I Bought the Villains With Money - Chapter 58

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 58.
Once the pleasantries had finished, the patriarch of the Shanal Family, who oversaw Irenber’s distribution trade, spoke.
“Once a guardian is appointed, we should be able to receive the support funds we’ve been missing, shouldn’t we?”
Ermas, who managed a relatively modest territory, posed the question.
“We’ll need to hold a departure ceremony for the Monster Subjugation Squad soon too. Once a guardian is appointed, there’ll be a flurry of administrative work.”
Frida, who oversaw the construction-related business in Irenber, added his voice to the discussion.
From the various comments drifting through the room, there was no disagreement that a guardian would be appointed today.
Count Junas had thought so too. And he had orchestrated this gathering precisely to make that appointment happen.
Yet why did his heart feel so uneasy?
“By the way, why isn’t Count Kolkos coming?”
“He’ll be here. He wouldn’t miss a day as important as this.”
Shanal and Ermas exchanged words. Then Kalo, who had been lost in thought, interjected.
“I heard Count Kolkos abandoned some business venture recently—something about being afraid of betrayal.”
“Shh.”
At Kalo’s tactless remark, the others pressed their lips shut in unison.
The knights who had planned to work with Count Kolkos were deeply troubled by the rumors that had begun circulating between him and others recently.
“Count Junas, you meet with Count Kolkos often—do you know anything about it?”
“I’m in the dark myself.”
Junas too was curious about the rumors.
“This is unsettling, I confess. At this rate, we might not even receive our second-half stipend.”
At Ermas’s sigh, the faces of the others grew taut.
Shanal, who had been about to pioneer new distribution channels, fidgeted with the report he’d prepared.
It was the distribution channel that would become the pathway to profit, yet without the patriarch’s approval, he couldn’t launch the venture.
All of them silently prayed that Irenber would stabilize as soon as possible.
In that moment, they shared the same thought.
‘Count Kolkos will keep his promise, won’t he?’
“In any case, we can’t delay the guardian’s appointment any longer. We must find a way to ensure the Irenber Household is restored to proper function.”
Murmurs of agreement rippled through the room at Ermas’s words.
Then the door opened and Count Kolkos entered. The knights rose to their feet in unison to greet him.
Count Kolkos met each of the knights’ eyes and clasped their hands warmly in greeting.
And he naturally moved toward the place of honor to take his seat.
But Count Kolkos found himself frozen awkwardly, forced to step aside.
Because—
“That seat belongs to me, Uncle.”
Diana had entered.
“Ah, Diana! Of course that’s your seat. I was about to take this one beside it. Come, be seated.”
Count Kolkos brazenly shifted his demeanor and smiled broadly.
Diana curled her lips into a thin line. Her expression dripped with mockery.
“Greetings, Princess.”
The gathering began to offer their belated respects to Diana.
Diana’s face became blank as stone as she watched the knights who had bowed respectfully to Count Kolkos with penetrating intensity.
The coldness of her gaze startled the knights.
It was not a look one would expect from a thirteen-year-old child.
Those who had subtly looked down upon her, thinking of her as merely a princess still young enough to chase sweets and cute dolls, had to reconsider their judgment.
Carrying the blood of Irenber in its purest form, Diana was bound together by Irenber pride, and that bearing naturally compelled the knights to kneel.
Diana walked unhurried through the assembled knights and took the seat of honor.
Then she flicked her hand.
At that single gesture, the knights sat down in unison.
“The reason you have all gathered today is…….”
Tension filled the air. Everyone’s gaze fixed on Diana.
“The matter of my guardian’s appointment. Since Father passed, I understand the knights have faced considerable hardship in sustaining Irenber. I can well imagine this, and it grieves me.”
At Diana’s words, the knights’ expressions softened.
Just as they were wondering how to broach the guardian question, Diana spoke first, and the atmosphere became considerably more at ease.
“Irenber has come this far because of you. If Father were in this place now, he would surely say this to you all: I thank you for protecting Irenber.”
In that moment, the knights saw the late Duke of Irenber reflected in Diana.
The energy that emanated when she spoke that final sentence was identical to the late Duke of Irenber’s own presence.
“Princess, we are simply honored that you recognize and praise our efforts. Then—are you now ready to appoint your guardian?”
As the representative of the knights, Junas willingly asked what everyone was curious about.
Diana gazed at Junas intently before opening her mouth.
“Is a guardian truly necessary to protect Irenber?”
Shanal raised his hand quietly at Diana’s question.
“Go ahead, Shanal.”
“Your Grace, it seems you were born and raised in the Capital and may not fully understand the situation. The provinces face many challenges unlike the Capital. To solve those problems, we need the wisdom of a capable adult who can lead our Family.”
Shanal dressed it up nicely, but what he really meant was: hurry up and appoint a Guardian so we can get some money.
If he’d just been honest about it, I could’ve dealt with him more easily.
“I agree that wisdom matters more than mere age. Very well—I’ll accept your counsel and appoint a Guardian. Who do you recommend?”
