I Was Mistaken for the Tall Man (3)
On the outskirts of the Imperial capital, in a dilapidated and cramped residential district where the commoners huddled together, the Civitas Square was bathed in the dim, fading light of the setting sun. A carriage carrying a low-ranking priestess came to a halt in a cobblestone alleyway.
"Thank you for your service."
Clutching a pouch of gold coins tightly to her chest, the priestess stepped down from the carriage and looked up at her home, now stained by the evening glow. It was a narrow, three-story red brick building, tall and thin. It was a decrepit boarding house, blackened by soot and smog—the kind of place you could find anywhere in the Civitas Square. Her family lived in a single rented room on the second floor of this narrow, steep building.
The priestess climbed the creaking wooden stairs and stood before the tightly shut door. Perhaps it was because she had just come from a grand mansion in Sanctum Hill, but today, her home felt particularly old and shabby.
Creeeak.
The door opened with the sound of rusted hinges. "Mom is home." The priestess’s weary voice filled the cramped room. From the space that served as both living room and bedroom, and from the kitchen separated by a single door, came two different responses.
"You're back?"
In the corner of the living room, her eldest daughter, who had been lying prone on an old sofa reading a book, replied indifferently without even lifting her head. This was Valeria, sixteen years old, currently going through the throes of puberty, which had made her quite blunt lately. On the other hand, a cheerful voice rang out from the kitchen.
"Mom! You're back? You must have worked so hard!"
A fourteen-year-old girl approached with quick, light steps. This was her younger daughter, Ayla. Unlike Valeria, she showed no signs of puberty; she was a kind, innocent child without a single wrinkle of cynicism. In Ayla’s hands was a stubby pencil and a tattered notebook stained with ink. She had likely been studying at the table right until the moment her mother arrived. The eldest daughter must have yielded the table to her younger sister, choosing to study on the sofa instead. Picturing that scene, a corner of the priestess’s heart ached.
'Mom is so sorry….'
Since her husband’s death, she had been scraping by, working as a low-ranking priestess at the cathedral by day and a street vendor in the Civitas Square by night. Then, one day, she had suddenly awakened her holy power. A priest who awakens holy power can become a healing priest and receive much more special treatment. Thanks to that, she had been able to leave her life as a street vendor behind. However, reality remained harsh. She was still unable to even grasp the tail end of the middle class, forced to drift between these narrow rented rooms.
Of course, the earnings of a low-ranking priestess exceeded those of an average middle-class citizen. A single low-level Heal could earn more than what a typical craftsman made in a day. But the problem was the murderous rent and the cost of her daughters' education. Within the walls where land was limited, the right to set foot in the safe Civitas Square was never cheap. On top of that, unlike her, both of her daughters had awakened their talents at an early age. Her eldest was gifted in arithmetic and had been able to enter the middle school division of the Academy, while her youngest had awakened the potential for holy power and was attending the elementary division of the Theological School. It was difficult to cover both these education costs and the rent on a low-ranking priestess's salary.
'Still… for the time being, I don't have to worry about money.'
The priestess gripped the pouch of gold coins in her arms tightly. It was a sum that included the cost of two low-level Heals, as well as hush money. Thanks to this unexpected reward, she could let her two daughters focus solely on their studies without worrying about money for a while. Recalling that fact, she forced a bright expression onto her face.
"Mom was a bit late, wasn't she? You must be hungry. I'll get dinner ready quickly."
That was when it happened.
Thud.
Something slid through the gap under the front door she had just closed behind her. At the sound, the priestess’s head turned toward the entrance. Through the gap in the old threshold, a clearly luxurious envelope was peeking out. The priestess carefully picked it up. The edges of the heavy, cream-colored parchment envelope were trimmed in gold. On the front, a crest was embossed in gold leaf.
'The Merkur Merchant Guild?'
