IHDOE Ch 22

[Sharlan] "Ha, what could you possibly do?"

[Satina] "What do you have to lose?"

The sweet aroma of lemon honey tea prepared by Satina tickled the tip of his nose.

[Sharlan] "Are you trying to offer help in exchange for a dress? If so, speaking honestly from the beginning would have sufficed."

[Satina] "As I stated earlier, I don't need a dress. I told you repeatedly. I desire nothing from you."

[Sharlan] "Desire nothing, is it……"

He disbelieved those words. Though disbelieving them, the way those words dissolved in his mouth, sweet as honey, sickened him.

Therefore, he decided to test her.

[Sharlan] "You may assist with the work if you wish. However, Sister……."

Whatever scheme this woman harbored in offering her help mattered little to him. Regardless of what scheme she devised, she remained in the palm of his hand anyway.

[Sharlan] "What will you do if you prove useless in this matter? Though receiving no reward, could you not receive punishment instead? Do you still claim you will help me?"

Sharlan extended the documents on his desk toward Satina.

No reward upon success, yet punishment upon failure—such an unfair contract was unheard of.

He expected Satina to recoil in disgust and flee, or offer an apology. Yet contrary to his expectations, she accepted the documents handed over by him with a serene expression.

[Satina] "Very well."

She held complete confidence in gaining everything she desired, even from a contract like this. Fame, money, and even Sharlan's Affection.

[Liv] "Sharlan's Affection increased by 2."

Listening to the cheerful chime, she smiled.

---

[Liv] "Liv can't comprehend the player."

[Satina] "About what?"

She asked, looking outside through the carriage window.

[Liv] "Do you intend to use that man to boost dress sales? Attending the ball alongside him makes it possible, yet he exhibits no interest. Following Liv's advice is recommended."

[Satina] "I told you I won't."

[Liv] "Sharlan is not a good-natured person. If the player fails to resolve the problem, he will certainly punish the player."

[Satina] "Likely so."

Sharlan never spoke words in vain. That unpredictable lunatic would inflict punishment beyond her imagination.

[Liv] "In Liv's judgment, withdrawing your offer to help him is wise, even now."

[Satina] "Afraid I will fail?"

Instead of answering, the system displayed a small loading window before her.

[Liv] "Yes."

[Satina] "Even if I reach a Bad Ending, you suffer no loss. Take it lightly. Lightly."

[Liv] "That is impossible. I am an AI system created solely to assist your play. Devoting myself to achieving your goal is my sole purpose for existence."

A chuckle escaped her lips.

Her younger stepbrother Sharlan, her stepsister, her biological mother, her fiancé the Crown Prince—

Not a single human made of flesh and blood worried for her, making the sight of an AI system speaking in monotone machine chimes stepping forward to care for her safety oddly amusing.

[Liv] "Why are you laughing?"

[Satina] "No reason. Just thought that even my own mother wouldn't worry about me to that extent."

[Liv] "Is Liv worrying about you?"

[Satina] "Are you not?"

[Liv] "I don't know."

[Liv] "Liv merely wishes that you receive no punishment from Sharlan."

[Satina] "That is what worry is. Racking your brain out of fear that I might end up in a bad situation or that things might go wrong."

[Liv] "Because Liv is an AI system, racking a brain is impossible, yet your statement matches the dictionary definition of 'worry'."

[Liv] "In that case, is Liv worrying about you?"

[Satina] "Yes."

[Liv] "In that case, Liv is always worrying about you."

[Satina] "Huh?"

Liv spoke in the same monotonous machine voice.

[Liv] "Because Liv always ponders how to help you achieve what you desire."

Right on cue, the carriage arrived at the research facility operated by House Bersabet.

[Liv] "Watch your step."

Stepping down from the carriage upon listening to the system's guidance, a man with a mustache welcomed Satina.

[Benjamin] "Welcome, My Lady. I heard the details from the Young Duke. I am Benjamin, director of this research facility."

Receiving his greeting with an elegant posture, Satina recalled the reason she visited today.

Magical beast Gritanan. Composed of green vine tendrils, it was a plant-type magical beast inhabiting dense forests, possessing vibrant vitality and resilience.

House Bersabet single-handedly invigorated the hunt for Gritanan, which once held no value whatsoever.

To be precise, it began when scholars belonging to House Bersabet discovered a unique processing method for Gritanan. They discovered that processing Gritanan via a specialized method demonstrated exceptional effectiveness in wound recovery.

Keeping the processing method secret, House Bersabet sold the extract at high prices. From that day onward, the magical beast Gritanan became a goose laying golden eggs.

However, House Radius began selling this extract approximately one month ago. They had unlocked the Gritanan processing method known exclusively to House Bersabet.

Naturally, money-crazed Duke Bersabet flew into a fury upon learning this fact.

[Duke] "House Radius definitely stole our processing method! Just let me catch whoever did this!"

Naturally, House Radius denied it completely.

[Radius] "I can't comprehend your words. This is the result of independent research by House Radius, so why are you throwing such a tantrum?"

Meanwhile, they began selling Gritanan extract at prices lower than House Bersabet's. Naturally, their sales of Gritanan extract plummeted to the bottom, causing severe financial losses.

Lately, Sharlan has been racking his brain to boost Gritanan extract sales and investigate who leaked the processing method.

Well, finding the culprit is understandably difficult for Sharlan. He would never suspect that the person he personally trusted and entrusted with work is an industrial spy.

Satina smiled at the man standing before her.

Isn't that right, Benjamin?

Benjamin had worked for House Bersabet for a long time, a man whom Sharlan personally appointed as facility director due to his outstanding work performance. In truth, he was a mole sent by House Radius from the very beginning to uncover the Gritanan extract processing method.

In the game, Sharlan's relentless pursuit eventually caught and killed him, but that remained a distant event.

So I must catch evidence of him being an industrial spy before Sharlan does.

Her eyes sparkled as if gazing upon gold coins.

---

Meanwhile, Benjamin busied himself mocking Satina inwardly, utterly unaware of her thoughts.

House Bersabet must severely lack talent. Sending a mindless, foolish woman like that to resolve the issue.

The Young Duke of House Bersabet was an exceptionally sharp individual. Contrary to his elegant and gentle demeanor, he brought immense profits to House Bersabet through cold, calculating judgment.

On the other hand, what about Satina?

A woman who became a Bersabet ducal daughter purely by luck. A trashy ducal daughter possessing not a shred of noble dignity.

Word said she broke into the Crown Prince's room recently, only to get dragged out like a dog.

I see why the Crown Prince has not broken the betrothal despite feeling such disgust.

He swept his gaze up and down Satina with sly eyes. Taking in her cascading blonde hair, pink eyes, and slender white neckline revealed how a talentless woman succeeded in securing a betrothal with the Crown Prince.

At any rate, this works out well for me. Dealing with a foolish lady ignorant of the world will prove far easier than managing the quick-witted, intelligent Young Duke.

Concealing his true thoughts, he offered a bright smile as if overflowing with joy at Satina's arrival.

[Benjamin] "Thinking of resolving this matter alone felt overwhelmingly hopeless, so I can't express how fortunate I feel that My Lady visited."

[Satina] "Is that so?"

[Benjamin] "Naturally! Do you see my dark circles? Worrying over this matter lately keeps me from sleeping properly at night."

Listening to his fussing, Satina thought inwardly.

What a joke.

Yet outwardly, she spoke while maintaining an elegant smile.

[Satina] "Yes, rest easy now that I have arrived. Shall we hear the detailed story first?"

[Benjamin] "Ah, travelling by carriage must have proven tiring, so are you certain you need no rest?"

[Satina] "It is fine. Resolving urgent matters comes first."

[Benjamin] "Thinking of work immediately upon arrival! As expected of a lady of House Bersabet!"

At his fluent praise, she offered a bashful smile.

[Satina] "Don't say such things. I still lack ability in many ways."

[Benjamin] "To think such a humble and responsible lady exists. Duke Bersabet must feel reassured."

Concealing their true intentions, the two headed toward the director's office. En route to the director's office, they passed iron cages where magical beasts were confined.

[M. Beast] "Kaaak!"

Startled by the beast's screech, Satina hunched her shoulders.

[Satina] "……What is that sound?"

[Benjamin] "There is no need to be startled. Live magical beasts arrive occasionally."

[Satina] "Live magical beasts?"

[Benjamin] "Conducting various experiments requires them at times. It is not particularly dangerous, so you need not pay attention. It is merely a bird at best."

How sheltered must she have grown to get so frightened?

Mocking Satina inwardly, Benjamin reassured her.

[Satina] "Is that so?"

She turned her head, looking at the iron cage. A large bird with pitch-black feathers flapped its wings with all its might, slamming its body against the cage.

[Satina] "Is that magical beast not a fairly rare species?"

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