The smile on Count Kolkos’s face beside me stretched upward. People exchanged glances with one another. Several of them stared openly at Count Kolkos.
“The matter of a Guardian requires careful deliberation—the utmost care. I have seven years remaining until I come of age, it seems. We’re deciding Irenber’s future for those seven years.”
Seven years. Short in one sense, long in another. Ironically, it’s easily enough time to ruin a single Family.
“Should the Guardian be appointed according to the decision of everyone here, then all future credit to Irenber will be shared among us. As will all responsibility.”
So you lot who keep staring at Count Kolkos—think carefully.
“Diana, you’re right. We exist for Irenber’s sake, don’t we? If problems arise, we share the responsibility naturally enough, yes?”
Count Kolkos waved his hand at the assembled company, eager to push forward the Guardian appointment.
Having broken the tension that had momentarily stiffened at the word “responsibility,” Count Kolkos gave Shanal a meaningful look.
“Shanal, surely you and the other Household Knights have discussed this matter beforehand. Speak up.”
Shanal looked at Junas.
I watched Shanal and Junas in turn, and the connection between them became clear.
‘So it was Count Junas who introduced Count Kolkos to Shanal.’
There was a strong possibility their roles were divided.
Shanal would set the tone, while Junas would make the actual demand.
At the crucial moment, the way Shanal glanced at Junas made it obvious.
But when Junas hesitated to step forward, Shanal’s smile began to crack with confusion.
“A Guardian appointment is necessary, Your Grace.”
Junas opened his mouth, which had been sealed shut like a clam. As the fulcrum of the Irenber Household Knights’ council, Junas possessed a presence that dominated the room.
“However, we need thorough vetting of the candidate rather than haste in the appointment.”
Count Kolkos’s hand, resting on the table, tensed. When I glanced at his hand, he noticed my gaze and withdrew it.
“Ha, ha, ha. Indeed, Count Junas speaks only wisdom. Very well—we must be thorough. We should vet carefully. Of course.”
Count Kolkos babbled on without even knowing what he was saying.
No wonder he was shocked, having heard what amounted to betrayal from Count Junas, who had promised to back him.
“Then do you have a candidate in mind?”
When I asked, Junas squeezed his eyes shut.
It was plain to see he was deliberating whether to give Count Kolkos one last chance or not.
He needed something to make up his mind. If he was wavering, he should waver completely.
“Oh my!”
I deliberately knocked over my water glass. Water spilled across the table and soaked my clothes.
“Your Grace, are you unharmed?”
Everyone expressed concern for me.
I smiled calmly and spoke.
“It wasn’t hot water, so I’m fine. But my clothes are wet and uncomfortable. Would it be possible to ask for a spare dress so I might change quickly?”
The Household Knights naturally didn’t refuse. They seemed eager to take a break and talk among themselves.
“I won’t take long.”
When I rang the bell, the door opened as if someone had been waiting. Maccary entered the council chamber.
“You’re… Maccary?”
Count Kolkos recognized Maccary at once and raised his voice involuntarily.
“You know Maccary, Uncle?”
I called out his name loudly on purpose and turned to look at Count Kolkos.
“How do you know him, Uncle?”
When Count Kolkos said nothing, I pressed the question. The people around him grew curious about his reaction.
‘Wasn’t he one of Count Kolkos’s attendants?’
‘I’ve seen that face before. He was one of Count Kolkos’s personal servants.’
A faint murmur spread through the room. Count Kolkos’s expression soured.
“He’s a dear friend of mine. Before coming to Irenber, he had the misfortune of serving a poor master and suffered greatly. He made one mistake and received not a single coin in severance. That’s why I took him in. If someone has real skill, I think it’s worth overlooking a mistake or two. Of course, what Maccary did wasn’t a mistake—it was sound advice. What do you think of him, Uncle?”
Count Kolkos was flustered, Junas twitched his shoulders, and Shanal’s eyes darted around.
I made it clear to those connected to Count Kolkos—the difference between him and me.
And I sent them a message.
That I would overlook one mistake.
“Maccary, is the spare dress ready?”
“Yes, I’ve prepared it in the adjoining room.”
I complimented Maccary’s diligence and rose from my chair.
“I’ll go change quickly. Since the council seems like it will run long, perhaps it’s best you all take a break.”
I found myself curious about what conversation would unfold once I left.
I Bought Out the Villains with Money (Serial)
Author │ Lee In-hye
Publisher │ Kim Ju-hyung
Published by │ J Plus Media Co., Ltd. – Tiramisu
Marketing │ Han Jae-hyuk
Address │ 1101, 11F, Ace Techno Tower 8th Building, 11 Digital-ro 33-gil, Guro-gu, Seoul
Email │ [email protected]
Website │ http://blog.naver.com/jayplemedia1
© Lee In-hye 2021
※ This work is published by J Plus Media Co., Ltd. in accordance with a contract with the copyright holder,
and the content may not be used in any form or by any means without permission from the company and author.
Violation of this may result in criminal and civil legal liability.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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