Right now, every single coin mattered to me. Which meant I didn’t have the luxury of swallowing being overcharged without a word.
“Besides, I’ve got the sword Grandpa gave me.”
He said he’d protect me, but that only applied when I was at home.
“I still need to be able to move around in secret sometimes.”
I couldn’t keep calling Gilbert to my house every time. If I had to go to him instead, it would be extremely inconvenient if Grandpa followed me every single time.
I was still keeping the fact that I could make potions a secret.
So I added a few additional clauses to my agreement with Grandpa, along with strict rules about privacy.
He must never follow me.
He must not escort me outside.
“Of course, he objected at first.”
But it’s not like I could bring Grandpa with me to the guild every time, right? Eventually, even he had no choice but to give in to my stubbornness.
Instead, he taught me basic self-defense and magic. For someone like me, who was still awkward with magic, it was the best possible training.
And on top of that—Grandpa was ridiculously skilled. Thanks to him, my abilities improved dramatically in just a few days.
“He was a little surprised too.”
He hadn’t expected me to improve that much in only three days, and his expression had turned a bit complicated.
“He’s not suspecting me of being… suspicious or anything, right?”
No. If that were the case, he would’ve confronted me directly without hesitation.
Grandpa wasn’t the type to bottle things up like I was.
“But why does he need so many potions anyway?”
Did he really have someone sick in the family?
Potions were usually extremely effective for healing wounds and internal injuries.
If he needed that many, there had to be some kind of story behind it.
“Whatever.”
Before he left, I decided I’d practice hard and make him a huge batch.
Even if it was a contract, honestly, I was the one benefiting too much from it.
If someone helps you, you’re supposed to repay them properly.
He said he didn’t want money, so I’d just give him plenty of potions instead.
“Ah, is this the place?”
I looked back and forth between Gilbert’s directions and the sign in front of me.
Proud Angelo 483-1.
Standing in front of the massive building, my mouth fell open.
“Whoa… this is insane.”
It was huge. I slowly scanned the towering marble structure. Even the entrance stairs screamed wealth.
“Is this what it’s like because he’s a guild master?”
How much money did he even make?
I had heard Raymond was the best within Proud, but seeing it in person made his status feel unreal.
So all of this… belonged to Gilbert?
“I want it. Landlord life is the dream.”
A new role model had just been born.
“How may I help you?”
As I climbed the spotless steps, a staff member guarding the door spoke to me.
I handed over the business card Gilbert had sent me. A white snake was drawn in the center of the black card.
The moment he saw it, the employee’s face went pale.
“My apologies! I didn’t realize you were an honored guest!”
“Wow. His entire demeanor changed.”
Gilbert’s influence hit me all over again.
“Please, this way!”
“Yes!”
Nice. That’s a story I can tell for ten years.
The interior was just as impressive.
Of course. Everything good in this world came down to money. I reminded myself of that as I walked forward. Clean white marble floors, thick luxury wool carpets laid out in every direction.
Paintings and sculptures were placed throughout the halls. Rooms and tea tables were arranged for guests.
“You’d come here even if it wasn’t for business.”
It was the kind of place you’d want to visit often just for the view alone. My eyes were having a good time, and I naturally wanted to stay longer.
I walked with curiosity, taking everything in. I could feel people looking at me, but—
It had been a week since I arrived in Proud. My nerves were already adapting to this place.
“I can’t get intimidated here.”
In a way, these were all potential customers for my potions. If I, as the seller, looked timid, I’d get taken advantage of instantly.
So I met their gazes head-on, lifting my chin slightly.
Later I learned people were staring simply because escorted entries like mine were rare.
The staff guiding me spoke again.
“The branch master is waiting for you. Please go right in.”
“Thank you.”
I bowed slightly. The employee looked oddly moved and bowed deeply in return.
“…Huh? Why is he like that?”
I blinked and quickly stepped past him, watching his retreating figure.
Then I turned my head—
“Lady…”
“Eek! Aaah! You scared me!”
I clutched my chest, gasping for air. Seriously—no footsteps at all?!
Gilbert was suddenly peeking out between the partially opened door.
“C-can you at least make some noise when you—no, why do you look like you’re dying…?”
“Haha.”
He gave a faint, pale smile.
What the hell.
At this rate, he actually looked like he might die first.
I calmed my startled heart and stared at his ghostly face.
He seemed to interpret my look as a request to open the door, and obediently pulled it open.
“Wow, sir.”
I really shouldn’t say this, but—
I scanned the stacks of documents inside.
“You’ve been buried alive in work.”
“Thanks for noticing, Lady.”
He brushed a hand through his exhausted face and stepped inside first. I followed, staring at the towering piles of paperwork in fascination.
Did he really go through all of that?
Unlike the luxurious lower floors, the highest office was surprisingly simple. A desk, a sofa, maps scattered everywhere—and mountains of documents.
“So this is what it takes to make money.”
Quietly, I updated my role model again.
“Sit here. For drinks—”
“Orange juice.”
“Good. I like that we have similar tastes.”
Gilbert smiled faintly and sat across from me after clearing space on the sofa.
He rang a small bell buried under the documents. Soon after, a servant rushed in.
“You called, sir?”
“Two orange juices. And plenty of sweet cakes and snacks.”
“Right away.”
The servant moved with the urgency of a life-or-death mission.
“C-can we even finish all that?”
“Don’t worry, Lady. I love sweets.”
Gilbert pushed the documents aside and placed the arriving plates on the table.
Meanwhile, the servant approached me.
“Lady, your juice.”
“Oh, thank you.”
I accepted it with a small nod. The servant smiled brightly and quickly left the office.
Gilbert let out a tired breath.
“I checked the sample you sent.”
“How is it?”
“…Honestly? It’s the best.”
He gulped down his juice and exhaled deeply.
“No matter how high-grade a potion is, the effect varies depending on quality. But yours… even a small amount works almost immediately. To be honest, I’ve never seen a potion with such dramatic results.”
“Nice!”
My shoulders lifted on their own at the praise.
“Maybe I really do have talent?”
If a major merchant says that, it means he’s seen countless products. And mine is the best among them?
Feeling lighter, I took another sip of juice.
“So… you’ll accept the supply contract?”
“Yes.”
Gilbert snapped his fingers.
From between the stacks of documents, a sheet of paper and a quill pen popped out.
A clean parchment was placed on the table.
Gilbert grabbed the pen that came with it.
“But there are two conditions.”
