Translator: Nox

Chapter 17

"......"

The two were at a loss for words, as if caught off guard.

Really? Is it really true? They still looked skeptical.

Well, I expected that, so I had prepared something to show them.

'Look at this. I'm dead serious.'

To prove it, I pulled a crumpled piece of paper from the inner pocket of my dress and unfolded it.

"My finances are in dire straits overall, but the most urgent issue is the merchant group."

A single bold line was drawn on the paper. Starting from the top left and plunging straight down to the bottom right without hesitation.

"Do you know what this is?"

"Hm......"

Aldensis pondered with his usual gentle yet indifferent expression.

"Abstract art? It seems to depict something plummeting without a hint of hesitation. Ah, there's a title at the bottom. <Merchant Group Performance Graph>?"

"Yes, Your Highness. That thing plummeting without a hint of hesitation is precisely our merchant group's performance."

I replied.

Below the graph, the businesses we'd ruined were listed one after another.

High-end fabrics, premium tea and confections, art troupe, jewelry raw material cosmetics, atelier, rare book bookstore......

These businesses had one thing in common. They were all established companies we'd taken over.

Businesses with a steady fixed customer base. The kind called a 'cash cow'?

Like a milk cow in a pasture that produces milk for life just by feeding it—low risk, stable profit.

We were given those precious cash cows. Even if we'd just sat there, the family would have spoon-fed us good results......

'But too distracted elsewhere, we ruined them one by one.'

This was a serious problem.

Not only was it a laughingstock, but it was constantly compared to branch merchant groups lounging in the heavens with stellar performance.

It was eroding my reputation and position as a duchess.

"In this situation, my eyes lit up seeing the conference article. Coincidentally, the date overlaps exactly with the Imperial Palace Grand Ball. Set by the imperial family member attending as a VIP, right?"

Most bigwigs in business would attend the ball, making the merchant conference relatively sparse?

The article called it a dark cloud, but to me, it was a ray of hope.

If you have a brain, you seize the opportunity.

'Cut ties with the Crown Prince for good and secure a worthwhile contract.'

This conference was perfect for catching both those rabbits.

By boldly skipping the ball, show that I have something more important than the Crown Prince.

At the same time, find new business for our merchant group at the conference. No need for a jackpot—just show effort.

'Perfect. Absolutely perfect.'

With those thoughts, I looked at the two before me.

"Hm......"

Duke Karnel looked displeased, as if about to say something but stopping.

And Aldensis...... After a brief silence, he said kindly,

"I see. Good luck. I look forward to it."

Then he flashed me a dazzlingly radiant smile.

I would've swooned before. But now, only chills.

'He can mechanically smile like that even at someone he's coldly indifferent to......'

I wanted out of there as soon as possible.

As I rose with them, I subtly stepped back.

"Then I must hurry off to normalize the merchant group."

I escaped the audience chamber first. Outside, Duke Karnel stared at me.

"Come to think of it, I haven't returned this yet."

He handed me a small pouch.

Inside was a ring. Numbers engraved densely along its surface.

'Ah, the Account Ring!'

Knowledge and memories mixed and surfaced.

This was a personal Account Ring made and sold by the Magic Tower.

Link it to a bank account for convenient cash storage and simple transfers.

Duke Karnel had confiscated it when confining his daughter. Planning to bury it if she were executed.

"I forgot since there's not a penny inside anyway. You seem well aware you're broke? That was surprising, but no family support regardless."

"Ah, yes. I wasn't expecting any."

"Really? I thought you might secretly hope, but knowing your place is a relief. Figure it out bare-handed then. Or don't."

The duke turned away after saying that.

Cold. So cold.

He showed zero interest in my business. But management advisors from his merchant groups would attend the conference.

They'd inevitably report back how hard I worked.

'That's in my calculations too.'

I smirked inwardly and slipped on the Account Ring.

Then let's deposit some money here?

Failed to sell family items since no one would deal with the wastrel duchess, but......

I did find two coins rummaging through a winter coat.

'Head to the bank and deposit. Oh, can't look suspicious, so prep first. Biometrics stored, so just tap like clicking......'

Following memory info, I tapped the ring with my fingertip, and a voice emerged.

「Please enter your 4-digit password.」

Birthday, probably? I entered 1031, our shared birthday.

「Activated.」

A magic circle-like shape appeared in the air, with numbers inside.

But......

I gaped, staring blankly. Unexpectedly, it wasn't just '0'.

