IHDOE Ch 69

[Hedzel] "Your father has one hell of a temper."

He burst into laughter as he recounted the scene at the auction house.

[Hedzel] "Do you know how he looked at me every time I raised the bid? He looked like he wanted to feed me rat poison!"

[Satina] "His temper is quite something. Still, it sounds like you enjoyed yourself."

He nodded eagerly.

[Hedzel] "Of course! Do you think opportunities to mock nobles come along so easily? I had to enjoy it to the fullest while I could! You should have seen his face in person!"

The memory alone brought a foolish grin leaking through his lips. Then, his expression turned serious as he faced her.

[Hedzel] "But are you alright? Is it fine for us to meet like this? Tails were attached to me, too. I shook them off easily enough, but you never know."

[Satina] "It's fine. I confirmed through Katan that no one is monitoring this area."

[Hedzel] "Your father has been desperate lately to dig up info on our guild and catch us on anything. He even sent people to the workers at our guild."

[Satina] "To buy information?"

[Hedzel] "Yeah. Well, everyone working there owes you their lives anyway, so you don't have to worry about betrayal. Besides, I'm the only one who knows the details of what you're up to."

[Satina] "We've certainly made a strong enemy."

[Hedzel] "Yeah, you're in his black books now. What are you going to do? For us, it ends if we close down the guild and run, but if your connection to the guild gets exposed, your father's disposition won't leave you in one piece."

Despite his worried tone, she remained entirely composed.

[Satina] "Well, if I'm caught, things will get a bit tedious, but surely it won't kill me."

[Hedzel] "Hey! Don't say things that would terrify anyone else!"

[Satina] "It's a joke."

[Hedzel] "Still! So what are you really going to do?"

[Satina] "What else? Since Father is making such a fuss, I have to run."

[Hedzel] "Then don't tell me..."

[Satina] "Hand over all the maltstone to House Glacier and shut down the guild."

[Hedzel] "Huh?"

[Satina] "With the Duke making such a scene, how could we operate a merchant guild in the capital?"

[Hedzel] "Really? Seriously? Every last bit of it?"

[Satina] "Yes. Didn't you say House Glacier offered up to double the original price? Then we lose nothing."

[Hedzel] "That's true for us, but are you all right? Your family won't be able to deliver the goods to the Magic Tower, and breaking the contract will inflict catastrophic losses on them."

She pondered for a moment before speaking.

[Satina] "Come to think of it, Hedzel, did I mention that?"

[Hedzel] "Mention what?"

[Satina] "That I'm not Duke Bersabet's biological daughter."

[Hedzel] "What about it now? Is there anyone in this Empire who doesn't know that?"

[Satina] "Exactly. So even if he passes away tomorrow and leaves an inheritance, my share isn't even this much. Not a sliver."

Whether a fortune she couldn't take along when breaking the engagement and fleeing fell apart mattered little to her. She had already accumulated enough wealth to live comfortably for a lifetime, and her sole interest now was reaching the Normal Ending in this cursed game to seize her freedom.

[Hedzel] "Hey... You should have said that first!"

Understanding dawning on him at last, Hedzel nodded along.

[Hedzel] "Shall I throw in info on the magic materials the Tower Master is currently interested in as a bonus to House Glacier? So they can thoroughly snatch your family's contract?"

[Satina] "Sounds wonderful."

That night, Hedzel sold all the maltstone in his possession to House Glacier. Though the price was triple what he originally paid to acquire it, they purchased it without hesitation.

Thanks to that, Satina earned a fortune, while Hedzel and his companions threw a party and sang songs with the money.

It was a contract where everyone emerged happy.

Except for one place: House Bersabet.

---

Satina inspected Sharlan's affection window.

His affection went up.

Thanks to treating the wounds he suffered from his father last time, his affection had risen to 40. Despite that, the relationship between them was far colder than before.

In the past, she would have dropped by occasionally while he was busy, asking if there was anything to help with and brewing tea to mend their relationship. Now, she did nothing. Instead, whenever she passed Sharlan in the corridor, she walked right by without making eye contact.

She felt his gaze on her at times, but the more she felt it, the more she ignored him.

An event to boost his affection all at once is already prepared anyway.

Meanwhile, Sharlan couldn't believe her response.

Why isn't she coming?

Though she had said she wouldn't interfere anymore, he had assumed those were mere empty words. No matter what harsh words tumbled from his mouth in the past, she had always approached him serenely.

Yet this was strange.

Normally, she would approach him while he was busy, ask if he needed help, brew sweet tea, and attentively check on his well-being. Now, she walked past him without even a nod when they crossed paths in the hallway.

Even while reviewing documents, the image of her back as she departed after healing him last time lingered before his eyes.

Would buying her jewels soften her heart? Or perhaps a dress?

What is fashionable in the capital these days?

What should I present to soften that heart of hers?

