DYNS 15

CHAPTER 15…………………………………….

“You’re not actually believing that a trade agreement would be concluded with just that, are you? Surely there’s something that hasn’t been coordinated, which is why it’s being delayed.”

“In truth, the trade agreement with Rinex wasn’t something that should have dragged on like this. As already reported in the newspapers, it was just a matter of fine-tuning the details.”

She’s just reciting exactly what I thought when I read the monthly paper last time.

I nodded, recalling the article I had seen, and Yustin continued gracefully.

“It was precisely at that stage of detailed discussion that Rinex suddenly changed their mind. They started proposing absurd conditions.”

So, basically, they decided to stall the agreement and throw a tantrum.

The reason Rinex can act like this is obvious—they’re the dominant party in this particular negotiation.

What items could there be that Somnium cannot produce themselves and have no real substitutes?

‘Now that I think about it, the imperial production of mana stones has noticeably declined recently.’

Conversely, Rinex, self-styled as a “holy nation,” likely has a considerable number of healing mages and a substantial stockpile of mana stones.

I already knew this because Rinex once personally sent a healing priest to try treating my illness.

“So, when the negotiations began, Somnium’s stock of mana stones was smaller than Rinex had expected, and they decided to leverage that to assert strong demands.”

“We never even mentioned specific items.”

“But you can’t just use that as a straightforward reason. So, from Rinex’s perspective as a holy nation, they probably invoked the will of the gods to justify it.”

That’s why Yustin collapsed after racking her brains, only for me to force her into a rest, and—damn it—she discovered my abilities and came straight to me.

Alright, alright.

I wondered why she suddenly came to see me, but now all the mysteries are solved.

Just as I was praising my own slowly whirring brain, I suddenly heard a soft laugh from ahead.

“It seems you’ve realized it yourself, so there’s less need for me to explain. Excellent.”

“I haven’t agreed to anything yet, though.”

“Even so, your resistance must be far lower than at first. A lady like you can handle this.”

Such a sly fox, that one.

I avoided Yustin’s persistent gaze and rolled my eyes subtly.

‘Acting as a god isn’t difficult, at least. Though I don’t know if it’ll end in just one go.’

I roughly knew what the scenario would look like, and I felt confident I could pull it off…

“Feels a bit wrong to scam an entire nation. Especially a holy nation.”

“Well, if you could face a god directly, that would actually be their blessing.”

“Still, elegantly admitting that it’s a scam, huh?”

Yustin laughed again at my words.

It was an arrogant laugh, certain that I wouldn’t refuse the proposal.

The more I look at him, the more ridiculous he seems. But once again, he was right.

“Very well, I accept.”

He must have been desperate to solve the problem he had been agonizing over, to the point of wringing his brain.

I personally don’t fully understand desperation, but that doesn’t mean I dislike such people.

Pushing aside the image of my father that naturally came to mind, I continued.

“However, please make one thing clear. What I want isn’t mere financial support or sponsorship—it’s a partner with whom I can trade on equal footing.”

Money aside, what I value most is symmetrical information.

“Let me receive the exact information I want, exactly when I want it.”

Of course, I could get the information I want one way or another. Think of this as a warning.

If they lie to me and get caught, their hands are toast.

“Naturally. You don’t seem like someone who could be deceived easily.”

“Hehe, you flatter me.”

“Anything else you desire?”

Yustin, completely ignoring my shy act, gestured for me to say anything.

After blinking a few times, I quickly spoke.

“Oh, yes—please, even if I don’t appear in your dreams from now on, don’t try to work in dreams either. Just rest.”

“Suddenly?”

“I don’t like it when my partner is sick.”

Even if he’s busy, chasing me into dreams to monitor me is inefficient.

Speaking with genuine intent, Yustin stared at me blankly for a moment.

That same dazed expression I had seen in dreams.

Then he let out a few silent laughs before saying softly:

“Then I’ll impose a condition as well.”

