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chapter 10
“…….”
“As you can see, I greatly value what is mine.”
Her tone was distinctly softer than when facing Griselda.
In a voice that sounded almost kind, Iona continued gently.
“There are maids who fight for their mistress, but there are no mistresses who fight for the unfair treatment of their maids.”
“…….”
“You don’t seem to understand what kind of mistress you’d want to serve under.”
[Seongjwa ‘Cat Hair Enthusiast’ admires your speech.]
[Seongjwa ‘Cat Hair Enthusiast’ has donated 50 diamonds!]
[▶ Current total donations: 670 diamonds]
[Seongjwa ‘Master of Lies’ is impressed by your rhetoric.]
[Seongjwa ‘Master of Lies’ has donated 30 diamonds after consideration!]
[▶ Current total donations: 700 diamonds]
The results were better than expected.
Iona did not let go of Tara’s hand as she turned around.
As if to say she would protect her to the end.
A few maids who had been watching Tara with envy only looked away after receiving the sharp glare of the head maid.
Truly, it was a storm.
“Mistress, mistress… I don’t need that much money. Really. I don’t even need a single coin.”
A little later, when they returned to the room, Tara knelt before Iona, almost on the verge of tears.
“I’m glad I can continue serving you, Mistress. That alone is enough for me.”
“That’s not enough. You need money to live. Since I came to this house, only you have consistently served me. Consider this the reward for that loyalty.”
The maids who had once fawned over her gradually disappeared over the months. One, two, three months passed.
They responded lazily when asked to do tasks, sometimes giggling and mocking her where they could hear.
Only Tara remained consistent.
Even though Iona couldn’t give her anything extra.
“You’ll also get the salary I promised, and better treatment than before. You don’t need to do what the household maids do. You’ll stay only by my side.”
“Yes, Mistress. I will serve you with loyalty. Truly.”
“Alright. Just do as you have until now. Your legs aren’t good, so get up slowly. Rest a bit, then pack your things and bring them to my room.”
Sniffling, Tara headed quickly to the maid quarters, preferring to do something rather than nothing.
While waiting for her, Iona slowly looked around her bedroom.
‘The long-vacant room for a close maid… Tara can use this.’
Of course, the lady’s private bedroom had an attached maid’s room.
Though it had been neglected so long that it smelled of old, stale dust… that could be cleaned.
‘The real problem is money.’
To show that her earlier threat wasn’t a bluff, it would be best to bribe a newspaper.
That would also serve as her insurance.
‘Yes. Right now, I need money. Honestly, I have none.’
Calming her excitement, Iona stared into the empty air.
“I want to enter the Constellation Shop, but how can I get there?”
[Seongjwa ‘Master of Lies’ points out that you are not yet qualified.]
[You must pass the trial first. That’s the condition.]
“I know that. But surely I can at least get a tour.”
Iona raised her head confidently.
No matter where they were, they were probably in the sky.
“You said you wanted to see a story where justice wins. I’m not doing this just for myself. I’m asking to protect Tara. You’ll get to see a more enjoyable spectacle as well.”
There was no reason to refuse. She had justification.
And if she said this, at least two of the five would surely help.
[Seongjwa ‘Top Revenge Service Industry’ proposes ‘Tutorial System’.]
[Seongjwa ‘<Urgent> My husband has 14 pieces, what should I do?’ quickly agrees.]
[Seongjwa ‘Master of Lies’ says it cannot be shown for free.]
[Seongjwa ‘Cat Hair Enthusiast’ discusses fairness.]
Watching the chaotic flood of messages quietly, Iona spoke.
“Please help me, Punisher of Adulterers. I’ll show you me striking with a war hammer.”
Hmm, the name was a little awkward, but it would do.
‘It’s 2 vs 2. Just need one more to agree.’
[Seongjwa ‘Serious about punishing adulterers’ pauses while hitting her lazy husband and considers.]
[Yes, fine. I will help.]
Somehow the message seemed to tremble as if gasping, but it must be her imagination.
Iona exhaled in relief.
Even she admitted it was bold.
Negotiating with and asking for help from unknown beings.
[▶ Majority of Seongjwas have agreed; ‘Tutorial System’ is now available!]
A spectacular, ornate message window appeared.
[▶ Using the Tutorial costs ‘500 diamonds’. Do you want to proceed?
O/X]
The choice was very intuitive.
Iona pressed the O without hesitation.
[500 diamonds have been successfully received!]
[Tutorial mode temporarily opens the Constellation Shop (30 minutes)]
[▶ Current total donations: 200 diamonds]
Crackle!
The space shimmered vividly, and a golden, magnificent door appeared.
It was massive, filling the view, with marble pillars on both sides, exuding grandeur.
Before the door, a staircase of red carpet seemed to invite her forward, and Iona swallowed dryly.
‘It feels as if someone is gently pushing me from behind. Or pulling me.’
One step, two steps.
As she slowly ascended, the door slid open.
A blinding light emerged, almost obscuring her vision.
Iona found herself in a completely new space.
“Amazing.”
That was Iona’s first impression upon entering the Constellation Shop.
Inside, it felt like a maze.
Hundreds of shelves, each with five compartments, stretched endlessly.
Each compartment was full of boxes. Iona first read the description on the top row.
‘Guaranteed S-rank or higher artifact. Premium random box. Price… 1 billion diamonds each?’
Impossible. Too expensive.
She could not buy such things with her precious diamonds.
‘Focus. Money is what’s important right now.’
If it existed, it should be here somewhere.
Passing the random box section, she saw a sign.
‘Right: Legendary Weapons. Not needed.’
Left… perfect outfits to attract attention. Not needed either.
Walking further, she saw another sign.
‘Right: Gems and jewelry. Not needed.’
Left……
“Found it!”
She was so happy she couldn’t help but raise her voice.
[Global Currency Section]
Following the sign, she found shelves stacked with money.
‘Ah, there are old gold coins too. Items from an era no longer in circulation.’
Technically, these were artifacts.
Where was the modern currency?
Fortunately, as she walked forward, the coins became more modern.
Finally, she found what she wanted.
Gold coins issued by the imperial family of Ignareon.
“I want to exchange 100 diamonds for Ignareon gold coins.”
Suppressing her impatience, she muttered, and a message window appeared.
[▶ My Diamonds: 200]
[▶ Exchange 100 diamonds for gold coins, receive 10 million Rurik. Proceed?
O/X]
Wait. Hold on.
10 million Rurik? Really?
She had expected it, but it was even more than anticipated, and Iona paused.
Of course, it was joy.
‘Second prize in the lottery gives around 40 million Rurik.’
If she spent all her diamonds now, that would be 20 million Rurik!
Pinching her cheek in disbelief, Iona hurried to exchange, aware that only 5 minutes remained.
