Chapter 44

Nazlee widened her eyes as if she had just heard something shocking.

 

“W-why…?”

 

“I can’t leave because of the trading company’s work.”

 

“It’s the first Hunting Festival in years, and you’re not going because of work? That’s terrible. I’m sure you want to attend, my lady…”

 

“I’m fine.”

 

Bang—

 

Without even knocking, the office door swung open, and Kenny entered looking utterly deflated.

 

“M-my lady… Are you not attending the Hunting Festival because of… me?”

 

She must have overheard the conversation while preparing tea. Kenny set the silver tray she had been holding onto the table and continued.

 

“Are you not attending because you’re afraid the trading company won’t run properly with only me left in charge…?”

 

I had to fix this immediately.

 

“No! You misunderstood, Kenny!”

 

“My lady… I’ll work harder—I’ll make sure I pull my full weight. So please go to the Hunting Festival.”

 

But my words didn’t reach her. Kenny began to tear up.

 

“That’s not it. It’s just… the company is busy these days.”

 

“But the Hunting Festival is just one day… I can handle things alone for that much.”

 

“Lady Lilithia, if you’re worried about your employee, you needn’t be. She treated me very kindly.”

 

Nazlee joined in, adding strength to Kenny’s plea. It wasn’t because I doubted Kenny that I wasn’t going.

 

“I’ve grown a bit too, so please trust me.”

 

“Of course I trust you!”

 

Kenny rolled up her sleeves and clenched her fists.

 

“Then please attend the Hunting Festival! I’ll show you I can handle it!”

 

“Your employee is saying this much, Lady Lilithia. Please come with me to the festival.”

 

Nazlee’s sparkling eyes and Kenny’s confident gaze both fixated on me. It was too much. Eventually, I raised the white flag.

 

“…Fine.”

 

“Yay!”

 

Nazlee burst into cheers.

 

“I’m so happy! I get to attend the festival with you, Lady Lilithia!”

 

“My lady, I’ll do my best.”

 

“Congratulations, miss employee!”

 

“It’s all thanks to you!”

 

Watching the two of them bounce with excitement, I let out a helpless laugh. Thanks to their unexpected alliance, I ended up agreeing to go to the Hunting Festival.

 

*This wasn’t the plan…*

 

 

***

 

 

First, I visited the Imperial Bank branch to return the check that had been mistakenly sent to me. The Imperial Bank was state-run, directly operated by the government.

 

Armed guards stood at the entrance in strict formation. After a short wait, a bank clerk greeted me.

 

“How may I assist you today?”

 

“I’d like to make a transfer.”

 

“Then may I see your identification?”

 

I handed over my papers.

 

“Lady Lilithia Baimery, daughter of Baron Baimery. Please write the recipient and amount here.”

 

He verified my identity and handed me a form. In the Empire’s banking system, knowing the name was enough to transfer money to someone’s personal account.

 

I filled in the blank spaces.

 

Recipient: Freyer Lundberg.

 

Amount: 1,000 gold coins.

 

When the clerk received the form, his face drained of color.

 

“A-are you really sending this to… F-Freyer L-Lundberg?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“A-and the amount is truly 1,000 gold coins…?”

 

“That’s right. And here’s the money.”

 

I handed him the check I’d been keeping in my pouch. His hand visibly trembled.

 

‘What’s wrong with him?’

 

The clerk suddenly sprang to his feet.

 

“P-please! This way to the VIP room!”

 

“I just need to make a transfer…”

 

But he hurriedly ushered me to the VIP room. I sat there blinking in confusion until a man who looked like the branch manager rushed in.

 

“I heard you wished to make a transfer, madam.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

“I will personally assist you!”

 

He kept stealing glances at me as he gathered the paperwork.

 

“You wish to send 1,000 gold coins to His Highness, the Second Prince Freyer Lundberg, correct?”

 

“Yes. Is something wrong?”

 

“N-no! Nothing is wrong at all!”

