TFL 03

Chapter: 3

“You’re back. I heard you had quite the spree today. They say the Count’s family got robbed, and it caused a huge fuss.”

“The mission was simpler than I expected. Considering how many times the Guild Master warned me to be careful.”

“Wow, impressive as always. I heard the security was pretty tight. You’re probably the only one who could pull off such a difficult task alone. Does that mean you don’t plan on working with other members anymore?”

“Yes. I absolutely hate being betrayed again.”

After facing death at the hands of a betraying comrade, Lenia now carried out missions strictly alone.

The colleague who betrayed her had been left alive on a snowy mountain top according to the underworld’s unwritten rules, and no one had seen him since.

Since that one person was the only one Lenia could call a friend in the underworld, she no longer had any lingering attachments.

“Here, take this. These are the jewels I secured from today’s mission. The Guild Master would drool if he saw them.”

“My goodness… This is… the ‘Heart of the Goddess’! I knew it was something big, but I didn’t expect it to involve such a remarkable item.”

The guild member who received the box gawked at the heart-shaped ruby, radiating dazzling brilliance.

Although Lenia called the mission simple, it was far from easy.

She had infiltrated the Count’s family party in the northern region—a major power—and stolen valuables.

Disguised as a seductive Countess visiting the empire for leisure, she lured the second son, notorious for his indulgent private life, to learn the location of the safe. After putting the guards to sleep, she secretly retrieved the jewels.

To avoid attention, she set a fire in the room, used the chaos to change into a pre-prepared outfit, and quietly left the mansion pretending to be a flower shop delivery person. All of this had happened just two hours ago.

The guild member, once again amazed by her flawless execution, handed Lenia a heavy pouch of gold coins as payment.

“So, this is the last task we have from the guild. I heard you haven’t taken work for a while. Planning a vacation or something?”

“The cold northern regions are exhausting. I’m thinking of heading to the warmer south.”

“Good idea. Any plans after that?”

“Hmm… maybe I’ll get married out of boredom. I figure it’s something I should try at least once.”

“Oh? That’s not a bad idea. With your skills, you could even become a high-ranking noble’s mistress.”

Lenia had no interest in being anyone’s second wife.

Chuckling lightly, she handed the man a few gold coins and spoke.

“This is for your efforts so far. Take it. You’ve done me quite a favor.”

“Huh? What are you talking about? As if we’ll never see you again.”

“Exactly. I’m leaving this city now. We won’t have business here anymore, so erase me from your memory.”

“What? Hey! What are we supposed to do without you?”

“Not my problem. Handle it yourselves.”

Ha! Finally, freedom.

‘I’ve been waiting for this day so long.’

Recently, she had disposed of all her possessions. Half she had donated to the orphanages she had supported, and of the rest, half was secretly delivered to impoverished families.

She converted the remaining funds into small, portable jewels and gold, loaded them onto a carriage, and safely sent them to another city in advance.

Now, all she carried was a light travel bag, but her heart felt lighter than ever.

The new life Lenia had dreamed of was just beginning.

‘I can get the rest of what I need on the way to the capital. I just need to find a fake husband and son—they’re essential for my plan.’

The last job she chose before retiring was to become the heir to a ducal family.

The only ducal family in the Solan Empire.

Rumors had spread across the empire that the Helios family was searching for the daughter they had lost in childhood.

[I heard they’re urgently looking for the lost daughter of the ducal family. She’s a woman in her twenties with a blonde son and a red-eyed husband. Apparently, the young lady has platinum hair.]
[I heard that too. What does the prophecy say? She was lost right after birth. I wonder if they can even find her with just a few clues.]
[Who knows. But if they do find her, she’ll likely be appointed heir of the ducal family. People will flock from all over the empire. Isn’t that the perfect opportunity for social advancement?]

What initially seemed like mere rumor soon proved true.

In the goddess-worshipping Solan Empire, prophecies and oracles were deeply believed.

Moreover, the Helios Dukedom, known for protecting saints for generations, would not ignore such a prophecy.

Using her professional instincts, Lenia realized it was a golden opportunity.

‘I smell money. Lots of it.’

Though the idea of pretending to be a married woman with a child, having never experienced real romance, seemed daunting, she knew she could manage.

She had survived death before—what was stopping her now?

“All right, let’s just go for it.”

Her plan: pose as the ducal family’s fake heiress, cap her life as a con artist, then escape overseas to live leisurely.

No need to wait for the duke to die.

The ducal family, established as founding nobles and wealthy for hundreds of years, would have a treasure trove.

If she could locate the duke’s hidden vault, famed for its wealth rivaling the imperial family, she’d be halfway to success.

‘Since I’m infiltrating alone, I’ll focus on the prime land deeds and compact jewels. If necessary, I can grab a few valuables and make a run for it.’

After evading the Count’s private soldiers and leaving the city walls, Lenia took a deep breath of the cold dawn air, smiling.

A few days later, she arrived in a new city.

“…Even just a little south, it’s quite warm.”

The area where Lenia had lived was a harsh, cold mountain region.

Surviving winter with only fireplaces and campfires had been grueling.

Though she had inhabited this body for only a year, she already longed for the cozy ondol floors of Korea.

“When I become rich, I’ll have an ondol floor installed in every room of my mansion.”

Of course, boilers didn’t exist in this world.

Fortunately, magic offered a convenient alternative.

‘Once I finish everything and escape to another country, I can patent floor-heating magic and start a business. Perfect as a side venture.’

While planning this ambitious, not-yet-existent future, Lenia stopped in front of a high-end salon.

The salon, exclusive enough that the middle class dared not enter, drew a frown from the owner at the sight of a scruffy traveler like Lenia.

“Madam, this isn’t a place for just anyone. You need an introduction from a patron to enter this high-class salon…”

“Show me the best, most expensive clothes you have here. Will this entry fee do?”

Ting!

A gold coin landed in the owner’s palm with a crisp sound.

Recognizing the emblem on the coin, the middle-aged man’s eyes widened in shock.

“Gah! This is a 50th-anniversary coin of the Empire… Such a rare piece…!”

“You may not recognize patrons, but you can certainly recognize the smell of money. I don’t have time—call all the staff. I’m planning a complete transformation from head to toe.”