It was Ludovika Schneider.

To be honest, I usually try to quickly forget the faces and names of people I only meet briefly, but the fact that I thought her name was cool meant I remembered it quickly.

Ludovika gestured to the guard who was stepping on Narce.

“He is someone I know. Please let him go.”

“Someone the priestess knows…? Th… this kind of person?”

The guards stepped back, albeit skeptically.

Ludovika looked down at me and said in a soft voice.

“We met at the pub earlier. You were buying and drinking whiskey and wine by the bottle back then too, so you must have overdone it again.”

Not only that, I left after chugging the last bottle of wine.

Right now, I’ve received another bottle of alcohol from Elias for the concept.

I narrowed my eyes to focus and pulled up the corners of my mouth.

“You remember me~ It’s an honor.”

“Did the last drink you had suit your taste? Or no, you’re drinking something else now.”

Ludovika checked the label of the wine bottle spilled on the floor and said.

I relaxed my throat and mixed in a laugh. As I relaxed, my voice trailed off on its own.

“That Burgundy white wine kept lingering in my head. I’m craving something lighter now.”

“I thought you’d managed to find a place to stay by asking around somewhere, but here you are wandering around again. I distinctly told you we weren’t doing business anymore.”

“Are we moving on to that topic? Please, cut me some slack. I’ve just realized that I lack self-control.”

No.

Even if the door wasn’t open, everyone knows you’re all inside. How could I not know, having experienced it in the erased time?

I lowered my voice and shrugged.

“Honestly, I can’t believe it. A search and seizure? That Primrose Path?”

“It’s right to take descriptors people use for themselves with a grain of salt, but Mr. Jeremiah truly only says what’s right. I recommend cultivating self-control. The past week’s newspapers are sold bundled together, so check them yourself.”

“Since you put it like that, I suppose I have no choice.”

Having adjusted to the darkness, I can now see Ludovika’s expression.

It was gentle, but within it, I could somehow read a look as if she were seeing someone beyond redemption.

‘Of course.’

It’s a success.

The important thing is, even so, I could read interest in her eyes.

“Speaking of which, are you calling me by name? You just called me Jeremiah.”

“I felt a bit sorry to call you Caetani.”

“Ahaha….”

Meaning, she felt sorry for the Caetani family.

I took her hand, stood up, and lightly kissed the back of her gloved hand.

“Thank you for helping. By the way, are you a priestess? You didn’t seem that old.”

As far as I know, women cannot be ordained in this religion in our world. Unless it’s an Anglican equivalent, maybe.

It’s a bit complex, but to simplify, regulations changed here as Magic Power became monetized.

So, just because I don’t question her priesthood doesn’t mean I ‘know she is Pleroma’.

Jeremiah Caetani must not know Pleroma. Just like he was ignorant of other issues.

Perhaps my words sounded like ridiculous flattery, as Ludovika pointed her Wand at me with an unimpressed look.

“It would be good for you to sober up a bit.”

―Unlike the wings of the flesh, the wings of the mind are this light.

Smoke that spread from the tip of the Wand seeped into me. Only the light from a finger-sized lantern illuminated the floor, so I couldn’t see clearly, but it was definitely black smoke.

‘I received Vitriol.’

She’s not just any priestess.

She must be someone with some ability.

I clutched my forehead and laughed with surprised eyes.

“…What was that just now? A Mage?”

“Yes.”

Ludovika smiled faintly.

“That’s amazing. So it’s true there are people from Old Humanity who can use magic. Even though I can speak the Imperial language like a native, I’m not familiar with Imperial affairs. But the atmosphere here is quite similar to the United States.”

“Ah~ haha. But can I point out just one thing?”

“Yes? Please do.”

“You don’t exactly sound like a native speaker.”

“Ah….”

At my awkward sigh, Narce, who had been held and helped up by the guard, snorted.

Thanks.

Actually, I mixed in some English. It was a moment for Korea’s 12 years of regular education to shine.

“You tend to pronounce the ‘f’ sound honestly as ‘b’. Or pronounce ‘ya’ as ‘ja’. Your word choice is also English-style.”

“Ah, was I?”

“Yes. Still, it’s only like replacing ‘snack’ with ‘cookie’, so I can understand~”

‘…Cookie.’

That phrase I last saw a few days ago at Ainsidel Manor comes to mind.

Even though it’s strange, nothing related to that phrase has happened, so I’m too busy handling the immediate matters to spare any thought for that phrase anymore. I did mention it to Bavaria, but I haven’t heard anything back, and there’s no mail from the troupe addressed to me.

‘For now, let’s focus.’

I lightly bit my lower lip and smiled.

“I didn’t know. I grew up among Germans, so I thought I was good, but this is embarrassing.”

