Episode 67

It was a bit amusing to think that the Duke would definitely buy something when he arrived.

“I’ve been fending off all his questions about what we’re making, claiming it’s a trade secret! If we don’t sell even one bottle, how embarrassing will that be…!”

Dr. Gordon tugged at his hair in frustration, his expression gloomy.

I replied cheerfully.

“It’s okay, Grandpa!”

“Huh? Do you have some kind of plan?”

He raised his white eyebrows in curiosity.

‘We’re about to act even less ethically.’

I simply grinned mischievously, surveying the event hall as more and more nobles began to arrive.

Since it was still early, the seats reserved for VIPs, marked with each family’s nameplate, weren’t yet fully occupied.

Those who had arrived were already flocking to Diana’s booth, thanks to Marquis Barelotte’s skillful persuasion.

‘Honestly, most of them are probably here for the heroine’s healing powers.’

That’s how it was set up in the original story.

By the time you hit your 30s, the human body starts breaking down like it’s a joke.

Even if there’s nothing obviously wrong, people go to the hospital just in case.

The arrogant nobles who were obsessed with their own well-being wouldn’t miss an opportunity like this.

I glanced indifferently at the signs posted around Diana’s booth.

**Healing Power of Saintess Candidate Diana**

**10 Talents**

The wording was simple, as if no further embellishments were needed.

‘10 talents? That’s cheaper than I expected.’

If I were Diana, I’d charge at least 50 talents.

She was truly the kindest and most gentle heroine in the world.

“Welcome! I’m Diana!”

Diana seemed overwhelmed by the crowd of customers, but she still greeted them cheerfully.

‘She must be exhausted, smiling at even the hypochondriacs.’

In my previous life, I hadn’t realized how challenging her situation was.

With her drawing in all the customers, I could just sit back and reap the rewards later.

As I watched the line in front of her booth grow longer and longer, I eventually shifted my gaze to the other booths.

There were plenty of kids who, like my past self, were eyeing the nobles gathered at Diana’s booth with envy.

A kid offering to play an instrument for 1 talent.

Another offering to sing a requested song for 2 talents.

One offering to draw a portrait for 3 talents.

There were also kids offering to cut hair, recite poetry, or cook food, among others.

The variety of talents displayed on the signs suddenly felt quite interesting.

‘Is there anyone offering a kiss for 5000 won?’<3.70$>

Unfortunately, there wasn’t anyone offering kisses, but there was a booth offering free hugs.

‘Is there anyone with a really good talent?’

I took advantage of the brief lull to thoroughly observe the kids, wondering if any of them had noteworthy abilities.

But unfortunately, none of them particularly stood out.

Since only visually impressive talents were assigned booths, there was no way to check on the kids with other abilities.

‘…Tsk.’

I clicked my tongue in disappointment.

Given this setup, the heroine’s healing power was bound to attract more attention than anything else today.

After quickly scanning the booths around the clearing, a satisfied smile spread across my face.

‘Okay. No competitors here.’

There were some kids selling handmade goods because they lacked special abilities, but not a single booth offered the same product as mine.

This realization put my mind at ease.

“Oh, Lady Cloud! What an honor to have you here!”

Marquis Barelotte’s overly enthusiastic voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

When I looked over in that direction, I spotted a somewhat familiar face among the otherwise unremarkable nobles.

Lady Cloud.

She was a much older woman who looked even older than Dr. Gordon and was the elder sister of the late Emperor and the current Emperor’s aunt.

‘Looks like the central nobles are starting to arrive.’

With Marquis Barelotte supporting her, she walked slowly, a faint white aura lingering around her chest.

It was the same kind I had seen in the Pope before.

A sign that her life was nearing its end due to old age.

‘Tsk. Even if she gets treated, it won’t help.’

I shook my head as I watched her head straight to Diana, cutting ahead of the line of nobles.

Healing power wasn’t a cure-all.

Just as it couldn’t bring the dead back to life, no matter how blessed a power was by the goddess, it couldn’t defy the laws of nature.

