It was rather out of the blue, but Angelina had no intention of criticizing someone else's hobbies, so she didn't think much of it.
"M-My lady... This is far too much..."
Hallie fidgeted nervously after receiving luxury goods worth almost an entire year's salary.
Angelina, however, replied as though Hallie's distress was none of her concern.
"If you don't want them, share them with your friends."
"Ah...!"
Hallie's face immediately brightened.
"So that was your deeper intention...! Yes, my lady!"
Angelina had no idea what profound meaning Hallie had managed to find in the simple suggestion of sharing, but she decided not to ask.
Seeing the burdened expression disappear from Hallie's face, replaced by a radiant smile, was enough for her.
Afterward, they moved on to the blacksmiths' district and bought out the entire display of a famous forge.
The reason was simple: there weren't as many daggers on display as Angelina had hoped, so she ended up purchasing everything else as well.
As a result, Laura unexpectedly acquired all sorts of weapons—daggers, assassination needles, portable shuriken, and more—and couldn't hide the delighted smile spreading across her face.
Angelina couldn't understand why anyone would need such things...
So this is why people enjoy splurging money.
Still, seeing the two people precious to her looking so happy filled her with satisfaction.
"What else could I spend money on?"
She was beginning to understand the joy of reckless spending.
Once Angelina decided how she wanted to spend her money, she wasted no time putting her ideas into action.
The very first thing she did was buy every loaf of bread in a bakery and head to the slums.
"My goodness... What brings someone as noble as you to a place like this...?"
"Eat."
She answered simply.
"People need food to survive. Feed the children and pregnant women first."
At first, everyone stared in confusion, wondering what was happening.
But before long, they accepted her generosity, broad smiles spreading across their faces.
Watching children stuff themselves with bread until they were full, grinning from ear to ear, Angelina nodded in satisfaction.
Money really feels best when you spend it on something straightforward.
This, she thought, was what people meant when they said spending money was rewarding.
Seeing the happiness her money created with her own eyes made her happier than she'd expected.
Especially because people seemed to shine with a special kind of light when they were truly happy.
Her next act of extravagant spending was visiting an orphanage carrying mountains of dolls and toys.
"Children should have toys."
She had practically increased the toy shop's sales by eighty percent.
The merchants were thrilled, and the children who received brand-new toys were just as delighted.
After that, she filled the city's small libraries with so many new books they were nearly overflowing.
"Education is important."
She had donated enough books that it was almost like relocating an entire bookstore into each library.
The librarians, who constantly struggled to afford new books, welcomed the donation with overwhelming gratitude.
"Flowers make people happy no matter when they receive them."
And now...
She was standing outside a flower shop, handing bouquets she'd purchased to random people passing by.
At first, people looked at her suspiciously, wondering if this was some kind of sales gimmick.
But after receiving a flower and watching her walk away without asking for anything in return, they simply stood there in confusion for a moment before continuing on with warm smiles.
I think that's enough for today.
Angelina looked toward the setting sun.
She had eaten dinner before handing out flowers, so it had to be well past eight o'clock.
Even splurging this enthusiastically is exhausting.
Still, she felt immensely satisfied.
She'd spent money on gifts for her people, bread, toys, books, flowers...
She'd scattered wealth across so many different places.
And despite all that...
The amount she'd spent wasn't even the tip of the iceberg compared to the fortune she still had.
I wonder where I'll spend money tomorrow.
Humming happily to herself as she walked home, pondering the pleasant dilemma—
A coarse voice suddenly reached her ears.
"Heh, come on now~ Just hand over the money and we'll let you go."
"Hm?"
What is this? That sounds like something straight out of a third-rate drama.
Stopping in her tracks, Angelina peered into the alley the voice had come from.
Hidden from the sunlight, the narrow alley lay in darkness.
Three burly men had surrounded a lone hooded figure and were in the middle of shaking him down.
It was the first time in either this life or her previous one that Angelina had ever witnessed such a scene in person.
She simply stopped and watched.
"I have no desire to cause a disturbance. I'd appreciate it if you'd step aside while I'm still asking politely."
"Oh."
The hooded man spoke without being intimidated by the larger men surrounding him.
Like someone who had just discovered an exciting movie, Angelina watched the situation unfold with interest.