“Ah, I only said it for your reference. I also go to Italy often, and there are times when I get into trouble because people don’t point out my mistakes even if I say something wrong.”

“So it was advice based on experience. By the way, Ms. Ludovika, are you the manager of this street?”

“Something like that.”

Okay.

Since I’ve encountered Pleroma, it’s time to start making a move.

I should naturally get her contact information or something.

Still with a drunken smile, I flowed closer to her.

“Then, could you help me out just one last time? Actually, I haven’t found a place to stay yet.”

“What? Still?”

“I’ve contacted everyone I know, but I don’t quite like the places around here… and they said there are no vacancies. Do you know any hotels where I can walk in and get a room now? Preferably something around Grand Union quality.”

“…!”

Narce, who had been watching us while held by the guard nearby, couldn’t suppress her laughter and covered her face with both hands.

I understand.

She must be thinking I’m pulling out all the stops, even without looking.

Ludovika looked back and forth between me and Narce, then asked with a slightly flustered smile.

“What? Grand Union? Can’t you just go to your friend’s house next to you?”

“That friend, too, his family actually….”

As I looked deeply troubled, Ludovika smiled and replied.

“Ah, I understand. But the Pentalon is about to open in Berlin, isn’t it? Reservations have been completely full around here for two weeks already, so there won’t be any hotels where you can just walk in and check in now.”

The Pentalon is a competition the Imperial Family has hosted over the past five years, gathering member states from all over the world; it’s an international Mage competition.

You could call it the Mage Olympics.

It’s a competition that was already postponed once because Pleroma turned the Empire into a complete mess, but the Emperor doesn’t seem to have any intention of postponing it further.

He believes that indefinitely postponing the competition because of Pleroma is tantamount to a defeat against Pleroma.

Personally, I’ve always thought it wasn’t a good choice at all, but this time I’ve used it to my advantage.

“It’s not that great of a hotel, but how about that place?”

Ludovika pointed to the alleyway behind her.

She took something out of her jacket pocket and stirred up a gust of wind with her Wand. Something blown by the wind burst in front of a sign, creating light.

To my eyes, it looked like a motel, but it was a hotel, nonetheless.

“Because I’m the owner.”

“…….”

What luck.

Not only is she a Pleroma priestess, but she runs a business in Primrose Path? These guys have serious ambitions.

Of course, even if I were Pleroma leadership, I’d start placing Pleroma personnel in lucrative spots and having them extract the profits.

As I continued to stare at the place, zoning out, Ludovika smiled gently and teased.

“Ah, surely a young master from the Caetani family can’t sleep in a place like that, can he?”

“Not at all. It’s a place Ms. Ludovika operates, so why would that be? How much is it?”

“It’s free for both of you.”

“I don’t like things for free.”

“Having you stay is actually a good thing for me. Since my establishment has no guests anyway, I’m just giving you a spot in an empty place.”

“It’s the effect of the search and seizure.”

“That’s right. So please just fill a spot. It’s better than becoming a ghost hotel.”

I nodded and smiled.

“Okay. Thank you.”

Ludovika, who had been silently watching me, asked with a strange smile.

“Are you really 25?”

“Yes.”

“You look younger. By any chance… I was thinking you might be, but have you been living like this, spending your family’s money on… entertainment expenses all this time?”

“Yes. Isn’t that right?”

“Ah~ so that’s why.”

“…….”

Meaning, that’s exactly why I’m acting so immature for my age.

Just because someone lives on family money doesn’t necessarily mean that, but I’m grateful she understands it that way.

Seeing as the conversation seemed to be over, the guard nudged Narce.

We entered the hotel operated by Ludovika.

And, of course, we couldn’t rest.

After entering the room we were shown to, Narce spoke using Divine Power.

―“You’re going downstairs, right? I’ll wait here~”

―“Okay. We have to leave together after the conversation, so even if Pai calls, be sure to come back.”

Narce nodded.

I unpacked my luggage in the room and immediately went down to Ludovika’s room.

Knock, knock―

Not long after I knocked, Ludovika opened the door with a bewildered expression.

“Is there a problem with the room?”

“No. Would you like a drink?”

“…….”

She stared at me incredulously, then let out a hollow laugh.

There’s no helping it. I have to somehow draw a conversation out of her.

Why Pleroma approached me from the start is questionable, but I can’t miss this rare opportunity.

If it’s really a problem, Retry will provide a checkpoint, so for now, I have no choice but to push forward.

“I actually need to go out again now.”

“You can’t?”

“…….”

Ludovika, who had only been tilting her head, smiled and gestured outside.

We went up to the wine bar, where the lights were off.

