Chapter 31
After concluding a satisfying deal, Mia wandered the market looking for Chloe. The sun was already beginning to set.
When she finally found her, Mia dismissed the reunion with a single word and extended her hand.
“Let’s go.”
Mia had visited Raven’s market in her past life as well. Back then, however, the war had deteriorated so badly that there was no sign of such bustling liveliness. Even so, the Temple of the Goddess Aetos, still standing amidst the ruins, had left a lasting impression in her memory.
Mia wanted to take Chloe there.
“Chloe.”
Mia’s voice was lower and more solemn than usual, brushing softly past the young girl’s ears. This was the first time Mia had addressed her by name. Sensing the importance of what was to come, Chloe instinctively tensed.
“As I mentioned before, if you follow the people I introduce you to, you’ll end up at the High Temple. Rather than theology, you’ll be learning how to wield divine power. In either case, it’s more than what your father permitted.”
“…But I don’t have any divine power.”
Oops. Overwhelmed by the strong impression of the Chloe from her past life, Mia had made a slip of the tongue at a crucial moment.
But mistakes are less important than how you recover from them. Mia’s long-standing political survival had always hinged on her ability to manage crises. Her steady, unwavering gaze met Chloe’s.
“You have talent. Anyone with divine power would recognize it.”
There was such conviction in her voice that even a non-believer might be swayed for a moment. Hearing a declaration of potential from someone she admired, Chloe’s face lit up with awe.
Admiration was a burdensome emotion for Mia. In her view, she was not someone worthy of admiration or kindness. She had lived bearing sins far too great. So before Chloe could express gratitude she might not be able to carry, Mia spoke first.
“You won’t regret the path you’ve chosen, will you?”
A fleeting shadow passed over the girl’s face, but it soon melted into a clear smile.
“Not at all. I don’t even want to call that man ‘Father’ anymore. Thanks to you, I have a new life ahead of me—what is there to regret?”
Mia felt relieved but also somewhat bitter. Changing someone’s life entirely came with a weight of responsibility.
Mia had always evaded that responsibility by treating people as tools, but being human, she couldn’t help but feel a tinge of guilt when met with such trust.
“Even so, there will come a time when you miss the comfort of your old life.”
Chloe shook her head firmly.
“Never. It was never comfortable. And besides, I feel happier carving out my own life than living one that’s merely convenient.”
That was enough. All Mia needed from Chloe now was one thing: the stubbornness not to waver from the path ahead. Mia believed it was that very stubbornness that had shaped the ‘Chloe’ of her past life.
Now, it was time to show her a new path.
“See that alley? Go through it, and you’ll find a stone building decorated with a statue of the goddess. Go there and say you’ve received support from the Grenier Trading Company and wish to be sent to the High Temple.”
“That’s all I have to do?”
“I’ve already sent the donation under your name. They’ll guarantee your safety. With your abilities, you’ll adapt easily.”
“I… I’ll definitely repay this favor.”
Though Chloe meant it as encouragement, her trembling voice caught Mia by surprise.
“Thank you so much. I left in such a rush that I didn’t even get to say goodbye…”
Mia smiled softly and took something out of her bag.
Inside a large birdcage was a dark-blue messenger bird. She placed the handle into Chloe’s hands.
“If you’re that grateful, at least keep in touch from time to time.”
“What is this…?”
Chloe stared at the bird with wide eyes.
“It’s a military messenger pigeon. If I simply asked you to write, it might’ve been difficult without a means to send letters.”
That small gesture moved Chloe deeply. She clutched the cage tightly and beamed. Tears of emotion she couldn’t wipe away welled up and fell.
“Yes, I’ll definitely write! Thank you—truly, thank you…”
“May fortune be with you.”
Mia gave her shoulder one last pat and turned to leave. She could hear Chloe’s soft sobs from behind, but it was better for both of them if she didn’t look back.
‘I never had any reason to pity her in the first place…’
Still, if the pawn she had helped could also be happy, all the better. With that, Mia shook off her mixed thoughts about Chloe’s future.
Her next destination: the residence of Marquis An.
Mia recalled the invitation she had received from him a few days earlier and headed for his estate.
The name “Grenier” was like a key. The gates of the marquis’s mansion opened without even the need for identity verification. Led inside by the servants’ courteous guidance, Mia was greeted by a long hallway.
Statues lined both sides, creating an oppressive atmosphere. The towering stone lions made it clear just how desperately the owner of the house wished to flaunt his authority.
‘To put something like this in the guest hallway—what a blatant attempt at intimidation. It’s almost laughable.’
Mia sneered internally but kept her expression calm as she walked. In truth, this level of wealth was not something to scoff at. Playing the role of a noble in a city like Raven demanded immense wealth, even without extravagant indulgences.
‘He probably hopes to overwhelm people with sights no commoner—or even merchant—could imagine.’
If she were just a commoner or even a merchant, it might have worked.
But to the eldest daughter of the Blanchard family, the opulent displays of a commercial city meant nothing. When it came to luxury, Mia could have anything she desired with a single stretch of her hand. These silly stone statues were nothing more than child’s play.
“This is all you brought?”
The moment she stepped into the study, the marquis greeted her with a brusque tone. He seemed quite disappointed by the amount of goods Mia presented.
‘So he expected special treatment, even though he’s late to the illegal trade game?’
Suppressing a smirk, Mia bowed politely. The drugs had been her last card to pacify him at the hotel.
“I apologize. The distribution network is still incomplete, so I could only bring samples. If a foreign trading company is caught distributing something dangerous in large quantities, the consequences wouldn’t be pleasant.”
The marquis’s expression softened slightly at her polite tone, but his greedy eyes still betrayed dissatisfaction.
“Still, that’s not good enough. I doubt this is all you’ve got. Think carefully. If you can supply enough, I could put in a good word for your company among the central nobility.”
‘Does this man really not understand Veridian politics? Or is he just testing me?’
Mia was nearly amused by his shallow scheming. Grenier was already the continent’s largest trading company and renowned even in the Veridian capital. For the marquis to act as if they needed his patronage—how arrogant.
‘Is he really that ignorant, or is this just a pathetic attempt to assert dominance?’
Without showing a hint of emotion, Mia simply smiled awkwardly, as if hesitant to speak.
Perhaps thinking he had won her over, the marquis sent the servants away with a smug smile.
“Unfortunately, this is really all I have. However…”
Now that they were alone, Mia cautiously broached another topic.
“Go on.”
“…How much would you pay for information?”
“Information… I didn’t know Grenier dealt in that.”
Though he masked it with an unfocused gaze and disinterested tone, his curiosity was clear beyond his disappointed eyes.
‘Of course he’s intrigued. He probably thinks he’d be the first in his circle to buy intel from Grenier.’
This was why Marquis An was known to be greedy but lacking in real capabilities. Mia simply gave him a warm, agreeable smile.
“We’re in the business of making money, after all. If it’s profitable, there’s no reason we wouldn’t invest.”
“Sounds like you’re saying you’ve got something worth paying for…”
