episode_0005

Greyfell.

A nation of harsh winters and formidable warriors.

The warlord who rules this land—Derek Ashvolt.

Despite his string of victories, the human man sat on his throne with a somber expression.

General Derek had waged war to exact vengeance upon the warlord of Mirtail, the one who had slain his wife.

Though he had crushed Mirtail with overwhelming force and avenged his beloved,

his grief over losing her did not simply vanish.

A day, two days, a week, a month.

As the general’s health visibly deteriorated day by day,

his loyal subordinates in the Ashvolt faction cautiously suggested he take a new wife.

Their logic was that the sorrow of loss could be washed away by a new bond.

At first, General Derek had erupted in fury at their proposal.

But as time passed, nearing the one-year mark…

Thanks to his subordinates’ persistent psychological persuasion, the general’s heart gradually softened.

The cold warlord of Greyfell decided to take a new wife.

And as luck would have it, rumors had reached him of an exceptional matchmaker in Eldoria.

He planned to entrust her with finding him a new partner—

on one condition: she had to resemble his late wife as closely as possible.

If the matchmaker dared recommend even the slightest deviation from his standards,

he swore he would return at any moment and cut her down for insulting both his deceased wife and himself.

Clutching a pendant containing his wife’s portrait in his right hand, General Derek set off for Eldoria.

His footprints in the snow, heavy with longing, appeared unusually flattened.

It had already been two weeks and four days since I started working at Esposa Marriage Consulting.

6 PM, closing time.

Cosmo, the AI cat, quantified my progress and displayed it in a holographic window.

「Days Worked: 14 New Members Registered: 4,200 Average Daily Registrations: 300 Marriage Consultations Conducted: VVVIP Tier—39 VVIP Tier—45 VIP Tier—28 Total Consultations: 112 Average Daily Consultations: 8 Arranged Meetings & Successful Marriages: 112 Consultation-to-Meeting Success Rate: 100% Meeting-to-Marriage Success Rate: 100% Marriage Continuation Rate: 100% Total Revenue: (3925,000 + 4517,000 + 289,000) = 1,992,000 Eldoris 1,992,000 – (1,992,0000.2) = 1,593,600 Eldoris Revenue by Tier: (Consultation Fee / Meeting Success Fee) VVVIP—(10,000 / 15,000) VVIP—(7,000 / 10,000) VIP—(4,000 / 5,000)」

So… I’ve been running eight sessions a day from 9 AM to 6 PM,

and in just two weeks, I’ve made 1.5936 billion won…?

Legendary.

No, seriously.

I’ve been forcing myself to arrange every single meeting like my life depended on it, hoping the business would fail—

so how is it that not a single couple has broken up or divorced after marriage?

Every day, my common sense and intellect are being challenged anew.

Oh right, I should also explain what was inside that golden bundle.

First, the parents of the elf Selienne had given me several mysterious seeds.

Each seed was the size of a human fist—clearly not ordinary.

With no proper explanation, I figured planting them might bring good fortune, so I buried them in my bedroom.

Ever since, I’ve been sleeping strangely well,

and waking up feeling more refreshed.

Though that could also be because I’ve become a woman and regressed seven years to age 22.

Next, the parents of the dragon Arzendor had gifted me a single stone—a Dimension Stone.

Wondering why it was wrapped in so many layers, I read the attached note…

It explained that Dimension Stones are a crystallized form of Neo-Aether,

a mystical medium that allows dragons to exert influence across dimensions or even other worlds,

forged at the cost of their lives.

Just from the description, it sounded like an incredible artifact, so I hid it away.

…….

The AI cat, having finished the calculations, cheerfully spoke up.

“Master Rosenheit, you’ve worked hard today as well!”

Finally done with work, I slumped onto the couch with a heavy sigh.

“Ugh… I feel like I’m gonna drop dead…

Is this life busier than all my past lives combined…?”

As usual, Cosmo loafed on the couch beside me and delivered his signature snark.

“You already died once—what’s with the whining?

Even if you work yourself to death, you won’t flip over.

Get back to work, human.”

This time, my anger flared to the brim.

I swung a fist at the couch beside me, shouting,

“You little—! You damn fleabag!

Today, I swear I’ll send you straight to the Lord’s side!”

The robotic cat effortlessly leaped up, dodging my punch, and retorted,

“I’ve already died once… Why so worked up?”

…….

???

Cosmo… had died before?

Setting aside my fist for a moment, I hesitantly asked,

“Wait… back then… there was that stray cat I used to feed.

Since you inherited its memories…

Don’t tell me… that cat got hit by the truck at the same time as me…?”

The AI cat blinked once,

deliberately smacked its lips with a tsk, and answered.

“Well. You could say that.”

…….

…….

Damn it.

So it died because of me.

If only I hadn’t fed it that day…

As my expression visibly darkened in real-time,

Cosmo, as if to say there was no need, calmly continued.

“Living like trash was worse than dying anyway.

If I’d stayed a cat my whole life, I’d never have gotten the chance to organize my thoughts and speak like this.

I much prefer working with you now, Master.”

…….

Ugh…

Seeing tears well up in my eyes,

Cosmo spread its arms and offered warmly,

“Free hugs—100 Eldoris per session. Want one?”

Without hesitation, I tried to hug it tightly.

…But failed miserably because of my chest.

Instead, I picked it up and moved to my work desk,

sitting down on the still-creaky oak chair.

I’d been meaning to replace all the furniture someday…

But with how busy I was, it kept getting postponed.

Holding the robotic cat, I gazed at the setting sun and asked,

“Cosmo. Do you drink?”

