Chapter 349
Chapter 349
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 349
Chapter Title: Reborn as the Plum Blossom Sword Master in the Count's Family
-----------------------------------------------------------------
My daily life in the royal capital didn't unfold according to plan.
My original plan was to leisurely have some fun while working on Vivi Heolris. But I was far too busy for that.
The rumor that I had met with Marquis Heolris over Korea Merchant Group business spread, drawing nobles connected to merchant groups and magic towers who all wanted to meet me.
"Baron Prucker. How about partnering with my merchant group? We have tradition and history. And the Prucker Merchant Group brings freshness to the table. Together, we could surpass the Hollis Merchant Group and become the kingdom's top merchant group."
Tradition and history.
That meant connections and established trade routes. Partnering with a large-scale merchant group would indeed bring immediate benefits. However, I mustn't forget these guys wouldn't make such an offer without strings attached.
These bastards would pounce without hesitation the moment I let my guard down and tear off a chunk of flesh.
"I'm sorry. The Korea Merchant Group is in disarray due to rapid growth. We've even scaled back operations for that reason. For the time being, I plan to focus on reorganizing the merchant group."
"Is that so...? That's a pity."
The merchants couldn't push aggressively. I was merely a baron, but the son of Count Prucker, lord of the frontier. They backed off, mistakenly assuming the Korea Merchant Group I ran was deeply tied to Count Prucker.
"Ahem. Our Sirimad Magic Tower wishes to conduct joint research with you, Baron."
"Joint research?"
"Yes. Our Sirimad Magic Tower has been researching and developing emergency rations and preserved foods for the past seven years. We're very interested in the canned foods recently released by the Korea Merchant Group. If we collaborate, we can advance more easily and quickly."
"Ah, I see. I have no intention of doing research, so please leave."
"Baron! The biggest flaw in canned food is the tin cans themselves! Considering the price of iron, canned food is bound to be unprofitable!? If you research with us, we can develop a container to replace the cans!"
"Canned food isn't for profit; it's sold for adventurers. In my view, there's no need to improve it. Please leave."
"Baron! Please reconsider..."
"Do I have to repeat myself three times?"
"......"
The magic tower's true aim was the recipes for the items sold by the Korea Merchant Group. As if I wouldn't know that.
Merchant groups and magic towers sought me out the most, but other nobles approached me too. Because I was the youngest Aura Expert.
"Ugh... This is annoying as hell."
I wanted to hole up in the mansion, feigning heart trouble, and just have sex, but I couldn't for the sake of my reputation. And there's a reason they say to strike while the iron is hot.
"C-Can I really accept this?"
"It's a gift I prepared for you, sister-in-law."
"Such fine cosmetics... Thank you, Baron."
I handed Vivi Heolris a set of cosmetics. No matter how busy, I had zero intention of giving up on her.
I curled my lips into a smile as I watched Vivi Heolris beam with joy.
Vivi was your typical noble lady. She knew nothing of politics or commerce and showed no interest. Her passions were beauty. And vanity.
I knew exactly how to bed her, so I got right to it.
"Sister-in-law. There's an item from the Korea Merchant Group that hasn't been announced yet. Not even shown to Count Hollen."
"Count Hollen...?"
Vivi's eyes widened at the unexpected name.
Count Hollen.
She was an icon admired by noblewomen and ladies of Rapelli Kingdom. And she owned gold and iron mines. One of the kingdom's top tycoons.
Count Hollen was famous for her extravagance. But her taste was impeccable; she bought only the finest.
"Count Hollen is one of our major clients. I was actually planning to show this to her first, but... would you take a look and give me your thoughts?"
"I'll help! I've spoken with Count Hollen a few times! I'm sure I can be of use!"
Vivi's eyes sparkled as she spoke. I smiled and showed her the item.
It was earrings embedded with dozens of large and small white gems.
"Wow..."
Vivi's eyes glazed over. The earrings were larger than my thumb, but crafted with modern, refined design and technique.
"What do you think?"
"It's beautiful... Count Hollen will surely love it..."
Vivi couldn't tear her gaze from the mirror.
"Sister-in-law. I heard you have tea time with other noble ladies this afternoon. If it's alright, would you wear those earrings to the tea time?"
With so many nobles gathered in the capital, banquets and ladies' tea times happened almost daily.
"...Is that okay?"
"It's a form of promotion. If you're uncomfortable, no problem. I won't force you."
"Oh, no. I know how important promotion is. I'll accept your offer, Baron."
Vivi smiled brightly.
By afternoon, I returned to the Heolris Marquis household. The official reason was to discuss merchant group matters with Marquis Heolris, but really to see Vivi.
"How was tea time, sister-in-law?"
"...It was amazing. All the ladies asked about the earrings when they saw me."
"Glad the promotion was a success. Could you return the earrings now?"
"Ah. Yes."
Vivi hesitated as she began removing the earrings. It was clear she didn't want to hand them over.
