## Chapter 276 – Counterattack (27)
“I don’t know the specifics yet, but…
The possibility is quite high…!!”
Eloise’s voice was excited as she handed over the newspaper. Carla, who had been staring wide-eyed, took the newspaper, her hands trembling slightly.
From this alone, it might seem like someone else developed the liquid metal technology, but the people here knew at least one thing for sure.
Since they had recovered the Academy’s data from Larathina’s safehouse, they assumed she had any remaining data.
Considering the missing research, it was possible that Larathina, with her incredible financial resources, had hired experts in various fields to analyze multiple research projects simultaneously.
“Slower than I thought… but…”
However, because she was overseeing multiple studies at once, even research that was simple enough to replicate from the data took time to be published.
But that meant Larathina’s people, who had meticulously analyzed Carla’s research for a month, were reaching the stage of commercialization.
“If it’s announced like this…
The Academy’s position will become difficult later.
Even if we retrieve the research…
It will be hard to avoid accusations of stealing their research…”
Eloise’s words carried multiple meanings.
In academia, early publication is the best way to assert rights as the author.
Of course, there might be a possibility that someone stole someone else’s research, so that part could be corrected later with evidence…
The problem was that Carla didn’t have many ways to prove it.
Because she hadn’t anticipated this situation, all the data was taken before she could copy it.
There was physical evidence in the form of the finished product, “Spider Army MK-1,” but once the announcement was made, everyone would know the method, making it insufficient proof that she had created it first.
“I can be a witness to prove that it’s Carla’s research, but…
Research ethics are known to be strict.
If rumors spread that a noble is trying to steal a commoner’s research…”
Moreover, if she gained sympathy as a commoner, Carla could be the one who suffered.
After all, the research was valuable enough to warrant a transfer offer to overcome the Academy’s financial difficulties.
It was clear that it would be worth a lot of money, and it was also clear that the other party would be persistent and do anything to protect it.
Even though it was technology that would eventually be retrieved and returned to the Academy, the urgency was on their side when considering the future.
“Then… what should we do…?”
“I’m planning to inform the Academy through the Dean.
If the Academy intervenes directly, there might be a solution.
But… I don’t think that will be a solution right now…”
It was truly an unpredictable outcome.
“Oh, I heard, Carla.
I heard there are guys who stole your research?”
As the voice reached Carla’s ear, she turned her head towards the source of the sound.
“Brother…!?”
“Hiding it from me and not saying a word.
This brother is about to be upset.
If Lady Hyeryung hadn’t told me, I might not have known until the end…
Sob… how much you must have suffered…!!
Carla…!! My sister…!!”
“Ugh…!!”
No matter how much she loved her brother.
Carla flinched and dodged Antonio, who was rushing towards her with an over-the-top reaction.
– Clang!! Crash!! Flap flap!!
– Chirp!! Chirp!!
“Kyaa!! Brother!!”
Fortunately, Regulus, who had been sitting on his shoulder, avoided the disaster by soaring upwards with a flap of his wings, but Antonio, because Carla had dodged him, crashed into the experimental equipment with a loud crash.
Watching Antonio, Carla was torn between wishing she hadn’t dodged and stomping her feet while screaming.
But in the midst of that, Hyeryung, who had been standing gracefully at the doorway where Antonio had first entered, came into Carla’s peripheral vision, as if she had been behind Antonio.
Of course, Carla didn’t want to worry her brother, but Hyeryung had told Antonio the news and now brought him into the picture.
Now that she was trying to use any means possible, Antonio’s timely appearance was a green light that made it unnecessary for her to say anything.
But seeing Hyeryung lower her gaze and turn her head away when their eyes met, Carla ended up losing her words and closing her mouth tightly.
The memory of Hyeryung possibly hurting or killing Yui came to mind, as well as her own actions that had interfered with it.
Of course, even if time went back, she would have done the same thing, but what mattered was Hyeryung as she was now.
Was she still resenting that, or was it the opposite?
Or did she have something else in mind?
Carla, who wanted to say something but couldn’t say anything, ended up approaching Antonio and helping him up.
“Brother… are you okay…?”
“Haha!! Of course!! This brother is fine with this much…
Ugh… my back… It’s nothing!! Hahaha!!
More importantly…!! Shouldn’t we start moving soon?
Touching our Carla, I don’t know who that bastard is…
I’ll stake the honor of the Sterben family and tie him to the repentance chair for years!!”
“Ah… haha… I’ll solve it with the law…
But… I don’t know the details yet…”
“Why isn’t there a way? It’s in the newspaper, isn’t it?”
