Chapter 127
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127.
—It's been a while.
Not only was the Lizard nowhere to be found in the Lair, but it had perched itself on Paul's shoulder—which was absurd enough.
And now it was speaking so brazenly.
"...Are you insane?"
In front of all these people?
No matter how tight-lipped my mother and my friend were, others might not be so discreet.
Yet only Paul and Cassian reacted to my startled outburst.
"Oh, Roselita. Are you tormenting Paul again?"
My mother spoke with perfect composure, placing a hand against her cheek.
"That's right! What have I done wrong now that you're speaking to me so formally the moment you arrive! Must you always frighten me with such accusations?"
My childhood friend Paul Theodima examined whether something in his actions lacked efficiency, even unfolding a summary page from his ledger.
"...You didn't hear that?"
"What? You asking me if I'm insane in that formal tone? You're really going too far with me, aren't you? It takes a week by carriage from Terodima to here, and just because I complained a little about that—"
I ignored Paul's rambling and turned my gaze toward Cassian.
He nodded at me, confirming that he had heard it.
'...Only we heard it?'
The moment that thought crossed my mind, the Lizard's voice rang out again.
—I'm not so discourteous as that.
It didn't seem like I had been, anyway.
—And I'm not the sort to invite anger either.
Perhaps from spending time comfortably on Paul's shoulder, its manner of speech had subtly begun to resemble his.
In any case, I'd been prepared to search the entire Lair if it didn't appear, so I was grateful it revealed itself of its own accord.
As I thought this, I found myself unconsciously recalling the various methods Cassian and I had devised to provoke the Lair.
"...Roselita, are you threatening the Lizard now too?"
The red Lizard flinched as if it had read that very thought, tucking its body behind Paul's nape.
*
I had plenty of questions for Flare Dragon, but I wasn't foolish enough to grab the Lizard's tail outright.
If someone else discovered that this Lizard was actually a Dragon, my childhood friend would be devastated.
'I can't afford to lose such a useful substitute worker over something like that.'
Despite his occasional grumbling, finding a worker as kind, honest, and diligent as him was rare.
Moreover, despite his appearance, Paul Theodima wasn't particularly arrogant, and unlike most nobles, he was a remarkably courteous young man who got along well with people.
"I'm relieved to see that the Margrave is more generous than I'd heard."
"Yes, indeed. Everyone made improvements upon improvements to ensure there was no waste in byproduct collection before your visit, my lord."
Mostly by cursing me out, that is.
As I stared intently at Paul Theodima, he flinched visibly.
"W-why!"
"Oh, nothing. Just thinking you did excellent work."
Improving efficiency through curses—truly an inspired choice.
Cursing out an absent superior?
An exceptionally effective team-building method.
And it didn't make me out to be a cruel person either.
Unlike Paul, who trembled with preemptive guilt, Cassian Artez—who had been helping me review the ledgers beside me—wore a slightly pouty expression.
"What about Ian?"
"It seems your captivating gaze doesn't reach me?"
His low whisper unfortunately carried just far enough to reach Paul, who was stacking another ledger nearby.
My purely devoted childhood friend's eyes went dead in an instant, and he complained to my mother.
"...I think I want to go back to Terodima, ma'am."
"Oh my, Paul. But then Roselita would cut your profit share. Would that be alright?"
And my mother offered a perfectly appropriate consolation.
At those warm and considerate words, Paul Theodima looked between the accounts he'd been calculating and me, then quietly returned to his seat.
Yes, it seemed the eight years of conditioning education had been perfectly accurate.
As I observed this, Cassian Artez whispered softly.
"He seems better than most of the Capital's advisors."
"In terms of ability alone, perhaps. But if he came to the Capital, he'd develop homesickness within three months. He loves Terodima dearly."
And the people of Terodima would be bored as well.
Losing their beloved young Baron, who reacted so readily to their teasing, would rob them of life's amusement.
At my words, Cassian Artez's expression showed not regret, but relief.
"...You didn't want to put him to work?"
"Not entirely."
Cassian Artez leaned down and whispered to me.
"If he were near the office, I fear he would steal all your attention."
"...You really do get jealous over the strangest things."
"Yes, which is why I told you."
"It's bothersome."
Cassian Artez raised his eyebrows slightly and nodded.
As if he could simply choose not to show it if he really didn't want to.
"Ian really is something."
"Yes."
"He's always flirting with me."
"That's right."
He affirmed my observation with remarkable cheerfulness.
Finding it absurd, I laughed while looking at him, and Cassian's face brightened with happiness.
And Paul....
"Aunt, how much do you think Roselita will cut the commission?"
