Chapter 73
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 73
Chapter Title: Aerial Garden (3)
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The most secluded heart of the Libra Aerial Garden.
Zone 0, shrouded in the era's most advanced barrier magic—unobservable by any soul, impervious to even the boldest intruders.
The grand estate of the Libra bloodline.
"Is that so."
In the study there, the family's second child and eldest daughter, Jahanna, received a report from Bellingham. It was about Jade bringing some no-account Endex senior into Zone 1.
"You're not surprised."
"Considering Jade's personality, it's not unexpected. Jedric's the one who'll throw a fit. I couldn't care less."
Jahanna despised her own flesh and blood. To her, her little brother Jade was just an imbecile, her eldest brother Jedric a merchant who'd lost sight of his essence, and her youngest sister Zia a lunatic with Peter Pan syndrome.
"Though he does paint rather well. Even Art School hasn't seen talent like that lately."
Among the considerable assets held by the current family head Shylock, Libra Art School remained a business without a designated heir.
"Could it be that young master Jade has his eye on Art School as well?"
Bellingham probed with a subtle tone, and Jahanna smirked impassively.
"Jade's the one who crippled the arm of the painter he was sponsoring at eighteen."
"Right. It was quite the scandal."
Some nonsense about insulting his discernment. And it was a talent that had shone even at Art School.
"Jedric just gathers decent painters and schemes ways to evade taxes."
Jedric himself was the culprit behind inflating the market value of artworks by double lately. All for tax evasion and laundering, naturally. Every artist he cultivated served that purpose.
Of course, their "love for art" held some sincerity—but not to Jahanna's degree.
The assets she'd inherited included the continent's finest hotel casino, stocks, department stores, and more. But the fields she poured her full effort into now were Art School and Libra's various nurturing institutions.
It wasn't just about seizing her father Shylock's entire personnel network the moment she claimed them. Above all, Jahanna loved art itself.
"More importantly, Bellingham."
She shot him a sharp glance.
"Whose side are you on?"
Bellingham met the sudden question with a faint smile.
"I always stand by Libra."
"...Hmph. Guess I need to sign my name bigger from now on. Seems you can't read it sometimes."
Jahanna rose from her chair.
"Where's the painter Jade brought in staying?"
"In Zone 1 lodging."
Endex seniors entering Zone 1 happened two or three times a year. Uncommon, but not extraordinarily so.
"Do you know him?"
"I've got a slight mark on him. The one I slipped a card to. Talent's lacking, but his loyalty seems usable."
Jahanna raised an eyebrow.
If even Bellingham, infamous for his stingy evaluations, praised loyalty, it meant at minimum a born "dog."
"...How boring it was, but this works out nicely."
Her expression blank, she clasped her hands behind her back and left the office.
Jade's portrait was leisurely completed right there, thanks to Jade holding the pose for a full hour and a half instead of the promised thirty minutes.
Couldn't use it for my assignment, though.
Jade took it back.
Guess he liked it that much.
Anyway, Jade headed off to Zone 0 afterward, and I was escorted by butlers to Zone 1 lodging.
"Pretty standard..."
The guest room itself was modern and tidy. Not outrageously luxurious, but equipped with everything needed—TV, massage chair—and all top brands.
The bed was even a "Bellario." This king-size alone cost 200,000 Ren.
I perched on it.
"Worth every penny."
Butt felt great. Just firm enough, just soft enough—like sinking into a cloud.
I gazed out the window from there. The Libra main family's "Bloodline Barrier" loomed right before me.
Smart barrier. Rejects anyone without Libra blood, tracks every move if allowed entry. Unauthorized intruder? It can remotely twist your veins to death.
A touch bittersweet.
Pre-regression, I'd have slaved a lifetime without even glimpsing it. Now here I was, a mere high schooler, this close.
"Did I live wrong?"
A hollow chuckle escaped.
I was beat.
Body all limp.
Knock knock-
Someone rapped at the door. Habit made me tense up, then relax.
Zone 1 of Libra. No thug could infiltrate this far.
I approached and opened it.
"Hello. I'm butler Janna."
A female butler in a suit. She stepped in and asked,
"Need anything?"
"No, I'm good."
"Dinner soon. Any menu requests?"
"...Menu doesn't matter. I eat a lot—about five or six servings okay?"
"Yes. Noted. Also, young master Jade said grant anything you want—as payment for the painting."
"Oh?"
Unexpected bonus.
From Jade, no burden either. If it'd been Jedric, "no thanks" would've been right. But Jade gets mad if you refuse.
"Can I think it over and let you know?"
"Of course."
The butler smiled brightly, then tossed another question.
"Studied painting? Young master Jade loved it. Said the technique's unique."
"No. Never formally. Just a hobby."
"A hobby?"
"Yeah. Grateful he liked it. Being here feels like a dream already."
This much was sincere.
Really did feel dreamlike.
"Hmm..."
The butler scanned me head to toe.
"You really like Libra, huh?"
Slightly pointed tone. I met her gaze wordlessly for a beat.
Fishing for info, probably. Makes sense—Libra's heart here. Might as well give the answer they want.
"Yes. I like Libra. Owe them my life."
"Ah, I see."
Of course, I didn't owe them—they owed me.
They killed my father. Even killed me once.
"Family my grandfather and father served loyally. No reason not to."