“Yes…?”
Eloise, as if interjecting in Carla’s words, looked like she had prepared something, unfolding the newspaper.
Seeing the image of chubby brothers with mischievous expressions on the newspaper, Carla could only nod with an awkward smile.
“They’re commoner alchemists, Wictor and the Bebanski brothers.
And… I’ve done some research on my own…
They say those two are related to Larathina.
And the place they’ve been frequenting lately is…”
And Eloise continued with a confident voice.
All eyes were focused on her lips as she unfolded a small piece of paper she took out of her pocket.
“It’s Larathina’s shop, Mademoiselle.
You can say we’ve completely caught their tail now.”
Everyone was impressed and applauded Eloise’s ability to obtain information from an unidentified informant.
Of course, no one could have known about Eloise’s disgraceful behavior of picking up an unidentified letter that had fallen on her head a few hours ago and trembling while looking around for a while.
Anyway, as it seemed that what to do next had been roughly decided, the expressions of the group talking brightened together.
In the midst of that, Antonio, who seemed happy to have something to help his sister with, rolled up his sleeves and stroked Regulus, who was perched on his arm with elegant wing movements.
“If that’s the case…
Shouldn’t we take action first?
We Barumhausens have a saying that goes like this.
‘The sooner the tempering, the better’…”
“There was a ridiculous mistake last time, but…
I’ll show them what’s what this time…
I can never forgive research thieves…!!”
Eloise, who couldn’t help but burn with passion for such incidents as a fellow researcher, even volunteered as a teacher duo.
Carla and Yui, who were watching them with awkward smiles from the side, and Hyeryung, who was quietly glancing this way, had even more awkward expressions.
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“Vivian-nim!! Woooo!! I’m back!!”
“Queen. The Chester gang in the southwest is annihilated.
Slave-nim… I mean…
Aurora-nim stayed behind to clean up.”
“Good job. Your work is getting faster and faster.”
Ranie, who had raised her arms high, burst into the brothel with a lively voice, followed by a dozen beastkin females stretching as if to loosen their bodies.
From behind Ranie, who was belatedly loosening her shoulder joints and letting out a pleasant groan, one of the beastkin females reported to Vivian in her stead.
“Actually, Ranie-nim did it all by herself this time…
There was no room for us to intervene…”
“Aie…!! Th-that…
We agreed not to talk about that…!!”
Ranie, who had done a great job in many ways again today, despite the praise, couldn’t help but receive a glare in the end.
“Ranie…?”
The cartel attack was also intended to give the beastkin combat experience, so Vivian couldn’t be happy with the situation where Ranie had stirred things up alone.
Ranie, who was playfully sticking out her tongue at Vivian’s sharp gaze, was trying to avoid her gaze, but…
“No. You’ve all worked hard, so go in and rest.
Swallow will take care of the branch management today.
Ranie, escort them back.”
Still, the fact that they had gone out and fought was clearly a contribution, so Vivian, who had decided to consider that, snorted and granted them rest for the remaining time.
“That Swallow oppa?
I thought he only did cleaning and laundry…”
“He’s the boss of a cartel.
He must have that much skill.”
“I guess so… Heh…
Then I’ll go in!!
Darling…!! I’ll be back soon…!!
Guys!! Let’s go!!”
Ranie, who was excited at the thought of being embraced by tentacles again, started running away in a flurry, unbefitting of her position.
The footsteps of the beastkin females following her also suddenly quickened, and their laughter, as they giggled like children at the sudden run, quickly disappeared outside the brothel.
“I just need to make her aware of her position a little more.”
Although Ranie, who was supposed to show the image of a leader as her close aide, didn’t have any dignity.
Nevertheless, Vivian smiled and turned around at the sight of her making her subordinates comfortable in her own way and naturally making them follow her.
“Okay… Chester is crushed too…”
At first, she was thinking of taking a break for a while.
After all, Parlotsino, who had become a neighbor next door, might come after her again, spouting nonsense about balance like a pseudo-religious leader.
But now that she had moved again with Swallow’s words, half in doubt.
Southwest from the brothel’s perspective.
And Chester Cartel, which had been in control of a small commercial district in the west when considering the entire royal capital.
Vivian’s mind was racing as she recalled the news that they had safely taken care of that place.
“Next is Valentino…
Next is Pale…
Next is…”
Low-level prey and a predator who can swallow them all.
She, who had become such a predator, was imagining the battle with Larathina that she felt was gradually approaching.
“I really… can’t believe it…”
Of course, she shook her head soon after and received the documents to approve, but.
A deep smile unique to those who desire victory was on her lips.
