Chapter 62
The last remark was a little annoying, but a smile never left Donghee’s face. After all, she had earned 800 Hidden Points. This time, she was definitely going to expand her inventory.
Donghee thought to herself that no matter what temptations came her way, she would prioritize expanding her inventory.
As she eagerly thought about her plans, Scrooge continued his financial report.
But Donghee wasn’t concerned with how much money was left. She knew she could always exchange jewels for gold, and she was confident she would be able to earn plenty of money in the future.
“So, in order to complete the path beneath Morta and Enol, we’ll need at least an additional 200 gold,” Scrooge said as he watched the lord’s expression, worried that she might get upset about the high construction costs. Despite the recent financial improvements in Grace, 200 gold was still a substantial amount.
However, much to Scrooge’s relief, the lord responded cheerfully.
“Don’t worry about the construction costs. Just make sure you build a road that’s sturdy enough to last a long time. It should withstand rain, not kick up dust, and be wide and flat. A road wide enough for two or three carriages to pass at once. Got it?”
Scrooge, while coming up with plans, wasn’t entirely sure if such a wide, long road would even be necessary in Grace Territory. Moreover, the cost of the construction was significant, and even though they would collect road tolls, he doubted they could recoup the costs.
Donghee, noticing Scrooge’s confused expression, grinned and continued explaining.
“The road is just the beginning. I’ve heard that many merchants already detour around our territory to get to Heron. Think about it. If they use the road we build, they’ll pay tolls, but they’ll save a lot of time. Time is money for them, especially for merchants who need to transport fresh products quickly. And not just that—there will also be clean, comfortable inns and restaurants along the way. This will provide new ways for the local farmers to make a living, even if they’re not involved in farming.”
Looking at the map, Donghee realized that Grace Territory was indeed a strategic location, a key spot connecting the central continent.
“Y-Your Lordship,” Scrooge stuttered, his jaw nearly dropping as he marveled at the idea.
Even though the lord had changed, he never expected such a grand plan.
Scrooge’s fingers trembled with excitement as he considered the possibilities.
“Finance Officer.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Scrooge answered with emotion, his nose turning redder than before. Not just that, his hands were shaking as he held the financial documents.
“Are you cold? You shouldn’t be shaking your hands; you don’t seem old enough for that.”
Donghee glanced at Scrooge’s trembling hands, thinking she should open other parts of the market soon to bring him a warm pair of gloves, and asked.
“It’s not that. I’m just so moved. I didn’t know you cared so much for the people of the territory, my lord.”
Scrooge’s heartfelt devotion made Donghee feel a little uncomfortable, so she quickly turned her gaze elsewhere.
“I’ll serve you with all my heart until the day I lie down in my grave, my lord.”
Scrooge bowed deeply with admiration.
Crack!
“Ugh!”
A terrifying sound came from Scrooge’s back as his bones clashed together while he bent deeply to show his gratitude. His face twisted in pain for a moment, but he just tapped his back a few times before slowly straightening up.
Crack, crack!
“Aah, my back!”
“Are you alright? Is your back okay?”
Donghee asked worriedly as Scrooge smiled brightly, as if nothing had happened, and casually stretched his back. Every time he moved, there was an audible cracking sound.
“Ah, stop! Don’t move your back!” Donghee hastily urged.
Despite her protest, Scrooge moved his back a few more times before flashing a satisfied smile and leaving the office.
“Do you think he’s alright? That sound was so loud.”
As soon as Scrooge left the office, the status window popped up again.
Wow! You’ve received the finance officer’s loyalty oath! Impressive!
As a reward for earning such a sincere oath from the usually picky Scrooge, a special gift has been given to you!
The Happy Mart’s activation area has expanded.
Please choose a number from 1 to 10.
“Is that all? If it’s a multiple choice, there should be more details.”
Random.
“Isn’t it already decided?”
Please choose a number from 1 to 10.