What Lady Cloud needed might not be the ultimately useless healing power, but perhaps the collaborative creation of Dr. Gordon and myself!

‘…Come to think of it, the crowd has really grown.’

Already, about twenty people were lined up.

“Ahem!”

The nobles who had been in line early on were visibly displeased by Lady Cloud’s boldness, though they tried to hide it.

Meanwhile, Diana, seemingly unaware, greeted her with an excessively sweet voice.

“Welcome, Lady Cloud! It’s been so long! How have you been?”

“Yes. How have you been, Diana? You’ve become even more beautiful since the last time I saw you.”

Lady Cloud and Diana exchanged friendly greetings.

At that moment,

“…!”

Our eyes met briefly as Lady Cloud’s gaze flicked over to my empty booth.

She quickly scanned the area and then smirked, lifting the corners of her mouth.

Her eyes and expression were full of superiority.

She probably thought I was sulking quietly, but unfortunately for her, I was simply intrigued.

‘So there comes a day when she actually notices me.’

I had always been more like a background character, never an equal.

But given the current situation, it wasn’t surprising that she would start paying attention to me.

After all, the incident with Joshua’s healing and the recent pecan pie fiasco must have bruised her pride and left her feeling uneasy.

‘Go ahead, smile as much as you want right now.’

With a broad grin, I waved my hand at her playfully.

Diana’s violet eyes wavered slightly, as if she couldn’t understand why I was acting so nonchalant.

‘It’s because I’m about to cause you a major inconvenience.’

I smiled back at her, then started rummaging through my bag, pulling something out piece by piece.

“Huh? What’s that? A magic tool…?”

Dr. Gordon asked curiously, noticing my sudden actions.

It was a red, triangular magic tool.

Holding it up, I extended my hand toward him with a serious expression.

“Grandpa! Lift me up and put me on the table!”

“…Are you sure that’s okay?”

The old man hesitated, looking a bit concerned.

But I responded confidently.

“Yes! I’ve checked the rules, and there’s nothing that says I can’t do this!”

“Good grief… I really don’t know what kind of creature I’ve allied myself with.”

Despite his grumbling, Dr. Gordon lifted me up and placed me on the table.

But contrary to his concerns, I wasn’t lying.

‘There were no rules against using a megaphone, were there?’

Just because no one had tried it before, since the orphans couldn’t afford a magic tool, didn’t mean it was against the rules.

Grinning, I immediately cranked up the amplification switch on the megaphone magic tool to its maximum setting.

And at that exact moment…

BEEEEEEEEP―!

A loud, high-pitched noise filled the entire clearing.

“Ack! What is that noise?!”

“Ugh!”

Everyone in the area instinctively covered their ears.

I quickly turned down the amplification and then tested the megaphone by shouting into it.

“Oops, my mistake!”

Oops, my mistake!

Oops, my mistake.

Oops.

Oops…

My voice echoed through every corner of the event hall via the megaphone.

The performance was very satisfying.

“What, what’s going on?”

“Who is that…?”

Without having to shout at the top of my lungs, I easily drew everyone’s attention toward me.

Soon, everything around me fell silent.

“Hello, everyone! I’m Belze, a candidate for the saintess!”

Breaking the silence, my cute, childlike voice echoed loudly across the clearing.

“Is it hard waiting for Diana’s healing?!”

The nobles standing in line at Diana’s booth all turned to stare at me with bewildered expressions.

Having lived through the cutthroat competitive society of Korea, I found it extremely easy to create a promotion that would shake up the consumers’ hearts.

“While you wait, to help you all feel a little healthier! Belze Trading Company has prepared a special event!”

“……”

“Starting now, the first ten people! Will receive a free sample of our miracle tonic, which boosts your energy and stamina with just one sip!”

I shot a smirk at the stunned Diana and Marquis Barelotte.

This is how you attract customers.

‘Got it, you dirty nepotism peddlers?’