Chapter 526
Chapter 526
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 526
Chapter Title: Reincarnated as the Plum Blossom Sword Master in a Count Family
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116 points.
These were the points left over after the random summon. The amount was awkwardly small, and since I'd been focusing on Mi-ryeong, I'd just left them unused without knowing what to do with them.
'Whew. Mi-ryeong's pussy is already missed.'
I invested 100 points into the random summon. It raised it from level 1 to level 2.
I had a vague hope that maybe the points required for random or fixed summons would decrease.
But no such luck. The only change was the cooldown. It dropped from 120 days to 115 days.
Just 5 days for 100 points. If I thought of it as buying 5 days' time, it was a clear gain, but it didn't improve my mood at all.
'The remaining 16 points... Only enough for a random gacha. Come forth, new skill!'
Random Gacha (Lv. 1)
Bottled Water x1
It was a dud.
No special items came out.
I chugged down the bottle of water from the gacha.
???
I enjoyed peace in this world.
I lived by toying with the maids in the mansion however I pleased. They were very satisfying and gratifying days. Occasionally, there were tasks I had to handle, but with auto-progress, I could finish them without lifting a finger.
"You've come from the east looking for me? Long journey. Must've been tough."
A young woman stood before me.
She was a beauty. Red hair and brown eyes. Her upturned eyes and firm lips showed she wasn't some fragile noble lady.
"So, what's your name?"
I asked again. From her perspective, it was a humiliating question. She was a noble, after all. But she answered without changing expression.
"Elba Soltes. My father passed from illness recently, and I inherited the title, becoming the head of the Soltes Viscount family."
Yuria, standing quietly by my side, sent me information on the Soltes family via telepathy.
The Soltes family was a knightly noble house in the east. A common case of gaining land and title through war merits.
And now, a house slowly declining under current circumstances.
I scanned Elba again. She wore pants instead of a dress. It spoke to her mindset.
Her skill: mid-level Aura Expert. For her late twenties, she was a genius.
"I see. Viscount Soltes. What brings you here?"
I used informal speech without hesitation. Her title outranked mine, but my authority was higher. And she was the desperate one.
"I wish to become Baron Prucker's wife."
"A proposal? Unexpected. Why?"
"I need money."
"Honest."
It didn't bother me. That was the only reason anyone would propose to me.
The Prucker Count family backed me, but I wasn't the official heir, and as the youngest, I seemed the least favored.
But I had money.
Everyone knew I owned the Korea Merchant Guild, generating massive profits in the Rapelli Kingdom.
"Hmm."
Elba was a beauty. Fiery red hair, toned body. C-cup breasts and a full ass.
But she wasn't on my level for marriage. Considering my wealth, she needed at least a count's title.
"No marriage. That concludes our business?"
Elba, as if expecting this, neither panicked nor retreated.
"I'd like to borrow money."
This was likely her real goal, more than the absurd proposal.
"Why?"
"You must already know, Baron. War is approaching."
I raised my evaluation of her by two levels. Few nobles were thinking and preparing for war.
"War? Scary talk. Isn't the world at peace?"
"War happens. A tense atmosphere is descending from the north. I've confirmed through personal informants that smugglers are moving busily."
"...Assume war breaks out as you say. Why borrow from me? Planning to take my money and flee somewhere safe?"
"No. I need military funds."
"......"
I fell silent briefly. Couldn't tell if it was true. War hadn't started yet. More likely she'd use it as escape funds.
"Doesn't Viscount Soltes have an army?"
"We do. But it's insufficient. I plan to triple it at minimum for war."
"Why?"
"Our family and territory are declining. The fertile land of 20 years ago turned barren. The elders say this year will be a famine too. Mages say the land is ruined beyond hope."
"That's rough. So not for protecting the territory."
"Our family rose through war. We'll revive through war."
In this world, war meant change and opportunity. A disaster for commoners, but a path to higher power for mercenaries, knights, and nobles.
If she earned merits and became a count, she might gain fertile lands. Counts could become great lords, acquiring more territories.
Elba's ambition was admirable. But did she have the skill?
I glanced at Yuria. Caught her subtle nod. If Yuria approved, Elba was better than I thought.
"How much?"
"500 billion total."
"...Did I hear wrong?"
