So, Whose Face Should I Fix First?
“There’s really only one way to protect Gold Territory from the threat of black magic. Gold Territory has to prepare itself for an invasion by black mages.”
As Cache continued her explanation, she manipulated the crystal orb, and the image projected on the wall shifted from previous screens to photos filled with Eastern-style buildings. Cache flipped through pictures of what was clearly the East Continent region like PPT slides, pressing on with her briefing.
“What you’re seeing now is the Hoblood Clan after they completed installing a defensive barrier using mana stones. These are photos that Grand Matriarch Minsia asked me to pass on before she left for the South Continent.”
Without me even asking, my right-hand woman Cache had gathered all this material on her own. Watching her usual efficiency, I didn’t regret her incentive pay one bit.
“And as you can see, the most effective method is to erect a defensive barrier using mana stones. Though it’s hard to tell from these photos viewed through the crystal orb, intel confirmed through the witches suggests that black mages don’t cast any special spells—they just grow stronger the moment they enter the barrier.”
“But we can’t use that method right away, can we?”
This simple yet effective solution was impossible to implement immediately. Cache, well aware of the situation, nodded and answered my question.
“Exactly. The barrier that can block black mage invasions—as you know, Director—can only be made using mana stones from the North, specifically from the Lancaster Duchy. But with the Northern Duke running off to the South Continent with Grand Matriarch Minsia, we can’t get a supply right now.”
“Hmm……”
I already knew the situation, but hearing Cache reiterate it brought out a faint sigh. Sure, I’d given them a nudge, but the love-struck Northern Duke Tolstoy had bolted to the South Continent without a single follow-up measure on the mana stones.
The Lancaster Duchy monopolized all mana stones produced domestically. And most of that revenue came from what the invincible Northern Duke obtained from monsters. Of course, the subjugation teams in the North—excluding Tolstoy—also processed the endless stream of monsters and yielded no small amount of mana stones. But those were all allocated to existing clients.
While the Northern Duke was still in the Lancaster Duchy, he’d authorized temporary new deals through sparring matches on his orders. The problem was that idiot Northern Duke abandoning everything related to it and fleeing to the South Continent.
“We’ve sent formal letters multiple times requesting to purchase mana stones from the Lancaster Duchy, but they say new transactions can only proceed once the Northern Duke returns. Even appealing to your personal friendship with him got shot down flat—they insist private ties and official business must be separated.”
“Hmm……”
Tolstoy was an utter moron who lacked any dignity or virtue as a duchy’s lord aside from his raw power. Yet his subordinates showed surprisingly high loyalty, cutting off personal connections as ruthlessly as Rachel would. In the absence of their duke, it was only natural from their perspective.
The Lancaster Duchy was practically a monopoly on Northern mana stones, so they had no reason to feel the pinch. The desperate ones were people like us, frantic to buy mana stones.
As I scowled, thinking of the meticulous Lancaster folk—so unlike the sloppy Tolstoy—Cache resumed her explanation.
“The only way to detect black mages is with Northern mana stones. But we can’t just sit idle because the Lancaster Duchy won’t sell us any. So, we have no choice but to track down territories that bought mana stones from the Lancaster Duchy and repurchase them. Now, let’s look at the screen together.”
Cache swiped over the crystal orb, sliding the PPT-like display sideways. Then she pulled a long pointer from her pocket and circled an area on the screen, as if directing attention.
Gold Territory Analysis
Defensive Barrier Requirement: 52 mana stones
Current Stock: 16 mana stones
Shortfall: 36 mana stones
“Analyzing Gold Territory’s area, we need a total of 52 mana stones for the defensive barrier. And we currently hold 16 mana stones. We’re short 36.”
“36…… Not a small number, but not an insane amount either?”
Beauty Tower’s overall inventory and management had been handed over to Cache, freeing me up. If we’d already accumulated 16 from the mana stones I’d casually tossed to Tolstoy during his tattoo and laser treatments, 36 didn’t seem impossible.
“Well…… It’s not that simple.”
But Cache shook her head, indicating my thinking was off.
“Northern mana stones differ from those mined in dungeons, so demand always outstrips supply. That’s why market listings are extremely scarce.”
“It’s not just scarce—it’s practically nonexistent on the open market.”
Rachel, who’d been listening quietly, pushed up her slipping glasses and took over.
