Translator: Nox

Chapter 18

* * *

Finally, the day of the conference arrived.

I asked them to pick out the outfit from my dressing room that made me look the most like a businessperson and put it on. I also carried a handbag with a golden padlock-shaped accessory.

Looking in the mirror, I was reasonably satisfied.

"94th place, but I look pretty much like a merchant group leader, right? At least way more than 95th place."

"Yes, Miss. Of course. Absolutely."

The maids nodded vigorously.

"Good. Tell Father I'm heading to the merchant group conference."

I declared confidently and strode out of the house boldly.

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

Everyone recommended running a merchant group.

People who want to succeed often catch business fever.

Just like that, most nobles seemed to try running a merchant group at least once.

As a result, nobles made up a high proportion of the merchant group leaders gathered at the conference. Especially the young men and women of high society.

They had been chatting in groups, but the moment I appeared in the conference hall, their conversations cut off abruptly.

"Isn't that Duchess Aristina? How long ago was her false accusation cleared, and she's already causing a scene?"

"Why'd she come here? Does she even qualify for entry?"

"No way! F-rank can't possibly."

They all stifled snickers, knowing full well she'd obviously be denied entry.

"Sigh......"

The Rosen Duke Family's business advisors turned away in embarrassment at the young miss's immature behavior.

Whatever. I walked straight to the 'Attention Measurer' and placed my hand on it without hesitation.

The next moment.

The display panel above the entrance flashed brightly, and text appeared.

'C-rank.'

Everyone was startled.

"How'd she jump three ranks?"

No one could believe it. Even the duke family advisors doubted their eyes with 'Huh?' and 'No way?'

"Impossible! No way does the 94th-ranked group have some genius business item like that!"

Someone shouted loudly.

"This is rigged!"

I whipped around.

"Rigged?"

The one who'd shouted was a noble lady in a sky-blue bonnet.

I strode right toward her.

She tried to stand her ground confidently, but faltered at my terrifying approach with flashing red eyes.

"D-Don't come closer......"

But I was in front of her in an instant and raised one hand high.

She screamed "Eek!" and covered her face in defense, but......

My hand stopped right before her nose. At its tip was a white slip of paper.

"What? You not taking it?"

"......?"

The opposing lady took it hesitantly.

It was a business card that read:

<Inquiries for Acquisition of Merchant Group>.

Everyone's eyes widened again.

With the skill I'd honed distributing flyers before, I handed out business cards to them all.

They all looked baffled, exchanging glances.

"Acquisition inquiries......?"

"That's right."

The conference staff wiped sweat with a handkerchief and explained.

"No way it's rigged. The duchess is putting up her 'Black Rose Merchant Group' for this conference. She said she'll try just this once and hand it over to a good owner."

"Wait, selling the entire merchant group?"

Everyone started buzzing.

Heh heh heh......

I laughed inwardly watching them.

A bit of life wisdom: if you have no business item, sell the merchant group itself.

Of course, not really selling it for real.

The idea had popped into my head that day, and trying it out had worked perfectly.

After testing the paper, both the staffer and I were like, 'It works?'

According to the staffer, selling a merchant group outright wasn't impossible. There were quite a few cases of mergers due to marriage or such.

And the 'Black Rose Merchant Group' was quite an appetizing prospect.

It was a sinking ship full of holes itself, but backed by the tycoon Rosen Duke Family. Properly registered with no issues.

If someone acquired it and normalized it, they could advertise 'I'm a Rosen affiliate.' Legally possible.

"Not bad?"

The big shots murmured, while the duke family advisors paled and exchanged looks.

"M-Miss. If I may, did you get the duke's permission for this?"

"No!"

My confident reply flustered the advisors. While they were sputtering, I pushed past them and entered.

"Merchant group leader, first put on this name badge. Then come over here to fill out the roster."

I pinned the name badge boldly marked 'F-rank (C-rank)' to my chest and asked,

"Roster? Do I really have to fill that out?"

"Yes. Investors check it to decide where to invest."

"Like this?"

"Yes, thank you. Wishing you lots of investment. The additional entry section is over there."

I followed the guide.

