‘Come to think of it, I had magic too. But… why wasn’t I registered as a wizard?’

If I had realized it earlier, I wouldn’t have had to endure such treatment in the Earldalyn family.

Because magic turns into money, wouldn’t I have figured out how to live on my own without running away from home, no matter what?

It would have been nice if I had known a little earlier.

As question after question arose, the soft touch of the bed was so comfortable, or perhaps because the fatigue was still lingering, drowsiness poured over.

I’m so sensitive that I was worried if I could sleep comfortably when the bed changed, but my eyelids became heavy.

Thus, Riley fell into a deep sleep for the first time in a long while.

(This is a time separator.)

“Count Ermeintz is waiting for you in the reception room.”

“He came quickly, he must have been in a hurry?”

Gibnen smiled happily.

Living to see the day when I would escort Count Ermeintz into Horizon’s reception room. Indeed, one never knows what the future holds.

Following Salk’s guidance, Gibnen strode with long legs towards the reception room.

The reception room door opened, and Count Ermeintz, looking tense, greeted Gibnen.

“Oh, come in.”

“Have you been waiting long?”

“No… you just returned? I hope I didn’t trouble you.”

“You did trouble me, and you know it. So, what’s the matter?”

Count Ermeintz fiddled with his fingertips and licked his lips.

Humiliation spread across his wrinkled face. Whether it was a story he couldn’t easily tell, or whether his pride was hurt and he couldn’t spill out that he was wrong. Either way, from Gibnen’s standpoint, it was quite amusing.

Ah, I never thought that old man would make such a face.

“……I’m sorry.”

“…….”

“I sincerely apologize to you.”

“You should apologize to my future wife, not me. It seems you’ve come to the wrong place.”

“Of, of course. If your wife wants to accept my apology, I’ll do so. But whether she would like to see me…….”

As it turns out, that makes sense. Coincidentally, this old man in front of me had hurt Riley Earldalyn twice. The first time was at the reception, and the second time was during the kidnapping.

If he’s going to apologize, it should be to Riley, but will she want to accept his facetoface apology? I wonder.

“It would be best if you just stay out of my wife’s sight.”

“Th, that’s what I’ll do.”

Count Ermeintz glanced around and got to the point.

“Can you quietly cover up this incident?”

“Hmm.”
The report on the affair was a misunderstanding, and I will issue a correction. I will also prevent the disclosure of your future wife’s personal information. I will keep it a secret for the rest of my life that she and I were discussing marriage. I swear on my name that I will never cause any more rumors regarding your wife.”

Well, I once was an honorable gentleman, but now I’m not sure if I have any honor left.

“Please, I’m begging you so earnestly.”

Gibnen crossed his legs leisurely and rolled his head. He couldn’t give an immediate answer because it would be at his own loss.

He was a businessman before he was a wizard. Maximize efficiency with minimal effort. Reap the greatest benefits with minimal investment. He couldn’t forget the teachings that he had heard over and over again in his business classes.

He was planning to bury this issue anyway. He had doubts whether Riley’s mental state could handle it if the information was spread through the media now, and it would be difficult to handle if her identity was revealed and she became the subject of public gossip.

But if the count comes to beg like this, stepping on his own feet, Gibnen had no choice but to think of how he could take advantage of the situation as much as possible.

So, what conditions should he propose?

Asking the owner of Eldras to hand over Eldras would be too much, right?

He also would prefer not to interfere with his competing son. Of course, Gibnen didn’t really want to push this part either. He knew it was a request that wouldn’t be accepted.

He should ask within a line where Count Ermeintz can compromise.

Hmm, what would be good?

Gibnen chuckled in contemplation.

“How about raising the magic stone royalty in Eldras to 5% of the revenue?”

“5% of the revenue?”

Count Ermeintz grabbed his throat. The fact that his body was swaying even while sitting showed how surprised he was.

“That’s too much.”

The existing magic stone royalty was 3% of the revenue. Since the magic stone processing technology was essential for magic tool production, he paid the royalty to Horizon, but now the amount was being raised by a full 2%. Though it was only 2%, the difference in the amount it brought was substantial.

Count Ermeintz sweated profusely.

“After all, isn’t that 2% going to fly away if your murder teacher issue explodes?”

“…”

“It’s not coercion, it’s a choice. The choice is yours. But didn’t you expect this much? Shouldn’t you consider the damage to my image caused by the affair you fabricated?”

Of course, he hadn’t been hurt at all.

‘This snakelike guy…’