"Ahh~ Another clueless young fellow who doesn't know what fear is~"
"We don't want trouble either, so why don't you quietly hand over your money and be on your way?"
Neighborhood thugs?
Angelina glanced sideways at Hallie.
Understanding the question immediately, Hallie leaned close and whispered into her ear.
"Judging by the tattoos on their shoulders, they look like the Black Scorpion Gang—a well-known street gang around here."
"Hm."
If even Hallie knows about them, then my brother probably knows too... and has chosen to leave them alone.
Quite a few nobles allowed criminal organizations to exist within their territories instead of wiping them out completely.
Darkness existed everywhere.
Even if one gang was eradicated, another would inevitably fill the void.
Sometimes it was easier to leave around a group that could be monitored and controlled.
But that only applies when they're fighting among themselves.
That man looks like an ordinary citizen.
If innocent civilians became involved...
Then the gang would have to be dealt with.
Just as she decided to observe a little longer before reaching a conclusion—
The hooded man let out a short sigh.
"You shorten your own lives."
He muttered quietly.
At the same moment, the sword concealed beneath his cloak came into view.
"Ah."
Seeing his hand slowly reach for the hilt, Angelina let out a small sound.
She realized she couldn't just stand by anymore.
"Wait."
She had originally intended to summon the knights once she was certain of the situation.
But in her haste, she stepped in herself.
Watching fights was entertaining.
Having blood spilled all over the marquisate, however, was not.
Her calm voice made the hooded man pause before drawing his sword.
Even the three thugs, who had still been laughing despite the appearance of the weapon, turned to look at her.
"That's enough, don't you think?"
Angelina spoke evenly.
"And who are you supposed to be, miss...?"
The men were about to snap at her, but when they noticed Hallie, the guards, and the attendants standing behind her, they trailed off.
Their tone became noticeably more restrained.
"This doesn't concern you. Best be on your way."
They had roughly judged that anyone who traveled with maids and bodyguards wasn't someone they should provoke.
"If I leave things alone, this alley looks like it'll end up soaked in blood."
Angelina sighed, sounding as though she had never wanted to interfere in the first place.
"Earn your own money and spend it."
"Don't steal from other people."
Instead of backing down, however, the men immediately raised their voices.
"Miss, you're making us sound like criminals!"
"That guy stole our money first."
"He's a pickpocket! A pickpocket!"
"And that wasn't enough—he slammed right into me! I think he dislocated my shoulder!"
The three of them spoke one after another with practiced ease.
They're clearly experienced at this.
Clicking her tongue inwardly, Angelina turned to the hooded man.
His face remained hidden beneath the hood, making his expression impossible to read.
"They're saying that. Do you have anything to say for yourself?"
It was strange.
Anyone falsely accused would normally defend themselves.
Yet he simply stood there.
"If you're asking for the truth..."
"They were the ones who rammed into me first."
His answer was short and perfectly clear.
His calm voice carried no trace of indignation.
"Oh, come on~"
"Just return the money you stole and we'll let you go. Why are you making this so difficult?"
Naturally, the three thugs continued their complaints.
Perhaps tired of listening to them whine, the hooded man lightly tapped the hilt of his sword.
The blade slid slightly from its scabbard.
Only the width of a fingernail became visible, but even that gleamed with a razor-sharp edge.
Still, he didn't fully draw it.
It seemed Angelina's presence gave him pause.
At this rate, he's really going to cut them down.
She could no longer leave things alone.
"I'll give you the money."
"So leave him and go."
Regardless of what had really happened, separating the thugs from the hooded man seemed like the most urgent priority.
"Hah! Do you even know how much money we lost?"
Despite their indignant words, the three men's eyes were filled with anticipation, wondering how much she intended to pay.
Angelina held out a hand toward Hallie.
"My lady, those scoundrels don't deserve—"
Hallie protested.
Angelina didn't lower her hand.
Instead, she gently patted Hallie's head.
"Hmph..."
Pouting, Hallie reluctantly took out the magical pouch she'd been carrying inside her clothes.
Angelina accepted it and turned back to the thugs.
"Well?"
"How much?"
"Hah... As if a young lady like you could possibly afford what we're—"
Clink.
A handful of gold coins scattered across the ground before them.
Even at a glance, there were at least several dozen shillings' worth.
