“Really surprised that I’m just a kid? Still, don’t spread rumors.”
I chuckled and said.
If something like that were to happen, Darel would impose a huge penalty for contract violation.
Not only that, but missing out on a goose that lays golden eggs, no, mana stones, would be a shame, so I definitely wouldn’t make any mistakes…
It was a playful joke to celebrate becoming a colleague.
But the man just looked at the signed contract and the mana stones with a stiff face.
I shrugged and continued.
“Oh, there’s something else I need you to do.”
“What is it?”
“All the advance payment you gave me now and the subsequent payments until the final settlement, give them to me in gemstones. That way, I can prepare the next items. And because it’s not easy for me to go out…”
I hesitated for a moment, then smoothly revealed that I worked as a maid in the Ellad Duchy.
“Surely you wouldn’t do anything obvious like sending deliveries? It would be better to make contact near the Duchy…?”
“Why go through all that trouble? Just bring it directly to where I stay.”
As I was pondering where would be best, the man’s words interrupted my thoughts.
“There are a total of twenty-two benches in the maze garden of the duchy. Among them, the blue bench closest to the west entrance is rarely frequented. How about meeting there next month?”
My spine chilled as his words flowed like he knew the inner workings of the duchy.
I had trusted the Ellad Duchy’s security like steel, but could there be a loophole?
Or was it just me being less cautious than when I was active?
As I was thinking that I should check for any intruders or leaks as soon as I got back, the man continued, his mouth quirking up.
“Why so worried after making such a smooth deal? As long as we exchange goods, isn’t that enough?”
“Alright. But whether it’s the main building or anywhere else, don’t try to pry into the duchy. I won’t allow it.”
“Fine. But…”
Just as I was wondering if the man’s confident words were assurance or bravado, he asked, his tone uncertain.
“How did you find out about this place? The Upper Tier, and that password…”
“How much are you willing to pay?”
“What?”
“You’re trying to buy information from me, aren’t you? You didn’t ask questions like that without thinking, assuming you’re almost a guild leader?”
Equipped with the mindset of a former intelligence agent, I shrugged.
“But my information is really expensive. Even if I spill the beans, it won’t be enough even if I give away the entire guild.”
Of course… I wasn’t going to spill the beans.
Seeing the silent man, feeling like the conversation was coming to an end, I flipped my robe back on and got up from my seat. Then, glancing at the empty space next to the man, I said.
“Don’t bother following me. It’s just a waste of effort. Even if you investigate, you won’t find anything. I’m really just an ordinary maid.”
“…”
“It was a good deal. Take care from now on.”
* * *
“Good deal? I’ll be counting on you from now on.”
The man left alone chuckled and removed the earring he was wearing.
As he did, the magic binding it unraveled, and his deep brown hair turned into a frosty silver, his black eyes changed to a blue hue, revealing his true appearance.
Darel’s guild leader, Lucio, rubbed his throbbing forehead.
He had been thoroughly hiding his identity, secretly establishing the guild, and even going so far as to ask Ascard for item crafting during the process of acquiring magical artifacts.
Even now, his naive friend would probably trust Lucio’s words that he wanted to roam freely when he went out.
“Where on earth did the information leak from?”
His voice was full of disappointment, feeling the impact he had received.
But it wasn’t just because some of the guild’s top-secret information had leaked from somewhere.
Honestly, what surprised him even more was the sudden revelation of his younger sister’s maid’s true identity.
“No, you can’t even say she revealed her true identity. I still don’t know what’s going on.”
While he knew from the recent rampage incident that Ria’s mana was vast, he didn’t know she had enough mana control to make mana stones.
Surely she had refused sponsorship from the duchy and declined to become a disciple of Telen, so she couldn’t have properly learned magic. How was any of this possible?
Furthermore, her sudden appearance at the guild, casually making deals and using informal speech, made him doubt if she was really the trembling girl he remembered.
She introduced herself as an ordinary maid, but I was completely perplexed as to what the girl’s true identity was.
The only thing certain was that Ria had a secret and had no intention of sharing it with the Ellad Duchy.
“So you could leave at any time.”
It was only now that Lucio fully understood the meaning behind the girl’s words.
Recently, he realized that everything, even her excited appearance at the academy festival where she bought shoddy gems, had all been planned, and he felt a strange mix of awe and inexplicable sorrow.
“Could she still be entertaining such futile thoughts?”
He had assumed she had abandoned the idea of leaving after the last rampage incident.
Judging from her current actions, it seemed like Ria had some understanding of her own abilities and worth.
Since she was secretly plotting without informing anyone, she might just suddenly leave the duchy one day.
“Just leave as you please…”
Ha, even as he sneered, imagining Ria disappearing, Lucio felt a strange tug at his heart.
“Burt.”
“Yes, sir.”
A man in black clothes appeared in the empty space in response to Lucio’s call, bowing his head.
“You heard what I said earlier, right? No need to chase after her. Instead, contact Heron. We finally have work for the Upper Tier, so he’ll be busy from now on.”
“Yes.”
“And wrap up everything from today’s work. I’ll handle anything related to it personally from now on.”
“Are you saying you’ll personally take care of it, sir?”
“Yeah.”
Nodding, Lucio lifted one corner of his mouth slightly.
“There’s no one more suitable than me to come and go to the Ellad Duchy.”
* * *
‘Wow, what a sudden encounter with the guild leader.’
Hurriedly stepping out of the shop, I breathed a sigh of relief when I realized there was no sign of pursuit. Then, I walked into a nearby alley to stash away the pouch containing the mana stones and adjusted my robe.
Seeing the cake box handed to me by the shopkeeper before leaving, I suddenly felt the reality of completing the transaction, causing my body to tremble for no apparent reason.
Although it was good that the plan had progressed smoothly due to the unexpected meeting with the guild leader, it still felt too sudden.
In the past, I had received several scout offers, and I had encountered subordinates of the guild, but I had never seen the guild leader before. Despite his relaxed and carefree demeanor, his aura felt unusual, which secretly made me nervous.
‘But a mint chocolate cake? Is that the guild leader’s preference?’
I had thought it was peculiar ever since I first heard the password in my previous life, but receiving the cake made it even more surprising.
‘Come to think of it, there was a faint scent of mint in the room where he stayed…’
Like the library he frequented…
At the sudden thought, I quickly shook my head.
Lucio was probably busy preparing for the royal banquet, deliberately choosing the weekend when the academy was on break so Lucio could attend. Naturally, he would also be attending.
Feeling inexplicably bitter, I shook my head again to clear my mind.
‘Why am I thinking about this now? I’m about to become wealthy!’
Once I had accumulated enough money, I would request recommendations for several upscale residential areas where I could live alone.
;Although it would be nice to be close to the Ellad Duchy, it’s difficult for even nobles to live near the capital.’
Still, with a huge amount of money, I could probably afford to live in the best house among commoners, couldn’t I?
With a satisfied smile, I decided that I would need to compile an investment list to present to the duke before the gems arrived.
It was time to use the funds deposited in the Splecia bank.
If I wanted to become a well-known wealthy person, I needed to start making big investments soon.
Thinking about lucrative mines, territories, and business items, I stepped out onto the main street.
“Lia!”
Jack was waiting near the front of the shop, possibly having finished his errands, waving his hand eagerly, just as a carriage passed by, making him step back.
“…!”
Seeing someone pass behind Jack without thinking, I felt like my breath was being taken away.
‘Master!’
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Translator Note:
This chapter was translated by Bree.
If you like my work please support us in Patreon. Next post will be released on May, 11.
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