Chapter 110
If I had to choose without prior information, I would have gone straight for the dresser. It looked expensive, like a mother-of-pearl wardrobe.
When I looked at the dresser, I could see ten seconds into the future.
‘-Ha, just because it’s big doesn’t mean it’s expensive! Though I admit there was a trap in this quiz.’
If that kind of answer came to mind…
“……It must be the wall clock.”
“Hmm?”
“I think every hour, dolls will come out to announce the time and dance. Surely, the best technology of the time was concentrated in it.”
I inferred this based on the clue that “the quiz has a trap.” That meant there was information you couldn’t know just by looking.
The dresser was out of the running from the start. I suspected something was hidden in that particularly thick wall clock.
Like a 1990s cuckoo clock, the hidden door decoration at the top caught my attention. Besides, whatever pops out to announce the hour would take at least thirty minutes.
“Am I right?”
“……Correct.”
The count nodded absentmindedly.
“How did you know?”
“I learned a lot about examining items from my father. More importantly, I came here donating relics to the temple, so it would be problematic if I couldn’t recognize valuable things.”
“……Darling, do you have any questions?”
The countess seemed reluctant to admit my insight immediately and brought out a box of accessories. There appeared to be over ten rings and bracelets.
“Now, choose the most valuable among these.”
“There are so many items.”
“If you can’t recognize jewels, be honest.”
“No, with so many, even you might not know which is more expensive. I wonder if you’re trying to use me as a free jewelry appraiser.”
“…….”
The countess, seemingly struck at the core, sorted through the accessories with a slightly reddened face. Like the count, she had hidden a trap and smiled triumphantly.
<Ah, predictable development.>
“This ruby necklace is the most valuable. This opal ring may have had the highest purchase price, but it seems the internal fire disappeared due to poor maintenance?”
“Th-That’s correct……”
“Shall we discuss the business now?”
I rested my chin on my hand, watching the two of them. They nodded with stunned expressions.
The new business proposal was simple.
“The temple receives a variety of donated items—from precious relics to handmade handkerchiefs. The temple is grateful for all of it, but……”
“Hmm.”
“That’s the problem. I hear the underground storage of the main temple has been stuffed full of miscellaneous unassessed items since last century.”
“That sounds plausible. So, what are you proposing to us?”
“Would you organize the storage?”
“……What do you mean?”
“Exactly as I said. Appraise the items left in the temple storage, connect the salvageable ones with craftsmen, and allow you to take items unsuitable for the temple.”
“You think we’re rag-and-bone people?”
The countess raised her voice.
Well, not really intimidating. In this case, I had to pretend to be scared.
“You call us rag-and-bone people? I would never treat the countess that way… Even in high-end furniture business, you only check the items; your employees handle the transport and repairs, right?”
“…….”
“I proposed this because it’s similar to your usual business. Yet you’re angry… Did I not explain well?”
Of course, what was lacking wasn’t my explanation but their experience. They were the type who only meddled in others’ business verbally.
They couldn’t possibly have experienced the actual collection and sale of high-end furniture, so the moment they heard me, they thought, “Do we have to do it ourselves?”
These shameless people created a reason to be angry instead of recovering from their slip.
“Th-That’s not the problem. Collecting temple items is unprofitable, right? We’ve exposed our financial situation honestly, so what did you hear!”
“There might be treasures left abandoned?”
“I’d rather mine a mountain than trust that! Hah, this is why temple-school kids aren’t suitable—always dreaming fantastical dreams……”
At that point, Ignatz’s shadow fell over the count couple’s faces.
“The business Miss Sol mentioned is also a topic from the temple meeting. So are you saying we all dream?”
“W-Well! We asked for a more efficient investment, but this story surprised us……”
“The temple does not demand unilateral service from its devotees. If you deem this proposal unreasonable, direct your anger at me.”
“Excuse me?”
“I’m here to protect a student. Decide. Respond to our proposal with yes or no, or be angry at me.”
Of course, in front of my brother, the couple’s anger instantly subsided.
“……I don’t think we can do it. We simply don’t have the time.”
“Understood. I thought it was a good opportunity, but it’s unfortunate.”
We stood up.
As my brother descended the stairs first with his massive frame, I looked back. The count couple twisted their faces and then froze in surprise.
“Ah, that’s……”
“Ha, you were very displeased with our proposal, weren’t you? I know.”
