Lord Baby Runs A Romance Fantasy With Cash [EN]: Chapter 242

Running the Romance Fantasy with Baby Bucks – Episode 242

☆ Chapter 242 ☆

* * *

“What on earth is the Paeraton Duchess thinking?”

“Raising the price of black gold, which she monopolizes!”

Nobles grumbled at the sudden surge in prices.

Those directly hit by this price increase were, of course, the nobles and the bourgeois class, which made them even more vocal.

Few common households used magical tools extensively, and even if they did, they used mana stones, which were less efficient than black gold, so they were unaffected.

Even as newspapers churned out articles tailored to the tastes of the nobles, decrying the price increase, the citizens scoffed, “What’s it to us?”

After all, it was Ruatisha who had laid the foundation for ordinary citizens to use magical tools, even in a small way.

In the past, mana stones were so expensive that they couldn’t even dream of using magical tools, but with the advent of black gold, the demand for mana stones from nobles and the wealthy decreased.

Thanks to this, the price of mana stones dropped, and naturally, citizens were able to use magical tools one by one.

The use of magical tools was truly a revolution in everyday life.

Citizens, realizing the benefits of black gold, felt a great affinity for the Ansur Merchant Guild.

And to think that the head of that guild was Duchess Paeraton!

“Although the Saintess has appeared, Duchess Paeraton is still the one who helps us the most.”

“But what if the nobles buy mana stones again? Then the price of mana stones will rise again.”

“Don’t worry about that. The things the nobles use can’t be powered by mana stones.”

“Really? Haha, we’ll get to see the nobles suffer for once.”

The more luxurious and high-performing the luxury goods used by the nobles, the more mana they required. They couldn’t switch to less efficient mana stones now.

“They can’t even light the garden without black gold! Isn’t it terrible? How can they suddenly raise the price like that?”

Camellia Poshette listened to the ladies complaining beside her, tilting her head.

‘What on earth is Ruatisha thinking?’

It seemed her grandfather had figured out Ruatisha’s intentions.

But she couldn’t understand at all.

‘Everyone is pouring out resentment and blame towards Ruatisha.’

Camellia frowned.

“She’s become arrogant because she’s a Paeraton and has the Ansur Merchant Guild in her hands.”

“That’s right. It’s a bit too much. …But.”

The lady, pausing slightly, looked around with a sly look.

“Even if the price has risen, it’s not like we can’t afford to buy black gold. Has your family’s fortune declined a lot lately?”

“What?! N, no way!”

“Oh, is that so? I was just wondering. If you have any difficulties, let me know. We have enough resources to buy black gold in large quantities. We’re friends, so we can help you out if necessary.”

The lady fanned herself with a fan, smiling sweetly.

A price increase tends to instill a sense of superiority in someone.

“Lady Poshette doesn’t seem to have any complaints either, right?”

Camellia nodded at the sudden question directed at her.

“Huh? Well, no. My grandfather doesn’t seem to dislike it either. Rather—”

He laughed as if it were amusing.

“That’s right. Even if the price of black gold doubles or triples, it wouldn’t affect the Poshette Marquisate at all. It’s the same for us.”

The lady subtly appealed to a sense of camaraderie, but Camellia nodded without thinking.

The atmosphere subtly shifted, dividing the group into two.

It was then.

“What are you talking about?”

“S, Saintess Your Holiness.”

The ladies were flustered and stood up from their seats.

Only Camellia remained seated.

“L, Lady Poshette. You must pay your respects to the Saintess.”

“She hasn’t even had her inauguration ceremony yet, has she?”

“Still…”

“Lady Poshette is right. And even if I am inaugurated, I hope we don’t have to be so formal among close friends.”

The ladies smiled happily at the words ‘close friends’.

“But what were you talking about?”

“Well, it’s about the price of black gold. Isn’t Duchess Paeraton being too much by suddenly raising it twofold like this?”

“Raising the price is Lulu’s decision. We can’t force her to do anything.”

The lady who had been quick to tattle on them had a darkened expression at those words.

Liliel smiled and added.

“But I wish she would think of others. That’s what’s disappointing. Money is important, of course. But hurting others by excessively pursuing one’s own interests… I don’t think that’s right.”

