Chapter 25: The Undertaker (3)
Chapter 25: The Undertaker (3)
Translation: Godtl
Penelope, who had been subjected to mirror therapy by Serena's behavior that seemed to reflect her own past.
However, she regained her composure and began mediating the situation.
They would likely meet frequently in the future—she couldn't let them bicker like this every time.
"Jurgen is my business partner. Show him proper respect."
"But Mr. Jurgen is a... a commoner... This concerns Lady Penelope's honor as well..."
Yet there was something oddly timid yet principled about her.
Serena wasn't easily convinced.
"Why are you worrying about my honor? For all you know, you might soon be demoted to commoner status too."
"Lady Penelope! How could you say something so cruel...!"
"Was I wrong?"
"But the Lenoir Family has held a baronetcy for two generations now... We're on a completely different level from ordinary commoners..."
"From where I stand, you both look the same to me."
Penelope, looking exhausted, massaged her temples before delivering a sharp jab at Serena.
Serena didn't take it lying down.
Clenching her molars, she averted her gaze and immediately launched a counterattack.
"Is that so... Coming from someone with no friends..."
Her voice grew progressively quieter as she delivered this pointed remark.
"What! What did you just say?!"
"Eeek! I-I didn't say anything wrong either!"
"As I've said before, I do have friends?!"
"Who...?"
"V-Viche!"
To an outside observer, it might have looked like an amusing comedy routine, but today's purpose was a meeting to outsource machinery production.
Jurgen clutched his head as he tried to mediate between the cowering Serena and Penelope, who had taken the bait and was now fuming.
"Now, now, calm down. Miss Serena, before we get to the main discussion, I'd like to verify your qualifications."
"Hmph, for a commoner to doubt my abilities... How preposterous..."
"Aren't we here to discuss business? I heard Miss Serena also came to secure this contract due to her family's internal performance metrics. That makes us equal contracting parties."
Penelope, fanning herself vigorously as if overheated, chimed in to explain.
"Her skills are undoubtedly solid. Despite appearances, she's considered one of the Lenoir Family's most outstanding talents."
"Not just outstanding... I'm a genius..."
"Practical experience?"
"I've handled naval artillery modifications, custom limousine designs for ceremonial use, Demon Realm barrier installations... as well as various brewing facilities and factory equipment designs..."
"Oh, quite impressive."
"...Even so, she's a commoner... This really shouldn't be allowed..."
Serena grumbled under her breath but accepted the document folder.
She deftly put on glasses retrieved from her bag and began examining the materials with sudden seriousness.
Can I really trust her with this...?
Even if we need an engineer, maybe we should look for someone more suitable...
As Jurgen pondered this, his eyes caught something unusual.
'Oh?'
Upon closer inspection, her nails were remarkably short beneath the removed silk gloves.
The backs of her hands were covered in faint scar marks.
Other noble ladies might mock those scars as vulgar, but as a client, he found them utterly reassuring.
"..."
Ten minutes, then twenty passed in silence.
"I need to step out—Old Man Ritz called me. There's some backlog I need to handle."
"Understood."
The weary Penelope left to attend to her business.
One hour, then two more passed.
When Serena finished reading the last page of the technical specifications, her trembling hands removed her glasses.
Then she neatly clasped her hands together.
Since before coming of age, Serena had managed one of the Lenoir Family's affiliated workshops.
Though her social skills were lacking, her engineering capabilities were exceptional.
"I... I've shown such an embarrassing side before such a distinguished figure..."
If Penelope's reaction to Jurgen's proposal had been "Hmm, something feels off?"
Serena saw beyond that—a horizon so vast it inspired awe.
The project proposal and technical specifications contained ideas and details far ahead of their time.
She couldn't count how many times turning a single page felt like being struck by lightning.
How could someone with such skills be a commoner?
That's impossible.
This is the product of peak professional knowledge combined with practical experience.
He must be a senior in the same industry.
There's no other explanation.
"If it's not too presumptuous... may I ask which organization you're affiliated with...?"
"There's no particular place I belong to."
