The Lady Only Deals With the Real Ones - Chapter 5

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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“First I need to request security magic again, and I have to stop by the bank to exchange some change. Oh, and I need to go submit documents to the Merchant’s Guild too…”

Click.

I opened the door and sneezed vigorously.

“Haa…”

White dust greeted me.

My deliberation didn’t last long.

What do I need most right now?

Not money or documents, but a broom and duster!

“I absolutely cannot tolerate dust in this shop!”

I tied my hair back tightly.

***

The Moro Duchy, located in the northwest of the Empire.

The Grand Duke’s castle that rules the duchy is always quiet.

But for the past six months, it wasn’t just quiet—it was silent to the point of desolation. Everyone was careful even with their breathing.

The aide who had been summoned by the Grand Duke was no exception.

‘If only it weren’t for that magic-using thief!’

The duchy’s greatest sacred relic and treasured sword had disappeared.

It was stolen six months ago! And by a mage at that!

‘Damn mage, how is it possible that not a single clue has turned up?’

He couldn’t further upset the Grand Duke’s already complicated mood. He was scary enough as it is!

The aide carefully pushed open the office door and jumped in shock.

“Your Grace, what did you summon me for… Hwaaaaah?!”

Some stranger he’d never seen before was sitting in the office.

Had he entered the wrong room?

『Tesagh Alister Moro』

No. The nameplate on the desk definitely belonged to the Grand Duke.

Then who was this tall, imposing, scary-looking handsome man occupying the Grand Duke’s seat?

The aide, lost in thought, realized.

“You’re using a magical artifact to change your appearance, haha…”

His instincts reacted.

The natural urge to lower his eyes confirmed that this person was indeed the Grand Duke.

The original Tesagh had black hair and blood-red eyes.

But the Tesagh before him had the same hair color, yet his eyes were ash-gray.

With the red eyes that were like a symbol of House Moro gone, even the aide who had served him for long felt quite different about him.

That wasn’t all.

‘Ugh, what’s with that scar…’

There was a long gash across his left cheek, and geometric tattoos were carved from his right neck to his collarbone.

‘So before, he was a handsome man who might at least acknowledge you if you greeted him.’

Now he’d become a handsome man who looked like he’d step right over you even if you collapsed dramatically in front of him, let alone spare you a glance.

‘I’m scared to death!’

But wait, that magical artifact is something he only uses when going on covert missions, right?

Hold on, that means…?

An ominous prediction struck him. Before his thoughts could fully form, Tesagh opened his mouth.

“I’ll give you five minutes. Prepare to depart secretly.”

“Yes, yes?”

“The destination is the Empire’s capital city, specifically the crime district called ‘Ashen Street.'”

The dazed aide snapped to attention at the following words.

“I found the last place where the mage who stole the sword was spotted.”

Tesagh, who had been speaking emotionlessly, smiled with just the corners of his mouth.

“A pawnshop where that bastard is definitely selling stolen goods to launder money.”

Along with a chilling, ominous smile, his voice dropped low.

“That very pawnshop reopened today, apparently. So we need to go check it out, don’t we?”

“…”

“The face of that bastard who’s cooperating with a criminal.”

The aide, watching his superior who was scarier when smiling than expressionless, gulped.

***

‘Ugh, my hands are shaking.’

I had no strength in my arms. I felt like I’d become some kind of invertebrate.

It was because I’d spent all day cleaning the pawnshop, exchanged lots of change at the bank, and even commissioned security magic.

‘But if I just submit this, I can open tomorrow.’

I walked with trembling hands, holding the 《Reopening Registration Form》.

On ‘Ashen Street,’ there’s a Merchant’s Guild that you must join.

According to guild regulations, you must report when reopening after a closure. Only then can you exercise your rights and receive protection as a guild member.

‘They said it’s just a formal procedure, despite calling it a report. I just need to get one stamp.’

The Merchant’s Guild members are people I’ll keep seeing as long as I operate a pawnshop on this street. First impressions are important.

I put on my business smile and pushed open the guild hall door.

“Hello, I’m here to submit documents!”

“Yes, please go this way.”

The place I was guided to was the guild master’s office.

Helena, the guild master of ‘Ashen Street’ Merchant’s Guild, was said to do good work.

Since those were words from my stingy-with-praise grandfather, it must be true.

Ashen Street, notorious as a crime district.

However, this is mostly exaggerated rumors.