“That’s what I mean! But there are some people who don’t care how expensive it is.”

The lady glanced at another lady as she spoke.

The lady who had said earlier that she had ‘enough resources to not care’ looked resentful but didn’t say anything more in front of Liliel.

Amidst the commotion, Camellia was lost in thought.

She was so concerned and curious about what Ruatisha was thinking, given the negative reactions.

Ruatisha had been her rival since she was very young.

But to create such a controversy.

“By the way, have you heard? That Duchess Paeraton is holed up at home and not meeting anyone.”

“So everyone went to her house, but Prince Zion suddenly came out and exuded murderous intent.”

“Prince Zion is scary to begin with, but he was so angry that day, it was no joke.”

“But then Duchess Paeraton won’t be coming to the Saintess’s inauguration ceremony, will she?”

“Of course not. Would she come? The duchess has been the center of attention until now, but all the attention will be focused on Your Holiness that day.”

At those words, Liliel shook her head.

“Lulu isn’t someone who cares about that. She recognized and accepted me from the moment we accidentally ran into each other at the Imperial Palace. So she will definitely come to my inauguration ceremony.”

‘What?’

At those words, Camellia, who had been silent, raised her head and looked at Liliel.

“As expected of the Saintess. It’s not often that Duchess Paeraton recognizes someone at first sight.”

“Come to think of it, isn’t Your Holiness the only person among those recognized by the duchess who hasn’t been co-opted?”

“Perhaps Duchess Paeraton has finally found someone she can call a rival.”

“Rival? How can our Saintess, who purifies evil spirits, be compared to Duchess Paeraton?”

“Why are you all saying that? Lulu and I are just in a relationship where we recognize each other. We had a competition last time, but we are not rivals. I’m dreaming of the day I can work with the duchess.”

Seeing Liliel smiling, Poshette bit her lip.

‘That nasty bitch.’

Ruatisha is always like that.

She never cares about her and only pays attention to others.

‘I didn’t like her from the first time I met her.’

She had her desired dress stolen by Ruatisha and was completely defeated at the dawn festival.

As she grew up, she clashed with her in small and big ways in the system, but Camellia also knew.

Ruatisha had never really paid attention to her.

‘I have to win this time.’

Then Ruatisha will see her differently.

Camellia stood up abruptly.

“Lady Poshette?”

Liliel called out in surprise, but Camellia glared at her.

‘What’s so great about being a Saintess?’

Hmph, Camellia scoffed and left the hall.

“Don’t worry about it. Lady Poshette always acts a bit recklessly. She’s headstrong in a different way from Duchess Paeraton.”

“I was surprised that you called Lady Poshette today.”

“The Poshette Marquisate may be a prestigious family, but Lady Poshette is a bit…”

“Is that so?”

Liliel tilted her head and smiled.

“I like Lady Poshette.”

Her golden eyes reflected the back of Camellia, stomping out in anger.

‘There aren’t many people who act impulsively without thinking about the consequences and cause trouble for Lulu.’

Liliel took a sip of iced tea and fell into thought.

‘But will Lulu really come to my inauguration ceremony?’

Either way was fine.

Whether she came and was compared to her and felt inferior.

Or didn’t come at all and was compared and criticized for being narrow-minded and jealous.

‘Either way, the result is the same.’

* * *

The day of the Saintess’s inauguration ceremony.

The Parmanas Hall of the Central Grand Temple was opened.

It was for the inauguration ceremony of the Saintess, who had been born for the first time in hundreds of years.

The crowd gathered in front of the Grand Temple was so large that it looked like a mountain and sea of people.

Even those who were not devout wanted to witness this historic event.

Even if they couldn’t enter the hall, everyone was eager to see the Saintess emerge after the inauguration ceremony.

‘This is really amazing. It’s comparable to the Emperor’s coronation.’

‘It seems like more people have gathered than for the inauguration ceremony of Crown Prince Esteban last time?’

The nobles inside the hall clicked their tongues at the people gathered outside.

But only for a moment, as everyone’s attention was focused on one place.

The Saintess appeared inside the Parmanas Hall.

