Chapter 4
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 3
Chapter Title: Preparations for the End
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“My lady, has your rebellious phase come back, perhaps...?”
“Would you like me to show you what a *real* rebellious phase looks like?”
“I misspoke. The memory of your last one is horrifying enough.”
Cherry Sinclair's teenage years were, admittedly, marked by a hopelessly naive and whimsical mindset.
So much so that, as an act of defiance against her parents, she once stole the Sinclair family yacht. And not only that—she had the audacity to sail it across the ocean, attempting to flee to another continent.
*My parents and Harrison went through hell trying to find me back then.*
A novice like me crossing the ocean was absurd, even if I knew the basics of sailing a yacht. But by some miracle, the weather stayed perfect the entire time. The heavens must have been on my side.
*Looking back, I really was a hopeless case.*
It's no wonder Harrison thinks I'm a complete lunatic.
In any case, I called his name again, pressing for an answer.
“Harrison.”
“...Very well. It has been a while since we've had an outing, my lady. I'll consider it a short trip, for now.”
I silently cheered at his response.
“However, it will have to be in a few days. I need to procure the weapon you mentioned, and there is some urgent paperwork to handle.”
I was a little disappointed by his condition, of course. Still, it was a relief that he agreed to come. As long as he gets to Brunel within twenty-one days, it's fine.
“Alright, Harrison. I'll be waiting for you in Brunel, then. You have to come quickly. Very quickly.”
“Understood, my lady. I will get there as soon as possible.”
I stressed the urgency one last time. Only after receiving his firm confirmation did I rise from my seat.
Next up: the bank.
* * *
The Central Bank of Benton, the capital.
I planned to take out every loan I possibly could today.
The Sinclair family fortune I was set to inherit was tied up in a trust until I turned twenty. That meant I still had another year to wait.
The monthly dividends from the Sinclair family's businesses were enormous, allowing me to live comfortably, but what I needed now was a far greater sum.
Besides, a portion of those monthly dividends was used for the family's operational expenses. If I were to just take all that cash and disappear, the family retainers and Harrison would be left in the lurch for the month.
Of course, there were other assets like real estate and stocks, but liquidating them would take time, making them useless for my immediate needs.
The only option left was a loan.
“Lady Sinclair, you wish to take out a loan... Surely not? I must have misheard.”
The bank manager, Morton, stared at me, his expression one of utter disbelief. I offered him a bright, cheerful smile.
“You heard me perfectly. That's right.”
“A personal loan of one hundred million gold, are you certain?”
Morton asked again. I nodded without hesitation. That would be more than enough to fund my preparations for the apocalypse.
In truth, with only three weeks left, I wasn't sure if I could even spend that much money. Still, it was better to be safe than sorry. I had to get my hands on as much cash as I could!
*When else would I get the chance to take out a one-hundred-million-gold loan?*
“That's right.”
At my confirmation, Morton nodded dazedly and handed me the paperwork.
“This is just a formality, but may I ask the purpose of the loan?”
“It's to fund my preparations for the end of the world.”
“Do you require assistance?”
“Pardon?”
“If, perhaps, you are being blackmailed, I can discreetly contact Harrison Howard for you...”
Of course, he didn't believe me. I knew I'd be treated like a lunatic for saying something like that. I felt my eyes begin to well up.
“It's nothing like that.”
“Ah. Then is this about your club, perhaps? I had heard a few diamond mines were on the table for the latest wager, but I never imagined it would involve a sum of this magnitude...”
“Mr. Morton. I was joking.”
Until recently, I had been running a high-stakes gambling club—a fitting pastime for a hedonistic, immature heiress.
People called me vulgar and pointed fingers, yet ironically, they all scrambled for a membership. The income and information that flowed from the club were just too useful to pass up.
Morton had likely concluded that I needed fast cash because I'd raised the stakes of my gambling operation.
“I haven't attended the club in quite some time. In fact, I'm planning to hand over its operation soon. But why all the questions? I feel as though I'm being interrogated. Are you, perhaps, looking down on the Sinclair family?”
