Sign Merigold. (2)

3.

“Cough, hack!”

“Why is this woman trying to die before she’s even executed?”

How pathetic, Marigold.

Marigold, held on the gallows, looked utterly miserable.

The rope around her neck seemed to be choking her already, her face a mess of tears and snot.

Lancel grabbed one of the people gathered in front of the gallows.

“What’s she being executed for?”

“Just terribly unlucky, that’s all.”

The resident lowered his voice as he spoke again.

“Apparently, the Trade Ship those folks invested in changed its flag as soon as it left the port and caused a huge ruckus. Common occurrence.”

“Oh.”

“And to top it off, the young master who survived being plundered by that ship is from the family of the Margrave of this region, or the butler’s family, or the son-in-law of a relative?”

“Someone close to nobility, then.”

The family tree was a bit complicated, but anyway, it meant she’d messed with a noble family, even if they were lower in status.

‘So that’s what it was.’

It wasn’t just bad luck. It was practically the worst-case scenario in Shipping Investment.

Finding such a combination of circumstances in a single try, one might even call it a talent?

“Execute!”

“Yes!”

“Heeek!”

The guard’s sword swiftly cut the rope supporting the floor.

Bang!

A dozen or so people simultaneously fell to the ground, hanging from the gallows.

Struggling was their last act.

Marigold was among them.

“Ughhhh!”

Uh oh.

She’s dying.

“Wait, wait!”

Lancel urgently stepped forward.

“So, Lancel Dante… you’re saying you’re this girl’s guardian, or something like that?”

“Yes. The money I lent her for the Shipping Investment was mine. Right?”

Marigold, with her face covered in tears and snot, nodded vigorously. The wind seemed to pick up from the force of her head movements.

With already dead people dangling on either side, Marigold was clinging to life, relying on a hastily erected support beneath her feet. If she hadn’t been so light, her neck would have snapped by now, and she’d be keeping them company.

“Ha, what to do.”

The guard administrator scratched his head.

“No need to make it complicated. Miss Mary was tricked. Look at these dead folks here. They’re all sly old foxes. Mary, looking into Shipping Investment to increase the money I invested, was deceived by their cunning tongues.”

“…I heard that this Mary… Miss, gathered the investment herself…?”

What?

Lancel turned his gaze to Marigold. He could see the color draining from her face as she shook her head violently.

“…That’s a misunderstanding. How could a child who isn’t even an adult gather money from so many people?”

“Yes, well… I was a bit doubtful about that part myself.”

“I’ll write a letter in the name of the Dante Family. Would that be enough?”

“I suppose I have no choice.”

The administrator’s expression brightened as if he had been waiting for those words. In this region, it would be hard to find a noble family higher than the Dante Family.

“Lower the girl, no, Miss Mary!”

“Yes!”

Soon, Marigold was released by the guards.

As she collapsed to the ground, seemingly drained of strength, Lancel had to wipe away a bead of sweat as he noticed her pants were a little damp.

‘Until recently, she was praised as a Saintess. Now she’s a common criminal facing execution.’

How unfortunate.

Marigold.

“Alright, everyone, disperse! Leave those hanging on the gallows to rot until they’re skeletons!”

“Yes!”

The sun set.

Beneath the gallows, where all the onlookers had left, only Marigold remained, her head bowed low. She hadn’t reacted for several minutes.

“Hey, you okay?”

The moment Lancel approached and poked her, Marigold spread her arms and lunged at his pant leg.

“My savior! Waaaaah!”

Marigold, who had come back from the brink of death, burst into tears.

4.

“Pwah!”

Marigold gulped down the ice-cold fruit drink in one go.

Her appearance was a mess. Her eyes were swollen, her nose was red, and the rope marks were clearly etched on her neck.

“…I didn’t want to see you again like this, Darling.”

Those were the first words Marigold uttered as she buried her face in the restaurant table.

“That’s what happens when you make dangerous investments.”

“But, but…”

“No buts.”

Lancel supported her chin with his palm and lifted her head.

“Tell me, what have you been doing for the past two years?”

“…”

After hesitating for a moment, Marigold began to explain her activities.

The story of how she made silver coin by reselling animal oil from passing Caravan merchants.

The story of how she made money by selling bread to docked sailors.

The story of how she reported a con artist and collected a reward.

The story of how she handed over all her investment money when she heard that a famous captain had come to the port city, only to find out that he was a pirate.

She had really been living a busy life.

“They were definitely people who boasted that they would return the investment with a 150-fold profit, but suddenly they changed their job to pirates, and I thought my life was really over.”

Marigold murmured with empty eyes.

“I heard that you gathered the investment yourself.”

“There’s, there’s no way I could have. I don’t have that much money…”

“Hmm.”