Liliel, wearing the Saintess’s robes, walked towards the Pope.

The priests and nobles inside the hall gasped at the sight.

Her silver hair shone with a clean and clear light, so pure that it would not allow any impurity.

Liliel, adorned in a flawless white robe embroidered with silver and gold threads, was the epitome of nobility.

The Saintess’s inauguration ceremony was very meticulous and slow, following the etiquette.

Every step contained the will of God, and every glass of water held the tears of God.

It could have been boring, but people were overwhelmed by Liliel’s appearance and held their breath.

Liliel allowed the Pope to smear lamb’s blood on her forehead, glancing around.

‘She didn’t come.’

Ruatisha’s face was nowhere to be seen.

Not only Ruatisha but also no one from the Paeraton Duchy was present.

The Paeraton Duchy would have been seated near the Emperor according to their rank, but the fact that they weren’t visible here meant they really hadn’t come.

‘……I wanted to see her distorted face in person.’

It was a pity, but she would be able to see it often now.

‘The power is rising.’

This meant that her influence was growing stronger.

Soon, the long procedure was over.

Liliel smiled and walked on the red carpet laid in the hall.

Now, she just had to go out and show herself to the humans who were eagerly waiting for her.

‘If this appearance is directly imprinted on the humans, the influence will explode even more!’

Even the high-flying Ruatisha wouldn’t be able to imitate this appearance of the Saintess.

‘In the end, Ruatisha, you are no match for me. Thank you for your hard work.’

As Liliel reached the door, the closed door opened silently.

Liliel stepped out with an elegant gait.

With a benevolent smile for the people who would be endlessly visible below the balcony.

However.

“……?”

The scene below the balcony was completely different from what she had expected.

The crowd that had been as vast as an endless sea was nowhere to be seen, and an empty square greeted Liliel.

Of course, there were people, but it was almost as if there were none compared to before.

Even among the people who remained, there were groups turning their backs and leaving the temple grounds.

Liliel’s face hardened.

“What on earth……”

A groan-like word escaped her lips.

Behind Liliel, the voices of people murmuring in the hall could be heard.

“Oh my, what’s going on? Everyone has left?”

“Weren’t they waiting to see the Saintess?”

“But they just left? Oh my goodness……”

The Saintess with the power of Pasa [divine power].

Of course, she was great.

But seeing someone who had seemed so sacred and great just a moment ago suddenly become like this before their eyes……

“What should the Saintess do……”

“That’s too bad……”

“It’s a bit pitiful……”

To be honest, the illusion of the Saintess had to be shattered.

Listening to those pitying whispers, Liliel gripped the railing of the balcony tightly.

There was only one person who could have done this.

‘Ruatisha Paeraton……!’

Veins popped out on her white hand.

‘That bitch, you finally did it!’

I jumped out of the carriage with a hop, escorted by my dad.

Dad chuckled and pressed down on my head.

“You’re just like you were when you were little.”

“I’m all grown up now, okay?”

“Yeah, yeah.”

Dad smiled slightly and moved his feet.

The novice priest standing in front of Parmanas Hall was startled and bowed to Dad.

“Y, Your Excellency Duke Paeraton.”

He probably didn’t expect us to come now at all.

Well, it was understandable.

The inauguration ceremony itself had long ended, and now a party was being held to commemorate the inauguration ceremony.

‘It’s common to attend the inauguration ceremony even if you don’t attend the party. It’s the complete opposite.’

Moreover, it was long past the start of the party.

It was an awkward time to appear.

‘But the main character is always late.’

I smiled brightly and said to the novice priest.

“Something came up and I was late. But I still wanted to congratulate Riri on her Saintess inauguration. Can I go in?”

“O, of course, Your Highness. It’s an honor.”

The novice priest, his face flushed red, stepped aside.

‘Liliel wouldn’t think it’s an honor at all.’

Thinking that, I took light steps.

“Who are you looking at with that nasty face?”

“He has an eye for beauty, at least.”

“I would have taken care of that bastard if it wasn’t for today.”

I ignored the brothers muttering behind me.

Soon, the tightly closed door of the hall opened.

‘Okay, it’s cider time [time for things to get interesting].’