CHAPTER 24
“Huhhh?”
The old lumber merchant looked completely bewildered. He had assumed I was trying to raise the purchase price of the wood. But that was never an option.
Apparently, the other merchant leaders who came before me had tried to pass his “test” by offering outrageously high prices for the wood. But that only triggered the trap.
‘Great-Aunt told me to secure a proper contract.’
If we raise the price of the wood like that, how much do we expect to sell the music boxes for? Is just winning the contract enough? It wouldn’t be profitable at all.
I couldn’t increase the purchase price—but that didn’t mean I couldn’t let him feel the value of money.
This time, I brought the spicy version.
I sat down and crossed my legs confidently.
“Benjamin, who am I? Arstina Bianca Rosen. The only daughter of a filthy rich duke’s house. A hollow-brained villainess who gets sick if I don’t waste absurd amounts of money. So I figured I’d blow some cash on a useless little music box business, just like this old man here said. But now I can’t get materials, and it’s driving me mad! I need to spend this pile of money somewhere…”
I unfolded the protest flyer from the Elf Church that I’d picked up off the floor.
“This place looks perfect.”
“……!”
The old man was horrified.
The flyer advertised every crazy stunt the Elf Church had ever pulled:
Marching half-naked with leaves covering only the essentials. Chanting in city squares while cursing woodcutters and lumber merchants. Vandalizing stacked lumber with paint. Following pedestrians around until they signed a petition to ban wood processing…
And below all that proudly listed terrorism:
Sponsored by: Imperial Bank Account #338-575465-xxxxxx.
“Account fully transparent to all donors.”
I casually tapped my finger right on the bank account number.
“N-No way…”
The old man, who had ignored everything I’d said so far, finally started to waver.
“What are you saying… You’re seriously going to donate a hundred million to those lunatics?!”
“Why not?”
I replied with the vacant-brained innocence of a spoiled heiress.
“I love trees, too! Either way, I’d be spending money on trees, right? My dad always says to donate generously when I’m bored.”
I tapped my ring, and a magic seal projected my personal bank account into the air. Then I input the Elf Church’s donation account.
<17 perels>.
That was the entire balance of their “transparent” donation account.
Of course. Who in their right mind would donate blood-earned money to those nuisance zealots?
[Please donate now. The Elf Church needs your support.]
As that message echoed, I clicked the floating donation button to initiate the transfer.
“Noooo! Boss!”
Benjamin shrieked.
“Old man! Please stop our boss! She’s about to rain money down on those god-awful cockroaches! Just sign this contract and let her channel her twisted cravings into a business, please! Sell us the wood and snatch that money away from the Elf Church!”
“U-Uhh…”
While the old man stammered helplessly—woosh, the 100 million was transferred.
The balance of 17 perels rolled upward with a delightful sound effect.
<100,000,017 perels>.
[You have received a donation of 100 million perels. Thank you.]
A holographic image appeared: Elf Church cultists dancing joyfully, wearing nothing but leaves.
“Grrrgh!”
The old man’s face turned red and blue. His nostrils flared and puffed like steam vents—he looked like he might burst under pressure.
“Wow, spending money is so much fun. I think I’ll donate the rest of my 900 million too.”
I reached out again toward the bank screen with a lazy flourish.
At that moment, the old man kicked back his chair and jumped to his feet.
“Wait!!!”
The Next Morning
The Silver Dove Palace, the site of the interviews designated by Great-Aunt, was packed with people.
“What is this?! They didn’t say anything about this at yesterday’s general meeting!”
Candidates who had just realized they were supposed to bring a wood sample were red-faced and fuming.
“Did you get one?”
“No! There was only one place left and they kicked me out!”
“Same here!”
Everyone had searched high and low for it but failed to secure any maple walnut wood. Complaints poured out.
A whole group stormed over to protest, but Great-Aunt’s attendant was firm.
“No exceptions. You should have read the invitation properly. It clearly stated you must bring a sample.”
“Ugh, this is ridiculous!”
Amidst the growing clamor, I arrived.
As always, striding over the stone path in heels, dressed to the nines, exuding an overwhelming aura.
People held their breath for a moment, then resumed their whispers.
“She probably didn’t even read the invitation.”
“Ugh, what kind of scene is she going to cause this time?”
Though they scowled, there was a glint of morbid curiosity in their eyes.
