Chapter 48
The economic value of Rubeo, established by Celetina, had once been judged as “immeasurable.”
In other words, the economic prosperity achieved under her leadership was so immense that it could not even be quantified.
Naturally, the Deiamor family she belonged to was also enjoying an unprecedented golden age.
“Do you lack money?”
“I’m simply being cautious.”
Felsone struck right at the point, and the Petra heir snapped back irritably.
In truth, he did lack money.
Even as the son of the head of the largest bank in the Drameno Empire, the amount he could actually use was limited.
Count Petra, who still held his position, hated wasting money.
He constantly warned his children to be frugal, and the allowance he gave them was small for nobles.
After they became adults, he had practically cut off financial support, aside from minimal expenses to maintain appearances.
“…Petra heir.”
Felsone, who had been watching him, spoke.
The Petra heir, who had been picking at his dry lips until they bled, turned his head. A bead of blood formed on his thick lips.
“How much can you mobilize right now?”
“……”
“I’m on your side. This is not the time to be stubborn.”
“…Fifty million Uba.”
The Petra heir answered, forcing the words out.
“That’s everything I can use.”
“Hmm, that is indeed a small amount.”
“……”
After pointing out exactly what the Petra heir least wanted to hear, Felsone slowly stroked his chin.
“Then borrowing is the only option.”
“Borrow? You want me to take out a loan?”
“Right now, there are countless people besides you who are eyeing the magic stones of the Kingdom of Frock. I am one of them as well.”
Felsone glanced around the room as he spoke.
The Petra heir’s reception room was excessively lavish.
Gold-trimmed wall edges, unnecessarily grand decorative paintings, even armor ornaments with red tassels hanging from the crown.
It looked like a direct reflection of someone with a complex about money.
Like a storage room filled with expensive items lacking any artistic sense.
“But if you take an investment and combine it with what you already have, in a few months you’ll repay the loan and still gain enormous wealth.”
Five hundred million becomes five billion.
One billion becomes ten billion.
That was the value of the Frock Kingdom’s magic stone mining.
“……”
The Petra heir’s harsh expression softened slightly.
It was certainly tempting.
If I invest just fifty million Uba and get five billion…
But there was a problem.
“The Petra Bank won’t lend to me.”
Members of the Petra family could not receive loans from Petra Bank.
It was a long-standing, cursed rule.
“Because of that damned pride.”
“Don’t worry about that.”
Felsone smiled faintly.
“I know a good lender. A trustworthy one.”
Nivellia really liked camping in the forest.
“It’s itchy…”
Except for getting bitten once by a forest mosquito.
On the last day of camping—
She had just not covered herself properly while sleeping, and in that moment, she got bitten.
Forest mosquitoes were vicious.
Even a single bite made her pale skin swell up red.
Fortunately, after applying an ointment made by the witches, the swelling subsided within a few hours.
The redness also faded noticeably.
“There’s a hole here!”
“You’re right! It must be where the mosquito bit.”
“My lady, doesn’t it hurt?”
“It doesn’t hurt, but it’s itchy.”
The children couldn’t take their eyes off the bite mark.
Nivellia’s fine, soft hair was incredibly delicate, and the bite looked like a small dot just slightly larger than that.
“You shouldn’t scratch it.”
Aref stopped her as she tried to scratch it with her nails.
“It’s itchy!”
“I’ll apply the ointment.”
The ointment felt cool when applied.
That coolness soothed the burning area and eased the itch.
“So refreshing…”
Nivellia’s expression relaxed.
“Thank you, Aref!”
“It’s nothing.”
Aref said firmly,
“If it gets itchy, tell me. I’ll apply the medicine.”
“Okay!”
“Oh my, how lovely.”
A passing witch chuckled warmly.
“They suit each other so well. Looks like the Deiamor family has gained a fine little groom.”
“Nivellia must be happy. She’s already found such a good husband candidate.”
At the witches’ teasing, Aref blushed deeply, not knowing what to do.
But instead of denying it, he shyly murmured, “Groom…”
Meanwhile, Nivellia nodded as if it were obvious.
“Yep!”
Then she declared loudly,
“Aref is Nini’s partner!”
“Oh my, that’s quite a word you know.”
“Is ‘partner’ a difficult word?”
“Somewhat.”
