Chapter 48
"The first step is to start with a shower of gifts."
This phase was what I called the “Santa Claus Operation.”
Magicians aren’t likely to venture outside easily. Having been cooped up at ho for so ti, I knew exactly what that was like.
There are so many things you miss out on when you’re stuck inside. Unless you’re a wealthy noble like , it’s hard to even satisfy basic needs, let alone indulge in hobbies.
I stayed ho by choice, but I still longed for the things you can only enjoy outside.
‘Things like plays or operas.’
And I have a way to capture and relive those experiences.
Yes, I’m the one who invented a way to record and replay these events!
But my ability to record isn’t limited to cultural arts alone.
I can capture mountains, seas—any part of this empire—and convey them vividly.
For those who can’t easily leave their hos, or for children who have never seen such places, these could be precious gifts.
And that’s not all.
I could take photos and create albums for children who are trapped in their hos.
While it might be possible to bring them out later, it’s not feasible at the mont when I’m still in the process of earning their favor.
Using these magical tools would also help in future negotiations.
They would all form a positive impression of magic tools. For , it’s a win-win situation.
Of course, videos and photos were just a small part of my gifts.
I wanted to make an impression on them that no other noble could match.
Most people choose between quantity and quality, but I’m different.
I aim for both. I won’t compromise on either.
Just thinking about it made
excited.
It’s been a while since I’ve had the chance to spend money like this.
And for that, I needed to part with so of my magic stones.
Even though I was the owner of a magic stone mine, I wasn’t aware of the specifics of the distribution or the exact mining cycles and quantities.
I hadn’t thought it necessary to know.
So, this was the first ti I was getting accurate information.
A portion of the magic stones from my mine was supplied to the royal palace, and most of the rest were stored in warehouses.
The royal family was the largest producer and consur of magic stones. The Marquis of Etwar also cooperated with the palace, as did the Marquis of Efeckle.
While nothing was publicly known about the Marquis of Efeckle’s magic stones, it was unlikely that he wasn’t supplying the palace just like
and the Marquis of Etwar.
The royal family strictly controlled the distribution of magic stones.
Most of the distribution was handled by the Marquis of Efeckle’s mines, followed by the Marquis of Etwar’s. My magic stones were not regularly distributed.
This raised even more questions.
Magic staffs, which amplify a magician’s power, can be made using magic stones.
This ans that the royal family could be involved in the production and distribution of these staffs.
‘Most of the magicians who fought Darcy didn’t have staffs.’
That creates a significant power disparity.
Yet the conflict between the magicians and the royal family persisted? It didn’t make sense.
Of course, the citizens weren’t fools. They had co up with their own reasons to rationalize it.
‘There are rumors that the magicians have found their own mines.’
It seed plausible, but I didn’t believe it.
Nothing like that was ntioned in the original story.
In the book, magic stones were the material used for the magical items that strengthened the bond between Ryan and Leshuan. If there had been hidden magic stone mines, it would have been ntioned.
…Probably.
I shook my head. There was no need to overthink it right now.
‘I’ll find out when I et with the magicians.’
I’d learn the answers when I t the magicians anyway.
I was grateful that Darcy knew where they were.
I visited the warehouse and confird the mountains of magic stones stored there.
Before I took over Marceau’s role, she had been busy contacting rchants to satisfy her vanity, but I had simply been stockpiling magic stones until I could talk to Darcy.
Seeing all this and knowing it was mine filled
with satisfaction.
‘I probably have about five warehouses like this.’
That was why I didn’t mind giving so much to Darcy.
However, apart from the mines I currently owned, I needed to get a better understanding of my overall financial situation.
Before I left, I needed to speak with the manager overseeing my magic stone mines.
I needed to check the current mining output and estimate how much I could use in contracts.
I was planning to supply the magicians with a steady stream of magic stones rather than giving them a large amount all at once.
‘Could they be living in a forest?’
Would it be a mysterious forest like the ones described in the x-reports? A place untouched by human footsteps.
I packed a bundle of magic stones in my bag and prepared to go out. I kept my makeup simple, applied by my maids, and chose a comfortable dress.
After spending so much ti at ho, my body had beco unaccustod to wearing a corset.
Today was the day I would start preparing to impress the magicians.
