Chapter 31
The opportunity for revenge vanished into thin air.
Whether it was because of that disappointment or not, the little girl suddenly started running somewhere without saying a word.
The count sighed and approached me.
“… I’m sorry. I’ve caused you a lot of trouble because of my daughter. She didn’t even say goodbye before leaving… Huh. It’s all my fault.”
“It’s alright. At the age of eight, that’s quite normal.”
To be honest, at eight years old, it’s not the age where such a sprout would be so dark that it’s rotten.
I couldn’t just say that directly, so I played along politely.
“By the way, where did the young lady go?”
“Hmm. She probably returned to her room. You see… whenever she’s feeling down, she tends to lock herself in her room…”
Feeling down, my foot.
It’s probably when things don’t go her way.
I can imagine her crying her eyes out on her bed, looking utterly miserable.
Let it all out, little one.
Tears are what make a person mature.
In the meantime, the count cautiously looked at me and spoke.
“Uh… I suppose this meeting was quite disappointing…?”
He seemed genuinely worried about what I had asked him to refrain from discussing if it didn’t go well after just one meeting.
Of course, the count’s worry was unfounded.
Would I be foolish enough to let go of a talent with the potential of a grand sorcerer?
‘Between ten to fifteen years.’
That was the timeline for the villains’ full-scale offensive to begin.
If I can raise Iris well in that time?
With my help and her talent, she could easily reach at least the 5th Circle.
Moreover, the assault isn’t a one-time deal; as we clash with them, it’s possible that the little one might reach the 6th Circle.
While ordinary sorcerers struggle to reach the 4th Circle throughout their lives, this little one might be able to aim for the 6th Circle in a short period.
At the 6th Circle, she would be one of the few in the Central Continent.
A talent on the level of a grand sorcerer.
This is not something that just rolls around on the street.
So,
In a life-or-death situation for me, I had no intention of giving up just because of a bit of a negative personality.
I’d rather correct her behavior and help her become a better person.
“Indeed, it wasn’t a completely satisfactory meeting, but I think we can still have a few exchanges. However, I’m referring to discussions about magic, not anything between men and women. The young lady’s magical talent is quite impressive.”
Upon hearing my response, the count’s eyes widened.
“… Really?”
“Yes. It’s the truth.”
This wasn’t bad news for the count either.
Given her behavior, he likely knew that a romantic connection wouldn’t be budding anytime soon unless he had been hit in the head.
He probably wanted to develop their relationship gradually through exchanges.
Of course, that was far-fetched.
“Just knowing that is enough for me. No, I shouldn’t say that. You, a splendid sorcerer, are offering to teach my daughter?”
“That’s the idea.”
“… Thank you. Would you mind following me for a moment? I believe I need to open the storage. By the way, I happen to have an artifact that would suit a sorcerer.”
Oh?
He was offering to give me an artifact.
It seemed that the count was quite pleased with me.
While I appreciated it, it would be proper to refuse at least once for courtesy’s sake.
“It’s alright. I didn’t mention this to expect such things…”
“Oh, come now. I know how to have a sense of propriety. It’s also an apology for my daughter’s behavior, so I’d like you to accept it.”
“… It seems I have no choice. Alright.”
Well,
I couldn’t refuse something he was offering.
With a satisfied smile, I began to follow the count.
He led me to his office.
“Just wait here for a moment.”
“Yes.”
From what I could see, it seemed he didn’t intend to show an outsider the interior of the storage.
‘Well, that’s only natural.’
In a place like a magical storage, precious artifacts are typically stored.
Since Count Neiron belonged to a fairly powerful family,
While they may not have items of the caliber of a marquis, they likely possessed some decent items.
Even if I were the count, I wouldn’t have shown someone the interior of the storage, so I could understand his choice perfectly.
After a moment of waiting, the count returned to the office holding something.
Seeing that it was small in size, it seemed to be an accessory.
“Here you go.”
Soon, the count opened his palm, and upon seeing the ring in it, I immediately activated my Heart Eye.
[Ring of the Blue Heart]
[A ring carved from a mana stone into the shape of a small heart, with special circuits infused into it.]
[Special Effect]
[Blue Heart (D) – Slightly increases mana recovery speed.]
‘It’s probably around the level of a magic-grade item.’
Honestly, considering the good items that exist in the game, this is rather ordinary, but given my current situation, this was already a blessing.
Even the cheapest artifacts started from ten gold coins.
That was because the crafting process was quite challenging.
Naturally, mass production was impossible.
A slight increase in mana recovery speed.
If I were to buy this ring outright, it would probably cost around three platinum coins.
Moreover, even if I had the money, I couldn’t get it if it wasn’t available for sale, so the count’s gift could be considered quite valuable.
‘300 million.’
The tutoring fee is quite generous, isn’t it?
As expected.
The noble in front of me was indeed a daughter fool.
A seriously severe daughter fool at that.
“Thank you.”
“Not at all. I sometimes think it would be nice if you could take a look at my daughter when you have time. It’s a gift with my own selfish intentions, so you don’t have to feel too burdened by it.”
“Yes. I will definitely come back when I have time.”
“Good. But say, are you planning to leave now?”
“Yes. I was going to head back unless something special comes up.”
“Haha. Now that such a significant deal has been made, it wouldn’t do to just leave. Stay the night. It’s almost dinner time, isn’t it? If I send a guest away at night, people might say I’m being unkind.”
It seemed I really had to stay for at least a day.
“Since you say so, Count, I can’t possibly just leave. I understand.”
“Good. You made the right choice. The chef here is quite skilled. You definitely won’t regret it. Now, please wait a moment.”
