Ch.1414. I’m not trusting you. I’m trusting my own convictions.

“But, how did you know?”

The man who had been dragged from the training hall to the study without knowing what was happening finally spoke.

“What are you referring to?”

“The news about the succubus magic stone being up for auction.”

“That’s because I’ve liked succubi since I was young… Ah, no! I mean, I obtained that information by paying an informant I know.”

This guy, anyone can tell he’s a succubus fan.

In our world, would he be something like an otaku?

If that’s the case…

“Nice to meet you, comrade.”

“…Pardon?”

“Never mind if you didn’t hear. You must have been quite close with the people who lent you money? You would have needed quite a sum to buy a magic stone.”

“Most of them were people I’d never met before.”

“Huh?”

“I needed to get investments from wealthy people, but I didn’t have connections with the rich.”

Oh?

Look at this guy!

So he extracted money from complete strangers?

“Are you that skilled?”

“Not at all. I simply wanted to obtain what I desired.”

“What were you planning to do with it? If you received investments, wouldn’t you have to return the money anyway?”

“Though it would have been regrettable, I planned to resell it. I could always acquire a succubus magic stone later after making enough money.”

With his solid build and eyes full of spirit, he had a well-founded confidence that piqued my curiosity.

A man with nothing managed to buy a succubus magic stone at auction that even nobles struggle to obtain—that says it all.

Well, in the end, he unfortunately lost it to Tras, but still.

Even so.

It was impressive.

He paid informants and gathered investors to get what he wanted.

His execution skills were first-rate.

However, I cannot return the succubus magic stone.

It wasn’t for the restoration of my family.

I had other uses for it…

“Your name is Castleton…?”

“That’s correct.”

The protagonist also needed someone to serve as both strategist and financial manager.

Therefore, I too needed to acquire talent like Castleton.

Even if my family had plenty of money, I wouldn’t inherit all of it.

Besides.

The only talents I had going forward were Butler Federicks and informant Riden Solis.

Luna and Rio were people I would have to hand over when the protagonist came here.

I couldn’t take away the companions of the hero who would protect the continent, could I?

That way, I could also live without any worries.

Sitting in my chair, I put on a stern expression.

“I’ll pay back the money.”

“W-what do you mean…?”

“In exchange, I’d like you to work under me for a while.”

“What kind of work are you referring to?”

“Just odd jobs.”

“Odd jobs?”

“If you don’t like it, I could just snap your neck like that criminal Jane from earlier—”

“I-I’ll do it!”

I tossed a pouch of gold coins from the desk drawer with a thud, and Castleton’s eyes widened.

“What is this?”

“What else? Seed money for business. I’ll make sure to return the money to those who didn’t receive their investments, so you just focus on the tasks I assign you.”

Castleton looked inside the pouch and gulped.

“With this much gold, one could buy several houses… How can you trust me like this?”

“I don’t trust you. I trust in my conviction to hunt you down until your death if you run off with the money.”

Castleton’s expression immediately darkened.

Indeed, at times like this, a rogue image seemed convenient.

“I might as well try, rather than being branded a con artist anyway.”

“Have you heard of the Cardrian family in the Eastern Continent?”

“I’ve heard of them.”

“Go to the territory managed by the Cardrian family and buy what I tell you to. If you have extra, sweep through the territories of nearby families too. Ah! Except for the Parseche family.”

“Is that all?”

“Yeah, since it’s your first time, I’m giving you a simple mission.”

“Yes, I understand.”

After using the stick, it was time to offer the carrot.

Facing Castleton, who nodded in resignation, I thumped my chest with my palm and raised my voice.

“I make this promise on my name. If you successfully complete all the tasks I assign you, I’ll let you meet a succubus in person, not just a magic stone.”

“…Ah, yes.”

Looking at Castleton’s expression of complete disbelief, I thought:

Indeed, at times like this, my damn rogue image becomes a hindrance…

*

Was it in third grade of elementary school?

There was a child in my class who bullied a friend.

I didn’t particularly care.

I wasn’t especially close to the bullied friend, and I didn’t want to get involved.

