Chapter 97: Boom and Bust (1)
I had sent a letter to Sigren saying I had something to discuss, and he personally came to see me. It seemed he didn’t mind or feel bothered that Abel was not in the mansion. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“Is it customary for His Highness to visit without an escort?””
“I don’t need one. Besides, you always talk in a strange tone when there are other people around.”
“…”
It wasn’t a strange tone; it was formal speech! Formal!
I lightly tugged at his cheek in dissatisfaction. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
Sigren looked at me blankly.
“Can I touch you too?”
“…”
I swatted his hand away. Sigren looked at me sulkily. Even with that expression, I wasn’t going to give in. He wasn’t allowed to do that.
I sat down quietly.
“We didn’t meet to fool around.”
“I know. Is it about the mid-level monster?”
My eyes widened in surprise. My letter didn’t even mention that detail due to the risk of it being intercepted. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“How did you know that?”
“It means I’m also working.”
Right, I had underestimated the male protagonist’s abilities too much. He was an outstanding person in his own right.
“Then how much do you know?”
“Which madman commissioned the mercenaries to capture the monsters alive and brought them in?”
I paused for a moment, realizing what I had just said. That was what I had heard from the guild leader.
“Did you…?”
“If you’re asking whether I know the guild leader of the guild that accepted the request to target you, yes, I do.”
Sigren pinched my chin lightly and looked at me softly. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“These are the people who dared to accept a request related to you. Shouldn’t I at least acknowledge them?”
“Well, when the guild leader looked at me, he seemed to tremble excessively…”
“Don’t worry. I greeted them lightly.”
Hmm, whether Sigren’s greeting was truly light or not, I decided to keep it a secret. I rarely saw him being accommodating to mercenaries.
In any case, Sigren seemed to have obtained the same information as I did, which made things easier.
“The intermediate-level monster that appeared at dawn probably escaped from the illegal gambling den.”
“Illegal gambling den?”
Originally, Sigren and Eunice would have uncovered this through their investigations, but I decided to skip that process. There was an urgent issue at hand: dealing with the crown prince, especially since he had also troubled Livya. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“Yes, the people who hired the mercenaries to capture the monsters are likely the ones running the arena.”
“Is it betting on two monsters fighting each other?”
“Yes, it’s similar to racetrack betting.”
The corner of Sigren’s lips curved into a cynical smile. “Well, that’s certainly much more interesting than watching horses race.”
I nodded. “Exactly.”
He had every right to be offended. While some people were fighting monsters for their lives, others were dragging those monsters into the Capital for gambling purposes. It was, in a sense, an insult.
“It’s foolish. I wonder how long the people running the arena will be able to manage the monsters effectively.”
“I agree. The arena must be wiped out quickly. Previously…”
“Fiona.”
“Yes?”
Sigren glanced at me. “How do you know about illegal gambling dens?”
I was taken aback by the unexpected question. My eyes widened in surprise. I hadn’t anticipated this would be his first question. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“I, I have my own sources.”
“I think our methods of gathering information overlap quite a bit.”
That couldn’t be denied. Sigren and I were on the same side and knew each other well.
I pointed to myself. “Am I under suspicion now?”
He shook his head. “No way. How could I doubt you?”
So, was he asking out of genuine curiosity?
“Because sometimes, you figure out a lot more than anyone else.”
That was quite the compliment. I laughed as casually as I could. “It’s just foresight.”
“Yeah, that’s right. Abel also highly values that.”
Both of them treated me casually, but it seemed they were pondering things internally. I realized I needed to be more cautious from now on. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com. I had been too light-hearted about many things. What might seem normal to me could appear suspicious to others. From Sigren’s perspective, my behavior might be seen as quite suspicious.
“Sigren, I’m on your side,” I said, looking at him seriously.
“I know.”
His answer was simple and straightforward. He tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear. “Even if you weren’t, it would still be fine.”
So, was I suspicious or not?
Sigren grinned as if he could read the uncertainty in my eyes. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
Was he having fun with this now?
“Don’t worry about it, Fiona.” Sigren grabbed my hand and kissed it gently. “I’m on your side too.”
“….”
I felt like my heart had sunk. I pulled my hand away from Sigren’s grasp. The back of my hand, which had touched his lips, felt warm. It must have been the mood. Let’s calm down. I hadn’t intended to spend time with him like this.
“Can I get to the point?”
“Whenever you like.”
That relaxed attitude was somehow very annoying. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
I opened my mouth while avoiding Sigren’s gaze, which followed me. “I want to take down those who run the illegal gambling den and, at the same time, destroy the crown prince’s reputation.”
“…”
“I’m going to let the crown prince enter the arena,” I replied frankly.
“Is it possible?”
“Actually, we have to try first to find out.”
The plan was simple. Through Livya, she would secretly inform the crown prince of the existence of the illegal arena and persuade him to go. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“After that?”
I simply replied, “That’s it.”
Sigren looked at me with an ‘are you sure?’ expression all over his face. “What if the crown prince is not interested in the illegal arena?”
This time, I didn’t avoid his gaze. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
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