“Even though someone died, won’t I be able to leave?”
He nodded in agreement.
“You’re in first place. You did well.”
“I didn’t do it for the Duke’s sake. There’s no reason to be praised.”
It was the first compliment I had ever received in my life, but I didn’t feel any excitement.
In response to my indifferent attitude, Duke Luteous dumbly pointed to the papers on the desk.
“It’s a contract. Take a look.”
I read through the contract.
It presented the budget and operational plans for establishing a guild, along with a detailed strategy to generate future profits.
Moreover, it even stated that the Luteous family would bear all the costs associated with setting up and running the guild in exchange for me becoming the family’s hunter.
Establishing a guild wasn’t a plan I had discussed with Genia.
But how did Duke Luteous find out about it?
‘Did someone infiltrate the hunters as a spy?’
I was so bewildered that I couldn’t even muster a laugh.
“Who would dare to interfere with the guild’s establishment without my consent?”
“Wasn’t the plan made with me in mind?”
My mouth involuntarily closed. I hadn’t even considered that possibility.
From the beginning, I didn’t have grand plans in mind.
I intended to rent a small office with the money from selling the mother body’s core to Kael and recruit guild members from there.
Why not utilize the gate rewards as the compensation for becoming a member of the family’s hunters?
Once we accumulate more funds, we can relocate to a better building and truly get things rolling.
That was the idea…
‘It appears that things will be easier than I thought.’
I swiftly contemplated and redirected the conversation.
“What’s the exact amount of these rewards?”
“It’s only natural to allocate rewards based on the level of danger posed by the monsters. We have requested measurements from the Archmage.”
“Everything sounds good, but it seems there was an error in calculating the rewards. The minimum reward is a mere 50 million Ruan.”
“Is it too little?”
“…”
I thought I mistakenly added an extra zero, but it turns out I didn’t?
No wonder the estimated sum for the guild’s operational funds was so substantial.
Duke Luteous’s investment scale is impressively grand.
‘He’s willing to lend this money indefinitely, without any interest? Is he simply giving it away?’
I was aware of his wealth, but I never expected it to be to this extent. It was truly astounding.
If Duke Luteous takes care of the most critical cost issue…
It’s only a matter of time before the guild is established.
There is no reason to decline, no matter how much I contemplate it.
‘What an unexpected stroke of good fortune.’
I felt like bursting into laughter, but I restrained myself.
With an air of arrogance, I carefully examined the contract, blinking my eyes.
“Wait a moment, what does this clause written in small letters here mean?”
“Which clause are you referring to?”
“The invested capital will not be recovered as long as Astel Luteous remains in Luteous Mansion. Does this clause imply that once I leave the manor, it will be collected?”
“When making an investment, it’s essential to have collateral. That way, even in the event of failure, the losses are minimized.”
Is he suggesting that he would hold me hostage if the investment fails?
The Luteous Duke’s money flowed like an unending ocean, but obtaining it was no easy task.
Therefore, it was more advantageous for the Luteous Duke to keep me captive rather than providing me with money.
I swiftly turned the contract around and fixed my gaze on the number written at the top.
Estimated total investment amount: Approximately 70,000,000,000 ruans.
‘Damn, 700 billion?’
If I have to earn that money to escape from this secluded corner of the house…
‘Are you telling me to become a mere ghost in this house? Am I losing my mind?’
Independence is within my reach, and I cannot let myself be blinded by money and hesitate.
“Taking my time to build the guild won’t be a problem, but I can no longer stay in this house.”
Luteous Manor was a prison for Astel.
My intention was to liberate Astel from this place, to grant him freedom.
‘It’s a shame, but let’s give up.’
“I decline this proposal”
“Is that so? What a pity,” responded the Luteous Duke, his expression devoid of disappointment. It seemed he had foreseen my response.
He casually retrieved another document.
“What is this?”
“It’s the second proposal.”
The second contract was straightforward.
[As compensation for becoming a family hunter, Exion Luteous will pay Astel Luteous 30,000,000 ruans per month.]
I meticulously read through it multiple times, wary of any hidden traps, but found none.
If the contents held true, it would be sufficient to carry out the plan I had initially conceived.
‘I don’t see any clause mandating my residence in the manor.’
Moreover, the salary exceeded my expectations threefold, alleviating the burden of initial capital.
‘This should provide a reasonably comfortable start,’ I contemplated, concealing the smile that threatened to surface.
“Hmm, would it be possible to settle half a year’s payment in advance?”
“Approximately 180 million. If you desire, it can be arranged immediately.”
“In that case, I accept these conditions. Although the compensation doesn’t entirely meet my preferences, I propose adding a special clause for annual reevaluation and renewal.”
The Luteous Duke willingly included the special clause I requested, followed by an additional line.
“What are you doing?”
“I thought of something to include as an additional clause.”
“If you have such a provision, it should be discussed with me before being included in the contract. What does it entail?”
“It stipulates that if your ranking deteriorates, the contract will be terminated. And since the fault lies with you, you will be responsible for a penalty payment.”
“How much is the penalty payment?”
“The penalty is usually set at ten times the contract deposit.”
“….”
If the deposit is 180 million ruans, then ten times that would be 1.8 billion ruans.
‘So, if my ranking drops, I have to pay 1.8 billion? What kind of bullshit is this?’
The Luteous Duke chuckled at my bewildered expression.
“You seem quite unsure of yourself.”
“…Is that so? It seems your vision has deteriorated, Duke. You should eat blueberries more often. They’re said to be good for presbyopia,” I retorted, smiling at the corner of my mouth.
A faint twitch appeared on the Duke’s flawless forehead.
I signed the contract at the bottom with a wry smile.
“There, I’ve signed it. You finally obtained the world’s top-ranked hunter. How does it feel?”
“Well, rankings can change at any time, right? I’m just concerned whether you can handle the penalty payment.”
“….”
Undoubtedly, my unfortunate personality was inherent.
It didn’t change because of the death of the person I loved.
“Oh, by the way, I have something to say.”
“What is it?”
“I want to become independent.”
“When?”
“As soon as I find a house.”
“…It might be difficult to find a house in the capital.”
“I’ll figure it out on my own.”
“Very well. But make sure you find a proper house.”
The Luteous Duke’s response was indifferent.
As long as I became a hunter of the Luteous family, he seemed to have no interest in anything other than living in a house that wouldn’t be embarrassing to others.
Independence was not true revenge anyway, so it didn’t matter.
“But why does it leave such a bitter taste in my mouth?”
I swallowed a bitter smile and stood up.
“I have one more question. How on earth did you know about the guild?” I asked.
“You asked the wrong question.”
“What do you mean?”
“You shouldn’t ask me how I know. You should ask who else knows.”
“….”
The Duke’s words carried that meaning.
Someone else is aware of your plans.
The issue is that this individual may also attempt to disrupt my plans, similar to the Luteous Duke.
Alternatively, they might even try to establish their own guild.
After all, anyone can create a guild as long as they have enough money and a reason.
“But who could it be?”
At the very least, someone with a level of knowledge and financial resources comparable to the Luteous Duke.
However, individuals of such caliber are exceedingly rare.
“Wait, why are you telling me this?”
Ah, I see. Is it a warning not to collaborate with anyone other than myself?
It seemed logical, so I turned away.
“I’ll leave now.”
“Alright.”
After exchanging pleasantries with the Luteous Duke, I made my way to the fourth floor.
As soon as I entered the bedroom, I confidently plopped down onto the bed.
“Lady, you should remove your dress and rest.”
“Later.”
“You seem quite exhausted. Take a brief rest, and I will prepare a bath and a meal for you.”
Genia silently exited the bedroom.
Until then, pretending to be asleep, I swiftly rose from the bed. A searing pain coursed through my body.
“Ugh…shit.”
