ORPDRL Chapter 30

 Episode 30

Someone greeted with loud excitement, and soon, a merchant hurriedly climbed up from below.

“Apologies for the delayed greeting. My name is Frode, the merchant.”

“Fish-man!”

The merchant had whiskers sticking out on both sides, resembling a fish.

“It’s rude to point fingers at people!”

Even if the man resembled a rather ugly catfish...!

Tinker quickly covered Letty's mouth and hid the child behind a chair.

“Oh dear! His Grace seems to be asleep again today. Should I just talk with Lord Moriel instead?”

The merchant’s sly question sounded like he was mocking Grisys.

“It’s been a while, Frode.”

At that moment, Moriel, unaware of Letty and Tinker hiding behind the chair, slowly climbed onto the platform. He laughed heartily and patted Frode on the shoulder.

“Don’t worry about His Grace. After all, the decisions are up to Lorik and me.”

Lorik had stepped out to check the quality of the goods brought by the merchant.

The catfish-whiskered merchant, noticing Lorik’s absence, looked around before slipping something into Moriel’s sleeve.

“Here, please accept this. I personally ensured that the item you requested was carefully prepared.”

Letty and Tinker, who were observing the situation from Letty’s pocket, exchanged glances.

‘That’s definitely a bribe!’

Tinker mouthed the words.

‘What’s a bribe?’

‘It’s when someone gives gifts to gain favor.’

While Tinker explained the concept of bribery to Letty, the merchant, stroking his oily whiskers, tried to flatter Moriel.

“The item I acquired this time is none other than the wing of a Frozenland Butterfly, a rare species found only on the Eastern Continent. It wasn’t easy to obtain, but I won’t ask for payment.”

“Such a valuable item cannot go unpaid. I’ll have the cost charged to Polaris.”

“I’m not asking for payment, Lord Moriel. As I said, if a contract is signed between my trading guild and the grand duchy, I will personally handle your goods in the future.”

Although its purpose was unclear, the butterfly wing seemed quite significant to Moriel.

Hearing the merchant’s promise to personally supply the goods, Moriel’s pupils shook noticeably.

“Are you serious?”

“Of course. Surely you don’t think I’m unaware that His Grace, the Grand Duke, is nothing more than a figurehead? Ultimately, the decision-making power lies with you, Lord Moriel.”

“That may be true, but...”

As Moriel hesitated, Letty suddenly darted forward and grabbed his hand before Tinker could stop her.

"Moriel."

".......?"

When Moriel turned around, he frowned as he noticed the small Letty holding onto his hand.

"What is it, kid? Why are you out here?"

Instead of answering, Letty snorted and glared at him.

"Moriel, do you want to do something bad again today?"

"What! When have I ever done anything bad?!"

Despite his denial, Moriel flinched noticeably as if he had been caught. Feeling the tingling sensation emanating from his hand, Letty’s eyes widened in surprise.

"Hmm..."

'Is this also one of my powers?'

The sensation Letty felt seemed to be Moriel's conscience. She was astonished that his conscience appeared to sting painfully, causing her eyes to open even wider.

In the original story, [Panda Daughter-in-law], Moriel played the role of tormenting Tierra. Was he conflicted about doing bad things even before committing them?

"What are you doing? Let go of my hand already!"

This was before Tierra's appearance in the original plot. Perhaps Moriel hadn't become a full-fledged villain yet.

'Could this ability to sense such things be part of Letty's powers?'

Feeling proud of her newfound ability, Letty smiled smugly and patted Moriel’s backside.

"Moriel, at least you're not a completely bad person, since you still have some conscience."

"You little brat! Where do you think you're touching?"

Ignoring Moriel's irritation, Letty turned her attention back to the catfish-whiskered merchant.

'But this person is worse than Moriel!'

Although she couldn't touch him to read his emotions or thoughts, Letty was almost certain the merchant was a bad person.

None of the items he brought seemed free of a pungent, shady smell. 

Letty's mother had always emphasized the importance of smell and feel when buying things at the market. Applying her mother's principles, there was hardly anything here worth purchasing.

"Is this little girl the rumored panda beastfolk who could break Grizzly's curse?"

The merchant narrowed his eyes and scratched the back of his neck as he examined Letty.

"Looks like the young miss doesn't like me much."

The merchant smiled warmly, but Moriel scoffed dismissively.

"No need to mind her. She's just a kid we’re not even sure is a panda beastfolk."

"I am a panda!"

It seemed Moriel still doubted Letty’s identity. Outraged, she stepped forward, puffing out her chest confidently.

'The fairy said to raise your voice when people doubt you.'

[Listen carefully, Letty. In this world, the loudest person wins.]

Following Tinker’s advice, Letty raised her voice dramatically.

"Letty is truly a panda! I even passed the relic of the Water God!"

Hearing her declaration, the merchant’s ears perked up sharply.

‘Hmm, if she really used the relic of the Water God, there's no way the result could be wrong.’

Calculating how verifying Letty’s identity as a panda beastfolk could win the favor of the grand duchy, the merchant flashed a benevolent smile.

"Yes, yes. The young miss is indeed a panda beastfolk. I've traveled to the Eastern Continent often and met many panda beastfolk, and they all look as round and adorable as you."

"Is that so? Well, I suppose the Water God's relic did confirm it." 

Moriel muttered hesitantly, nodding slightly.

But Letty, now even more suspicious, narrowed her eyes at the merchant.

‘Liar. Letty isn’t a panda beastfolk.’

Frode, the merchant, had probably never seen a panda beastfolk or even traveled to the Eastern Continent.

'The shady smell is getting stronger...'

Letty remembered how her mother could always tell when she lied.

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