Soon, the Count called over a knight and instructed him as if he were emphasizing it—telling him to show me to the best room as I was a precious guest.
Well, that was a bit too obvious to be overheard, wasn’t it?
“Thank you, Count. I don’t know how to express my gratitude for your hospitality.”
“Ah, not at all. You’re a person deserving of such treatment, aren’t you? Haha. Rest well, and I’ll see you later.”
“Yes.”
As soon as my party and I entered the room designated by the Count, a lavish interior began to reveal itself.
“It’s incredible.”
It was probably the best room among those prepared for guests.
With this treatment, I could say I was receiving the highest guest-level treatment.
Perhaps because of this, Erciel’s eyes sparkled as she examined the room, while another one of my party, my escort knight, was nodding in satisfaction as he looked around.
“Indeed, this is a very nice room. The Count seems to hold you in high regard. By the way, may I ask what brought you to meet the Count?”
He only knew that I had made an appointment, but he probably wouldn’t know the purpose of the meeting, so he was curious.
“It’s nothing much. I bought some wheat.”
“…Wheat, you say?”
“Yeah, fortunately, the conversation ended well, and I was able to purchase quite a bit.”
“Just how much did you buy?”
“About thirty platinum coins’ worth?”
At that, Leonhardt’s face showed disbelief.
“…Isn’t that too much to spend on wheat? …Why wheat of all things?”
“I have my reasons.”
While I was answering, Erciel, who had come closer to me, quickly asked.
“Do you really have that kind of money? Thirty platinum coins…”
Her eyes began to fill with worry. It was the kind of expression one might have upon seeing a gambler who has maxed out all his loans and is betting everything.
What kind of image does this girl have of me?
‘Now that I think about it, this guy used to gamble too.’
He couldn’t do it after his allowance was cut off, but before that, he was the kind of guy who dabbled in gambling.
Kyle Seltarion.
He was truly a reckless individual.
If he hadn’t been trapped in the annex, his reputation would have spread beyond the Marquis family to the Empire.
No, had it already spread?
I should stop thinking about it; it might get gloomy.
“The truth is… it was money given to me by my elder brother.”
“By Abel?”
“Yeah. So, I bought a large quantity of wheat. I’m just doing a favor for my elder brother. He probably purchased some separately as well.”
Rather than saying I bought it first because I thought the price would soar in the future, it was much better to say it this way.
That statement could explain everything—from the source of the money to the reason for purchasing the wheat in bulk.
At my words, Leonhardt tilted his head.
“Are you saying that the First Noble bought a large quantity of wheat?”
“Yeah. I heard he thinks the price will rise soon. But I only caught wind of it, so I don’t know the details.”
“…I see.”
Soon after, my gaze shifted to the maid.
“Are you feeling a bit more at ease now?”
At my question, she appeared flustered, her eyes trembling.
“Ah… I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have meddled…”
“What do you mean ‘meddled’? You’re just worried about me.”
If I added my age to Kyle’s, we’d be a whopping forty-eight. At this age, I had no intention of acting condescending towards a kid who was concerned about me.
While we waited in the room, there was a knock.
“Who is it?”
At Leonhardt’s question, a voice replied from outside.
“It’s the head maid. May I come in?”
The head maid of the count’s household was surely not a commoner.
She must at least be of baronial rank.
“Come in.”
Soon after, a middle-aged lady entered with several maids, bowing her head.
Wow.
What on earth are all those outfits for?
From what I gathered, she had come to ask me to dress up nicely before attending dinner.
Are those maids going to dress me up?
I had experienced something similar when I was in the annex.
But it wasn’t to the extent of having so many people hovering around.
Back then, it was just Erciel and one or two maids helping me out.
But now, I counted at least six maids.
Well, I couldn’t ignore their kindness.
I figured I might as well receive their help.
As the maids assisted me, starting with my clothes, my appearance began to transform gradually.
After an hour of elaborate grooming.
The reflection in the mirror showed a completely different version of me.
With a slick pompadour hairstyle using a wax-like product and dressed in a stylish suit adorned with splendid accessories.
I could say that I had never been this well-groomed since I took over this body.
Perhaps that was why the Kyle in the mirror looked quite unfamiliar.
A slightly pale, thin face.
It emphasized a sort of frailty.
‘He really looks like an idol.’
I could assess that he’d probably make the girls swoon.
With such a drastic change from before, the eyes of the head maid and the other women became misty.
“You look really good.”
“How can you…?”
“Thank you.”
After slightly bowing my head to the head maid and offering a small smile, the maids’ faces flushed.
Wow.
I never thought I’d experience such a reaction in my life.
It was something I hadn’t encountered back in Korea, so it felt quite thrilling.
After finishing all the preparations, I began to move toward the location where the count’s dinner was to take place, guided by the head maid.
I had heard that the count’s three children and his wife would all be present.
It felt like a family meal at the in-laws, which sounded quite demanding.
“You may enter here.”
As I opened the door to meet the count, five pairs of eyes turned toward me.
Glancing at Iris, I noticed her favorability rating was indicating -55.
It seemed she had been quite upset earlier.
Among the five, the kid’s gaze was the most blatant, glaring at me as if to devour me.
After staring at my appearance as if it were prey, her face began to flush.
Soon, the numbers hovering over her head started changing rapidly.
-50, -46, -40, -33, -31, -29…
Wow.
The numbers fluctuated for quite a while before settling at -10.
Just how much does this kid idolize appearances?
To have a favorability increase of 45 just from a little grooming was impressive.
They say being tall gives you an advantage, but it wasn’t just that.
I had just realized that to get ahead, one had to look good; that was a definitive truth.
—
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