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Chapter 26
The Young Lady Only Deals with the Real Thing
My tension drained all at once.
I thought for a moment that he might have done something worse than suggesting I sell myself.
With a hollow laugh, I shook my head.
“Yes.”
“…Really…?”
Anyway, at least now I knew that man really did belong to the guild.
That was enough for me.
‘At the very least, he’s a confirmed lunatic with credentials.’
Whether that was fortunate or unfortunate, I wasn’t sure.
As William muttered something about how I must really not find him scary, I brought up the main topic.
“Anyway, I came here because I have two requests I’d like to make.”
“Ah, right. You’re the pawnshop owner. That look on your face says, ‘How did you know?’ Don’t tell me you forgot where you are.”
“I did, for a moment. We got caught up talking about interior design and cats.”
William laughed heartily and propped his chin on his hand.
“So, what’s the request?”
“First, I’d like you to introduce me to someone who could serve as an external consultant. I don’t have any connections.”
William glanced at the list I handed over, then looked over my shoulder.
Was someone behind me? I turned slightly, but William spoke first.
“Since you said I made a good impression, I’ll tell you this for free. If you’re looking for old whiskey, that owner over there is the one to go to. Just mention my name and they’ll know. And as for…”
How could someone so concerned about profits just give away info for free like that?!
…I wanted to say it out loud, but I held my tongue.
I could always bring some bread as thanks later. For now, I diligently jotted down everything William said.
“As for a weapons expert? Hm, can’t think of anyone right now. But I’ll let you know if someone comes to mind.”
“Really? Thank you.”
“Well, who knows. Maybe you’ll run into someone destined to meet you before I even call.”
Huh?
What kind of airy nonsense was that? Still, since he’d given me free info, I just smiled politely.
William raised an eyebrow and gestured with his chin for me to continue.
“You said there were two things, right? What’s the other?”
I gazed at him.
The man who’d become guildmaster at such a young age.
Aside from the fact that he’d made a good impression on me, his olive-green eyes were sharp.
“Judging by your hesitation, this sounds like a pretty secretive request. Do you want me to dig up dirt on some high-ranking noble? Or maybe you’re after someone’s weakness?”
Of course, those were exactly the kinds of things I needed.
If I could uncover the weaknesses of the Rionet family, no price would be too high.
But…
‘The information guild doesn’t work for loyalty. They work for money.’
In other words, whatever story I shared could easily become my weakness—sold off for a high price.
And who would end up with it? None other than Rosanne and Hugo.
After finishing that thought, I spoke.
“In a way, you could say it’s about investigating high-ranking nobles.”
“Really?! Finally, a proper job worth—!”
“But it’s not about any specific individual.”
“Then what?”
“What I need are rumors. The rumors circulating in high society.”
William tilted his head, then quickly wore a look of realization.
As expected of a guildmaster. He was quick on the uptake.
“Ah, I get it. Stuff like—who’s planning to invest where, who’s looking for high-quality gems, who’s cozying up to whom, that sort of thing?”
“Yes. Rumors let me know in advance—what goods to secure, how much to raise prices, who’s going to set the trend.”
I deliberately lowered my voice, whispering.
“As you know, the pawnshop business is all about timing. Buy cheap, sell high—that’s the key. But information from the newspapers always comes too late.”
“So you want to use rumors instead? Wow, you’re really aiming to do this properly, huh?”
“Of course. I need to make money. After all, my dream is to be rich.”
I feigned as if this was all purely for the pawnshop.
The business was just a cover—my real goal was to track Rosanne’s movements.
‘If I know where investments are going, I’ll see the cash flow. If I know the trends, I’ll see who the influential leaders are. If I know the networks, I’ll see the overlaps.’
And among them…
‘Rosanne is bound to be there!’
This was my chance to uncover Rosanne’s connections and activities all at once.
‘And maybe I’ll even pick up useful clues from small rumors, like how I met Hannah by chance at the auction.’
Considering the guild would filter out baseless gossip, it was a very efficient method—saving me the trouble of verifying things myself.
They say to hide a tree, you put it in a forest. I hid my intent to track Rosanne behind the guise of business.
“Alright. That much won’t be too difficult.”
“You sound a little disappointed, though?”
“Caught me. I was hoping for something more challenging. Like, ‘Catch the guy cheating on his lover,’ or ‘Find my runaway pet,’ you know? Not these common requests. I thought I might finally get to do some real guild work again!”
The sparkle in William’s eyes dimmed a little.
It seemed he’d misunderstood my request as something ordinary. For me, that was perfect.
After agreeing on fees and how he’d deliver the info, I was about to leave when he suddenly asked:
“How’s Mister Michele doing?”
It didn’t sound like a simple, casual inquiry.
For him, this was information, too.
‘I used to wonder how news of Grandfather’s illness leaked out…’
Maybe Rosanne and Hugo had gotten that information from William.
Not that it was his fault—he was just doing his job as a guildman.
Which meant my lie wouldn’t be such a big deal either.
“Of course, he’s doing well.”
I replied with an exaggeratedly bright smile and turned to leave.
‘I’m just doing my job too.’
Still, a slight bitterness lingered.
It would’ve been nice to have someone I could talk to openly about Grandfather.
‘But that’s a luxury I can’t afford right now.’
Life is something you live alone anyway! No time for sentimentality! I marched forward cheerfully—
—only to bump my forehead into something white and solid.
What the… rock?
“You’re busy as always.”
That voice?
“When are you ever not busy?”
It was Alter.
The pain in my forehead hit me before the surprise did.
Apparently, the rock I thought I hit was actually his chest.
“Why are you blocking the way?”
“You should’ve been watching where you’re going.”
Behind Alter, there was a step up.
To anyone watching, it might look like he was warning me not to trip over it.
That thought made me smile faintly.
“Were you warning me so I wouldn’t trip on the step and fall?”
I’d just thought of a way to end this conversation with him.
I lifted my head with a bright smile. Maybe because the distance between us was closer than expected, Alter flinched.
“What nonsense.”
“Aw, don’t pretend. But I already told you, right? Even if you do that, I can’t give you any special treatment.”
“What?”
“How did you even know I’d be here waiting for me?”
“Waiting? I belong here. We just ran into each other by chance…”
“Mm-hm, sure. I’ll believe you.”
“Believe me…?”
‘That hit the mark.’
Still, I figured I’d better stop there. If I kept poking, who knew how he’d react.
‘Anyway, since he’s here, he must really be part of the information guild.’
I smiled, didn’t say more, and spun around to leave—only to hear footsteps following.
Huh? I glanced back—Alter was trailing after me.
‘What the—why’s he following?’
Did just a few words really make him that mad?
I slowed my steps; his footsteps slowed too. I quickened my pace; his matched mine.
But I wasn’t scared. Partly because I had plenty of self-defense items from Emma’s shop, but more importantly—
‘I don’t really find him scary.’
Just like William had said, Alter didn’t have the kind of face that was terrifying, chilling, or one that made you want to apologize.
And if he did try anything? Then it’d be a great chance to test out those self-defense tools.
I discreetly reached into my bag to pull one out—
Thunk—
“Ow…”
I’d smacked my head against a statue this time.
Why was this thing in the middle of the road?!
I’d stumbled and fallen on my butt, glaring resentfully up at the statue when a shadow loomed over me.
“Told you.”
It was Alter.
“To watch where you’re going.”