“It’s true! I wouldn’t lie to you, Darling.”

“Hmph.”

Marigold’s gaze avoided Lancel’s. What was the truth? He decided not to pry.

‘Making money isn’t easy.’

Lancel had also tried to make money once.

Not to mention making soap, writing utensils, and paper. In the end, they all failed.

“Darling… the gold coins you lent me…”

Marigold fidgeted with her fingers and glanced at Lancel.

“Repay me three times the amount in the next five years.”

“R, really?”

She knelt on the floor again, just like that day two years ago.

“Definitely! I’ll definitely succeed this time, Darling! I’ll repay you not three times, but ten times! Or maybe you could just travel with me…!”

“Ah, that’s a bit…”

Lancel refused outright.

This playthrough was a vacation. He’d gotten caught up in something for a moment, but that fact hadn’t changed.

But Marigold didn’t give up. She brought her face closer, her eyes gleaming.

“Then what if I succeed? Would you travel with me then?”

“Well, wouldn’t that depend on how successful you become?”

“What if I become the richest person in this region?”

“There are plenty of people that rich in the Imperial Capital.”

“Then what if I become the richest person in the Imperial Capital?”

“It’s good to have big dreams, but…”

“What if I become the richest person in the Empire? What if I become the richest person in this entire continent? What if I become a tycoon who piles up mountains of gold coins? Would you stay with me then?”

“Why are you so motivated?”

Lancel gently pushed away Marigold, who was close enough for their breaths to mingle.

“Please watch me, Darling.”

Marigold knelt on one knee and looked up at Lancel. Her emerald eyes were filled with determination.

“I’ll become rich. A really, really amazing rich person, enough for you to stay by my side.”

==========

—Marigold’s motivation is overflowing! Her heart begins to swell with a vow to the young noble Lancel Dante.

※Marigold will remember today’s resolution forever. Charm, Morality, Grace, Sensitivity UP!!!

==========

“When that time comes… you’ll stay with me, right, Darling?”

Marigold’s voice sounded earnest. Lancel chuckled.

“I’ll think about it positively.”

“…! You’ve agreed!”

Afraid that Lancel might change his mind, she quickly ran out of the restaurant.

“Just you wait and see!”

5.

———

[Fallen Noble Lady Simulation]

Create a schedule for the 1st week of August.

Mon – Shopping. (Location: Port City Harbor)

Tue – Trading. (Location: Port City Market)

Wed – Trading. (Location: Port City Market)

Thu – Baking hard, preserved bread.

Fri – Boiling bittersweet fruit jam.

Sat – Trading. (Location: Port City Harbor)

Sun – Trading. (Location: Port City Market)

※Let’s work diligently and steadily!

———

While Lancel stayed in the port city, Marigold lived a truly diligent life.

She went to sleep at 2 AM.

She woke up at 6 AM.

Whenever she heard that a Caravan had arrived from another region, she would carry her basket and run faster than anyone else.

“I’ll buy everything! Give it all to me!”

Whenever she heard that a ship had arrived at the harbor, she would pack up food that she had somehow made and hurry over.

“Three silver coin per jar! Cheap, cheap! Bread and jam that won’t spoil for 10 years!”

It wasn’t hard to hear her voice as you passed through the market.

He was secretly relieved.

‘At this rate, she’ll be able to take care of herself.’

At least she wouldn’t starve to death anywhere.

She might not become the richest person in the Empire, but…

.

.

.

“Darling! Darling!”

Some time later, Marigold came to Lancel with a bright face.

“Look at this! Guild!”

Marigold held up a metal badge. It was an identification card proving that she belonged to the Merchant Guild in this region.

“You joined the Guild?”

“Now I can join a Caravan and do Mobile Trade. I’ll make a lot more money than before. How about it?”

“That’s… good.”

“Yes!”

She smiled brightly as if she had gained the whole world, but Lancel felt a little strange.

‘Mobile Trade, huh.’

It won’t be easy.

“I’ll settle down in the Imperial Capital in a few years, so please be sure to visit, Darling. I’ll make a lot of money and welcome you. It’s a promise.”

The following week, Marigold joined a large Caravan procession. It was a long journey that would last eight months.

“Darling! I’m going! See you again!”

A deeply pulled-down hood, a robe fluttering in the sandstorm.

A cheerful face and a waving hand were the last things he remembered about her.

After that, Lancel temporarily pushed Marigold out of his memory.

Two years later.

Lancel discovered Mary’s name in a completely unexpected place.

He had briefly visited a barony in the western region, where the Harvest Festival was in full swing. Amidst the drunken laughter and chatter, his attention was suddenly drawn to a wanted poster on a shabby bulletin board.

==========

—Wanted: Bandit Leader Mary.

—Reward: 25 gold coins.

==========

“…It can’t be.”