Chapter 40
“An investment from the Mage Tower…!”
I’d thought maybe, just maybe—but I never expected them to actually make such an offer.
I blinked slowly and closed my mouth.
When I didn’t respond right away, the elder let out a deep sigh.
“Hoo… You’re still young, my lady, so you don’t seem to understand just how great an honor this is. Listen carefully.”
On and on.
He began listing all the benefits of receiving an investment from the Mage Tower.
I already knew everything he was saying, but I didn’t bother stopping him.
The longer he rambled on, trying to lecture me, the more time it gave me to think.
I responded appropriately to his words while sinking into contemplation.
Receiving an investment from the Mage Tower is definitely advantageous.
The Mage Tower couldn’t directly operate businesses in every country.
They already monopolized magic and reaped enormous benefits from it. If they entered markets directly, the economies of those nations would inevitably end up completely under the Mage Tower’s control.
Because of that, four nations—including the continental hegemon, the Arestan Empire—formed a powerful alliance and issued an agreement prohibiting the Mage Tower from running businesses.
That was one time when the Mage Tower backed down and accepted the agreement.
But that only stopped direct operation.
Investments, however, were not prohibited.
Thus, through various investments, the Mage Tower quietly seeped into the continental economy.
For reference, the “Quind Hotel,” which I’d singled out as my sole competitor, also received Mage Tower investment.
And Mage Tower investments aren’t necessarily monetary.
In this world, mana is similar to a battery.
Magical tools and magic circles that make daily life convenient stop functioning once their stored mana is fully depleted.
When that happens, you call the Mage Tower to recharge the mana—just like replacing a battery.
The Mage Tower’s biggest source of income was precisely this “mana recharging service.”
And if you received their investment, you could use this service either for free or at a very low cost.
They even periodically dispatch mages to inspect installed magic tools and magic circles.
This was an investment that only the Mage Tower could offer.
An investment far more valuable than money.
That was why every businessperson wanted Mage Tower backing.
From my position as someone just starting out, their proposal isn’t bad.
Especially since my resort was a structure created entirely through magic from the very beginning.
But still…
Something feels off.
Why would the Mage Tower want to invest in a resort built on such a tiny island?
There were plenty of solid companies lined up, eager for Mage Tower investment.
As if to resolve my doubts, the elder finally got to the point.
“However, there is something you must do in return for accepting the Mage Tower’s investment.”
“And what would that be?”
“Upon inspection, I noticed traces of mana usage throughout this resort—small, but unmistakable.”
The elder stroked his beard as he spoke.
“It seems a mage assisted you behind the scenes. You will hand over that mage’s personal information to our Mage Tower.”
Hmm. So he really is an elder of the Mage Tower, after all.
I had used magic and carefully erased all traces, yet he still detected the faint residual mana.
I spoke to him with a troubled expression.
“But that person always said their skills were too lacking to even be called a mage…”
“That is for our Mage Tower to judge. Still, they don’t seem arrogant.”
The elder chuckled.
“Indeed, the amount of mana used is small, so it’s difficult to call them an outstanding mage. However, we discovered something noteworthy in the remaining traces.”
“Something noteworthy? Is there a problem…?”
“Hmm, nothing serious. To explain in detail—mana leaves a distinct form depending on the material used. And such a form was found here in this resort.”
Having said that, the elder looked at me with a benevolent smile.
“Our Mage Tower is merely curious about the material that mage used. We have no other intentions. So please, don’t worry unnecessarily.”
At those words, I narrowed my eyes.
Because I saw the small eyes beneath his calm expression flicker with greed.
I tilted my head slightly.
I’ve learned something new.
When I copied the residential units to be used in the resort, I had used my own blood as the material.
Yet I had no idea that mana left specific patterns depending on the material used.
This wasn’t knowledge written in any book.
From now on, I’ll need to erase those patterns too.
That aside—
The fact that materials leave specific traces means one thing.
He’s already inferred that the material was the blood of a living being.
And blood is the material that maximizes mana efficiency.
Especially my blood—an ingredient every mage in the world would covet.
Naturally, I had no intention of sharing such a priceless resource with anyone.
“I’ll have to decline~.”
“You’ve made a wise decis—… What did you say?”
“I said I’m declining the Mage Tower’s investment offer~.”
I smiled sweetly.
As I did, the elder’s benevolent face slowly twisted with anger.
“You should think carefully. What good could come from turning your back on the Mage Tower?”
“But~ I really want to honor my trust with the mage I’m close to. They said they absolutely don’t want their identity revealed—to anyone.”
“My lady, didn’t I tell you? The Mage Tower has no intention of harming that mage. We only wish to inquire about the material used in the magic.”
“I’m still sorry. I’m a proper businesswoman now, and I can’t break a promise to the person who first supported me after seeing my resort’s potential~.”
“Tsk! This is why it’s impossible to reason with young women…! A businessperson should calculate what benefits them most! Do I really need to teach you even that?!”
You don’t need to teach me—I’m already done calculating.
And the conclusion is that working with you would be a bigger loss.
Besides, I knew exactly how to suppress someone who kept looking down on me.
I looked straight at the elder and spoke.
“Even so, as a noble—and as a member of the House of Seind—”
“!”
“There is a minimum level of honor I must uphold. Please refrain from pressuring me to abandon that honor, Elder.”
“P-Pressuring?! That’s quite an exaggeration!”
The elder raised his voice, then clicked his tongue sharply and stroked his beard.
Indeed, the most effective way to shut up an old fossil was to mention powerful backing.
“Is that the end of our discussion, then? My fiancé gets anxious when we’re apart for too long, so I’ll be taking my leave~.”
There was nothing left to discuss with that old man.
As I rose from the sofa without hesitation, the elder glared at me and warned:
“You clearly don’t understand how terrifying the Mage Tower’s anger can be.”
“……”
“There is no business on this continent that thrives without passing through the Mage Tower’s hands. Consider this a lesson.”
A lesson on what happens to those who reject the Mage Tower’s opportunity.
At his muttering, I shrugged.
“Oh my, I never asked for an opportunity in the first place. Perhaps the Mage Tower is a bit… narrow-minded~?”
“What?! What did you say?!”
At my final remark, the elder finally exploded, jumping to his feet and pointing at me.
“I’m joking, joking~.”
I replied lightly to his shouting and left the reception room.
My mind was moving even faster than before.
I thought there was no need to earn the Mage Tower’s hatred… but I ended up doing just that.
My dealings with the Mage Tower were now completely severed.
Not just mana recharging services—any secret backdoor transactions would also be cut off entirely.
But I still have a lot of construction to do with magic.
In that case…
There’s no helping it.
If I could’ve taken the easy road, I would have—but since circumstances don’t allow it, I’ll have to take the hard one.
Still, it’s not like there’s no path at all.
In fact, taking this difficult route might get me to my destination even faster~?
When I calmly entered my bedroom, Harten was already inside, resting.
He was staring blankly at the ceiling with an expressionless face, but the moment he saw me, his lips curved into a wide smile.
“Eani, did everything go well with the investors? Sorry. I wanted to stay by your side, but those damn old men kept stopping me.”
“Harten~.”
I gently wrapped my arms around his neck as he fussed over me.
Then, wearing the smile he liked most, I whispered:
“How about we go on a long trip to celebrate our engagement~?”