The status window repeated the same message, ignoring her. Donghee thought for a moment but figured it wouldn’t matter much and chose 1.
“Number 1!”
Congratulations! The egg sales corner has been opened. Applause!
Eggs.
Donghee wasn’t sure whether to be happy or disappointed, but after a brief pause, she smiled faintly. If she could hatch the eggs, maybe she could even build a poultry farm.
“Well, it’s something that wasn’t there before, so it’s good. Thank you. Thanks.”
Oh my. It seems you’re becoming more and more human, user. Saying thank you and all. Tomorrow, the sun might rise in the east.
“I’ve always been quite a good person. And the sun always rises in the east,” Donghee said, as if to mock the status window.
The status window glowed a bright blue as if it was about to say something back.
Is that so? Ah, based on your sense of direction, I suppose you haven’t noticed which way the sun rises in this world. Let me kindly tell you. Here, unlike Earth, the sun rises in the west and sets in the east. Just so you know.
“Really?” Donghee responded with surprise and leaned out of the window, looking around. However, as the status window had mentioned, Donghee wasn’t great with directions, so there was no way for her to tell whether she was looking east or west.
Shrugging her shoulders, she turned around, but as the status window started to disappear, Donghee felt a burst of anger.
You believed that? Heh.
“Ah! That’s it!” Donghee raised her fist, as if about to strike, and the status window hastily erased the message and disappeared.
Donghee heard that the winter coats for the children had been partially completed.
She hurried to see the large pile of coats and clapped her hands in joy.
“My goodness! Did they make all these already?”
In a time when there were no sewing machines, it was hard to believe that fewer than ten seamstresses had made so many coats in such a short time. They had finished nearly fifty coats.
However, except for a few sample coats, all of them were too small. As Donghee looked around, the quick-witted Monell noticed her confusion and quickly explained.
“We thought it best to finish the coats for the younger children first. From now on, we will focus on coats for children around ten years old.”
They had taken into account that younger children were more vulnerable to the cold.
Donghee was genuinely impressed by Monell’s planning and execution.
The thick coats, while not as warm as down jackets or fur coats, were certainly warmer than the clothes the children had been wearing.
Donghee carefully patted the coat as if it were for the children, imagining how happy they would be to receive them.
She smiled at the thought.
“It’ll be tough, but let’s try a little harder. There are still many children who need their coats.”
“Yes, I will do my best.”
“What do you think about taking the coats to the children this afternoon and having a break together?”
She hoped the seamstresses would feel a sense of accomplishment as they handed over the clothes they made. Donghee was sure it would give them great energy for their future work.
“Is it really okay?”
Monell asked with a sparkle in his eyes. It seemed the other seamstresses shared the same sentiment.
“Of course. Let’s go give the coats to the kids in Morta and Enol, and have a nice meal afterward.”
“Thank you!”
Cheers of joy rang out. Donghee was already planning a hearty dinner for the seamstresses who had been working tirelessly in the workshop.
“Lady?”
Donghee was watching the seamstresses with a warm smile when Monell hesitantly called her.
“What is it?”
Monell, still not fully used to addressing someone so high-ranking, spoke with a trembling voice.
“Would it be okay to write a letter inviting my friends to come work at Grace Castle?”
Monell asked, worried that he might be reprimanded. It wasn’t just the amount of work that was overwhelming, but his colleagues had been working day and night without proper pay, and he felt sorry for them.
“Of course. We have so much work to do. Tell them to come quickly. And remember, accommodations and meals are free.”
Donghee winked as she replied. Monell’s face lit up with a bright smile. As soon as she finished speaking, he began telling others that he would write a letter to his friends.
‘Is this how talented people are gathering in Grace?’ Donghee thought, imagining a future fashion street forming somewhere in Grace Territory, and smiled contentedly.
The City of Youth, the Fashion Capital—Grace! Or maybe Hadonghee Street would be nice too?
Just the thought of it made her feel good. Of course, at the center of it all would be Chloe Grace’s name etched in history.
