The Villainess is a Millionaire Solver - Chapter 150

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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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Chapter 150

“I thought you’d be busy having fun as soon as the festival started. Either way, all you have in your head are thoughts of making money, don’t you? That’s my daughter!”

Duke Carnel’s praise quickly brought me back to my senses.

“Father is right. This tournament is being held after a long time, so the buzz around it is incredible. If we do it right, we could make a huge profit, but you want me to miss out just because I’m the award presenter? That’s ridiculous.”

After laying that groundwork, I threw out the main topic.

“I’m already curious about who this year’s winner will be. On the other hand, I have one question. Since the competition is fierce, they’ll use every means possible to fight, but what if someone who uses black magic appears?”

“Oh my. I suppose the incident where you almost fell victim to black magic last time still remains as a shock?”

The Duke said, raising his eyebrows slightly.

“There’s nothing to worry about. The Holy Knights from the Holy Order will be stationed all over the venue.”

“I know. But unexpected situations can happen at any time. In such cases, what would be the most effective way to deal with black magic? There must be alternative measures, right?”

At my words, everyone suddenly became quiet.

Duke Carnel and the elders exchanged strange looks.

The relatively noisy atmosphere due to the festival suddenly seemed to settle down calmly.

I asked.

“Did I say something wrong?”

“No.”

Oliver answered.

“Blood cannot be deceived, they say. That’s a topic the late Duchess was also curious about. I still remember it clearly. It was also during a festival back then. She said that since the Holy Order couldn’t always respond on time, we should prepare alternative measures.”

“Really?”

I was inwardly surprised.

“She said such things?”

“Yes. At that time, the branch family forces were plotting all sorts of schemes to push out the Duke and take over the successor position. The Duke and Duchess were just teenage boy and girl, yet they had to fight against them with all their might.”

Helmut explained.

“The Duchess studied and researched diligently to establish countermeasures against all evil means. She was a very wise person, but because she suffered so much from childhood, her vitality weakened and she eventually died young…”

Everyone briefly paid their respects for the Duchess.

Then Helmut turned his gaze to look at Duke Carnel.

“Anyway, the Duke will explain that story well. What conclusion the Duchess ultimately reached after her experiments.”

“Right.”

The Duke said readily.

“Shall we reminisce about old memories for once? Follow me.”

“Yes.”

I followed him out of the hall.

As we passed through the study and went inside, memories suddenly surfaced in my mind.

‘Ah, here?’

When the Duke opened the door, a small room appeared.

A large desk was placed by the window.

Papers scattered haphazardly. A quill pen with a sharply gleaming nib. A glass bottle filled with sloshing ink.

It was a desk that looked like someone would come and sit at it any moment.

‘This is the ‘Contemplation Room.’ It’s the space where the Duchess used to read books and organize her thoughts.’

Whenever Aristina occasionally entered this room, everyone would be startled and try to take her out.

Saying that Father carefully managed this place, so she shouldn’t touch anything.

Aristina, spiteful at such reactions from people, would deliberately sneak into this place more often.

Since she freely wandered the secret passages of the Imperial Palace, that much was nothing.

‘I used to take out and read the books in that drawer too. Though I couldn’t understand them because they were difficult.’

My gaze turned to the drawer.

Duke Carnel opened that very drawer and took out a small notebook. It was one of the Duchess’s research records.

“Where was it? Ah, here it is.”

He brought the record before me and opened it.

“Of course, black magic can also be attacked with the power of spirits, dragons, or spells from good witches. But since those aren’t powers that are exactly opposite to black magic, they don’t achieve good efficiency like divine power. However, there is one power that works regardless of logic like opposition or compatibility.”

“What is that?”

“Physical force.”

The Duke said, pointing to the record.

“Pure physical force itself. In other words, beating them up brutishly is what works best.”

“Then we should bring a bunch of men with bulging muscles?”

“No. Such conventional methods won’t even come close. You need to employ physical force beyond common sense to have any chance of winning.”

“Like reinforced golems?”

“Don’t think too complicatedly. Isn’t there something called equipment in this world? Armor imbued with the power of legendary monsters that enhances your strength when worn…”

“Ah, I see! We should look for such things.”

Duke Carnel glanced at me.

“Where would you look for them? The best equipment is already all in your hands.”

