꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋ ࣭ ⭑꒷꒦THERE IS NO WAY YOU LOVE ME꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋ ࣭ ⭑꒷꒦
The reason Kieran chose the lantern as the luxury item to be sold to the nobility was simple—it was the most beautiful and, crucially, the least useful.
“Wouldn’t it be better if it had a practical function?”
“That would be good for them, but not for us. More importantly, this will be the first artifact we introduce to the public.”
These artifacts were crafted from the remnants of monsters, materials that people had long avoided. No matter how useful they were, nobles wouldn’t easily reach for something made from such an origin.
That’s why the focus needed to be on the most primal aspect—capturing attention, even if it caused hesitation.
“Since it’s merely a lantern, there will be little concern about any harmful effects. At the same time, it is incredibly rare, exquisitely crafted, and undeniably expensive—qualities that will naturally draw the interest of nobles.”
Nobles spent money not just to acquire fine things, but to demonstrate their status. For them, luxury was not an investment in quality; it was a statement of power.
“As for the bell, I intend to present it as a tribute to His Majesty the Emperor. We must inform him that land has been discovered beyond the Monster’s Forest—and that you scholars have arrived in the Empire.”
“Ohh, I see!”
The scholars nodded in cheerful agreement, seemingly satisfied with the plan. Kieran offered them a small smile in return.
This was all he needed to tell them for now. However, later, he had additional details to discuss with Alyssa.
There was a reason he had specifically chosen the bell as a tribute.
A bell crafted from the remains of a monster that emitted powerful sound waves was a type of artifact in which the creature’s original power remained almost unaltered.
No matter how slowly rumors spread about the North, if all those monster corpses were disposed of overnight, it would undoubtedly raise suspicion.
Thus, this was meant as a subtle warning.
If anyone coveted this hidden weapon, they would first have to face those who possessed it.
They were the ones who had fended off the overwhelming power of the monsters that had appeared in the capital and other territories—with only the knights of Benoit. No matter how blinded by greed one might be, no one would recklessly charge into a battle they were bound to lose.
“Then what do you plan to do with this?”
Berta pointed at the black pocket watch.
Kieran, who had answered every question without hesitation so far, found himself momentarily at a loss for words.
At his unexpected silence, curiosity lit up in the eyes of the two scholars. Before they could press further, Cassiopeia suddenly stood up and strode over to him.
“I don’t care what the reason is, but if it’s going to take long to explain, can I skip hearing it? I have mountains of research to do.”
Caught off guard, Kieran nodded. With precise movements, Cassiopeia handed him the pocket watch.
“Oh—now that I think about it, I should probably—”
“Me too.”
Alma and Berta still gazed at Kieran with barely contained curiosity, but in the end, they merely sighed, bowed their heads in farewell, and exited the room.
Even Alyssa, the last to remain, cast a lingering, inquisitive glance at him.
But Kieran simply smiled in silence, revealing nothing.
After that, the Duke and Duchess of Benoit found themselves quite busy.
They sent a formal report to the Emperor regarding the discovery of the new continent and the new technology. At the same time, they summoned merchants to negotiate deals and set conditions for distributing the finished lanterns.
The merchants were wary—afraid of Alyssa, yet reluctant to engage with her. Their hesitation only grew when they learned that the products for sale were made from the remains of monsters.
However, any sign of displeasure vanished the moment Alyssa placed a hand on her sword. And when Kieran revealed the product, their unease transformed into undeniable greed.
Some still shook their heads, unwilling to take the risk, but many more had eyes burning with desire.
To those intrigued merchants, Kieran coolly stated, “There are only three available.”
That statement alone eliminated a few more hesitant merchants. Then, Kieran named his price.
“One million gold. I will not sell for less.”
The merchants were stunned. A commoner’s monthly living expenses amounted to ten gold. This price was several times higher than most precious jewels.
One by one, they withdrew, muttering that he was insane. Watching them leave, Alyssa felt a flicker of unease.
This time, they might manage to sell all three, but what about the future? Would they really be able to keep selling them?
“Do not worry. In a short while, those merchants will return, offering me twice the amount and begging me to sell to them.”
Though she still didn’t quite understand, Alyssa silently nodded. If Kieran said so, then it would be so.
The sole remaining merchant, now without competition, paid the full price and left with a firm request—when more were made, he was to be called first.
Thanks to that, a brief period of prosperity and peace settled over the Duchy of Benoit.
