~Chapter 111~
Sana didn’t refuse Delphina’s blank check.
“Thank you, Lady Delphina. I’ll use it well. But… are you sure it’s okay to give me something like this?”
Delphina smiled warmly. By now, she was one of the wealthiest people in the Empire.
Even if Sana bought everything she wanted, it wouldn’t make the slightest dent in her fortune.
“Of course. I’ve received so much help from you, Sana. Buy whatever you want.”
Sana’s cheeks flushed softly.
“My dream was always to buy jewels and dresses that suit you perfectly, Lady Delphina.”
Issian added reassuringly, “Lady Delphina is now one of the richest people in the Empire.”
“R-really?”
“You also invested a great sum in the road project connecting the capital to the North.”
Delphina shook her head.
“That was your suggestion, Issian.”
“I only pointed the way. The actual investment plans were all made by you.”
“…”
“If the Northern tourism industry fully settles, you’ll earn even more money.”
Issian looked at her like she was a priceless treasure.
“I can already see it—after the hunting competition, when we return North… it’s all in sight.”
Sana, listening in, tilted her head.
“What do you see?”
“Bundles of money flying through the air.”
Issian smiled with satisfaction. Then he added,
“Ah, Lady Delphina, have you heard? Delegates from the Eastern Empire are also coming to this hunting competition.”
At the words Eastern Empire, Delphina’s eyes trembled.
“Yes… I heard.”
“They say the civil war there has ended completely, so they’re coming to visit. I was thinking the North might try building ties with them.”
“You mean opening Northern Chicken in the Eastern Empire too?”
“Yes, that’s the idea. If you permit it, I’d like to push forward.”
Delphina nodded. Her teacher was from the Eastern Empire, so she knew their tastes well.
“Easterners aren’t too different from us. In fact, they handle spicy food even better sometimes.”
Issian’s face grew serious.
“But there’s a problem.”
“A problem?”
“I heard the Emperor of the East is very closed-off. The Crown Prince will attend the competition, but…”
“You mean getting their approval will be difficult.”
“Yes. Even His Majesty the Emperor here is troubled by it.”
“So His Majesty also wants ties with the Eastern Empire.”
“Indeed. Nothing is certain yet, but I thought you should know.”
As Issian looked at Delphina, he tilted his head curiously. Blessed by the God of Wealth, his intuition was sharp.
“Strange. I feel like… a new bond is coming to you, Lady Delphina.”
Delphina blinked. “Issian, are you a seer now?”
“I was blessed by God. Ever since I was young, I’ve sometimes seen strange things. That’s why, without hesitation, I chose you as my master when we first met.”
Sestia, still examining Sana’s blank check, cut in.
“Wow, I don’t see that often either. Why don’t you come to the temple later and take a divine power test?”
“I’d rather gather money than serve the gods,” Issian replied flatly.
Sestia clicked her tongue, though she understood. Just as she craved power, others might crave money more.
“Oh, speaking of money—”
She handed Delphina a bundle of papers.
“Lady Delphina, this is the New Year fortune slip the temple prepared.”
“Fortune slip?”
“Yes, I brought it just for you. Let’s see if what he says is true.”
Delphina’s eyes sparkled with interest. Every year, the temple prepared fortune slips at the end and start of the year—famous for their high accuracy.
Special paper imbued with divine power would reveal words matching one’s fate. It was both mystical and highly popular, and the temple made an enormous profit from it.
‘Of course Sestia thought of this—fortune slips earn the temple a fortune every year.’
Sestia explained, “The High Priest said they sell out instantly. But some people think it’s just a scheme since only good fortunes ever show up.”
Ahin answered her calmly, “That’s because nobles are usually the ones drawing them. Rich nobles rarely face disasters, so of course good fortunes appear.”
“Fair point. Well, no harm in drawing one—it won’t ruin your mood.”
Issian’s eyes gleamed. Clearly, he was already thinking of new business ideas.
“Thank you, Sestia. I’ll try it.”
Delphina picked a slip. As soon as she held it, letters appeared.
“What does it say, Lady Delphina?”
“Here—look.”
She showed Sestia.
<A precious bond from the past will return to you. You will learn of truths you never knew before.>
Sestia frowned. “That’s vague. Now you have to ask a question and draw again.”
Delphina nodded.
“When will I meet this person from my past?”
<When danger comes to you.>
Sestia scowled.
“Ridiculous. There’s no way danger would come to Lady Delphina. Let me infuse this again with divine power.”
She poured power into the slip carefully.
“Please draw again.”
Delphina picked another.
<Danger must be faced. You cannot run. But if you overcome every trial, a great reward awaits.>
Sestia frowned again. “Strange. Issian, you try one.”
Issian drew a slip.
<Jackpot! Incredible fortune. Money will pour in. Just keep living like this.>
Sestia’s face twisted. “Lord Elcayan, you try too.”
Elcayan drew one.
<Hm, you’re a very clumsy person. But don’t worry— the other person feels the same way you do.>
They didn’t know exactly what it meant, but it was clearly positive.
“See, this is how they’re supposed to be. Why is Lady Delphina’s so strange…?” Sestia pouted.
“Sorry, Lady Delphina. I didn’t mean to upset you. I just thought it’d be fun—I didn’t expect this result.”
Delphina smiled.
“It’s fine, Sestia. It was fun.”
“But still…”
“Once the hunting competition ends, I’ll return to the North. And nowhere is safer than the North.”
“…”
“Besides, Lord Calix will also join the competition. With both him and Elcayan, it’ll be hard for anything dangerous to happen.”
Delphina said that calmly, though inside, she was uneasy.
‘Because I don’t know what Piaje might do.’
She couldn’t just brush off God Frad’s warnings.
Still, was the fortune really all bad?
‘It said I’ll meet someone from my past… a precious person.’
Delphina hardly had any bonds from her past. At the academy, or with House Rikeion, she had almost none.
‘Except for one person.’
Her heart began to race.
‘Could it be… my teacher?’
Her teacher had returned to the Eastern Empire. He hadn’t wanted to, but had been forced to by unavoidable circumstances.
