My daily life in the Royal Capital didn't go according to plan.
Originally, I had intended to relax and flirt with Vivi Heollis. But I was far too busy for that.
Rumors spread that I had met Marquis Heollis due to my involvement with the Korea Merchant Guild, and nobles associated with the Magic Tower and other merchant guilds began clamoring to meet me.
"Baron Prucus, why not collaborate with my guild? We have tradition and history, while the Prucus Merchant Guild boasts innovation. Together, we could become the Kingdom's premier guild, surpassing even the Heollis Merchant Guild."
Tradition and history.
The underlying motive was clear: connections and trade routes. Partnering with a large merchant guild would undoubtedly bring immediate gains. But we couldn't afford to forget that these vultures wouldn't make such an offer without ulterior motives.
They were the kind of predators who would pounce without hesitation the moment they sensed weakness, tearing flesh from bone.
"I apologize," I said. "The Korea Merchant Guild is still in disarray due to our rapid expansion. That's why we've scaled back our operations. For the time being, we plan to focus on reorganizing the guild."
"Is that so...? A pity."
The merchants couldn't afford to be aggressive. Though I was merely a baron, I was the son of Count Prucus, the master of this border region. They mistakenly assumed the Korea Merchant Guild, which I managed, had close ties to Count Prucus and backed down accordingly.
"Ahem. Our Sirimad Magic Tower wishes to conduct joint research with you, Baron."
"Joint research?"
"Yes. For the past seven years, our tower has been researching and developing emergency rations and preserved foods. We've recently become interested in the canned foods introduced by the Korea Merchant Guild. By collaborating, we can achieve faster and more efficient progress."
"Ah, I see. I have no interest in research, so you may return now."
"Baron! The biggest flaw with canned goods is the tin can itself! Considering the price of iron, canned foods are bound to operate at a loss! If you collaborate with us, we can develop alternative containers to replace them!"
"Canned goods aren't meant to be profitable; they're sold for adventurers. I see no need to improve them. Now, leave."
"Baron! Please reconsider..."
"Must I repeat myself three times?"
"..."
The Magic Tower's true objective was to acquire the manufacturing methods for the goods sold by the Korea Merchant Guild. I couldn't possibly be unaware of that.
While the Upper Rank and the Magic Tower were my primary clients, other nobles also sought me out. This was because I was the youngest Aura Expert.
"Ugh... this is such a pain."
If I had my way, I'd use my heart condition as an excuse to hole up in my mansion and spend my days having sex. But for the sake of my reputation, I couldn't afford to do that. Besides, there's a reason they say you have to strike while the iron is hot.
"C-Can I really accept this?"
"It's a gift I prepared for you, Lady Vivi."
"Such exquisite cosmetics... Thank you, Baron."
I presented Vivi Heollis with the cosmetics. Despite her busy schedule, I had no intention of giving up on her.
Watching Vivi Heollis's delight, I couldn't help but curl my lips into a smile.
Bibi was an ordinary noble lady, completely uninterested in politics or commerce. Her sole passions were beauty and vanity.
Knowing exactly how to win Bibi over, I immediately put my plan into action.
"Lady Vivi, there's an item the Korea Merchant Guild hasn't yet announced something even Count Hollen hasn't seen."
"Countess Hollen...?"
Bibi's eyes widened at the unexpected name.
Countess Hollen.
She was a figure revered by the noble ladies and young ladies of the Rapelli Kingdom. Moreover, she owned gold and iron mines, making her one of the kingdom's wealthiest individuals.
Countess Hollen was renowned for her extravagance, but she also possessed impeccable taste, refusing to purchase anything less than the finest quality.
"Countess Hollen is one of the Korea Merchant Guild's most important clients. In fact, I had originally planned to show this to her first, but... Lady Vivi, would you like to take a look and share your thoughts first?"
"I'll help! I've spoken with Countess Hollen several times before! I'm sure I can be of assistance!"
Bibi's eyes sparkled as she spoke. I smiled and showed her the object.
It was an earring studded with dozens of large and small white gemstones.
"Wow..."
Bibi's eyes glazed over. The earring was larger than my thumb, yet it showcased modern sophistication and advanced craftsmanship.
"What do you think?"
"It's beautiful... Countess Hollen will definitely love it..."
Bibi couldn't tear her gaze from the mirror.
"Lady Vivi, I heard you have a tea appointment with other noble ladies this afternoon. Would you consider wearing this earring to the tea party?"
With so many nobles gathered in the Royal Capital, aristocratic banquets and noble ladies' tea parties were held almost daily.
"...Is that alright?"
"It's a form of promotion. If you're uncomfortable with it, Lady Vivi, I won't insist. I won't force you."
"Ah, no, that's not it. I understand the importance of promotion. I'll accept the Baron's proposal."
Bibi smiled brightly.
By afternoon, I found myself back at Marquis Heollis's estate. The official reason for my visit was to discuss matters related to the Upper Rank with the Marquis, but my true motive was to see Bibi.
"Lady Vivi, how was your tea time?"
"...It was overwhelming. All the young ladies kept asking me about the earrings."
"I'm glad the promotion was so successful. May I have the earrings back now?"
"Ah. Yes."
Bibi hesitated, her fingers fumbling as she began to remove the earrings. It was clear she didn't want to give them back to me.
"You seem to really like the earrings," I remarked.
"How could anyone not love such beautiful earrings? Any woman would want them, not just me."
"I could sell them to you, Lady Vivi."
"...But I don't have the money."
