#97

I doubled over, laughing so hard my back nearly bent in half.

The mole’s expression turned fierce in an instant.

“Are you laughing?”

He bared his tiny teeth and growled, but I barely managed to swallow my laughter and straighten up.

“Pff—! Ahem! I-I’m sorry! It’s just… I have a weakness for cute things.”

That did not improve his mood.

“Cute?”

The mole tilted his head to the side as if I had just spoken absolute nonsense.

He was clearly trying to be intimidating, but honestly…

He just looked like one of those moles in a whack-a-mole game.

‘If I had a hammer, I might have used it just out of habit.’

Thank goodness I didn’t have one.

Keeping my hands politely clasped, I greeted him formally.

“Hello, sir.”

—I am not ‘hello’ at all!

The mole pouted, his lips sticking out in irritation.

Clearly, laughing at his face right at our first meeting had soured his mood.

Right.

In the original story, Ella had also gotten scolded for calling his name without proper formalities.

And I had not only done that—I had laughed.

If I wasn’t careful, this mole was going to scurry away and refuse to contract with me.

Time to salvage my image.

I switched strategies, my tone soft and affectionate—like a sweet granddaughter talking to a beloved elder.

“I sincerely apologize! It’s just that your appearance is so adorable, I couldn’t help but smile! You know how people naturally smile when they see something cute and lovable?”

—Hmph! Hrrm! Young people these days will say anything! Cute? Lovable?!

“Oh dear, I forgot ‘charming’! Please add that to the list!”

—W-what a cheeky one! Tsk!

He stomped his tiny feet, jumping in frustration.

But I noticed something important—

His scowl was fading, and I even caught his cheeks twitching as if fighting a smile.

‘Oh? It’s working!’

I had taken a gamble, but thankfully, it had paid off.

This mole was Jonathan, the Guardian of the Sapphire of Order.

He had a reputation for being a stubborn, grumpy old relic.

But in the original story, I remembered something else—

He was weak to flattery.

Ella had been straightforward and lacked any cutesy charm, but even her small display of respect had melted him.

Compared to that?

I was a former office worker who had mastered the art of social survival.

Sweet-talking a grumpy mole?

Easy.

Sure enough, Jonathan let out a distinctive laugh—

—Hohoho!

His grandfatherly chuckle instantly put me at ease.

Seizing the moment, I gently steered the conversation back on track.

“Ah, could it be… that you are the great Guardian of the Sapphire of Order, Jonathan?”

At my over-the-top flattery, I noticed Taby—who had been quietly hovering nearby—freeze solid.

They looked at me like I had just committed an unforgivable sin.

I ignored them.

Right now, Jonathan was all that mattered.

Hearing my words, Jonathan stood tall, his voice booming with pride.

—Ah-ha! Indeed, indeed! I am none other than Jonathan, the noble Guardian of the Sapphire of Order!

His posture was elegant, his tiny hands clasped behind his back in a dignified stance.

…But honestly?

Seeing his short, chubby frame, sunglasses perched proudly on his little snout, was too much.

I had to focus so hard to keep my gaze from drifting to his round belly.

Clearing my throat, I finally introduced myself.

“I am Cersia Jabis. I have come in desperate need of your aid—will you help me?”

Everything had been going so smoothly.

But the moment I mentioned Jabis, Jonathan’s entire demeanor changed.

—What? Jabis? You are from Jabis?

His eyes widened behind his sunglasses, his face turning red with rage.

In an instant, he stamped his feet, his voice rising in anger.

—Begone! Do you think I would contract with a filthy black lion?!

“I’m not a black lion, though!”

—Oh? Really?

Jonathan’s rage deflated in an instant, his expression shifting to curiosity.

He even tilted his head, looking me over as if double-checking.

I clenched my fists tightly.

Had I been Ayla, I probably would have shoved my fist into my mouth to stop myself from laughing.

Seriously—why did everyone start having a seizure the moment Jabis was mentioned?

What the hell did Jabis even do?!

Sure, they were strong, but this was ridiculous!

…Though, I supposed this was a different kind of hatred.