“What?”

I tilted my head.

“Don’t tell me you’re going to give me complete access to the treasure vault? Thank you!”

“That’s not it…”

The Duke’s face hardened.

“Haven’t you already claimed it? The trading company with the most excellent technology for hunting and processing the mysterious magical beasts and monsters of the north.”

“Ah!”

I finally understood.

‘Right. The Argos Trading Company that specializes in processing magical beasts came under our Black Rose Trading Company, didn’t it?’

The Duke was right. The finest treasure vault was already in my hands. Yet I hadn’t thought to use it.

I was so happy that laughter came naturally.

“You’re right. I haven’t visited even once since the acquisition, so I should take a look around.”

“Do that.”

The Duke nodded.

“Your mother was also someone who lived very diligently. Those efforts remain here intact. I’m pleased that you’re interested in similar topics. I’ve strictly forbidden entry until now, but I’ll lift that restriction. You may come in occasionally. As long as you don’t make a mess.”

“Really? Thank you, Father. I’ll use the knowledge gained here well for the family.”

“Good.”

Duke Carnel replied.

“Well, anyway, that’s a story for later. Right now it’s festival time.”

Then he took out a crumpled paper from his pocket.

“Looking at the event schedule, there are many interesting things. Today is the second day, so there are definitely more events than yesterday. For example, fashion shows, the largest precious items auction of the year, special cake cafes that only open during the Imperial Tournament, jewelry exhibitions… Aren’t you interested in such things?”

Wait a minute. Why are the examples strange? They’re all things the Duke usually abhors? On the other hand, his daughter would be ecstatic about them.

Only then did I realize.

‘This is a trap.’

No wonder there was no sign of him earlier, then he suddenly appeared.

He had been waiting and lurking for me continuously. To throw bait when I appeared.

‘Even though I was selected as successor, the tests still aren’t over. This place really is a wild jungle.’

I answered while conspicuously avoiding the trap the Duke had laid.

“Fashion shows, precious items auctions, cake cafes, jewelry exhibitions? Who would attend such childish events? How pathetic. At times like this when everyone’s distracted by having fun, we should work even harder. I have no interest in such things.”

Whose daughter could be this reliable and sharp? Your daughter, that’s who.

How’s that? A perfect score answer, right?

I looked expectantly, but for some reason, the Duke showed no reaction.

“…”

The Duke was silent for a moment, then opened his mouth indifferently.

“Really? I understand.”

That’s when it happened.

“Duke!”

An aide came running up the stairs in a hurry, shouting.

“I did it! I got all the tickets you requested! Fashion shows, precious items auctions, jewelry exhibitions… all of them! The reserved seats at the cake cafe were difficult because the quantity was so limited, but I managed to get those too. Look here. You said to secure the best seats regardless of how much extra I had to pay, right?”

He waved a total of eight tickets, two each.

Ah. Now I see that Duke Carnel was also planning to go to the festival.

But why does this itinerary seem overly familiar?

I glanced at the Duke.

“….”

He was silently glaring at his aide with all his might.

Which means….

“By any chance, were you asking me to go together? To the fashion show, precious items auction, cake cafe, and jewelry exhibition?”

When I asked that, the Duke replied curtly.

“No. I’m going alone.”

“Then why are there two tickets for everything?”

“Because I hate having someone sit next to me.”

“Then shouldn’t there be three tickets? So you only leave one side empty?”

“….”

The Duke stopped responding and snatched the tickets from his aide’s hands. Then he turned around sharply and strode away.

“Anyway, make sure to avoid overlapping routes. I’m telling you to absolutely not appear at the fashion show, precious items auction, cake cafe, or jewelry exhibition. Got it?”

With those words, his figure disappeared in the blink of an eye.

I grabbed the aide and questioned him.

“Father asked you to get those tickets because he wanted to go out with me, right?”

“Yes, Young Lady.”

The aide answered with a flustered expression.

“He must have prepared it as a surprise gift. I was too tactless.”

“No. The tactless one was me. I just told Father that the fashion show, precious items auction, cake cafe, and jewelry exhibition were all pathetic and childish. I said who would go to places like that.”

“Oh, you said that? Oh my, hurry and go after him!”

“Alright.”

I hurriedly chased after Duke Carnel.

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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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