I hadn’t t them yet, so I didn’t know what they were like, but I wasn’t afraid that my efforts would be wasted.
They were people who had stood firm against Kies’s persecution for so long, fighting for what was theirs.
And they were people Darcy felt guilty about. Anyone who Darcy held in such regard couldn’t be evil.
To avoid attracting attention, I donned a hood before getting into the carriage.
The first destination was the back alleys. It was a rough place for a noblewoman to visit, but it was a familiar place for Marceau.
With the strict control over magic stone distribution, the only places where private transactions could occur were with the illegal rchants in the back alleys.
I didn’t bother finding a new place. I decided to use the one Marceau had frequented.
To be honest, finding another rchant would have been a hassle.
Besides, knowing the people in the back alleys could be useful later on.
…Of course, this was the first ti I had visited since becoming Marceau.
‘I’m glad the book ntioned Marceau visiting this place.’
If it hadn’t, I wouldn’t have known how to get here.
The shabby carriage and the coachman who erged from the stables as if on cue, the careful turns down alleyways to shake off any potential tail—all of it was too well-coordinated for
to have planned alone.
‘Marceau wasn’t an ordinary person, after all.’
It was surprising to find myself grateful for sothing Marceau had done.
With my knights in tow, I opened the door to a dreary-looking general store.
The bell jingled as I entered, and the knights waited outside, as if they were familiar with the routine.
"Welco…"
An elderly woman behind the counter greeted . Her kind deanor clashed with the eerie atmosphere, creating a strange dissonance.
"I'm here to make a deal."
"I understand."
It was my first ti being in such a clandestine transaction. The secrecy of the conversation made
feel tense.
It was a relief that there were no questions. I wouldn’t have had any answers to give anyway.
"The paynt is here."
I placed a pouch filled with magic stones on the counter.
"Please wait a mont."
The old woman weighed the magic stones after checking them, then disappeared behind a curtain.
Once she returned with the money, the transaction would be complete. I liked the simplicity of it.
No questions, no fuss. It was perfect.
But as I waited, the woman returned empty-handed, and I felt a pang of anxiety.
What’s going on? Is this so kind of scam?
I wouldn’t have co here if I’d known. My brows furrowed, and the woman began to sweat nervously as she explained.
"The head of the trading company wishes to et you in person, Lady Etwar."
"The head of the company?"
"Yes. There’s sothing they wish to discuss with you directly…"
What could the head of the company possibly want to say to ? I couldn’t think of anything.
Were they upset that I hadn’t visited in a while?
"It won’t take long. In return, they’re willing to pay you double the usual price. We know your ti is valuable."
The woman naturally flattered .
If they were willing to pay twice the usual price for magic stones, the head of the company must be in a hurry….
It was likely a beneficial connection to have.
eting in person could also be advantageous for .
"I don’t have much ti."
"Of course. We understand."
Now that I thought about it, there was no ntion of Marceau ever eting the head of the company.
Or perhaps it wasn’t ntioned?
What if they knew each other already? The sudden thought seed plausible.
I hesitated before asking a vague question.
"Why do they want to see ?"
"I’m not sure either. But I do know this is the first ti they’ve asked for such a eting, so they must think it’s important."
Fortunately, it seed they hadn’t t before.
And with the price doubled, it wasn’t a bad deal. Since I didn’t plan on frequenting this place often, I eventually nodded.
‘I might as well make an appearance.’
A door next to the counter opened.
I followed the woman through the curtain.
The passage connected to a back door, and it felt like a maze with multiple paths. It seed like all the buildings in this area were connected.
"This way, please."
Eventually, the woman led
to a room, and inside, I saw a familiar face.
My expression hardened instantly.
‘I shouldn’t have co.’
The mont our eyes t, I turned to leave without hesitation. She hurriedly called after .
"Lady Marceau!"
"Aren’t you going to at least say hello…?"
But my escape was blocked by the woman who had accompanied . She was much stronger than she appeared.
She wasn’t just an ordinary old woman.
I was trapped. It seed they wouldn’t let
go until this conversation was over.
I frowned, crossing my arms, and asked in a low voice,
"Why are you here?"
There was no better way to put it.
The head of the back alley trading company…
Was none other than Letty, the traitor who had recently served as my maid.
Letty, who had been Ryan’s spy, placed beside
to monitor my every move.
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