WARDV 25

Chapter 25

Idris flipped the switch on the miniature ship and placed it in the palm of his hand.

The magic stone began to glow blue and twinkle, and before long, the model ship slowly lifted into the air.

The businessmen watching were wide-eyed in shock.

“Oh, my goodness.”

“Is it really possible to fly through the air?”

Magic stones were stones that stored mana, and by engraving magic into them, even non-mages could use magic.

That was the principle behind magical tools.

However, the larger the stone, the more mana it could store—and only simple magic could be performed with smaller stones.

On the other hand, flight magic was advanced, consuming an immense amount of mana.

So large enough magic stones capable of supporting flight were too heavy to actually fly.

But Idris had found a way to overcome that long-standing problem.

As interest surged among those who had previously been skeptical of the airship project, Faydan, displeased, raised a new issue.

“It might be feasible if the principle can be applied to a full-sized airship, but the problem lies with the magic stones.”

“You’re exactly right. The core material of this business is the magic stone.”

“Then you’ll need an enormous quantity. Have you secured a supplier?”

“Of course. We couldn’t proceed with development without locking down the key resource.”

His words implied he had already secured a supply of magic stones.

“In fact, there’s a partner I’d like to introduce to you all today.”

“A partner?”

“They own a mine rich in magic stones—and have graciously chosen to invest in our business.”

Everyone was shaken by this revelation—including Faydan.

Magic stones were not only expensive, but always in short supply due to limited availability and high demand.

‘If they own a magic stone mine… this might be a chance to strike a deal.’

Ideally, he could buy them off completely, cut that cheating scoundrel out of the picture, and monopolize the deal for himself.

But as he was entertaining such ambitious thoughts, Faydan froze at the sight of the person entering the parlor.

“Pleased to meet you. I’m Leticia Cloel, a new entrepreneur.”

Leticia’s greeting was addressed to everyone in the room.

But her confident smile was aimed at only one person.

Her ex-husband—Faydan.

I smiled at the sight of Faydan, wearing a dumbfounded expression like he never saw this coming.

Then I turned my gaze and continued.

“A partner of His Grace the Archduke, the owner of a magic stone mine…”

“……”

“And one of the entrepreneurs who will now be discussing business with all of you.”

The murmurs began, and the frozen crowd started glancing back and forth between me and Faydan.

Most had only heard rumors or read articles about the scandal between me, Faydan, and Idris.

‘They probably never imagined they’d witness it firsthand.’

Every businessperson here must’ve been curious.

Were the rumors true?

Because their future alliances might depend on the answer.

“If the mine belongs to the duchess, isn’t it technically His Grace’s property?”

That was the first question asked, after a long period of hushed whispers.

‘Of course. Businessmen always follow the money.’

They wanted to confirm if I really owned the mine.

But that was exactly the question I was waiting for.

“That mine is my personal property.”

With that statement, I made it clear the mine was legally mine.

“When I married, I brought that land as part of my dowry, and His Grace was kind enough to return it to me.”

By mentioning that Faydan had returned the land to me, I was also subtly announcing that our divorce was imminent.

As murmurs once again swept through the room, Faydan’s face turned bright red with rage.

I looked directly at him and added with a bright smile.

“How very generous of him.”

It wasn’t just that the divorce was now public knowledge, or that I had reclaimed my dowry from the Imperial family…

He clearly had no idea there were magic stones buried in the land I once gave him.

‘Hurts, doesn’t it?’

And since I’d publicly said “you gave it to me,” taking it back now would only hurt his pride.

Sure, if he really wanted the profits from the mine, he could try to deny everything, but I had already taken the land back through legal means via the Imperial family.

It was now recognized by law as mine. There was no way for him to reclaim it.

If he claimed he never gave it to me, he’d only make a fool of himself.

Ignoring Faydan’s laser-like glare, I scanned the room.

I could see the way people looked at me had changed.

The look of businesspeople who had just caught the scent of profit.

‘Now they know which side they want to stand on.’

I left them with one final remark.

“Sometimes as rivals, sometimes as partners—let’s work well together.”

And with that, the first step in becoming a wealthy villainess was a complete success.

After Idris’s business presentation concluded and people began filing out of the hall—

Those who had previously been close to Faydan and talked business with him quietly followed behind.

“Your Grace, are you really divorcing the duchess?”

“And what about the new business you were planning?”

After the rumors of discord with Leticia and the scandal that followed,

Faydan had always brushed off inquiries with vague claims like “we’re working things out—don’t worry.”

But now that Leticia had publicly appeared with Idris and announced the return of her dowry,

Such excuses would no longer work.

‘Damn it, damn it!’

Suppressing the urge to lash out at those questioning him, Faydan climbed into his carriage.

And the moment the door shut behind him, his pent-up rage exploded.

He slammed his fist repeatedly into the seat.

“Leticia, how dare someone like you…!”

His plan to pressure Leticia into settling for less alimony was ruined.

With the divorce now a certainty, he couldn’t ignore the impact this would have on his new business venture either.

And on top of that…

‘She’s planning to run a business now?’

Leticia had made it sound like they’d parted amicably and she’d simply reclaimed her dowry, but who in their right mind would believe they were on good terms?

She now owned a magic stone mine and had allied with Grand Duke Delrua, a highly capable businessman.

Any entrepreneur with a nose for money would’ve already realized her rising value.

Suddenly, he recalled something she once said.

“What if I end up with more money and more power than you?”

At the time, he’d dismissed it as an arrogant boast made out of spite.

But now that things had taken such a turn, he was starting to feel an unfamiliar sense of crisis.

‘But I won’t let it go your way.’

There was no way he’d stand by and watch a woman who defied him succeed.

As soon as he returned to the ducal mansion, Faydan summoned his aide, Rockhard.

“Keep tabs on what Leticia’s doing. What business she’s involved in, who she meets—everything.”

At that moment, only one thought consumed him:

He wouldn’t stop until that haughty woman was brought to her knees in front of him.