway.

With that mindset, I looked at his face, but he avoided my gaze, seeming embarrassed.

“…You sometimes appear that way to me too.”

“Pardon? What do you mean?”

At that moment, he met my gaze, his eyes gently curved.

“An angel.”

Then he walked a bit ahead, seemingly embarrassed.

‘…Angel?’

When I mulled over the word I heard and guessed its meaning, Benedict was already ahead of Leon.

Could he be referring to my earlier nonsense about ‘angel descending’ or something?

‘…Then could this be?’

A sign of affection?

Even if the female lead in a reverse harem game comes with a basic patch of ‘lack of awareness’, this is at a level that’s impossible to miss, right?

As I realized this, my face instantly heated up and my heart started pounding.

‘Wow, this is really huge! Huge! A huge event!’

I unconsciously clenched my fists and stamped my feet.

Then I met Oscar’s clear eyes, looking back while being carried by Leon.

‘Oh no, it shouldn’t be a green light. Am I crazy?’

Right, calm down. Let’s calm down.

‘My goal is to raise Oscar into a proper adult, and if I reach an ending with the wrong person before that, it would lead to a rampage.’

Exhausted from childcare, I seem to have momentarily forgotten the basic conditions of this game.

Romance is a luxury for me right now.

I fanned my heated face and kept clearing my throat.

As we reached the entrance of the mansion, I could see the prepared carriage in the distance.

“Then, I’ll be taking my leave.”

Benedict bid farewell very politely.

I returned the greeting without even making eye contact.

It was then, as Benedict was walking towards the carriage.

“Can Oscar say goodbye to Mr. Magic? Hm?”

Oscar fidgeted and threw a tantrum cheerfully. Leon looked at me with a troubled face.

‘It said they were friends, so it shouldn’t be a big problem.’

It’s understandable that he’d want to, since it’s his first friend. I gestured to Leon to put Oscar down.

Oscar ran to Benedict like a shot.

***

As Benedict was about to board the carriage, he felt his clothes being tugged by a small hand.

“Benedict O’Neil.”

Oscar was looking up at him with eyes like bright rubies.

He gestured to the coachman to wait a moment, then bent his knee to meet Oscar’s gaze.

“Yes, Mr. Dragon?”

At his response, Oscar’s lips twisted slightly.

“Let’s have a little chat.”