For Sale: Male Lead, Obsession Included - Chapter 146

After waving goodbye to Jin, I headed elsewhere.

It was to get the keys to my house. Just as I was debating whether to go to the real estate office or visit Ribolto at the merchant guild, I heard a familiar voice calling out to me.

“Lady Estira.”

When I sharply turned toward the direction the voice came from, a cold-looking man was walking toward me.

With two attendants in tow, he gave off the unmistakable aura of a wealthy man, one that practically smelled of money even from afar.

“Mr. Ribolto?”

“It’s been a long time. You arrived safely as scheduled, I see.”

“Yes! Have you been well? Thank you as well for the health drinks you sent every time. I enjoyed them.”

Still sporting his signature sharp bob haircut, Ribolto approached me with a smile so precise it looked as if it had been measured with a ruler.

“You’ve grown so much I barely recognize you. Your atmosphere has changed quite a bit too.”

“My atmosphere?”

“Yes. Before… you looked gloomy. The current Lady Estira looks bright.”

“I rested really well in Dongguk.”

Hehe. Feeling a bit embarrassed, I scratched my plumpened cheek and accepted the house key he handed me.

“The construction was fully completed some time ago. I had people bring in furniture, so I hope it suits your taste.”

“Thank you so much for taking care of even my little requests. From purchasing the building, to hiring the mercenary group, to delivering updates…”

When I clasped my hands in front of my chest and thanked him with a genuinely grateful expression, Ribolto adjusted his glasses and replied stiffly, almost mechanically.

“It’s all paid work. Which is to say, there’s no need to be overly grateful or apologetic.”

“Ah…?”

If that’s the case, then this just got easier to talk about.

Letting out a small ah, I relaxed the hands I’d clasped in front of my chest.

Saying there were too many eyes around, he suggested we continue the conversation while riding in his carriage. Wondering just how many eyes there could be, I glanced around briefly, then quickly trotted over to the carriage.

“In the past few years, I’ve become quite wealthy.”

“It certainly looks that way.”

“The merchant guild and the bank are both running smoothly. It’s all thanks to your investment and intel.”

A soulless response he’d probably given to all his investors.

Listening to Ribolto’s words of thanks, I settled my backside into the plush carriage cushions.

After informing his attendants of the time he’d be spending with me, Ribolto continued speaking briskly.

‘So it really is true that rich people divide their time by the second.’

“As you requested, the building has been placed under my name. I’ll make arrangements so you can have it transferred at any time. As for the trade route development with Dongguk you mentioned, based on what I’ve looked into…”

“Ah, Mr. Ribolto, sorry to interrupt, but what do you think about developing a sea route instead of an overland one?”

“A sea route… I admit it’s not something I’ve seriously considered. Likely because the belief that the sea is ominous is still widespread.”

I took out the map I always carried with me and traced the sea route I’d traveled with my finger.

“By land, you have to detour aaall the way around like this, but the sea route goes straight through. Contrary to what people fear, there are no sea monsters, and as long as you watch out for pirate ships, it’s not particularly dangerous. On top of that, since there aren’t any proper trade ships yet, if the sea route were developed into a trade route…”

“I’d become the first pioneer, and rake in a huge sum of money.”

As expected, a born merchant was different. He studied the sea route closely, lost in thought, and I almost imagined hearing the rapid clacking of an abacus inside his head.

“Why didn’t I ever consider using the sea route? Just because of old myths… I’ll begin investigating immediately. As for the initial investment, will it be covered by you as well, Lady Estira?”

“…It’ll be quite expensive, won’t it?”

“That’s true, but even just the interest on your deposits must already amount to a significant sum. And from what I understand, the convenience store business you plan to start doesn’t require massive initial capital.”

Sharp. Very sharp.

As if worried I might say I wouldn’t invest in a new venture, his already sharp gaze grew even keener.

It wasn’t that I lacked money. I could easily place a generous bet on the investment. But my goal was an extremely expensive residency permit, so it wasn’t something I could spend recklessly.

When I hesitated slightly, Ribolto spoke to me in his usual confident and calm tone.

“There will be no failure.”

“Could you send the contract to my room?”

Why doubt a trustworthy businessman who would grow my investment while I sat still.

Moreover, Ribolto’s business sense had already been proven in the original story and in the present situation. This investment was clearly a deal I wouldn’t lose.

I immediately met Ribolto’s gaze and smiled a capitalist smile.

If Ribolto succeeds in developing the sea route.

‘Maybe… I’ll be able to gather enough money to buy a residency permit pretty quickly.’

An amount of money incomparable to what I’d earn from a convenience store alone would fall into my hands.

Then I could run the convenience store as a hobby until Ribolto succeeded.

With a deepened smile, I clasped his hand.

“I’m looking forward to working with you, Mr. Ribolto.”

“The pleasure is mine. My precious investor.”

After the carriage made a small loop and dropped me off in front of my house, I noticed a carriage parked across the street that I hadn’t seen earlier.

“Hm?”