So I'm a Snake, Who Cares

Court Count Jimier Berollinger.

'Court Count' means a count who serves in the royal court.

It's a position that can wield immense power, sometimes acting as the king's proxy.

Thus, although Berollinger's title was count, he enjoyed influence comparable to any duke or marquis.

Moreover, Jimier Berollinger was an exceptional individual.

The title "old fox" was given by political figures who feared him.

Though his appearance was unremarkable with his short stature and goat-like beard.

Everyone knew that the kingdom's major and minor affairs were decided in his private chamber when he retired from court.

Jimier was truly living power.

The glasses perched on his nose looked precariously close to sliding off.

He casually spoke.

"The gift, did they receive our gift over there?"

The Court Count's manner of speech was lighter than expected.

Those meeting him for the first time were often surprised, but the one beside him now was his butler who had served him all his life.

The butler answered routinely.

"We sent a newly crafted golden document cabinet, but Director Balanyar rejected it."

Director Balanyar was the director of Emerald School.

He was also a powerful mage and scholar who held one of the eight hero positions.

He had rejected the Court Count's gift.

"Paint it with white dye and send it again. He'll accept it then."

"...Will that work?"

Even the loyal butler couldn't easily nod.

Cover gold with white paint and he'll accept it? Could it be that simple?

"Scholars generally don't like receiving things in golden boxes because of their pride. Balanyar's the same. Paint it roughly with white paint and he'll accept it."

"I'll do that."

"Hehe, isn't it just like him? Full of greed inside but maintaining a modest exterior."

"Haha, indeed."

"Kid... don't force yourself to laugh when it's not funny. You know I don't like that."

The butler laughed awkwardly.

The Court Count wasn't someone who could be called pleasant no matter how you packaged it.

Especially now when...

"Ah, and those I checked here. Kill them all."

"...Yes, understood."

When watching him decide who lives and dies with just a fountain pen in this corner room.

He couldn't be more ruthless.

"Support that fellow in the academy more. I'll put in Obern as insurance. He's coming soon, right?"

"I'll take care of it."

"Has the Third Prince's admission been processed?"

"Yes, it will be processed soon."

When royal matters came up, the Court Count smiled slightly.

That smile looked particularly dangerous.

"Someday~ when the red sun rises..."

The Court Count hummed lyrics, seemingly in a good mood.

The butler organized the documents he received from him.

Just then, there was a commotion outside.

The sound of someone running.

And sounds of others trying to stop them.

There weren't many people who could run like that in this mansion.

"Hoho."

The Court Count was already smiling contentedly when the office door burst open.

"Grandfather!"

It was an ugly child who appeared.

They say even a hedgehog finds its own young precious, and the Court Count pulled his running grandson into a tight embrace.

"Hmm? Your face is really messed up."

"Yeah, that bastard."

"I don't understand why he hit you. Hoho."

The grandson's face was slightly red and swollen.

The commotion that occurred today was reported up to the Court Count.

But they couldn't quite figure out what happened.

Apparently, the servant accompanying his grandson hit the back of his head, and the grandson suddenly started hitting his own face in self-harm.

"Grandfather, what did you do to that bastard? Did you punish him?"

The Court Count understood the situation in his own way.

If the servant really hit his grandson's head, the reason for the grandson's self-harm must have been to get that servant punished. Continue reading on

By provoking this grandfather's anger.

A very clever lie.

He didn't want to pursue it and scold his grandson.

"Yes, I punished him."

"How? Did you kill him?"

"Just cut off his wrists and sent him away."

"Aw, that's boring."

That's how the matter was settled.

"Throw away that nasty snake statue too!"

"Snake statue?"

Wondering what he meant, he looked at the butler, who explained.

"It's one of the items we recently acquired. Not a snake but a wyvern specimen, brought by the hunter Heilit Langrey... it's currently stored in the warehouse."

Jimier Berollinger receives several bribes every day.

And those items are stored briefly before going out again under Jimier Berollinger's name.

Sometimes as another bribe, as a return gift, as a bestowment.

The butler whispered so the grandson couldn't hear.

"It's on the outgoing list... it will be sent out this week."

"I see."

Well then it's not important.

Jimier Berollinger said magnanimously.

"Alright, grandfather will smash it and throw it away for you."

"Wow, grandfather is the best!"

It won't be thrown away but sold somewhere.

Seeing his grandson happy made him feel pleased.

==

Evolution Day 21.

I had to think about what to steal.

[Cyclops' Eye Piercer]

That rapier is no ordinary weapon.

Cyclops' Eye Piercer. Just the name suggests amazing penetrating power.

Must be a masterpiece with historical heritage.

If this world were a game, it would definitely be at least a unique item.

And it would probably have options like Ignore Penetration Resistance +5, Physical Attack +10, Magic Attack +5... and so on.

But I already have two swords so it's out of priority.

[Messenger's Winged Shoes]

And there was a single boot with golden wings drawn on it.

Pelerian says it's an item that increases running speed.

I can't use it since I have no feet.

But something occurred to me.

Couldn't Isil wear it?

A vine grass wearing shoes - that character concept could beat even Puss in Boots.

"I have no idea if that would be cute."

Pelerian flatly denied it.

Even if he was a great archmage, he's just clueless about these things, I sigh.

"Set priorities. Especially precious items will trigger alarm magic if anyone touches them."

'Is that on me too?'

"No, it's not on you."

'Ah.'

There's also the size issue.

Pelerian's signet ring has spatial magic installed.

But its storage space isn't very large.

We can't take many items or large ones.

Among various items, there was one that particularly caught my eye.

It seemed to have been preserved in the warehouse for a very long time.

Something that could be used as a flowerpot.

[Alteard's Ceremonial Celadon]

...

'That pottery is an artifact too, right?'

"Yes, though we'd need to check exactly what magic it contains."

Just the fact that its name appears when I focus my eyes shows it's no ordinary item.

Plus, there was something inside it.

[Alteard's Ceremonial Celadon]

--Golden Soil

Golden soil.

I don't know what it is, but it seems good for plants.

Of course, I'm not planning to eat it but give it to Isil.

I wonder if they'll understand my intentions.

I should grab the items and run as soon as I finish evolving.

Leave a bill for those who called me creepy and displayed me as a decoration in the corridor.

Clank.

Just then, the door opened.

Servants walked in steadily and started loading items onto a trolley.

'Hey, what are you doing!'

Fortunately, they didn't load the items I had my eye on.

Suddenly one of them picked me up.

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