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Chapter 21
I read it from the top, one by one.
1.
Build a healthy body
2.
Gain strength to protect myself
3.
Save up for financial independence
4.
Secure a reliable social status
I circled number 1 and put a triangle next to number 2.
‘Number 1 is successful, and number 2 is currently in progress.’
I had been accumulating mana step by step and even processed sorghum herbs.
Hence, I would soon be able to awaken and summon a spirit.
‘And although it wasn’t intentional, I also acquired a special guardian knight…’
At this rate, I wouldn’t be defeated by anyone in terms of strength.
I took my eyes off number 2 and tapped below numbers 3 and 4.
‘Financial independence and social status…’
I had already amassed quite a lot of wealth under the name of Sylvia Atlante.
If I opened the safe right now, I could see it filled with gold coins.
And even after spending money on Fortrum Street, the safe was still full of gold coins, not showing any sign of decrease; all of it was mine.
‘Not to mention jewels, dresses, and various other items.’
If I were to sell them, I could buy a building in the capital or even a small territory in the countryside.
‘But…’
I diligently drew asterisks next to number 3 with my pen.
Sylvia Atlante had a lot of assets in the Atlante mansion.
However, the problem was that the money wasn’t really mine.
Sylvia’s allowance came from Duke Atlante, and if he were to issue an order, I could become penniless at any time.
‘In fact, in about four years, Sylvia had all her assets confiscated because she was said to cause accidents whenever she went out.’
I didn’t know how long the money I had now would be mine.
Even if I decided to dispose of my assets for independence, the Duke could disallow it, making it impossible for me to sell even a single jewel decoration on a dress.
‘The thorough butler would know all about my assets, so it would be difficult to secretly sneak them out too.’
That was why it was necessary to secretly build up assets that the Duke couldn’t take away.
“A way to make money that the Duke can’t take away from me…”
The money should not come from the Atlante ducal family, but rather be earned solely by my own efforts so that no one could take from me by force.
“What should I do?”
I can’t come up with a perfect idea.
‘If there were internet, I could at least search.’
It was a pity that there was no computer, let alone the internet, in this world.
… Wait.
‘But there is something similar.’
A means by which humans had been transmitting knowledge beyond space and time since ancient times.
“Should I look it up in a book?”
Honestly, reading a book probably wouldn’t bring up a brilliant solution, but flipping through a book seemed better than just sitting and worrying.
‘Reading a book might give me a good idea.
Or I might remember some information I’ve forgotten.’
I put the plan back in the drawer and pulled the bell rope.
“Belle.
Can you call the butler?”
A moment later, the butler entered the room and greeted me in a puzzled voice, unable to hide his confusion. Get faster updates on g.com.
“May I be of assistance to you, my lady?”
“I have a question.”
“Certainly.
What would you like to inquire about?”
“Can I enter the main house library?”
The butler’s expression changed curiously upon hearing my request.
With a bewildered voice and a face that seemed as if he had heard something he shouldn’t have, he asked, “The main house library?”
“Yes.
Am I not allowed to enter there?”
It wasn’t unusual for the despised Sylvia to be denied access to the main house library, as not everyone was allowed in.
‘Should I go to a bookstore on Fortrum Street if I can’t enter the main house library?’
Or should I visit the royal palace library?
While I was wondering where to go, the butler quickly shook his head.
“No, that’s not it.
Of course, you can enter.”
“Oh?
Really?”
“As you are also a member of the House of Atlante, my lady, it is only natural for you to enter the main house library.”
The butler, who said so, fumbled with a bundle of keys at his waist and handed me a small key.
“Here you are, my lady.”
I took the key he handed over and stood up.
“Are you going right now?”
“Yes.”
“Then I’ll escort you to the library.”
There was no need for that, though…
I felt burdened by the butler’s excessive kindness, but I quietly followed him.
I had never been to the main house library before, so I didn’t know the way.
‘Sylvia had never set foot in the main house library.’
It was natural since she had lived separated from books and studying.
‘What will the library look like?’
The Atlante ducal mansion’s library was famous in its own right.
Because its scale was remarkably large for one attached to a noble’s mansion.
It was said to have the most books after the libraries of the Central Academy, which was rumored to have many books within the empire, and the royal palace.
‘Not only are there many books, but there are also many rare and hard-to-find ancient books.’
