Slipping Away to Look for 'Money'
The sea breeze was already whispering through the alleys as I prepared to head out and search for money.
Anne looked dazed.
All the goals I had once fought to achieve with my life—my sister’s safety and health.
Every single one of them had vanished overnight.
The real shock came when the doctor finally arrived.
LT__strong>“It was only by a hair that things didn’t turn fatal.”
“What?”
The doctor spoke with excessive courtesy.
The physicians I had met before had been arrogant and only deigned to examine us after bargaining.
Perhaps because of the Count’s recommendation, he treated us kindly despite our poverty.
LT__strong>“The illness has sunk deep into the body. Only a few months… or even days of delay could have been fatal.”
“Ah…”
My heart sank.
I had no idea Amy’s condition was so dire.
‘The Count was right.’
If I had done nothing and just waited for my sister to die…
Even if I had saved every last coin, it would have been too late.
LT__strong>“So now?”
LT__strong>“It will take some time, but she will recover. There is no cause for worry.”
“Ah…!”
LT__strong>“I will prescribe medicine. For the time being, just focus on eating.”
LT__strong>“Thank you! Thank you so much!”
LT__strong>“Haha. Thank the Count instead. He insisted I must treat you, after all.”
What exactly had I done to deserve such kindness?
The Count had said he saw talent in my swordsmanship.
To be honest, I still felt doubtful.
‘…But that isn’t what matters now.’
He had saved my only sister.
That alone was an insurmountable debt.
For his sake, I would have done anything.
My sword, my life, even my entire existence.
“…Sister. What did you mean earlier?”
LT__strong>“Amy, how are you feeling? The medicine seems to be working.”
“More than that—I heard everything. The Count? What exactly did he say?”
LT__strong>“Mmm. I’m just as dazed as you are.”
Worry filled my sister’s face.
She must have feared I was about to do something dangerous.
Before she could misunderstand further, I explained the truth.
…Saying it that way only made things worse.
LT__strong>“I was able to show you to the doctor here.”
LT__strong>“The lord of this place did that?”
LT__strong>“He said he would be honored if I would escort you. This is his payment for it.”
LT__strong>“Good.”
LT__strong>“Huh?”
LT__strong>“At last I’ve met someone who will recognize my true worth.”
LT__strong>“Hee hee. Is that so?”
“Recognize my true worth.”
I hoped that phrase would be true.
Only then could I repay the kindness a little sooner.
‘I wonder if I can really do it.’
I had accumulated a debt far too large.
But then…
“Is this really where my sisters and I will live?”
Anne stared at the house the Count had introduced with a dumbfounded expression.
It was enormous.
No, “enormous” didn’t even come close.
It felt like visiting a small school.
LT__strong>“It was used as an orphanage until recently. Since it was arranged in a hurry, there were no other properties available.”
The furniture and items inside were surprisingly well preserved.
LT__strong>“I wanted to buy you a mansion, but with a sick sister I suppose the closest place is best.”
LT__strong>“I truly love it. Thank you so much.”
It was sincere.
The place we lived in now was always dusty and full of cobwebs.
Compared to that, this felt like a hotel.
Once my sister recovered, she would be able to run around freely.
LT__strong>“Move here quickly so you get used to living here.”
LT__strong>“I understand.”
LT__strong>“And this.”
Read handed her a heavy purse.
When she opened it, it was stuffed with coins.
LT__strong>“What… what is this?!”
LT__strong>“Use it for living expenses. Taking care of a sick sister will cost a lot.”
LT__strong>“We can’t possibly accept such a huge amount!”
LT__strong>“It’s money to keep you from getting distracted by other work. You need to become strong as soon as possible.”
I swallowed hard.
If it weren’t for the burden, it would be a lie.
But I was even more grateful than that.
Who had ever helped someone like me before?
Even the person who had said he believed in me and would help me—none.
LT__strong>“He saved my sister’s life, gave us this house, and even gave us money. How could I possibly repay all of this?”
LT__strong>“What nonsense is that.”
LT__strong>“Ah, I’m sorry…”
I had unconsciously spoken in a weak tone.
I had only just been appointed as his escort.
A person like me speaking weakly…
LT__strong>“Compared to your talent, even this is nothing.”
Anne stared at Read in a daze.
LT__strong>“You are destined to become the greatest swordsman on this sea. If you serve as my escort, this is nothing at all.”
There wasn’t the slightest trace of doubt on his face.
It truly felt like that would happen.
LT__strong>“The greatest swordsman on this sea…”
Sword Saint.
Just starting my training now.
And I was a woman.
To me, that was an infinitely distant realm.
I even wondered if that realm would ever be visible.
But…
LT__strong>“Does the Count truly believe I will become that?”
LT__strong>“Of course.”
The man who had saved both my sister and my life.
My benefactor who was so dear spoke those words.
So I decided to believe in it once more.
LT__strong>“I understand. From today, I will train even harder.”
LT__strong>“Don’t push yourself too hard. Getting used to living here comes first.”
LT__strong>“No. I will show results as quickly as possible.”
As soon as possible, no matter how small.
I wanted to prove my worth to the man before me.
If I failed, I would be betraying his trust.
LT__strong>“Understood. Then I will check once a month.”
LT__strong>“What rank do you desire?”
LT__strong>“Hmm… I suppose I need to be able to defeat a Knight at least.”
