Chapter 80
“Dino? It’s me, Lucy!”
Lucy called out loudly to Dino, whose voice carried a hint of annoyance.
“Lucy?”
Startled by the familiar sound of her voice, Dino pushed through his subordinates and appeared before her.
“You… how did you… get here?”
Dino looked extremely surprised that Lucy had come to see him.
“Did you think only you could find me, Dino?”
Lucy approached him slowly, her expression and tone radiating an ease and confidence he had never seen before.
“You used to send your subordinates to keep tabs on me, didn’t you, Dino? I had my suspicions, but I never imagined you’d become the boss of such a large organization.”
Lucy looked at him playfully, smiling.
“You… really…”
Dino was well aware of Lucy’s current situation.
As the new head of Nex, he had been too busy organizing the group and expanding its influence to visit Lucy often.
So, as Lucy had guessed, he frequently sent his subordinates to check on her well-being.
“Impressive. So, the rumors were true—you really did become the acting Count under the Pablo Guild, and your reputation isn’t just empty talk.”
Dino shook his head, as if conceding defeat.
“But if you’ve become the greatest merchant in Cretain, why do you still have someone like him as your bodyguard?”
Dino glanced at Shan, openly showing his hostility.
“And you, Dino, are the head of Cretain’s underworld, yet you keep subordinates who can’t even handle my bodyguard properly?”
Lucy’s counter made Dino at a loss for words; he gave a hollow laugh.
After a moment, Dino and Lucy sat across from each other at a large table.
“So, what brings you here?”
“I’m planning to expand my business to the capital soon. Before I leave, I want to settle my debts here in Tyren.”
“Debts?”
Lucy flicked her eyes meaningfully at Dino.
“I need to repay Count Synom and Madame Roselle for what I owe them. But it turns out you already beat me to it.”
“Ah, Madame Roselle… unfortunately, there was an accident. Tragic, really.”
Dino shrugged with an innocent expression, pretending he knew nothing.
“As for that Synom brat… yeah, I did take care of him a little.”
Lucy, knowing all the details but pretending ignorance, simply nodded.
“It’s a bit sad I couldn’t deal with Madame Roselle myself, but at least Count Synom is still alive, so that’s a relief.”
Lucy slouched dramatically, puckering her lips in exaggeration, and Dino shivered at the sight.
‘She came in recklessly and now… she’s definitely changed.’
This was not the Lucy he had known.
‘Yes… a ruler. That’s exactly the word for her.’
Dino sensed the relaxed, confident aura typical of a ruler radiating from her.
“So, what can I do to help? Just say the word, Your Majesty.”
Dino smiled playfully at Lucy.
“Nothing. Don’t touch my prey anymore. That’s why I came—to tell you that.”
Dino blinked, stunned, as if he had been struck.
“If I ever need your help, I’ll contact you. And stop sending your subordinates! I don’t like being watched secretly.”
Lucy frowned slightly as she spoke.
“R-right. Next time, I’ll come see you in person.”
“Fine. I’ve said everything I needed to, so I’ll be going now!”
Lucy smiled sweetly at Dino once more.
‘Wow. It feels like I’m under some spell!’
Watching Lucy walk away without hesitation, Dino gave a hollow laugh and roughly washed his face.
The next day, after spending the night at a luxury hotel in Tyren, Shan and Lucy returned to Icarus.
Once again, she spent a large sum to request a meeting with the Master.
As soon as the Master arrived, Lucy presented a large box she had prepared.
The Master’s eyes widened in surprise as he opened it.
“This was made by the most skilled artisan in Tyren.”
Inside was a large golden peacock, adorned with emeralds and sapphires that sparkled brilliantly.
The Master lifted the heavy golden statue with both hands, turning it this way and that, before looking at Lucy with wide eyes.
“How may I assist you, dear customer?”
Despite wearing a large robe, his shoulders looked small, and his seated height was roughly eye-level with hers.
Lucy had been observing the Master closely.
‘Shan said that mercenary likes jewels and gold… and those red eyes match the description exactly! This has to be the same mercenary Shan mentioned.’
Lucy was convinced that the person in front of her was indeed the eccentric mercenary Shan had described.
‘No wonder my signature eye-smile didn’t work on him.’
Lucy switched tactics, adopting a sorrowful expression, letting her eyes droop.
“The reason I asked you to look into Madame Roselle and Count Synom yesterday is actually…”
Suddenly, tears streamed down Lucy’s face.
Shan, sitting beside her, panicked and pulled out a handkerchief.
But the Master was quicker. He handed the handkerchief to Lucy while gently holding her hand.
“Please tell me what happened. If it’s something I can assist with, I will serve you wholeheartedly, dear customer.”
Although his words were clearly a sales pitch, the tone carried an unprecedented warmth.
Lucy sniffled, recounting in detail the series of unfortunate events she had experienced since arriving in Tyren.
‘He runs the continent’s top intelligence guild. He probably already knows everything about me. Lying in front of him would be dangerous.’
The Master nodded repeatedly and occasionally interjected sympathetically, though it seemed he was not genuinely concerned.
Shan, however, was truly shocked by Lucy’s story.
“Such… I’ll find that Count Synom immediately and put an end to him!”
Shan trembled with fury, clenching his fists.
Seeing Shan’s reaction, Lucy’s tears disappeared instantly.
“Ah, no. Calm down, Shan!”
“How could you have endured all that…”
Shan was too angry to speak properly.
The Master finally spoke, observing them calmly.
“You want revenge, I take it? Then how can we assist you?”
Lucy dabbed her eyes with the handkerchief and looked him straight in the eyes.
“I heard that many women suffered terrible things at the hands of Count Synom just before acquiring that fatal handicap. So…”
Lucy leaned forward, whispering conspiratorially.
“…please find someone who fits that description. Preferably someone who can act well, too.”
“Oh? That sounds intriguing. It’s been a while since I received such an interesting request.”
The Master’s red eyes gleamed with excitement at her words.
“Ah! But dear customer, you said the golden statue is a gift for me, and I gladly accept it. However, the fee for this new request will need to be paid separately, of course.”
He held a contract toward Lucy, winking.
‘What a bold thief!’
Lucy rolled her eyes inwardly, grinning and nodding.
Count Synom. Once the wealthiest man in Tyren.
He was even more notorious for his eccentric affairs with women and cruel nature than for his immense fortune.
Recently, however, new rumors about him began circulating.
