The Song of Wealth and Beauty
Evening had fallen.
The streets of the territory, now swallowed by darkness, were still brightly lit. Even a backwater estate like this had a decent population, after all.
I held a meeting with Winz.
“From what I saw while wandering around, security is ridiculously tight. As expected, getting in won’t be easy…”
“First, let’s go over what we’ve found.”
I pulled out several documents—information I’d bought with cold hard cash.
Winz’s eyes went wide.
“My goodness, there’s more than just one or two things here?”
“Some came from reclusive informants, others from merchants. I compiled everything.”
At least this territory wasn’t some obscure city that barely appeared in the original story. It was a place tied to the protagonist, so I could actually use the intel.
I felt rather proud of myself for remembering the geography so well.
I spread the papers out one by one.
“The businesses these guys dabble in are mostly liquor and food service. The most famous one is Messi’s Song, the biggest pub in our territory.”
“Ah, you know that place! They’ve got a World Cup set right now—fried snacks and the best draft beer!”
“…You go there a lot?”
“H-huh? N-no… I only go sometimes with the other maids when I’m stressed.”
Must be nice. I wouldn’t mind slamming back some ice-cold draft beer myself, but I’ve got too much to handle right now. Winz fidgeted, perhaps misreading my expression.
“…Want to go together next time?”
“Going with a beauty like you would be great. But let’s finish this first.”
“Hehe, okay!”
She grinned right away. What a goof.
Winz clapped her hands and offered an idea.
“If it’s a pub that big, wouldn’t gang members gather there too?”
“Exactly. That’s what I’m counting on.”
Apparently, pubs in any decent-sized city hold anniversaries. On those days, staff and higher-ups show up. This place probably wasn’t any different.
“As expected of my lady’s foresight…! Ah, but there’s a problem.”
Winz paused, something clearly on her mind. A short sigh slipped from her pink lips. She shook her head, orange hair swaying.
“It’s impossible. A place that famous will have even more gang eyes on it.”
“From what I saw, there weren’t any prayers outside. Probably inside, though.”
“Yes. We’ll need a disguise.”
I leaned back in my chair. It felt more comfortable, but my heart was still racing. Plotting someone’s downfall was always exciting.
“I’ve already thought of a way.”
“What is it? Tell me, tell me!”
“It’s you, Winz.”
“Me…?”
I pointed at her. She blinked in surprise, pointed at herself, then tilted her head. Cute.
“Yeah. Operation codename: 007—The Spy Who Loved Someone.”
I laid out the rough plan. Since the pub was gang-managed, someone like me whose face was already known would have a hard time getting in. It would draw too much attention. But what if someone unknown went instead?
Maids like Winz were everywhere in this world. No one would care who she served. Plus, she was ridiculously versatile.
After hearing everything, Winz clasped her hands together in admiration and agreed. I was grateful.
“Then I’ll go get ready!”
“Alright. I’ll go see Father.”
I planned to move tonight. No point in letting the gang breathe any longer. Time to sacrifice yourselves for me!
I met Blaken, the head of the family, and explained the outline, asking for permission.
Why bother asking?
In reality, this isn’t a web novel. The protagonist can’t just run around causing trouble like some spoiled brat. It’s the same as a prince getting executed the moment he ignores the king’s words.
Besides, as a noble I’d already failed to maintain decorum, and a woman who wasn’t even the head stirring up trouble would hand Mirinda the perfect weakness to exploit.
But if I’d already discussed it with the head in advance?
That changed everything.
I smiled inwardly as Blaken stroked his chin.
“This… Can you actually pull it off?”
“Yes. The plan is flawless.”
“Still, something like this happened and no one told me?”
“Father, if I may be so bold—keep the sycophants around you at arm’s length. Do you know why the once-mighty Cocaine Holy Kingdom fell?”
I meant every word.
Blaken, at least you have real skill. And you’re decent at heart.
I continued sincerely, like a loyal retainer advising a king.
“People can’t cover up sins just because they like someone, and they can’t ignore merits just because they dislike someone. I trust you’ll judge wisely.”
Blaken finally nodded. At least he wasn’t blindly protecting Mirinda.
“Very well. I permit it.”
As expected, I got the green light.
“Please keep this matter strictly confidential. I’ll handle it my way.”
“I intend to. It seems I’ve been too negligent of my surroundings.”
That’s how you clean things up, one by one. Not so hard, is it? For you.
I bowed.
“Then have a peaceful night, Father.”
I withdrew, pulled a thick hood low over my head, and left the mansion.
As I crossed the garden, Winz appeared wearing a coat.
“My lady, shall we go?”
Moonlight poured down, shattering across the garden. Bathed in that fragile yet beautiful glow, Winz shone like a saintess from legend—wearing an endlessly warm and captivating smile.
