The Villainess Hid Her Identity, and Now Everyone is Misunderstanding - Chapter 45

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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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The Villainess Hides Her Identity, and Everyone Misunderstands
Chapter 45

“Walter!”
At my call, he nodded to me before bowing his head respectfully to Rakiel.
The Guild name was certainly….
“It has been a long time, Your Highness. I am Walter Jansen, the Guild Master of the Jansen Guild, responsible for overseeing this supply project.”
Rakiel cast me a regretful glance before reluctantly turning his attention away. Having received Walter’s greeting, delivered in a deliberately lowered voice to avoid drawing attention, Rakiel extended his hand and spoke.
“Have we met before?”
“Yes, Your Highness. When you visited the North previously, I was present at a gathering discussing border-related business matters. However, since we did not speak directly, it would be understandable if Your Highness does not recall the occasion.”
“Ah, now that you mention it, something does come to mind… I was unaware then, but hearing so much about the Jansen Guild recently suggests you possess considerable acumen.”
Rakiel stroked his chin with evident interest.
“I have always kept a close eye on the Jansen Guild’s endeavors. I recall the grain distribution project you conducted in the North not long ago was quite impressive.”
“Ah, you were aware of that as well?”
Walter’s expression showed surprise.
“Of course. I heard that you stockpiled grain in the North beforehand, anticipating a poor harvest, and released it at the opportune moment to prevent prices from skyrocketing.”
“You are too kind. It was merely what any merchant should do….”
Rakiel shook his head.
“Most merchants would have waited for prices to rise and sold at inflated rates. What you did—selling at fair prices—is no simple feat.”
“I chose stability over profit. If the people starve to death, there will be no one left to trade with. In the long term, that proves more advantageous.”
Rakiel nodded with an expression of admiration.
I too wore a satisfied smile. Indeed, choosing the Jansen Guild had been the right decision. He possessed long-term vision, coupled with appropriate courage and genuine humanity.
Yet Walter suddenly wore a melancholic expression and sighed, as if something had occurred to him.
“However, I have just realized that I still have much to learn.”
“…Why is that?”
“After hearing what that young lady proposed, I realized how carelessly we had been conducting our operations.”
“Then it would be feasible to implement it that way?”
It seemed Rakiel had recognized Walter’s competence from their brief exchange just now.
After all, it was remarkable enough that he acknowledged his own shortcomings upon hearing suggestions from a mere young woman. It appeared to align well with Rakiel’s values as well.
Walter’s eyes gleamed as he answered.
“Absolutely! The ranking system, the scoring system… all of them are excellent proposals. I would like to begin implementing them starting tomorrow. Of course, some refinement would be necessary.”
“Good. But you know…”
Rakiel touched his nose lightly, his expression contemplative.
“Would it not be wasteful to apply this method only here?”
“…What do you mean by that?”
“Of course, the border region is the most critical, but does the entire Empire not face the same issues?”
“That’s correct. We’re seeing refugee issues in at least fifteen locations or more.”
Refugees and the impoverished arise from various complex causes, regardless of war. It’s an inevitable phenomenon wherever humans settle.
Walter nodded and continued speaking.
“However, each region is handling distribution differently. Some areas lack any system at all, while others have no distribution whatsoever.”
“Then.”
Rakiel’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“What if we standardized this system and applied it across all regions?”
“…!”
Walter’s eyes widened. I, standing beside him, felt the same shock.
What Rakiel had just said was precisely….
“…You’re saying you’d establish a unified distribution system.”
“Exactly. And that would….”
Rakiel parted his lips slowly, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
“Bring stability to the entire Empire.”
I widened my eyes at his unexpected plan and studied him carefully. Rakiel wore a satisfied smile, his lips curled upward as if determined not to miss this opportunity.
‘My, he’s planning to expand this across the entire Empire.’
He has far more nerve than I expected. Is he confident he can persuade the Royal Court officials?
A project of this magnitude requires approval from the Royal Court itself—that’s already a monumental task.
Rakiel chuckled softly after observing Walter’s and my expressions.
“What do you say? Would you consider entering into a formal contract with the Royal Court?”
“With, with the Royal Court, Your Highness?”
Walter asked in startled surprise.
“Indeed. As the Second Prince, I’ll invest Royal Court funds through myself. In exchange, your Guild will oversee the refugee relief operations throughout the entire Empire.”
“Your Highness…!”
Walter’s voice trembled.
With this, he had forged a solid bond with the Royal Court. With those who would undoubtedly become his greatest patron.
Then Rakiel raised two fingers and spoke again.
“There are conditions, however.”
Walter nodded with a solemn expression.
“First, you will apply the system I’ve just outlined exactly as presented.”
“Of course.”
“Second, you will submit monthly reports. Detailed accounts of regional distribution status and budget expenditures.”
“Understood.”
“Then let’s consider the contract sealed.”
Rakiel extended his hand to Walter.
“The Royal Court will provide an initial investment of 500,000 gold, with 50,000 gold in operational costs each month thereafter.”
“Thank you, Your Highness! I will do my utmost for the people of the Empire!”
Walter grasped Rakiel’s hand with an expression of deep gratitude.
An unexpected windfall had materialized.
Walter’s Jansen Guild hails from the North. This means he can influence other northern guilds as well.
‘If I can sway them to support Prince Rakiel, the harvest might be far greater than expected.’
After all, in the North, Ludwig’s left hand….
Before my thoughts could fully form, Rakiel suddenly turned his head to look at me.
“Ah, and I must bestow a great reward upon the original architect of this method.”
“…Me?”
On me?
No, the method I suggested was sound, but… I wasn’t expecting a reward for it.
Yet Walter beside me nodded in agreement as well.
“Of course a reward must be given. Ah, should I ask for permission first? Miss, would it be acceptable for me to utilize the method you devised?”
“W-well, that’s not an issue, but….”
Suddenly the center of attention, I faltered and stepped back.
Rakiel standing beside me spoke with a smile on his face.
“What do you desire? Money? Honor? I shall grant whatever lies within my power.”
He spoke as though he had already claimed me, offering to bestow all the world’s gold upon me.
“U-ugh, I don’t need such things….”
I already have more than enough money….
“As expected. I knew you would say that.”
“…?”
A subtly pitying gaze descended upon me.
He regarded me intently for a moment, then sighed slowly and fell into contemplation.
“I wish to at least have your name recorded as the policy architect.”
“I absolutely despise that!”
“It’s a rare opportunity—do you truly dislike it so much?”
Perhaps thinking it no different from plagiarizing my ideas, he spoke with evident difficulty.
‘Such things don’t matter to me at all. What would I gain from a pseudonym….’
Besides, I have no interest in such honor! I just wish you’d leave me alone!
With his air of not releasing me until I spoke my desire, I began to groan and deliberate.
What do I need most right now? Something I could obtain by asking Rakiel….
‘…!’
A brilliant idea flashed through my mind.
“Then….”
He nodded as if urging me to speak whatever I wished.
“What is it?”
“A wish token from Prince Rakiel, Your Highness.”
His expression turned dumbfounded.
“A wish token… you say?”
Though he regarded me with bewilderment, I felt quite satisfied. Since nothing came to mind immediately, wasn’t this a way to buy myself time?
Well, I’ll use it eventually!
Fortunately, he chuckled and nodded.
“You choose the finest option.”
“Oh, you’re really going to help me?”
“Why would I refuse? You don’t strike me as someone who would ask for something unreasonable. If I misjudged you, then I’d have to blame my own poor judgment of character.”
Hagen’s body tensed as if he wanted to protest, but Rakiel silenced him with a glance.
‘Oh, an unexpected windfall….’
I hadn’t expected him to agree so readily.
But just as my mood was about to improve, a system window materialized before my eyes.
Boom boom boom!

