MVS 6

Chapter: 6

Sieta herself didn’t exactly know how she had managed to catch the blue tiger.

However…

“From the outside, it’s easily mistaken for magic.”

After Sieta closed her eyes, a white light captured the blue tiger alive. It was no wonder it looked like magic.

And the words of a prodigy child magician awakened at such a young age—“I can infuse magic into iron”—clearly meant:

“You could dismiss it as the ramblings of a child, but ignoring it outright would still feel off, wouldn’t it?”

Either way, this investment would inevitably rebound within eight years.

“For exactly the reason I just mentioned.”

Until then, all buildings had been constructed from soft copper, which absorbed magic well.

No.

Not just buildings. Magical tools were also made of copper.

But when the technique to infuse magic into solid iron became commercially viable, people naturally began treating iron as a more valuable mineral than copper.

What this meant was…

If one waited just a little longer…

One could see an iron mine hit it big for precisely the reason Sieta had predicted, almost as if she had foreseen the future.

“Since it’s the area the original male protagonist would have taken, it’s certain.”

And by then, even from Roshiate’s perspective, there would be no choice but to recognize Sieta’s worth.

Sure enough…

As expected, the reactions around her were lukewarm, as if to say, “Did you come all this way just to spout clouded nonsense and recommend another investment to the emperor?”

Of course, Sieta’s words had their own logic.

But at this point in time, they sounded like absurd gibberish.

Sieta knew this too.

Yet she did not back down.

“Well… this is…”

It was like buying the “Dead Land” for cheap and later seeing it unexpectedly skyrocket, a coin—or rather, an area—that would boom.

Metaphorically speaking, Sieta would be like a swindler who had known the male protagonist’s booming coin in advance and snatched it.

“Sorry, dear male protagonist.”

But first, I have to survive.

The ministers and scholars gave troubled looks at the young princess suddenly raising her voice about buying a region rich in iron.

Sieta, however, did not relent.

“Whether Roshiate accepts or rejects my investment proposal doesn’t matter for now. What matters is that I push my own opinion forward.”

By doing so, the Sieta who was previously thought to be reckless in the past would now appear as a clever princess capable of reading the grand strategy of the empire.

Then she would gain a certain degree of influence, which she could leverage for the future.

“Of course, that will earn Roshiate’s suspicion at that point.”

That was unavoidable. She planned to keep Roshiate in check while securing her own interests.

With her thoughts settled, Sieta looked up at Roshiate with her usual brazen and shameless expression.

Finally…

Roshiate, his golden eyes gleaming strangely, spoke:

“However, my beloved daughter…”

He said what he intended to say.

“You haven’t received any proper education, have you?”

‘Here he is, suddenly bringing up my lack of education?’

It was a rather petty way of speaking.

From now on, whenever Sieta spoke…

He would dismiss her words, citing her youth and lack of education as reasons, undermining her at every turn.

The sheer intention behind his words—to completely block her from speaking—left her dumbfounded.

“Hey, this… this is supposed to be good for you!”

The fact that the only princess of the Sikan Empire had been neglected without education until the age of six was clear.

It meant that Roshiate would not support Sieta, but rather oppose her.

In such a situation…

“Defying the emperor?”

Yes.

She knew it was insane.

She was already disliked, and here she was, outright contradicting the emperor’s investment proposal.

As expected, the nobles were seen fidgeting and gauging the emperor’s reaction.

But Sieta could not retract her statement.

“This… I cannot back down from.”

Enduring Roshiate’s intrigued gaze fixed on her, Sieta steeled her resolve.

“Now, this is the decisive moment.”

Yes.

If she failed to handle this properly now, survival would be difficult.

Even if she barely survived, it would be obvious that she would later be hunted by the grown male protagonist.

Under normal circumstances, Sieta wouldn’t have drawn attention with such bold actions.

“But…”

This could not be allowed.

If handled poorly…

She could even hasten Roshiate’s downfall, as it happened in the original story.

And that…

Was not a desirable option in a world where the principle of collective responsibility still applied.

Even if Roshiate completely ignored Sieta’s opinion, it would still be better to attempt persuasion, she reasoned.

“What would capture the attention of Conqueror Roshiate, for now…”

“If you bring a lot of iron,”

However, just as Sieta tried to persuade Roshiate…

“No.”

“Huh?”

As if to say no long explanations were needed, Roshiate drove his point home.

“It was a question of whether you could stake your life on it.”

At this, the other ministers, excluding Sieta, were stunned…

And held their breath.

Sieta didn’t answer immediately, blinking as she thought.

“So harsh.”

Perhaps Roshiate regarded her actions as the reckless acts of an immature princess.

And that was…

“Likely the same for the other ministers.”

They seemed to understand Roshiate’s reasoning, while cautiously observing him.

Of course.

Copper had always been the mainstay since it absorbed magic well.

So even if a six-year-old princess suddenly spoke about the importance of iron, it would sound absurd.

Thus, they assumed Roshiate’s intention was to scare his daughter…

…into retracting her statement.

But Sieta, knowing the original story…

Was exceedingly confident.

“Yes.”

Unfazed by Roshiate’s pressure, she declared:

“I will stake my life on this investment.”

Roshiate stared at Sieta, who was voicing her opinion.

“…Oh?”

Finally, a spark of curiosity appeared in Roshiate’s dead eyes.

As if discovering an utterly incomprehensible life form, he observed Sieta with interest.

“Do you think I’m joking?”

Perhaps thinking Sieta had taken his words as a joke, he added:

“Investments discussed here carry significant responsibility, as they directly affect the empire.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Her words were strained but clear.

Roshiate smiled faintly and continued:

“And now you claim you’ll stake your life on it?”

He wanted her to feel the weight of her words, but Sieta did not falter.

“Yes.”

“Princess!”

Several ministers were shocked, but Sieta spoke with utmost confidence:

“If, within eight years, iron does not become more valuable than copper and gold…”

Still smiling, Roshiate asked:

“And if it doesn’t?”

Despite the smile, the pressure was undeniable. Sieta responded as firmly as possible:

“I will die.”

On her lips was a smile strikingly similar to Roshiate’s.

The emperor remained silent, staring at Sieta’s self-assured expression.

Of course.

This was a reckless move.

Throughout history, how many had drawn attention to their own brilliance only to be cut down?

But Sieta knew:

“This is Roshiate’s first mistake.”

Choosing the wrong investment.

Some might call it a minor error.

But there are mistakes that can be undone, and those that cannot.

This was Roshiate’s first irreparable mistake.

And Roshiate was the type who, if someone proved useful to him, would stop at nothing to keep them by his side.

“If this doesn’t work, then nothing can be done.”

In the future, those present would shiver seeing a six-year-old princess’s audacious claims actually come true.

That was Sieta’s aim.

Even if Roshiate refused, others would start thinking Sieta’s words…

…might not just be the reckless whims of a child.

“Anyway, the objective has been achieved.”

Though sweat ran down her face from the risk,

The corners of her mouth traced an exceedingly confident…

…smile.