Ch.1515. It does look delicious.

“I’ll set a condition. If the Parseche family doesn’t escape their financial crisis within a month, I’ll marry Lady Elina.”

“Can you take responsibility for those words…?”

“Yes, of course.”

Elina, who had been heading out of the reception room, turned back toward the sofa.

“I have no reason to refuse. I have nothing to lose.”

“No, that’s not true. Lady Elina, you’ll have something to do as well.”

“What would that be?”

“Before I tell you, I have one condition. I’d like 30% of the profits that the Parseche family earns.”

“I’m not sure what you mean, but you’re talking about net profits, right?”

“That’s correct.”

Elina nodded silently, as if willing to hear him out.

“Tell Butler Rigard to go around the Eastern Continent market and buy up all the Peil fruits.”

“Peil fruits? The ones that are too bitter to eat and only used for decoration?”

“Yes. Within a month, their price will skyrocket.”

“You’ll have to explain how you can guarantee that.”

Currently, the world’s perception of Peil fruits is merely that they’re decorative.

They’re too bitter to eat, but their color is deeper than red cherries, making them appear to sparkle even when simply looked at.

But.

One month from now, in Imperial Year 326.

The price of Peil fruits will increase exponentially.

This happens because of a discovery by an eccentric person—when the juice is extracted and applied to ropes, they become nearly unbreakable.

That’s right.

This was the method used when capturing the informant Riden.

But why is this so revolutionary?

It’s just making ropes tougher, after all.

The reason is simple.

Currently, even capturing goblins alive requires spending a large budget on iron cages.

Moreover, dragging around these expensive, heavy cages is no easy task.

Yet hunters endure this inconvenience and strive to capture magical beasts alive.

Why?

Because living magical beasts are worth “more” money.

Various experiments and research.

And fresh goblin blood is used as an ingredient for low-grade potions.

But capturing magical beasts with just a rope?

The cost reduction is astronomical.

The Peil tree itself is already difficult to grow, making it expensive even among decorative items.

With demand increasing while supply remains limited, a price surge is inevitable.

Of course, once people understand the situation and start planting the trees themselves, the price will eventually drop to 1/10, but that won’t happen for several years.

‘If I told the truth, they’d think I was insane.’

I cleared my throat before speaking.

“I heard about this from a high-level informant I know.”

“And if it turns out not to be true?”

“Then you’ll marry me. Simple, isn’t it?”

“Peil fruits aren’t cheap—the Parseche family will be ruined before the marriage even happens.”

“You’re going to collapse sooner or later anyway if you do nothing. You’re here because you don’t have any good solutions, aren’t you, Lady Elina?”

“Ha! It’s not like I have no options at all!”

“Ah? I suppose marrying that scoundrel Tras is another option.”

Elina stares at me intently.

Her expression isn’t unpleasant—rather, she seems to be trying to figure out my intentions.

I wonder if she can.

After all, my goal isn’t the collapse of the Parseche family, but to have Tras ostracized within the family.

Elina shakes her head as if resigned.

“I can’t invest our entire fortune. We need to think about our family’s future too.”

“Just invest whatever funds you can manage. Of course, you’ll regret not investing more later.”

“You talk just like a typical con artist.”

“I’d prefer you call me a scoundrel instead. Living off others’ backs isn’t my style.”

“Sigh… fine.”

The Peil fruits were part of my plan anyway.

I needed to make money somehow.

Not all the family’s money belongs to me, and being too greedy could cause power struggles within the family.

Fortunately, the previous owner of this body had such a strong reputation as a scoundrel that I was already far from holding any power.

All that’s left is to make a fortune and live quietly.

Well, the Cardrian family got involved in the middle, but still.

After finishing my conversation with Elina, I headed to the study.

I took a box from the drawer and opened it immediately.

Whoosh—!

The succubus magic stone still radiated a brilliant light.

It shone so brightly it was dazzling, having absorbed the yang energy of countless men during its lifetime.

‘Normally, this would be processed into an expensive gemstone, but…’

I slowly took the magic stone out of the box.

‘Absorb!’

The skill ‘Absorb’ that I obtained from hunting goblins.

A skill that completely draws in the energy flowing from the magic stone.

