chapter 2
“Author, you say?”
Beneath the letter lay a crude device that looked like an old-fashioned smartwatch.
Turning the out-of-place object over in my hands, I strapped it onto my wrist—and with a flash, the screen lit up.
Through that device, which had no other functions, I could check information about the revolutionary army and Etius’s health status. I remember being quite shocked.
Being suddenly transmigrated felt like being struck by lightning, but since it was a chance to directly help my favorite character—the one I had always wanted to support—I decided to go for it.
And so, using the funds I had, I had been helping them like it was some kind of tycoon game.
Well… it was still only the early stages.
And at this moment:
Revolutionary Army Information
Military Strength: Insufficient [View More]
Equipment & Supplies: Very Insufficient [View More]
Comfort Level: 39%
Funds: 50,010 den
Revolution Progress: 51%
The revolution progress had risen from 40% to 51%.
The comfort level had also increased significantly from the initial 17%.
Just being able to see this status window made it possible to understand what he lacked—so that was a relief.
‘This should at least put out the urgent fire.’
Etius von Clyde
HP: ♥♥♥♥♡♡♡♡♡♡
The watch also displayed Etius’s HP. It seemed like if all the hearts reached zero, he would die.
Of course, I couldn’t just pour all my money into supporting him recklessly.
That was because of this body—Katrin Elemore’s political position.
The Elemore ducal house was widely known as the core of the emperor’s faction.
Naturally, the emperor and his allied nobles saw Etius as a thorn in their side.
And in the novel, I was a villain despised by Etius.
If it were discovered that I was supporting him, I might be killed by the emperor before the revolution even began.
Not to mention, there were villains eyeing my inheritance, ready to expose any weakness of mine.
‘So that’s what they meant by not getting caught if I want to return safely.’
Until the revolution, I would live as the infamous villainess Katrin Elemore—secretly supporting him.
And once the revolution I funded was ready to succeed, the second thing I would do was—
“…Defect before the revolution.”
For safety, I would seek asylum in the neighboring Principality of Montella.
A beautiful and peaceful land blessed with nature.
Though not yet widely known in the empire, I already knew from the original story how profitable it was.
That’s why I had already invested more than half of my vast fortune there.
My plan was simple:
Live peacefully there, spend money lavishly, and wait three years while hearing news of Etius living happily—unlike in the original story.
As I was lost in thought, looking at the status window on my watch—
“Even so, it seems you treasure at least that item among the late duke’s belongings.”
As if nothing had happened earlier, Heros smiled gently while looking at my watch.
Perhaps as part of my transmigration perk, it appeared to others as a jeweled bracelet, so I’d been passing it off as one of my father’s relics.
“Shall I invest the money from the auction into Montella as you instructed before?”
“Yes. Buy another silver mine behind the one we invested in last time. The price should match perfectly.”
“Understood, my lady.”
Before long, the carriage stopped in front of the splendid Elemore estate.
Taking Heros’s hand as he escorted me, I stepped down.
Ah… completing today’s mission of supporting my favorite made my steps feel light.
With 50,000 den, they should at least be able to move somewhere better, right? What if my Eti freezes holding meetings in a place like that?!
As soon as I entered the estate, the maids doing housework rushed forward, knelt, and lowered their gazes.
In the heavy silence, I lifted my chin slightly and walked through them with elegance.
I could see one maid’s hand trembling as she held a rag.
“….”
Not long after I first transmigrated, I had once politely said, “Please don’t be so afraid,” to a trembling maid.
Instead of being reassured, her face turned deathly pale.
When I reached out to check if she was okay, she fainted on the spot.
Begging, “P-Please spare me.”
Well… judging from the memories that had flowed into my head, Katrin’s personality had been quite terrible.
The only time she spoke politely to subordinates was when she was about to ruin someone.
‘So when I leave this place and defect….’
Everyone working in the Elemore household was someone indebted to the family.
Unable to bear the family’s high interest rates, they chose to work here rather than be sold as slaves.
The family even kept hostage records to prevent them from harboring rebellious thoughts.
Even Heros, who followed behind me, was no exception.
‘…They’ll all be happy.’
Thinking that, I stretched and sat in my father’s office chair.
The future both they and I wanted wasn’t far off.
By calculation, I’d receive permission to defect before the revolution.
Just as I was about to smile again, imagining Etius—far more handsome than I’d imagined from the novel—wearing a crown, Heros spoke.
“My lady, regarding the orphanage establishment request you submitted a few days ago… we just received a response from the temple.”
His expression didn’t look good.
“…It was rejected. I’m sorry.”
“What?”
My brows shot up immediately.
Heros flinched and lowered his head.
“I apologize. I will go again and request—”
If I were the original Katrin, I might have thrown something from the desk at him.
“Prepare some stationery.”
Though my voice carried irritation, it remained calm. I saw Heros’s hands tremble slightly.
A gentle-looking, handsome young man with brown hair and eyes.
A pitiful man bound like a slave by the debt he inherited from his father.
I had no intention of taking my anger out on him.
“If you go, it’ll just waste my time.”
“…Pardon? Ah—yes! Understood!”
He quickly brought me the finest stationery.
Though—why were his ears red again?
Anyway, I began writing a letter to the High Priest.
The content was brief:
To the esteemed High Priest,
If you do not grant approval for the orphanage immediately, I will reveal that the second son of Baron Ellingt and his wife is your child.
I look forward to your favorable reply.
—Katrin Elemore—
Using background knowledge from Star of the Revolution, threatening a high-ranking figure was easy.
Even more so in the body of Katrin Elemore, already infamous as a villainess.
‘You’re just a fake religious leader, and you dare try to compete with me?’
After folding the letter twice and sealing it, I handed it to Heros.
“Deliver this to the High Priest. If you say it’s a confession letter from Katrin Elemore, he’ll eagerly open it himself, so it won’t be difficult.”
Like the Elemore family, the High Priest belonged to the emperor’s faction.
Since we were rivals for the emperor’s favor, he would surely want to get hold of my weaknesses.
But when he realizes I hold his instead, I wonder how pale his face will turn.
“Yes, understood. But, my lady…”
Holding the letter, Heros asked cautiously.
