Chapter 350
Chapter 350
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 350
Chapter Title: Reincarnated as the Plum Blossom Swordmaster in a Count Family
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Crunch crunch.
Vivi, seated in the garden, couldn't hide her anxiety as she bit her nails. It wasn't a befitting habit for a noble lady.
I spotted Vivi from afar and approached her at a leisurely pace.
"What's the matter, sister-in-law?"
"Baron...! You're here! I've been waiting!"
Ever since the day Vivi borrowed money from me to buy those earrings, her vanity had ballooned with each passing day.
I sold her not just jewelry, but dresses, gourmet foods, perfumes, cosmetics—every luxury imaginable. All while dangling the bait that since she'd soon be family, I'd give her a special 50% discount.
And at some point, she started coming to me first, asking for money. The excuses varied: the latest trendy dress—if she didn't wear it, she'd be snubbed; a merchant from the far south peddling premium tea, essential for her tea times. Reasons like that, endlessly.
I played the fool with a grin, lending her money interest-free. But I always drew up proper contracts.
"Sister-in-law, calm down and let's talk this through. You seem awfully jittery... Is it because of the king's birthday celebration at the palace tomorrow?"
"No! Actually, this afternoon, I'm heading out on a picnic with some other noble ladies."
"Sounds fun. Don't tell me you don't have a dress to wear?"
"I already picked one out for the picnic. The problem is..."
Vivi glanced at my face. I could sense it was about money.
"The problem?"
"...Haa. Baron, hear me out. I need your help."
"We've got plenty of time until afternoon. Go ahead and speak freely."
I nodded along sympathetically as Vivi poured out her story.
Yesterday, at a banquet she was invited to, Vivi had met a certain noble.
Bashev Makeild. Young, handsome, and holding a baronial title. According to Vivi, he was mannerly and silver-tongued. He claimed reviving his fallen house was his life's ambition.
Lately, he'd been the hot topic among the young ladies, their chatter rising and falling about Baron Makeild.
And I knew him too. He was a character from the original story. Though he was just a background extra who barely brushed by, so I hadn't paid him much mind.
To put it bluntly, Bashev Makeild was a con artist.
'No reason for me to expose him. If anything, this plays right into my hands.'
I kept listening to Vivi.
"Baron Makeild is preparing a business venture. A few ladies and I agreed to invest in him. But... I don't have the money."
"Just ask the marquis, your father."
"He'd never allow it. Plenty of nobles have come to our house before, but not one has ever gotten investment funds. This time would be no different."
"Investment funds, huh... So you're looking to borrow from me. Don't forget, you already owe 320 million ner right now."
Vivi flinched.
She shuddered briefly at the exact amount. But she quickly regained her composure.
She was a noble. Of the Heollis family, no less. She figured 300 million was no big deal. And truthfully, the marquis could pay it off in a heartbeat. Though she'd get an earful in the process.
"I know. And per the contract, no interest. Right?"
"Yes. We drew up the contracts. No interest planned—though the contracts make it impossible anyway."
I smiled as I spoke, and she relaxed, finally opening up.
"I need 500 million ner."
"...500 million ner. That's way more than I expected."
"But you can lend it, Baron. You're big enough to do business with my father."
"Flattery will get you nowhere. But 500 million isn't impossible. Give me about two weeks..."
"Two weeks!? You can't do it right now?"
"I don't carry that kind of cash on me."
Vivi's eyelids shot wide. Her body trembled faintly.
"Even two weeks...! I have to sign the contract with Baron Makeild this afternoon! You have the Corea Merchant House. If this investment pays off, we'll see results in half a year, and I can pay back everything I owe you! Isn't there any way?!"
"I can't just dip into the merchant house funds willy-nilly. Pulling that much requires settling accounts first. Not that I'm officially the owner, mind you..."
"Please... I beg you, Baron. I've already told Baron Makeild and the other nobles... If this falls through, I'll be seen as a liar. My reputation will tank, and I might be blackballed from high society forever... Please..."
Vivi's voice cracked with tears. No way she'd actually get blackballed over this, but the naive girl truly believed she would.
"Haa. No helping it, then. I'll somehow scrape together 500 million ner."
"Thank you! Baron Prucker!"
"But on one condition."
"Condition...?"
"What exactly is Makeild's investment? Handing over 500 million without clear details gives even me pause."
"W-Well... Baron Makeild told us not to tell anyone..."
"I see. Then forget the money."
I turned away without hesitation. She was the desperate one without cash, not me.
"W-Wait! Baron! I'll tell you! I will!"
I turned back to face her.
"Go ahead, sister-in-law."
"It's a medicinal herb cultivation business! He found land perfect for growing herbs. I saw and even tasted the herbs he brought— the effects were incredible. Baron Makeild's venture is bound to succeed!"
I listened and felt relieved.
'The bastard's sticking to the script. Hasn't changed a bit because of me.'
