“Should I tell you, on the condition that Lord Hennessy is listed as a co-researcher?”
It would be even better to give Hennessy, who is currently ‘on my side,’ a little boost, wouldn’t it? If it becomes a joint research project, Agnis’s reputation will surely be tarnished. Moreover, Hennessy and Agnis were sworn enemies.
“Huh, huh…” Agnis glared, but there was nothing he could do. He had no idea how to make Hallones Grass.
He’ll probably accept it. His passion for research and his sincerity about potions seemed genuine.
After a moment of silent contemplation, he muttered. “Alright. Ha... I-I concede!”
I nodded with a bright smile. The deal was sealed.
* * *
She really is a lucky woman!
Agnis’s plan to undermine Giselle had been utterly shattered. After losing twenty percent royalties and even allowing co-authorship, Senator Hennessy narrowed his eyes and spoke to him with quiet intensity.
“Do you really not get it, Senator Agnis?”
“What exactly am I supposed to be missing?”
“By listing us both as co-researchers, Lady Giselle’s grand plan is to keep the Senate’s rise in check.”
“What nonsense are you spouting? It just seems like she was lucky!”
“Your judgment of people is lacking. That’s why you can’t become the head of the Senate.”
“You insolent—!”
What on earth is he talking about! In any case, Agnis thought, Senator Hennessy is the oddest of the oddballs. He made his way to Yuliana’s office, his footsteps heavy with frustration. He had to report to Yuliana about Giselle’s lessons every day.
“How did it go?”
“Madam, the duke’s fiancée is no ordinary person.”
Yuliana set down her hookah, smoke curling between them like a veil of secrets. “Seems like you got thoroughly beaten by Giselle.”
“Well, it’s not that I got thoroughly beaten. It’s just…” He struggled for words. “She’s definitely lucky.”
“Is it just luck? What about her abilities?”
“It’s actually quite baffling.”
“…Is that so?”
“Yes! But Senator Hennessy, as if possessed by a ghost, is fiercely defending her.”
“Agnis.” Yuliana’s voice turned sharp as a blade.
“Yes, Madam..”
She tugged on the curtain cord, her movements deliberate and harsh. “You shouldn’t speak so carelessly about the senator.”
“My apologies, but—”
“Regardless, it seems your assessment has failed. You may leave now.” I’ll handle the evaluation myself. Or rather, my subordinates will. Yuliana swallowed her next words and watched the door crack open.
Caitlyn entered and bowed with practiced grace.
“Observe all her actions.”
“Pardon?”
“If necessary, you may even assign a spy. I’m curious about what kind of person she is…” She lifted her teacup, steam rising like whispered secrets. “I’m intrigued now.”
* * *
Two days after turning the Senate upside down, I met privately with Agnis at the Kalinos Family estate. He seemed quite deflated—a shadow of his former arrogant self.
“So… ahem. You’ve heard that the former Duke Garno is on the Eastern Continent, right?”
“I’ve heard, but I’m not sure.” I stifled a yawn. “Hoam.”
“Well, it’s understandable not to know. Of course.”
“Ah, by the way, how’s the production of Goblin’s Phlegm going?”
“Oh, it’s going well! Hahaha!”
Seeing the gruff man turn so docile put me in a remarkably good mood. Though who knows how he’ll act behind my back. I don’t care much for gossip—it’s only spoken behind one’s back because it can’t be said to one’s face. Besides, there’s something far more important.
“Ah, Giselle is tired. Tell me more about the potion research. Summarize it well.”
Having infiltrated Duke Kalinos’s House and caused enough trouble, it was time to extract information about the potions they were researching. I was determined to fulfill my personal ambition—to become an archmage. My eyes sparkled with fierce determination.
“T-Then, moving on… There are three promising research labs within Duke Kalinos’s House. There’s the duke’s personal lab, a lab directly under the Senate, and a smaller one where Madam Yuliana and a few close associates craft magic items.”
“Hmm… is that so?”
