RYL Chapter 25

Chapter 25

“If we fix it up and remodel it, it’ll look great.”

At my confident words, Sabrina looked around and muttered bluntly.

“This area looks more like a district where commoners live rather than nobles… Are you sure about this?”

As I stepped inside the building, I turned to the two women and smiled.

“Just trust me. Come on, I’ll show you around.”

As I strode forward, Sabrina mumbled under her breath.

“Just selling it would probably be more profitable…”

The first floor was relatively clean.

According to the property documents, this place was used as a high-end restaurant until two years ago.

I doubted it did well in the middle of a commoner district.

As Lilianne and Sabrina looked around the surprisingly decent interior, I grinned.

“I’ll run a salon on the first floor. And I’ll rent out the second floor for a boutique.”

“If there’s a boutique above a salon that nobles visit, it could create a good synergy.”

“The real question is: will nobles actually come to a salon in a commoner district?”

“With Lilianne and Lady Simona’s influence, the first month will be fine. After that, it’ll be my job to keep them coming back.”

“You sound confident.”

At Sabrina’s comment, I smirked and led them downstairs.

The basement was completely untouched, filled with cobwebs and dust, making it look eerie.

But it was just as spacious as the first floor, with high ceilings.

“This will be the hidden place—the heart of a social club unlike anything in the empire.”

I planned to install custom lighting here.

If it was too dark, people might feel uncomfortable at first, so I’d add stained glass over dim lights to create a unique atmosphere.

A dance floor would be in the center, surrounded by luxurious sofas and tables, completing the vision in my mind.

My intention was to hire a livelier band rather than a conventional orchestra.

This hall wouldn’t play dull ballroom music—it would be filled with exciting, energetic tunes.

“What’s the name of the salon?”

At Lilianne’s question, I immediately answered as if I had been waiting for it.

“Clina Salon.”

“Clina?”

“Wait… Is it from Claire, Lilianne, and Na from Sabrina?”

Sabrina narrowed her eyes at me.

I smiled.

“That’s right. I named it after us.”

Lilianne’s eyes filled with emotion as she teared up.

“Oh my goodness, Claire! That’s so touching!”

“But you two have to help out, okay?”

Sabrina added bluntly.

“We’re getting paid, right?”

…This girl.

“Of course.”

“Great! Just let me know whenever you need help!”

Sabrina laughed and hooked her arm around mine.

Since there wasn’t much else to see before renovations started, we slowly left the building.

As we climbed into the waiting carriage, the coachman set off immediately.

I was absentmindedly looking out the window when Sabrina spoke in a worried tone.

“There are slums outside the capital center.”

Not everyone in the capital was wealthy.

The farther you went from the center, the more commoners you found, and at the very edges, slums were inevitable.

Suddenly, a loud neighing sound rang out as the carriage came to a halt.

“Hans! Why did we stop?”

“Apologies, my lady. Some men suddenly blocked the road…”

At the coachman’s words, Lilianne, Sabrina, and I exchanged confused looks.

Then, a rough male voice came from outside.

“You gotta pay a toll to pass through here, don’t you think?”

“A toll? Do you even know who’s in this carriage?!”

“Judging by the carriage, I can tell you’re rich.”

The sharp sound of metal being unsheathed echoed around us.

“My lady, do not leave the carriage!”

Lilianne’s hired knight shouted.

I peeked out the window and saw at least ten men surrounding us.

Lilianne had only brought one knight for protection, and it was clear he was outnumbered.

“I didn’t realize this area was this dangerous.”

Lilianne looked troubled.

Sabrina quickly assessed the situation outside before speaking.

“They’re not just street thugs. These guys have handled swords before.”

“How do you know?”

“Because I’ve handled swords before.”

…Just what kind of life have you lived?

“Even if I help the knight, fighting all of them would be tough.”

Wait, she was considering fighting them?!

“S-Sabrina, that’s too dangerous!”

“If we stay put, the carriage will be robbed—and who knows what will happen to us.”

At Sabrina’s words, Lilianne’s face paled.

Sabrina smirked at both of us.

“There’s a way to deal with a gang like this.”

“W-What is it?”

“Take down the leader first.”

Before I could stop her, Sabrina kicked open the carriage door and jumped out.

Without hesitation, she swung her folded parasol like a weapon.

Caught off guard, the men yelped as she smacked their hands and arms, making them drop their swords.

She immediately rushed forward.

Her sharp eyes locked onto the man standing in the back—the only one without a weapon.

“Stop her!!!”

Sabrina kicked the man’s hand just as he was about to draw his sword.

The sword flew into the air, spinning rapidly.

As it fell, Sabrina swiftly caught the handle and immediately pointed the blade at the man’s neck.

Everyone froze in shock at how quickly it had happened.

“W-Who… Who are you?”

No one had expected a well-dressed young lady to jump out of a carriage, take down his men, and hold a sword to his throat.

The frightened man stuttered as he spoke, while Sabrina smirked.

“Me? I have black belts in Kendo, Taekwondo, Hapkido, and Mixed Martial Arts—total of 30 dan.”

It sounded impressive, and the man stared at her in confusion.

“W-What does that mean?”

“It means I can kick your ass.”

***

With the gang leader as our hostage, we dragged him into a building.

Held tightly by Lilianne’s bodyguard and Sabrina, he was forced downstairs while he yelled at his men.

“Damn it! Don’t move! Do you all want to watch me die?!”

The only reason his men weren’t attacking was because Sabrina still had her sword at his throat.

The ten or so gang members stood outside, unsure of what to do.

Sabrina threw the leader onto the basement floor and quickly tied him up with a rope she found nearby, securing his arms and hands tightly.

Her rope-tying skills were so good that the man immediately gave up trying to escape.

“W-Why are you doing this?! I don’t have any money!”

Terrified, the man pleaded.

Sabrina just shrugged and looked at me.

“What do you want to do with him?”

At her question, I slowly stepped forward and crouched in front of the kneeling man.

I stared straight into his eyes.

“Do you want to make some money?”

“H-Huh…?”