Read had considered his two sentences separately and said his final goal was to defeat a Knight.
But I heard it completely differently.
‘By next month I’ll check. That means I need to defeat a Knight before then. Since he has helped me, I have to do at least that much.’
It was an absurd statement by any common sense.
Yet…
Why did it feel completely natural?
‘If he says it, there must be reason behind it.’
Fanatic belief filled Anne’s eyes.
I just had to become a lord.
If the lord told me to, I had to do it.
There was no room for doubt or objection.
‘I have to repay the kindness no matter what.’
Much faster than in the original story.
Armed with a grand and certain goal that had never existed before, the sea’s greatest swordsman awakened his talent.
****
The scent of the sea hung heavy in every village alley.
The season of seafood had truly begun.
The fishermen’s bountiful hauls were about to transform the market scene.
Yet even in the midst of it, some people couldn’t smile.
“Is this really right…?”
They were the vassals and staff of the Nelson Estate.
The Nelson Estate had been attacked from many directions lately.
In that situation, Read’s command was beyond strange.
LT__strong>“Gather as much seaweed as possible. The more the better. Even if it’s too much, gather it quickly.”
Using so many people just to collect seaweed?
Of course, it wasn’t plain seaweed. He had explained the details.
The problem was that this was a weed no one bought anywhere.
LT__strong>“What exactly is the Count thinking?”
LT__strong>“I have no idea why he wants us to gather this weed.”
LT__strong>“Was lowering unemployment really the goal?”
LT__strong>“Economy must flow. Otherwise it’s just pouring water into a leaking bucket.”
Economic retaliation from several estates was ongoing.
They didn’t even have enough time to rebuild the businesses that had collapsed.
Why were they issuing such useless orders?
‘He really must have a plan…’
Fortunately, because it was the Count’s own money, everyone worked silently.
Only Read sat relaxed in the office.
LT__strong>“No ordinary business can raise this estate.”
The Nelson Estate mainly consisted of primary industries.
Fishermen caught fish from the sea.
Farmers grew crops or gathered edible plants from the mountains.
LT__strong>“It is necessary to survive…”
Unfortunately, due to inherent limits, the profits were small.
At best, we sold rare mushrooms or herbs.
LT__strong>‘If we could turn it into a cash cow and make it stable…’
Of course, such businesses didn’t appear overnight.
But as a reincarnator, what did I have to lose?
Read now knew exactly the kind of business that would be perfect at this timing.
If it succeeded, it would solve all financial worries for years to come.
LT__strong>‘If I wait, opportunities will always come. Now is the time to prepare for it.’
Read was certain of success.
He leisurely spread out a map.
The newspapers that brought information from every corner of the sea had provided huge hints in the game.
New cultists have appeared in the sea. Horrible fanatics even resorting to cannibalism!
Hestia Church. All healing services have suddenly been canceled. No response even when asked for reasons.
Sudden migration? A cult party that claims to rule the estate.
Drake family’s eldest son appointed Knight. News he will receive the title of youngest Sword Master.
Lefer family. All commerce has suddenly stopped. Complaints exploding.
A smile lifted Read’s lips.
‘It’s about time, huh.’
As in any fantasy, religion existed here too.
The Hestia Church, which worshipped the goddess Hestia.
Their power was said to surpass that of the king.
LT__strong>‘In terms of actual influence, it’s even stronger.’
Because of the sea and islands, all kinds of cults and religions held sway.
Yet the Hestia Church dominated.
That was because of the healing services they performed based on their superior divine power.
LT__strong>‘Medicine wasn’t completely undeveloped, but the islanders couldn’t receive that benefit anyway.’
They suddenly stopped those healing services?
It was like they were lowering their own influence.
Doing that meant they had faced a critical matter.
LT__strong>‘Or they judged it too dangerous to send their followers.’
At this timing, the only possible event was this one.
By now the church would have a fire burning at their feet.
They would throw an enormous reward at anyone who could put it out.
“Is there anyone here?”
LT__strong>“Y-yes! Did you call?”
LT__strong>“Send a telegram to the Hestia Church.”
LT__strong>“A telegram? Not a letter?”
LT__strong>“This is urgent.”
LT__strong>“Ah, then I’ll need a magic mirror.”
Magic mirrors could send videos, telegrams, and more.
They were expensive and consumed many magic stones.
Yet in the sea, they were considered essential.
LT__strong>“What should I say in the telegram?”
LT__strong>“The Black Devil is coming.”
The staff sighed inwardly.
I don’t know what that means, but…
The church was the one roaming the entire sea and wielding influence.
A mere estate lord sending a telegram—would they even reply?
LT__strong>‘Are you suffering so much that you want to build faith in the foundation?’
The vassals felt the same.
Still, it was far better than the letters my sister used to send.
Everyone was in despair and looking for their own path.
LT__strong>“R-Right away, contact has arrived!”
Surprisingly, the church replied immediately.
LT__strong>“It’s not just a simple message. The Archbishop himself will come personally. Can you prepare a place for him…?”
LT__strong>“Hmm. Interesting.”
It was unbelievable.
Estates that begged for even one visit to the church.
An island village’s dream was simply to have one church.
The Archbishop was coming because of a single telegram?
LT__strong>“What kind of magic are you using?”
LT__strong>“I don’t know, so this is a good chance to tell you.”
Read answered as if it were obvious.
LT__strong>“The Black Devil is a euphemism for plague.”