Jurgen had stated the simple truth, but when filtered through Serena's noble-born interpretation, it sounded quite different.
'What's it to you? Weren't you just going on about commoners earlier?'
'Lady Penelope! You should have told me this crucial fact beforehand...!!!!'
Serena inwardly screamed toward Penelope, who wasn't even present.
"Ah."
Wait a moment.
Now that I think about it...
Penelope had tolerated his informal speech.
She'd even introduced him as a business partner and told her to show respect.
It must have been her way of hinting—that while he couldn't reveal his identity for some reason, she should know to behave accordingly.
And Serena, failing to pick up on that, had blathered on thoughtlessly about 'commoners' and 'for a commoner.'
She'd been spouting nonsense before someone who might very well be a grandmaster in the field.
'I'm... doomed...'
This world is small.
Unlike the first-generation noble Lenoir family, there are countless prestigious noble houses renowned for their technical expertise.
For a fledgling to have her future prospects dimmed in their eyes is as common as a graduate student's life plans going awry after angering their professor.
"...Um, should I just die now?"
"Why the sudden question? Let's focus on business."
"Yes!"
Serena's face, which had gone deathly pale, regained some color at his generous response.
"M-may I first confirm whether it's permissible to ask about certain points I'd like to inquire about, esteemed sir...?"
"What points do you mean?"
"Is there really a need to maintain two separate supply lines for raw materials?"
"It's designed so the other can immediately substitute if one encounters problems."
"But wouldn't this create additional cost issues...?"
"There'll be some initial investment, but in the long run, it'll significantly reduce maintenance expenses."
"The method to minimize carbonation loss during bottling... Is this process truly meaningful?"
"You mean the Cold Filling technique? Or the vacuum chamber?"
"The Cold Filling, sir."
"Doesn't carbonation escape more easily when the liquid is warm? So we lower the beverage temperature to at least 2°C right before bottling. Combine that with vacuum sealing, and efficiency doubles."
"You mentioned reusing bottles—why did you consider low-temperature washing instead of high-temperature sterilization...?"
"High-temperature washing puts strain on glass bottles, no? Could cause micro-fractures. Disinfection and mechanical washing work well enough too."
Serena became certain once more.
It was as if he had an entire factory stored in his mind—every answer flowed effortlessly.
Not a single hesitation or moment of uncertainty.
Absolutely certain.
This man isn't a commoner—he's undoubtedly a grandmaster in the field!
In that case, she couldn't let things end like this.
Before this conversation concluded, she had to make up for her mistake.
What's the fastest way to correct a misaligned relationship?
A sincere apology?
No.
Truth be told, no one actually likes sincere apologies.
The correct answer is 'bribery.'
"Master Jurgen, the proposal mentions acquiring a closed brewery along with its existing equipment..."
"Mainly for cost-saving purposes, of course."
"But the facility you've looked into has been shut down for ages—an abandoned factory left without maintenance..."
"Hmm, troublesome, but what can I do? I put in considerable legwork and chose the one in the best condition available."
"U-um!!!"
Now!
Seizing the opportunity, Serena suddenly raised her voice.
"A-actually! I happen to have a brewery I was planning to renovate later for use as a workshop...! I'll give it to you. At the price I bought it... no! At half price..."
"What? Are you serious?"
"Y-yes! It's been well maintained... And most importantly, it's closer to the water source than the place mentioned in your proposal, with better distribution access too."
"Your kindness is appreciated, but this is rather sudden."
Jurgen was taken aback by the unexpected offer.
Given how Serena had been passively displaying commoner disdain earlier, her sudden friendliness was understandably perplexing.
"After witnessing Master Jurgen's work, I've gained profound insight...! As an engineer walking the path of Magitech, I wish to express my deepest respect...! To think I could witness such dreamlike facilities being designed firsthand—it's an honor!"
"You're quite passionate, aren't you?"
"Yes! Exactly! Please look upon me favorably!"
Bewildered, Jurgen felt a piercing surge of emotion strike through his heart.
Ah, I see.
So that's how it was.
Before outstanding skill and progress, neither class nor status matters—unity is all that counts.