‘People judge based on appearances alone.’

There are many old buildings here.

Since rent is relatively cheap, it’s a place where all kinds of people gather.

As such, all sorts of incidents happen, but it’s not a lawless zone where accidents occur daily.

Helena was working hard to dispel the street’s image as a hotbed of crime.

‘She even succeeded in driving out the street robbery gang that had secretly established itself here, right?’

The guild master position was honorary. There were no benefits from wearing the title, and she didn’t even get paid!

Yet Helena was making the effort. Because she cared about Ashen Street.

‘How admirable.’

“So you’re the young lady who inherited Michele’s pawnshop?”

“Yes! I’m planning to open tomorrow, so I came to file a reopening report. The documents are here.”

“I see, so that’s how it is…”

But this fair and competent guild master…

“Rejected.”

Bang!

Without even reading the documents, she slammed down a bright red [REJECTED] stamp!

Is this territorial behavior? The unique mannerism of bureaucracy?

Or maybe she’s just good at work but has a bad personality?

As I stood there pondering, Helena raised one eyebrow.

“Don’t you understand what rejection means? It means I have no intention of approving it. So go back.”

Somehow that statement leans heavily toward ‘bad personality.’

I cleared my throat and asked as politely as possible.

“Are there perhaps some missing documents?”

“No.”

“Or have additional procedures been added?”

“No.”

“Then excuse me, but are you refusing approval simply because you don’t want to give it?”

She probably didn’t expect me to ask so directly.

Helena, who had been frowning with a cough, soon spoke coldly.

“Yes. I have no intention of denying it. I don’t want to see some clueless drifter ruin the capital’s only pawnshop.”

Wait.

Haven’t I heard this somewhere before?

It’s just like an interviewer who calls in a rookie but demands experience.

“Even if you are Mr. Michele’s granddaughter, there are no exceptions.”

Then where are rookies supposed to gain experience?

As I was thinking, Helena crossed her arms authoritatively.

“Speaking of which, do you even know what business is? A pawnshop requires not only appraisal skills but also bargaining and negotiating with customers.”

Helena snorted.

“What Mr. Michele did might have looked easy, but real practice is different. Setting everything else aside, miss, do you have an eye for goods? You don’t look like you resemble Mr. Michele in anything except his eye color.”

“Well, at least my eyesight is better than Grandfather’s. He is getting on in years, after all.”

“What?”

Helena looked incredulous.

But I was serious about the pawnshop.

“I have never once taken this work lightly.”

Helena, who had been turning her head away as if my words weren’t worth hearing, paused.

It was a positive sign. That she would listen to more of what I had to say.

‘This is when I need to show my determination.’

“I saw firsthand how much Grandfather cherished the pawnshop.”

I looked Helena seriously in the eyes.

Helena quietly stared back at my expression.

“So I worked hard. I studied not only appraisal methods but also bargaining techniques and about customers.”

Just showing determination wasn’t enough.

I had to appeal how much effort I’d put in and how prepared I was.

“I believe I’ve acquired enough skill to not bring shame to Grandfather’s name.”

“But.”

“Yes, you’re right. Skills I claim myself are meaningless. So, Mrs. Helena.”

Upon hearing the title ‘Mrs.’, Helena’s expression became subtle.

I smiled brightly at her.

“Just as our Grandfather has a good eye for goods, you seem to have a good eye for people. How about taking a look at me? When we open tomorrow.”

“I have no intention of approving…”

“Of course. You don’t have that intention right now.”

I pulled out the documents stamped with [REJECTED] and placed new registration forms and a daily business plan on top.

It was worth bringing them just in case.

Helena’s gaze became even more subtle upon realizing I had come fully prepared.

“Tomorrow might be different. See for yourself tomorrow, and decide again then.”

“…”

“Then I’ll be waiting!”

I bowed politely and left.

‘This was something I’d have to go through anyway.’

It was natural for her to be suspicious since I hadn’t come with Grandfather, but suddenly appeared declaring I’d inherited the shop.

This was a good opportunity to dispel all doubts about me at once.

‘I’m glad I memorized Grandfather’s customer ledger thoroughly.’

【 Helena – Woman in her 50s, reddish-brown hair, wears glasses

Special notes: Elected head of the Gray Street Merchants’ Association, serving her 5th consecutive term / Prefers the title Mrs. Helena over the authoritative title of Association Head

Main traded items: Jewelry 】

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