“Yeah. Let’s go start a fun little rebellion.”
Though it probably wouldn’t be fun, and it definitely wasn’t a rebellion.
First, we headed for the guard post near Messi’s Song pub. I planned to contact a few gang underlings I’d identified through my sources.
One advantage gangs have over armed soldiers…
Thud, thud, thump.
As we approached, several shady-looking underlings spotted us and sneered.
“A noble? Do you even know where you are?”
“Did you come here to die?”
“You think a noble like you gets the red carpet?”
Hostile, as expected—but it was just bluster. If they were serious, they would’ve swung already. Besides, I was the family’s discarded, low-class noble.
Without a word, I held out a pouch stuffed with gold.
“I’m starting a business. I’ve got a dancer ready. Hook her up with a proper spot.”
The underlings accepted the pouch in a daze. They peeked inside, and every single one of them had their pupils quake.
“H-holy… How much is this?”
“For the record, this is our little secret. Meaning you can split it among yourselves and no one will know.”
Normally, gang underlings handed every coin up the chain. But a bribe like this became a secret only we knew—they could keep it all.
Since I’d become a noble lady, I might as well throw some wealth around.
The underlings instantly switched to groveling.
“Ah, of course, Lady Queen!”
“Is the one behind you the dancer? Ooh, and an elf!”
“Face and figure both top-notch. Krah, perfect timing—it’s VIP day!”
Winz and I exchanged glances and smiled. So far, so good.
No matter what happens, Winz is stronger than me. She can handle herself.
I pulled out another pouch to really soak their brains.
“I don’t know what VIP day is, but I’d like to experience it too.”
“Of course, my lady! From today on, you’re VVIP! Ehehet!”
“Why don’t you boys go have a drink somewhere else with that money? Maybe grab some women while you’re at it.”
“Oh my, such good sense! With this much, it’s obviously a done deal!”
“Wait a second…!”
One bald gang member suddenly tried to seize control of the mood. Winz and I both tensed.
What was he planning?
The bald man looked between us and his colleague.
“By the way, what does VIP stand for?”
What? This ignorant bastard.
His colleague sighed and clicked his tongue.
“You moron. It means Very Important Partner, obviously!”
“Ah… V is Very, I is Important… Aha. As expected, someone who went to the neighborhood school is on another level?”
“Keh, you punk. Khahahaha!”
What? These absolute idiots.
The sight of them laughing among themselves was absurd.
Just like that, Winz and I slipped inside.
A hot, humid wave hit us, but near the draft-beer machine the air turned pleasantly cool thanks to some magic-engineering device keeping everything fresh and chilled.
The classic noisy, rowdy fantasy tavern scene unfolded—drunkards shouting, adventurers playing cards or recruiting party members.
We took a decent seat. Winz was probably getting introduced in the waiting room by now.
While I casually sipped a drink, the host stepped onto the stage.
“We’ve kept you waiting! Today is VIP day! My heart’s trembling too-dei!”
His lines are so damn cheesy, fuck. Typical gangster brain.
I barely swallowed a sigh. I couldn’t draw attention yet.
The host grinned and shouted.
“Plenty of guests today as well!”
He made eye contact one by one. I followed his gaze and spotted several heavy-looking men who resembled back-alley thugs.
Those the gang VIPs?
One of them was even a Cross tribe member—easiest to spot because of their appearance.
That’s the bastard, huh?
I steadied my breathing. The host kept stoking the fire.
“This time we have an ultra-special new dancer! First, let’s enjoy her dance moves—come on up!”
The host stepped aside. Winz, dressed as a dancer, took the stage with her backup dancers.
She flashed a foxy eye-smile and began to sway.
Flashy yet steady, elegant without a hint of cheapness.
“Ooooooh, she’s fucking incredible!”
“Insanely pretty. If she dated me I’d even name our grandson.”
“Her butt’s kinda meh though. A woman needs big tits, beeeh.”
“Shake more! More! Mooore!”
The crowd was far more enthusiastic than I expected.
Holy shit, this much?
What? I see Winz every single day. Why was she suddenly an ultra-popular star here?
Even the Sinbad-looking Cross tribe member was jumping and cheering.
Enjoy it while you can. Your days are numbered.
I smirked and slipped my hand into the pocket inside my hooded robe.
Time to start, I suppose?
I pulled out two items I’d swept from the blacksmith—both lowest grade.
For reference, the person called the protagonist in this world had a special privilege: Force Heart promotion. And I could use it too.
Now it begins. Force Heart promotion!
To advance from Runner Initial to Intermediate, two lowest-grade items were required—assuming the level condition was also met.
A pure white light enveloped me. But no one could turn to look.
Because an explosion had just erupted on stage.