CHAPTER 07
“However, the fee is quite high. Is that okay?”
Franz’s eyes gleamed meaningfully as he asked, but Tristan nodded vigorously, as if clutching at straws.
“Y-Yes! Our family owns several rare gem mines, so there’s no financial issue at all!”
“That’s a relief.”
A soft smile curved the plump red lips that peeked out from under the robe. Tristan’s gaze shifted to the woman standing beside Franz.
“This is my daughter, Claire Ravello. We’ll solve your food shortage problem.”
Tristan was about to ask exactly how she planned to solve it.
But the woman spoke first.
“Return to your marquisate immediately and do exactly as I say.”
Her request was unusual. She asked to be shown the largest field in the territory and then ordered all residents living within a 100-meter radius to vacate their homes.
They’re not going to do anything shady… right?
Of course, since their identities were verified, the chances of them pulling any trickery were extremely low. In the end, Tristan complied with her demands, albeit skeptically.
Frankly, even if they were burglars, there wasn’t anything left to steal. Due to the famine that began last year, the residents had sold off most of their valuables just to get food.
“Tristan, are you sure this is okay? Wouldn’t it be better to secretly keep an eye on them?”
“If they find out, it’s only going to backfire. Besides, we agreed to pay after we receive the food, so let’s just wait.”
Having been rejected by every other potential helper, they had no choice left.
All they could do was hope that Franz Ravello was even more amazing than the rumors said — a truly extraordinary magician.
The next day, after a restless night, the two Ravellos came to visit the marquis’ castle.
“We’ve delivered the food. You can go check it.”
Tristan and his father hurried out to the fields.
They were shocked to see emergency crops piled high on the soil. To verify, they each took a bite.
The crisp texture was real. Once they realized it wasn’t an illusion or hallucination, the marquis burst into tears.
“Oh, thank the heavens!”
“F-Father, please don’t cry.”
“Sob… You shouldn’t cry either, my son.”
As Tristan clung to his father and cried, he noticed the two Ravellos quietly standing behind them.
Wiping his tears, he approached them.
“Truly, thank you. You are the saviors of our territory.”
“Well then, shall we settle the payment?”
“Ah, yes. How much is it…?”
“20 million gold.”
“Yes, I’ll write you a check right away. You should be able to cash it at the central bank.”
Just as Tristan received a pen and check from his aide and began to write the amount—
“Would you be interested in this as well?”
Claire whispered, pulling out a small glass vial from her robe.
“What is it…?”
“It’s Edelworth herb, a notorious poison for monsters. Commonly known as the Breath of God.”
“H-How could you part with something so precious…?”
He accepted the glowing blue leaf as if entranced.
Edelworth was a key ingredient in monster-repelling potions. It only grew in the secret holy garden inside the temple, making it extremely rare.
“That’s a trade secret. So, are you buying or not?”
“I—I’ll buy it!”
“100 million gold per leaf.”
Within minutes, Tristan had spent another 30 million gold. The money disappeared quickly, but he was more than satisfied with the purchase.
“Well then, we’ll be on our way.”
Unaware that the two had snuck into the territory with nothing and grown emergency crops overnight, Tristan could only marvel.
Indeed, eccentric but incredibly skilled. To think they defeated monsters and delivered food all the way here—
And even brought the daughter along!
‘…Wait. Daughter?’
Tristan suddenly remembered that Franz Ravello was unmarried and stared in shock.
How can an unmarried man have a daughter?!
That question was answered months later when a scandal rocked the capital.
At last, all conditions had been met.
Thanks to Tristan Graim’s generous spending, Franz and Claire had raised 40 million more than their original target of 100 million gold.
They immediately packed up and left their forest cabin in Alyan.
Their destination was, of course, the capital.
With 100 million gold, they bought a house in the city. It wasn’t a grand mansion, but it was tasteful and cozy.
Claire personally interviewed and hired the staff. Having been a duchess before, this wasn’t too difficult.
Knowing that the more extravagant something appears, the hollower it often is, she chose quiet and reliable people.
People who didn’t pry into the master’s affairs and simply did their jobs faithfully.
She couldn’t help but recall her old servants from the duke’s household.
‘Lena was quick-witted. Dorothy was quiet. Andy was fast and efficient…’
They were the only ones who treated Priscilla with genuine respect in the cold, harsh Duke of Muten’s household.
She wished she could bring them back.
But she gave up on the idea — she couldn’t offer the same pay the ducal house did.
