Count Shade wore a subtle expression at my words.
He’d just heard that some monster was stealing and eating the estate’s grapes. Any lord would react that way.
“Excellent, magician. I thank you for your courage.”
“It was nothing. I only used a little magic.”
It really was nothing.
So give me the money.
Right now.
The count smiled contentedly and opened his mouth.
“I’d like to see your face. Would you remove your robe?”
“Of course.”
I confidently removed my robe. I could show my face anytime.
My appearance was fully revealed in the reception room below.
Immediately, the count inhaled sharply. The aides around him also flinched.
You feel sorry for me because I burned my face at a young age, right?
So give me lots of money.
Quickly.
“What happened to your face?”
“There was an unfortunate accident. An accident I didn’t intend at all.”
“For a woman to have such a terrible…”
The count trailed off.
Misfortune was the easiest way to move people’s hearts.
There’s a reason why web novels often start with the protagonist as an orphan. That’s how much unfortunate narratives evoke people’s immersion.
The orphan start in web novels isn’t for that reason?
Never mind.
“Tenner.”
“You called, Count?”
“Give this person 10 gold coins as a reward.”
“Understood.”
I received the pouch of gold coins and left the Count’s castle.
Ten gold coins.
I don’t know if it’s a lot or a little for killing a monster hiding in the ground.
Considering it only damaged a few grapevines and the process was very clean, shouldn’t I get 20?
He’s a Count, alright. His heart is made of steel.
To calmly give a reward even after receiving my mental attack.
Next time I see him, I should roll up my sleeves and show him my arms too.
“Ruina, how was it?”
“It was good. I got 10 gold coins.”
“Ten gold coins…”
Chris’s eyes glazed over. It’s because he’s desperate for money right now.
It was similar to how a person on the verge of starvation would fixate on bread.
Fortunately, Chris didn’t lose all his fortune.
He only left enough capital to get back on his feet and gambled on grape wine, so instead of jumping into the Grapeton River, Chris bought goods.
“If you sell the grapes in other regions, you can make a lot of money. Even more if it’s a region that can’t get fresh fruit.”
“I thought you’d be living a solid life after being burned so badly, but you’re the same as ever?”
“Ruina, people die if they change suddenly.”
Happy Medieval Land’s transportation technology wasn’t developed. The maximum was transporting goods in a wagon, and in that environment, grapes would rot in a few days.
There was a reason why you could make a lot of money selling grapes in other regions. It was hard to sell them, so you made a lot of money.
“I have a plan.”
“Chris, please check carefully if that plan is really valid. It’s not that other people couldn’t think of that method, but it might be because they tried it and failed.”
“I’m different.”
He was different. I didn’t expect him to gamble again right after failing at a life-or-death gamble.
Or maybe his brain has already changed to that, and he can’t do anything else?
I think so.
Anyway.
I looked around the inn’s hall.
One person was missing.
“Where did Leon go?”
“Leon is investigating the village.”
“Why?”
“He said that if such a strange monster has settled down, there might be a valid reason? He seems to want to check for traces of the Holy Grail one last time.”
“The reason why the turtle tentacle monster settled here is because of the grapes.”
“That’s what I’m saying.”
“He must have liked grapes so much that he stole all of Chris’s wine too.”
“Ah.”
The reason why only the highest quality grapes had been having bad harvests for years in Shade Grapeton was because the tentacle monster was secretly stealing them.
He even steals only the best grapes like a ghost. He had a gourmet side, unlike what he looks like.
I put a pipe tobacco in my mouth and asked Chris.
“What are you going to do now, Chris?”
“I have to work hard to make money. I can’t stop until I build my own merchant guild.”
“Where is the destination of this peddling trip?”
“I’m going to Belmonte Winterhaven, just like you, Ruina. Why?”
“Then let’s do this.”
I put the 15 gold coins I received from the chess match and reward on the table and said.
“It’s an investment. Let me join in on that grape transportation.”
“Right now, I’ll treat you with a 6:4 split. Ruina gets 6.”
“Let’s do 5:5.”
Chris was the one who devised and executed the various methods. It would be upsetting if he did all the hard work and got less money.
The deal was made.
Chris opened the pouch of gold coins and smelled the gold coins inside.
“Gold coins…”
“How can you make people feel bad with such a pretty face? If that’s a talent, that’s a talent.”