Ding! ♪

Ding! ♪

Ding! ♪

Ding! ♪

Ding! ♪

┗Magic Power increased by +5.

┗Agility increased by +2.

┗Vitality increased by +1.

┗Endurance increased by +1.

┗Wisdom increased by +5.

━You have acquired the Charm skill.

I couldn’t help but exclaim at the insane stat increases.

“Wow… is this for real?”

「 Vitality　39

　 Agility　37　

　 Endurance　15

　 Wisdom　20

　 Magic Power　 8 」

I didn’t expect much since absorbing the goblin magic stone only increased my agility by 2, but this is incredible.

And I even got a skill…

This is truly a jackpot!

Knock knock-!

Just as I was feeling satisfied even without eating, there came a knock at the door.

Assuming it was Butler Padericks, I said, “Come in.”

But.

“Young master, hello.”

It was Luna Brillhart, fidgeting with the hem of her dress.

I had been trying to avoid her due to her affection deficiency disorder, but now she’s seeking me out?

Where the hell is Padericks when you need him?

I stammered in surprise but quickly composed myself.

“…Yes, what is it?”

After hesitating, Luna held out something she was carrying.

I leaned forward to see what it was.

The first thing I noticed was a floral logo on a box with four layers.

“This is…”

“What’s this?”

The floral box was placed on the desk.

Only upon closer inspection could I guess what it was.

“A lunchbox?”

“Yes. You saved my life and took care of my parents too. I prepared it with care.”

I slowly opened the lunchbox.

The first compartment contained healthy vegetables.

The second held visibly fresh seafood.

The third contained meat and rice.

And the fourth was filled with fresh fruit.

‘Am I supposed to eat all this…?’

Is this truly just a gesture of gratitude to her young master?

Or could it be a sign of her affection toward me?

If it’s the former, that’s fine, but if it’s the latter, it would be disastrous.

It could interfere with my plan to hand Luna over to the protagonist when he visits this estate.

But.

I can’t distance myself from her either in this cursed situation.

If Luna’s affection deficiency score fills up completely, something terrible will happen.

How did I end up in this predicament?

“Thank you for preparing such a thoughtful meal. I’ll enjoy it.”

Ding! ♪

━Luna’s Affection Deficiency

= 50 → 40 changed [↓10 decrease]

After I responded with an obviously fake smile, Luna bowed deeply and left the study.

It feels like walking on thorns every day.

How did the protagonist Serion manage to keep her around until the end?

“…It does look delicious though.”

By the way.

In the original story, when the murderous impulse reached its maximum, the Blood Massacre would activate.

So what happens if the opposite occurs—if needs are fully satisfied?

For example, if Luna’s affection deficiency drops to 0?

‘I might need to verify this.’

Despite being made by a potential murderer, the food looked appetizing, and my chopsticks naturally dug into the lunchbox.

The meat juices and various vegetables bursting in my mouth were absolute rice thieves.

Clatter-! Rattle-!

I cleaned the box completely, thinking that while I’ve eaten quite luxurious food since coming here, nothing compared to this. And finally, fruit for dessert.

“Wow! I finished it all. But what’s this?”

After emptying the box, I found a small red square paper at the bottom of the fruit compartment.

Did it fall in while she was decorating the fruit?

It looked like common paper that could be found anywhere, so I just put it back in the lunchbox.

Regardless, it was a delicious meal prepared for me.

I almost felt sorry for keeping my distance from Luna all this time just because she was a murderer in the original story.

Tap-tap-tap! Tap-tap-tap-tap!

Just then, hurried footsteps broke the quiet atmosphere.

Despite the study being far from the entrance, my enhanced stats allowed me to hear the sound clearly.

Judging by the light footsteps, it must be Butler Padericks this time.

I pushed the empty lunchbox to the edge of the table to ask him to clear it away.

“Y-Young Master!!”

“Do you think something will go wrong if you don’t call me urgently?”

“Huh, huff…”

Padericks’ pupils were half-dilated from rushing here so quickly.

“What is it now? Did Riona or Elina cause trouble?”

“No, that’s not it…”

“Or is Tras acting up again?”

Padericks, who had been clutching his chest and taking deep breaths, straightened his back.

“B-Baron Byron has arrived, sir.”