“Knowing……”
“……Actually, since the temple knights came as guardians, I couldn’t properly explain. Can we talk about the real story shortly?”
“Eh? The real story?”
“There’s no time. Read this and we’ll meet later.”
I handed the countess a pre-written note with the meeting place and time.
“Lady—”
“Thank you for your hospitality. Farewell.”
Without further response, I dashed down the stairs. Outside, my brother was stretching.
“That house’s tea is awful. Even boiling any temple plant would taste better.”
“You still chew grass? You only did that when drunk before.”
“Ah, stop bringing up my past! Anyway, let’s go inside.”
“Yeah, my head still aches from earlier.”
The count couple would undoubtedly ponder the note saying “I want the real deal.”
…With them, it would be impossible to ignore.
After returning to the temple with Eugene, I changed into shabby civilian clothes and left the dorm again.
Late in the afternoon, I entered a somewhat hidden restaurant on a less crowded street.
The count couple arrived in modest clothing, though they couldn’t abandon vanity; the gemstones on cufflinks and necklaces sparkled vividly.
“We meet again. May I assume you viewed my note positively?”
“……Let’s hear your story first.”
“I thought so. I’ll take care of the hospitality.”
I raised one hand.
No need to mention the menu. As pre-arranged, the server served me orange juice, and the other two whiskey with tonic water. On the table were dried figs, biscuits, smoked cheese, salami, and prosciutto.
The count’s eyes widened.
“The little lady is behaving oddly.”
“Perhaps suitable for you two, but I wasn’t sure if it would be profitable to serve a meal immediately.”
“…….”
“Now, shall we continue the previous discussion? Raise your voices if you like. This is a private space.”
As expected, the few remaining patrons left at the server’s cue.
While the countess swallowed nervously, I began.
“The request itself remains the same. Appraise the donations stored in the temple basement. Items useless to the temple may be taken.”
“I need a more enticing bonus.”
“Of course. Separately from the temple, our family found a Mana Pearl Detector among the abandoned donations.”
The couple’s voices trembled.
“What? Why is that here? How do you know?”
“The temple values sacred power, not mana. The next criteria are wealth and dedication. Even a magically precious item is useless if the priest does not approve.”
“…….”
“Most Mana Pearl Detectors are made with dragon power. My father searched for those stolen from our ancestors and learned one was donated to the temple.”
“Wow……”
“Didn’t it seem odd that a Schlager daughter entered a public school affiliated with the temple?”
“Then you were sent to Gruner Bant not because they abandoned you, but to send Schlager’s influence into the temple…!”
The count couple immediately understood.
No. I was sent here to prevent me from having a romantic relationship. They just wouldn’t believe it.
I leaned back leisurely.
“Even as an adopted child, I’m a Schlager descendant. Despite volunteering at the temple every weekend, priests distrusted me. Seraphina, who became my friend, helped.”
“…….”
“Priests may distrust me, but they will trust Seraphina’s parents. So, will you take charge of exploring the temple storage? I’ll teach you the search method after the contract.”
“……If we find the Mana Pearl Detector, what do we get?”
“20% of the market value in cash.”
“Hah, only that? We do all the hard work!”
Even 20% could probably buy several mansions in the capital. They must be confident in bargaining.
I raised an eyebrow.
“15%.”
“Huh?”
“15% of the market value in cash.”
“Wait, that’s less than before—”
“10%.”
As the count opened his mouth to protest, the countess cleverly stopped him.
“Fine, 10% it is!”
“Thank you for your decisiveness. With your judgment, you’ll surely find the item quickly.”
“Remember, we have no time. If we see no chance, we’ll leave with Seraphina immediately!”
“No investment in hopeless causes. The duke’s money cannot be wasted.”
“…….”
The couple frowned, still half-doubting.
“Shall we head to the temple storage now? I’ll show you how to find the Mana Pearl Detector.”
“Right now?”
“Ah, scared? I’ll be entering too.”
“N-No.”
“You should seize rare opportunities.”
“Good decision.”
“If we see no hope, we’ll leave immediately. We don’t have time for childish games!”
“I know, understood.”
I smiled and led them to the carriage waiting outside.
For now, it looks like you’re in control at the negotiation table. You’ll accept my offer and won’t leave the capital.
…Pray endlessly as you do.