Keeping its eyes fixed on Eldoria’s marketplace, it answered.

“…Bring me some sashimi as a side.”

Yeah. Sure, buddy.

As I set it back on the desk and prepared to leave the office,

I noticed someone waiting outside.

This time, I didn’t fling the door open and cause another accident.

At this hour… a client?

Cautiously opening the door, I announced,

“We’re closed for the day—”

A deep, authoritative voice sounded from above.

“Madam President. Is there really… no way to make an exception today?”

I looked up.

A human man, easily over two meters tall.

Vibrant golden hair and intense brown eyes.

His rugged face bore the marks of countless battles,

but his beard and hairstyle were neatly groomed, befitting a gentleman.

And for some reason, his face carried an air of sorrow.

…If I turned him away now, someone might end up dead.

Wait. Actually, in his case…

If I mess up his matchmaking,

something far worse might happen.

In that case, there’s no reason to refuse.

Bowing at a 45-degree angle, I gestured toward the couch inside.

“Please, come in.”

I waited patiently as the client filled out his membership profile.

The AI cat, excitedly rubbing its paws together, licking its lips.

And me, slightly drained at the thought of another consultation.

I was already on my ninth cup of Cosmo’s red tea for the day.

…Finally, the client finished filling out his information.

Time to address him as a member.

Alright… let’s take a look—

「Name: Derek Ashvolt Race: Human Gender: Male Age: 33 Status: Sovereign of Greyfell Personal Assets: 6 trillion Eldoris Parental Assets: . Occupation: General Income: 15% of Greyfell’s annual GDP, 85% of Mirtail’s annual GDP Education: Bachelor’s in Swordsmanship, Cardonia Military Academy Family Background: What even is family? If you mean my parents, they passed long ago. If you mean my beloved late wife, she too has left this world. Appearance: People say I look impressive, but it’s all flattery. Height: 207 cm Connections: A loyal army of 750,000. Health: Fine. For now. Religion: None Criminal Record: None」

Ah…

This is the first profile that’s made me feel solemn just by reading it.

There was a lot to unpack.

He lost his wife.

So… this is about remarriage, then.

Judging by his words, he hasn’t fully processed his grief yet. I wonder why he came here.

Is it because he can’t forget his late wife and wants to find someone similar?

That would make sense.

And his personal assets… 6 quadrillion won?!

Wow. It’s been a while since someone stunned me with pure monetary value.

The money-grubbing robot cat’s eyes had fully morphed into ‘$’ symbols.

That’s not your money, you crazy bastard…

Plus, he’s the warlord of Greyfell, commanding an army of 750,000.

What could he possibly lack that he’d come to me?

For now, I’ll ask the usual question.

“Member Derek. What kind of partner are you looking for?”

Instead of answering, the warlord of Greyfell silently handed me a pendant.

Opening it carefully, I found a portrait of a beautiful cat beastwoman—his late wife.

For a second, I doubted my eyes, but then remembered this was another world. Anything was possible.

A cat beastwoman with snow-white skin, short black hair,

slightly sharp eyes like Cosmo’s, and emerald-green irises,

sitting demurely with a book in her hands.

There seemed to be a deep story here.

Closing the pendant, I handed it back and said,

“You must have loved your wife very much.”

The general, who likely had hundreds of kills under his belt, struggled to suppress his grief as he replied,

“I still do.”

I nodded sympathetically.

“My deepest condolences.

Then, shall we find you a new partner who resembles your late wife as closely as possible?”

“Madam President… you understand me so well.

I don’t need any other conditions. If you can do that, I’d be eternally grateful…”

…….

You said it yourself—no other conditions matter.

Taking the pendant back, Cosmo and I scrolled through the database of cat beastwomen members,

comparing each to the portrait of General Derek’s late wife.

After a long search, the very last member’s portrait…

was eerily identical to the general’s late wife!

Even Cosmo and I were startled by the resemblance.

Thinking they might be half-sisters, I checked her family registry—only child.

When I showed the cat beastwoman’s portrait to General Derek,

he stared in disbelief, muttering to himself,

“How is this possible…?”

This time, Cosmo stepped in.

“Shall we contact her right away?”

The iron-willed warlord of Greyfell nodded firmly.

Within minutes, we reached the cat beastwoman member.

But her response was unexpected.

She said she liked Derek but had something urgent to discuss with me first.

She insisted on meeting me before Derek and asked if we could consult tomorrow.

…….

After explaining the situation, I sent General Derek off to stay at a nearby inn.

The hardened warlord accepted without protest.

With a troubled heart, I lay down in bed and, more exhausted than I thought, quickly fell asleep.

…….

The next morning. Normally, I don’t take consultations on Saturdays…

But this time, I secretly arranged a meeting with the cat beastwoman who resembled General Derek’s late wife.

Miu-na.

She cautiously peeked around before slipping into the office.

This time, I’d prepared tea and snacks.

After a brief icebreaker, we got straight to the point.

Making sure she felt comfortable, I asked,

“Member Miu-na. This might be a sensitive question, but…

was there a particular reason you needed to speak with me in person…?”

At that, the black cat ears atop her short black hair drooped.

After a long pause, she finally confessed.

“Well… the urgent matter I mentioned…

I’m sorry for the trouble, but…

the truth is… I have debts.”

Debts? That’s definitely a red flag, but how much could it be…

“How much are we talking about…?”

“It’s… quite a lot…”

“So, roughly…?”

“10…”

10 billion Eldoris…? Even 1 trillion would be staggering, but General Derek could easily cover that, right?

“10 trillion… Eldoris.”

…….

…….

10 quadrillion won?!?!?!?!?!?!