"Aha..."
I shrugged, pointing to the TV in the corner.
"Mind if I turn on the TV?"
"Go ahead."
Hint to leave, but the butler fetched the remote instead.
"...Uh, thanks."
"No problem."
Click- Button pressed.
─No way~ Is this even possible? Libra's throwing its weight around right now.
A current affairs debate. Topic: Controversy over Libra family's acquisition of SNS firm "Whiteboard."
Shouldn't have turned it on.
Uncomfortable as hell.
─This bidding process is absurd from the start! Trying to snag a 1 billion Ren company for just 200 million!
One panelist especially vehement in opposition.
Looked like pre-regression me—no, frothing more than that. A reporter named "Denver."
...Knew the guy.
Long time no see. Face repulsive even on TV.
"That's the hot controversy lately. Your thoughts?"
The butler asked.
"Eh. It'll sort itself."
Kept words minimal.
"Come on, 'sort itself'?"
Butler kept prying.
"That Denver especially seems like a thorn for Libra."
That drew a small smile from me.
"Dunno."
─Look! Industry values Whiteboard at 1 billion Ren.
I almost fell for that guy back then.
He was famous pre-regression too. Always picking fights with Libra, protesting solo.
Thought he was an ally like me.
"Doesn't seem like a thorn."
"Why not?"
Butler eyed me.
"Feels like one of ours. Boosts Whiteboard's value."
"To 1 billion Ren? Isn't Libra taking a huge loss?"
"No loss. They can just not buy. Libra's already the majority shareholder."
─1 billion Ren! A whopping 1 billion Ren item for 300 million?! This is robbery using family clout!
Watch him hammer "1 billion Ren." Same as shouting Whiteboard's undervalued.
Fall for it, buy stock? You'd get dumped on hard.
Classic Jedric ploy.
"His yapping pumps the price. Libra pretends to concede and sells."
Denver builds fame that way too.
He snipes Libra, Libra takes full profit then feigns retreat.
Repeat a few times, those grudge-holding against Libra flock to "authority" Denver.
Denver listens. Collects their deepest weaknesses, feeds back to Libra.
Libra's that thorough.
Planting one top critic as their own beats cultivating hundreds of thousands of supporters.
They know it.
"Plus, Whiteboard doesn't seem worth 1 billion to me."
In truth, Whiteboard delists in three years.
"Hmm. Really?"
Butler checked her watch.
"Food's coming soon. Gift from young master Jade?"
"Ah, mana core's fine."
"Mana core. Noted."
"Thanks."
Butler reached the threshold. Finally leaving?
But she spun around suddenly. Stared at me.
"No tip?"
"...Pardon?"
Almost laughed, but got it quick.
Libra—house of scales. Tips are mandatory, practically law.
"Uh..."
Fumbled uniform pocket. Two 10-Ren coins left. Spent most on cab and entry.
But felt something cold.
"...This is all I have now."
Pulled one out. Better than 20 Ren, figured.
"Fine. Hand it over."
Janna held out her palm. I placed it there.
A casino chip.
"..."
Her face froze. Teeth-grinding crunch- like subzero chill.
I hurried to explain.
"Ah, uh, got it recently. Mana stone—should be pricey. For real."
Still icy, she glared. Transparent eyes rippled with eerie aura. Even felt like killing intent.
"Funny guy."
She twisted one lip up, slammed the door bang-! like shattering it.
"..."
I stood blankly, scratched my nape.
"...20 Ren would've gotten me killed."
Outside Zone 1 lodging, Aerial Garden.
Bellingham leaned against the wall, waiting for one person.
Clack-clack- Even footsteps perfectly rhythmic—a certain noblewoman.
"Mind sharing your impressions, Miss Janna?"
He teased. The butler emerging from lodging—Janna—stiffened.
"..."
Then silently released her face mask. Her features shifted. Ordinary look turned aloof, hair and eyes infused with bloodline-blue.
"Something happened, Lady Jahanna."
Jahanna glanced at Bellingham, extended her fist holding something. He took it.
"...Brazen one. Nearly bit him dead."
"Hm?"
Unexpected. Bellingham tilted his head, eyed his hand.
Small, round casino chip.
"...Haha."
Sight of it drew an involuntary smile. Naturally curved lips.
"He's got guts."
"Whether guts or folly, time will tell."
Jahanna loved art—and gambling.
No, to her, gambling was art.
She'd learned life in Libra's hotel casinos since childhood.
Petty wins. Petty losses. Massive wins. Massive losses.
All born from "bets."
Like a chip's faces, success and failure were mere twin sides of choice.
Humans must be ready to sweep streets with a broom tomorrow, even if lording a gleaming palace today.
That mindset carried her thirty years. Bold bets, confident triumphs, regretless flops—building her fortune.
Thus, this "casino chip" symbolizing her life, from that young greenhorn, said:
I know who you are—polite yet arrogant, roundabout yet bold.
"He vaguely caught on to Denver too."
Jahanna said. Bellingham pocketed the chip.
"Eye for people and reading situations. Scout him?"
Bellingham asked. Jahanna shook her head.
"Like advertising a usable card right here."
She extended her hand to Bellingham again.
"Mine. Never gave it to you—hand it over."
"Busted."
He pulled out the casino chip and passed it. Jahanna flicked it like piano keys, slipped it into her pocket.