Feeling this rare warmth, Jurgen's chest grew pleasantly warm.
"Your consideration is appreciated. But I can't purchase a building I haven't seen—I'd like to inspect it with my own eyes first."
"Y-yes! I brought my car...! It won't take long by car, so please allow me to escort you!"
Guided by Serena, who was uncharacteristically rigid with military-like discipline, Jurgen descended to the parking lot on one side of the hotel garden.
"T-this is my beloved Caliburn Model J."
"Oh-ho... Quite sleek."
Since vehicles in Britannia weren't mass-produced but handmade, each one was exorbitantly expensive.
You could say the price of even an average car rivaled that of a high-end imported vehicle in modern-day Earth.
"I had it custom-made by the Caliburn Company and personally modified it. Ehehe... Her name is Bunny."
The two-seater Serena was proudly showing off exuded that same luxurious aura.
Perhaps you could call it a transitional design, bridging the gap between carriages and automobiles.
A delicate ivory-colored body.
Walnut wood interiors to offset the cold metallic feel, complemented by brass decorations flowing along the vehicle's contours.
Though it lacked a roof, it had a foldable canopy, allowing use even on rainy days.
Even the spare wheel attached to the side seemed like an intentional part of the design, blending in perfectly.
"I-I'll drive you there."
"Oh, please do."
The moment Jurgen climbed into the car...
"Wait! Haa... haa..."
Penelope came running, gasping for breath as if she'd sprinted here in a hurry.
She'd spotted the two heading toward the garden while she was working and had raced down the stairs instead of taking the elevator.
She'd run so frantically that her hat was slightly askew.
"Where do you think you're going? You said you'd stay at the hotel for a while."
"It's already been days, hasn't it? The bluff worked well enough. I can't just hole up here forever."
"Even so, you should've told me. What if you end up in danger alone? You can't just go off without a plan, the two of you."
"Hmm..."
Penelope wasn't entirely wrong.
Though highly unlikely, if Brighton were to launch a surprise attack and Serena got caught up in it, there'd be no greater nuisance than that.
"So, where were you planning to go?"
"Miss Serena here offered to sell me a factory."
After Jurgen explained the situation, Penelope alternated between glancing at the two with a slightly dumbfounded expression.
The last scene she'd witnessed was Serena humiliating Jurgen, after all.
"...Did you beat him up when you two were alone?"
"Don't be absurd, Miss Penelope."
"Anyway, I'm not letting you two go alone. If you're going, I'm coming too."
"Um, excuse me..."
Though Serena couldn't quite grasp the exact situation, Penelope's last words gave her a foreboding feeling.
Because her beloved Bunny was, in fact, a two-seater.
"Hmm... Miss Serena, would you mind sharing the factory's location? As you can see, Miss Penelope seems quite curious as well."
"Eh...?"
Serena felt a strange sense of déjà vu.
Huh?
This flow felt oddly familiar...
"If it's not too much trouble, I'd also like to borrow your car. I'll return it without fail."
"W-well... I suppose..."
So this was how it would end up.
Serena's face twisted into a pout.
She barely managed to suppress the words bubbling up inside her: You... you will return it, right?
It was a pointless question anyway.
First, they took the factory at half-price over one mistake, and now they were taking her car too.
Serena could only weep bloody tears at the nobles' shamelessness and ruthlessness.
"P-please take good care of her... She's delicate."
"Of course. Thank you."
"Serena, I'll treat her well."
With trembling hands, Serena handed over the keys, bidding her beloved car a silent farewell in her heart.
—Vroooom!
The Caliburn Model J, carrying Jurgen and Penelope, slid smoothly out of the garden, circling around.
The way its brass decorations glittered so brightly was likely due to the tears welling up in Serena's eyes.
And there was another figure watching that retreating figure.
A leather coat draped loosely over a suit, a mask, and a crumpled beret.
A personification of the word "black."
"Finally crawled out, huh. Way too much pomp just to crush some commoner. President Brighton."
The man rose from his seat, his body melting like tar as he dissolved into the shadows.