But.

When I stood by and did nothing, eventually they started bullying me too.

I was just an easy target.

It started with light taps, then became shoves.

And it escalated to punches within just a month.

What did I do?

I fought like hell.

The word “hell” might not suit a child’s age, but I got beaten up, fought back, got beaten again, and kept coming back to fight until they eventually stopped messing with me so easily.

Why did I stay quiet when another friend was being hit, only to fight back when it affected me?

Was I simply selfish?

Well, I can’t deny that, but I also felt that if I did nothing, school life would be difficult throughout.

The important thing is that I made a firm resolution that day.

To twist their necks at the first light tap, not waiting for the punches.

“What do you mean by that?”

Elina turned toward me with rabbit-like eyes, her expression hopeful for the first time.

“I mean exactly what I said. I will help the Parseche family.”

“Are you saying you’re withdrawing the cancellation of our engagement?”

“No, that’s not it. A marriage in name only would make you unhappy as well, not just me.”

“Then how do you intend to help…”

I clenched my fist and raised one finger toward the worried-looking Elina.

“I will restore the Parseche family’s financial situation to normal within exactly one month.”

Elina’s expectant expression gradually darkened, losing its vitality.

“Hah… It would be more realistic if you just said you had no intention of withdrawing the engagement cancellation, you know?”

“I don’t know that.”

“Why not!?”

“Because I’m confident I can keep my word.”

“Listen! Even if you get help from Baron Byron, it won’t be enough. The Cardrian family will continue to apply financial pressure.”

Elina’s words made sense.

If it were a problem that could be solved with a small amount of money, she wouldn’t have come here in the first place.

Of course, that was only because she didn’t know me.

“Let me give you an example. If Tras lost influence in the Cardrian family, would the Parseche family still face financial pressure?”

“Of course not. They wouldn’t even have time to worry about our family.”

“And the other families who joined forces out of fear of Tras Cardrian would change their minds too. They might even help you.”

“But how can you bring the Cardrian family to the brink of collapse? Would Baron Byron really participate in a war for a family with whom he hasn’t even formed an alliance?”

Why does she keep associating me with Baron Byron…

I shook my head with a short sigh.

“Sigh… The ‘what if’ scenario I’m proposing has nothing to do with my father, Baron Byron. And I’m not talking about the collapse of the Cardrian family, but about diminishing Tras’s influence within it.”

Now Elina’s cheek twitched slightly in disbelief.

“…Are you mocking me right now?”

“I’m offering to be in the same boat with you, so why are you being so negative?”

“Let me be frank. You, Lord Selden, who is currently in exile, are saying you’ll help our family alone? Without any help from Baron Byron?”

“Now you understand correctly. So we can continue our conversation—”

Elina, her noble dignity nowhere to be found, leaned on the sofa with her arm and glared at me with a crooked posture.

She cut me off and continued.

“I’d be less hurt if you just said you had no intention of withdrawing the engagement cancellation. You’re just annoyed that I’m staying here, aren’t you?”

I showed her my palm as she rose, clenching her small fists.

“Wait a moment! At least hear me out before you—”

“Forget it. I was being pushy, but I’m ashamed of myself for thinking, even for a moment, that you were a good person rather than a rogue, Lord Selden.”

“Please don’t get excited and just let me—”

“I’ll leave today as you wish, so don’t worry!”

Damn it!

Even if it sounds unrealistic, shouldn’t she listen to everything before making a decision?

How did she change so much in just a few days?

Elina turned toward the door, not intending to listen.

Normally, this would be a situation I’d welcome with open arms, but what was this unsettling feeling?

It was probably because of Tras.

In the novel, the story mainly revolves around the protagonist gathering companions and hunting monsters, so I don’t know much about the Cardrian family.

However, I know very well where this world is heading.

In other words, I can twist the neck of anyone who dares to “tap” me anytime.

“Hey, wait!!”

Ignoring my words, Elina took large strides and was already approaching the reception room door.

I strained my neck and shouted loudly.

“Let’s get married!!”

“…What??!”