But then…
“Do you have your sample, milady?”
“Of course.”
I turned confidently at the attendant’s question.
The servant following me hurried forward, carrying a silver tray.
When the others saw what was on it, their eyes widened in disbelief.
It was unmistakably the very same maple walnut wood currently causing a shortage in the region.
“What? Lady Arstina has it?”
“Ugh, seriously?! Is money all that matters?”
“Wait, but if she bought it at a jacked-up price, wouldn’t she get disqualified anyway? Like that one merchant who tried smuggling imported wood.”
“Yeah, it’s not just about having it. The unit price is crucial.”
The murmurs grew louder.
But…
“May we review the purchase contract for the wood, milady?”
“Here you go.”
The attendant reviewed my contract and nodded.
“Excellent. You’ll be admitted after the current interview concludes.”
“What?!”
Jaws dropped.
“She passed all the checks?”
“How?! What trick did she pull?”
Yep. I totally solved it with money.
As I flaunted my 100-million-perel wood sample, eyes of disbelief turned into pure shock.
My chin lifted sky-high.
‘Are you watching, Duke Canel?’
I had been nervous coming home late last night.
I was afraid someone would assume I came back drunk from partying and I’d be scolded again.
But all the lights were off.
‘They really don’t care about me.’
That’s what the whole mansion seemed to say.
Still, I hoped they’d at least notice this moment. Were the Duke’s aides not here? Would the report reach him properly?
Maintaining a lofty expression, I secretly scanned the area.
All the attention might have gone to Prince Zikren, but some curious spectators were watching this side too.
Under a tree slightly away from the crowd, I spotted a hooded figure in a cloak.
I flinched.
‘Ruelian?’
I tensed for a moment—but thankfully, the figure was a woman.
As she stepped forward slightly for a better view, I caught a glimpse of her lips and jawline.
‘That face…’
I racked my memory, and it hit me.
‘Eunice!’
Duke Canel’s chief aide. Intelligent, composed, always tying her hair to one side—it had to be her.
She must have been hiding until I showed up, then peeked out briefly to get a good look before disappearing again.
‘Too late. I already spotted you.’
Even if they pretended not to care, they had secretly sent the top aide to report back. I had to make sure I didn’t slip up now.
“Milady, you may enter now.”
“Oh, alright.”
Hoping Eunice would give a glowing report to the Duke, I tucked the wood sample into my bag and strode inside confidently.
The attendant led me down a corridor to a room at the end.
It looked like an executive office, with a large desk and chair.
“They’ll be here shortly.”
“Okay.”
Nothing’s more nerve-wracking than waiting for an interview.
The weight of how much I wanted this contract hit me, and suddenly, nerves kicked in.
‘No, don’t panic.’
I took a deep breath.
‘If I win the contract, how will I market the product? What if I develop a new model?’
I began mentally reviewing the answers I’d prepped last night…
“…?”
Suddenly, I felt a wave of nausea and looked up. The floor shook violently.
“What the—an earthquake?!”
I hoped it was just my imagination or nearby construction, but the tremors were serious.
Following the evacuation drill, I ducked under the desk and covered my head, but it wasn’t the shaking that blackened my vision.
‘If this keeps up… my interview…?’
To me, this interview was more important than the earthquake.
I could already see the announcement:
<Today’s interviews are canceled due to the earthquake. A new date will be announced later.>
‘Nooo!’
If I were a loser, I’d rejoice and thank the gods. But I had a real shot—maybe even top rank—so the thought of losing out made me want to scream.
Earthquakes don’t check calendars, but still—why now?!
Zikren, is this your doing?
No way. Even he wouldn’t start a quake in Great-Aunt’s palace…
“Ah! Wait—the Great-Aunt!”
I gasped. She was on her way here right now!
“Great-Aunt! Are you okay?!”
“A-Ahhh… I’m here! Over here!”
A flustered voice responded from outside.
“Are you alright?!”
The dumbest question of the year.
The interviewer, and potential contractor, was a frail elder who might blow away in a breeze. I had to make sure she was safe.
“Hold on! I’m coming!”
I grabbed the desk and forced myself to stand. Shielding my head with my bag, I used the wall for balance and stepped out of the room.
But then—
“Huh?”
As soon as I came out, I stopped in shock.