1,000,000,000.

A whopping 10 digits asserted their presence.

'1 billion?'

My eyes nearly popped out.

Duke Karnel, you......

Where's the broke, penniless part? With this, I could start business with golden fists, not bare ones! What's wrong with this family's financial sense?

Good thing I checked. Confidence surged before the 1 billion figure.

'Let's see.'

I flipped the <Merchant Group Performance Graph> to check the notes on the back.

Per prior info, the conference venue was Yongbin Hall in the palace. Lent since an imperial family member attends as VIP.

To settle everything at once, I'd noted participation application info on the back.

Fast and furious.

That's my motto.

'Look how diligent and hardworking I am.'

Very conscious of others' gazes, I headed straight to apply at Yongbin Hall.

Found the place quick despite not knowing the way, but......

There, I hit an unexpected wall.

"The Duchess has no qualification to enter the conference."

......Pardon?

I was stunned by the staffer's words.

Turns out there were entry qualifications. Never attended before, so no memory of it.

'That's why Duke Karnel looked so skeptical?'

The staffer avoided my eyes while explaining.

"Not every merchant group leader can enter. Apologies, please understand. If we let in anyone with a group, peddlers would flood in."

"But I'm not a peddler......"

"We know. Of course you're not, Duchess. But groups below C-rank are barred by regulation."

"So below C is peddler treatment?"

"Not exactly......"

"What's our rank?"

Instead of answering, the staffer handed me a magic-infused paper.

"Write your officially registered merchant group name on this and insert into the measurer."

I wrote the name on the paper.

<Black Rose Merchant Group>.

Inserted the name Aristina lazily made into the measurer, and my rank appeared on the black window above the door.

"F-rank?"

"Yes. The Duchess's <Black Rose Merchant Group> is officially ranked 94th."

So that's how he knew without looking.

Rank 94.

Shocking number despite expectations. But I feigned calm.

"Still, six groups below me."

"No. Total 95, so only one right below."

"......S-Still not dead last? Who's 95th?"

"Coco."

"Puppy-like name?"

"Correct. Coco is a dog. Countess Mariana registered a merchant group in her pet dog's name. Ties biscuits with papers around the estate, invests in the company on the biscuit Coco fetches first. Black Rose and Coco swap 94th and 95th."

Ha....... Shouldn't have asked.

Last among humans, sometimes last among mammals.

"......"

With 'F-rank' glaring largely.

I slumped on the bench, dazed.

'Really can't enter the conference?'

No way.

Skip the ball, snag a contract, distance from Crown Prince, improve position.

Dark cloud over this solid plan?

'Knew you'd say that.'

Aldensis and Duke Karnel's mocking faces vividly appeared. I shook my head vigorously.

'Can't back down now.'

Trivial to others, survival for me.

Rubbing temples with both hands, I pondered intensely.

This is unfair.

Suddenly, realized a huge loophole in the system. I sprang up.

"......!"

The staffer paled at my death glare, then approaching strides.

"Duchess!"

To him shielding his face with the thick rulebook, I said,

"No matter how I think, entry criteria too rigid, right? S, A, B ranks...... Always the same people. Hard to adapt to fast-changing markets? Stagnant water rots! You're regressing imperial commerce! As empire's duchess, can't stand by!"

The staffer lowered the book.

"Oh ho? Quite perceptive?"

"What? Confessing you're regressing?"

"Ah, no! We're the money-crazed ones. Pondering day and night for imperial commerce's prosperity."

He rubbed his nose.

"Think we missed that loophole? Controlling entry by rank alone is wrong. Deprives new groups growth chance despite potential—inefficient. So we have this."

He pointed to a machine by the entrance. Casino game-like.

"What's that?"

"'Attention Measurer' developed with Magic Tower."

He explained.

"Write your merchant group's commercial item and insert. Predicts attention at conference and assigns rank. Low-rank groups can enter if C or above. Corner temporary seat, though......"

Grateful opportunity even then. Finally a lifeline.

'But no item.'

Ours ruined everything. Perfect ruins.

"Hmm......"

I pondered before the staffer.

After racking my brain, something came.

"Anyway, pass the 'Attention Measurer' criteria?"

"By regulation, yes, but......"

Sensing odd tone, staffer looked wary.

I told him my plan.

"......Pardon?"

He stared, doubting his ears.

"Let's try it anyway."

I began writing my 'item' on the magic paper.