* * *
Even after that day, whenever I had the chance, I would read books about history and myths.
The advantage of having a lot of money is;
First and foremost, I am not required to select which books to purchase. I can simply buy them all.
Second, they were heavy, but I didn’t have to carry them.
I could send a message to the bookstore via a servant, and the books would be delivered in a package.
They would even wrap each book in a white ribbon and leave a short review on it, making it easy to choose which one to read.
The title of the book I chose today was simple yet shocking.
“Demons.”
If God can live and marry among humans, then demons must exist as well.
The book, written by a well-known demonology scholar, was very specific.
“There are a surprisingly large number of demons.”
They, too, must be struggling to survive on their own in this world.
So, are they attempting to adapt to human life, even if it is difficult for them?
I flipped through the pages, unimpressed by the illustrations of demons.
My hand came to a halt on a page featuring a demon with an unusual name.
“The Demon of the Scales. It values fairness and equity in all contracts. Is it more conscientious than most, despite being a demon?”
No, isn’t that just being a pushover?
He’s a demon, so why is he concerned about other people’s situations?
If he comes across a shrewd contract negotiator, he’ll be taken advantage of.
I clicked my tongue and read the contents.
A relatively young demon among demons. But, aside from ancient records, there is no mention of his appearance anywhere.
It’s not like demons die, so there must be an explanation for that.
The book about demons came to an end with that.
I pushed the completely cooled teacup aside and turned toward the door.
It was almost time for Lacius to arrive.
He went to the imperial palace today to handle a difficult matter in my place:
inventorying and negotiating with the Chancellor about my portion of the treasures from Liang 999.
I didn’t want to sit through a long meeting only to have to fight afterwards, so it was fortunate that Lacius agreed to do it for me.
After a while, the tea house’s door opened and the bell rang.
“The results have arrived, Shay.”
“Oh, you’re here? How was it?”
“I was able to take the best ones, and adjustments were already made.”
“Wow, thank you. The chancellor seemed like a real stickler and a penny-pincher.”
He wasn’t unbeatable, but a fight with him would be a nightmare.
I just wanted to get some rest right now.
I didn’t want any more trouble.
Lacius gently touched my cheek with his index finger before presenting the document to me.
“The strawberry champagne composition has also been examined.”
“Wow, that’s good to hear. What does it say?”
“What paralyzed you… is, as expected, Belladonna’s poison.”
“I think I’ve heard of it somewhere before…”
“The leaves are analgesic, and the fruits contain a highly poisonous substance that can be fatal even in small doses; I’m guessing the paralyzing agent was made from the leaves, but there’s a catch.”
“What exactly is it?”
“Eating belladonna leaves does not immediately make you numb; it must be highly concentrated, and other ingredients are usually mixed in the process.”
“Hmm.”
“However, there was only one ingredient in that strawberry champagne: belladonna.”
What does that mean? Instead of nodding off in science class, I should have paid attention.
“Well, whatever it is; Lady Peridot should be able to handle it because it’s a plant, right?”
“Yes, but there is no evidence…”
“I’ll have to be extra cautious in the future, because she’ll be desperate to poison me.”
Actually, I’m already fairly cautious.
I’m extremely wary of outside attacks, so I’ve avoided eating outside as much as possible.
I don’t eat it unless it’s a meal I made myself and had my people inspect. But in the future, I’ll have to be more cautious.
“You don’t have to make enemies because of me, Shay.”
“What are you talking about?”
“It’s dangerous to make enemies of multiple nobles just because of your contract with me; if you live out of my sight, I won’t be able to protect you.”
Lacius was very serious. He was genuinely concerned.
“Hey, do I look like a person who will die easily?”
“Not at all.”
“How can I not have enemies while doing business? My enemy could be anyone; I shouldn’t be afraid of it.”
When it comes to people who provoke me, I’ve always had a short fuse since I was a child.
I wasn’t afraid of acting tough with anyone.
Besides, it wasn’t like I was doing it without thinking.
“And, if Crisiona becomes my enemy, don’t you think those who despise them will be on my side?”
Based on what their vassal families have done thus far, I am convinced that the Duchy of Crisiona’s situation is not one to envy.
First and foremost, the Archduchy of Schweiden is extremely popular with everyone.
Friends and foes are usually sharply divided among prestigious families. .
So, if I reveal who I dislike, I can actually gain half of them as friends, which is a win-win situation.
In addition, I can clearly identify someone as an enemy with no ambiguity.
“As long as you’re okay, I’m fine.”
“Yeah, I’m fine. In fact, it feels like a waste at this point; living in the countryside might actually be better.”
“What exactly do you mean?”
“After the contract expires, I plan to take a long trip and then return to live in the capital.”
Feelings that was never and should never be connected.
A farewell trip to figure it out on my own. It’s a trip with an unusually sentimental name.
I avoided Lacius’ gaze as I flipped through the documents pertaining to Belladonna.
How much time has passed since then?
As soon as I heard the sound of the bell, the door opened and a knight escort appeared.
“Miss, the High Priest has arrived from the temple.”
“Please escort him in.”
“Understood!”
The high priest was the same person who officiated at my engagement ceremony with Lacius.
His massive muscles made his priestly robes appear to be on the verge of bursting.
When the High Priest saw me, he approached me and vigorously shook my hand.
“We had no idea you would contact us so eagerly to donate such a large sum of money; you will undoubtedly be blessed by the Sun God!”
“You’re welcome. Please have a seat.”
He looked well over seventy, but the High Priest seemed healthier than me.
I offered him a cup of strawberry-scented tea.
He gulped it down and dropped the stack of papers he’d been carrying with a thud.
“Your Highness, the Archduke, and Your Highness, the future Archduchess, please take a look at this!”
“What is this?”
“There are so many children in need of sponsorship! You can choose to sponsor an entire orphanage in our temple, or you can sponsor them individually!!”
The grandpa high priest appeared ecstatic.
That was to be expected. After all, I had approached him directly to make a donation after discovering Cyphelion’s lost plane of prosperity.
He can’t help but be excited about it.
“You mean by designation?”
“Yes, the people in the capital are unaware of it, but the war has nearly devastated the Terran outskirts, and many children have lost their parents.”
“I see…”
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