🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 7
“There’s a gemstone there that’s never been discovered before.”
The current owner probably had no idea that alexandrite was buried there.
That was only natural. To mine alexandrite, they would have to dig west of the existing tunnel instead of inside the current mine shaft.
Alexandrite was a rare mineral that had never been discovered in this world before. During the day, it appeared green or bluish-green, but at night, it turned red.
A precious gem that changed color.
Once this gemstone—still completely unknown to the world—was unearthed, it was obvious it would attract the attention of the nobility.
Judging from the characteristics Oried had described, Coco was certain of it.
“A gemstone never discovered before…? A completely new gem? Just what kind…?”
“In daylight, it looks like an emerald. At night, it looks like a ruby.”
Coco answered calmly, since this had been part of her plan for a very long time.
Even so, Bay immediately realized its value and stared with parted lips.
One gemstone possessing the beauty of two different gems—that alone was extraordinary.
Before Bay could say anything, Coco spoke first to stop further questions.
“Seeing it once will explain more than a hundred words. I’ll show you after we mine it.”
After that, she held her tongue.
No matter how much she explained, Bay would probably just think she was a naïve little girl spouting unrealistic fantasies.
And naturally, Bay would also wonder whether such an unfamiliar gemstone could truly captivate people’s attention.
Still, if Coco’s words were true, everyone would undoubtedly be astonished.
But could a gemstone like that really exist?
Bay’s face clearly seemed to say exactly that.
A brief flicker of suspicion crossed her expression, but she deliberately ignored it and continued speaking.
Was it because she trusted Coco?
Or because Venus had introduced her?
“Then how do you plan to get the money?”
“Have you heard the rumors spreading around the capital lately? About someone who can ‘see land’? They say every plot that person picks becomes a gold mine. People even gave them the nickname ‘God’s Eye.’”
“Yes. It’s become quite famous. So famous that it earned a title like that. But I heard no one actually knows who it is. There was even someone who tried to use the name to scam people and ended up losing everything…”
As Bay trailed off, Coco pointed at her own eyes.
“God’s Eye.”
“Hm?”
“It’s me.”
The absurd timing made Bay blink in confusion.
Even though the nickname embarrassed her a little, Coco boldly pointed to her eyes again and declared clearly:
“The God’s Eye that turns everything it sees into a jackpot.”
And then, on purpose, she suddenly widened her eyes dramatically.
Bay, who had been drinking tea, burst out laughing and sprayed it everywhere.
“Pfft!”
“Wow. It’s raining…”
Coco muttered while wiping tea off her face.
Bay hurriedly coughed and apologized.
“Cough, cough! I-I’m sorry, Lady Coco!”
“God’s Eye forgives you.”
That answer nearly made Bay burst into laughter again. Trembling as she held it back, she smoothed her twitching lips before asking once more:
“So… ahem. You’re saying you’re the famous ‘God’s Eye’?”
“Yes.”
Apparently, Coco’s expression as she widened her eyes and looked around had seemed especially ridiculous, because Bay nearly lost control of her laughter again.
After blinking a few times to ease the strain in her eyes, Coco continued as though nothing had happened.
“What I need you to do is find wealthy nobles and tell them to buy the lands I recommend. Then collect the money.”
This was exactly why having a proxy was useful.
She would no longer have to pay commissions to the dark guild, which naturally meant more money would remain in her hands.
That alone was already a huge gain.
“With the money we gather, we’ll buy the abandoned mine. Then we’ll hire miners and create another tunnel. And if there’s not enough money left over, I’ll simply sell more land information.”
Very few people could resist hearing about a shortcut to sudden wealth through cheap land purchases.
Even if high-ranking nobles showed little interest, wealthy middle-class investors hoping to expand their fortunes would definitely come looking for Bay.
Real estate was always a good investment.
After all, no one ever lost out by owning land.
The more land someone owned, the greater the chance that redevelopment would someday make them enormously rich.
Of course, that excluded worthless land whose value would never rise.
But with Oried around, I don’t have to worry about that.
Bay still looked doubtful, but because Coco continued acting so confident, she began observing her with a much sharper gaze.
“And then?”
“Once we create a new shaft in the western area, the gemstone I mentioned will be discovered. After that, we’ll need miners and craftsmen who can process the gem.”
Though Bay still hadn’t completely discarded her suspicions, she chose not to pry further and instead focused on practical matters.
“It won’t be easy finding capable people. Should I handle that too?”
Coco shook her head.
It wasn’t just money she had been gathering all these years. Over the past eight years, she had also carefully built the foundations for her future.
And the very first thing she had planned for was finding craftsmen.
When she first began planning, one of her greatest concerns had been finding skilled artisans.
She didn’t have enough money to hire famous masters.
But hiring amateurs would lower the gemstone’s value.
So Coco began wandering around searching for imitation jewelry carved from fake gemstones.
Nobles usually wouldn’t even glance at such cheap items, but occasionally she found pieces with astonishingly delicate craftsmanship.