Even while conversing with his aide, he lost track of his subordinate's words while indulging in useless regrets about whether he shouldn't have said those things back then.

Yes, just like right now.

[Aide] "So, infiltrating the guild failed... Young Duke?"

[Sharlan] "Ah, no. Continue."

Without realizing it, he scribbled out her name on his document. Setting his pen down entirely, he rested his head against his hand.

He knew better than anyone that now was not the time for this. He needed to clean up the mess his father created and investigate the suspicious Lettina Guild, yet his entire mind focused on Satina, making concentration impossible.

Lettina Guild...

Damn it, of all things, even the guild's name reminded him of her.

This merchant guild proved remarkably formidable. Even when trying to infiltrate it, it was so closed off that no one outside the original employees could get close.

Attempting to procure maltstone elsewhere was unfeasible, as mining took time and the resource was rare.

And Father had to get into such a spat with that guild master of all people.

Cleaning up that aftermath had deprived Sharlan of proper sleep for quite a while.

He let out a heavy sigh and stood up.

[Sharlan] "First, continue the investigation. Look into that guild's funding source as well. Pressuring that side might yield results."

Issuing instructions to his aide, he stepped out of his office to attend a meeting, only to run straight into Satina. Her large eyes met his before hurriedly averting her gaze as she rushed past him.

Forgetting his way to the meeting room, he stood foolishly in place, clenching and unclenching his fist.

If I reach out now...

Though he knew she would be delighted if he spoke first, he couldn't bring himself to do it. He couldn't understand himself for hesitating repeatedly over such a simple task.

At that moment, the Duke approached from down the corridor, his face flushed crimson with rage.

Before he could grasp the situation, his father ignored Satina's greeting, closed the distance with swift strides, and struck him across the cheek.

With a loud crack echoing like a punch, his face snapped to the side. The Duke didn't stop there, striking his face repeatedly. His pale cheek tore, dark bruises forming instantly.

[D. Bersabet] "I warned you! I never show leniency just because you are my offspring! You claimed you would do well, that you would handle it yourself, and this is the result?!"

He hurled the documents in his hand at him. Bending down, Sharlan gathered the scattered papers on the floor and read them rapidly.

Cancellation of the Magic Tower Supply Contract... This is...

Sharlan bit his lip. Though time should have remained until the deadline, for matters to have devolve to this point already meant...

Marquis Glacier used some maneuver.

Perhaps he paid the penalty fees for breaking the contract or lobbied behind the scenes. Marquis Glacier had long watched for an opportunity to snatch the lucrative contracts. He had evidently judged that even if he took a slight loss on this deal, taking away House Bersabet's client was worth it.

Damn it.

Sharlan had anticipated this to some extent after hearing what happened to the Duke at the auction, but for things to end up like this...

Ever since I heard the guild master was a rat beastkin, I shouldn't have let Father meet him.

To think he would pay such a price for underestimating his father's temper.

[D. Bersabet] "How are you going to take responsibility for this now?!"

It was a painful defeat for Sharlan as well, but the damage was done, and he had to manage the fallout somehow.

First, apologize to him to appease his anger...

[D. Bersabet] "Why are you silent?! Do you dare ignore your father?!"

Unable to endure the brief moment Sharlan spent lost in thought, the Duke swung his hand again. At that moment, Satina hurriedly grabbed his arm.

[Satina] "Calm down, Father! Why are you suddenly—!"

[D. Bersabet] "Let go!"

He violently flung his arm back, throwing her off.

Sharlan's gaze locked onto Satina as she stumbled back from the Duke's shove.

Ah—

Sharlan crumpled the documents in his hand.

The moment he saw his father lay hands on Satina, sparks ignited within him, and he could no longer suppress the words tumbling from his throat. He was utterly sick and tired of the man who called himself his father.

[Sharlan] "Why are you taking it out on me, Father? You are the one who ruined things like this."

[D. Bersabet] "W-What?"

Facing his son's rebellion for the first time in his life, the Duke was struck speechless.

[Sharlan] "I told you clearly from the beginning. I suggested purchasing maltstone in advance just in case. Yet you went to the auction house and ruined everything simply because you looked down on the guild master for being a rat beastkin!"

[D. Bersabet] "You... How dare you... How dare you say such things to me...!"

[Sharlan] "Losing the contract to House Glacier is your fault, Father, so why—!"

[D. Bersabet] "Shut up!"

He struck Sharlan across the face with brutal force. Pointing an accusing finger at him, he shouted to the knights.

[D. Bersabet] "Y-You insolent... Insolent fool, how dare you...! Drag him to the punishment room immediately!"

At the mention of the punishment room, Sharlan's body froze solid. His frame began to tremble violently, as if cast out naked in the dead of winter.

[Sharlan] "T-The punishment room is..."

The fury that had surged to the crown of his head chilled instantly, replaced by overriding terror.

At that moment, Satina stepped forward, shielding the frozen Sharlan behind her.

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