He smiled gently.

“Talents must be valued. That’s why our family supports talents to help them realize their abilities.”

“The sponsorship program of the Everdin family is famous.”

“And you are the most outstanding talent I’ve ever seen.”

“You’re starting with a bit much, aren’t you…?”

Creating anxiety even before takeoff.

“From now on, the Sidus family will receive Everdin sponsorship, and as partners, we’ll expand the business, so there shouldn’t be financial issues. Therefore—”

“Therefore?”

“Receive life-prolonging treatment.”

“….”

“I don’t like it when my partner is sick.”

Yustin raised his chin once, signaling he wouldn’t back down.

This guy, huh?

“I think this is also a proposal with no downside.”

He added with a faint smile.

It’s true, a proposal with no downside—one that should be welcomed—but why does it feel so annoying?

Of course, that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t accept it.

“Alright.”

If my father hears this, he might faint from joy.

I smiled faintly and nodded, then suddenly remembered something and lifted my head.

“From now on, we’re partners, right?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Then I hope the Grand Duke could do just one thing for me. Not as sponsorship, but from a business perspective.”

Yustin’s eyes widened at my sudden request.

I glared brightly and exclaimed:

“Please participate in the auctions!”

Perfect timing, that guy.

You’ll play the role of the hype man!

‘Why wouldn’t you want life-prolonging treatment, Mia!’

As soon as I entered the study to see my parents, my mother came running at me through tears.

‘Ah, that’s already resolved. I’ll continue life-prolonging treatment through our family’s sponsorship.’

To make matters worse, our Grand Duke casually dropped the bomb.

After explaining the rushed contract between Yustin Everdin (proposer) and Miena Sidus (scriptwriter)…

‘Thank you, thank you, Your Highness! How can I ever repay this favor…’

My parents, now composed, kept expressing gratitude. He gave a faint smile and said:

‘This is only natural for a talent. Besides, this isn’t mere sponsorship.’

‘Not mere sponsorship…?’

‘I wish to formally establish a partnership with the Sidus family. The contract will be with the family, but the Lady Sidus will handle the actual business and final decisions.’

Could he say “figurehead” so elegantly?

[What a storm of a day…]

At the end of this long day, I sighed deeply while watching the slowly moving planetarium.

Even in my dream, I felt utterly drained. After all, I had been talking and moving in a tired body.

[Still, the outcome wasn’t bad.]

My father, as expected, was unhappy that I would participate in business directly, but what could he do? Thanks to this deal, his daughter could continue life-prolonging treatment.

[Anyway, the deal is done, so now I really have to work.]

I glanced at the Rinex national religion’s sacred text I had abandoned mid-read and sighed again.

If you ask why I have it—the answer is simple. The healing priest Rinex sent last time gave it to me as a reading gift.

At the time I thought, “Who gives this as a gift?” but now I’m glad I have it.

[It’d be better if there were illustrations of holy icons…]

Unfortunately, this text has no illustrations. And I can’t exactly go to Rinex to see them.

[Better ask Yustin for this, then.]

If needed, he’d get it somehow.

Know yourself, know your enemy: unlike with Patrick Johnson, it seems wise to gather as much information as possible before acting recklessly this time.

One misstep could cause a national loss…

[The more I think about it, the stranger he is.]

Why entrust such an important mission to me, just because I entered his dream a few times?

Of course! I’m the only one capable of handling it.

[He’s not exactly normal either.]

I take back ever thinking he resembled me. That lunatic and me?

I shook my head and stood up, thinking of the words “not normal,” which reminded me of a certain dream.

[Luminis.]

Recently, I’ve been monitoring Yustin to prevent mischief, so I haven’t been paying attention there at all.

Since we agreed to be friends, it’s about time to check in.

I wrote the name “Luminis” on paper and tossed it. The paper airplane quickly found its trajectory and began to glide smoothly.

I bravely approached the glowing door and swung it open with force.