Chapter 50
As I opened the door into Ribolto’s office, I was about to step inside when… I caught a glimpse of something white and fluffy disappearing quickly?
‘Huh?’
Something fluffy, moving?
Whatever it was, it vanished so fast that I couldn’t make out what it had been. But before I could dwell on it, Ribolto’s voice interrupted my thoughts, inviting me to sit.
“Wasn’t there something white here just now?”
I asked as I sat down on the sofa. Ribolto fixed me with his sharp gaze.
“No. There was nothing like that.”
His tone was so firm that it almost made me feel embarrassed for asking. The way he shut down my question so sharply made me wonder if I had truly imagined seeing that white fluff.
“More importantly, is it true that you’re interested in investing in my business.”
Hearing Ribolto’s businesslike voice, I pushed aside my curiosity. I was here to accomplish a specific goal, and it was more important to address that first. So, I responded to his swift transition to the business discussion.
“…Yes. I plan to invest 1,000 gold as initial capital in your next venture with Renauvo Bank.”
“Where did you get that kind of money…?”
“You know, don’t you? That I helped bring back Young Duke Ragnar.”
Ribolto adjusted his silver-rimmed glasses with a smooth gesture.
‘Playing dumb even though he knows everything.’
Although Declan’s return under the Duke’s protection was kept a secret from the public, someone as well-informed as Ribolto, especially about the inner workings of the duchy, wouldn’t be in the dark.
He likely also knew why I had risked my life to escape.
“If the Duke’s family knew we were discussing this, both your tongue and mine might be in danger.”
“Are you trying to rope me into being an accomplice?”
“Something like that.”
Ribolto shrugged, showing a faint smile I hadn’t seen before.
“From the way you’re speaking, it seems that the 1,000 gold isn’t a simple donation.”
Sensing that the conversation was going to be a long one, Ribolto reached for his teacup. His sharp silver hair, cut meticulously, gently swayed as he moved. As a businessman, he understood better than anyone that nothing came for free in this world.
“Thank you for understanding.”
Smiling lightly, I slid a piece of paper across the table. Ribolto picked it up and scanned it quickly, his expression growing puzzled as he looked at me silently.
***
Ribolto.
A genius entrepreneur who had come up from the southern continent and, within a few years, established a well-known trading company and bank in the Lubrun Empire.
In the original novel, his character was described as a skilled businessman with a lot of money, useful to the main characters but a cold-blooded man who wouldn’t move without compensation.
In the novel, Ribolto played a key role in funding Declan and the other main characters when they went up against the temple. He also had solid trade routes that were vital for transporting war supplies.
As far as I remember, Ribolto’s involvement ended there. He wasn’t entangled with characters like Rozemian or any other woman, nor was he a troublemaker who caused frustrating obstacles.
That was why I had chosen to stay close to him—he was neither exceptional nor incompetent.
‘But…’
His almost prophetic actions, like sending me the letter and the magical artifact before I even knew I needed it…
‘It’s as if he’s a priest who’s received divine revelations.’
If he truly had received a divine message, that would mean he possessed a significant amount of divine power, elevating his importance in this world. But I don’t recall ever reading in the original that Ribolto was a religious man, nor did he have much influence on the overall plot.
‘So, did the future change? Was it because of me?’
It wasn’t impossible. After all, it was common in these kinds of stories for the plot to shift once a reincarnated character started making different choices.
‘Hmm. What’s going on?’
I stared at Ribolto, who was waiting in silence as if expecting me to speak. I decided to go ahead and ask what was on my mind. Whether or not he would give me a straightforward answer was another matter entirely.
“…Back when you delivered that magical artifact—the one I secretly ordered for decoding. How did you know I needed it?”
“…Yes, I remember that.”
“And how did you know I also needed the cooling device to break the lock?”
Clink.
Ribolto raised an eyebrow and gently set his teacup down on the table.
“What does that have to do with our business discussion?”
“It’s simple. Trust is crucial when it comes to deals.”
He adjusted his glasses, even though they hadn’t slipped, and shifted his gaze from the teacup to me.
“Alright. I’ll tell you.”
…That easily?
Honestly, I was surprised. Given his mysterious aura, I had expected him to refuse to answer, claiming it was a secret.
I had even prepared a second and third plan in case he declined, so I was caught off guard by his willingness to explain.
I watched him intently as he took a short breath, clasping his hands over his crossed legs.
Was he really a priest with the power to see the future?
After what felt like a long silence, but was probably only a few seconds, Ribolto finally opened his mouth to speak.
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