Looking at Julian’s back, Shulva continued speaking.

“I can’t say that Count Noart is completely on Lady Rosie’s side… but at least, he would guarantee her minimum safety. At least, that’s what I think.”

“Hmm.”

Julian’s memory, of course, didn’t include Count Caliban Noart. So, without any affection, he muttered casually.

“Why isn’t that old man on Rosie’s side?”

“Count Noart is very cold and doesn’t side with anyone unconditionally. And…,”

Shulva rolled his eyes before adding more.

“Count Noart dislikes the Temple. So, he might feel some repulsion toward Lady Rosie, who possesses divine power.”

“What? That’s just an assumption. You didn’t hear it directly from that old man.”

“But it’s a reasonable guess. The previous Julian didn’t exactly put Lady Rosie in front of the Count either.”

Shulva sighed heavily again, as if the ground had caved beneath him.

“…Anyway, even someone like Count Noart, it’s concerning, really. Lady Rosie has never attended a meeting before… Everyone would be eager to devour her, right?”

“Then you should go with her.”

“I can’t. Only those with the Noart family crest can enter the meeting.”

Julian let out another snort. Then, once again, he moved step by step, supporting himself with his crutches.

The image of Rosie crying helplessly lingered in his mind.

“Hmph.”

Julian muttered quietly to himself.

“The little brat will probably want to see me again today.”

****

The monthly meeting held on the evening of the 1st of each month.

It was originally a place where only those bearing the Noart family crest attended.

In front of the head of the family, Caliban, and the other family members, they would present their achievements and handle important matters.

Caliban, unless there were unavoidable circumstances, always attended the monthly meetings.

“But today is different.”

Murloc thought to himself with a sly smile.

“My father won’t attend.”

There was still no word. Besides Teppan, it was said that he had failed to reach the major cities on the mainland.

“Rosie, that arrogant girl, still hasn’t handed over her money.”

However, Murloc had heard rumors that Shulva, Julian’s lieutenant, was liquidating everything into cash.

He claimed it was because they planned to invest it all in one place. For several days, that same line had been repeated like a parrot.

The three siblings who were eyeing their nephew’s money had finished negotiations before the monthly meeting. If none of them could claim the money by today, they’d split it among themselves.

Convincing the little girl by pressuring her with “the family’s decision” was no difficult task.

“Since they’ve already liquidated everything, splitting it will be easy.”

Murloc smiled with his arms crossed.

Soon, his siblings, who had similar faces, entered the meeting room one by one.

Everyone was probably thinking the same thing, so the outcome of this meeting would be simple and enjoyable.

Next, a small girl entered alone.

“Hello.”

The girl with silver hair was smiling brightly.

“I am Rosie Noart.”

Murloc furrowed his brow.

It was the first time he had seen Rosie up close.

“I may lack some things since it’s my first time at a meeting. I ask for your kind assistance.”

Her body was small, but her eyes were sharp. She smiled so lovingly that it almost seemed impossible.

Her dress was appropriately fancy and antique, with glittering jewelry. Even though this was her first time entering the meeting room, everything seemed so natural.

“I thought she would be trembling, scared by the atmosphere… but she’s calmer than expected? And speaking clearly too?”

For a moment, a thought crossed Murloc’s mind.

“…Could she be pretending to act dumb, dragging this out? Was she trying to make sure we couldn’t make any moves before the monthly meeting?”

However, that suspicion quickly vanished.

She had been raised abandoned in the Temple, an illiterate child. It was not something she could have thought of.

“Well, even if that’s the case…”

Murloc suppressed his unease and raised his chin.

“In the end, the result won’t change.”

Murloc smiled generously at Rosie.

“How I treat such a lowly apprentice doesn’t matter. My father hates the Temple, so even if he comes back, he won’t bother with something already done.”

It was his final smile directed at the nephew who would soon be chased away, penniless.

****

“What should we do?”

Before entering the meeting room.

Shulva whispered anxiously at the entrance of the meeting room.

“There’s still no communication from the communications tunnel.”

Shulva sighed as he muttered.

“I was hoping for a message to delay the monthly meeting…”

“It’s okay.”

I reassured Shulva, speaking calmly.

“It would be nice if they come, but we’ve already prepared for if they don’t.”

“Right…”

Shulva answered gloomily.

“1.37 trillion gold has been magnificently turned to dust… thanks to that, the Magic Tower might have avoided bankruptcy, but instead, we’re facing bankruptcy…”

“Bankruptcy? The value dropped, but we’re still selling the mana stones. Anyway, go see Julian quickly.”

Originally, Shulva was always by Julian’s side. However, he had followed me here after getting permission from Julian, worried about the meeting.

Well, apart from his worry, he wasn’t much help.

“Ha, when they find out about the mana stone investment, everyone will panic. The monthly meeting is a scary place. They could easily fabricate a crime and expel Lady Rosie.”

“Don’t worry too much, Shulva. Worrying like that isn’t good for your health. You should live long.”

Of course, I had something I believed in.

‘If Grandfather received my letter, he’ll definitely come before this meeting ends.’

So, there was no need to be afraid of this meeting.

After giving one last glance at Shulva, who couldn’t take a step forward, I entered the meeting room.

‘…Hmm.’

Relatives living in the Count’s estate were seated in a row. They were all people who hoped that Julian and I would fail.

Just thinking about it made anger rise, and a chill ran down my spine.

“Hello.”

Still, I smiled brightly.

“I am Rosie Noart.”

Before the regression, I never would have spoken this name aloud. I had always felt unworthy of it.

‘But I can’t think like that anymore.’

Contempt, mockery, and the eyes that seemed to see me as prey all poured down.

The very fact that I carried the bloodline Grandfather hated placed me at the very bottom of the hierarchy in this room.

“Honestly, I understand why Father made Julian his heir. Even though we say things like ‘he has servant blood’ or ‘he’s a butcher’s boy’… but Father wasn’t originally a noble. His status was even lower.”

Last time, I overheard this conversation while passing through the hallway.

“But Rosie is different. She has divine power. That means she has blood from a priest. Father would have much less tolerance for Temple blood than servant blood!”

I took a deep breath and sat down.

The meeting began immediately.

A few agenda items unrelated to me quickly passed by. And then…

“Now, the last agenda.”

My uncle, Murloc, declared leisurely.

“I hear that Julian handed over all his assets to his younger sister.”

I swallowed and secretly gripped the hem of my dress.

“That’s the Noart family’s wealth, and entrusting it to a twelve-year-old who doesn’t know anything is an excessive amount of money. Since that money carries the Noart name, we, as members of the family, cannot just let it be released recklessly into the world.”

Murloc grinned, exposing his teeth.

“At first, the family elders will manage it well…”

There it was, that line!

“After investing it in suitable places, it will be returned to Rosie Noart when she becomes an adult…”

The line I should never believe!

‘Managing well and investing it in a good place, and returning it later…’…

I stared at Murloc silently.

“We’ll hear the opinions of the family members.”

Murloc confidently suggested.

“And the decision will be made by majority vote.”

Wow, I expected it, but this is really despicable!

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep