IHDOE Ch 67

Satina looked at Hedzel, meeting him after a long absence.

[Satina] "I told you to name the merchant guild yourself, but that shows a complete lack of taste. 'Lettina'?"

He snapped in frustration.

[Hedzel] "Shut up! Then you should've named it yourself! I've never had a talent for naming things!"

Lara, standing nearby, chimed in.

[Lara] "She's right, Lady Satina. For the boss, that was a real effort. Originally, he wanted to call it 'Rat Pack Power'."

Satina paused while lifting her teacup and turned toward Hedzel.

[Satina] "For you, that really was an effort."

[Hedzel] "Eek! Get out! Don't drink that tea!"

Lara, having served the tea, replied smoothly.

[Lara] "My goodness, Boss, you shouldn't be like that. This tea was bought with the money Lady Satina sent. And strictly speaking, this building was bought with her money too, so if anyone should leave, it's you..."

[Hedzel] "Be quiet!"

Satina casually sipped her tea, looking around. Though neither spacious nor luxurious, the building was respectable and sturdy, free of leaks.

[Satina] "Well, a decent roof over your head and warm tea. You've really risen in the world since the underground aqueduct."

[Lara] "It's all thanks to you, Lady Satina!"

Unlike her cheerful response, Hedzel crossed his arms with a thoroughly dissatisfied scowl.

Lara leaned in and whispered in Satina's ear.

[Lara] "He acts like this, but he actually likes you most out of all of us. That's why he included your name in the guild's..."

[Hedzel] "I told you to be quiet!"

He sprang up from his seat, shoving Lara toward the door.

[Hedzel] "Out! Get out!"

[Lara] "Eek!"

After finally forcing Lara outside, he returned to his seat.

[Hedzel] "Anyway. I did as you ordered. Now let me hear it. Inflicting damage on your own family on purpose. What on earth are you thinking?"

[Hedzel] "Your family's losses from this are severe. Do you know how expensive maltstone is right now? At current prices, they're taking a massive hit."

[Satina] "I know."

[Hedzel] "You know? Ah! Are you trying to resolve this to curry favor with your father?"

[Satina] "Hardly. If that were my goal, I wouldn't have told you to form a merchant guild. I would have just bought it myself. Besides, my father is impulsive, self-centered, and possesses less ability to remember his children's accomplishments than an earthworm on the roadside. No matter how much favor I curry, a single thing he dislikes will erase it all."

Hedzel looked even more bewildered by her scathing critique.

[Hedzel] "Then why on earth did you order me to buy up the maltstone?"

[Satina] "Because my father is the single biggest obstacle to my plan."

[Hedzel] "You... Ever since you asked me to look for a house in Planchel, the Free City-State, I wondered... Are you planning to flee the Empire?"

[Satina] "Correct."

[Hedzel] "Is that why you're orchestrating all this? To break your engagement with the Crown Prince...?"

She nodded readily.

[Satina] "Yes. As you know, my father is obsessed with power. Short of the Crown Prince stepping down from his throne, Father would never stamp an annulment."

Had she even uttered the desire to break the engagement, he would likely lock her away until the wedding day and attempt to break her spirit. It was plain as day.

[Satina] "So I intend to send him far away and make Sharlan the Head of the house."

Whatever happened afterward was none of her concern.

[Satina] "I know my father well. He is greedy and believes himself to be immensely intelligent... but where do you think my younger stepsister got her personality?"

In a way, Sharlan was the true anomaly in that family. Though Satina disliked him, she acknowledged his competence. In the game, after Duke Bersabet died in an accident and Sharlan took real power, House Bersabet flourished even more than before.

That's why a foolish superior is so dangerous. Perhaps Father's accident was orchestrated by Sharlan as well.

At any rate, that mattered little now. The Duke's fatal accident occurred around autumn. Since Satina had to succeed in seeking asylum before summer, she lacked the luxury of waiting until then.

[Satina] "If Sharlan had been overseeing the business, he would have prepared a contingency by any means necessary."

In the game, after the crisis erupted, Sharlan swiftly bought up the available maltstone in the market to navigate the disaster.

This time, however, that won't work. Because I've bought up every bit of maltstone on the market.

If so, only one path remained for him: purchasing the maltstone from the mysterious emerging merchant guild she created, 'Lettina'.

Before that, she needed to incite Duke Bersabet further. Reaching the Normal Ending required raising Sharlan's affection to 50.

Still, don't resent me too much, Sharlan. You were the one who taught me how to survive as a Bersabet.

[Sharlan] "If you have complaints, it's simple, Sister. Prove your utility, or leave this mansion."

[Sharlan] "However, Sister, there is one problem. I heard that maid performed her duties quite well, so wouldn't it be a waste to dismiss her merely for poisoning you? If you permit it, I would like to reinstate her as your maid."

Satina revealed her plan to Hedzel, prompting a smirk.

[Hedzel] "Ah, perfect. I like it. Screwing over nobles like that happens to be my specialty."

---

[Duke] "You utter fool! How could you tangle things up like this?!"

He struck Sharlan across the cheek, yet his rage remained unquenched as he jabbed an accusing finger.

Sharlan furrowed his brow briefly before responding in a composed voice.

[Sharlan] "I am currently investigating avenues to secure maltstone. So..."

[Duke] "Investigating avenues?! This is precisely why I can't entrust a single task to you! Those rats at Lettina swept up all the maltstone on the market, yet you're searching irrelevant places?! What on earth do you use your head for?!"

The Duke poked Sharlan's forehead repeatedly with his index finger. He bit the inside of his cheek to suppress the urge to scream at the Duke.

Before this situation unfolded, he had warned him, suggesting it would be prudent to purchase at least a partial supply just in case. At the time, the Duke had rejected his proposal, claiming maltstone prices were guaranteed to drop further.

This incident was no different. Even with matters devolved to this state, the Duke remained obsessed with saving money by any means. Though he made the final call, he pinned all blame on Sharlan.

[Duke] "The delivery date for the Bullstors' teeth is the day after tomorrow, yet we can't process them without maltstone! Does this make any sense?! Huh?! Rumors are already spreading that House Glacier is targeting our contract!"

House Glacier was one of House Bersabet's primary rivals, constantly watching for an opportunity to snatch House Bersabet's contract with the Magic Tower.

[Sharlan] "I apologize."

Furious indignation surged within him, yet Sharlan bowed his head. Talking back in times like this would only stoke the Duke's temper further.

[Duke] "Apologize?! Does an apology conjure non-existent maltstone out of thin air?! Does money fall from the sky?! I don't need such useless words! If we lose that contract to House Glacier, consider yourself thrown out of this house!"

Sharlan exited the Duke's room as if kicked out.

Unbuttoning his collar with a deep sigh. An excruciating headache throbbed as though someone were wringing his brain, yet rest was impossible. Resolving the immediate crisis took precedence.

He issued orders to his aide waiting outside the door.

[Sharlan] "First, investigate that Lettina merchant guild. Even if we must pay a premium, purchase any remaining maltstone. We must meet the delivery date for the Magic Tower, so taking a slight loss doesn't matter."

[Aide] "Understood, Young Duke."

[Sharlan] "And..."

His head throbbed as if splitting open. A burning fire surging from deep within seemed to choke his throat.

Suddenly, the image of Satina singing crossed his mind, yet he forcefully suppressed the impulse. What good was recalling that woman in a situation like this? What influence could she possibly have over him?

On his way to his office to handle matters, he spotted Satina approaching from the opposite corridor. The face of the woman he least wished to encounter at this very moment. She would likely gaze at him with those worrisome eyes again.

As expected, Satina appeared startled upon seeing his battered face from his father's assault. She approached him immediately to inspect his injury.

[Satina] "Sharlan, your cheek... It's swollen. Did Father do this?"

[Sharlan] "Don't concern yourself."

[Satina] "How can I not concern myself when you're hurt like this? Let me heal you."

[Sharlan] "I believe I told you not to concern yourself."

[Satina] "I'm worried about you. Let me see. Is the inside of your mouth injured too?"

Her tender eyes seemed to worry solely for him, almost softening his resolve. Unable to tolerate such weakness in himself, Sharlan harshly struck her arm away.

[Sharlan] "Did I not tell you not to concern yourself?!"

His rougher-than-usual touch left a red mark on her hand.

[Sharlan] "Stop acting as if you care about me like that! We aren't even related by blood. Do you think acting like this will ever make us family?!"

Her hand trembled slightly. She bit her lip as if on the verge of tears. Yet, closing her eyes tightly, she reined in her emotions and spoke in a calm voice.

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