Isn’t Being A Wicked Woman Much Better? - Chapter 73

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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 73
A pearl in the mud who drove the Sword Saint Diera to her limits, and a star shining in third place at the jousting tournament. When I personally scouted the talk-of-the-town Orix Merkain, Duke Simour expressed his amazement while barely concealing his delight.
“You’ve brought quite a capable one. He looks sturdy too. He’ll make a solid shield protecting Simour’s back.”
I quickly agreed with Father’s assessment.
“I hope the Simour Knight Order will train Orix rigorously—no, systematically—so that his talent shines and he can become a formal knight.”
“Of course. I intend to mold him into a knight worthy of Simour down to his very bones.”
‘A harsh road lies ahead for him.’
Though I felt somewhat guilty, I genuinely hoped Orix would quickly become a formal knight capable of wielding aura and protect my back.
“I had hoped to repay the kindness of Lady Deborah Simour, yet I find myself receiving an even greater debt of gratitude.”
Even while enduring brutal training and rolling about, Orix harbored no resentment toward me, or so I heard. Having come from a remote territory where he couldn’t showcase his talents due to his incompetent older brother’s inferiority complex, and having struggled in the Anonymous Knight Order upon arriving in the capital, Orix seemed deeply moved by Simour’s systematic knight training infused with magic, and repeatedly expressed his gratitude to me.
“It seems Lady Deborah brought not a person but a monster.”
“Lady Deborah Simour, who makes that beast hesitate—what exactly is she….”
Moreover, even the captain of the Simour Knight Order was left speechless by Orix’s extraordinary strength.
‘He’s truly a natural warrior. It won’t take long before he becomes a formal knight.’
After briefly visiting the Barracks where Simour’s retainers stayed, I watched Orix wield a two-meter spear as lightly as a wooden chopstick before slowly making my way toward the Annex Building.
‘An unexpected windfall has rolled right in.’
I had merely sponsored the athletes with ion drinks and takeout for promotional purposes, yet I stumbled upon this fortune.
‘Though admittedly, the electrolyte composition is quite effective for dehydration symptoms.’
Following the jousting tournament, Armand launched an ion drink under the name “Super Aide.” It’s being sold in the aide category alongside lemonade and cherry aide, and it serves as a stepping stone toward functional beverages as a future differentiation strategy.
For quick thirst quenching: Super Aide.
And for enhanced concentration and mental activation: coffee.
You might call it part of a larger scheme to sell coffee.
“Coffee is quite pleasant. With proper packaging, it might actually sell.”
Even the Master, who once dismissed it as bitter and tasteless, seemed to frequently indulge in coffee when orders were plentiful. He claimed that drinking that dark demonic beverage made his body feel weightless, and he could accomplish nearly double the work when pressed for time.
‘When would be the right time to launch coffee….’
Since Armand is only just establishing itself, coffee with its bitter taste and unappealing color doesn’t seem ready for the spotlight yet.
‘The lack of a barista is also a significant problem.’
Still, through the jousting tournament, I successfully introduced takeout as a business venture and ion drinks to countless citizens of the Empire.
‘I’m truly grateful the Imperial Court permitted beverages to be brought into the tournament grounds.’
The Clock Tower played an enormous role in securing this approval. The Administrative Office received high praise from superiors for successfully attracting the expensive and useful Clock Tower facility without spending a single coin, and they’ve developed favorable feelings toward Armand.
Having recently established the Armand Children’s Charity Foundation as well, it only makes sense that we appear more solid and trustworthy.
‘Hmm. Does it have some effect?’
I casually unfolded the sales receipts contained within the Maison de Cake box and doubted my eyes.
‘We really sold this much?’
The results were a massive success.
* * *
Following the jousting tournament, Armand was frequently discussed. Cups bearing Armand’s seal were exposed to countless spectators, and thanks to the compelling narrative that accompanied them.
“Under the scorching sun, Orix looked as though he might collapse at any moment, but after drinking that beverage, he regained his vigor and performed brilliantly.”
A friend of a friend of Orix’s acquaintance excitedly spread the word.
