Isn’t Being A Wicked Woman Much Better? - Chapter 38

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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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Chapter 38
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“You’ve been visiting quite frequently lately, my lady.”
Cookie purred and nuzzled against my thigh. When I cautiously stroked his head, he attempted to lick my palm.
“Cookie is delighted, of course, but the previous commission is still in progress. If you could extend the deadline by just one week….”
The Master, who typically maintained an expressionless face, appeared exhausted from overwork today.
Well, I was never part of his original plans anyway. Handling both the Crown Prince’s commission and mine simultaneously would require him to be ten people over.
“Master, I didn’t come to rush the commission. I came because I had a question.”
I handed him an ornament and got straight to the point.
“What is your question?”
The moment he saw the jewel, he perked up slightly.
“Is it possible to gain exclusive rights in exchange for publicly revealing a new invention?”
Being the overpowered individual he was, he immediately grasped my meaning.
“Ah, you’re referring to patent law. If you obtain a Letters Patent from the judicial branch, you can exercise patent rights. The Visconti House enacted that legislation approximately three hundred years ago. Blanche also frequently files patents for artifacts and alchemical innovations.”
“How does it work?”
When I offered him a bundle of jewels, he unexpectedly returned them firmly.
“I’m curious what you intend to patent, my lady. If you satisfy my curiosity, I’ll ensure the patent process proceeds smoothly.”
I inwardly cheered at his offer to serve as my patent agent. If the Master had handled patents across multiple fields before, he would certainly know how to navigate patent law effectively.
I pressed my lips together solemnly, suppressing the joy that threatened to spill out.
“…Very well. In exchange, let’s draw up a contract stating you won’t disclose anything related to this discovery externally.”
“Agreed. However, if I succeed in securing the patent, please transfer twenty percent of the income you earn from it to me.”
I silenced the Master first, and he cunningly demanded a commission.
“Do you do this every time? I am the lady of Simour.”
I clenched my teeth and glared at him, and the Master let out a groan.
“Then ten percent….”
I snapped my neck side to side with an audible crack.
“Then, in addition to this, I’ll offer a thirty percent discount on all artifacts you purchase from Blanche. How does that sound?”
‘Hmm? That doesn’t sound too bad actually….’
The Master clearly intended to sell me more artifacts through this discount promotion, but for someone like me who wanted to purchase numerous artifacts with recording functions, it was an irresistible offer.
“Fine. I’ll take those terms.”
“Excellent. Then let me hear what it is.”
He smiled wickedly, having succeeded in the negotiation.
“It’s nothing major. I improved Simeon’s magical formula, and I was curious whether I could patent the improved version.”
His smile faded immediately, and his expression turned serious.
“Nothing major? You improved the formula of the ancient Archmage Simeon? Are you speaking in earnest?”
“Yes.”
Cracks slowly formed across his mineral-like face.
“Truly?”
“If you don’t believe me, give me a quill.”
When I simplified and showed him the lengthy formula before him, he fell silent with furrowed brows for a moment before releasing a somewhat deflated laugh.
“You never fail to astound me, Lady Arin. Truly remarkable.”
“What good is being remarkable if I can’t manipulate mana? It’s like having a feast painted on canvas.”
“Ah, so that’s why the patent—! I understand now. You prioritize profit over prestige, just as I do.”
“Can we proceed with the patent?”
“While modifying formulas for patent purposes is unprecedented, it appears we could make it work by applying Patent Law Section Three.”
His explanation went something like this.
Mages sought to imbue mana—that fundamental energy—with diverse attributes. Duke Simour, for instance, possessed an unparalleled talent for transforming mana into water and ice properties.
Occasionally, mages would patent unusual attribute transformations. Mana attribute modifications fell under the category of “technical patents,” and optimizing formulas to accelerate casting speed could certainly qualify as a legitimate “technical patent” as well.
“However, the greatest challenge lies in how one generates patent revenue from such modifications. With attribute transformation patents, mages receive royalties when related artifacts or magical stones enter circulation.”
“Hmm. This won’t be simple.”
I exhaled slowly. The essence of my optimized formula centered on casting speed. Without a tangible product, the revenue mechanism became frustratingly ambiguous.
“Demanding payment from every mage each time they use my improved formula… that’s simply impractical.”
“It’s impossible to monitor formula usage individually, and if you demand payment each time, mages will resist fiercely. Duke Simour himself would likely object first.”
“Then… what about a monthly subscription?”
“A monthly what?”
Curiosity flickered across Master’s eyes.
“In exchange for providing the convenience service called ‘Optimized Formula,’ we collect a monthly service fee from mages. We’ll keep the rates reasonable to minimize backlash.”
There had been a website that silently extracted 4,900 won from me monthly in this exact manner. I’d forgotten about it while busy, and by the time I canceled, they’d siphoned 110,000 won from my account.
