Hero of Money
"...It's that time already."
The long vacation seems to be coming to an end. The academy's opening ceremony is tomorrow, after all.
"Kania, what's for lunch today?"
As I processed paperwork in the mansion's office, a sudden hunger pang hit me, and I tossed out the question.
"Today's lunch is barbecue."
"Sounds delicious... Huh?"
I reflexively started praising the voice that replied, but quickly realized it wasn't Kania's and turned my head.
"Irina?"
"I'm handling lunch and dinner today. Kania needs a little rest too."
"Ah... I see."
Irina had returned to the mansion yesterday. I nodded quietly at her words, then gave her a puzzled look.
"Irina, where have you been all this time?"
"I went off for some training."
"Training? You could do that in our garden..."
"Training to use the black magic inside me."
With that, Irina extended her hand and began emitting black magic. To think she could wield black magic so easily just because it was inside her—she really is a genius.
"Frey, I have one favor to ask."
As I watched her, lost in thought, Irina's expression turned serious.
"If anything dangerous happens in the future... use this scroll."
"Dangerous?"
"Yeah, like... if your identity is about to be exposed."
She pulled a scroll inscribed with colorful magic circles from her bosom and handed it to me.
"Using it then will protect you."
"Irina? This is..."
Before I could say anything, Irina finished with a resolute look and slipped out of the room.
"...What the hell?"
I stared at the scroll for a long while before tucking it away and standing up.
'Well, it's from Irina, so it shouldn't be dangerous.'
I downed the coffee on the desk, shoved the papers aside, and rose to my feet.
- Creak...
"Eek!"
As I opened the door coffee cup in hand, a terrified scream came from below.
"A-ah, h-hello, sir..."
Looking down, I saw the little girl I'd brought from the market street last time.
"What are you doing here? You're Lulu's property."
"I-I was just... telling Lulu about lunchtime..."
"Fine, go on then."
She was still sweating bullets from fear of me, but I brushed her off indifferently and headed down the stairs past her dazed expression.
"M-Master Frey, thank you for treating my sister..."
"Treating your sister? No idea what you're talking about."
When she tried to thank me, I cut her off in panic, and she looked confused.
"B-But... she was admitted to the hospital today..."
"Beats me. I have no interest in you pets of Lulu's."
I spoke coldly to her as I descended the stairs, then added softly,
"So thank Lulu for showing mercy to filthy things like you."
Though my words were harsh, I couldn't stop the grin on my lips. I'd been the one who sent the gravely ill boy to a healer at Lulu's request.
I always think it—doing good deeds is fun.
......
""G-Greetings...""
Lulu and her maids bowed to Frey, who was already seated in the dining hall in an arrogant pose.
"Lulu, come sit by me."
"Y-Yes, Master..."
Frey watched them with a soft voice, calling Lulu to his side.
"P-Please, eat up."
Once Lulu was on his lap, blushing, the maids hesitantly reached for the food.
"You can use knives and forks."
But when Lulu hurriedly added that, the maids paled and bowed their heads.
"W-We apologize! Forgive us!"
"We're sorry... so sorry!"
They'd been called "pets" by their master, locked in dark warehouses or prisons without a sliver of light, fed only scraps. Naturally, utensils were forbidden.
They'd instinctively reached with bare hands.
"Just this once, please forgive us..."
Realizing their mistake, the maids pleaded with terrified eyes at Frey, fearing the violence they'd endured for years—like breathing—would resume after this first blunder post-training.
"Lulu, try this. It's rare."
But instead of the expected whipping or punches, Frey simply fed Lulu on his lap.
"Ah..."
"Good girl."
As Lulu blushed and ate, Frey smiled and began chatting.
"Lulu, you're managing your pets well, right?"
"Y-Yes, Master..."
"Good. As we agreed last time, they're yours, so take responsibility. Got it?"
"Y-Yes, sir."
Lulu nodded quickly, and Frey, satisfied, turned to the maids.
"What are you waiting for? Eat."
The maids paled again and reached for utensils.
"Listen while you eat. I have something to say."
Though they'd learned utensils over weeks with Lulu, Frey's ominous words froze them mid-motion, food untouched.
Was this it? Frey revealing his true colors? Was Lulu in on it? Was their brief happiness ending, hell resuming?
"Starting tomorrow, you'll live at Sunrise Academy."
""What?!""
Their dark thoughts shattered as they blurted out in unison.
"Lulu returns to the academy tomorrow. Can't have her pets left behind."
"B-But... we can't even read or write..."
"Not my problem. Figure it out."
Frey cut off the trembling maid, stood, gently placed Lulu in her chair, and said,
"Enjoy your meal."
"W-Where are you going?"
"Lulu, what did I say about handling pets?"
"Th-Thank you for the meal..."
"Exactly. Just say that. See you."
As Frey left, all eyes turned to Lulu.
"Uh, well... you see..."
Lulu glanced awkwardly at the maids' fearful stares, then at Kania, who'd been sneaking peeks.
"You're not enrolling at Sunrise Academy... You're being hired as maids in the commoner dorms."
""Us?!""
