058
The bank manager keeps repeating that someone is ‘ill-mannered,’ and now I’m starting to get genuinely curious.
Who could it be?
Who would go to such lengths for me?
“So, is that the only condition?”
“Ah, no. I meant that they were planning to invest in the same products as Lady Shupetty….”
“If the investment succeeds, we can cover the losses.”
“That’s correct! If you choose one of the financial products our bank offers, you can invest in it! Or, if you prefer, we can even create a new product for you.”
Hmm, I need to organize my thoughts.
Just as I thought that, a crimson message from Yupyrhos appeared.
<Imperial Bank Pashayen Branch – Investment Failure Resolution>
1. Bank Manager Dickens has lost so much money that he can’t even pay interest to depositors! ᕙ(•̀ㅁ•́‶)ᕗ!!
2. If the Pashayen family head finds out, he will be immediately dismissed! Snip!
3. While desperately trying to figure out a way to keep this under wraps, an unknown investor, neither angel nor devil, appears!
4. This investor insists on investing in whatever product ‘Shupetty Pashayen’ chooses.
‘So if I say I want to invest in a bakery… will they agree?’
As I tilted my head, Yupyrhos chuckled.
[Of course! They absolutely will! You, young participant, are the true boss! ٩(ˊᗜˋ*)و]
…I like this.
Though it’s a bit unsettling since I don’t know who the investor is.
“I can’t avoid reporting this.”
Brother Mikard, who had let go of his collar, plopped down onto the sofa.
“It’s not like this will harm Shu, but… The real issue is how they even found out about our youngest.”
“Well… they said something odd.”
“What do you mean?”
“They said… ‘Chirp, chirp, chirp…’”
The bank manager suddenly started singing.
As I stared blankly at the embarrassed man, who had closed his eyes tightly while singing Chirp, Chirp, Chirp, a name flashed through my mind.
No way!
“They said they wanted to repay a favor for helping them when they were scared.”
“La… Lacifer?!”
A name I had forgotten suddenly popped into my head.
Excited, I shouted again.
“It must be Lacifer!”
I wanted to meet him again, but I never expected it to happen like this!
As I anxiously stomped my feet, the bank manager quietly handed me something.
“This is a gift from the investor.”
“Wow!”
It was a small box wrapped in purple velvet.
Inside was—
“A paper crane-shaped hairpin…?”
The entire piece was adorned with diamonds.
Even someone like me, who knew little about jewelry, could tell this was an exquisite work of art.
As I held up the hairpin to the light, I noticed a small, rolled-up note at the bottom.
[Hello, I missed you.
I made this myself. I wanted to give it to you.
I’d be happy if you use it well until the day we meet again.
Oh, and you should take full advantage of the bank manager to do whatever you want.
You probably can’t touch the family’s assets yet.]
That person… has such incredible craftsmanship!
Well, since he’s beautiful, it makes sense that he can create beautiful things too.
“This looks suspicious. Give it to me.”
“No. It’s mine.”
Brother Mikard reached out his hand, but I quickly hid the hairpin behind my back.
This is really mine. I won’t give it to anyone.
I could share most things—food always tastes better when shared with others.
‘But… this one is different.’
I was feeling possessive.
Not because it was shiny or beautiful, but because he had crafted it for me with his own hands.
That’s why this paper crane-shaped hairpin was precious.
‘Hmm, something I want, huh?’
Wearing the hairpin, I cleared my throat.
“Listen, I have a condition too.”
“Hahaha, a condition?”
“Yes. If I choose the investment product, you have to support Blub Blub Daycare.”
[The Water Spirit King ‘■■■■’ advises that this should not be a temporary donation but an official sponsorship.]
“An official sponsor.”
When I added that firmly, the bank manager’s face brightened.
“Oh, of course! That’s nothing! As long as this problem is solved, I’ll do whatever you need!”
“Good. Also, there are a lot of stray cats.”
“C-Cats?”
“Take care of the stray kittens and abandoned puppies. Feed them. Find them new owners.”