From a Guardian’s perspective, black lions were the ones who stole Saintess Larien away.

Even Taby had groaned when they first learned I was living in the black lion’s household—so Jonathan’s reaction was hardly surprising.

At that moment, Jonathan stepped closer, his tiny snout twitching as he sniffed at me.

—Now that I think about it… you don’t have that stench.

“Oh, that’s because I’m a white weasel beastman.”

—Huh. Tsk, tsk. How did you end up in that den of beasts?

Jonathan clicked his tongue with an almost pitying look.

Sensing an opportunity, I sighed dramatically and answered with all the weariness of a poor, struggling soul.

“Sigh… I did it to survive.”

—Tsk! How unfortunate.

The moment I played the victim, I saw Jonathan’s hostility melt away completely.

A few seconds later, he spoke boisterously.

—Very well! I cannot ignore a pitiful young one who has sought me out. I shall help you!

“So you’ll contract with me?”

—That I shall! Hohoho!

“I’m so touched, Elder!”

I clung to him with exaggerated gratitude, and his shoulders puffed up proudly.

—Ahem!

Even though I was laying it on thick, his round cheeks twitched with barely concealed delight.

I had long since figured out the trick to handling Guardians.

Each of them had a specific way they liked to be approached.

And Jonathan?

He was the most difficult one of all.

His temper was unpredictable, and he would scrap the contract entirely if something irritated him.

But thankfully, I already knew his weakness.

He was easily won over by a polite, respectful young person.

‘That’s my specialty.’

Sure, I had been stuck in a den of black lions for a while, but back in my past life?

I was extremely popular with the elderly.

Having been raised by my grandmother, I naturally learned how to charm old folks.

Honestly, calling Jonathan an “old geezer” hadn’t been meant in a bad way.

I genuinely liked elders.

I liked their calm, steady presence.

I liked the warmth in their gaze when they looked toward the younger generation.

Yes, sometimes they were stubborn or strict, but deep down, they cared.

And the thing I missed the most—

That comforting scent of my grandmother.

Most people said old people smelled bad, but to me, it had been a soothing and familiar scent.

When I curled up in my grandmother’s arms, it was like the whole world became peaceful.

Jonathan reminded me of her—

Even though they had absolutely nothing in common aside from being short.

Taby, meanwhile, had been watching in shock.

Then, as if suddenly realizing how differently I treated Jonathan, they narrowed their eyes in outrage.

—Why don’t you ever treat me like that?

‘Then try being an elder.’

I only respected old folks.

—That’s unfair! He’s not even that much older than me!

I smirked, stretching my arms leisurely.

‘Sucks to be you.’

Taby fumed, circling around me in frustration.

—You said I had to contract with Jonathan, and now you’re treating him better than me?!

‘Because you always shake me around like a toy.’

—But you always teased me first—!

‘And I will continue to do so.’

—YOU—!

‘Heheh.’

As I playfully bickered with Taby, Jonathan finished the contract ceremony.

—Then let us begin!

The dark space was suddenly bathed in brilliant light.

And in that unexpected brightness, I caught something through Jonathan’s sunglasses—

His tiny, beady little eyes.

So small.

‘…ADORABLE.’

Jonathan must have noticed my stare because he quickly turned away.

—Ahem! D-don’t stare so much! I know my eyes are small!

…Oh.

Ohhh.

So that’s why he always wore sunglasses underground.

I almost felt bad for laughing earlier.

Now I realized—he wasn’t just a short mole.

He was a short mole with tiny, tragic little eyes.

‘Too. Damn. Cute.’

I clenched my fists tightly, forcing myself to remain composed.

His small stature made everything he did look adorable.

But of course—

Just because he was cute didn’t mean I would go easy on him.

Life is war.

And if I had to outmaneuver someone to survive, then so be it.

Jonathan was no exception.

Fufufu.

With another valuable asset added to my ranks, I smirked inwardly, but outwardly?

I gazed at Jonathan with wide, innocent eyes.

Today marked the birth of another excellent worker under my command.

TL/N: The mole

 

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