"Yes. Master Frey ordered you into the academy no matter what."
Kania's expression shifted instantly as she explained.
"You're lucky Master has no interest in you. If he did... you'd be in the basement."
The maids blanched at "basement," and Kania smiled gently.
"But he sees you as gifts to Lulu—'objects.' That's why I could pull this off."
"Pull what off?"
"Yes. I suggested putting you in the academy."
The maids gaped at her.
"He has no interest now, but staying here long-term makes you targets eventually."
Kania lifted her jacket slightly for them.
""......!!""
Numerous scars and handprints marred her body, concentrated on sensitive areas in vivid red.
"This just happened."
She pointed to the fresh handprint on her neck with a wry smile.
"You've suffered enough hell. I can't let you endure this. So I'm evacuating you to the academy, not the mansion."
"B-But... the academy has Frey too, doesn't it?"
Kania tapped the table thoughtfully before replying.
"The academy's safer. Lots of eyes, and he only slips out when he wants to head to the basement."
"Ah..."
"And it's not just to protect you from him."
As confusion returned, Kania stood.
"Work as maids and learn to read there. Master that, and you'll enroll properly."
""R-Really?!""
"Enjoy your meal."
Leaving the stunned maids, Kania smiled and ascended the stairs.
"Th-Thank you!"
Nearly at the top, one girl stood and bowed in thanks.
""Thank you...!""
The others followed suit.
"Haa."
Kania sighed softly, resuming her mechanical expression as she walked the hall.
- Shooo...
With each step, her scars faded.
- Knock knock knock
Once the hideous marks mostly vanished in black smoke, Kania softly knocked on Frey's door.
"Did you hear their thanks?"
"That was for you, Kania."
"I merely followed orders. You know that."
Inside, she bantered with her foolish young master.
"Anyway, Kania, does it hurt?"
"Pardon?"
"I asked for handprints all over. They're still there, so it must've hurt..."
"To avoid penalties for you, it had to be thorough."
Frey nodded worriedly.
"Still, can't black magic make handprints? You did last time."
"Sigh. Scars are easy, handprints hard."
"So I'll have to do them myself from now on?"
"...Yes."
Kania averted her eyes, flustered, then spotted something on the desk.
"Young master, this...?"
"Yeah, that damn old man's creation."
Curious, Kania picked it up.
Wearing this robe perfectly conceals your identity.
(However, physical and magical abilities are severely reduced.)
Reading the tag on the black robe, Kania frowned.
"How weak do you get wearing this?"
"Can't even swing a sword properly. Star magic? One flash at best."
"Then... no matter the stealth, it's useless?"
Disappointed, Kania spoke, but Frey grinned and stood.
"Kania, what's the most powerful thing I wield right now?"
"Star mana?"
He shook his head. Kania pondered.
"Your looks?"
Frey scowled slightly. Kania bowed.
"Sorry, I don't know."
Frey took the robe, draped it on, donned a white mask from his bosom, and answered.
"...Money."
"Pardon?"
Peering at his now-blurry figure, Kania repeated. He toyed with a glowing red gold coin.
"Heroes, Demon Kings—money solves it all."
......
That night, in a shadowy corner of the market alley.
"Knowing this place means you're no amateur."
Count Yustiano, emperor or ruler of the back alleys, spoke lowly to the black-robed, white-masked figure on the sofa in arrogant repose.
"But how long will you hide?"
"This gold coin's giving you headaches, right?"
"...That."
The mysterious man placed a ruby-smoking gold coin on the desk. Yustiano clenched his fist, losing composure.
"Counterfeit with a curse bringing misfortune—spreading slowly in your turf."
"Hmph..."
"The empire goes mad over counterfeits. If exposed, it'll be a sight."
Provoked, Yustiano signaled his men silently.
"Don't try it. Letter's already to the palace. Unless I cancel, you're done."
"...Who are you?"
The man's calm tone made Yustiano grit his teeth.
"Doesn't matter. I have a proposal."
Ignoring the arrogance, the man continued.
"Hah."
Yustiano glared, then withdrew the signal. The figure resisted top detection and illusion spells—too risky to attack. And despite the leverage, he offered a "proposal," smelling of profit.
"Straight to it: sell me ownership of the market alleys in the capital."
"What?"
Yustiano frowned again.
"Got the cash?"
"Not the time to quibble."
"Selling your golden goose for free? Suspicious—neither of us survives scrutiny."
"Timid for a back-alley emperor."
"Emperors always have rivals eyeing the throne. Mine? Plenty."
Stroking his beard, he continued.
"And you know: my men and influence everywhere. Ownership without me? Useless."
"Then?"
"Full price. Generous, even."
The man sighed, placing a magic contract on the desk.
"Check it."
Hesitant, Yustiano touched it and smirked.
"Who the hell are you really?"
"Told you, doesn't matter."
"Work with me ongoing?"
Seeing the vast gold, Yustiano shifted. The man smiled faintly.
"Cash upfront."
The next morning, full ownership of the capital's market alleys transferred to the mysterious figure.
A refreshing debut for Frey's shadow identity, soon dubbed the Hero of Money.