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Chapter 15
“Why aren’t you asking anything?”
“Huh?”
Glenn, holding Ariletti in one arm and flipping through the list of addresses of the villagers they needed to visit, asked back.
Instead of answering, Ariletti stared intensely at the side of Glenn’s face.
Freed from the tight grip of the baby chair that confined her lower body, she joined the inspection party of the estate.
The whole time she dangled in Glenn’s arms, Ariletti looked at him as if sparks were flying from her eyes.
Glenn let out a delayed exclamation.
“Ah, why aren’t you asking more about your abilities?”
“Mm.”
“You didn’t even give me a chance to ask!”
Glenn casually replied while flipping the documents with his thumb.
“Who is it that came all the way to the brink of the afterlife, making sure you couldn’t say a word, teacher?”
“…I have a lot I can do.”
“Well, a five-year-old who can turn back time isn’t common.”
But she wasn’t needed?
Ariletti wondered about that.
If she wanted, she could make him the emperor instead of the third prince. That seemed just right for the value of the gift she had received for the first time in her life.
‘Although I only have one more power left, no one knows the royal family better than I do.’
Even if life had failed her, the experience from her previous life couldn’t be ignored.
Ariletti steeled herself resolutely.
Yet Glenn remained indifferent.
“No matter how poor and incompetent the heir of the estate may be, I won’t milk a child’s strength. Judging by appearances, using your power seems to strain your body.”
“…”
“Why would a five-year-old, whose only job is to play and sleep, get sick? You grow tall and strong like a bean sprout because you don’t have to do anything.”
Somehow, Ariletti felt drained by the typical Glenn Hesate answer. Well, he had always been like that.
“Go and live your life, Ariletti.”
Even though she had gotten a perfect chance in her second life to take Ariletti’s life, he just said something so pathetic and walked away.
Since Glenn didn’t clearly state his demands, Ariletti had no choice but to figure out a way to repay him herself.
No, now she really wanted to figure it out—especially because he refused help.
‘As far as I know, the Hesate family gets checked by the first prince’s faction three times. Once has already passed, the second will be in ten years in 1357, and complete annihilation will be in 1359.’
The last one in 1359, the “Monster Wave of the Colden Mountains,” was actually Ariletti’s own doing.
No one but Ariletti could have planned that operation, so it was essentially an event that wouldn’t occur unless she made it happen. In other words, she just had to prepare for the 1357 surprise attack.
There were still ten years until 1357. In the end, the fate of the Hesate family depended on how they built power and influence over the next ten years.
What was most urgent for this estate?
Ariletti found herself thinking about it without realizing it.
The answer came quickly.
‘Of course, money.’
The banquet hall was clean but old.
The underground storehouse had only dried meat and sacks of grain, without a single vegetable in sight.
The plates were so worn they could break at any moment.
A humble meal: pieces of dried meat, melted bread, and a few pickled vegetables.
Still, few in the capital didn’t know the Hesate castle, and the perception that it was guarded by loyal and sturdy knights protecting the empire’s border was strong. But no one expected the true situation.
The reason the lord’s castle was so poor was simple: they gave away everything to the villagers.
“Ahh, we always rely on the young lord’s help…”
A woman holding her young son blinked back tears.
“You traveled all the way from the capital, couldn’t rest, and gave away all the food…”
“Inspecting and taking care of the estate is the duty and responsibility of a lord. No need to worry.”
“No, it’s just… the horrible snowstorm from a few days ago has finally subsided. For some reason, all the snow has melted, even though it’s still January. Anyway, now that the roads are clear, my husband will go back to work in Nemar estate. We’ll make sure the overdue taxes are paid this month.”
“Alright. I heard your husband injured his leg. I put enough food for him to last two months, so tell him to focus on recovery.”
Part of the purpose of inspecting the estate was to distribute the salary and supplies she had received from the emperor. Apparently, taxes were also waived when the estate was cut off during the snowstorm.
“No, it’s just a minor fracture. Once the bone heals, he’ll go back to work… By the way, young lord, were you married? You’re holding a child I haven’t seen before.”
“Oh, this is the new teacher we hired. You can call him Teacher Aril.”
“What?”
What is she talking about? I’ve never had a stupid student like him before.
But the woman nodded seriously and replied.
“I see. Childcare is pretty much the same in every household, isn’t it?”
“Huh?”
“This is our household’s general. Say hello, General Ralph. This is Teacher Aril.”
“Greetings! I am Ralph, the mighty general who protects the Colden Mountains!”
The woman held out her son to them. The bright-eyed boy pretended to draw a wooden toy sword.
“Pink-haired one, state your name and affiliation!”
“You’re supposed to extend your hand, not your sword, General Ralph.”
“Oh, right!”
…No, I don’t like this. I won’t greet him.
Ariletti just shook his hand and quickly buried his face in Glenn’s lap.
Glenn laughed loudly above her head.
“Oh my, the teacher is shy. Then, General Ralph, I wish you success. We’ll be off now, Mrs. Hampson.”
“Yes, young lord. Take care.”
Even after passing the Hampson household, Glenn kept giggling, and Ariletti felt like hitting him. It wasn’t the time for him to be so relaxed!
After touring the entire estate, the supplies in the wagon were almost gone.
Ariletti made a face.
‘They really give everything they have away.’
What’s the point of clearing the roads if everything inside is already leaking out—money, goods, everything.
‘The land is too poor to be self-sufficient, and there’s no source of income.’
Resources that could generate money. Money. Something that could generate money…
Looking at the pure white glaciers of the snowy mountains, Ariletti’s eyes widened.
‘Wait, come to think of it, there’s money everywhere here.’
At that moment, a huge commotion rose near the square.
“Help! Monsters!”
“A pack of Frozen Wolves! Everyone retreat outside the square!”
Glenn turned sharply toward the alley.
“Monsters? It’s rare for monsters to come this far—”
Before he could finish, the wall exploded outward.
A chill that cut the skin swept in. Glenn grabbed Ariletti tightly and soared into the air.
“…!”
Through hair flying in all directions, her eyes—now the size of marbles—were revealed.
Ariletti looked down at the ground that had become distant and opened her mouth wide.
‘We’re flying!’