"You seem to like the earrings."
"How could I not love such beautiful earrings? Not just me—any woman would want them."
"I can sell these earrings to you, sister-in-law."
"......But I don't have the money."
The Heolris family was wealthy, but Vivi was just a lady. Not the family head's wife or heir. She needed permission to use family funds.
"Are you and I strangers? I'll give you 50% off and finance it. A 400 million Ner item for 200 million Ner."
"50% off... B-But..."
Vivi fiddled with the earrings on her palm, hesitating.
She must have felt like the star of the tea time today because of them. I was certain. Flashy earrings like these were hard to come by, even with money.
"This pair is one-of-a-kind in the world. And though I said loan, I won't charge interest."
"No interest? Really?"
"Really. I can draw up the contract right here."
"Let me consult with Father first..."
"His Excellency Marquis Heolris would scold you if he knew. He's prudent with money and wouldn't buy earrings. Am I wrong?"
"You're right. Father always says spending money matters more than earning it."
Vivi pouted. She seemed to harbor some resentment toward the marquis. Things were progressing even smoother than I'd hoped.
The marquis probably hadn't properly educated her. Noble ladies were destined to marry into other families. No need for advanced education if she wasn't the official heir.
"Sister-in-law, you'll soon marry brother Jent and become his wife. As a wife, you'll have discretion over some funds. You can repay then. I can wait as long as needed."
"Still..."
I knew what she feared. Marquis Heolris. He was razor-sharp on money matters.
"If His Excellency asks about the earrings, just say I gifted them."
I planned to gift other noble ladies afterward anyway. To deflect the marquis's suspicions.
If the marquis interfered here, my plan would crumble. So, by gifting others, I'd frame this as promotion.
"......"
"Sister-in-law. Aren't you an adult? You have the right to decide for yourself. And you'll soon leave the Heolris family. Have a bit more confidence."
Vivi's eyes wavered at my words. She gazed down at the earrings in her palm, fiddled with them, then nodded.
"You're right, Baron. I can't follow Father's words forever. I'll take the loan. And let's make it official with a contract."
She mentioned contracts, perhaps having heard something, but I was sure she couldn't read one properly. A smart, capable woman wouldn't have accepted my offer.
"Of course. Nothing's more solid than a contract. As expected of sister-in-law. The daughter of Marquis Heolris, indeed."
"You think so?"
Vivi smiled faintly at my words. Seeing that face, she probably thought herself impressive. I licked my lips, eyeing her light green hair. If things went as planned, I'd bed her before leaving the capital.
The next day, I visited Vivi again. I showed her prepared bracelets, necklaces, rings, and other jewelry, sweet-talking her into buying. The "special half-price for sister-in-law" line worked like a charm.
Ention arrived in the capital with his knight order.
Ention was still as stoic as ever. Nothing had changed. He ate a simple meal upon arrival and headed straight to the training grounds.
"I'll devote myself to training until His Majesty's birthday. Politely turn away all visitors."
I tensed when Ention arrived.
I thought a mid-level Aura Master like him might detect Yuria's skills. But it was just my paranoia. Ention passed right by Yuria without noticing her prowess.
Yuria wasn't overwhelmingly strong in open combat. She was more assassin than knight. Her specialty was concealment.
'If he'd noticed, I might've had to make an extreme choice... Good thing he didn't.'
I grinned, watching Ention's back as he walked away.
Late at night.
I sneaked into Ellaine's room. Ellaine, lying in bed to sleep, startled and panicked when I entered.
"Yujin! No! Not tonight!"
I occasionally enjoyed secret rendezvous with Ellaine alone. I'd even visited her last night for sex. Crossing a line once made it easy to cross again.
But her reaction tonight was different. Because of Ention in the next room.
"Mother. Father is asleep."
I approached Ellaine's bed, undressing as I went.
"Have you forgotten your father is an Aura Master?! Their senses are sharper than anything! He can't not notice with the room right next door!"
"It's fine, Mother. Because of this."
I shook the black bell in my hand and placed it on the table. Strangely, it made no sound. I channeled mana into it, and black smoke continuously poured out, dissolving into the air.
"...A barrier?"
Ever the mage, Ellaine recognized it immediately.
"Yes. A magic tool called 'Night of Silence.' It erects a barrier blocking presence and sound. With this, Father won't hear a thing."
"......You've prepared this for more than a day or two."
"Mother is my woman, not Father's. Since Father returned today... I'll teach you so thoroughly you'll never forget."
"If anything, I'm already your... Hnng...!"
I lunged onto the bed, pinning Ellaine. She squirmed in my arms but soon stopped resisting, lost in each other. Perhaps due to Ention's presence, her heart pounded harder than usual, and her pussy grew wet faster than ever.
'Heh. I'm more excited than usual too.'
She desperately stifled her moans, but less than an hour later, she let out a massive scream. Without the barrier, it would've been disastrous.
"Haaaaang!"