The Villainess is a Millionaire Solver - Chapter 38

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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 38

“Aris…”

Zikren tried to continue speaking, but at that moment he stopped as if frozen in place.

It seems that while absorbing the emerald’s energy, his bodily functions focus entirely on that. Though it was only for a very short time.

‘That’s useful information.’

I stored this fact in my mind while pretending to have no interest at all.

After all the light was absorbed, the emerald fell to the floor with a thud, leaving only an empty shell…

Only then did Zikren stretch his shoulders as if loosening up. I asked him.

“How is it? Nothing wrong with the goods?”

“Yeah. Very good.”

He pressed firmly on the spot where the wound had been, confirming it was completely healed. Then he glanced at me.

“I wasn’t embarrassed just now or anything like that. I just didn’t want to show the wound. For Transcendent Ones like us, revealing injuries means showing weakness.”

“I already know that without you having to say it. Is there anyone in this Empire who doesn’t know you originally enjoy showing off?”

I replied.

“Just so there’s no misunderstanding, I absolutely wasn’t looking at your body because I wanted to see it. I can’t stand muscles.”

“You can’t stand muscles?”

“Yeah.”

“…Why?”

“I just don’t feel good when I see muscles. Whether it’s men or women, I don’t really want to get close to people with strength. I wish everyone was fragile. Weak enough that I could subdue them with just one finger. Anyway, I hate muscles.”

So you don’t need to eliminate me preemptively out of fear that I’ll chase after you.

‘Though I unintentionally witnessed a shirtless scene, I really won’t chase after you.’

Whether he understood my intention or not, Zikren became quiet.

“Well then.”

I turned around in a circle.

“Now that we’ve verified the goods are fine, let’s get to work.”

“Ah… Right.”

Zikren followed me a beat late.

With him watching, I began harvesting the emeralds that had appeared on the wall. One, two, three… fifteen in total.

“How should we carry these?”

“There’s a box here.”

Zikren found and brought a wooden box that the previous person had used. I put all fifteen emeralds in it. With a satisfied heart, I carried the harvest and left the mine together with Zikren.

As we left the area where magic was active, the transparent barrier that had separated the worlds immediately lifted.

Thud.

The wooden piece that served as the contractor’s mark, which had temporarily disappeared, returned to my hand.

Immediately, noisy sounds reached us.

“This way! Be careful, people are passing behind you!”

“Push! One, two, three!”

The miners were still working busily. No one seemed to have noticed that we had just disappeared like invisible people.

‘Magic really is fascinating.’

Having obtained everything we came for, there was nothing more to do here.

“Everyone gather!”

I called together the Holy Knights who had been looking around.

After taking time to tour the mining area together to avoid drawing attention, we boarded the carriage.

As soon as we returned to the Imperial Palace, word came that Aldensis had been waiting for us.

Zikren asked the attendant.

“Where is my brother now?”

“This way.”

The attendant led us to the Crown Prince’s Private Garden.

When the white door carved with vine patterns opened, we could see Aldensis standing at the railing.

Dressed in flowing ivory clothes with golden embroidery, he looked like an ancient elf race that had long gone extinct. The blue bird perched on one hand added to that impression.

It was a moment when the fact that he was a Transcendent One felt even more real.

“We greet Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

As we both bowed, the bird flew away with a flutter.

“Second Prince, Princess.”

Aldensis nodded his head elegantly, then looked at Zikren.

“No problems?”

“Of course. Here.”

Zikren handed his brother the box containing the emeralds.

“Let me see.”

Aldensis opened the lid and picked up one of them. The sight of him holding the transparent emerald up to the sunlight with his long, white fingers was like a painting.

‘But let’s not be fooled.’

Under my gaze full of distrust, Aldensis examined the gem carefully before lowering his hand again.

“You’ve already tested it?”

“Of course.”

Zikren tapped the wound area to show him.

“Good. Then shall I try it once?”

Aldensis lightly tossed the emerald, making it float in the air above his fingertips.

There wasn’t as violent a reaction as with Zikren. But the gem spun around while pouring out light very quickly.

In less than a minute, all the radiance was absorbed into Aldensis’s fingertips. He retrieved the empty shell and placed it on the table.

“Indeed, very good, Princess.”

“Oh, is that so?”

I asked with delight.

“Then you’ll make a purchase?”

“Of course. We’ll buy all the goods you brought.”

When Aldensis gestured, attendants came carrying a strongbox. Watching him open the strongbox, a question suddenly occurred to me.

“By the way.”

When I suddenly spoke up, both brothers turned to look at me simultaneously.

“Do you have something to say?”

“Something to say?”

Why are you looking at me so intensely? Did I create an atmosphere like I was about to say something momentous? Well, this is important too…

“Will you pay for the two we used for testing as well?”

“…”

They were silent for a moment.

“Of course they’re included.”

Aldensis answered.

I see. At least he’s not being petty about this.

I quickly did the calculations.

So that’s sixteen total. According to the price list, it’s 25 million per each, so altogether that’s 400 million per.

“…”

Thank goodness my stiff facial muscles allowed me to maintain my expressionless face. Otherwise, my cheekbones would have shot up to the sky.

