Chapter 20
First, let’s go with acceptance.
There was no need to be on guard from the start.
I clapped my hands lightly, smiled brightly, and raised my voice.
“Everyone here has contributed greatly to our club. I thought it would be wonderful if we could all gather together like this.”
At that, the nobles narrowed their eyes slightly and studied me.
“You gathered all these people for such a trivial reason?”
Their faces twisted with displeasure, and the more they did, the brighter I smiled.
“Gathered? I did invite everyone, yes, but didn’t you all come of your own will? I haven’t laid a finger on anyone.”
One woman pointed at a line from the invitation, the very line that had caused her to argue earlier.
“What was this sentence in the invitation if not a threat? Was it a lie?”
‘If you don’t attend, there may be consequences.’
“Oh my, that wasn’t a lie either. I have a gift prepared afterward.”
“A gift, how amusing.”
There were few who responded politely.
“They’ve helped our club, so I wanted to get closer to them. Please feel comfortable. And if you have questions, feel free to ask.”
A male voice spoke cautiously.
“How did you come to possess this place?”
“…What do you mean?”
“Linote and Clodiga weren’t connected before, as far as I knew. Suddenly handing over such a large guild is unusual, isn’t it?”
The question I expected came first. My heart tensed, but it was something I had to face, so I took a deep breath.
“The marquis owed me a debt. This was merely a way to repay it.”
“How much time did you spend on the handover?”
The next question came as if it had been prepared beforehand.
“As I said, it was compensation for settling a debt, so no special handover was needed.”
“So you took over this huge club without any preparation?”
I simply smiled without replying.
“…Is that true? No matter how naive, no one would act like this. Even a well-established foundation will rot from the inside if management is careless. It would be better to hand it to a suitable person now if you can’t take responsibility.”
They were scrutinizing me from head to toe. As expected, my trustworthiness was in question.
“Your concern is understandable. But I didn’t take over thoughtlessly.”
“And you say this after seeing the situation…”
He gave me a sharp glare, clearly displeased.
“What situation?”
But I only maintained my smile. It was one of the few things I could do well.
“Have you ever experienced inconvenience due to management here? If there was, of course I would apologize, but I believe there hasn’t been. Moreover, I don’t think I’ve been negligent. Before taking over Laizon, I visited the place to understand the facilities, identified areas for improvement, and acted immediately. The people assisting me are recognized for their abilities. I’ve never considered myself negligent. May I ask which point led you to see me as such?”
“…Those managers are just ordinary commoners now, aren’t they? Appointing three commoners as managers in the first place is risky.”
“And what’s wrong with having commoners as managers?”
Some faces twisted at that.
“Perhaps some may disagree, but I do not. Is a business truly good if you rush people in without proper management? A castle built of sand will vanish in an instant with even the smallest wave. Minimum trusted people, a manageable scale—that is how I run this place.”
Many eyes were on me, but no one spoke. The room fell silent, and I finally spoke again.
“This got a bit long. I will continue to respect and support you all as I have, but my management style won’t change.”
At that, the marquis smiled in satisfaction.
“You’re not as naive as I thought.”
“Is that a compliment?”
A hearty laugh echoed.
“Of course. I also like people with conviction.”
“Then you must have been very pleased with her, haha.”
As a few others joined in the friendly banter, the tension eased. I then called Cheprin, who was waiting in the manager’s office.
Cheprin walked out, carrying a plate in his hands.
“This is the gift I prepared.”
On the plate, a small but strikingly blue gemstone sparkled.
“That’s… Kitchel, isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
Some recognized it immediately. Others perked up in interest as soon as they heard the name.
It was a natural reaction.
“How did the young lady obtain this rare item…”
“Such a precious thing…”
Even the previously awkward nobles’ eyes glimmered with desire.
“As I said, they helped us; is it too much to give them this small token?”
I smiled, though my hand trembled slightly from nervousness.
Only a few Kitchels, but they knew its value—and what I had sacrificed to acquire them.
“I want to give one to each of you.”
One was too small to sell, but perfect as a gift.
“Ooh.”
Most reached for the Kitchels eagerly.
“Hmm, your generosity is appreciated. I’ll take this one.”
“Such a fine gift.”
Two Kitchels remained on the plate, eventually taken by the marquis who had smiled kindly before, and a woman with her hat pulled low.
“I don’t accept gifts without compensation.”
“Same here. How can we know what you’ll demand later?”
They spoke in turn, still eyeing me suspiciously despite smiling.
I hadn’t expected this reaction.
But I just chuckled.
“When did I say these were gifts without compensation?”
After all the effort and money spent, I wasn’t giving them away for free.
Investment should return profit, naturally.
The nobles flinched as they took the Kitchels. They didn’t know what I might say next.
“So, will you demand something in return?”
“Of course.”
I tapped the table, locking eyes with the woman who had asked.
“I assume there’s a reason I gathered you all here.”
“?”
“Though you’ve helped us, it’s difficult to meet regularly.”
“You don’t mean we must visit periodically? That’s not for you to dictate.”
“Of course not. I’m not that foolish. I merely wish to hear from you occasionally, even if I cannot see you.”
The woman let out a dry laugh.
“Do you mean to use us to promote the club?”
She was clever. Indeed, nobles are busy and rarely visit, but that was perfect for me.
I wanted Laizon as a safe point, not the high-ranking nobles themselves.
“I think you understand why I chose Kitchel as the gift.”
If my goal was only goodwill, I wouldn’t have gone to such trouble. Money and jewels are plentiful.
I chose Kitchel for its advertising value. Once rare and now nearly impossible to acquire, releasing it in Laizon would draw attention from other nobles.
Everyone seemed to understand. Help the club, gain a benefit.
“Can we trust that you’ll do this?”
The marquis smiled gently despite the sharp question.
“You are wise; I trust you won’t oppose me unnecessarily. There’s nothing to gain in that.”
“Opposition comes with no loss either.”
“If there’s no gain or loss, it’s their choice. That’s why I request this.”
It seemed all opinions aligned.
“…Bold, but somehow not unpleasant.”
The woman laughed and held the blue Kitchel in her hand.
“I hope we maintain a good relationship, Lady Danju.”
Danju. A correct title, but hearing it for the first time felt oddly strange.
The final two Kitchels went to the marquis and the woman.
“Then, I will accept this.”
“Thank you.”