“That tournament was so desperate, wasn’t it? That drink gave Orix his last chance to become a knight.”
People love dramatic stories. The success tale of an unknown knight who had never garnered anyone’s attention was a narrative everyone adored.
“I hear Orix Merkain is receiving excellent treatment in Simour these days?”
“I’ve heard rumors that his skills improve by the day. They say even those arrogant Simour knights express admiration for him.”
“Hmph! Let’s hurry over. What on earth did Orix Merkain drink to cause all this fuss?”
The young men chattering away as they headed toward Armand caught sight of a group wearing formal knight order uniforms in front of the East Gate Plaza Fountain, their eyes gleaming with longing.
Each of them held a cup in hand.
“Is this really that beverage you drank during the jousting tournament? I had high expectations, but it’s rather bland. The taste is subtle.”
“It’s mild, but doesn’t it have a refreshing quality to it?”
“I’m not sure what it is, but it goes down smoothly.”
“You have to drink it when you’re exhausted to feel the dramatic effect. Why wouldn’t it be a super aid? When I drank this beverage under that scorching sun and oppressive heat, it felt like discovering an oasis.”
The ion beverage left a deep impression on the knights who had attended the jousting tournament. Recalling that sensation, some knights would stop by Armand with their comrades, while others would take the ion beverage with them after training when they were utterly exhausted.
“So this is that famous place….”
“Yes, it is.”
As word spread that this was a shop frequently visited by renowned knights, people came from afar to drink the same beverage and enjoy the atmosphere. It was similar to how a shop becomes wildly successful when celebrities become regular customers.
Moreover, the tall and well-built knights provided an appealing sight for the young noble ladies who were the primary customers.
Entertainment companies don’t establish cafes on the first floor of their headquarters for nothing. The second-floor window seats with a clear view of the knights coming and going were undoubtedly the hottest spot.
Armand and the area around the East Gate Plaza Fountain were crowded with people day after day, creating a thriving business. Moreover, with the warm weather, takeout demand was high, and since the ion beverage had a low unit cost, net profits nearly doubled in no time.
* * *
“What is this? Why has Naria’s sales plummeted by half?!”
Bruno, a major merchant operating a dessert shop and various stores at the Academy West Gate, erupted in fury the moment he saw Naria Shop Manager’s recent sales receipts.
“Damn it. If this continues, I won’t be able to meet the amount I promised to Duke Selig.”
As a quasi-noble, he served as a retainer of the Serig Duke Family, receiving their protection in exchange for remitting substantial sums each month.
He also secretly siphoned off funds from the Imperial Court to fill the Duke’s coffers. Since operating a noble house required considerable expense, Duke Selig held Bruno in fairly high regard for his business acumen.
However, the Duke’s trust was predicated entirely on Bruno bringing in substantial amounts of gold coins. When Naria, which had been the highest-grossing shop among those operating at the West Gate, began to falter, Bruno had no choice but to lose his temper.
“What’s the reason?! Why aren’t you answering promptly?!”
“Ugh!”
Naria Shop Manager, struck by the ashtray Bruno hurled, gripped his bleeding forehead and opened his mouth with a dejected expression.
“Well… as we continued to lower set menu prices competitively, while sales volume may have increased, net profit has not been substantial.”
Though the discount rate was high, the actual increase in sales volume was not particularly significant. The noble young ladies they had targeted as their primary customers were not the sort to simply appreciate cheaper goods. Rather, they found overt price competition to be vulgar.
Furthermore, lowering prices had created quality issues. To meet the daily sales targets Bruno demanded, the manager had no choice but to reduce the grams of tea leaves per cup, and the discerning customers had uncannily detected that the taste was no longer the same, promptly ceasing their visits.
However, Naria Shop Manager lacked the acuity to discern such characteristics of his primary customer base.
“And? Is that all?”
“I believe one of the causes is that customers have been drawn toward the Academy East Gate area because of… Armand.”
“That cursed shop…! I don’t know who’s running it, but whoever it is has a remarkably sharp mind.”
Bruno tapped his thick fingers adorned with gold rings repeatedly against the desk.

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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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