The gemstones themselves were ordinary imitation stones cut into simple round shapes, but the accessories made from them were anything but ordinary.
“May I ask who crafted this necklace?”
“And why would you want to know?”
The woman looked wary, but Coco calmly voiced her genuine admiration.
“I don’t know much about gemstones, but I heard the cut is what makes them shine beautifully. And even I can tell this sparkles amazingly. There isn’t a single crack anywhere. Most people would treat fake gemstones carelessly, but this was obviously made with great care. The design is sophisticated too. Did the craftsman handle both the design and the carving personally?”
As Coco rapidly listed her thoughts one after another, the silent woman cautiously asked:
“…Does it really look that impressive?”
“Yes! This person simply hasn’t had an opportunity yet. I don’t know why they’re working with fake stones instead of real ones, but…”
“My master said… it was terrible…”
“…This skill?”
Coco asked in disbelief.
The woman pressed her lips tightly together.
Coco immediately glanced at the woman’s hands.
They were rough and covered in calluses.
That alone made it easy to realize the woman herself had crafted the necklace.
Her master had undoubtedly recognized her genius.
And probably envied it as well.
Which meant there was a strong possibility he had been stealing credit for her work all this time.
Otherwise, there was no way someone this skilled would still be selling imitation jewelry from a roadside stall.
Coco looked straight at her and asked:
“May I ask your name?”
“…Lilac.”
“You’re the craftsman who made this necklace, aren’t you, Lilac?”
Lilac silently confirmed it.
Suppressing her excitement, Coco smiled gently.
“Your skills are absolutely not terrible. This necklace is so beautiful it makes people stop and stare while walking past.”
“Thank you…”
Lilac gave a faint smile.
Coco added softly:
“Please don’t leave this place. If you keep enduring here, someday your talent will definitely shine.”
Even though the words sounded vague and unrealistic, Lilac looked deeply comforted, as if no one had ever said such things to her before.
Lilac had remained in that place for a very long time.
Until she could escape her exploitative master, she had probably heard nothing but criticism and demands to give up.
Coco had worried Lilac might become angry and say, What would you know?
But fortunately, the woman instead seemed encouraged.
Lilac smiled faintly and handed Coco the necklace she had praised.
“A gift of gratitude.”
“Oh, but the price—”
“I said it’s a gift. Later, if my talent really does shine like you said, come find me with that necklace. Then I’ll make you jewelry from real gemstones.”
Coco accepted the necklace gratefully and smiled brightly.
After that, she continued seeking out other craftsmen who seemed trapped in unfair situations. Whenever she found them, she bought even the smallest accessory they made and occasionally checked on them afterward.
Some had disappeared somewhere.
But others, including Lilac, were still there.
Finishing the memory, Coco reassured Bay.
“Don’t worry. I’ve already found people. There are many craftsmen whose talents haven’t been recognized yet. Some are highly skilled but are only being exploited. I focused on finding people like that. Famous artisans would cost far too much money. So please negotiate contracts based on the conditions they want. I’d prefer exclusive contracts if possible. At least in the beginning, I can’t afford to have them stolen away.”
Then Coco pulled out the necklace Lilac had given her, along with several imitation gemstones she had bought from other craftsmen, and handed them all to Bay.
“I think you’ll judge them better than I can. If any don’t seem worthwhile, feel free to reject them. And when you go visit them, take these imitation pieces with you.”
Though I wonder if they’ll remember me. They probably will.
After all, words heard during difficult times were never easily forgotten.
Bay, who had silently listened to everything, finally asked:
“If you don’t mind me asking… how can you be so certain that every piece of land you choose is valuable?”
“Because, just like the rumors say, I possess God’s Eye.”
Coco answered teasingly.
Bay paused briefly before bursting into cheerful laughter.
Her reaction clearly meant: If you don’t want to explain, I won’t force you.
“So all I have to do is sell the lands you recommend to nobles in exchange for money?”
“Yes. Ah, and…”
Coco explained part of her plan to Bay.
Not because she trusted Bay completely yet—
but because she trusted Oried and his abilities.
Oried had never once harmed her.
Even though he claimed Coco was the first human he had ever chosen, he had stayed by her side ever since she lost her memories, devoting himself wholeheartedly to her.
That alone made him trustworthy.
And spirits couldn’t lie anyway.
So Coco believed she could trust the connection Oried had brought her.
Still, rather than revealing everything immediately, she decided to keep a few cards hidden until Bay fully earned her trust.
After hearing the rough outline of Coco’s business plan, Bay finally voiced her concerns.
“You’ll need enormous starting capital. More importantly, this plan is far too bold and risky.”
“I heard boldness is important in business. Like you said, the risks are high—but if it succeeds, the rewards will be just as great.”
Bay’s expression hardened as she spoke seriously.
“Do you know how many people entered business with that same mindset, only to end up crushed by failure and despair?”
