TSKSML 18

Chapter 18

Helene, now seeing that Jayna had become a proud Imperial Knight of the Herthen Empire, felt she wanted to do something for her.

Before she realized it, Helene found herself standing in front of a weapon shop in the bustling commercial district of Lefia.

“A weapon, huh…”

Raul’s sword collection had been sold off long ago by Helene. Among them had been the treasured heirloom sword of the Emeldia family.

She had sold even that precious sword—just to live with that worthless gigolo she once met.

Because of that, the only thing Jayna owned was an old wooden practice sword.

When Helene saw the sparring session, everyone except Jayna had fought using their own swords.

It kept bothering her—how Jayna, aspiring to become a knight, didn’t even have a proper sword.

“If she had a weapon that suited her skill… she’d become even stronger.”

This was an investment.

And also, in a way, a reward—something Helene should give to Jayna, who had fulfilled her dream of becoming a knight just as Helene wished.

Helene made up her mind to buy Jayna a weapon that suited her.

“Welcome~ Are you looking for something in particular?”

Just as she was about to browse the weapons, the friendly shopkeeper dashed over and struck up a conversation.

Helene’s eyes were drawn to a terrifying weapon that looked like it could mash someone into a meat patty if it hit like a mace, but what she needed was a sword used by knights.

“Can I see some knight swords? Preferably something light.”

She thought a weapon that could highlight Jayna’s speed—her strong point—would be ideal.

The shopkeeper brought out a stiletto sword.

Just like the name, it was thin and pointy—meant to inflict critical damage.

Because it required less steel, it was also lighter—perfect for Jayna.

It was made by a famous blacksmith, and the handle bore the artisan’s signature insignia.

Which, of course, meant it was expensive.

“The price…?”

“1,000 gold.”

1,000 gold.

As expected, it was expensive.

Helene carefully set the stiletto sword back down, acting like she hadn’t been interested at all.

But even as she tried to look at other weapons, that stiletto sword kept flashing in her mind.

When Helene came to her senses again, she was already holding the stiletto sword in her hands, having bought it for 900 gold after haggling.

“This is an investment!”

Helene justified her purchase as an investment toward making Jayna a great knight.

But… was it really okay to buy only for Jayna?

Suddenly, she thought of Lilliana and April.

Her heart ached as she recalled how, unlike Helene’s wardrobe full of extravagant new clothes, Lilliana and April wore outdated, worn-out clothes—who knew when they last got anything new?

Since she had come this far, why not get clothes for them too?

This was also an investment—one to bring happiness to all three sisters.

Helene headed to a district filled with boutiques and picked out two outfits that were currently in vogue.

One was a graceful purple silk dress that seemed perfect for Lilliana.

The other was a charming pink dress for children, adorned with layers of white lace—ideal for April.

Both dresses together cost 1,000 gold.

Helene paid the clerk and waited for them to be wrapped.

In the corner of the tailor’s room, she noticed a pile of fabric scraps.

“Are those being thrown away?”

The staff looked over and replied, “Yes, they are.”

Helene’s eyes sparkled.

Although she had many dresses, since regaining her past-life memories, she found wearing Helene’s clothes felt awkward. Those scraps seemed perfect for altering her old ones.

“Then… could I have them?”

Since they were about to be discarded anyway, the staff gathered the fabric scraps and placed them into the shopping bag for her.

With this unexpected bonus, Helene felt incredibly satisfied.

And on such a great day, delicious food was a must.

Jayna had passed her knight exam—it felt appropriate to throw a celebration.

Of all the dishes Helene had made so far, the one that got the best reaction from the sisters was pork belly.

She remembered how April had stuffed a giant lettuce-and-perilla-leaf wrap into her mouth like a hamster, cheeks puffed out.

Helene’s feet naturally turned toward the butcher shop.

She was even humming to herself when a very familiar figure caught her eye.

A man with glossy blond hair tied in a ponytail, decked out in accessories, radiating a flashy vibe.

‘Who is that?’

Before she could even identify him, she was already feeling an overwhelming urge to slap the back of his head.

The man turned his head—and Helene suddenly remembered.

Those four crow’s feet that appeared every time he smiled. Those dark circles sinking down to his chin.

That oily, greasy face—was definitely Eric.

He was the man Helene had dated until recently, the very one who had made her sell the Emeldia family sword.

Eric, who had worked as a host, once told her he’d be free once he repaid his debts. He convinced her to run away with him overseas and borrowed 100,000 gold.

And then disappeared the moment he got the money.

Eric had since quit the host business. He hadn’t been seen at the bar or the gambling den or anywhere.

Eric also quickly recognized Helene.

His eyes widened like a startled rabbit, and he ducked and disappeared into an alley.

“That bastard…!!”

Seeing Eric filled Helene with a lifetime’s worth of rage.

Unfortunately, she was burdened with shopping bags, but she couldn’t let him get away.

“This is truly remarkable…”

The head butler, Fael, was astonished.

After serving a foreign royal family and fleeing into exile, he met a new young master—now the most successful entrepreneur in the Empire and the mind behind a revolutionary invention.

This ‘automobile’ he was developing was essentially a carriage that moved without horses or magic.

If commercialized, Blaine said confidently, it would transform the world.

“It’s only a prototype, but you could say it’s practically complete.”

Its navy exterior gleamed and looked sleeker than any noble’s carriage—but to think this pile of scrap would move on its own, Fael found it hard to believe.

Sensing his doubt, Blaine opened the car door.

“Are you suspicious? I’ll show you. You’ll be the first person outside the company to ride this, so consider it an honor.”

Though frightened, Fael couldn’t turn down the bold young master’s offer.

He sat next to Blaine.

Strangely, Blaine seemed more nervous than Fael, breathing deeply as he composed himself.

“…Here we go.”

After saying that, he began fiddling with switches, and finally, the vehicle began to move.

Arms loaded with shopping bags, Helene ran full speed through the city streets.

‘Have I ever run this hard in my life?’

Her throat burned with the taste of blood, and her legs were shaky.

But she couldn’t stop.

Helene had wronged many people in her life.

But the only person who had wronged her—was that bastard Eric.

He was the only one Helene could resent and hate without guilt.

She was going to catch him, drag him by the collar, and get that 100,000 gold back—no matter what.

No matter how much her legs hurt, no matter how short of breath she was, Helene didn’t stop running.

But for some reason, there was suddenly a swarm of people gathered up ahead, like ants around candy.

Still, she couldn’t stop.

She had to push through the crowd.

Steeling herself, Helene plunged into the mob.

“This is incredible…”

Fael murmured as the breeze brushed against his face through the window.

He’d lived a long life, but never imagined he’d one day ride a lump of metal without even a single horse.

But the moment didn’t last.

As they entered the busy streets, curious onlookers—having never seen an automobile—flocked around it like ants.

Soon, they couldn’t move forward at all.

“Step aside! It’s dangerous!”

Blaine eventually yelled, trying to warn people.

When he got out of the car, his noble attire made it clear he was of high status. One by one, people started backing away.

No matter how curious they were, blocking a noble’s path could mean trouble.

‘Finally, we can get going again…’

Just as Blaine was about to restart the engine, something—like a blazing comet—came charging toward the car.