To earn such a fortune in just half a day…!

Round-trip transportation was free, and no other costs were incurred. It’s all pure profit for our guild.

‘With this kind of performance, how much will our rank go up? At least we’ll definitely escape F-rank, right?’

If I could just humble the arrogant Branch Family, I’d have no other wishes.

Still, with this much, they won’t be able to completely ignore me like before, right?

‘Is there really such a good business in the world?’

I could understand why the Great Spirit sought out a slave to capitalism.

They say that as the contractor becomes more accustomed to this work, the amount of emeralds the World Tree permits gradually increases.

Think about such sweet profits coming in regularly. You’d never want to lose it, right?

“…”

While I was rejoicing with an expressionless face, Aldensis and Zikren took the money out of the vault.

400 million fer, all in cash. Checks or bank transfers probably don’t match the Imperial Court’s dignity, right?

“It would be difficult for the Young Lady to carry, so we’ll send this payment to the guild office.”

“Yes.”

I answered with a bright business smile.

“Thank you for your consideration, Your Highness the Crown Prince. Please take care of me in the future.”

“We should be the ones asking for your favor.”

Aldensis replied with a gentle smile.

The transaction was complete.

With this, I had successfully secured one of the stable funding sources that would help my survival in the future.

Now only one other purpose remained.

Today’s important main topic.

‘The conversation is over, so they’ll tell me to leave, but before that I need to naturally bring up the thief capture operation.’

I glanced at Aldensis. But he was just sitting there leisurely.

I conspicuously grabbed my skirt with both hands.

“Your Highness the Crown Prince. Since our business is finished, you should tell me to stop loitering and go back so I can leave.”

“Hm?”

Aldensis looked at me.

Just then.

“Excuse me.”

Imperial Palace attendants came pulling a handcart. With a large teapot and… three teacups placed on it.

I was surprised.

‘Three teacups?’

That wasn’t all.

One attendant carefully asked.

“Did you say not to disturb you for the next 3 hours?”

What? The next 3 hours?

I looked at Aldensis. Zikren also looked at him with wide eyes.

“Did we have such a schedule?”

Aldensis stood up abruptly.

“I never gave such an order. They must have assumed on their own that the Young Lady would stay for a long time.”

A textbook-reading tone. The aloof and detached atmosphere from just moments ago was gone, replaced by something worse than a cheap clockwork doll moving creakily.

I couldn’t help but cast a suspicious gaze at him.

‘No matter how I look at it… this looks like he was caught red-handed trying to keep me here for a whole 3 hours.’

I narrowed my eyes and said.

“Whenever I had business with Your Highness, it would drag on for hours by default, so it’s understandable the attendants would be mistaken. You’re not flustered, are you?”

“Of course not.”

Aldensis spoke calmly while picking up a leaf instead of a teacup, then immediately putting it down.

“I too should gradually adapt to the fact that the Young Lady’s visits will end this quickly from now on.”

“Anyway, since they brought tea, we should drink it.”

At Zikren’s simple words, we each picked up our teacups.

After drinking his tea, Aldensis said.

“Actually, I heard a very interesting story from Zikren. He said the Young Lady actively cooperated by making good suggestions for the thief capture operation?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

The topic I wanted finally came up. I put down my teacup and looked at Aldensis.

“His Highness the Second Prince and the Chief of Imperial Security happened to be discussing their concerns in front of me, so I humbly added my opinion.”

“So I heard.”

Aldensis nodded.

“I wanted to talk about that too. But seeing how the Young Lady was about to leave quickly, I thought perhaps you weren’t actually that interested in the matter, despite your words.”

“No! I’m very interested. I heard you two prepared a truly terrifying trap?”

“Well…”

Aldensis shrugged.

“It will be quite difficult to escape from.”

“Really?”

I clasped my hands together and spoke innocently.

“Amazing! A trap prepared with a transcendent’s power! I’m so curious about what it’s like – couldn’t you let me take a look too?”

I need to see that magic circle thing to get a sense of how I should intervene. That’s what I was thinking when I subtly probed, mixing in some flattery.

“…”

Aldensis looked at me with an expressionless face. Then he spoke in a monotone voice.

“How surprising, Young Lady. To say such a thing.”

Ah, was that too bold after all? Asking to see a classified operation? I tried to salvage the situation belatedly…

“I’m pleased. That the Young Lady is genuinely interested in our operation.”

Aldensis continued.

“…”

If he’s in a good mood, it would be nice if he showed it more clearly. Even with 10 years of one-sided love experience, this man’s emotions are still hard to read.

Zikren watched our conversation with interest and said.

“I told you so. Aristina really seems to want to work hard. This is directly connected to her hobby.”

“Indeed.”

Aldensis nodded.

“Then shall we show you directly? By going to the training grounds?”

“Good idea. Let’s go, Aristina.”

Zikren stood up first with a bright smile.

Phew…

I followed them out of the drawing room.

Although there was a brief commotion, I was still able to see the operation as planned. My heart swelled with anticipation.

‘Let me test what kind of power I’ve received.’

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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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