“How do you even conceive of such ideas?”
As I vaguely recalled the terror of monthly subscriptions, Master suddenly began shaking with laughter. I continued speaking regardless of his amusement.
“Four silver and ninety-nine copper per month seems cheaper and more reasonable than penalties for patent infringement, don’t you think? I get to earn pocket money comfortably each month.”
“You’re absolutely right, Lady Arin. The judiciary takes a substantial cut from penalties, making them exorbitant.”
Perfect!
Once I made examples of a few mages, the rest would voluntarily subscribe to my paid formula service. It’s cheaper than fines, and far less stressful.
Assuming all magic practitioners utilized my optimized formula service, I’d generate steady income throughout the patent’s validity period.
Every penny counts!
‘Right, I owe this scoundrel ten percent…’
Master’s eyes crinkled with amusement.
“You’re a genius demon, Lady Arin. You find ways to extract money from anyone.”
‘Not a demon—a monster born of capitalism.’
I swallowed the bitterness.
“Ah, and Lady Arin, even if you raised the service fee to seven silver and ninety-nine copper, mages would consider it pocket change. Most of them earn substantial salaries.”
“…”
“Furthermore, what if you withheld disclosure of these multiple formulas and revealed them gradually while incrementally raising the service fee?”
But who exactly birthed this capitalist monster standing before me?
Watching Master escalate his schemes further, I inwardly clicked my tongue.
* * *
After that, everything proceeded at lightning speed. William Lemong and Professor Kyle provided me with every justification needed to extract funds.
The patent documentation also grew increasingly clear in its framework.
The crux of my optimized formula ultimately lay in organizing sprawling numbers through “parenthetical grouping” and the concept of “variables.” By designating this as the “core technology,” I preemptively prevented just anyone from patenting similar work.
The day William’s petition arrived.
With perfect timing, Marquis Lemong, an elder of the Magic Tower, picked a fight over this matter, leaving my father in a thoroughly foul mood. Duke Simour had originally hoped I would publish the formula in academic circles to erase the Magic Department’s parachute image, but he changed his mind.
“These worthless insects dare to disrespect my daughter?! I cannot allow such ruffians to use a formula you developed through blood and sweat.”
Thanks to that, persuading Duke Simour proved easy.
“A patent. That’s a decent idea.”
When I asked him to patent the magical formula, he was even delighted.
While I was interested in the steady monthly revenue, Duke Simour was far more interested in using patent law to humiliate Marquis Lemong. After all, using a patented technique fundamentally required the patent holder’s permission.
“Restrict the Lemong Family’s use of the improved formula. They will continue to decline in the magical world through their reckless conduct.”
‘As expected of a temperamental Simour man.’
“I shall demonstrate our resolve.”
So I pretended to be angry as well. Framing it as retaliation for the insult was far more dignified. It allowed me to conceal my true intention of extracting petty fees from mages each month far more plausibly.
Thanks to Duke Simour’s active support, I was able to receive the patent certificate swiftly once the inquiry concluded.
Moreover, through the efforts of various renowned figures who attended the inquiry, I secured initial customers for the improved formula service even faster.
‘I’m not sure why the Epsilon executives all came to observe the inquiry at once, but it worked out well for me.’
In particular, Arin had just told me that the Fifth Princess, an Epsilon executive and flame mage, was unusually excited that day and promoted my improved formula everywhere.
“The Fifth Princess said that your improved formula is more beautiful than Knight Isidore, the Empire’s most handsome man.”
Arin Oslot finished speaking while trembling and even brought up a comparison I wasn’t particularly curious about.
‘But this girl seems terrified of me while also saying whatever she wants.’
Staring at her with genuine bewilderment, Arin’s eyes suddenly flushed red and she hung her head low.
“You did well.”
I lightly patted her shoulder—she had been diligently gathering the rumors circulating through the Magic Department for me.
“Eek!”
At my touch, Arin startled like a squirrel struck by a snake, suddenly flailing her limbs about wildly.
“I, I have to, go, work! I need to conduct the research you requested….”
“Go on.”
Since she looked uncomfortable, I dismissed her, and Arin, who had been rambling incoherently, snapped her mouth shut and bolted out of the Magic Department courtyard like someone with motors in her feet.
‘I feel like a villain tormenting a small, cute girl.’
Watching her squirrel-like retreating figure with an ambiguous feeling, I clicked my tongue. I could treat her kindly and gently, but I didn’t want to break character.
‘I’m sorry. I’m going to live as the cold, ruthless villain of this territory.’
I extort 7 Silver and 99 Copper every month, yet most people think I showed mercy because the Lemong Family represents the worst-case scenario. This atmosphere where they accept whatever outrageous things a villainess does.
I loved it.
‘In conclusion, I’ll just live up to this image.’

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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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