With so many books, the one I was looking for should be there too.
‘…
Right?’
It should be.
I walked slowly, wondering if the library would have the book I was looking for, then the butler who was ahead of me started talking.
“Forgive me, my lady, but I have heard rumors that you helped eradicate an evil organization that was causing trouble on Fortrum Street.
Is it true, may I ask?”
“… What?”
“Your great achievement has spread throughout Fortrum Street, and the merchants there are praising you.
Indeed, you are also a member of the great Atlante ducal family––”
“Wait.
Hold on for a second.
What are you talking about right now?”
I couldn’t follow what the butler was saying at all.
I mean, what great achievement, and why had it already spread throughout Fortrum Street?
And why were the merchants praising me?
As I frowned at the incomprehensible flow of the story, the butler asked with an even more puzzled expression.
“Excuse me, my lady, but are you not aware of the situation?”
“I’m sorry, but I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Goodness gracious, my lady!
It appears that everyone in the capital is discussing your remarkable achievements.
Were you not aware?”
… What on earth? New chapters come out on g.com first.
“What achievements?
Do I have any?
What did I do?”
Then, the butler opened his eyes wide and muttered softly, “You really didn’t know.”
‘Ugh.
What on earth do I not know?’
Just as I felt like going crazy with frustration, the butler finally spoke.
***
A week ago, when I saved Tev and subdued the members of the Black Scorpion gang, I scolded the three henchmen thugs and let them go, but they ran away, leaving their unconscious leader behind.
I was worried about what to do, but I knew if I left him there, he would just cause more trouble, so I tied him up with a rope and left him in the alley before heading to the herb shop.
My plan was to treat Tev first and then tell the town watch to arrest him.
‘But after hearing about the collusion between the town watch and the Black Scorpion gang at the herb shop, I changed my mind.’
So, instead of town watch, I contacted the guard force.
The guard force and the town watch were different organizations and didn’t have a good relationship.
The guard force was mainly in charge of the security around the fortress gates, while the town watch was responsible for the town’s internal security.
Naturally, competition arose between the two as their duties were similar and frequently compared to each other.
The reason I contacted the guard force was precisely because of that.
If there really was a connection between the town watch and the Black Scorpion gang, handing the leader over to the town watch would be no different from just letting him go.
So, I wrote down the location where I had tied the man up, along with what I heard from the herb shop owner, and contacted the guard force.
It wasn’t because I had a strong sense of justice or a sense of mission to clean up the town where I lived.
It was just a thought of ‘I caught a bad guy, and he turned out to be even worse than I thought?
Then he should be punished properly!’ that I turned into action.
Again, it wasn’t a particularly difficult task.
All I did was write a letter to send to the guard force.
‘Since it was such a simple and insignificant thing, I had forgotten about it until now, but what was so… special about it?’
“The guard force was also aware of certain matters, but the town watch was very discreet and provided little information, which made it difficult for them to intervene.
Because, as you are aware, the duties of the town watch are focused on maintaining order within the town.
Unfortunately, the town watch had concealed the Black Scorpion gang so well that they were unable to apprehend a single member until now…”
Then, the butler whispered to me in a secretive voice, “My lady, you captured a member of the gang, and not just a low-level one, but a mid-ranking member.”
“… So?”
“As a result of interrogating that member, the guard force was able to obtain valuable information, including the Black Scorpion’s hideout, key executive members’ identities, and the corrupt town watch members who aided them.
Utilizing this information, the guard force was able to take swift and decisive action, and eliminate the gang entirely.”
So that was how things unfolded?
“If you hadn’t caught the gang member and contacted the guard force, many people would have remained unaware of their existence, let alone capturing them.”
The butler’s face turned stern as he spoke.
“Furthermore, the Black Scorpion gang may have continued to cause harm to the vulnerable and innocent, while concealing their activities from public view and extending their reach.”
The butler paused for a moment, seemingly trying to contain his anger, and took a small deep breath.
After regaining his composure, the butler gave me a kind smile.
“So, it can be said that your actions this time have been a blessing to both those who have suffered and those who could have been harmed in the future.
As a resident of this city myself, I also express my deepest gratitude and admiration for your efforts, my lady.”
A blessing.
‘… I don’t think I’ve done something worthy of such praise.’
It felt extremely burdensome.