“This place opens at 5. I didn’t expect to be turning on the lights myself at 3. You really like alcohol, don’t you?”

Ludovika pondered, then chose a bottle.

“You were drinking Chardonnay earlier, but let’s go with Riesling this time. Shouldn’t you try it at least once while you’re in our country?”

“Ah~ that’s great.”

I quickly seated her and took out glasses to set them up.

As we lightly clinked glasses and brought the alcohol to our lips, Ludovika, who had been observing me, smiled and said.

“You look really happy just by having a drink.”

“Do I…?”

I’m miserable. Someone else please drink this 200,000 won alcohol for me. I feel like I could just drink from an alcohol lamp now and wouldn’t notice much difference.

After that, we chatted about trivial things. I was so sleepy I felt like yawning, but I was already an expert at enduring sleep, having usually dealt with the accumulated work from the Bavaria countermeasures headquarters in the early mornings.

“What do you do during the day?”

Just when the boring conversation had been going on for a while, she asked a very important question.

“Hmm… I’m studying a bit. You need money to enjoy yourself, right? Eventually, the money I’ve saved up will run out. So lately, I’ve been thinking about starting a business.”

“A business, you say.”

Ludovika rested her chin on her hand and looked at me, as if telling me to continue.

“Would you advise me?”

“Of course. What kind of business are you thinking of?”

“Hmm. I’d like to open some kind of shop in Primrose Path. If it’s my own place, I can drink all day and do whatever I want, right?”

I chuckled, spouting utter nonsense among nonsense.

As expected, her smile still held the look of someone seeing a hopeless case.

‘Haha….’

Since it was the intended reaction, I was pleased.

“Okay. Then you should probably tour the place beforehand. You’d have to do that if you’re going to open a shop in Primrose Path, wouldn’t you?”

“Hmm, that’s right. Market research.”

“Oh~”

I tilted my head at her teasing exclamation.

“…That’s harsh. I might look like this, but I graduated high school with pretty good grades.”

“Ah~ Of course. You are a Caetani by blood, after all.”

Ludovika swirled a sip of wine in her mouth, savored it at length, and then spoke a single phrase.

“Would you like to stay here until the Pentalon ends?”

“…….”

Smooth sailing.

“Would that be alright?”

“Of course. For me, having even one spot filled helps with attracting guests, you see.”

“Okay. But I probably won’t be in very often… If it’s alright even for two or three hours in the early morning, I’ll do it.”

“Going to meet girls during the day?”

‘…Looks like my image is firmly set already.’

I shook my head.

“I’m studying. Studying human relations and how to get by.”

The other person was looking at me with eyes that said ‘don’t talk nonsense’.

I flicked my finger and tilted my head.

“Alright. I admit it. How did you know what I’d be doing?”

“That’s just exactly what you’re doing. Don’t you know it’s to the point where people wonder what’s to become of a descendant like this coming from a priestly lineage? I’m currently wondering if even Boniface VIII lived concealing such dissipation.”

“Hmm, hahaha….”

I raised my glass and lightly tapped the upper part of hers.

The glasses clinked together, producing a clear sound. Ludovika’s green eyes met mine for a long moment.

“Then, if I become your accomplice, you wouldn’t think such things, would you?”

“…….”

“You’re from a convent, aren’t you? No, you’re a priestess now.”

I said that and took a sip of wine.

The corners of Ludovika’s mouth slowly curled upwards.

“Or would you still do it? Want to try an experiment?”

“And who will take responsibility for my pangs of conscience?”

“I will.”

“Hahaha! If you trust someone like this, it’s over for you.”

Ludovika burst into hearty laughter, then shrugged and continued.

“You have talent.”

“Talent?”

“Earlier, you were saying there wouldn’t be any reason to meet again and rejected me boldly with a smile, and now you’re suggesting we become accomplices. What else could this be but talent?”

“Forget about that….”

“50,000 Pel per week.”

“…….”

500,000 won?

For what?

I zoned out for a while, trying to figure out what I had just heard.

Of course, I realized what she meant after about 10 seconds.

“It would just be family money for business capital. How about it? It’s not bad to play around as you like and take 200,000 a month, is it?”

“This feels a bit off.”

“Is it too little? How about 100,000?”

“I don’t have that kind of hobby.”

“You can make one with this opportunity.”

‘What is she talking about?’

I just burst out laughing and gulped down the alcohol.

“500,000.”

“…!”

I barely swallowed the alcohol and wiped my mouth.

20 million won a month right now? Does she have no concept of economics?

Perhaps my reaction was too strong, as she laughed and shook her head.

“Oh, 500,000 per week is worth considering?”