Even if the courier carrying the formal report rode at full speed, it would take at least a week to reach the imperial palace. Once the news arrived, it would take another month for the response to circle back to the duchy.
The Emperor’s reaction would likely be faster, but even accounting for that, they had roughly two weeks of spare time.
Alyssa found it easier to accept this second period of rest compared to the first.
She still couldn’t fully relax, but at least she wasn’t as restless as before. Even after her desperate attempt to prove her usefulness had ended in miserable failure, Kieran hadn’t been angry with her.
He hadn’t shown disappointment, nor had he withdrawn the kindness he had shown her thus far. He treated her as if nothing had happened.
Just like yesterday.
She had wasted six hours doing absolutely nothing, yet Kieran hadn’t minded. He had simply acknowledged it with a calm, ‘I see’, and moved on.
Emboldened by that, Alyssa was spending yet another idle day.
After finishing a few trivial tasks, she returned to her room and sat down. She didn’t shuffle through paperwork, nor did she seek out the knights.
Ignoring the faint unease creeping up on her, Alyssa let her gaze wander around the room.
Polished wooden furniture. A fireplace crackling with warmth. A plush carpet laid before it, along with a small sofa.
He really didn’t have to…
As soon as money started coming in, Kieran had overhauled her office—almost as if he had been waiting for the opportunity.
Ever since Kieran had arrived at the duchy, he had overseen repairs—replacing broken windows, swapping out old furniture, and keeping everything well-maintained. But this time, the scale was entirely different.
He had torn out the wallpaper and flooring, demolished the fireplace, and rebuilt it anew. He had added a carpet and sofa, both of which she could have easily gone without, and even replaced the candlesticks that had only been rusted but were otherwise perfectly functional.
Alyssa had been beside herself, fretting over the sheer amount of money being spent on nothing more than her office. But Kieran had proceeded without hesitation, as if finally checking off a long-standing task.
Now, her office looked no different from that of any noble. Even the late duke’s office—one she had never dared to step foot in—seemed modest in comparison.
She couldn’t bring herself to touch these extravagances, yet she couldn’t look away from them either.
The world was quiet. No approaching footsteps, no distant shouting invading her mind. The only sound that filled the office was the steady crackling of the firewood.
It was peaceful.
It felt strange to recognize it as such, but there was no denying it.
As an unfamiliar sensation brushed against her toes, Alyssa absentmindedly wiggled her foot. Just then, someone knocked on the office door.
“It’s Mirika.”
Startled, Alyssa stiffened awkwardly. After a brief pause, the door opened, and Mirika stepped inside.
“…You’re here.”
Perhaps thinking the room was empty due to the lack of response, Mirika hesitated upon meeting Alyssa’s gaze before bowing her head.
Then, without another word, she strode toward the fireplace and added more firewood. After that, she dusted the furniture and began sweeping the floor.
Her movements were practiced and efficient, and Alyssa found herself unconsciously following them with her eyes.
At some point, Mirika turned—and their eyes met.
“Ah.”
“Uh.”
Both let out short, awkward sounds before falling into silence at the same time. Alyssa slowly, creakingly turned her head away.
She didn’t really know how to interact with people. She could respond well enough to questions or orders, but she had never taken the initiative to show interest in someone.
Staring at someone for no reason—only to get caught—left her feeling utterly flustered.
‘Did she find it unpleasant?’
Unlike the previous maids, Mirika never openly showed displeasure. But she was extremely quiet and always maintained a neutral expression.
Alyssa didn’t dislike that about her, but she doubted Mirika felt the same way toward her.
“…If you have nothing to do, perhaps you could take a walk.”
Mirika was the first to break the silence. Her voice was stiff, and she spoke awkwardly, her expression tightening in discomfort.
“Sorry for interrupting.”
Alyssa apologized as she stood up. Mirika’s gaze, which had been cast downward, widened in surprise.
“I’ll step out so you can work in peace.”
Mirika’s lips parted slightly, as if she wanted to say something. But Alyssa, already heading toward the door, didn’t notice.
“A-Ah, no, that’s not—!”
Just as Alyssa reached for the doorknob, a loud voice rang out from behind her.
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Please update more, I like this novel, but with this much delay, I barely remember the previous chapters when you update 😢
Yes i’m truly sorry for that. I see too that you are an avid reader of this novel. I’m really sorry for the delay😓