Chapter 2
Author, seriously?
Under the letter was a bulky device that looked like an old-fashioned smart watch.
I turned the outdated-looking watch this way and that. When I put it on my wrist, the screen flashed to life.
Even though it had no other functions, through this device I could check information about the revolutionary army and Etias’s health, and I was honestly quite surprised.
It felt like I had been struck by lightning when I suddenly possessed this world—but since I finally had a chance to help my favorite character myself, I decided to give it a shot.
And so, using the money I had, I started supporting them like I was playing a tycoon game.
Well, it’s still early stages, though.
And now, at this very moment:
Revolutionary Army Information
Military Power: Insufficient [See More]
Equipment & Supplies: Severely lacking [See More]
Comfort Level: 39%
Funds: 50,010 Den
Revolution Progress: 51%
The revolution progress, which had been 40%, had now increased to 51%.
The comfort level had also greatly improved from the initial 17%.
Just being able to see the status window was a huge help in figuring out what they were lacking.
“This should be enough to put out the worst of the fires.”
Etias von Clyde
HP: ♥♥♥♥♡♡♡♡♡♡
Etias’s HP level was also displayed on the watch—apparently, once all the hearts hit zero, he would die.
And for reference, I couldn’t just throw money at it and sponsor him as much as I wanted.
That’s because of this body’s political status—Catrin Elemore.
Everyone in the empire knew that the House of Elemore was the center of the Emperor’s faction.
Of course, the emperor and the nobles on his side viewed Etias as a thorn in their side.
In the novel, I was also a villainess who was scorned by Etias.
If anyone found out I was supporting Etias, I could be executed by the emperor before the revolution even started.
And there was also a villain waiting to pounce on any mistake I made, eyeing my inheritance.
“‘If you want to return safely, don’t get caught’—that must be what the letter meant.”
So until the revolution happens, I’ll keep living as the well-known villainess Catrin Elemore, secretly funding him.
Once my beloved Etias, whom I supported so hard, is ready for the revolution, then my second task will be:
“…To go into exile before the revolution.”
For safety, I plan to escape to the Duchy of Montella, which borders Oswell.
A peaceful and beautiful land full of natural blessings.
It’s not widely known in the empire yet, but since I’ve read the original novel, I already know how profitable that land will be.
Thanks to that, I’ve already invested more than half of my huge fortune into Montella.
While living peacefully there, hearing news about Etias’s happy new life—which didn’t happen in the original story—I’ll spend overflowing money freely and wait for three years. That’s my plan.
I was deep in thought while looking at the status window on the watch when—
“Still, it seems you truly treasure that one item among the late duke’s belongings.”
As if nothing strange had happened earlier, Heroth was now smiling warmly while looking at my watch.
Thanks to the possession bonus, others saw it as a jewel bracelet, so I’d just been saying it was a keepsake from my father.
“Shall I invest the money earned from auctioning the heirlooms into Montella like you mentioned before?”
“Yes. Buy one more silver mine behind the one we invested in last time. The price should match exactly.”
“Understood, My Lady.”
Soon after, the carriage stopped in front of the dazzling Elemore mansion.
Holding Heroth’s hand as he escorted me, I stepped down from the carriage and walked forward.
Ah—having finished today’s mission of supporting my favorite character, my steps felt so light.
“50,000 Den should be enough to relocate, right? What if our Etias gets facial paralysis from having to attend meetings in the freezing cold?”
***
As soon as I entered the mansion, the maids who were working inside rushed out in a panic, quickly kneeling and lowering their gazes.
In the still silence, I walked gracefully between them with my chin slightly raised.
I could see one of the maids holding a rag, her hand trembling with nervousness.
“…”
Back when I had just possessed this body—
I once kindly said to a trembling maid, “Please don’t be so scared.” But far from calming down, she had turned pale.
When I reached out and gently touched her face to ask if she was okay, she fainted on the spot.
Begging for her life, even.
Well, it makes sense. In the memories of Catrin that flooded into my mind, her temper was truly awful.
The only time she spoke politely to subordinates was when she was about to punish someone.
‘So if I leave this place and go into exile…’
All the servants working in Elemore were people indebted to the family.
Unable to repay the high interest charged by the Elemores, they had chosen to work here rather than be sold into slavery.
The family even kept a strict hostage list to ensure none of them tried anything foolish.
That included the butler, Heroth, who was currently following behind me.
‘…They’ll all be glad, won’t they?’
Thinking that they just needed to endure until the revolution succeeded, I stretched and sat in my father’s study chair.
Not much time was left until the future we all desired would arrive.
According to my calculations, exile approval from the duchy would come before the revolution.
As I was imagining how stunning Etias—several times more handsome than I had pictured from the original novel—would look wearing a crown, and was about to grin again, Heroth spoke up.
“My Lady, about the orphanage you applied to open a few days ago. A document just arrived from the temple…”
Heroth’s expression wasn’t good.
“…It’s been rejected. I apologize.”
“What?”
I immediately raised an eyebrow.
Heroth flinched and lowered his head.
“I’m sorry. I’ll go again and—”
If I had still been the old Catrin from before the possession, I probably would’ve thrown something on the desk at him.
“Prepare some stationery.”
My voice was calm, though laced with irritation, but I saw Heroth’s hand tremble slightly.
A handsome young man with brown hair and brown eyes who gave off a gentle impression.
He had inherited his father’s debt, who had worked as a butler, and was now bound like a slave.
I had no intention of taking my anger out on this poor man.
“If you go, it’ll only waste my time.”
“…Excuse me? …Ah, yes! Understood!”
He quickly brought me the finest stationery available.
But why are Heroth’s ears red again?
Anyway, I began writing a letter to the high priest.
The letter was only a few lines long.
To the Honorable High Priest,
If you don’t grant permission to open the orphanage soon,
I’ll reveal that the second son of Baron Ellingt is actually your child.
I look forward to a favorable reply.
– Catrin Elemore
Using one piece of background knowledge I gained from Revolution Star to blackmail a high-ranking official was an easy task.
Even more so in the body of Catrin Elemore, who was already infamous as a villainess.
‘Trying to have a power struggle with me when you’re nothing but a cult leader?’
I folded the letter in half, sealed it, and handed it to Heroth.
“Take this to the high priest. If you say it’s Catrin Elemore’s confession, he’ll be so thrilled he’ll open it himself—so it shouldn’t be difficult.”
The high priest, like the Duke of Elemore, was pro-emperor.
They were rivals for the emperor’s favor, so of course he’d want to get dirt on me.
But once he realizes I’ve got dirt on him instead, just how pale will his face go?
“Yes, understood. Um, My Lady…”
Heroth, holding the letter, looked at me with a cautious expression and asked—
