Chapter 163
Chapter 163
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Dodging the Leash (2)
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“If we don’t hurry up and finish the construction, the labor costs for the workers stuck in this barren land will be enormous.”
The tycoon placed the contract on the table with an elegant flourish.
He took a sip of fragrant mint tea and asked flatly,
“What if we don’t agree? Do you think you can hold out until other investors gather?”
Capital shortage.
Plus the manpower poured into this barren land.
He clearly knew the massive losses we’d suffer from this situation.
‘Yeah, you’re not going to bend easily. That’s how it is.’
I stared steadily at his fierce, tiger-like scowl.
Old age had cost him his teeth, but he hunted small game with cunning instead.
“Well, if that’s how you see it, there’s nothing to be done.”
But.
He had overlooked one fact.
“Since you’re our neighbors, I was offering you the first chance. But if you say no, I’ll have to give it to others.”
Sure, to him, I was just a mere fox.
But behind me were beasts far younger and more ferocious...
“By now, the messages should have gone out.”
Ones teeming with savage predators.
“Ah, here they come.”
――――――.
A beautiful messenger falcon flew in through the open window.
It was a high-end breed worth five carriages.
“Hmm.”
I untied the note attached to it and read it.
Then, with a grin, I asked Hans for a favor.
“Director, please add the name Colbert to this list of sponsors.”
“Got it.”
Colbert.
Some nobles glanced my way, already familiar with the name.
“Perfect timing. The imperial architect has decided to build his masterpiece here in Cornell. Oh, and he’s promised to donate 10% of the profits too.”
The director smirked and fetched his quill.
He eagerly added the name of the master imperial architect to the list.
In the meantime.
――――――.
Another messenger falcon arrived.
A sleek black one, commonly used in the northern capital.
“The Northern Grand Duchess has sent word too.”
She was already renowned as a great author.
Even the middle-aged ladies, her avid fans, set down their teacups in a hurry.
“She’s sending her husband personally to seal the deal, so make sure to save a spot until then...”
I recited the message loud enough for everyone to hear.
Hans jotted it down word for word.
“...”
The border lords pursed their lips as they watched Hans.
They seemed displeased by how enthusiastically he was working for someone who usually bowed to them.
“Well, as you can see, there are plenty of investors lining up. Even celebrities are sending their husbands in person.”
The nobles began to murmur at the repeated mentions of famous names.
Count Tyman quietly raised a hand to calm them.
He wasn’t giving in easily, as expected.
“Ah, hold on a moment, please.”
In response, I turned toward the window where the sound of carriage wheels approached.
“What carriages are those...?”
The nobles rose from their seats and peered out the window together.
They spotted luxury carriages bearing crests from regions other than Cornell.
“Wow—word must have gotten around somehow.... This project really is something special.”
I let out a hollow laugh as I eyed the carriages that had clearly come after reading the kids’ newspaper.
Then, I kindly asked Hans,
“Director, when the guests arrive, please tell them the current visitors will be leaving soon, so we’ll escort them right to the reception room.”
“Got it.”
I smirked at Cornell’s nobles.
It was a signal: we’d boot them out and welcome new investors immediately.
“I suppose we’ll have to pause construction for now. Better to gather as many investors as possible and switch to an auction.”
Auction.
At the word, even Count Tyman’s impassive eyebrow twitched.
Already, crowds were flocking despite the 10% principal donation.
If they entered an auction, it’d mean even bigger losses for the investors.
“No real need to beg Cornell’s lords after all.”
With my hands behind my back, I slowly approached the reception room door.
I turned the knob, ready to usher out Cornell’s nobles.
At that moment.
“Wait a second, Baron.”
Count Tyman rose from the sofa.
“I’ve signed.”
In his hand was the contract I’d given him.
“Let’s see.”
I took the contract from the old tiger.
I checked the amount he’d offered.
A whopping one million gold.
The value of a hundred top-tier capital mansions.
Yet he’d agreed to 10% principal donation and zero interest.
He was forking over the worth of ten luxury mansions just to invest.
“I knew this place’s value from the start. But I didn’t expect you to play it so boldly.”
The count already knew.
The value of this place, invested in by the princesses.
But he’d tried to haggle anyway.
That arrogance had backfired.
Now he was trying to eat his words.
But.
“Sorry, but I’ve changed my mind.”
I refused the old tiger’s bowed apology.
“Seeing all these people flock here even with the 10% donation... it’s got me feeling greedy.”
