CHAPTER 27
The next day, I arrived at Duke Dinero’s estate, hiding a sly smile.
In my arms lay the white tiger divine beast, curled up obediently.
‘It looks exactly like a kitten on the outside.’
Maybe that’s why Duke Dinero didn’t seem too suspicious as he looked at Mion.
“So this is the cat you’re raising now?”
“Isn’t it cute? Try holding it.”
I held out the “cat” — no, the divine beast pretending to be a cat — to the duke.
He turned his head with a sharp expression and waved me off.
“No thanks. It’ll just get fur all over me like you do.”
“People who like cute animals can’t be bad.”
“Then I’ll remain a bad person, old as I am.”
I smacked my lips, feigning disappointment.
‘His ability only activates through physical contact.’
The ability to read memories.
I was planning to exploit that power to dig up the old man’s weaknesses and use them to secure my inheritance.
It was a little underhanded — but I was desperate, you see. Sorry, old man.
‘Go sit over there.’
I subtly signaled to Mion as I set him down.
While I was chatting with the duke, I had already told Mion to sit on his lap.
“So, I’d like to finally discuss the business in earnest.”
Duke Dinero asked eagerly, his tone a bit rushed. He must have been dying to know my business secrets.
“There’s no special technique involved. I just used the lowest-grade mana stones.”
That’s right. I didn’t have any special technology — but I did have a special idea.
From the perspective of someone with a modern mindset, mana stones were a literal goldmine.
“Lowest-grade mana stones?”
As soon as I said it, the duke’s face hardened.
“They’re practically treated like paper by the magic tower.”
“…Yes. So how did you use them?”
“As fuel.”
“What? That’s—! Have you completely lost your mind?!”
The duke was so shocked, he slammed his teacup down.
And honestly, I understood his reaction.
Privately using mana stones for purposes outside the magic tower — that is, for any sort of practical application — was illegal.
The rationale was that if mana stones were fused with non-magical items, there could be unpredictable causal consequences.
I knew that was nonsense. But the duke was now holding his forehead, sighing.
“So it wasn’t about developing a new engine… You changed the fuel source? Do you have any idea what could happen?!”
“This is what happened.”
I made a circle with my thumb and forefinger.
Money.
The duke let out a hollow laugh, stunned.
“I wondered how you could offer such low shipping rates and still make a profit. I never imagined such a bold idea.”
Despite not being allowed to operate internationally, my transportation company had become dominant even just within the empire.
Even though others used similar transport, mine was far faster — so merchants dealing in perishable goods had no choice but to use Tara Transport.
The duke looked at me with an increasingly complicated expression, and then, surprisingly for him, let out a groan.
“If I’d known this, I wouldn’t have agreed to be your guarantor…”
“You know there’s no backing out now, right?”
I smiled wickedly as I waved a contract in front of him.
There was a particularly eye-catching red clause on the paper:
“Party A will support Party B in every possible way to enhance their business technology.”
Using mana stones also counted as “enhancing business technology.” I’d already proven the business’s success with my company, so it was valid.
Duke Dinero probably never imagined that “technology” would include mana stone fuel when he signed that contract.
“I can’t believe this… Hah.”
The duke’s pupils shook as he stared at the document.
For the first time, I felt a sense of liberation.
‘Getting rejected for the inheritance might not have been such a bad thing after all.’
Now I could drag the duke into this with me — which was a total win.
‘Maybe I really was born to play the villain.’
Though in reality, I was just a background extra who constantly feared losing her head to the main character.
‘So tragic. Truly tragic.’
At that moment, Mion climbed onto the duke’s lap, but he was too distracted by the metaphorical bomb I’d dropped to even notice.
I forced down a smile and spoke in a serious tone.
“So, Duke, please help make mana stones available for public use.”
Right now, there was a problem. Using mana stones as fuel meant conventional trains and ships couldn’t handle the immense energy output. Speed had improved dramatically, but durability hadn’t kept up.
However, if mana stones could be officially refined and used in mechanical parts, both durability and cargo capacity would improve.
‘If the parts are made from the same material, they’ll definitely be able to withstand the energy.’
I was certain. Some might say my conclusion lacked evidence, but mana stones were that fascinating and mysterious.
“And just how do you expect me to help?”
“You’re the head of the Council of Elders. Surely you have the authority to repeal outdated laws that hinder the country’s progress… Unless you want me to shut down the business altogether?”
“…Just give me a moment to think.”
Deep furrows formed between the duke’s brows as he seemed lost in thought.
But I knew the answer already.
‘He’ll never refuse.’
Duke Dinero could smell profit better than anyone else in the empire — and he was a pragmatic man.
On the way back to the count’s estate in the carriage, the sky was beautifully tinged with sunset hues.
I slowly opened my eyes, savoring the scent of grass carried on the breeze.
“So, what weakness did you find on the old man?”
Still in kitten form, Mion sighed and transformed back into a boy.
Incredible. Now I’ve seen a cat sigh.
‘But really, the most amazing thing is still that an animal turned into a human.’
Mion reluctantly opened his mouth.
“None.”
“Don’t lie.”
“I’m not lying!”
“And I’m supposed to believe that?”
I was dumbfounded.
“There’s no human without skeletons in their closet.”
“You… You’re not even human, are you? You’re a witch or something.”
I frowned under Mion’s suspicious glare.
“You’re serious?”
There’s a saying — no one’s clean when shaken hard enough.
Especially not the rich.
“Nothing? He didn’t hurt anyone or cheat while making all that money?”
“He looks like a grumpy old man, but he’s surprisingly clean.”
The way he said it, and the way he looked at me while saying it, made me squint suspiciously.
“…What? Why are you looking at me like that? That look is seriously annoying.”
“Hmph. Just thinking how very different you are.”
Wanna see how different?
I had the urge to show him, but there were more important matters.
I’d honestly expected to find bribes or shady deals somewhere in his past.
‘Fine. I guess I have to admit it now.’
Duke Dinero was, surprisingly, a clean-cut money fanatic.
He used clever tricks and flexibility in business — but never caused harm to others.
If I couldn’t secure the title through inheritance, I’d just have to earn it myself.
‘…Is this really my only option?’
I looked at Mion, sitting across from me. He shivered, reading something in my gaze.
“Why?! Why are you looking at me like that?!”
“Eheheh. What better ability is there for making money?”
Information isn’t just something you buy — it’s something you sell too.
And even as a full-grown divine beast, Mion could freely adjust his size. That’s why, in the original story, he always stayed in kitten form to keep Melin interested.
He was a bundle of luck dropped straight into my lap.
I heard him muttering something about how maybe he should go back to the Penelope family, but…
“Wanna go back and play some hunting games?”
“Yes! Yes!”
At once, Mion stopped complaining and nodded enthusiastically.
His eyes were already wide with excitement.
Clearly, just thinking about playing made him that happy.
‘Told you — he’s a cat, not a tiger.’
Maybe he wasn’t a white tiger divine beast at all, but a divine cat.
