Chapter 27: The Great Western Albion Continent is peaceful today as well!

Capital of Great Western Albion.

Inside the Governor’s building located in the centre of Lunden, papers fluttered through the air.

“How was the site?”

“Hmm.”

In response to his eldest son’s question, Edwin lightly tossed the documents onto the desk.

“Not bad.”

The corners of his mouth lifted ever so slightly—a subtle smile only his blood relatives and the head maid could recognize.

In truth, the budget proposal submitted by the Cheyenne that Lin, his precious youngest daughter, brought in was quite unrealistic.

When Edwin compared it to the budgets proposed by other railway companies, the difference in cost was striking.

Spending too much was a problem, but the opposite was also true.

The Cheyenne railway president, wearing an ill-fitting suit and a monocle while bowing excessively, belonged to the latter category.

There were always some who would lowball costs to curry favour and receive the governor’s subsidy, but this was clearly different.

[“It’s possible.”]

When Edwin asked how they planned to build the railway with such a low budget,

The Cheyenne leader, who had been nervously glancing around, suddenly became confident and emphasized his tribe’s strengths.

His company didn’t just consist of Cheyenne members; it also included the physically stronger Tau tribe and the construction-savvy Su-myo tribe, allowing them to complete the project with far fewer resources than typical humans.

“Aside from a slight lack of technical expertise, they could become valuable partners.”

“Well, considering their background, they couldn’t help it.”

The Cheyenne Railway Company’s workforce consisted entirely of indigenous tribes from the colonial continent.

Though they were skilled in labor, their technology lagged behind human advancements.

However, from Edwin’s perspective, that was a benefit.

By offering the skilled engineers from Rosegarden’s Lunden Railroad Company, he could grant them a favor while simultaneously strengthening his influence.

“Most importantly, those natives remember favours.”

“A simple concept, yet far too many idiots in this city fail to grasp even that.”

The crucial point was that the indigenous tribes of the colonial continent never forgot favours.

Whether it was grace, resentment, or any debt, they always repaid it.

Their principle of “We do not forget” resonated strongly with the Rosegarden family’s own code.

“So…”

With the main discussion over,

Leonard flashed a sly smile at his father.

“What kind of reward do you plan to give our adorable little sister for bringing in a new partner?”

“Hmm.”

Mentioning Lin’s contribution,

Edwin thoughtfully considered what gift would please his young daughter.

***

“Um… I came to meet the Governor…”

“Yes. Please come this way.”

The guards courteously greeted the Cheyenne Railway Company’s Lycanthrope president.

This respectful treatment was the result of the eldest son, Leonard, having made it clear after the first visit that they should welcome him properly on behalf of his younger sister, Lin.

Especially after the Cheyenne Railway Company became the final victor and gained Edwin’s support,

Blocking the entry of an important guest for reasons like racial discrimination would inevitably result in losing one’s job.

“Hah… These black clothes never feel comfortable.”

Having just finished a brief but productive meeting with Edwin, the governor of Great Western Albion,

The Lycanthrope president adjusted his ill-fitting suit, trying to blend into imperial society, but it still felt awkward.

“Hmm?”

He heard the sound of a child’s laughter coming from the garden.

When he looked over, he saw the only car in Lunden emitting faint blue steam.

Lin was enjoying a high-speed stroll around the garden with the Lycan Wolves.

Carefully checking his surroundings, he approached cautiously.

“G-Good day, young lady.”

“Huh?”

Unlike others who discriminated against him,

He deeply bowed to express his gratitude to the benefactor who made it possible for him to meet the governor.

“Ah!”

Recognizing his distinctive appearance, practically identical to a walking Lycan Wolf,

Lin greeted him warmly with a smile that was far too gentle for someone claiming to be a villainess.

She got out of the car, which had been temporarily modified to fit her size.

“Did you… have a good talk with my dad… I mean, my father?”

“Yes. I am deeply indebted to you, young lady. I swear by the high winds and the sky that I will surely repay this kindness.”

His demeanour was so solemn that it almost felt overdramatic.

Lin, feeling she hadn’t done anything to warrant such gratitude, waved her hands slightly.

“Come to think of it, I haven’t asked your name yet.”

“Ah, that’s right. I apologize for the late introduction. I am ‘Stands on Forepaws’.”

“Stands on Forepaws…”

Hearing Lin whisper the name, one of the Lycan Wolves immediately raised its front paws high and stood on its hind legs.

“W-Wait…!”

Unable to maintain the posture for long due to its body structure, it soon fell back on all fours.

In the process, Lin was squished and fell onto the soft grass.

“Pant, pant.”

“…….”

“Are you alright…?”

Still lying down, Lin fished out her wand and, while still on her back, swung it hard to cast a water bomb the size of the Lycan Wolf’s face.