The Merkur Merchant Guild. If you were a healer, it was impossible not to know them. The medicines this company created were all revolutionary. Southern fever, diabetes, even the pus plague—the medicines they produced were saving countless lives. Among healers, their products were practically essential.
"Oh? Is that the Merkur Merchant Guild?"
Her younger daughter, who aimed to be a healer, also knew the company well. There was a reason this guild had become famous among healers. Initially, right after the guild first made its mark, most healing priests had been wary and displeased, calling them heretics. They believed the guild would steal the bread from the mouths of healing priests. But that displeasure hadn't lasted even a year. It was because the guild had declared that they would only distribute medicine through healers.
— "Medicine can be poison depending on how it is used. Therefore, our guild promises to distribute medicine only through experts."
The guild never sold medicine to the general public. Instead, they entrusted all prescription and compounding rights to healers. This was a radical declaration that even healers had never imagined. In an era where anyone could make and sell medicine of unknown origin, an era where anyone could be a snake-oil salesman and anyone could buy such medicine—in such an era, exclusive prescription rights through healers were enough to shake the healing world.
"Ugh… Mom, I hate this company."
"Hm? Why?"
"Because this company's medicines are on this exam's syllabus…."
At her younger daughter’s grumbling, the priestess gave a bitter smile. Of course, there were such minor side effects. Nevertheless, the Merkur Merchant Guild was a grateful presence to the priests. Originally, there was a limit to the amount of Heal a priest could use in a day. But thanks to the guild, after gaining prescription rights, the reputation and income of healers had exploded beyond comparison. The guild’s decision had been so commendable that the Sun King and the Cardinals had even tried to consecrate their insulin. They had even consecrated the vaccine immediately, without asking any questions, before it was even released.
'But why is this guild suddenly…?'
The priestess stroked her younger daughter’s head once and carefully tore open the embossed gold leaf to open the envelope. And the moment she unfolded the thick documents that came out, her eyes widened as if she were seeing something unbelievable.
"G-Good heavens…."
Was this some kind of new scam? As soon as she saw the contents, the priestess felt the strength drain from her legs. Meanwhile, her hands were subconsciously tearing open the second envelope.
It was an elite course that the priestess could never reach even if she struggled for her entire life. That opportunity was contained in these small envelopes. The priestess’s heart began to pound. She hoped, with all her might, that this wasn't a dream. However, that excitement didn't last long.
"…Ah."
After her reason returned, she realized what these letters meant. 'It’s hush money.' The timing was too perfect. It hadn't even been half a day since she witnessed the eldest son of a Baronial family perform the miracle of curing the Devil's Disease, and received a cold threat while being handed a pouch of gold coins by the head of the house. A proposal had arrived that was so perfect it far surpassed the common sense of a low-ranking priestess. To dismiss this as a coincidence was to ignore how perfectly the timing aligned.
The priestess swallowed hard. This was neither a simple favor nor a new type of scam. It was a radical yet reasonable carrot dangled by a person of power to ensure her silence. 'No. It’s only natural.' She hadn't just made a mistake; she had witnessed the secret of a noble family. Something that should never be known to the world. Yet, she had kept her life. If so, it was only natural that she pay the corresponding price. But instead of taking her life, they were opening a golden path for her two daughters in exchange for her silence. There was no reason to refuse. No, there was no way she could refuse. How could she let her two brilliant daughters drift between a narrow kitchen table and a tattered sofa, worrying about tuition?
'If anything… it’s more than I deserve.'
The heavier her lips remained, the brighter her daughters’ lives would be. If she took this secret to her grave, she could break the cycle of poverty. This was an opportunity, not a leash. The priestess gripped the documents with her trembling hands.
…Though she couldn't help that her hands were shaking. She was just a low-ranking priestess living day to day. Yet she had entered the sights of a noble family in Sanctum Hill and the largest merchant guild in the Empire. A high place where gold and power were intertwined, a place she couldn't even imagine. The fact that someone up there would be looking down at her for the rest of her life felt terrifying. Even if that gaze were benevolent. No, it was even more terrifying because it was benevolent.