"Oh, she'll cut it quite ruthlessly, won't she? You know well enough how merciless our Roselita can be."
He began consulting with my mother about our rational calculation methods.
*
Despite some grumbling, the work handled by those I trusted most was impeccable.
There wasn't a trace of embezzlement to be found, and even the most trivial expense records were meticulously documented and organized.
Evidence remained of my father, Count Theodima, and Countess Theodima taking turns reviewing the accounts at various points.
Yet despite the management authority rotating periodically, not a single gap appeared in the ledgers.
Years of managing the territory together and working in perfect synchronization were clearly evident.
As I examined the documents with genuine admiration, I sensed a presence.
"What is it?"
Late at night, with everyone else dismissed to rest, only Cassian and I remained in the office.
Of course, to waste no time, I was diligently reviewing the ledgers that had accumulated during my six-month absence.
Even while concentrating, I couldn't help but notice my superior's gaze.
When he didn't answer my question, I looked up, and he wore a faint smile.
"I was thinking how your people protect you in this manner."
"That's right. It's very reassuring. So much so that I can feel at ease even without being in the Borderland."
As I decided on the distribution of Lair byproducts, I had already been considering bringing in people from my hometown.
There was the option of hiring a suitable merchant guild, but I also understood the reality that embezzlement would inevitably occur in that process, something I'd have to overlook.
So from the start, I called upon people whose years of experience guaranteed they wouldn't harbor foolish thoughts.
Because I knew they understood my intentions from the plans I presented, faithfully executed their duties accordingly, and filled in any shortcomings.
"The scale of this Lord's Residence is exactly as appropriate as I'd hoped."
Had I entrusted it to someone else, they would have built it as large as a country estate, considering only the title of Borderland Earl.
But Paul, seeing only the unhelpful plan titled "Lord's Residence Construction," built it to a scale perfectly suited to this land.
A two-story building with a Grand Hall on the first floor spacious enough to host village events, an office easily accessible to outsiders, and two archives placed additionally.
The second floor had four bedrooms, each modestly furnished.
Each was smaller than the bedrooms in the Salice Manor.
"Centered around the Lair entrance, the village formed gradually, and it's arranged so that everyone must pass directly in front of the Lord's Residence for easy access control."
"It's a major project for Terodima, after all."
And I distributed the profits fairly in proportion to the work entrusted to them.
This was the final reason I had delegated this place to them.
While the Theodima Family's circumstances were better than ours, they were far from abundant either.
The terrible famine they'd endured in childhood had left its mark.
So it was a good opportunity for them as well.
And it was even better that my parents, who traveled back and forth between here and the Salice Barony for work, wouldn't have to suffer the guilt of blindly paying off debts with my fortune.
'...I trust my parents, but I know well enough that simply giving without thought isn't always right.'
Comfort and unquestioned expectations often made fools of people.
I brushed away the old memory that had surfaced.
After all, it was a recollection from a world that no longer existed.
As I shook my head lightly, Cassian quietly took my hand and spoke.
"I'm glad your people from home recognize how kind Roselita is."
At that keen observation, I smiled warmly and nodded in agreement.
"Truly."
I knew all too well how difficult it was to simply be grateful for what deserved gratitude.
Perhaps that's why I wanted to live in that comfortable space, pursuing only peace and ordinariness.
'But I must do what needs to be done, even if I wish otherwise.'
I leaned against Cassian for a moment, then straightened myself and turned my attention back to the ledger.
His soft laughter echoed in my ears, reassuring me as I turned the next page.
*
Thanks to spending my time late into the night, I was able to complete the ledger review perfectly.
The next day, when I laid out the points for improvement in the office, Paul and my mother wore their usual familiar expressions.
But the residents working here inexplicably dropped their jaws in astonishment.
"See, I told you I wasn't lying."
Only Paul was thrilled and smugly triumphant at the sight.
In any case, after that time, we made a round through the village and then entered the Lair.
Since it was a rest day for byproduct harvesting, the Lair was quite quiet.
Of course, it wasn't just quiet....
The impression of the Lair had changed dramatically compared to the last time we'd seen it.
There were far more adamantite ore deposits than before, and it even appeared that new ones had grown in places we'd already harvested.
"...Weren't you planning to leave?"
Slightly bewildered, I readily asked the one I'd been addressing.
The Lizard, who had transferred onto me as we entered the Lair, fluttered its cute wings and puffed itself up proudly.
-Your energy tasted delicious, so I stayed.
"Pardon?"
-How is it? Isn't this a most satisfying environment for one who loves money?
It seemed Paul Theodima had oddly cultivated strange habits in his companion Lizard.
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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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