TVMS 17

CHAPTER 17

Finally, the day of the general assembly arrived.

In the dressing room, I asked for the outfit that looked the most like something a commercial trader would wear. I ended up in it, accessorized with a handbag adorned with a golden padlock-shaped charm.

Looking in the mirror, I was moderately satisfied.

“Even though I’m ranked 94th, don’t I look quite like a top-tier merchant? At the very least, more than the 95th ranker would.”

“Yes, my lady. Absolutely. Of course,” the maids nodded enthusiastically.

“Good. Tell Father I’m heading to the Merchant Assembly.”

I made the declaration proudly and strode out of the house with confidence.

If you wanted to build a financial foundation in the empire quickly?

Everyone recommended merchant group management as the answer.

It was like catching a case of business fever—something many aspiring nobles seemed to go through at least once.

So naturally, a large proportion of those gathered at the general assembly were nobles—especially young men and women of high society.

They were chatting in groups when I entered the assembly hall. But as soon as they saw me, the room went silent.

“Isn’t that Lady Aristina? How long has it even been since her name was cleared? And she’s already prancing around?”

“What’s she doing here? Does she even have the right to attend?”

“Of course not! She’s ranked F. How could she possibly qualify?”

Everyone quietly sneered, clearly expecting me to be denied entry.

Sigh…

The strategists from House Rozen turned away, embarrassed by their young lady’s behavior.

But I didn’t care. I walked straight up to the “Relevance Reader” and confidently placed my hand on it.

The next moment—

The display above the entrance lit up and letters appeared.

C-rank.

Everyone gasped.

“She jumped three ranks?!”

No one could believe it. Even the strategists from my family were rubbing their eyes.

“No way! There’s no way a 94th-ranked merchant group has any brilliant business idea!”

Someone shouted loudly.

“This has to be rigged!”

I spun around.

“Rigged?”

The person who had yelled was a noble lady wearing a sky-blue bonnet.

I strode right toward her.

She tried to stand her ground, but as I approached, eyes blazing red, she flinched in fear.

“D-Don’t come any closer…”

But in an instant, I closed the distance and raised my hand high.

The noble lady shrieked and shielded her face.

But my hand stopped just in front of her nose, holding out a small white card.

“Why aren’t you taking this?”

“…?”

She reflexively accepted it.

It was a business card. It read:

Gasps rippled through the crowd again.

Using my old flyering skills, I began handing out business cards with brisk precision.

Everyone looked at each other in confusion.

“Transfer… inquiries?”

“That’s correct.”

The event manager wiped his sweat with a handkerchief.

“There’s no way this is rigged. Lady Aristina has put her ‘Black Rose Merchant Group’ on the table for this assembly. She’s only trying it once, and says she intends to hand it off to a worthy new owner.”

“She’s selling the entire merchant group?!”

The room burst into murmurs.

Heh heh heh…

I chuckled inwardly.

A little life hack: If you don’t have a good business item, just sell the merchant group.

Of course, you don’t actually sell it.

This was just a spur-of-the-moment idea I had, and it worked like a charm.

When I submitted the paperwork, both the official and I were surprised it was even allowed.

According to him, merchant group transfers aren’t totally impossible—marriages or mergers often justify it.

And the “Black Rose Merchant Group” was a tempting acquisition.

Sure, it was a sinking ship full of holes, but it was legally registered and backed by the wealthy Duke Rozen family.

If someone managed to revive it, they could proudly declare, “We’re affiliated with House Rozen.” Legally, that was perfectly valid.

“Not bad at all…”

Some big shots started murmuring with interest, and the strategists from my house exchanged pale glances.

“M-My lady, with all due respect… did you get the Duke’s permission for this?”

“Nope!”

My answer was so brazen that the strategists were dumbfounded. While they fumbled for words, I pushed past them and entered.

“Please wear this name badge, Merchant Leader. And this way to register your group.”

I pinned the large badge labeled ‘F-Rank (Currently C-Rank)’ to my chest and asked,

“Register? Do I have to?”

“Yes, that way investors can see it and make offers.”

“Like this?”

“Yes, perfect. We hope you receive many investments. The additional seating area is that way.”

I followed the guide.

They said I’d get a temporary seat in a corner, right?

Sure enough, the area was a bit chaotic.

Some people even had their feet on desks, wrapped in cloaks, snoozing away.

One guy, his face covered with a straw hat, looked like a future heir to a farming estate.

Still, this is better than nothing.

When I arrived, everyone quickly vacated their desks and chairs to avoid me.

Only the seat next to the napping farmer-heir remained, so I sat there.

There were some basic writing supplies on the desk.

Can’t let any flies gather, now.

I took a sheet of paper, scribbled a few lines, and taped it to the front of the desk.

NO CHITCHAT. BUSINESS CONSULTATION ONLY. 1M PERA MINIMUM.

“Now, shall we preview what kind of business talk will happen today?”

I picked up the event pamphlet and skimmed it.

“‘Phantom Thief Invades Briars Merchant Group’… huh.”

Apparently, a mysterious thief broke into the 11th-ranked group. They didn’t touch any cash but stole a famous artifact called the “Golden Lily.”

Now that I think about it, the Black Rose Group never had any incidents like that despite all the chaos. Maybe being ranked low meant we avoided attention. Lucky, I guess.

I was only a few pages in when shadows loomed over me.

Already inquiries?

No…

Fragments of memory resurfaced—memories of past social events Aristina endured.

Ah. The flies have arrived.

I looked up.

Sure enough, a group of noble ladies had swarmed around me. They didn’t seem pleased I was attending.

How to get rid of them…

Recalling their usual behavior gave me the answer right away.

Good thing I prepared ahead of time.

I glanced at the anti-fly sign taped to my desk.

“Lady Aristina,”

One of the girls stepped forward, not even glancing at the sign.

“You look absolutely stunning today.”

She bowed with saccharine sweetness.

“But you must really be admitting defeat to Lady Serene if you came here instead of going to the ball?”

See? Just like always.

They try to provoke me subtly, hoping I’ll snap and cause a scene—then use it as an excuse to kick me out.

That’s their whole plan.

“…”

I silently looked at her, then smiled brightly and held out my hand.

“That’ll be one million pera.”

“…Huh?”

“Don’t you see the sign?”

I pointed to the paper on my desk. Only then did she read it.

She leapt back in shock.

“I never said I wanted a consultation! I was just—”

“If it’s not business, then it’s small talk.”

I cut her off and clapped to summon the facilitator.

“I’m overwhelmed right now because my merchant group is about to be sold, and this young lady is distracting me with nonsense—even though I put up a no-chitchat sign.”

“Ah, that’s not allowed,” the facilitator said. “This isn’t a social hall. She even clearly stated the consultation rules. I’ll have to issue a warning. As you know, three warnings and you’ll be asked to leave.”

“I-It was a business inquiry!”

Panicked, the girl threw a wad of cash onto my desk and fled without looking back.

See that, ladies? If you’re gonna insult me, pay up first.

I looked around at the others.

My crimson eyes must’ve glinted menacingly, because they all backed away without a word.

Heh. I’ve already earned a million pera before things have even started.

This assembly is going to be a breeze.

Smiling, I picked up the pamphlet again.

But—

“What the…? Why isn’t this moving?”

No matter how hard I pulled, the pamphlet wouldn’t budge.

Turns out the person next to me had their hand resting on it.