~Chapter 18~
“You’re such a smart and clever little girl, Redy.”
He kept praising me with that same smooth, pleasant voice of his.
…Wait, did he notice something?
For a moment I thought he might’ve sensed something off.
This guy’s instincts are sharp — he’s the leader after all…
I forced a silly, innocent smile and nodded like I was just a clueless kid.
“Thank you! My dad always told me that when I go out, I should be careful of the world first. He said you can’t trust anyone!”
“Really?”
“Yes! Especially if a kid looks rich — they’ll get kidnapped, suffer horrible things that I can’t even say out loud, and never get to go back to their dad.”
I clenched my little fists and widened my eyes, acting like a kid who’d been strictly warned.
Do I really have to do this with my mental age…
I felt a bit dumb doing it, but if I made him suspicious, who knew what he might try?
Especially since this man basically worships the Emperor…
I took a long breath.
“So yeah, you have to be extra, extra careful when you have money!”
“Your father taught you very well.”
“Yup! My dad’s amazing!”
My eyes sparkled, and the Count smiled faintly.
“I see.”
He patted my head once and nodded.
“Now, let’s do the accounting.”
That meant…
After including the entry fee for the 148th round, I got 99% of 4 billion, divided by three — 66% total, which came out to 2.64 billion gold!
Of course, after taxes, it was about 2.376 billion gold, but still — all mine!
The lottery winner took my advice and requested temporary protection from Konisa.
Basically, Konisa would protect them for a while, help them hire a trustworthy mercenary group, build a house, and settle down safely — even bringing their family over.
In return, they happily paid 10% of their winnings for the service.
That was honestly a lot just for protection and help, but thankfully, the winner took my words seriously.
Well… that money’s enough for five generations to live comfortably anyway.
What they did after that was their own business.
At least I don’t have to feel guilty now.
I munched on a cookie, crunch crunch.
So…
Why am I still here?
“Sir, I should go home now.”
“Oh, right, you should.”
He smiled, lost in thought while still holding me on his knee.
“The bank account’s been opened, and I deposited the money. Are you planning to buy a house with it?”
“Yes! And I’ll hire people to make life easier for Dad. Like a chef who can cook yummy food! And I’ll sell things too, so even if I die, my dad can still be rich!”
“Sell things?”
“Yes! I take after my dad — I’ve got a good eye for stuff. I’m going to invest!”
“You know some big words, huh?”
“I saw my dad doing it! He always had piles of papers stacked up.”
I stretched my arms wide, and he seemed to think for a bit before nodding.
Tap, tap, tap.
He drummed his fingers on the chair rhythmically a few times, then stood up.
“Alright then, I’ll take you home myself.”
“You will?”
“Yes. It’s fate that we met like this, isn’t it? I should personally escort you.”
Uh, no thanks.
I can totally go by myself! You could just lend me a carriage!
I swallowed my refusal, plastered on the brightest smile I could manage.
“Wow! I’m so happy you’re taking me home, sir!”
“I’m glad you think so.”
Holding back tears, I followed him down to the first floor.
Thud!
“You little—!”
Smack!
“You stupid—!”
Wham!
“Piece of trash!”
Yelp! Whine!
The awful noise downstairs made me freeze.
The Count, still holding me, seemed to notice too — he gently pressed my head down and narrowed his eyes.
What’s happening? I can’t see!
I squirmed a little but stopped — right, he wasn’t my dad.
Ugh, being in a kid’s body sucks. I can’t see anything!
“What’s going on?”
“Ah, sir — one of the guests lost some money and got angry. During a game, a wolf spilled his drink, and he’s beating the poor animal he brought….”
One of the staff whispered quietly.
Wolf?
I turned my head fast, but the Count patted my back.
“Not a pleasant sight.”
“…But the animal’s hurt, right?”
“…Yes.”
I struggled again until he finally set me down.
And then I saw it — a man was beating a young wolf bloody.
All because he lost his temper.
“…That’s awful.”
My mouth fell open.
How could someone do that to an innocent creature?
Fuming, I marched forward.
“Hey! Stop it!”
Cough cough.
Raising my voice made my throat hurt.
“What are you doing?! It’s just an animal! It doesn’t even know what it did wrong—”
“Hah?! Do you know how much money I lost because of it?! 500 gold! Five hundred!”
“So what? You lost it yourself — why are you blaming the wolf?”
“This damn thing spilled my drink and ruined my luck, that’s why I lost!”
…What kind of insane logic was that?
I stared at him, dumbfounded, as he huffed and sneered.
“And who the hell are you, brat? Mind your own business!”
He looked drunk too — his face was beet red.
Ugh, he reeks of alcohol.
I frowned and sighed.
“Fine. Then I’ll buy the wolf. Happy?”
“What? Pfft, you’ll buy this mutt?”
“Yes.”
“Sure, whatever! Take it! You’ll pay the 500 gold I lost then!”
He clearly thought I couldn’t pay and started laughing.
I narrowed my eyes — I was beyond done with this.
“If you don’t pay, I’ll skin it alive and stuff it!”
“You’re insane.”
The curse slipped out automatically.
There really are men who only act tough with the weak. What a loser.
“What did you just say?”
“An old man acting pathetic. How could anyone be so different from my dad? I never want to grow up like you. You’re just embarrassing.”
“W-What did you just— Do you know who I am?!”
“No, and I don’t care, you drunk idiot!”
I pulled out a heavy pouch of coins from my bag — the Count had helped me pack it earlier — and threw it at his feet.
“Here’s your 500. In cash, you pig!”
It was money I’d kept aside to show Dad proof of my win.
The lottery tickets themselves can’t be taken out, though…
Maybe I should ask if I can keep just one as a souvenir later?
Anyway—focus.
“What the—”
The man took a step toward me.
“Eeeek!!”
I let out the loudest scream I could.
People all around turned their heads instantly.
