Chapter 66

A little later, we went to inspect a mine not far from the Elemoer estate.

“….”

Duke Lancelot of Montella slowly bent down to touch some rocks near the mine.

Then he walked a few steps inside.

The mine was still under slow development, so the area was a bit messy, but there were torches placed around, making it somewhat visible.

The emperor, unimpressed, pointed deeper inside.

“Wouldn’t it be better to observe things properly from within? What do you think, Duke?”

“Of course. Let’s go together.”

We all began walking deeper into the mine.

Unlike me—awkward in heels—and the emperor, who kept tripping on rocks, the duke walked confidently, as if he knew the terrain well.

It was clear he had deep experience with mines.

After walking about 100 meters, we took a pulley-based elevator down into the depths. We stopped in a rounded, lit chamber.

“….”

Lancelot’s green eyes scanned the rock walls.

Then he reached out, gently touching the surface with focus.

His expression was dead serious.

“Is this the Beigelman ground layer?” he suddenly asked a miner.

The miner blinked in surprise but nodded yes.

“Thought so. A bit damp, too.”

Murmuring to himself, Lancelot examined several more areas in detail.

He was so thorough—no one who intended to lie would act this way.

“That’s enough.”

After fully inspecting the area, he signaled it was time to return.

We rode the pulley back up and walked toward the mine entrance, where the entire landscape came into view.

Lancelot stood still, silently observing it for a while.

He owned over a hundred mines back in Montella.

“If he confirms there’s Eladium here…”

Then the emperor would surely trust him and pay a fortune for it.

But looking at Lancelot’s firm, sharp gaze made me uneasy.

He still hadn’t confirmed whether he accepted my proposal—so this uncertainty was expected.

“If only the emperor’s allergy had lasted a little longer…”

I could’ve sealed the deal more clearly.

Eventually, the emperor turned to Lancelot.

“Does this mine contain Eladium?”

A long pause followed.

A tingle of tension ran through my body.

If he said “no,” the emperor’s brow would wrinkle—and my plan would collapse.

He might even accuse me of being a fraud.

Then Lancelot’s lips moved.

“…This mine contains Eladium…”

My heart pounded.

“…It does not.”

My eyes twitched at his next words.

“…Not?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

The emperor’s hopeful face quickly turned sour with irritation.

“This is bad…”

Maybe my earlier proposal had been too much.

A man that serious about mines wouldn’t lie about the presence of minerals.

Still, I had hoped my investment documents in Montella would encourage some flexibility.

My whole plan to trick the emperor into overspending was about to crumble.

I wanted to empty his pockets—but this was disappointing.

“However…”

Lancelot spoke again.

He stepped toward me, standing in front of me.

His silver hair swayed in the wind, and his deep green eyes met mine.

“I want to buy your mine, Lady Elemoer.”

My fingers twitched in surprise.

Not understanding his true intention, I gave him a faint smile as it dawned on me.

‘Ah…’

‘He’s found a way to help me and keep his conscience clean.’

When I smiled like a mischievous villainess, he gave a small nod.

“Since Oswell and Montella have a trade agreement, I am allowed to purchase land and mines here, right?”

“That’s true. So… what price do you want to offer?”

“100 million den.”

The emperor gasped in shock.

Even Eladium mines don’t go for more than 50 million den.

So if Montella’s duke, an expert, offered that much…

“The emperor will take it as a sign that something even rarer than Eladium is buried here.”

“I’ll pay immediately.”

“Wait—hold on! Stop!”

The emperor jumped in between us in a panic.

His irritation was gone—his eyes now sparkled with greed.

Clearing his throat, he said:

“This inspection was my idea. I should have purchasing priority, don’t you agree, Lady Elemoer?”

Lancelot respectfully stepped back.

‘He’s smarter than I thought—Lancelot Ovier.’

Hiding my amusement, I turned to the emperor with an innocent look.

“Are you really planning to buy our mine, Your Majesty?”

Even if he emptied it out completely, it wouldn’t be worth more than 10 million den—but he had no clue.

“Yes, I intend to buy it right away.”

He now saw Lancelot as a competitor, so he was in a rush.

I paused for dramatic effect and then said,

“Very well, Your Majesty.”

Later, after sending the emperor away, I stretched with a pleased smile.

Piyo peeked his face out from inside my clothes.

“Piyooo~”
He even lifted the corners of his mouth like he was trying to smile.

“You had fun too, huh?”

Selling a useless mine for 100 million den to an annoying old man—what’s not to love?

—Lady Elemoer.

Lancelot’s deep voice echoed in my mind, from when he kissed the back of my hand before leaving.

“I will return for the cure.”

I looked up at him with a soft chuckle instead of answering.

Deal: successful.

“Congratulations, my lady. You’ve completed your plans perfectly.”

It was Heros’s voice from behind me.

I turned to look at my loyal butler—he played a big part in today’s events.

“Good work, Heros.”

It was now dusk, and darkness was settling in.

I walked over and stood before him.

“We won’t be seeing each other much longer.”

“Prepare the medicine. The duke will be back for it. Since the deal’s done, we owe him the goods.”

“Understood, my lady.”

Because Lancelot showed such interest in the mine, the emperor decided to send his finance officer tomorrow to close the deal.

He’s afraid I might change my mind and sell it to Lancelot instead.

He even worried Lancelot might raise his offer and steal the deal.

Once I get the money, I’ll make sure Eti can access it to fund the rebuilding of the Empire.

And then… I disappear.

“Piyooo~”

At a meeting of nearly all participants in Etius’s revolution:

Thanks to Carmel Beatrice joining, they now used a castle he had leased. The revolutionaries’ meeting room had become grand and luxurious.

“The emperor is buying the Elemoer mine. For 100 million den.”

The commanders murmured in surprise. Was there ever a mine in the Empire worth that much?

Etius, seated at the head table, remained calm and unshaken.

“To cover the remaining 20 million, the emperor is planning to quickly sell off a military factory. This is great news for us.”

The emperor’s noble supporters had already poured their money into Catrin’s fake businesses, so they had no cash left to buy the factory.

“I, Carmel, will purchase the military factory. I’ll take out loans using my entire estate as collateral.”

At that, Caron inhaled sharply, and even Etius’s blue eyes flickered with emotion.

“We’ve already risked our lives for this revolution. What’s left to fear?”
“More importantly…”

A smile tugged at the corner of Carmel’s mouth.

“I know this is an opportunity someone risked everything to create.”

Carmel now understood who was helping Etius behind the scenes.

He also now knew why he himself had ended up by Etius’s side.

“Proceed.”
Etius gave the command, and Carmel immediately bowed his head.

The perfect revolution was finally coming together.