Though the Heollis Family was wealthy, Bibi was merely a young lady. She wasn't the Family Head's wife nor the Clan's heir. She needed permission to use the Clan's funds.
"Are we strangers, Lady Vivi? I'll give you a 50% discount and even offer a loan. I'll sell you the 400 million Neru earrings for just 200 million Neru."
"A 50% discount... Hah, but still..."
Bibi hesitated, gazing at the earring resting on her palm.
She must have felt like the protagonist at today's tea party, all thanks to the earring. I was certain of it. Even with money, finding an earring as extravagant as this would be nearly impossible.
"This earring is one of a kind in the entire world. And though I called it a loan, I have no intention of charging interest."
"No interest? Really?"
"Absolutely. I can even draw up a contract right here and now."
"I need to consult with my father first..."
"Marquis Heollis would scold you if he found out. He's always been cautious with money and wouldn't even consider buying such an earring. Am I wrong?"
"You're right. Father always says it's more important how you spend money than how you earn it."
Bibi pouted, clearly displeased with the Marquis. It seemed things would resolve even more easily than I'd anticipated.
The Marquis likely hadn't bothered with Bibi's proper education. Noble ladies were ultimately destined to marry into other aristocratic families, and as she wasn't the formal heir, there was no reason to provide her with advanced schooling.
"Lady Vivi, you'll soon marry Lord Gent and become his wife. As his wife, you'll have some discretion over the family's finances. You can repay me then. I'm happy to wait as long as it takes."
"Still..."
I knew what she feared: Marquis Heollis. The Marquis was notoriously strict when it came to financial matters.
"If Marquis Heollis asks about the earrings, just say I gave them to you as a gift."
I planned to give gifts to other noble ladies as well, to avoid arousing Marquis Heollis's suspicions.
If Marquis Heollis intervened, my entire plan would collapse. Therefore, I needed to make him believe that distributing gifts to other noble ladies was simply a form of promotion.
"Lady Vivi," I said, "aren't you an adult? You have the right to make your own decisions. And you'll be leaving the Heollis Family soon anyway. You need to have more confidence."
Bibi's eyes flickered at my words. She lowered her gaze to the earring resting in her palm, fiddled with it for a moment, then nodded.
"You're right, Baron," she said. "I can't keep following my father's orders forever. I'll take out the loan. And I want everything clearly documented in a contract."
She mentioned a contract, likely based on what she'd heard or seen, but I was certain she couldn't properly understand one. If she were truly intelligent and capable, she wouldn't have accepted my proposal in the first place.
"Of course. Nothing's more reliable than a contract. You're truly Lady Vivi. It must be because you're the daughter of Marquis Heollis you're so meticulous."
"Is that so?"
Bibi smiled faintly at my words. Judging by her expression, she seemed to think highly of herself. I smirked as I gazed at her mint-green hair. If my plan went as expected, I'd have her firmly on my side before leaving the Royal Capital.
The next day, I visited Bibi again. I showed her the jewelry I'd prepared bracelets, necklaces, rings and talked my way into a sale. My claim that I was offering her a special half-price deal because she was Lady Vivi worked like a charm.
Antion arrived at the Royal Capital with the Knight Order.
He remained as stoic as ever, unchanged. Upon arrival, he ate a quick meal and immediately headed to the training grounds.
"I will devote myself to training until His Majesty the King's birthday. Politely turn away anyone who seeks me out."
I grew anxious when Antion arrived.
As a mid-grade Aura Master, I feared he might recognize Yuria's true strength. But my worries proved unfounded. Even as he passed right by her, Antion failed to detect her power.
It's not that Yuria is overwhelmingly strong. She's more assassin than knight, excelling at concealing herself.
If she'd been discovered, we might have had to resort to drastic measures... This worked out perfectly.
As I watched Antion's retreating figure, a smirk crept across my face.
Late at night.
I slipped into Elaine's room. She was lying in bed, about to fall asleep, and startled when I quietly entered.
"Sung Yujin! Not tonight, not while Antion is here!"
I occasionally enjoyed secret trysts with Elaine. Just yesterday, I had visited her at night for sex. Once we had crossed that line, crossing it again became remarkably easy.
But tonight's reaction was different. It was because Antion was in the next room.
"Elaine, Antion is asleep," I said, approaching her bed and removing my clothes.
"Have you forgotten Antion is an Aura Master?! An Aura Master's sense of presence is sharper than anything else! He can't possibly be unaware of us in the next room!"
"It's alright, Elaine. I have this."
I shook the black bell in my hand and placed it on the table. Strangely, it made no sound at all. I channeled mana into the bell, and black smoke began to continuously emanate from it, dissolving into the air as if melting into the void.
"...A barrier?" Elaine, as a Magician, immediately recognized its nature.
"Yes. It's a Magic Tool called 'Silent Night.' It creates a barrier that blocks all traces of presence and sound. With this, Antion will never know."
"...Judging by this preparation, you must have been planning this for more than just a day or two."
"You don't have to be afraid. If you still want me, say it."
"I do want you... hngh..."
I climbed onto the bed and kissed Elaine. She welcomed me at once, wrapping her arms around me as our bodies entwined and we lost ourselves in each other. Perhaps it was Antion's presence that made Elaine's heart pound harder than usual, her pussy wetter than ever before.
Heh. I'm more aroused than usual too.
Though she desperately tried to stifle her moans, it wasn't long before a loud cry escaped her lips. If not for the barrier, we would have been in serious trouble.
"Haaahhhng!"