Chapter 05
We’re Going Fishing Now
* * *
The two of them dragged me into a carriage without even telling me the destination.
“Um… where exactly are we going right now?”
When I asked, Maribel shot back with a serious expression.
“Kallia, where do you think young men and women of the South meet?”
Hmm… If we’re talking nobles, probably balls or banquets? Maybe debutantes?
But Maribel immediately declared my answer wrong.
“At some milk-smelling debutante party full of sheltered young ladies? No way.”
R-right. To people in their twenties, teenagers probably look like babies.
Louisa added with a cute smile:
“Then at a social club where you’re tortured by elders’ nagging? Absolutely not!”
Sounds like those social clubs are basically family gatherings during holidays.
If it’s not debutantes or social clubs, then I’m out of ideas.
“Do they meet while eating skewers at festivals or something?”
But Maribel proudly declared that wrong too.
“At the Sea God Festival where you’d suffocate in the crowd? Of course not!”
Not even festivals?!
“The answer is… the passionate summer sea—a noble fishing spot!”
“…Fishing spot?”
As in… the kind where you fish with a rod?
“You mean a place where you catch fish with fishing rods… right?”
“Yes. There’s a famous fishing spot in the Admiral’s territory about 30 minutes away. That’s where we’re heading.”
“You can just use the fishing gear stored there.”
Southern region equals sea, and sea equals fishing… but this is pretty hardcore.
“To think fishing is the hobby of young men and women… the South really is something.”
No, no—don’t judge. Maybe this is like a hunting festival adapted into a seaside version.
‘Do you become king of the fishing ground if you catch a giant grouper? Or maybe a shark would be more impactful?’
A rugged noble youth presenting a shark fin to a lady he admires…
‘My lady, if you eat this shark fin, you must marry me.’
…Yeah, that would definitely make an impression.
“This hobby became popular a few years ago. But Kallia, don’t be naïve. We’re not here to catch fish.”
“Th-then what are we catching?”
Clams? Abalone? I can’t even dive though…
But Maribel’s answer completely surpassed my expectations.
“People. We’re here to fish for naval officers in the Admiral’s territory.”
“…Ah.”
This is exactly what I think it is, right? Southern-style flirting.
“So… we lure officers who genuinely love fishing with our charm and win them over?”
I knew the South was wild, but not this wild.
Still…
‘I love it.’
Much better than sitting at banquets waving fans and competing in subtle power plays.
“This isn’t like before. These days, they know and come on purpose.”
“They come on purpose?”
“So they enjoy it knowingly?”
“It all started about five years ago, with Lady Fisher.”
Long story short—
A beautiful but low-ranking baron’s daughter kept visiting a fishing spot as her hobby, and eventually caught the attention (and heart) of a handsome, wealthy count’s heir who was also a naval colonel.
They ended up in a romance that shook the South.
“Even though they were both nobles, the gap in status and wealth made it a sensational marriage.”
“Most naval officers come from prestigious families, so this fishing spot is the most popular in the South!”
Apparently, to be a top-tier husband candidate here, you even need naval service experience.
“Strong muscles trained by sea winds! Combat skills to wipe out savage pirates! Leadership that earns subordinates’ respect!”
“But when facing a lady, even a beast must become a gentleman.”
“That’s the true Southern man.”
Very detailed… and very appealing.
Wildness and refinement combined—a dual nature.
I like it.
“Right now it’s July, so there aren’t many major events.”
Debutante season ends in June, and the Sea God Festival is in September.
Social clubs exist year-round, but young nobles don’t like them much since they feel like arranged matchmaking events.
So naturally, everyone gathers at fishing spots this time of year.
“Especially the naval headquarters’ fishing grounds—those are hard to even enter, but don’t worry.”
“My father is a VVIP member of the naval fishing club!”
Connections and nepotism for the win.
We praised Louisa, daughter of a vice admiral, as we got off the carriage.
“Identity of Lady Louisa Elcanto and two companions confirmed. May the Sea God’s blessing be with you.”
