The Villainess is a Millionaire Solver - Chapter 56

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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 56

The man’s face was white as flour dough and completely expressionless.

Only after looking closely could I tell that he was wearing a mask as thin as latex.

I’ve heard there are masks somewhere called ‘human skin masks’ made from actual human skin, but surely it wasn’t that, right?

In any case, it was creepy enough to appear in nightmares.

Tall stature with straight shoulders. Graceful movements. Elegant and beautiful hands despite wearing gloves. All-black clothing that showed off his physique well. These things made his appearance even more bizarre and fear-inducing.

“Good work.”

Even his voice speaking to the old man was somehow eerie.

If I concentrated and analyzed it, I could tell it was definitely a voice familiar to my ears, but that was only because I knew his identity. Other people wouldn’t be able to imagine it, right?

“Yes.”

The old man quietly went outside.

Click.

I was so tense that I jumped even at the gentle sound of the door closing.

‘Why is he closing the door? Why…?’

It was fortunate that my face was usually so expressionless. Otherwise, the fact that my heart had shrunk to the size of a bean would have been discovered.

“…”

That man, Ruellian, glanced in my direction.

“How interesting that you’d come looking for me right now. I was just thinking about the Princess.”

He said that and immediately corrected himself.

“No. The word ‘right now’ isn’t quite right. I’ve been thinking about the Princess constantly since we parted that day at that place.”

“I’m honored.”

“How cheeky. You saw the stigma when you came to pick flowers and encountered me in the forest, didn’t you? After that, you gradually gathered clues and discovered my secret. Then you gained qualification and even received a mission from some divine being. That’s how it happened, right?”

“That’s right.”

I said, trying not to shrink back.

“It was very difficult pretending not to know anything all this time, but now that it’s come to this, what’s the point of hiding? Everything you said is correct.”

“Ha…”

An exasperated sigh leaked out from within the expressionless white mask.

“This is incredibly strange. Was it two years ago? When you infiltrated the Order and got caught by me, you definitely weren’t this kind of personality. Did you have some kind of awakening triggered by an event?”

“People can change. What’s wrong with wanting to live well?”

I deflected casually and changed the subject.

“You were busy enough just surviving the trap yourself, yet you tried to save me first – I’m very grateful for that. At least I learned that you’re someone with a minimum of conscience.”

“What a tearfully touching compliment.”

“But!”

I said with emphasis.

“Beyond that, you’re someone who has some very important personal goal. If I were to jeopardize that, you’d mercilessly use any means necessary. So I’m telling you this – please understand this first.”

“What?”

“As I said before, I have absolutely no interest in what you’re doing. I’m too busy just surviving. My only sentiment is ‘Oh, you must have some circumstances. Work hard. Good luck!’ I have no intention of revealing your secrets or digging into your past.”

I continued speaking quickly.

“So let’s just forget all that stuff for today and just make a safe transaction. Got it? Don’t forget that I’m the one and only person who saw your stigma. Also don’t forget that I’m keeping the chain fragment that could be evidence against you very safely.”

Silence flowed.

The white mask-like face with unreadable expression stared at me intently. Eventually, a voice came from within it.

“Haven’t you been reading too many third-rate crime novels?”

“…?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about. I’m the one who wants a safe transaction. Did I unconsciously give you some hint that I would harm you? Why are you getting so far ahead of yourself…”

He stopped mid-sentence and said, “Ah.”

“I forgot. It’s because of this, isn’t it? I can’t reveal my identity here, so I live like this.”

Saying that, he rubbed his face with his hand, and the thin mask peeled off like shed skin.

Black hair and violet eyes. A face that gleamed smoothly like a marble sculpture was revealed.

He still wore an arrogant expression of supreme confidence, but he looked somewhat different. It seemed like there was unprecedented interest and curiosity in his eyes looking at me.

At least, he didn’t seem to be thinking about using some method today to silence me.

‘The atmosphere isn’t as murderous as I thought.’

How could I tell when he was wearing a mask? I just thought my imagination was right.

Phew.

I relaxed my stiff shoulders a little.

Finally, the surrounding scenery came into view.

A large stained glass window depicting a two-headed snake taking up the front wall. A desk with some documents on it. Objects covered with cloth here and there. And the visitor’s chair I was currently sitting in.

It was a concise and secret space.

“A place for trading information. Is this some kind of Information Guild?”

At my question, Ruellian shrugged his shoulders.