In the original story, years from now, this guy pulls the same herbal scam. Only back then, he boldly pitched it to Kyle, who had become Count Prucker. Kyle exposes the con, and the fraud's assets get seized.
"You tasted them yourself?"
"Yes! Bitter enough to bring tears, but the energy surge right after was unreal."
"Oho. Impressive."
Impressive my ass.
The guy had laced them with a mild narcotic. Probably one not well-known in the Rapelli Kingdom.
'Hard to believe anyone falls for this crap, but...'
Even in reality, people get duped by absurd lies. I vaguely recalled news about over a hundred voice phishing victims daily in Korea.
I reached out to Vivi, gripping her slender shoulder. She flinched but didn't shake me off. She knew better than to upset me. I kneaded her shoulder as I spoke.
"I'll be back in an hour. The sum's large, so I need time."
"Yes, Baron. Please."
"We'll draw up the contract. But are you sure you don't want to tell the marquis? If you're worried about him, I could—"
"N-No! Father can't know! He'd fly into a demonic rage for sure! Baron, you absolutely cannot tell him!"
"If you insist that strongly... Understood."
"Baron, your hand..."
"Ah! I accidentally groped your underarm, sister-in-law. Sorry!"
"I-It's fine."
I stepped away from Vivi and headed toward the carriage. Yuria, who had been tailing me discreetly, emerged.
I gave money to the coachman under my management, sending him to buy various fruits, then scanned the area. Empty.
I pointed at a large tree beside the carriage. Yuria got the hint instantly, leaning her hands against the trunk and sticking out her hips.
I lifted her skirt up to her waist. Lewd white panties hugged her ample rear, split at the center to expose her anus and pussy.
I fingered her pussy as I asked Yuria,
"Yuria. Got 500 million ner on hand?"
"Nngh... Yes...? In the shadow storage. Up to 3.1 billion ner available immediately. Ahh..."
"Good. Then let's kill an hour."
An hour later.
I handed Vivi the 500 million ner.
"Thank you! Baron! I'll pay it all back in half a year!"
"That makes 820 million ner total. Not a small sum—don't forget."
"Don't worry! Baron Makeild's business will definitely succeed!"
That was what Vivi said before heading off to her picnic. I couldn't fathom how she trusted a con man so blindly.
'Anyway, that wraps up the plan.'
???
The eighth king's birthday, Corocallis Rapelli's, turned the capital into a festival. The royals distributed alcohol and meat to the commoners, who in turn celebrated the monarch's natal day.
I headed to the palace with my father Ention, mother Elrain, and brother Gent. Servants were allowed, but limited in number: two knights, Elrain's maid, and my exclusive maid Yuria.
The banquet was said to run day and night for three straight days.
"......"
"......"
Just before entering the hall, my eyes met Gent's. He glared as if to devour me; I smirked leisurely in response.
'He must know I've been frequenting the Heollis estate daily.'
I surveyed the banquet hall. Hundreds of nobles buzzed about. Palace butlers and maids moved with crisp efficiency, while nobles clustered in conversation.
'Not even 30% of these are worth my attention.'
Scanning around, my gaze settled on a group of young nobles. The young heirs gathered around someone central.
A young man with a short beard on his chin. Tall, with a friendly smile. He exuded an aura of kindness and warmth.
'The original description said looking at him evoked a storybook hero... Doesn't hold up in person.'
Bashev Makeild.
A fallen noble on the surface, but really Rohad, a con man wearing a dead noble's identity.
'Might as well get a good look at the fraud's face...'
As I moved toward Makeild,
Someone approached me.
"Baron Eugene Prucker. Care for a chat? Got time?"
A middle-aged man with silver hair and blue eyes drew near. Dressed in white, he had a stern, handsome face.
Markelos Helbrit.
Rapelli Kingdom's prime minister and duke.
Yuria's birth father—and my revenge target. Facing him head-on, he radiated sharp intensity.
I tensed slightly. He was eyeing me, but he had to know the real target was Yuria. She kept her gaze down. Even with her mortal enemy before her, her breathing stayed steady.
As I opened my mouth, nearby Ention cut in.
"Prime Minister Helbrit. What business with my son?"
"...Count Prucker. Personal matter. No need for your involvement."
"......"
"......"
Their subtle power play began. Tension rippled outward instantly.
I quickly wedged between them.
"Father. I'll speak with His Excellency briefly and return."
"...Very well."
Ention nodded heavily, eyes never leaving Markelos. Unexpected. I hadn't thought he'd be so wary of him.
"Baron Prucker. Too noisy here for a quiet talk. I'll guide you to a reception room. Follow."
"Yes, Your Excellency."
I trailed behind him. I checked Yuria following me. Same expression, same demeanor as always.
But I caught her nerves on edge. Her usual gaze tracking me was fixed instead on Markelos's nape.