It wasn’t a word a child would normally use.
But the witch didn’t think much of it.
Children sometimes used surprisingly advanced words.
After parting with the witch, Nivellia watched the adults loading their belongings to head home.
Then she picked up her small basket and carried it over to the carriage.
Even though she wasn’t being paid, she decided to help.
After most of the luggage was loaded—
Nivellia went to find the Great Witch.
“We’re going home now.”
“I see.”
“Let’s play again next time, okay?”
Nivellia sat beside her like a friend and spoke.
Celetina worried whether this was too disrespectful.
But the Great Witch adored Nivellia.
“Will you come play with me again?”
“Yes! I like you, Great Witch!”
“I like you very much too, Nini.”
The Great Witch gave them gifts—honey bundles and herbal tea she had made herself.
She even personally saw them off.
“Travel safely.”
She said to the Deiamor family as they boarded the carriage.
“It may be noisy for a while, but it won’t be entirely bad.”
“I see.”
Though the meaning was unclear, Muniel understood.
“I had a feeling as well.”
“Don’t try to control things too much.”
“I’ll think about that.”
“You need to soften that personality.”
“I’ve already become much gentler.”
“……”
Ardores pretended not to hear Muniel’s grumbling.
“Bye-bye!”
Nivellia leaned out of the carriage window, waving her arm energetically.
Soles and Aref followed, waving enthusiastically as well.
The witches waved back.
The Great Witch, too old to wave, simply watched with kind eyes until the carriage disappeared.
“Ah… it feels empty, even though we’ll see them again.”
One witch sighed.
“The children were so kind, you can’t help but grow attached.”
“Right?”
“The Great Witch seems especially fond of them. Especially the young lady.”
“Because she’s a cute cat.”
“Isn’t she more like a puppy?”
“Hehe.”
The Great Witch hid a mysterious smile within her wrinkles.
Please take good care of her.
The voice she whispered in her heart reached the carriage of the Deiamor family, now far out of sight.
“…Hmph.”
Ater curled up, pretending not to hear.
“That insolent brat sure is lucky.”
Armifera Deiamor is returning.
“…But when exactly is she coming?”
Kaleo wasn’t exactly thrilled about his younger sister’s return.
Still, there had once been a time when she followed him around, calling “Big brother, big brother.”
Armifera had been truly beautiful.
Her red hair, especially, was more vivid than roses and made her beauty stand out even more.
Because of that, Kaleo had spent his time beating up one guy after another who tried to approach her, leaving his clothes stained with blood.
But one day—
Armifera started muttering things like, “I want to go on an adventure! How frightening and beautiful must a free life be?”
And as soon as she became an adult, she began working with Celetina to earn money—
Then six years ago, she left, declaring she would become the Mercenary King.
“When was the last time I saw her?”
“Two years ago. She dropped by briefly and borrowed your father’s greatsword.”
Celetina recalled.
Her once long, flowing red hair had been cut roughly, like it was done with kitchen scissors, and her previously flawless pale skin had turned into a firm, sun-tanned brown.
Her body was covered in scars.
But she had looked very happy.
“Celly, she didn’t borrow it… she stole it…”
[I’ll borrow it!]
From the room where Ardores kept his old weapons—
She had taken one of his favorite greatswords.
All that remained was a single irritating note left behind.
“Anyway, she’ll properly meet Nini this time.”
“Nini didn’t even know she had an aunt.”
“But it seems she understands now.”
She had at least known that her father had a younger sister.
“Anyway, we need to prepare a room for her…”
Should we give her the annex again?
As Kaleo pondered, Celetina spoke.
“Dear.”
“Yes?”
“I heard something recently.”
“Yes?”
“The prize for the Mercenary King tournament was the egg of the evil dragon Ater.”
“…What?”
Kaleo, who had been ordering expensive furniture for his sister, froze.
Looking at his dumbfounded expression, Celetina continued,
“Then it must mean she became the Mercenary King.”
“……”
“Shouldn’t we hold a celebration banquet?”
“Oh, heavens…”
Kaleo pressed his forehead against his clasped hands like he was praying.
The daughter of a Saint and a Holy Knight had truly become the Mercenary King.
And at that same moment—
“Wow, you’ve grown this much?”
Kaleo’s younger sister was meeting Kaleo’s daughter.