Flustered, Morton pulled out a handkerchief to wipe the cold sweat from his brow and apologized.
“My apologies. It was just so surprising to hear that the heiress of the Sinclair family—of all people—was taking out such a substantial loan.”
If I could access my inheritance, I wouldn't be in this position! Of course, no one else knew about that restriction.
“It's needed urgently for an overseas business venture. As you know, the Sinclairs have many ongoing projects, so our liquid assets are all tied up at the moment.”
A look of understanding finally dawned on Manager Morton's face, and he smiled brightly. He then quickly had the cash prepared.
Stacks of bills were neatly packed into large bags. The bags looked incredibly heavy. Bringing a few of the Sinclair family's servants had been a very wise decision.
*Cash is king. Long live the rich!*
Soon, the kingdom would collapse, and all this 'money' would become worthless paper. That meant I had to spend it all as quickly as possible to prepare for the end.
*I need to stock up on as many survival supplies as possible.*
All I had to do was survive in a shelter until the protagonists found the cure.
*You can do this, Cherry!*
I was trying to psych myself up as I rose from my seat when the headline of the newspaper Manager Morton was reading caught my eye.
[Monster Ruckus at 61 Notiam Street, More Witnesses Emerge?! Benton Police Department Calls Story "Absurd," Witness Testimonies "Unfounded"...]
It looked like a follow-up to the article I'd read before.
Back then, there had only been a single witness. People had dismissed him as a madman, but this time, there were several.
My blood ran cold. Seeing the article with my own eyes heightened my sense of crisis. I was on edge.
I remembered that right before the novel's main events began, one or two of the virus-infected monsters would appear across the country, like an omen. Having nothing to eat, most of them would die of weakness or be killed on sight.
*But eventually, stronger monsters would appear, and within three weeks, the virus would spread throughout the entire kingdom.*
“...Would you like it?”
I must have been staring. Morton offered me the newspaper from his desk.
“Thank you.”
I was embarrassed, but I took it anyway. I was curious about the story.
I left the bank, quietly reading the newspaper as I went.
On the very night this article was published, the first real monster would appear at the mansion at 61 Notiam Street.
It was also the incident where the female lead, Aurora, would have her first encounter with one of the creatures.
*Wait, isn't that where it appears?*
The Elpinus Herb!
It was an herb that acted as a sort of vaccine.
No one knew where it came from, how it grew, or why it just so happened to be at the mansion at 61 Notiam Street.
*Because the damn novel went on an indefinite hiatus.*
In any case, eating it could prevent infection from a single monster bite. Of course, its effects were limited to that one time.
In the story, Aurora saw the strange-looking herb but had no idea what to do with it, so she simply left it behind.
She wouldn't learn of its properties until two years later, after meeting the scientist male lead. By then, she would be kicking herself for not taking it when she had the chance.
*Right. Before I leave for Brunel, I have to get my hands on that herb.*
Aurora might not know how to use it, but I do.
And if I run into the monster? Well, I'll just have to deal with it. It's only one, and I'm strong.
“Wow... You're so strong, my lady.”
I recalled Susanna's words.
Besides, I used to play cricket as a hobby when I was younger, so I know how to effectively swing something bat-like.
A weapon like an axe, for example.
*Alright, let's do this.*
To be honest, none of this felt real yet. I only remembered these events as words on a page; I'd never actually seen one of the monsters. I had no idea what they were truly capable of.
Perhaps that was why I could muster the courage to do this.
*I absolutely need that Elpinus Herb.*
For now, I would focus on two things: the Elpinus Herb and survival.
* * *
Late at night, at the mouth of an alley on Notiam Street.
I pulled the hood of my robe down low. Peeking out from the alley, I surveyed my surroundings.
Gas lamps illuminated the late-night street, but there were still a fair number of people milling about.
*If I'm not careful, I'll be spotted.*
Of course, I had worn a mask just in case.
The only one I had on hand was a party mask, which I'd worn out of necessity, but it felt a bit too flashy for the occasion.
*As long as no one recognizes my face, it's fine.*
In any case, as I waited for the right moment, I went over the characteristics of the virus-infected monsters in my head.