Just like the note Lacifer left behind, there were things I wanted to do, but I couldn’t act on them freely.
But if the bank manager did it…?
“You thought this through well, Lacifer Raximon.”
Brother Mikard muttered beside me.
“It’s true that supporting a daycare would be much easier for the bank manager than for us at the mansion. They can manage and oversee it properly and ensure everything runs smoothly.”
Tap, tap.
Brother Mikard, sitting cross-legged, drummed his fingers on the sofa armrest.
“The real question is—why did he go out of his way to create this opportunity? And why is he so interested in our youngest?”
“Because… I helped him when he was scared…?”
“No, Shu. That guy isn’t that innocent. There’s definitely something behind this.”
But that’s not true.
The Lacifer I met was incredibly beautiful and easily frightened.
Why does everyone talk badly about him?
“Ahem. Well then… Since you’re already here, how about deciding where to invest? Here’s the list!”
Rustle!
The bank manager, who had straightened his messy clothes, handed me the documents.
The scroll was longer than I was tall, so I spread it out on the table.
“Umm.”
But how was I supposed to know what to choose?
I hesitated, then glanced upward.
‘Help me, Spirit King of Fortune!’
For some reason, I had a feeling that investing wherever the Spirit King pointed would be the best choice.
[Oh my, our little contestant still has an unused ‘Well Done!’ stamp! ヾ(´︶`*)ﾉ♬]
Oh, right!
I had received it when I learned Shaparsi’s true name!
[I will open the Eden Shop for you. Ta-da!]
A bright light flashed before my eyes, and the Eden Shop appeared.
Let’s try some fortune boosting!
The Spirit King of Fortune will divine the best investment.
Find a guaranteed successful investment (1 time) for just 1 stamp!
Effect: Helps you choose a highly profitable investment.
Caution: Do not share this information with too many people.
‘Yes, I’ll buy this.’
Thankfully, I still had one stamp left!
[The Spirit King of Fortune ‘■■■■■■’ smiles shyly.]
[It’s finally my time to shine. Let’s see…]
If the investment succeeds, I can make a lot of money.
And with that money, I can do whatever I want!
Anyway, Teacher Cedric always said that having more personal funds is a good thing.
[The Spirit King of Fortune ‘■■■■■■’ points to two choices.]
[Miz Trading Company and the Kalabor Mine. These two are your best bets.]
I repeated what the Spirit King told me.
“Miz Trading Company and Kalabor Mine. I’ll invest in those. Also, this is a secret. Shh.”
“Understood! Should I also invest under your name, young lady?”
The bank manager, delighted, rolled up the scroll with a grin. I nodded.
“Then invest mine as well. Half from me and half from this kid.”
“Oh! Young master Mikard, are you investing too?”
“Yeah. If we get scolded, at least we’ll be scolded together. Losing alone is upsetting, but losing together makes it less painful.”
Mikard seemed a bit doubtful about my choice.
Well, it makes sense—he doesn’t know that the Spirit King of Fortune chose them for me.
“Phew.”
It felt like I had just done something really big.
I let out a sigh of relief.
‘I looked kind of grown-up just now, didn’t I?’
But why didn’t Lacifer come to meet me directly and instead contacted me through the bank manager?
‘I really wanted to see him again.’
I gently touched the hairpin with my small, leaf-like fingers.
‘Raximon is one of the Four Ducal Houses! That means if a friendly match is held, I’ll get to meet him….’
When that time comes, I’ll definitely ask about today.
“Wait, but we originally came here to check how much money you have in your account, right?”
We had finished eating the bread, and I was just about to stand up when—
Brother Mikard’s words made me sit back down.
Oh, right! I had completely forgotten!
“Please wait a moment. I will show you the vault using a magic stone.”
The bank manager hurried off, and moments later—
“……….!”
I accidentally dropped the last piece of bread I was holding.
Gold coins.
A sea of gold coins shimmered before me.
I could swim in them if I wanted to!
