CH 96

Chapter 96: Boom and Bust (1)

If you read this on other websites, it means it was stolen. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.wordpress.com.

When I found out that the monster came to the Capital, not through an accidentally damaged gate, but brought in by humans, all my doubts were resolved. 

This was a story that I wrote, but I was human too. I couldn’t help but forget many things that should have happened in the story, especially when the main plots that I remembered did not go according to the original story. Nothing has gone on the main track so far. Everything was acting on its own. The protagonists acted their own way, and even the Darkness, the mass of disaster, also has been acting on its own. I was too preoccupied with Sigren and the Darkness that I forgot almost all of the small events in the story. 

Now that this incident happened, I somehow remembered a certain small event. Actually, there was a side plot in the story. This was unfortunate because if I had remembered earlier, I could have taken precautions. However, at least, I remembered now, and there were no victims yet. 

A monster was brought in by humans, there was only one event. Illegal gambling. Simply put, people bet money on a monster. After making the monsters fight each other, people would get paid according to the dividends. It was similar to racetrack betting. Perhaps, what happened today was the mid-level demon escaped at dawn from the arena due to poor management. In the original story, Sigren and Eunice discovered this illegal gambling den, and they caught all the people involved. A lot of customers were commoners, but there were also quite a few nobles. Gambling dens was basically an entertainment venue for all. 

In the story, the incident itself was about Sigren and Eunice handling something smoothly and raising their reputation. But now, there was no Eunice next to Sigren. Did this mean Sigren has to deal with this alone? The work of two people done by one person? Wasn’t that overworking?

For a bit, I felt like a business owner who hired not enough employees for the amount of work required. 

So why did he confess to me… Just thinking about Sigren made me upset. I sighed quietly. 

Anyway, how could I use this? As far as I remember, there were quite a few nobles caught in this gambling den. It was illegal, so if they got caught, they would have a bad reputation in society. Should I use this to threaten those nobles before the case was closed? Was it too insidious?

Gosh, now I feel like I shouldn’t talk about personality with Abel.

***

The news that Livya has officially received the prince’s proposal has spread through noble society. This was because Enoch, the crown prince, had been talking proudly and openly that he would soon get the best beauty in the society. 

The more rumors spread, the harder it was for Livya to refuse. She was very annoyed by that. Especially when people came to her and gave their congratulatory greetings, the feeling of hatred became more and more profound. 

“Lady Livya, are you okay?”

Fiona, who was looking at Livya’s face, asked worriedly. If Fiona was a normal noble girl, of course, Livya would have replied that she was fine. It was not a very good choice to show negative signs to the crown prince’s proposal. However, Livya knew that Fiona understood that Livya was terrified of that proposal.

“I’m.. not okay.”

Fiona nodded her head seriously.

Livya looked at the young woman in front of her softly. Fiona Heilon was pretty. Beside the somewhat mysterious atmosphere, she even had the feeling that stimulated protective instincts in someone who looked at her. She was like a flower in a greenhouse. A pretty thing that didn’t even know how rough the world was. She would probably have been more popular if Prince Sigren and Duke Abel Heilon hadn’t just scattered the lives of their opponents who have tried to approach her. 

However, because she has this appearance, no one in the social circle thought she was in charge in the battlefield. In fact, even Livya didn’t believe it until she used the power of her house to do a background investigation in detail about Fiona Helion. 

“Lady Fiona.”

“Yes?”

“What should I do to make my opponent fall into the abyss?”

“Yes?!”

Fiona coughed involuntarily. She looked surprised.

“Who, who is it?”

“It’s obvious who it is.”

Fiona Heilon was the opposite of the crown prince. So this confession was definitely not a big problem. In addition, she was quick-witted, so there was no need for a lengthy explanation. 

“Ah.. you want to decline the marriage proposal?”

“Definitely.”

For some reason, Fiona sighed in relief. What the hell was she mistaken for?

“….”

Then Fiona seemed to be thinking about something. 

Livya wasn’t really asking with high expectations. But then, Fiona blinked and had a serious expression on her face. 

“If there’s a way?”

“What?”

Fiona whispered close to Livya.

“How to drop it into the abyss.”

This time it was Livya’s turn to look at Fiona in surprise.

“…”

After whispering her idea, Fiona was smiling softly as usual. 

Livya couldn’t believe what Fiona had just said. 

‘People say you couldn’t judge a person by appearance, and honestly, Lady Fiona is the best example of that.’

Livya’s reason for wanting to get closer to Fiona was simple. She thought Fiona would be a difficult opponent if she became her enemy. Fiona Heilon has been the forefront mage of the battlefield since she was thirteen. From a young age, she led soldiers and slaughtered numerous monsters. Just reading her track record was enough to make someone terrified. How could a thirteen-year-old girl make such judgments at that time? It made sense that Abel Heilon even took Fiona under his wings, and even adopted her, and even more, named her as his successor. Because Fiona was a child beyond common sense. Therefore, Livya didn’t want to make a mistake by underestimating such a person. 

“Lady Livya?” Fiona asked curiously when there was no answer from Livya.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I was surprised for a moment.”

“Well, are you interested in what I said?”

“Of course.”

Livya did not believe in love or dating. But she had no desire to marry the prince who treated her as a trophy. 

“Then, I need a little help from Lady Livya.”

“If I can do it, I will.”

Livya looked at the softly smiling Fiona. It was a flawless face, even a slight innocent charm could be felt when looking at that face. A few young men passing by have lost their gaze at that smile. But luckily Livya had pretty good eyes for people. She knew that Fiona was not in line with her appearance. After she had read Fiona’s past, she was greatly convinced. Now, looking at Fiona’s expression, she was even more certain than ever. Fiona’s gentle expression, as she discussed dropping the crown prince into the abyss was similar to when she was contemplating what dessert to eat. Livya vowed to not turn Fiona into her enemy.