Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 2: Just Starting Out
“I actually thought you’d suddenly leap up and confront Miss Ivna and that banker, Mr. Sols, face-to-face,”
Inspector Bernard smiled, a hint of satisfaction lighting up his stern features. He seemed genuinely pleased with Marlon’s reaction.
After a brief pause, Bernard continued, his tone now lighter: “Those thieves? Nothing serious. Just a few foolish little night-time burglars.”
At that moment, Marlon rose abruptly, turning toward Inspector Bernard with a deep, respectful bow.
Though there had been no formal declaration, Bernard now functioned as Marlon’s guardian in every practical sense. He had even assisted in burying Marlon’s poor aunt—a kindness that Marlon would never forget.
And now, Marlon had suddenly come into a large sum of money. Wealth, as they said, could move the heart. Yet Bernard, who could have resented Marlon for not sharing any of it, remained unwavering in his support—quietly, diligently protecting him, guiding him. Even biological parents might not reach such a level of care.
“Thank you, Uncle Bernard,” Marlon said sincerely.
Bernard, momentarily taken aback by the sudden display of respect, barked out, pointing at Marlon: “Blast it! What kind of nonsense are you spouting now? Don’t think you can soften me with sweet words! I am a man of iron—hard as dwarven steel! And these messy troubles? I can’t—and won’t—solve them for you!”
With that, he turned on his heel and walked away, leaving Marlon standing with a wry smile. Hah… truly a knife-mouth, tofu-heart kind of man.
After lingering in his room for a little while longer, Marlon tidied the scattered manuscripts, maps, and other items on his desk. Only then did he make his way to the door.
The moment he stepped out, he spotted Adela Rem standing at the staircase, holding a notepad and pen, clearly waiting for him. Beside her, the little fox girl’s wide, brilliant blue eyes sparkled with eager anticipation.
As Marlon approached, the little fox girl’s face blossomed into a radiant smile—her joy palpable. The time for listening to the eccentric “Uncle”—ah, no, “Brother”—and his stories was drawing near.
The seven fairy tales Marlon had written for the Emerald Crest Publishing House had long since been told. Starting this morning, he had begun recounting Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves from One Thousand and One Nights.
The fox girl’s anticipation was because, earlier that morning, Marlon had only told half the story.
Naturally, taking her small, warm hand in his, Marlon smiled gently and asked, “My dear Miss Amy, I can already smell the delicious food. What delightful dishes has our Chef Amy prepared for us this afternoon?”
His praise made the fox girl’s lips curve into a perfect arc, revealing two rows of small, pearly teeth. Playfully, she stuck out her tiny pink tongue at Marlon.
Her gem-like blue eyes twinkled mischievously, silently saying: “Guess!”
Looking down, Marlon noticed her two tiny, sharp canines peeking out as she teased him. They were long and delicate, white as polished ivory, yet utterly charming—utterly harmless.
Just moments ago, Marlon’s mood had been weighed down by Bernard’s stern warning. Now, all that heaviness melted away.
“Let’s go—time for dinner! After we eat, I’ll continue the story of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves!”
Gently squeezing the little fox girl’s soft, delicate hand, Marlon led the way downstairs.
Descending the stairs, Marlon spotted his cousin, little Anvi, frowning in frustration as he chewed on the end of a pencil, seated on the living room sofa. The small coffee table before him was strewn with notebooks filled with arithmetic problems.
Ever since Marlon and Adela had started paying for private tutoring, both Anvi and Amy had daily homework assignments.
Walking behind Anvi with Amy by his side, Marlon’s sharp eyes quickly noted the boy’s arithmetic was a mess. Simple single-digit addition and subtraction? Out of ten problems, he might get two right.
But considering his young age—only four or five—Marlon didn’t expect perfection. It was enough to introduce him to the concepts of numbers and mathematics.
After all, in his previous life, Marlon had volunteered at orphanages, rain or shine—not just feeding or caring for the children, but providing foundational education as well.
In that sense, Marlon could half-jokingly call himself a preschool teacher.
His thoughts inevitably drifted back to this world, and the orphanage he intended to establish in White Sand City.
With the careful mediation of Sols Bank, which was eager to rebuild its reputation, Marlon had secured land from the city government, complete with a permit personally signed by the mayor. Site selection was nearly complete.
The orphanage, located just east of the slum, was now under the supervision of the kind-hearted old paladin Andrew Carnegie… supervising the demolition work.
Though outside the slum proper, some refugees displaced during the war had settled nearby.
Officially, the paladin managed the orphanage, but in truth, he was an employee of Marlon, paid with Marlon’s salary. With contracts in place and Adela nearby, Marlon had no concern that the paladin might act out.
His only worry was the possibility of holdouts during the demolition. After all, in the world he came from, Marlon had heard countless tales of conflict between demolishers and obstinate residents.
Hmm… it probably won’t be that complicated, he reassured himself.
His confidence stemmed from the pre-planned demolition strategy.
In addition to the orphanage, Marlon intended to build a few residential blocks, providing new homes for those displaced by the construction. Initially, he planned to give the homes away for free, but strong opposition from Ivna and Sols forced him to adjust the plan to a symbolic rent of one penny per month.
According to Ivna and Sols, all land within the slum belonged to the White Sand City government, not to the impoverished residents.
If new homes were handed out freely to displaced families simply because the orphanage occupied the land… what would these residents think? Would they continue expecting handouts in the future?
And the city officials, who had granted the land at near-zero cost—would they continue offering such generosity?
Symbolic rent was the fairest solution, maximizing kindness while preserving order.
All in all, this matter… was far more complex than it seemed.
As he recalled the constant guidance he had received, Marlon couldn’t help thinking of The Foolish Rabbit and the Tree Stump, nearly casting himself as the hapless rabbit who had collided fatally with the stump.
And thinking back to the warning about his terrible uncle’s murder… Marlon had to admit silently, I’ve only just begun this journey.
Suddenly, a loud roar echoed from outside the door:
“Where did that bull-headed thief come from! Does he think he can scale walls and sneak past me?!”
Then came a chaotic string of voices:
“Nonsense! Have you ever seen such a handsome thief? I’m here for Marlon! I’m his good brother, Es—”
“Flora, vines, heed my command—entangle them with thorns!”
“Es—ah! Whoa! Help!”
Thump!