“I’m tempted to report you, Ms. Schneider. Leaving everything else aside, 500,000 per week… I already have tens of millions of Pel accumulated in the Imperial Bank, so I don’t really need that.”

When I called her by her last name instead of her first, she looked at me with interested eyes and drank her wine.

My head is starting to hurt from listening to all sorts of crazy talk.

However, let’s think for a moment here.

It doesn’t make sense.

If she was trying to bribe me with money, she could have just responded positively when I lured her in earlier.

What does she intend to offer me 20 million won per month for?

I organized my thoughts and smiled.

“You are testing me.”

Ludovika raised one eyebrow.

Until now, I’ve been playing along with the concept, but I need to act a bit more like my original self now.

“Let’s be honest. That’s not your goal, is it?”

“Hahaha…. I wonder?”

“It’s obvious it’s not.”

I said that and drank my wine.

“If that were your goal, you should have responded to what I said earlier. Or are you not interested in romance and only in Old Humanity’s reproductive activities? Based on experience, there’s a 99.9% chance that’s not the case.”

“That’s accurate.”

“Am I currently talking to the 0.1%?”

“You said you wanted to start a business.”

“…….”

I pressed down the corners of my mouth that were slightly turning up.

Ludovika clasped her hands together and smiled with satisfaction.

“I can let you recoup your investment principal within 6 months and take 2,000,000 Pel each month.”

“…….”

Okay. It’s time to reveal her true intentions.

To bring up a partnership offer like that… it makes me think there are all sorts of people in the world, but….

It’s a welcome proposition.

Of course, there’s a lot to clarify.

The fact that she thought I could provide the investment money just by hearing I ‘have tens of millions of Pel accumulated in the Imperial Bank’, and why she specifically approached me from the beginning.

For now, the latter point has cleared up slightly during my conversation with her. She said she greets newcomers to this place once in a while.

Still, I need to meticulously examine whether this fortunate situation is unique to me, or if it was also luck for her.

Just as I had calculations, she might also have deep calculations.

‘For starters.’

Find out, but proceed slowly and indirectly.

While maintaining the concept of Jeremiah Caetani.

“…If you trust someone like this, it’s over for you. Is it okay for a priestess to be like this?”

“Haha! That’s what I said earlier, isn’t it? To begin with, I’m not Catholic.”

“A heretic, then. It was unusual for a priestess to be running a business in Primrose Path from the start, but I didn’t know such strange Calvinist denominations actually existed. A Protestant called a priestess, what denomination is that?”

“Protestant? That’s an English word. In the Empire, Protestants are called Evangelisch.”

“Is this Imperial language class? That’s not the point.”

“You’re just as off-point yourself.”

“…….”

To this extent, the impression that I don’t know Pleroma, or at least that ‘I might have heard the name, but I’m not familiar enough to recall it here’, must have been imprinted on her.

I repeatedly moistened my lips with alcohol, then noticed she was intently watching my actions and started acting again.

“You said there was a search and seizure.”

“That’s right.”

“How can you recoup the principal in just 6 months? Can Ms. Ludovika guarantee it?”

“Of course. This issue will be over soon. It was originally expected to take some time…. But it will be resolved quickly, so there’s no need to worry.”

“How?”

‘It was originally expected to take some time, but it will be resolved quickly.’

This is good information.

They were planning to resolve the issue slowly until I had the Assembly suspended. But now that things are starting to go wrong, they are trying to deal with it quickly before the problem escalates further. It’s probably the Chairman’s intention.

But why didn’t they do that sooner?

It means that quick method carries a fatal risk.

If there were no risks, they would have dealt with it quickly already.

Ludovika is talking as if things will proceed smoothly for me, but in fact, those guys are in a hurry right now.

“There are ways.”

“What are those ways?”

“…….”

“And what kind of business is it?”

“Didn’t you say it didn’t matter what kind of business it was, as long as you could just play around and live off it?”

Ludovika softly avoided answering.

‘She won’t tell me?’

How much of a pushover does she think I am to hide things I need to know? I can guess roughly, given her talking about talent, but….

No matter how much I consider Jeremiah Caetani’s image, I can’t just let this slide.

I’m getting closer to my goal faster than I expected right now; I can’t miss this opportunity.

I lowered my body to meet her eye level.

“Ms. Ludovika.”

“Yes?”

“You said I have talent. Do you like me as a business partner?”

As I brought my face closer, her gaze briefly wandered around.

But it was only for a moment. Ludovika quickly regained her composure.

“Of course~ I haven’t seen anyone this naturally gifted before.”

“Then you’ll need to give me some assurance.”

“…….”

“I can’t invest without information, can I? Just words aren’t enough.”

Tell me.

And, bring them directly before my eyes.

“How, and who can solve the problem with Primrose Path?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep