Chapter 16
The most expensive place in the Empire, the capital Dunais, charges such rates.
But that’s only because it’s Dunais.
With overcrowding already beginning in the capital, the old district was expanding, tearing down the city walls and constructing a new city district, causing real estate prices to skyrocket.
In contrast, in rural areas like this where there’s nothing around, it’s normal to pay 10 shillings a month—even with horse care included.
Although the Church provides a substantial subsidy, it was still shocking to see such high prices in a village affiliated with the Academy.
‘This is a system optimized to squeeze money out of Academy students. I mean, the village is even called Blackcow. Black… cow? Like a sitting duck?’
Bringing many servants here could ruin even the wealthiest of nobles.
But not bringing any wasn’t an option either.
Without servants, students would have to leave the dorms freely to shop for themselves, which the Academy doesn’t permit.
Without resident servants, it would be difficult to keep up with the academic schedule.
‘They don’t carry swords, but this is daylight robbery. Then again, Prince Oxburgh Karl was just attacked with magic earlier. So yeah, robbers indeed.’
Idnia had thought the generous support from Bishop Betelgeuse would be enough, but the unexpectedly high prices made it difficult to manage.
“Well, don’t worry, master. Our sacred beast, Blackmane, won’t be just wasting away in the stables. There’s a decent-paying part-time job I can do if I have a horse. I plan to cover my own living expenses and Blackmane’s feed through that.”
“No. A master should take responsibility for a servant’s living expenses…”
“Even as a servant, I have a lot of free time besides errands. You know I enjoy gathering intel while working. Oh, speaking of which—”
Blackmane gave Idnia a warning.
“Be cautious of Baroness Bullem. She likely holds a grudge against you.”
“Huh? Baroness Bullem?”
Idnia was caught off guard by the unexpected warning.
Baroness Bullem also appeared in the original game as a professor—a textbook example of bullying the weak and submitting to the strong.
She was no better than the Head Supervisor Gibbles when it came to personality, and in the original, she would grovel before Idnia.
But why would she now pose a threat to the current Idnia?
“Did you know that your mother, the former Saintess Flora, and Baroness Bullem were classmates at the Academy?”
“No, really? They look quite far apart in age.”
Baroness Bullem might be offended, but Idnia’s mother Flora was a stunning beauty and looked incredibly young.
They didn’t look like they were from the same generation at all.
It wasn’t just a matter of looks—there was likely a significant age gap.
“Well, Dunais Academy doesn’t have a fixed age for admission. Baroness Bullem is actually much older than your mother. But… it seems she was subjected to quite a lot by your mother during their school days. That’s where the resentment probably stems from.”
“Where did you hear that?”
“While I was digging into Isolde Polchen…”
“What?”
Idnia was startled by the unexpected answer.
“Oh, I was just curious. You saw how Isolde Polchen was dying to show off her connection with the Crown Prince during the entrance ceremony?”
‘So that wasn’t just a spontaneous greeting—she intentionally made sure everyone noticed it?’
Idnia now realized how skilled Isolde was at using the refined “noble” tone and actions.
And it was only thanks to Blackmane’s insight that she realized it.
“Isolde Polchen’s mother, Viscountess Aura Polchen, is the favored consort of Emperor Franz Calliestra.”
“Favored consort?”
“Yeah, the Emperor’s beloved mistress. Though she married Viscount Polchen and had a daughter with him, most people believe that daughter was actually fathered by the Emperor. That daughter is Isolde Polchen.”
“…”
Idnia was overwhelmed by the sudden heavy topic.
But that was only because she still held modern moral values. In this world, it was common for nobles to have official mistresses.
Affairs were frequent in high society, and duels sparked by such entanglements were so common that the Emperor had outlawed them. Yet even now, duels were breaking out several times a day across the city.
“So why did Baroness Bullem come up during your investigation of Isolde Polchen?”
“Because, like Isolde, Baroness Bullem is also the daughter of a favored consort.
I hate to say this, but apparently, your mother used to mock and torment her harshly over it.”
“…”
Idnia was at a loss for words.
‘If that’s true, then the original Idnia was truly something. She even managed to completely overpower Baroness Bullem? From the Baroness’s perspective, both the woman who bullied her and that woman’s daughter had her under their thumb.’
Of course, the original villainess Idnia was not only the Crown Prince’s fiancée but also the heiress to the Duke of Betelgeuse. She fearlessly manipulated the Empire’s crime syndicate, the Scarlet Pimpernel, and even high-ranking Demon King generals.
No matter how skilled a mage Baroness Bullem was, she was still a mere citizen compared to someone who dealt with crime lords. It was inevitable she would grovel.
‘I guess that’s why Baroness Bullem favored Isolde Polchen. She probably found her easier to deal with.’
Idnia was already keeping an eye on Baroness Bullem thanks to her knowledge from the original game.
“I’ll be cautious.”
“Good. If you need anything, just write it on a note. I’ll buy it and bring it by tomorrow morning.”
“I already bought what I needed. Besides, we don’t have much money.
More importantly, keep gathering information and watch the other students’ servants closely.
Especially those from the southern regions. They’re more like operatives than servants. Avoid getting caught by them…”
“Ha! Master, who do you think I am?
There’s no way they’ll catch me.”
Blackmane was confident.
Their opponents were elite agents brought by Prince Mazdari—information agents from the Mazdari Principality.
Yet this young boy dared to face them head-on.
But if anyone knew he wasn’t bluffing, it was Idnia herself.
“For now, don’t make a move. We can’t afford to act first. Oh, and one more thing…”
While giving Blackmane instructions, Idnia suddenly thought of Marie from Astraea.
If students were banned from leaving campus early in the semester, how was Marie managing without a servant?
*****
“No servant?”
Supervisor Gibbles half-squinted in disbelief.
“Yes. Bishop Astraea gave me a stipend, so I have money. I got secondhand textbooks and a wand from the Church.
But it gets cold at night, so I wanted to buy a cloak and a few other necessities.”
“Oh, is that so? Don’t worry. I’ll buy you what you need when I have time.
But the principal’s rule is no outside food for students. That means no snacks, sugar, or spices.”
Gibbles chuckled as he spoke to Marie, who looked flustered without a servant.
“Still, if you don’t mind, could you write this on a piece of paper for me?”
“Pardon? Write what?”
“Just today’s date and something like: ‘On this day, I received great favor from Lord Gibbles. – Marie of Astraea.’ Something like that.”
“…”
Marie was taken aback by the strange request.
“Uh… What do you want that for? Is it for a curse or something?”
Some oath or contract magic required written proof of a favor or debt.
Could this man actually be a demon in disguise?
Marie, raised in a monastery, was horrified by Gibbles’s request.
“N-No, it’s not for a curse. It’s for work-related purposes…”
Of course, in reality, Gibbles was just using his position to indulge in his twisted little—”
