Chapter 24
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How to Survive as the Villain's Younger Sister
Episode 24
I tried to recall the Crown Prince Kylson's appearance from the original work, but nothing came to mind.
All I could remember was that Crown Prince Kylson was unlucky, had a terrible personality, and was arrogant and disrespectful to everyone.
In other words, if 'Kyle' really was Crown Prince Kylson, I had no idea what he might do to me based on this complaint alone.
'I might die at the Crown Prince's hands before I die at my sister's!'
Surely not!
'But Kyle isn't nearly as unlucky as Kylson, is he?'
"What are you thinking about all by yourself? You look like a baby rabbit sitting there like that. By the way, you know rabbits have terrible personalities, right?"
'He's only slightly unlucky.'
Besides, there was no way the Crown Prince would be doing something like this.
If I or the Parkision Ducal House had secret business to attend to, we would simply send someone else.
With that thought, my mind eased.
I was letting out a relieved sigh alone when Kyle suddenly asked.
"Then will you show me around?"
"Huh?"
"This mansion. Give me a tour."
"Me?"
"Yeah. Have you ever been to the basement?"
"The basement?"
The mansion's basement was a location marked as a "restricted area" by the item 'Gold Rush'.
I recalled the status window that had appeared at that time.
[Territory of the Lordless Sovereign (Legendary)]
- A territory where the treasures of a mythical-era sovereign are stored
- Warning: Restricted area. No responsibility for death upon entry.
A place where they said you wouldn't be held responsible even if you died upon entering.
"W-why there?"
I asked in startled surprise.
"Oh, just. The mansion is this big, but the basement space is incredibly narrow. That's strange, isn't it? It seems like there might be hidden spaces."
Kyle said with a shrug.
'When did he even go down to the basement!'
Since he looked perfectly fine, it seemed he hadn't ventured into the restricted area.
"If you keep doing this, I'm really going to tie you up and throw you to the Mercenary Company."
I warned him.
Kyle's face showed no fear whatsoever.
* * *
"The Parkision Duchy must truly be heading toward ruin. For the Duke to be doing such things."
Roel, who was walking down the corridor, stopped short.
'The Head Maid?'
She was the person who had recently become Head Maid after the informants were driven out.
She had always been remarkably loyal to the Parkision Ducal House.
So why was the Head Maid lamenting that the Dukedom was doomed?
"The Butler tried to dissuade her."
"As if she would listen. The previous lords have all failed at this very task, and now she attempts it again."
Moreover, her conversation partner was none other than the Butler himself!
He too was devoted to the Parkision Dukedom and intimately familiar with the family's circumstances.
Roel held his breath, straining to catch every word.
Since Alexis had become Duke, Roel—excluded from family affairs—now had a rare opportunity to glean valuable information.
'What scheme is Alexis plotting?'
As if answering Roel's curiosity, the Head Maid continued.
"Exactly. The project to reclaim the Wasteland has already failed repeatedly. I cannot fathom why His Grace, so brilliant, would attempt to cultivate the Wasteland again."
"The situation has grown so dire that judgment falters. Besides, she is still quite young, after all."
"Her inexperience shows at times like these. If only Administrator Roel had been the successor instead..."
"Enough! What are you saying, Head Maid!"
"I-I apologize. I simply felt so frustrated and disappointed."
"I understand Roel's capabilities well enough, but speak of such things nowhere else."
The Butler scolded her sharply and departed.
Roel could not suppress the rising corners of his mouth.
'Yes, that was my reputation.'
The rightful heir to the Parkision Dukedom.
Though he had been sidelined because of Alexis, things were different when the previous Duke still lived.
Even among the territory's people, there had been considerable opinion that Roel should become the successor.
'And yet she dares treat me this way.'
For all her arrogance, it seemed Alexis was failing spectacularly as Duke.
'Of course she is. She has no experience as Duke, and the family has no wealth.'
The previous Duke had destroyed relationships with the Imperial Court and every other house, leaving no one to turn to for aid.