'Corner temporary seats, right?'

The atmosphere was a bit chaotic, as expected.

Someone was even sleeping with feet propped on the desk and body wrapped in a cape.

Face covered with a straw hat—probably a farming heir?

'Still, better than nothing.'

As soon as I appeared, everyone grabbed their desks and chairs and fled.

Only the seat next to the still-sleeping farming heir remained, so I sat there.

Simple stationery was provided on the desk.

'Can't have flies buzzing around.'

I first spread a sheet of paper and wrote a few lines, sticking it in front of the desk.

"Alright, shall we preview what kinds of business talks will happen?"

I picked up the pamphlet on the desk recording hot topics for this conference.

"'Phantom Thief Intrudes on Briers Merchant Group'......"

An unidentified phantom thief prowling the night streets had apparently visited the 11th-ranked group. Didn't touch cash at all, just took the famous 'Golden Lily.'

'Come to think of it, despite all sorts of incidents at our Black Rose, nothing like this happened. Lucky we were so low-ranked no one noticed, I guess.'

Lost in those thoughts, I'd barely read a few pages when shadows suddenly loomed over my head.

Contract inquiries already?

'No.'

Memory fragments from my brain surfaced. Experiences Aristina had at every social event.

'The flies are here.'

I looked up. Sure enough, exactly like the scenes in my memories.

Several noble ladies had gathered in front of me. They all seemed displeased I'd attended this conference.

'How to chase them off?'

Thinking of their patterns so far, an answer came quickly.

'Good thing I prepared in advance.'

I glanced at the fly-repellent paper I'd stuck on the desk earlier.

"Duchess."

One of the ladies stepped forward. As expected, ignoring the paper entirely.

"You look beautiful today as always."

She flattered sweetly while leaning in.

"But skipping the ball to come here—does that mean you're officially admitting defeat to Miss Serene?"

See? This is it.

Just lightly scratch Aristina, and she explodes, so they cleverly provoke her into a tantrum.

They must've planned to drive me out the same way today.

"......"

I silently stared at the lady, then smiled sweetly and extended my hand.

"Here, 1 million perle."

"Pardon?"

"You can't see this?"

I pointed to the paper in front of the desk, and only then did she read it.

The opposing lady jumped back.

"When did I ever want to talk business? I......"

"If not business, then chit-chat."

I cut her off and clapped to summon the moderator.

"I'm swamped with my merchant group about to be sold elsewhere, and this lady's holding me up with pointless talk. I even put up 'No Chit-Chat'."

"Ah, this kind of behavior is problematic. This isn't a social hall. The other merchant group leader specified consultation rules, and you're violating them...... We'll have to issue a warning. As you know, three warnings mean ejection."

"I-It was business talk!"

The opposing lady panicked, slapped a bundle of bills on my desk, and fled without looking back.

'See, kids? If you wanna badmouth me, pay up.'

I looked around at the ladies.

At that moment, my red eyes must've gleamed menacingly, as they all backed off without a peep.

'Heh heh. Haven't even started, and already earned 1 million perle.'

Feels like the conference will go very smoothly.

Smiling faintly, I picked up the pamphlet again.

But......

"What? Why won't this move?"

The pamphlet wouldn't budge.

Pulling harder, still no movement. Wondering what was up, I saw the guy next to me had his hand on it.

That farming heir from earlier.

"Could you move your hand?"

I asked politely, but he didn't budge.

"No manners."

I yanked the pamphlet harder. Still no movement.

'Weird? Just one finger on it.'

At this point, my competitive spirit ignited.

"I need to preview before it starts!"

I pulled with all my might. But at that instant.

A powerful force exploded from the farming heir's body, enveloping the pamphlet and yanking it toward him.

I was stunned.

'What? This strength......?'

My hair and dress fluttered wildly in the fierce wind. Holding my hair with one hand and shielding my eyes with the other, I looked at him.

With his cape blown away, his full appearance was revealed.

Red hair and golden eyes. Sun-tanned skin. Light clothing revealing toned muscles under a short top.

The people in the hall gasped in shock.

"His Highness the Second Prince!"