Chapter 23
Chapter 23
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: The Grand Duke's Heir Has Run Away
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"Wh-what in the world? Where did you get this robe?"
"Won it gambling."
"That's impossible! Who gambles away an item bestowed by the emperor?"
"You'd be surprised. There are fools like that out there. Heh heh heh."
It was me. In my previous life, I'd lost this very robe to a gamble.
Botton glanced warily at the knight who'd accompanied him, then shook his head. He looked like he wanted to strip this country bumpkin clean, but since the man was with a knight responsible for the castle's security, he was holding back.
What a shame for him. Selling this robe to a wealthy bloodkin could make enough money to change his fate. Those bloodkin types go crazy for look-at-me items like this.
"I can't buy this robe. Try the capital."
"I don't have time to trek all the way to the capital... Maybe someone in Kara would buy it?"
Kara could handle a robe like this. It was a massive desert city along the great desert trade route, amassing unprecedented wealth through relay trade and abundant mineral resources. To give you an idea, about a hundred years ago, their emir's palace burned down, and the molten gold and silver reportedly flowed like rivers.
And there's one rumor about Kara: even beggars walk around in silk.
"Yes, it'd sell much better there than in our capital."
"Should've gone to Kara after all. Tch, what a waste coming here."
As I clicked my tongue, the knight rushed over and grabbed Botton by the collar.
"Buy it!"
"Sir, this robe is beyond my means."
"Buy it anyway! The treasury will cover the cost."
"In that case... Yes, very well."
Botton nodded eagerly. With a promise of funds from the local administration, even a small tailor shop short on cash could afford luxury goods.
Botton began inspecting the robe meticulously. It was such a massive item, he needed to check every detail.
"Factoring in the base material costs, craftsmanship, and used condition... Hmm. I'd say about 350 gold leaves."
"Really?"
"Yes. The only issue is verifying if this is indeed the robe made by Lord Rolphline, bestowed by the Yosrahim Emperor. If it is, it'll command a huge premium. Why? It's the pinnacle of artistry from the finest craftsman, and something that almost never enters Calligo Kingdom. You can't obtain an enemy emperor's gift without conquering it in war."
"Oh? Is that so?"
I responded indifferently as Botton focused intently on the large essence embedded in the robe.
"Is there any magic enchanted on this garment?"
"Hmm. I heard it has spells to maintain body temperature and prevent wear and tear."
"Then it's got just the right enchantments for a robe. But why go to such lengths? These spells could be done with a basic essence, yet this one uses a high-grade essence. I can't quite understand it."
"Oh, that? The original owner told me it was for the looks. The swagger, you know."
I relayed what I'd heard directly from Lord Rolphline.
He'd said a high-grade essence was needed to perfect the robe's silhouette, accepting the massive waste for that unnecessary size. A regular tailor like Botton might not get it, but my past self did. If you want the perfect drape, you pay the material cost. And since it was a gift from my uncle, it wasn't even my money.
But looking back now, it was pure extravagance. Normally, you'd downsize the essence to cut costs—you don't upscale it just for aesthetics.
"I-is that true?"
"Yeah."
Botton examined the miscellaneous gems and embroidery, then nodded thoughtfully. As an expert, he seemed to grasp Lord Rolphline's artistic soul from my brief explanation and the robe's design alone.
"Indeed, the gems are perfectly sized and placed. This doesn't look like something a counterfeiter could produce."
"So, what's the price?"
"710 gold leaves so far."
I feigned surprise. In my previous life, this robe—lost for a measly 5 gold leaves in gambling— was now worth 710. What a testament to how wastefully I'd lived back then.
The knight hurried over and poked Botton in the side.
"Hey? That's too expensive!"
"Not yet. We're not done."
"Huh?"
"It could go higher. We have to factor in its historical significance."
Botton turned to me with a serious expression.
"If it's truly an emperor's gift, the original owner wasn't some nobody—and the price varies by who that was."
"For example?"
"Take Cloud Grand Duke. If this were his, it'd multiply several times over. It'd be a historical artifact."
