The Monopoly (Part 2)
The woman munching on snacks while appearing utterly refined and elegant was none other than the famous Arsia, the Claire Countess.
Adrian’s face would have lit up with a proud papa’s smile, calling her adorable. To Ibril and the part-time worker senior, however, that image hit like a thunderbolt.
But then.
Arsia’s gaze, still nibbling on the chocolate snack, suddenly fixed somewhere.
⚙ CUSTOMER FEEDBACK
Customer Comment
It was a suggestion box, the kind any service-oriented shop or distributor could spot without trouble.
Normally, people who saw one would scribble a complaint and drop it in. But who would dare voice an opinion right in front of the staff? That would only look like a grievance.
Arsia, however, had no need to watch her every step.
She munched her snack, stood, and pulled a single sheet of paper from her pocket, then began writing.
⚔ STATUS ⚔
LT__span style="color:#ff6b6b">⚡ Strength: 9999LT__/div>
LT__span style="color:#4d9fff">💨 Agility: 9999LT__/div>
She wrote: “Rude employee / Arsia Claire (seal).” Then, with a gentle smile, she stamped her family crest and dropped the paper into the box.
The part-time senior who had been so blunt froze mid-step, eyes wide. The gap in height made the paper’s contents visible, so the nearby knights had hands on swords, staring in open hostility.
“You dare mock a countess?”
The terrifying pressure rolling off Arsia sent the senior’s legs buckling. She collapsed to her knees, face drained of color.
“I-I’m sorry…”
Arsia shrugged, her green eyes flashing like lasers at the knights.
The part-timer had been rude, sure, but drawing weapons here was overkill.
“Now, let’s go.”
Arsia’s decision made Cecil Administrator extend a hand to Ibril.
“What is your name, miss?”
“Ibril. Ibril Barnet.”
“Then come with us to the lord’s residence, Lady Ibril. Don’t worry about your parents or job. We’ll handle everything.”
And just like that, Ibril left the convenience store in a princess-like escort, leaving the stunned part-timer behind.
Arsia never knew that one innocent sheet of paper had turned the entire store upside down.
Worse, the lord of the largest distribution empire in the country, Ford the Count, heard the rumor and stormed in, furious, ready to drag the worker away.
His vassals, however, stepped in. They couldn’t discipline the woman who had spared Arsia’s life. The worker was saved, but the name was added to the blacklists of every company linked to the Ford family.
From that day on, she would never set foot in the distribution industry again. The story became a classic example used by companies to stress the importance of kindness.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
“Sigh… Still managed to level up today.”
I had been grinding monsters in Chronicle Online all day and logged out only to meet Arsia’s recruit, the girl.
Removing my gaming glasses, the first thing I saw was Arsia’s face. Without thinking, I took her hand as she offered it, and stood.
“What about the girl?”
“The maids were washing and dressing her. It’s been about two hours. She should be done by now, right?”
I always treated my people well. A sudden change in environment would be overwhelming, but I believed direct experience would speed up her adaptation more than being cowed by the atmosphere.
Arsia then pressed her fingers to her temple, and the transparent Magic Circle of my cheat monocle appeared.
“Here it is.”
“Thanks.”
I accepted the monocle, used Clean Magic to wash away the grime, and threw on a light coat.
How convenient this body was. Good physical balance, and the face-like appearance let me wear anything perfectly.
Superficial beauty was the same on Earth or Rondel. Being handsome had no downside.
“Lord.”
“Lord.”
As soon as I stepped out of the room, servants and maids bowed from all sides.
Our destination was the separate wing of the massive Lawrence Dukedom. When I had received the title, I moved the entire academy here. This wing was where they settled in.
No more worrying about eyes on us. With my status skyrocketing, everyone could focus on studying without fear.
The teachers were also of higher caliber, pushing their growth curve steeper every day.
I couldn’t wait to see how far they’d come in a few years.
How many grand mages and Aura Masters would gather around me then…?
Maybe even a Supreme Mage and an Aura Master?
“Lord, we greet you.”
“W-we greet Lord.”
The newly renamed separate wing came into view. Seated together were a blonde girl with a striking, gorgeous face and a man radiating cool, intellectual composure.
“Eric, you’re not here to poach, are you?”
“Sadly, I have no desire to become a criminal.”
“Haha.”
Eric was one of the top administrative talents in the academy, skilled in politics and administration. Unlike mages or knights who needed strict steps, his growth was explosive.
In just four months, he was already capable of working the front lines.