A turquoise sea spread out before us, like a perfect vacation resort.
Sunlight sparkled on the waves.
“Don’t forget, Kallia. What we came here to catch.”
“Of course I haven’t forgotten.”
I smiled deeply as I looked around.
Catch fish, admire handsome men—what a productive hobby.
Let’s have an amazing encounter here.
* * *
…Correction. Only half productive.
“…That’s the villainess from Linefelt…”
“I heard she’s permanently banned from the imperial palace…”
“Even the Duke of Labius gave up on her…”
Whispers everywhere.
I had briefly forgotten Kallia’s infamous reputation.
“Kallia…”
“The rumors are exaggerated. As far as I know, I’m not permanently banned.”
I laughed lightly at Louisa and Maribel.
It had been about 30 minutes since we arrived.
Apparently, that was enough time for my identity to spread.
It was 3 PM—and everyone except the two of them and Mihail kept at least 5 meters away from me.
Including all the handsome officers.
The downside of a ruined reputation.
“You two go do your thing. I’ll catch something big.”
“But…”
“I like fish.”
They hesitated but eventually left, saying to call them if I needed company.
“Mihail… do you like fish?”
“…I don’t dislike them.”
“I’ll catch a lot for you.”
He stayed silent.
Meanwhile, I stared wistfully at the fish basket.
“At least I’m getting something out of this.”
“Look at that, another big one!”
“That size only comes a few times a year!”
“Shh, don’t point or you’ll get hooked.”
Within an hour, the basket was already full.
This is supposed to be a romance fantasy, but instead of handsome men, fish are obsessed with me.
“Even a villainess gets beginner’s luck, huh.”
A brown-haired naval officer muttered bitterly.
I glanced at his pitiful catch.
“Oh dear.”
I shook my head at him in mock sympathy.
He turned away, fuming.
Ha. Enjoy the unfairness of RNG.
I cast my rod again—
Splash!
Within 30 seconds, the float jerked violently.
Another big fish.
“Mihail, this one’s yours too. Let’s make tomato stew or something.”
The surrounding fishermen buzzed loudly.
“Stew with Black Forge fish?!”
I ignored the outraged voice and cast again.
Who said fishing is about patience?
For me, it’s a high-efficiency gacha game.
“Did she put something in the water?”
People even started creeping closer, thinking this was a secret hotspot.
“Mihail, I dedicate today’s glory to you.”
“Such a fishy glory. I’m deeply moved.”
“I’ll give you more. Be even more moved.”
Eventually, Mihail brought a huge wheeled glass tank with two staff members.
Apparently borrowed from the naval cafeteria.
‘I think I can fill that today.’
Meanwhile—
The two who brought me here were busy with their own encounters.
“Lady Yuno, could you delay my repayment by two—no, three months…”
“Oh dear, I’m just a noble lady. Please contact the trading company directly.”
Maribel was handling business.
“Lieutenant! There was an issue with the 40-caliber gun transport, right?”
“Yes! We’re investigating the responsible party!”
“Father was worried. I hope we can see the new cannons soon.”
“It will be resolved!”
…And everyone else was meeting people their age.
Except me. I was playing mind games with fish.
“Lady, the sun is strong. Would you like to come under my parasol?”
“Why, thank you. May I have your name…”
Seriously? Flirting at a sacred fishing ground?
Go flirt with fish instead.
“Hey, Mihail. Since I gave you the first fish, you’re not allowed to leave me.”
“……”
Even noble ladies started using me as an excuse to talk to him.
“Are you Lady Labius’s attendant? You’ve caught quite a lot—why don’t you come with me—”
“I must assist the person I serve.”
He used me as an excuse to reject them.
“Mihail, let’s live together forever.”
“……”
“Don’t leave me!”
“I think a fish took the bait.”
“Ah! This one’s even bigger! Stay ready, Mihail!”
Yeah…
I guess I reincarnated into The Contract Saint to debut as a professional fisher.