Even Alexis's maternal family, House Rolleng, had gone silent.
And that was not all.
'The debt owed to my father is astronomical.'
Even selling the entire family would not suffice to repay it.
'So sell to me, Alexis.'
Roel smiled wickedly.
'Abandon your foolish notion of earning money by reclaiming a Wasteland that cannot possibly be saved.'
He would need to begin planting a spy within the family again.
Alexis was so overwhelmed that her judgment had clouded entirely.
Now was the moment to strike.
* * *
Finding a spy proved easier than expected.
She was even a maid who attended the Duke's tea service.
It was clear that discipline within the Parkision Dukedom had deteriorated.
"Reclaiming the Wasteland? It seems His Grace has abandoned that idea. He said it's simply not working out."
"Then how does he intend to repay the debt?"
"It appears he's planning to revive the Parkision Trading Company."
"What did you say?"
Roel let out an uncharacteristic laugh.
The Parkision Trading Company.
Once reasonably prosperous, it had been completely ruined by the previous Duke.
The merchandise was in disarray, and payment deadlines were constantly missed.
Since the previous Duke had systematically drained the company's funds for his own luxuries, the entire operation had naturally fallen into chaos.
'Reviving that trading company, no less.'
"Your Grace may not fully understand this, but trust is the lifeblood of any financial enterprise. The Duke alone can never restore the trading company to its former standing."
"Oh my, is that truly so? Whatever shall we do?"
The Head Maid spoke with evident concern.
If the trading company's revival also failed, the Parkision Dukedom's bankruptcy would be inevitable.
She would lose her position and be cast out without a good reference.
"What if the Administrator offered His Grace some advice?"
"But you know His Grace has turned his back on me, don't you?"
"Then why not advise Sir Dain instead?"
"Dain?"
"Yes. He's one of His Grace's closest confidants, isn't he? If you advise him, the Duke will surely hear of it."
It was a reasonable suggestion.
Knight Commander Maran would never listen to Roel's words.
His temperament was fiery and his mind inflexible.
Dain, however, was different.
His nature was gentle and kind, and he possessed considerable flexibility.
'Hasn't Maran, who despises Cyrilia so much, already grown close to her?'
A few days later.
Roel sought out Dain, feigning coincidence.
The usual softness in his expression had hardened with tension.
"You appear quite troubled."
"Ah, Administrator Roel."
Dain looked startled.
Roel dangled the bait before him.
"Your complexion doesn't look well. Is something troubling you?"
Dain hesitated, biting his lip.
"Well, Administrator. If you don't mind my asking, there's something I'd like to inquire about."
As expected, those in need are the ones who bite the bait.
"How much capital would be necessary to operate a trading company? To start over from the beginning, that is?"
"A considerable sum would be required. My father conducts extensive business with various trading companies, so I'm quite familiar with this matter."
"Could you tell me the specific amount?"
Dain's expression brightened as he listened.
'So Alexis's loyal servant is desperate enough to cling to someone the Duke dislikes. It seems their coffers are truly depleted.'
Though that was precisely what Roel had orchestrated—cornering him into this position.
Roel inwardly ridiculed Dain.
Yet outwardly, he responded with courtesy.
"My, do you truly require such an enormous sum?"
Upon hearing this reply, Dain's face went pale.
And with good reason.
Roel had inflated the figure to five times the reasonable amount.
"What cause for concern is there? Your Grace's blood relative is none other than my father."
"But he has already failed to repay his existing debts...."
"In the current circumstances, my father is well aware that Your Grace cannot settle those debts. However, should the Trading Company succeed, surely repayment would become possible then, would it not?"
"Th-that is certainly true!"
"Should you request assistance, my father will not refuse."
After all, the Parkision Ducal House had nowhere else to borrow substantial sums—not with Jenin.
They had lost all credibility.
"I shall prepare a detailed financial report for the Trading Company's operations and send it to you next time."
"Thank you, Administrator."
Roel watched Dain's retreating figure with a sneer.
'I must inform Father to prepare a substantial sum in advance.'
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Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
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