'…It’s okay. I just have to keep my mouth shut.'
The heavier her lips remained, the brighter her daughters’ lives would be, and if her lips became light, all of this would vanish like foam. That was all. In exchange for becoming a part of a massive secret, she had been given a massive opportunity. This wasn't a curse; it was a blessing.
'Yes… I must accept it willingly. No, I should be grateful for the rest of my life.'
If anything, the priestess felt shameless for feeling fear now. So, she bit her trembling lips and steeled her heart. "Mom? Why is your expression like that? What is that?"
At that moment, her younger daughter’s voice pierced her consciousness. Ayla, holding her tattered notebook and stubby pencil, asked with her head tilted. Valeria, who had been lying on the sofa, was also casting a glance her way.
"Oh… oh, that’s…."
The priestess panicked and tried to hide the documents behind her back, but soon she relaxed her stiff expression and smiled softly. "Well, it’s a letter from a 'Scholarship Foundation'."
"A scholarship foundation? What kind of place is that?"
"Hmm… who knows?"
At her mother’s vague answer, Valeria frowned. In this world, it was common for nobles or large merchant guilds to sponsor commoners. But most of the time, the purpose was to use them as private soldiers or concubines. Even research grants were mostly to monopolize the research results. Therefore, the concept of a 'Scholarship Foundation' that purely supported academics was an unfamiliar and strange concept. Because of that, the priestess also couldn't understand the intention of this foundation. But because the gaze of her eldest daughter, who was in the full throes of puberty, was so stinging, the priestess stammered, pretending to know.
"Y-Yes. Both of you are studying so wonderfully and diligently at school… so a great merchant guild that noticed your talents said they would support all your tuition and living expenses."
Surprisingly, that was the truth. The eldest daughter didn't drop her suspicious gaze, but Ayla, who had no such doubts, jumped for joy on the spot. "Wow! Really?! Then can I go into the dormitory now?!"
"Y-Yes."
"Hmph. This is obviously some scheme by the guild. Don't you know there's no such thing as a free lunch in this world?"
The sixteen-year-old girl lifted her chin, pretending to be chic and indifferent. But the corners of her mouth were already twitching. She couldn't hide her expectation that the sorrow of yielding the kitchen table to her sister and studying on a tattered sofa could finally end. "I don't know what kind of toxic clauses might be in there, so I'll take a look. I'm studying law for the entrance exam anyway."
Valeria took the recommendation letter from her mother’s hand, pretending to be an adult. Before the priestess could even stop her, Valeria scanned the documents quickly, then tilted her head. "Huh?"
"W-Why? What is it, Valeria?"
The priestess’s heart sank. Was there some scary phrase like a non-disclosure agreement? But the part Valeria pointed out was completely different.
"There’s a strange condition?"
"A condition?"
"Yes. Maintain grades within the top 5. Maintain proper conduct and zero demerits within the Academy. This is a reasonable demand if you think of it as an investment, but…."
Valeria’s finger pointed to the very last line of the document. "But what is this last condition? It’s a bit strange."
"T-The last condition?"
The priestess hurriedly approached her daughter and peered at the document. The special clause written in small letters at the very bottom.
[Scholarship students of this foundation must mandatorily have a meal with the foundation’s scholarship officer once every six months to confirm academic achievement and for exchange.]
[Officer in Charge: Director Schun.]
***
Meanwhile, at that same time. Julian, who had fallen asleep in the morning and opened his eyes in the evening, was sitting in a rocking chair, deep in thought.
'A scholarship all of a sudden….'
After he woke up from his nap, he had received a message from the guild leader. It was about the scholarship foundation he had discussed with the guild leader last time.
— [Oh my, Young Master. The first scholarship students have been selected, but….]