 

He watched me carefully.

 

“You must run a tremendous business…”

 

“It’s not that big… I just operate a small trading company.”

 

“I suspected as much! So you are the head of the Baimery Trading Company! Seeing such a large amount transferred to His Highness’s account, I thought you must be extraordinary!”

 

“…What?”

 

While I sat bewildered, the manager kept smiling and talking.

 

“We would be honored if you continue using our branch. And we will strive to support Baimery Trading Company in every way possible. So please, while small tasks like transfers are welcome—”

 

Realizing his wording, he frantically waved his hands.

 

“Not that money sent to His Highness is small, of course! We also accept donations for public welfare, and we offer loans and asset management services to make your experience comfortable, so please visit often!”

 

“Uh…”

 

He had completely misunderstood the situation. He must have believed our trading company had strong ties with the Imperial Family.

 

“The funds have already been deposited into His Highness’s account!”

 

There was no point correcting him—my words wouldn’t reach him anyway. He piled my arms full of gifts and personally escorted me all the way to the entrance.

 

“Thank you for choosing our bank!”

 

It was a ridiculous misunderstanding, but at least the money had been properly sent.

 

There would probably be no reason to meet Freyer again. Well… unless he came to redeem his wish coupon.

 

“If it’s something related to trading company goods, I can just make Kenny handle it.”

 

With that thought, I felt much lighter.

 

 

***

 

 

Immersed in the trading company’s work, the days passed quickly. Soon, the Hunting Festival was upon us. I headed to the Central Tower branch of the Mage Tower with Winnie and Norman.

 

The festival’s location was the Spruce Forest, surrounded by the rocky mountains of the northwest. It took several days by horse or carriage from the capital.

 

But thanks to the festival, the Central Tower allowed nobles to use their teleportation gate. A few nobles were already lined up, so I joined the queue.

 

“My lady, don’t enter dangerous areas.”

 

“We won’t be by your side this time, so please be extra careful!”

 

Their concern was understandable. Personal attendants were forbidden; only official imperial staff were allowed inside the festival grounds, supposedly for safety measures.

 

“Don’t worry!”

 

There were boundary magic circles installed, so it should be safe. Besides, I had no intention of leaving the campsite tent.

 

“Next. Please step forward.”

 

At the mage’s call, I waved to them.

 

“Watch the house while I’m gone! I’ll be right back.”

 

“Safe travels, my lady!”

 

“Please return without a single scratch.”

 

The gate looked like a circular elevator. I stepped inside, and the mage began explaining.

 

“This gate will transport you to Spruce Forest. Are you Lady Lilithia Baimery?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“This teleportation may cause slight motion sickness due to spatial distortion. It is extremely rare, so don’t worry.”

 

Teleportation magic. This world really was different.

 

‘If such technology existed back home, I wouldn’t have had to cram myself into buses and subways every morning… though the fare would’ve probably doubled.’

 

I glanced around the gate as the mage inspected the device. Soon, he spoke:

 

“Beginning teleportation.”

 

I nodded. The doors closed.

 

“I’ll just treat this like going for a walk in the woods.”

 

Since I couldn’t use a bow or sword anyway, I planned to pretend to participate and then quietly rest in my tent. I hadn’t had a break in so long—I deserved to do nothing.

 

Wuuuuung—

 

The space vibrated like waves crashing over my body. The scenery blurred.

 

“Is… is this normal?”

 

I had never been teleported before. Maybe this was the side effect he mentioned. The dizziness worsened.

 

Ziiiiing—

 

A sharp ringing filled my head. A crushing pressure clogged my ears. The world spun violently. I clutched my head and collapsed against the wall. Pain tore through every inch of my body.

 

“Ugh…”

 

My body twisted uncontrollably. My vision darkened; I couldn’t breathe. The pain was so severe a scream escaped me.

 

“S-someone… help…”

 

It felt like being sucked into a black hole, every cell being ripped apart. And then—

 

—I lost consciousness.