“A mana stone supplied by the Lancaster Duchy costs 2,000 gold each. But market transactions range from 4,000 to 6,000 gold.”
“W-what? Northern mana stones were always that expensive?”
My jaw dropped at the revelation that the mana stones Tolstoy handed over nonchalantly were worth over 200 million KRW each—and secondhand prices were two or three times higher! Seeing Rachel nod impassively fueled a volcanic rage inside me.
Damn it, I should’ve squeezed him for more! I was too complacent.
Tolstoy tossed mana stones my way during visits like they were tangerines bagged alongside procedure fees. And each was 2,000 gold?! No wonder he never batted an eye at my fees, always gesturing for me to name my price—that nonchalance stemmed from mana stones. The shock and horror hit like realizing he was an oil prince’s spoiled heir. His casual speech, wastrel antics—it all clicked perfectly now.
“Yes, but the bigger issue is there are no listings on the market even if you offer premiums.”
Still reeling from the prices, I barely closed my mouth as Cache continued.
“Even though Sky Tower claims they’re investigating traces of black magic and black mages themselves, they’ve never clearly disclosed results. Usually, after a long delay, they just announce through magic towers that the black magic issue has been ‘resolved satisfactorily.’”
“But rumors spread faster than feet. Families worried about Sky Tower’s lukewarm response—especially those holding Northern mana stones—won’t sell no matter the price, preparing for potential black mage invasions.”
“Hmm…… Money’s money, but some things money can’t buy……”
Cache and Rachel had no flaws in their logic. Families who could afford mana stones weren’t short on cash anyway.
“So, what’s the solution? Have we found a way to get the mana stones?”
“Hehe, of course. Rachel will show you.”
Smooth—
“Take a look at this list.”
“……What’s this?”
Rachel smirked coldly, like a villain, and pulled a thick stack of documents from her subspace pouch, handing it to me.
Families receiving monthly mana stone supplies from Lancaster Duchy.
Total: 17 families + West Continent Imperial Family + East Continent Imperial Family = 19 entities
“This is information on families receiving monthly mana stone supplies from the Lancaster Duchy. It’s classified, so I’m showing paper documents only—please understand.”
“One, two…… 17 families, plus the West Continent Imperial Family and East Continent Imperial Family makes 19 in total?”
Muttering as I flipped through the handed documents, Rachel leaned in close, like we were sharing secrets.
“Yes. Including each empire’s imperial family with 2 mana stones apiece, or 3 per family excluding them—that’s more than enough to cover what Gold Territory needs.”
“That’s obvious, but…… it’s not easy, right? Not a single family on this list is a pushover.”
The more I scanned Rachel’s list, the darker my expression grew. My own baronial house was vaguely listed, but most were marquisates, duchies, or untouchable local magnates.
“From here, I’ll show it via crystal orb. But it’s classified, so strict security please.”
“What the hell is it?”
Rachel grinned slyly, like she was about to rob a bank vault, while Cache—already in sync—swiped the crystal orb to display a screen packed with people’s photos.
Personal records and physical descriptions of key figures from families receiving monthly mana stones from Lancaster Duchy.
Priority: Sorted by urgency of cosmetic treatment needs.
Confidential—Eyes Only
“Huh? T-that’s?”
“Hehe, I organized it in the crystal orb based on data from Rachel. Photos make it more accurate. What you’re seeing are the personal profiles and mugshots of the heads of those Lancaster-supplied families.”
“As I said, confidential, Director.”
“……”
Cache, the money-sniffing hound. Rachel, who’d drill money holes by any means. Together, they’d produced not just classified info, but data sourced from shady back channels.
“I thought contacting them in order of most urgent cosmetic needs from this list would be best…… Of course, if this approach bothers you……”
As I stared silently at the joint creation on screen, lost in thought, Cache cautiously gauged my reaction.
“It bothers me. A lot.”
“……Th-then alternatives: wait for contact from the Northern Duke and Grand Matriarch Minsia, or conduct our own investigation into black magic traces—”
“So many patients in dire need of treatment, and they don’t even know it yet—that bothers me greatly.”
“Ah? Ahaha, right?”
Of course. I didn’t care how they got the data. My job was just to do mine.
“You two worked hard compiling this. Now, let’s decide whose face to fix first. Alright, let’s see…… So, whose face should I fix first?”
Cache and Rachel’s dossiers and mugshots of high nobles. All I had to do was extract beauty’s price from them using this intel.