This world differed from reality. War didn't require such sums. Conscripted serfs were the lord's already; even with food, weapons, armor, 500 billion was excessive for a viscount's army.
"Viscount Soltes. How many soldiers do you plan to muster?"
"I currently lead 6,000. If war breaks, double that."
For reference, as a baron, I could muster about 2,000. More would strain the territory.
"...Can you handle it?"
"Our territory is decaying. Only gain from war remains. It's our only way to survive. My people and I desperately await war."
She spoke grim words calmly.
"All on war. 500 billion might not suffice."
"...Yes. I'd borrow more if possible."
"What makes me trust you with my money?"
If she died in war, 500 billion vanishes. Per Yuria, no family or relatives. No one to repay her debt.
"To borrow 500 billion, shouldn't you bring a guarantor at least?"
Thud!
Elba knelt before me.
"Please. I'll repay the debt. I swear on my name, family, everything. Give me this chance, Baron Prucker."
"......I'll lend it."
500 billion ner was huge.
But lendable. Korea Guild had grown enough.
I'd already decided. Yuria's eye was trustworthy—sharper than mine.
And Elba was quite the beauty. Too good to let a beauty throw herself at me slip away.
"Now, interest rates. For such a sum, 20% annual is still profitable."
"......20%. That's too..."
"Don't say too much. Others charge 30% minimum."
"War isn't confirmed."
"You came to me certain of war. And debt size doesn't matter. Victory brings more spoils. Ah, but heavy debt means fewer spoils."
"......Baron Prucker. 15%?"
"Lending 500 billion, I need some profit. Not lending could yield 50% next year. 20% is generous. Be grateful I'm lending at all."
"......"
Elba bowed her head.
She couldn't refute.
Without her Aura Expert mid-level, no way to verify her. And she's a woman. Anyone else would've kicked her out at 500 billion.
"But depending on you, I could drop to 5%."
"......!!"
Elba's head snapped up.
I blatantly eyed her body. No idiot would miss the meaning.
'Well, how will she react? Blush? Glare coldly?'
Neither.
Elba smiled. And slowly began undressing. Even with Yuria beside me, unconcerned.
"Thank you for your generosity, Baron."
Her white naked body revealed.
Perky breasts. Taut abs. Red pubic hair like autumn leaves.
I caught a faint rose scent from her. Prepared before coming.
'Heard rumors I like women.'
I spread index and middle fingers. She parted legs shoulder-width at the signal. Neat pink pussy visible. Dry, not wet yet. Labia minora slightly prominent.
"Any fiancé?"
"Had one 20 years ago. Broken off as fortunes fell. I offer my virginity to you, Baron. You'll be satisfied."
"Whether I am or not, we'll see."
I dropped my pants and embraced Elba.
???
Satisfied.
Elba borrowed 500 billion from me. Interest: 5% annual. Her toned body gave exceptional pussy grip.
"Never thought she'd offer her virginity. Impressive woman."
I said to Yuria. She wiped my sweat with soft cloth. Felt refreshing wherever it passed.
"You took a loss. Even at 10%, she'd have offered herself gladly."
Probably.
20% to 10%. About 50 billion ner in difference.
Common sense: 50 billion for one woman is too much.
'But she was a noble. Born noble, Aura Expert. Stunning looks. Normally, impossible for 50 billion.'
Cheap noble whores might go for 100 million, but no need to pay for trash.
"Her tight pussy slipped me into calling 5%."
"......If Viscount Soltes pleased you, shall I bring her to the mansion?"
"No need. She'll come monthly. More importantly, were you jealous just now?"
"No. No reason for me to envy such a woman. I embrace you daily."
"Your gaze was hot for that."
I lifted Yuria's skirt. Hot inside. White garter belt and panties. Center soaked.
Pulled panties down, slipped fingers into pink pussy.
"Ah... Master's fingers..."
"Knew you'd be wet. But cases like her will increase, right?"
"Yes. Opportunists certain of war will seek you. Hnng... Use this to build allies."
Debtors bow to lenders. They'd help when I become Prucker Count, ruling the kingdom.
"Ah. And Kyle's finally returning?"
"Yes. Arrives home in a fortnight."
"Time to visit the main house. But first."
I pinned Yuria down.