Chapter 6
Adolf’s eyes went round at the explanation tailored to his level.
The fact that I, who had been the professor’s faithful dog, had left the Magic Tower was already surprising enough, but to think I’d already come up with a new business venture seemed even more shocking.
“……You’re serious, aren’t you?”
“Of course. So, here’s the thing—”
I lifted my gaze and met his eyes squarely.
“Will you be the first investor in my business?”
Adolf frowned for a moment as if in thought.
“Well…… it’s certainly a very interesting proposal, like you said. But it seems like development would cost quite a bit of money?”
“Well, yes. But still, someone like me has already proven the results, haven’t I? The theory needed for developing magical tools is perfectly ready after five years of research. All that’s left is productization.”
Even during my graduate school days, no one understood the ‘Flow of Mana and Spacetime Distortion Theory’ as deeply as I did.
Besides, since I plan to manufacture this using a method I devised during my graduate days rather than using formulas from the lab, there’s no issue of plagiarism either.
I continued speaking calmly.
“Anyway, the initial production and material costs are quite high. So I need the capital to cover that.”
“……How much, roughly?”
I quietly told him the amount I’d calculated in advance. Adolf’s expression instantly froze.
“Whoa, that’s about a year’s worth of my allowance.”
“To succeed quickly, you need to invest at least that much.”
I said it casually on purpose.
Adolf ran a hand through his hair and was silent for a moment. Then he gave a dry cough.
“Alright, alright, Adel. The more I hear, the better this proposal sounds.”
His tone struck me as odd. I could read his difficulty there.
What that difficulty was, I soon learned from his next words.
“If I actually had the means to do it, that is.”
“Huh?”
“The truth is……”
Adolf scratched his head with an embarrassed smile.
“I have plenty of money. But the budget allocated to the Crown Prince’s Palace has its limits, so…… How should I put it, I’m in the middle of managing liquidity right now?”
“Ah, liquidity management?”
I smiled and echoed his words.
“Could you explain that in simpler terms, Your Highness? Unlike you, I’ve been cooped up in a lab all my life, so I’m having a bit of trouble understanding.”
“Uh, um, well…… I believe you’ll succeed, but…… let’s just say that money isn’t in my hands right now……”
I was dumbfounded.
“Wait, you’re a prince. I don’t recall hearing that the imperial finances were lacking?”
“The imperial finances are fine. But my wallet isn’t…… You see, when Father fell ill and was bedridden, my brother took control of the budget allocation.”
After that, the budget for the Crown Prince’s Palace got pretty tight, Adolf grumbled in a sigh-laden voice.
‘Brother.’
I paused for a moment at his words.
It was because the blue eyes I’d encountered earlier came to mind.
……So that bastard was able to invest that huge sum under the table into my research because of that background.
‘Well, I suppose it’s only natural since he’s practically running state affairs in the Emperor’s stead.’
He smiled sheepishly and said,
“Still, thank you for making this offer. I really think it’s a great business idea.”
“I appreciate the sentiment, at least.”
“No, I mean it. If it succeeds, it’ll be a huge hit.”
It’s a shame, but there’s nothing I can do.
I was a little disappointed, but I hid it as best I could.
Perhaps feeling guilty, Adolf cautiously spoke up.
“Adel, how about I recommend a few nobles I know? I do have a pretty wide network, after all. I know plenty of businessmen and collectors who are interested in magical tools. I’ll even write you a letter of recommendation myself.”
“Hmm.”
I raised an eyebrow slightly.
“I don’t think that’ll be much help……”
“Come on! Just take it anyway. As a top graduate of the Academy and a former Magic Tower researcher, there’ll be plenty of people interested!”
After a moment’s thought, I nodded.
“……Fine, give them to me. Better than nothing.”
He asked me to wait a moment, then called for an attendant and ordered them to bring the letter of recommendation forms.
Before long, several envelopes were placed in my hands.
“Here you go. And if you need any other help, just let me know anytime.”
His voice was thankfully cheerful, unlike when he’d been embarrassed about being short on money.
“You’re the kind of person who can make it anywhere, Adel. Hang in there!”
After enjoying some tea with Adolf and chatting about this and that, the sky had grown dark before I knew it.
I saw him off and boarded the carriage that had been prepared.
“Ha……”
Only after I was alone did I let out a deep sigh.
“Adolf was my only reliable contact.”
Who would have thought a prince would be broke?
And on top of that, I had to run into Crown Prince Kienne there.
‘I wanted to avoid him as much as possible.’
In the original work, Kienne was often referred to as a ‘sly bastard’ or a ‘psychopathic son of a bitch.’
I shouldn’t have gotten involved with a man like that.
‘Well, I’ll just make sure not to run into him from now on.’
The real problem is the investor side.
I left the Magic Tower trusting only Adolf, and now where am I supposed to go to secure business funds?
‘……No, it’s too early to be disappointed about this, too.’
I can get through this, Adel Catherine!
This is just the first trial and error; the whole plan hasn’t collapsed yet.
It’s only been a few days since I started hustling; I can’t already be getting discouraged and giving up.
‘Then where and from whom should I get investment……’
Lost in new worries, I returned home.
Just as I was about to have dinner and rest, my parents called me again.
“Adel, let’s talk for a moment.”
My parents, seated on the sofa, had peculiar expressions. The atmosphere was ominous.
Seeing them, I could more or less guess what they wanted to talk about.
There was only one thing my parents would bring up with such a serious face.
I slowly took a seat. Thinking I should start explaining my plan to them.
“You’ve worked so hard all this time. It’s not that we don’t understand how difficult it’s been for you.”
My father spoke first.
“But still, isn’t it too soon to give up like this?”
“……Give up?”
“That research of yours. If you drop it now, everything you’ve done so far will have been for nothing.”
My mother also chimed in heavily from the side.
“That’s right. If you succeed with that, you could be sitting on a pile of money. And then…… we could restore our family’s fortunes as well.”
As expected. They called me in because of my leaving the Magic Tower.
I couldn’t help but take a sharp breath.
It was almost laughable how predictable their words were.
No wonder they’d been asking about Professor Great’s well-being and my situation at the Tower at every opportunity.
……Why does it feel so suffocating? Why do these people never try to understand me even once?
I didn’t run away because I was afraid of the research.
I know that better than anyone.
‘Did Mom and Dad ever spare a single thought as to why I’m acting this way? No, I never expected them to understand, but……’
I thought that when I came back exhausted, this house would welcome me with open arms.
Considering all I’d contributed to this family.
“The truth is…… the family has some debt. Your older brother’s business hasn’t been doing well, and we’ve been paying out large sums every month…… And your father isn’t as healthy as he used to be.”
Just hearing the grim details made my mouth go dry.
“We’ve already sold off all the land we had. All that’s left is the annual rent of 50,000 selling from the tenancy. Someone needs to be the pillar of this household. You were always recognized at the Magic Tower, so you’re more than capable of turning things around.”
After listening for a long while, I nodded and said, very calmly:
“But that debt—it was all incurred by my brother, wasn’t it?”
“…….”
“I’ve given you a considerable amount of money over the years. Was that still not enough?”
At that one remark, my parents’ expressions turned icy cold.
My mother averted her gaze, flustered, and my father opened his mouth as if to say something, then closed it again.
Well, there’s no way they could have refuted that