“Ruina, when are you leaving? I need to get the grapes according to the departure time. It would be nice if you told me in advance.”
“I’m leaving tomorrow. I don’t have any more business in this village.”
Actually, I wanted to leave today, but Leon still had lingering feelings. It was right to wait just one day.
I raised my hand and placed an order.
“Please give me a glass of mead.”
“Ruina, it seems like you’re drinking every time I see you.”
“I don’t really like alcohol, but mead is delicious.”
“You don’t have to add the caveat that you don’t like alcohol. The credibility of your words drops sharply.”
Chris tied the pouch of gold coins tightly and then clapped his hands and asked.
“That’s right. Then are you going to provide free escort? Ruina, you have a stake in the peddling now.”
“That’s right. Since we’ve been together, I’ll do it cheaply for one gold coin.”
“…Why is it one gold coin when you did it cheaply? It was less than that before.” “My magic skills have improved.”
“That can’t be.”
Chris wore a dumbfounded expression at my firm words.
I had an interesting sight.
I let smoke flow into the ceiling and finished my words with a smile.
“I’m just kidding.”
“Kairen, are you enjoying the festival?”
“Bernhardt. I told you not to call me by my real name when I’m undercover.”
Kairen answered quietly and fixed his gaze on the window.
The streets, where the festival was still in full swing, were full of people, and Bernhardt stroked his beard and laughed at Kairen’s appearance.
“If Kairen hadn’t been making strange bets with chess, I would have called you by a pseudonym even in private.”
“I didn’t get caught, though.”
“Didn’t the rumor spread that a young noble was enjoying the festival?”
“I didn’t get caught, though.”
Kairen, who had appropriately ignored the continuous nagging, tapped the table with his hand.
A pipe tobacco made of Star Silver was placed on the table, and it was brand new and had never been used.
Kairen, who was fiddling with the pipe tobacco, slowly opened his mouth.
“What happened to the wine?”
“It was delivered well.”
“I didn’t get caught, did I?”
“I’ve never met that person, so why would I get caught?”
“But if you suddenly give away the best wine for free, it’s suspicious.”
“Isn’t it the festival season? It went well with the atmosphere.”
“That’s a relief then.”
Kairen carefully put the pipe tobacco in a leather case and took a sip of mead.
Then he frowned and muttered.
“Why do people like this sweet stuff so much?”
“It’s probably because it’s the alcohol that the god of alcohol spread to the world. It’s made with divine power and is always cool, so people are likely
to look for it.”
“It’s not my taste.”
Clang. Kairen, who put down the glass, got up from his seat.
It was a clear movement to go outside, but Bernhardt stopped Kairen with a calm voice.
“Kairen, you haven’t used the magic tool yet.”
“This is so uncomfortable.”
“Is it uncomfortable even though you’re not dyeing your hair?”
“It feels like I’m wearing something. You have to try it yourself to know.”
Kairen, who sighed softly, took out the magic tool and looked at the mirror hanging on the wall.
Bright hair made of pure gold comes into view first.
Below that was a handsome face with thick lines, all thanks to inheriting his father’s blood strongly.
But no one mentioned his face when talking about Kairen’s lineage.
There was no choice.
Kairen raised his head slightly.
He makes eye contact with eyes of twilight color, a mixture of orange and purple.
These twilight-colored eyes were more certain proof that he inherited the blood of the Eterno Imperial Family than anything else.
It was natural that other minor features were not mentioned.
Click. When the magic tool was activated, the eyes and hair that had been attracting people’s attention turned brown.
Kairen, who had completely succeeded in disguising himself, spoke to Bernhardt in passing before leaving.
“So, that person. Do you know where they’re going next?”
“That sounds very desperate for a passing remark. I don’t know. It’s not like Ruina has been telling everyone where she’s going.”
“1
“Shall I investigate?”
“No. It’s okay. If we’re meant to be, we’ll meet again.”
Kairen answered coolly and went outside.
Kairen. The 5th Prince of the Eterno Empire.
20 years old.
It was the perfect age to enjoy the festival.
“Ruina, don’t you think there are too many bandits in the world?”
“They’re not bandits, they’re mercenaries. Robbery is their side job.”
I corrected Chris’s wrong knowledge and ate away at the legs of the mercenaries blocking the road with flames.
It was the third day since leaving for Belmonte Winterhaven.