"So soon?"
Julian asked, rubbing his eyes. The scholarship foundation was an institution he had thought of while sending donations to his master. Since he was already supporting mages, he had taken the initiative to support other areas as well.
'I did it because that’s how the clichés in this genre usually go.'
In typical web novels, it was a cliché for the transmigrator to support a talented rough diamond from a young age. However, there was a minor problem. Julian hadn't read the original work, so he didn't know who he was supposed to support with pinpoint accuracy. So, he decided to go simple.
'If I don't know who to support, I should just support everyone and hope one of them hits the jackpot.'
That was how he founded the scholarship foundation. He figured if he supported dozens of people every year, one of them would hit the jackpot. It was a brute-force method Julian, who was swimming in money, could afford to choose. And not even a few days after the talk of the scholarship foundation came up, the children who would receive the scholarships had already been selected.
'Let’s see….'
Countless lists piled up on Julian’s desk.
Karl. 15 years old. Second place in the Academy middle school swordsmanship department.
Ellie. 17 years old. Top of the Academy high school alchemy department.
'Hmm? These two seem to have more potential than the others.'
Valeria. 16 years old. Top of the Academy middle school diplomacy and economics department.
Ayla. 14 years old. Holy power awakener, honor student in the elementary division of the Theological School.
He tucked the children who stood out particularly well into his mind. After finishing the review of dozens of documents, Julian nodded.
"Good. Proceed as planned."
— [An excellent decision, Young Master.]
"Oh, before that, you added the item I mentioned, right?"
— [Yes? Ah, that… are you talking about the special clause that they must mandatorily have a meal with the scholarship officer once every six months?]
A faint sense of bewilderment could be heard in the guild leader’s voice over the communication device.
— [Yes, as you said, I have recorded everything under the name of Director Schun… but may I ask why you included such a cumbersome clause?]
"Is it perhaps because of the cost?"
— [That is not it. Buying a meal for the students at the guild level is nothing. But for you, Young Master, to meet dozens of students one by one and have a meal with them yourself….]
It was a natural question. He could just support them with money, so why call in commoner scholarship students he didn't even know and eat with them regularly? The guild leader couldn't understand Julian’s intention of buying trouble for himself as a noble. However, Julian dismissed the guild leader’s question.
"It’s a business where my money is going out, so is it wrong for me to check for myself who I’ve invested in?"
— [I apologize. It was a foolish question.]
At Julian’s answer, the guild leader nodded in acceptance. This was the same Director Schun who went around volunteering in the Limbus Pit just to check on his own feet. It was perfectly understandable that such a person would have a meal for such a reason. In the first place, the guild leader wasn't in a position to say anything to Julian anymore.
— [Please get some rest now, Young Master.]
"Take care, Guild Leader."
After finishing the call with the guild leader, Julian fell back into thought. 'It’s just an extension of the work I was doing in the Limbus Pit anyway.'
Discover a talented child and stick them somewhere. A so-called 'orphan gacha'. The wording was a bit strange, but anyway, it was work he had been doing. In the orphan gacha, he had discovered Erika. That was why he believed in the power of the orphan gacha.
'Now I’m just doing it on a larger scale.'
This time, he targeted Academy students, not orphans. On a larger scale, targeting children who looked more promising. However, Julian adding the dinner item was for a reason completely unrelated to talent gacha.
'I wanted to try it at least once.'
A story about a boy who wins a raffle and tours a chocolate factory. Julian loved that story very much. So, this time, he followed suit. It didn't matter if he was the protagonist or if it was a cliché. It just looked fun. If it became bothersome, he planned to stop later.
'Should I give them a tour of our pharmaceutical factory later…?'
Then should he hire some dancing dwarves? Or should he just replace them with dwarves? Julian thought as he tilted his rocking chair back and forth.
'The dress code and the restaurant when I meet the kids….'
Julian was already looking forward to meeting the children.