[Congratulations! You have completed the Quest “Relief for the Impoverished”!]
[Due to exceeding the objective by 120%, the reward has been replaced with a special reward.]

“What…!”
Without my permission!
Startled, I reached out to grab the system window, but my hand passed through empty air and I stumbled.
“…Are you alright?”
Rakiel spoke to me from beside, but I had no attention to spare for him.
If I completed this Quest, my stat acquisition rate was supposed to increase by a full 5%!
The system then set off its usual fireworks display before displaying the next window.

[Special Success Reward has been granted.]
[Special Success Reward: 【Prince Rakiel Bernhardt’s Wish Token】, 【Token of Trust】]
[Reputation +500]

“…Eve?”
Rakiel approached with his brow slightly furrowed. I didn’t even register that this was the first time he’d called my name correctly.
Unable to contain my frustration, I trembled and spat out a curse.
“Ugh, this damn…!”
Did they really think they could palm me off with a wish token from Rakiel? Of course, I knew a prince’s wish token was incredibly valuable, but that was something I earned myself in the first place.
And a Token of Trust? If you’re going to give me something, why give me something so useless! If you’re going to give me anything, give me stats! Money! Something like that!
‘Token of Trust, what nonsense… wait, hold on.’
I craned my neck forward and urgently read the item description.
‘Please, please… please let sacrificing the stats have been worth it…!’
After reading the full item description, I clutched the back of my head and collapsed with a groan.
“Eve! Good heavens, are you alright? We need to call the Physician right away…! Hagen…!”
“Miss! Come to your senses!”
Those around me fussed and grabbed me, but I could only glare at the system window with reddened eyes, reading that resentful item’s description.

[Effect: The holder of this token instantly gains the trust of anyone who participated in the relief project. (Uses: 1)]

Give me back my stats!

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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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