Once the staff were in place and the house was set up, Claire moved on to her next plan.
Which was—
“Alright, time to start a proper business.”
So far, she had raised money by selling rare herbs and crops using her blessing power.
But that wouldn’t be enough.
To go up against the Muten Duchy, which owned the largest merchant guild in the empire, she needed a strong foundation and long-term income.
After all, revenge always starts with money.
“First, I need to recruit someone to start a guild with me.”
Luckily, she already knew someone perfect. Claire smiled to herself.
The capital city of the Tricen Empire, Olsen.
4th Avenue, lined with upscale shops and buildings.
Claire and Franz, cloaked in robes, entered a side alley at the end of the avenue.
Compared to the main area, it was much smaller. They arrived at a worn-down building with a sign reading “Ronald Guild.”
“This is the place you want to buy?”
“Yes.”
“It’s even more humble than I expected.”
Franz looked over the building. The sign was about to fall off, and the broken windows had been nailed shut.
It wouldn’t be surprising if it closed down today.
“Are you sure about this? What if the goods don’t sell?”
“They’ll sell. The guild master here is Arthur Pervin’s grandson.”
“Arthur Pervin? The legendary merchant?”
Claire nodded.
Arthur Pervin was the most famous merchant in the empire.
Despite being born a commoner, he built an enormous fortune and even earned a noble title through his business acumen.
People said anything he touched turned to gold.
The problem was, none of his children inherited his talent.
They ruined the family together after his death, losing both fortune and title within a single generation.
But unexpectedly, that talent reemerged in his grandson.
“That kid showed a knack for business from a young age. He worked at the Muten Guild before going independent, so I know him well.”
Arthur’s grandson knew how to sell anything, came up with innovative ideas, and was quick and sharp with numbers.
Even Arthur’s old clients acknowledged him — as did the Muten Guild.
The Muten exploited him until he declared independence, at which point they shamelessly retaliated.
They tried everything to bring him back, even using dirty tactics to destroy the small Ronald Guild.
‘I saw all those underhanded documents trying to take over Ronald Guild myself.’
It was disgusting. If it seemed dirty to an outsider, how awful must it have been for him?
He must be desperate for a breakthrough right now.
‘I’ll be that breakthrough.’
Claire knocked confidently on the door.
Inside, a bored-looking man sat slouched in a chair.
He glanced at them, straightened a little, and greeted them.
“Welcome. What brings you here?”
With his half-closed eyes and curly red hair, Claire immediately recognized him.
‘Ron.’
It was Ron, the head of the Ronald Guild.
‘You’ve grown so much.’
The first time they met, he was 12 — shy, pure, and always gave his best effort.
Back then, newlywed Priscilla saw a younger sibling in him and treated him with warmth.
Now, Ron was in his mid-to-late 20s. His features had matured, and his tone had changed.
Claire walked up to him, feeling the passage of time.
“You’re the owner of this guild, right?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“We’d like to buy it.”
Ron’s eyes widened in shock.
Claire smiled and pointed her finger at him.
“Along with the guild master.”
“What are you…? If you’re here to joke around, I’m really not in the mood. Get lost.”
Ron frowned and waved his hand dismissively. Claire simply smiled and revealed her identity.
“I’m Claire Ravello. And this is my father, Franz Ravello.”
At the same time, she confidently pulled off her hood.
Claire was carefully managing her public presence.
Eventually, people would comment on her resemblance to young Priscilla, but until she was ready, she planned to stay low-profile.
She showed her face to Ron because she trusted him. She’d known him since childhood and knew he could keep a secret.
Ron, seeing her face, was shocked.
She looked strikingly familiar.
He immediately recalled the rumors about the eccentric wizard having a hidden daughter.
Even if they shared blood, how could someone look so exactly like—
Staring at her in wonder, Ron finally gathered himself and asked:
“Why is the Ravello family interested in buying my guild?”
His previously casual tone had softened slightly. Claire answered without hesitation.
“To make money.”
“…Are you serious?”
Ron stared at her in disbelief.
In 4th Avenue, where elite guilds gathered, Ronald Guild was unknown and tiny.
Buying it would likely be a waste of money.
“I’m sorry, but the Ronald Guild isn’t exactly a promising investment. You’d be better off with another guild in the next alley—”
“I want this one because you’re here. My father heard a lot of good things about you from my aunt.”
“Your aunt… you mean the late Duchess of Muten?”
“Yes.”
Ron’s eyes widened once more.