“Yes. Madam Yuliana was once a mage, after all.” Agnis shifted uncomfortably, his words tumbling out in a rush. “But that’s not the main point… Our labs primarily develop swords and armor, which are sold through the Kalinos Merchant Guild. We also sell potions and artifacts, though the sales are somewhat lacking. We’re working hard, especially on the Goblin’s Phlegm…!”
“Working hard? With a name like Goblin’s Phlegm?” I couldn’t keep the incredulity from my voice.
“Yes, isn’t it impressive?”
Hopeless. Absolutely hopeless.
“A-Anyway, you do know that the proceeds from the sale of potions and artifacts developed at the Kalinos labs are used for the benefit of the estate’s residents, right?”
“I know! It means the Senate members don’t take individual profits from the research items, right?”
In other words, a complete sucker. Yet this particular sucker seemed thrilled just to contribute to the family, nodding eagerly with a grin so wide it nearly split his face in half.
“Yes! That’s right! The Senate lab you visited two days ago is such a place. It’s a secretive location where outsiders must get permission to enter, filled with monster essences and dangerous items, so you shouldn’t go in.”
“Really? Then why did they show me the lab that day?”
“Well…” His face flushed crimson.
The answer was obvious. They’d wanted to scare me—to make me tremble in fear and faint like some delicate flower. How utterly disappointing I must have been.
“Enough. Since I’ve been allowed in before, let me in next time too.”
“Outsiders other than the Senate members…”
“I’m not an outsider anymore.” My smile turned razor-sharp. “I’m receiving royalties from Goblin’s Phlegm, aren’t I?”
There was a reason I’d opted for monthly royalties instead of a lump sum payment. By claiming royalties, I could intervene in potion-related matters if sales dropped to a reasonable level. In the past, Goblin’s Phlegm had failed due to marketing issues, and Marquis Berto’s hopeless potion had taken its place.
I couldn’t let it fail when twenty percent of my royalties were at stake. With effective marketing, I’d make sure to earn at least a billion for myself. That meant I’d be bringing in nearly 1.7 billion in total. With that amount, I could hire a competent mentor. Moreover, Marquis Berto—the scoundrel who’d spread those nasty rumors about me following him around like a lovesick puppy—would suffer a significant loss.
As I watched Agnis, who couldn’t even respond and was sweating profusely, satisfaction curled through me like smoke. Just then, voices drifted through the slightly open door—the maids, their whispers carrying clearly.
“What’s going on? I heard some lady came to the mansion?”
“Isn’t she the lady stalking Count Teren?”
“Caitlyn said she’s the lady chasing after Duke Kalinos. Apparently, she came here because she has nowhere else to go.”
“Wow… that’s really awful.”
In the rumor spread by Caitlyn, the head maid, I’d become a stalker instead of the duke’s potential bride. How delightfully creative.
“Th-that… well, it’s just…”
“It’s fine.” I waved a dismissive hand. “There are bound to be people who dislike me.” After all, I was the embodiment of misfortune. It would be strange if everyone liked me.
Agnis stared wide-eyed at the door, but I simply tilted my head, recalling Caitlyn, who had once poured water over me with such theatrical flair.
Caitlyn Ronus. Now that I thought about it, why did that name sound so familiar? I remembered she was the aunt of the current Count Ronus and had been shockingly appointed as head maid by Yuliana. Yet I couldn’t shake this uneasy feeling, like a splinter beneath my skin. For now, I’d let it be until I remembered. She was doing a fantastic job spreading my infamy, so I was satisfied.
I looked intently at Agnis, who stood there like a statue, and nodded slightly. “Well then, Agnis. Make sure to stack up the money nicely. You know our contract is bound by magic, right?”
“Oh, of course.”
“Then you may leave.”
Even my mentor was at my feet now, so there wasn’t much else to do. Troublemakers only acted up when there was someone trying to ignore them, and I was quite skilled at handling them. I pondered deeply. Still, after two days of idling, my presence had faded too much. It seemed like it was time to stir things up properly, but what should I do?
And no matter how I looked at it, I seemed to be incredibly lucky. Just then, as if summoned by my thoughts, Caitlyn—who disliked me so thoroughly—conveniently opened the door and walked in.
