🔊 TTS Settings
chapter 11
[▶ 100 Diamonds have been converted into 10,000,000 Ruric! Ruric will be deposited into your human-world account in 1 day.]
Oh my.
Iona had been worrying about how to carry a pouch of gold coins to the bank without being noticed, but now it would just be deposited straight into her account.
“Hopefully there aren’t any tax issues… nothing that the imperial tax office would notice?”
She was ecstatic enough to roll on the floor, but Iona made herself stay calm and focus on the important part.
[Currency converted at the Constellation Shop is provided in a form so clean that not even a speck of dust remains. Human-world agents handle it neatly for you.]
Perfect.
After all, free money without tax is the best kind of money.
Relaxed and breathing out fully, Iona let her tension melt away.
Then, just at that moment—
“Leaving already? I just got here.”
“……!!!”
She was so shocked that no gasp came out. That was exactly how Iona felt.
“Hello?”
Someone had appeared silently and whispered right into her ear.
Turning around so suddenly that she nearly fainted, Iona found a young man standing there.
“You’re wasting time exchanging money. I came personally to show you something much better.”
“…….”
Who is this?
He looked just barely grown into adulthood, still with a youthful aura.
His pumpkin-colored eyes were full of mischief, almost malicious in its playfulness.
His shoulders weren’t broad, his height average, giving him a slender, almost boyish appearance rather than that of a man—more like an underdeveloped youth.
If anything, he looked like a charming young trickster.
Even his flashy clothes, which might look ridiculous on a grown man, suited him perfectly.
But despite his handsomeness and refinement, his sharp eyes and firm jaw made him seem anything but friendly.
After taking in his full image, Iona concluded.
“The Master of Lies?”
“Oh, right. You got it immediately.”
He clapped his hands with a sly grin.
The world around Iona wavered, and the next moment, she was standing in the random box zone.
“Look at these. Inside are things you can’t even imagine.”
“…….”
“Potions to change hair, eye color, even height and body type! Scrolls that teleport you anywhere instantly. From trivial items to immortality liquor made by the gods, mistletoe bows and arrows… Everything a human could desire is here.”
The man hummed like singing, lightly resting his hand on Iona’s shoulder.
But the more he whispered, the more Iona felt a chill.
‘Like I heard something I shouldn’t… goosebumps all over.’
Even the countdown on the warning screen seemed frozen.
Feeling uneasy and queasy, Iona tried to step forward, but it was useless.
The Master of Lies pulled her into a slow embrace from behind, whispering in her ear.
“I’ll help you test your luck. Something amazing could appear, right?”
A green window appeared before her eyes.
She didn’t want to read it, but her body refused to move.
‘I can’t even close my eyes.’
Ⅳ. [☆God’s Collection☆]
Description: Guaranteed S-rank or higher artifact, top-tier random box
Price: 1,000,000,000 Diamonds
Tip! Cheers to your wealth if you can afford this.
Ⅲ. [Ancient Royal Vault]
Description: Guaranteed A-rank or higher artifact, high-tier random box
Price: 100,000,000 Diamonds
Tip! Contains treasures from a prosperous ancient kingdom.
Ⅱ. [Adventurer’s Backpack]
Description: Guaranteed C-rank or higher artifact, normal random box
Price: 5,000 Diamonds
Tip! Contains moderately useful items. Don’t be disappointed.
“Why are you showing me this?”
“To help you. If a teleport potion comes out, it could save you a lot.”
It felt like the temptation of a snake—or the lure of a ghost.
“Look over there.”
A chill ran down her spine even though the air was still.
A high-pitched ringing sounded in her ears, and she couldn’t move.
Following the Master of Lies’ finger, Iona’s eyes fell on dusty-looking crates.
Ⅰ. [Unconfirmed Stock Box]
Description: F~SSS-rank artifact, no guarantees. Crude random box collected because they didn’t want to throw it away.
Price: 100 Diamonds
Tip! The lock may be rotten. Open with caution.
The pumpkin-colored eyes of the Master of Lies glinted dangerously even without looking.
Despite not wanting to, her lips parted and her hand reached toward the crate.
“……!”
Crackle!
Suddenly, black electricity surged through the crate, repelling nearby objects.
“Ugh, damn it!”
Technically, it repelled the Master of Lies instead.
At the same time, the frozen world returned to normal.
‘Ah, I can move again.’
As the countdown reached zero, light shone around Iona.
“Don’t forget. A contract with the Constellation can’t be undone. We will meet again.”
The sinister voice clung to her ears until the moment he left.
Shaking, she regained her composure and realized—
“Gasp.”
When had I fallen asleep?
Iona snapped awake on the sofa, quickly taking in her surroundings.
A few seconds later, she felt something rustling in her tightly clenched fist.
A note?
Compelled by an irresistible urge, she cautiously unfolded it.
And there was a warning, unpleasant to ignore:
[Beware the Master of Lies.]
-
Beautiful and Mad Woman
Did I love you, or the family?
October, from Iona’s diary
The next day at noon, Teresia’s reception room.
Griselda was furious, while Blanche and Felix tried to tread carefully.
With an ice pack on her forehead, Griselda groaned and cursed Iona with every word.
“Such an arrogant look! You had to see it yourself. I’m so upset I can’t bear it!”
Her tall, handsome son was her pride and joy.
Raising such a son was her greatest achievement.
And yet, the emperor’s orders had brought a daughter-in-law like this into her house—so insane!
“I shouldn’t have accepted the emperor’s proposal. If I had known she was such trash, I would have never allowed it!”
“Mom’s right. Do you know how cruel she was to me? I just suggested going for tea, and she chased me out!”
Blanche, eager to chime in, watched her brother’s expression carefully.
He had said nothing since earlier. His normally sharp profile seemed unusually stern.
‘Should I just divorce her already?’
And remarry a saint!
That would be more honorable.
But Blanche did not speak recklessly.
Even if she seemed careless and cheerful, she wasn’t foolish.
If they mentioned divorce first, the emperor would surely withdraw the privileges he had granted.
‘That can’t happen. My allowance might be cut.’
Pursing her lips, Blanche sipped her tea in silence.
“You need to be put in a mental hospital, Felix. Or divorced! If word of this gets out, I won’t be able to hold my head up in shame.”
“……That’s impossible.”
Griselda started complaining again, and Felix slowly spoke.
“As you know, this marriage was arranged by the emperor to promote unity between the two religions.”
“Yes, yes. But still—”
“What would people think if we divorced after only a few years?”
And what about the tax exemption?
The damage wasn’t just to her honor; the bigger issue was the privileges granted by the emperor.
“The emperor promised that marrying a daughter of the Isis faith would bring me great honor later. And now I serve as the saint’s guardian knight. The emperor has kept his promise.”