“Pant, pant, pant!”

“Woof!”

“What do you mean, ‘Do it to me too’!?”

The Lycan Wolf, hit by Lin’s tiny water bomb, seemed even more excited, laughing like a child.

Some of the other wolves barked, wanting to join in the water play.

Lin found herself missing the brass pipe she used during her wild survival days.

“Ugh…!”

After slapping the cheeks of her playful “puppy” a few times, Lin finally managed to get free.

She dusted off her clothes and tried to regain her villainess-like dignity.

“…I’m sorry. My puppies can be a bit rough when playing.”

“Y-Yes… I see…”

However, considering her dress was now covered in grass and countless dog hairs, her dignity was already long gone.

“Lady Lin.”

“Ugh…”

At that moment, the head maid appeared, coming to fetch Lin for being late to her lessons.

With a brief and slightly forced goodbye, Lin was practically dragged back into the mansion.

***

“Um… Brother?”

“Huh? What’s this?”

Inside the safe installed on one wall of the room connected to the bedroom,

There were heaps of gold bars and coins shining with a brilliant golden glow.

“Father said this is your allowance, Lin.”

“A-An allowance…?”

Leonard answered casually, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

Lin knew they were a wealthy family, but seeing it in such a direct way was an entirely new experience.

No matter how rich they were, wasn’t this excessive?

Giving this much to a child who was barely around ten years old?

“Well, I suppose you could call it an allowance. To be precise, it’s a share of the profits allocated to you.”

“What? I don’t quite understand…”

“One of the railways in the central-northern region was completed earlier than expected. Part of the profit from that project will be deposited into your safe from now on.”

Leonard explained.

The Cheyenne man she had helped before was the president of a railway company,

And with Father’s assistance, he had successfully laid tracks in the middle of the Albion continent.

“Giving something like this as a gift… Really, Father can be quite awkward. Don’t you think so, Lin?”

“Y-Yes….”

In a way, it wasn’t bad.

The best gift was always cash, after all.

“Ah. This is my gift to you.”

Leonard handed her a small box.

Inside was a shiny accessory that seemed perfect for a young girl.

Although Lin wasn’t particularly interested in jewellery, she was grateful for Leonard’s thoughtfulness.

When she smiled and expressed her thanks, Leonard patted her head gently, clearly pleased.

However,

Even after several days passed, Lin’s allowance didn’t decrease.

She had only spent a single gold coin at most.

Why?

There wasn’t much to spend on within the mansion.

Besides, Father never allowed her to leave the house.

It seemed he still had a trauma from her being stranded in the wilderness.

Lin understood his concern, but it might feel suffocating.

Not to her, though.

She wasn’t suffocated at all.

Because now that she had an allowance…

“Shh!”

She secretly sneaked out from time to time.

Putting her index finger to her lips, she signalled for her wolves to stay quiet.

Fortunately, when she hopped over the mansion wall, they pretended not to see.

Meanwhile, Kiriel, Dinavel, and Exia were all crammed inside her oversized witch hat as a disguise.

Gliding down on her broom, Lin successfully landed on the ground outside.

Wearing a pointed witch hat that gave her a witch-like appearance, she cautiously stepped into the bustling city.

“…Did I get caught?”

Passing by people reading newspapers and polishing shoes, she walked for a few minutes until the faint scent of food reached her.

Following the aroma led her to a bustling marketplace filled with various street foods, all tempting her appetite.

Worried that the citizens of Lunden might recognize her, Lin pulled her hat down low and approached a stall.

“Welcome…?”

She could feel the stall owner’s gaze from beneath her hat.

Given her small stature and the angle of the hat, there was no way her face could be seen.

It wasn’t so much that he recognized her, but rather that her witch-like outfit startled him.

Since it happened often, Lin didn’t pay it much mind.

“Uh… What would you like?”

“One of these, please.”

“Yes, right away. M-My lady… I mean, customer.”

The stall owner handed over the ordered food with a polite smile.

When Lin paid with the small coin she had exchanged earlier, he bowed his head gratefully.

Honestly, this kind of small-town kindness was one of the reasons she couldn’t give up sneaking out to Lunden’s streets.

“Hmph. Hmph~.”

While steak from home was delicious, street food had its own addictive charm.

Being able to indulge in this happiness without limit…

Allowance truly was a wonderful thing.

Sitting by the well-maintained riverside, Lin took a big bite of the freshly fried fish,

Letting the delicious flavor spread through her mouth.

“Ehehe…”

Once again, Lin reveled in the taste of freedom.

But as she happily nibbled on her street food, she remained blissfully unaware.

Click!

A journalist from a famous newspaper had just secretly taken a photo

Of the young lady enjoying commoner food.