Ibril in an ivory dress and Eric in a black suit looked like an angel and a demon.
‘Yeah… Saintess candidate and aspiring politician. They really do fit the angel-demon pairing perfectly.’
Arsia and I took the head seats, and I shifted my gaze to the well-dressed Ibril.
Was it because Arsia had been glued to her side? Or because she was too beautiful?
I no longer felt much charm in women’s beauty. Besides, she was pretty, but not Arsia-pretty.
“Lawrence, the lord of Lord Lawrence’s dukedom, greets Lord Arsian Lawrence.”
“Welcome. I am Adrian Lawrence.”
My noble etiquette was rusty, but I could sense admiration, expectation, and a hint of shyness in her eyes.
I offered my hand. She hesitated, then placed her delicate fingers in mine.
Ibril blushed, and I immediately let go.
“Well chosen.”
“Thank you.”
I added a remark to Arsia that was unnecessary for outsiders to hear.
“Lady Ibril said she wants to become an administrator, right?”
She nodded vigorously, eyes sparkling.
She looked mature, but at only fifteen, she was still very much a girl. In Korean terms, sixteen or seventeen. She wasn’t used to hiding her emotions.
I gave her a slightly apologetic look.
“Unfortunately, Lady Ibril’s talent lies elsewhere.”
She looked visibly disappointed.
But my next words made both her and Eric, who had been listening by chance, open their eyes wide.
“I see divine power in you. And exceptional talent. You might even have the potential to become a saintess.”
“What?”
“Lord, is that true?”
The threshold for saintess talent was higher than for divine magic. Upon receiving the God’s choice, you become a user of holy magic on the level of an eighth-circle mage, and in emergencies, your power jumps to ninth-circle.
Plus, managing the world’s holy temples placed you at the level of the empire’s emperor.
Eric, who trusted my words absolutely, looked at Ibril with renewed eyes.
The idea of becoming a saintess stunned her.
“Of course, it’s not guaranteed. You’d have to stand out in the saintess selection tournament.”
“Then, Lord?”
Eric swallowed hard. I nodded firmly.
“The gods have sent us this talent. I can’t just stand by. It seems a new saintess tournament is being held soon. I will provide full support to make Lady Ibril the saintess.”
“M-me? A saintess? That’s impossible.”
“Seven out of ten saintesses come from commoner backgrounds. There’s no problem. Of course, it won’t be free. She’ll need her own effort and determination. She’ll have to learn etiquette, theology, holy magic, and more before the tournament.”
I had hired her for a two-million-coin contract and five hundred salary, but if I saw potential, I would pay ten or even a hundred times more without regret.
Turning this girl into a saintess would be worth far more than the money.
“Think lightly. You’re moving from administrator to holy priest, right? Both are professions. Haha.”
Ibril forced a smile, her face pale. Eric smiled, clearly entertained.
‘Hmm…’
I had no reason to place Eric here, but this pair could create real synergy.
“I know this is sudden. First, Lady Ibril will adapt here. From today, you are a member of the lord’s family.”
“Th-thank you, Lord.”
“Eric, please look after her personally. She seems to have become quite close to you already.”
Eric caught my meaning and bowed.
“Understood, Lord.”
I smiled gently at Ibril.
“Your parents can visit the lord’s residence anytime. Stay comfortable.”
When it came to family, looks helped. Any hidden agenda vanished the moment they saw my face.
Ibril’s expression softened in gratitude.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
While Ibril was still adapting to her new environment…
“This is annoying.”
I logged into Chronicle Online and frowned at the slow grind.
Slow growth was inevitable. Five-to-ten-person parties were mandatory, yet here I was with only two players and one dummy.
Even if it took a year to reach the next stage, it was still faster than learning magic the hard way. I didn’t mind the slow levels.
But the real problem wasn’t the speed.
“Yeah, past level two hundred. More and more players are noticing us.”
Chronicle Online was a ten-year veteran game. Before, I rarely saw other users, but now sightings increased.
The maximum level was three hundred. High-level hunting grounds were starting to overlap.
‘The real issue is that anyone watching our fight would have to tilt their head.’
My insane agility was obvious, but Arsia’s unnaturally high intelligence and the unheard-of Black Eagle subsystem would stand out.
Especially the users who saw Black Eagle started asking questions one by one.
I always lied that it was a tamed wild animal, but that excuse only worked a few times.
If rumors spread, it could cause trouble.
“I need to do something about this.”
“How much is the Chronicle Online production company worth? Should I just buy the whole thing?”
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