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Chapter 31
The Bastille family, being a count’s house with long tradition and history, possessed many valuable relics and documents. Most had already been sold off at auction, but even among what remained, there were still precious things to be found.
However, what I asked for was the gold mine that was said to have already run dry, so it was only natural that Marine was bewildered.
“But the vein has already dried up. Don’t you know that no proper gold has come out since last year?”
“Sure, don’t worry. It’s still valuable enough for me.”
I shrugged and flashed a confident smile. Indeed, the gold vein was long gone.
“But that’s exactly where a lode of high-quality mana stones—several times greater than the original gold vein—will soon be discovered!”
It was far too risky to reveal this information to Marine just yet. If the secret leaked somehow, or if Marine herself learned the truth and backed out of the deal, it would ruin everything.
“I see… But even so, I don’t have the authority to sell this mine. My father’s seal is required.”
Of course, I already knew that. In this world, it was rare for a family head to entrust their children—especially daughters—with authority over family property. And the Count of Bastille was nothing if not greedy.
“Then tell your father that some naïve merchant in the capital wants to buy the mine. If you say I’ll pay fifty million aden, he’ll stamp the contract right away.”
“Fifty million aden?”
That was about five billion won in Korean money—large enough to turn the Count’s head without fail.
“Yes. Once the deal is confirmed, I’ll wire the funds directly to your Imperial Bank account. Of course, the sender’s name will be the ‘merchant’s’—I’m borrowing a friend’s name for this.”
“Since he’s desperate for cash, he’ll jump at the chance to seal the deal immediately.”
“If you just sign here first, I’ll explain the next steps one by one. Of course, if this contract doesn’t solve your problem, then all rights to the mine will automatically be nullified. That’s the condition.”
It was a contract I had drawn up thoroughly. Wherever you are, you should always read contracts carefully. I pointed to each clause as I explained in detail, making sure Marine wouldn’t worry.
“…All right.”
Thankfully, Marine nodded without resistance. Lucky for me—if she had pressed me on why she should trust me, I wouldn’t have had much of an answer.
“Seriously, it’s a blessing I’m a good person. Otherwise, she’d be in real danger. She’s exactly the type to get scammed someday.”
I’d definitely have to keep an eye on her from now on.
“Once you get your father’s seal on the contract, we’ll handle everything from there.”
“Yes.”
As soon as Marine finished signing, a faint glow surrounded the paper, signaling that the contract was sealed.
“Confirmed. Then I think the watchers’ patience is about to run out, so I’ll send you off now.”
I rose slightly and gave a signal to the café owner. At once, the servant who had accompanied Marine in the carriage came inside. Time to leave as if nothing had happened.
Though she tried to act calm, Marine’s face still carried tension. I smiled gently, squeezed her hand lightly, and let go.
“Don’t worry. Everything will turn out fine.”
I quietly watched the carriage carrying Marine roll away. The moment she was gone, the café owner strolled out and leaned casually beside me.
“Well, that went better than expected. Are nobles these days really that stupid?”
His sharp tone didn’t match his kind-looking face.
“They’re not stupid—just innocent, and exhausted.”
“Same difference.”
Jen slung an arm over my shoulder with a smirk. Looking up, I caught sight of his reddish-brown hair tied back loosely.
This was Jen, owner of the Fairy Café, the one playing the role of the “foolish” merchant, and in truth, Tower Master Meliz’s closest disciple. I brushed off the hand he had placed on my shoulder and shot him a look.
“Think positive, will you? Anyway, are you sure that carriage won’t be exposed?”
“Relax. Do you underestimate my illusion magic? I’m at least a high-tier mage, unlike you.”
“Yes, yes.”
I shook my head with a deadpan look. The first time I met Jen, I had been surprised. In the novel, he had been mentioned, but never described much—no real hint at his personality.
“Jen found the information, Jen tracked the person down—that was all it ever said.”
I hadn’t known his age either, but since he was Meliz’s longtime disciple, I had expected a man of some years and gravity.
Instead, the Jen who appeared before me was a handsome young man with long brown hair tied back, drooping eyes, and a mischievous grin. He looked about my age in my previous life.
“Mentally he feels like a peer, but he treats me like a kid.”
Since Edel was only barely of age, I could understand why he treated me like a nephew, but it was still disconcerting.
“How long do you think the Count will take to finalize the contract?”
“Not long. For him, even small change matters right now.”
“I hope so.”
“Though all that money will vanish like a mirage at the gambling table anyway.”
His gentle face belied the venom in his words. And he spoke that way even to Master Meliz, so his guts were undeniable.
“Must’ve had a lot of frustrations in life, huh?”
Still, I couldn’t complain. He was helping me a great deal—though not for free.
Back inside the café, Jen took the seat across from me as if it were his own.
“So, care to explain now? About you.”
“Me? What about me?”
“The Bastille estate’s mana stone mine. How did you discover it?”
“Let’s just say divine revelation…”
“Cut the crap. Even a stray dog wouldn’t believe that.”
“Ahem! This tea is really refreshing, isn’t it?”
“Oh, you little—”
Damn it. I was still scrambling for a good excuse. Of course I couldn’t just blurt out the truth.
“What am I supposed to say—‘I read it in a novel’? Who on earth would believe that?”
No one would take me seriously if I claimed, “By the way, you’re all characters in a book.” That was the kind of nonsense even a passing cat wouldn’t buy.
Not long after my first communication with Master Meliz, Jen had appeared in the Imperial Palace as her messenger. Though what he was really conveying was himself—a favor for his teacher.
“They say you’re Meliz’s adopted daughter?”
“Me? Not at all.”
“No? Funny, the mages in the Tower sure treat you like it. Maybe it’s just that old hag.”
From our very first meeting, Jen spoke down to me without hesitation. His eyes even raked me up and down as if conducting a background check.
“By the way, why are you so tiny? Are you really of age?”
“…Yes, I am.”
“That hag dotes on you like you’re her own baby, so I came to see for myself.”
Clearly, he had no interest in making a good first impression. Still, as I’d guessed, he was immensely capable—and powerful enough to dive headfirst into dangerous situations without fear.
I had told him about the assassination plot against the Prince, how it was tied to the Apostles, and how exposing the mastermind might help Meliz track Deus’s trail.
“If we can intercept the mana stones meant for bombs, we might trace the caster’s signature too.”
Jen hadn’t been very interested at first. Unlike Meliz, a grand duke of the Empire, Jen was an orphan mage. Why would he care about the Empire’s safety or eradicating the Apostles?
But the moment I mentioned the existence of a mana stone mine, his whole attitude changed.
“Stones with amplification that strong? Where exactly?”
He practically sprang out of his chair when I said I knew the location of a mine with unprecedented power. His expression made it clear—he’d only believe it after seeing it with his own eyes.
So I told him. The mine’s location was easy to recall—it was the same as the old gold mine. And with that, Jen vanished in an instant, as if just heading to the restroom.
“He uses teleportation so casually…”
High-tier mage, indeed. Actually, rumor had it his power was beyond even that; he just found certification bothersome.
Sure enough, Jen soon returned from the Bastille estate in Lestain. In his hand was a small shard of mana stone. Apparently, he had blasted a hole in the mine and mined it himself. Bold as ever.
But of course, for a mage, a plentiful supply of mana stones was like having endless lifeblood. No wonder it had captured his interest.