Cloud Grand Duke was a senior figure in the Yosrahim imperial family, over 190 years old. By blood, he was something like my great-great-great-granduncle's grandfather.
But this old codger's influence across the continent was no joke. He'd elevated the minor kingdom of Yosrahim in the central plains to imperial status—a legendary general and the continent's strongest swordsman, having reached the pinnacle of Mind Master.
When this grandpa stirred, the world trembled in fear. Plenty of nations had fallen to him alone.
My own Karl Grand Duke lineage, formerly the Kingdom of Karl and part of the shadow forces, had vanished because of him. And that was just the start. He'd forced the Rupert Kingdom in the south to surrender and annexed it, while completely destroying the Orland and Biten Kingdoms to the west, claiming their lands for the empire.
I rubbed my face regretfully. If I'd known, I would've made grandpa wear it at the year-end imperial gathering. What a missed opportunity.
Botton eyed the fabric sharply, lifting it to reveal the imperial crest and the inscription: "To my beloved nephew, a graduation gift."
"Especially this phrase. If this robe belonged to Karl Grand Duke's Heir—one of the emperor's nephews—I'd pay double, no, quadruple what I would for Cloud Grand Duke's."
His out-of-left-field comment made my eyes widen. Me, above Cloud grandpa? I couldn't comprehend.
"Why?"
"Haven't you heard? Recently, Karl Grand Duke's Heir caused a huge scene at Divinum Cathedral and died."
Heard? I was the culprit.
"I heard."
"Yes. No one defiles the sacred Divinum Cathedral like that. But Karl's heir went further: he took the reincarnated Grand Saintess of Light hostage and turned the holy site into a wasteland. Now, he'll go down in history as the epitome of depravity. No greater villain could exist."
"Oh, really?"
"Yes. If this robe's owner is confirmed as Karl Grand Duke's Heir, it'll be the most valuable garment in history. Villains' relics always fetch higher prices than heroes'. Think about it: the cursed robe of the Depraved Duke's Heir. Doesn't it scream story?"
I rolled my eyes. If I left clear proof of ownership on this robe, it could be worth thousands of gold leaves. Selling now would be idiotic.
I hurriedly repacked the bundle.
"Unpack the bundle."
A sharp, feminine voice rang out from behind. As I bundled my things, I turned slowly to look.
"Who might you be...?"
The woman appeared to be in her late twenties, tall and striking with her hair swept up high, secured vertically with a hairpin.
She wore a short black dress that exposed her slender neckline, boldly revealing from her ample bosom down to just below the navel. Black stockings rode high near her hips, adorned with lavish gold thread patterns, while the dress's ornate peacock-wing hem was flipped back, trailing down to her high heels.
'Oh ho. A work of art.'
She exuded a suffocatingly erotic allure. A perfect beauty, different from Shura's style?
Her sharply pointed black hair gleamed with exceptional luster. Her skin was snow-white like frost, and her proportions rivaled Shura's flawless balance.
Above eyes that could draw you in forever, deep purple eyeshadow added intensity, while her pursed lips stood out vividly red against her pale skin. A textbook beauty's face. But what truly captivated me was her ripe, womanly body. Every step unleashed seductive movements that could drive men mad, her curves shifting in dazzling, almost inhuman splendor.
Something felt off, though. A massive black double-headed axe hung over one shoulder, gripped casually in her hand. I worried the weight might snap her high heel.
With graceful poise, she placed a hand on the bundle.
"Hey. What's the chance this robe is Karl Grand Duke's Heir's relic?"
Botton stroked his chin thoughtfully, then replied.
"Eight or nine out of ten."
"Why?"
"The owner's build suggests someone highly trained physically. And Karl's heir was a skilled swordsman."
"That's it?"
"Also, the gold thread is knotted in lightning shapes."
"So?"
"This year is the Year of Lightning Goddess Manubis, right? And Karl's heir graduated this spring."
The woman unpacked the bundle, inspected the contents, and smirked faintly. She was right. The gold knots formed lightning bolts symbolizing Goddess Manubis.