“That’s not entirely wrong. Though everyone seems to call it the Master Guild.”

“Master Guild?”

“You need qualifications to use this place. You have to be at least an Information Guild leader or higher. And it’s all indirect trading methods – no one has ever come in directly.”

Ah. So it means a guild of masters.

A guild for guild leaders, not ordinary people. If guild leaders are kings, then he’s the emperor who rules those kings.

You’d have to be at this level to maintain such an incredible double life.

“Impressive.”

I was genuinely amazed.

“But you still couldn’t figure out the secret of the trap, right? Since you’re still willing to trade.”

“That’s right.”

Ruellian readily admitted it.

“I want to make a deal with you.”

“Good. I happen to need some essential information too. What I want to know is…”

“Wait.”

Ruellian raised his hand to stop my words.

“That’s not how you do it, Young Lady. This place has its own methods.”

“What’s that?”

“Information appraisal.”

“Appraisal?”

That appraisal from ‘gem appraisal’ that the Princess likes. Information needs appraisal too. The customer might not be qualified to trade for certain information…”

“That could be the case.”

“Or it might be wrong or corrupted. Or it might not be worth as much as the Princess thinks. We shouldn’t waste each other’s time, right?”

“But…”

I asked out of pure curiosity.

“If you reveal the content of information before starting the trade, wouldn’t that expose all your cards?”

“Don’t worry. We have this.”

Ruellian removed the cloth from an object on the desk.

It was a scale. With a pillar carved with the face of a blindfolded goddess in the center, two plates were perfectly balanced.

I asked.

“You trade information using a scale?”

“It’s not just any scale, it’s a scale that compares the value of information. It’s a sacred relic that delivers oracles, modified.”

“Ah.”

“You have no idea what I’m talking about, do you? It’s written all over your face.”

“…”

“Watch carefully from now on. Here, we compare the value of information through cards.”

Ruellian opened a drawer and took out two boxes. The boxes contained cards. The box labeled “Black” had black cards. The box labeled “White” had white cards.

“Information is broadly classified into two types. Information we already have goes on black cards, and information we don’t have yet goes on white cards. Since the Princess is in the position of selling information to me, which card should you receive?”

“Black.”

“Correct.”

I took the black card that Ruellian handed me.

“Now what do I do?”

“Just hold that and think about the information you know.”

Hmm….

What kind of dangerous device did Aldensis and Zicren secretly place on his body? How does it threaten him?

As I recalled that information, the card began to change. A large circle appeared on the black surface and started blinking.

“First stage passed. It means the customer has information qualified for trading.”

Along with Ruellian’s explanation, cipher-like patterns appeared on the card.

“Give it here.”

He took my card and placed it on one side of the scale.

The plate immediately tilted. It didn’t stop and crashed straight down to the floor. As if a heavy stone had been placed on it.

“….”

Ruellian’s expression changed slightly.

I expected it, but the information I know must really be precious to him.

“Good. In exchange for telling me this information, what does the Princess want to know?”

“Eunice Gillian’s identity.”

“Your family’s Chief Aide? Got it. ‘I want to know Eunice Gillian’s identity.’…”

Ruellian recorded the information he needed to investigate on a white card and placed it on the opposite side of the scale.

The plate tilted.

But only very slightly.

His eyebrows furrowed slightly.

“It’s far from enough? There must be no particular secrets about the Chief Aide’s identity. Whatever it is, aren’t you barking up the wrong tree?”

“That can’t be.”

I picked up a white card and held it out to Ruellian.

“I’ll add another question. ‘What conspiracy is Eunice plotting right now, exactly?'”

Ruellian put my question on the card and additionally placed it on the scale.

If Eunice isn’t plotting any conspiracy, this question would also become a pointless wild goose chase.

But that can’t be.

The moment the new question was added, the plate tilted sharply. Unable to bear the weight of the information, it crashed down to the floor with a thud.

Now the value of both pieces of information had achieved equal balance.

‘As I thought…!’

It was the moment when my vague uneasy feeling became reality.

So that’s why she’s been walking around with her head held so stiffly in front of me. She really did have ulterior motives? And not ordinary ones at that.

‘What I offered is information deeply related to Ruellian’s survival. The fact that it has equal value means Eunice’s conspiracy is just as serious.’

Good, I caught her.

She has no idea that this foolish Young Lady is one step ahead like this.

Ruellian looked at my thoughtful face and said.

“So, shall we make the deal?”

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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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