I neatly folded the paper he’d given me.
Then shoved it roughly into my back pocket.
“...”
He stared blankly at my smug expression.
Then he smirked and asked me,
“What do you want?”
The count asked that, then his face turned icy cold.
“You dragged me all the way here just to put on this show, so you must want something.”
His blue eyes flashed like flames.
Like an old tiger ready to bite.
“Stop beating around the bush and say it straight.”
I met the count’s question with a cold glare.
And spoke.
Words the count never expected.
“Do you know how many concubines a man can take in our empire?”
Concubines.
The old man furrowed his brow at the word.
“What...?”
“Five, besides the legal wife.”
I held up five fingers.
“Any women taken beyond that aren’t even considered concubines—they live worse than dogs.”
I shoved my face close to the old tiger’s.
And stated firmly,
“And I hear you have a full ten women.”
“...”
The silent middle-aged man.
I laid out my demands.
“I’ll do the deal. But you donate 30% of the principal to the city. And release all the men and women you’re keeping illegally.”
I straightened my formal collar.
Then, acting for the greater good, I added,
“Soon Cornell will grow into a big city. We can’t have men parading around with dozens of women.”
It was a warning to the nobles still on the sofas too.
To those who kept my orphanage brothers and sisters.
Pricked by conscience, they avoided my gaze.
But Count Tyman was different.
He just smirked, curling the corner of his mouth...
“So you’re that orphanage brat, huh?”
And began to chuckle.
“Yeah, something felt off. Who handles business this emotionally?”
Count Tyman laughed heartily at the nobles who’d come with him.
They looked awkward for a moment, then forced smiles to follow suit.
“I heard one of you became a knight.... And now you’re back as a noble.”
He already knew about me.
I later learned he’d once planned to marry me off to his daughter.
“Enough laughing. What’s your answer?”
I responded firmly to the unpleasant reunion.
Count Tyman removed his monocle.
Then.
Far from being displeased that I was also an orphanage graduate.
“Fine, we’ll do it that way. Baron.”
He acknowledged me instead.
“As you say, I’ll release all the kids I took from here. And donate 30% of the principal.”
He boldly signed a new contract.
And tucked it neatly into my jacket pocket.
“I’ll have them all packed and sent back tomorrow, so you’ll know.”
“...”
The nobles stared at Count Tyman, their leader.
Then they hurriedly signed theirs too...
“Me too!”
“Take this!”
And thrust their contracts at me one after another.
Promising 30% principal donations.
“Thank you all. That’s enough investors for now.”
I gathered their papers, tapped them neat, and replied.
「――――――」
Afterward, in the princesses’ guest room.
The three women finished a light meal and enjoyed tea time.
“Veil’s late.”
“Negotiating with investors isn’t easy.”
Irina and Lea chatted as they lifted their teacups.
They seemed close enough now for casual tea times.
“It won’t be easy. The lords know the labor costs for developing this place.”
They already knew the lords’ scheme to squeeze interest out of them.
“If it fails, it’s all for the best. He’d owe that pittance to him.”
Lydia giggled, imagining what orders she’d give the man.
Her face lit up with happiness at the mere thought.
But the moment the door opened.
――――――.
Their smiles vanished.
“I’m here.”
Thud!!
I’d brought thick checkbooks.
I slammed them down boldly on the round table where they sat.
“Wh-what is this...?”
Lydia tilted her head, her twin tails swaying.
Irina covered her mouth with her hand.
“Negotiated with Cornell’s nobles. 30% principal donation. No interest.”
Lea set down her teacup and peeked at the checkbooks.
She confirmed the hefty construction funds and let out an involuntary laugh.
“I’m glad I could finally be of real help to you princesses.”
I drove the point home.
As if I’d paid off every debt they’d saddled me with.
“Then, I’ll go see off the nobles.”
Hands behind my back, I leisurely left the guest room.
The princesses stared intently at my retreating figure.
Thud.
The descendants of the Conqueror King stared blankly at the door for a long time.
Regretful expressions, like hunters who’d just lost their prey’s tail.
“Veil, as expected.”
“I knew he’d pull it off, but this level of savvy...”
Irina flashed a fresh smile at her chosen man’s success.
Lydia stretched with a yawn.
“Too bad to leave him as just a bodyguard.”
Lea removed her monocle.
She stared steadily at the door he’d exited.
She’d thought he was just strong in combat.
But his display now gave her a fresh impression.