Chapter 33

“How could it not, when so many people died?”

He nodded and continued.

“You’re number one. Well done.”

“This wasn’t for you, Duke. There’s no reason for you to praise me.”

It was the first time I’d ever been praised, but I felt nothing.

In response to my cold demeanor, Duke Ruthius impassively pointed to his desk.

“This is the contract. Read it.”

I read the contract.

It perfectly detailed the budget for establishing a guild, its operational plan, and even methods for generating future profits.

Furthermore, it stated that in exchange for becoming the family’s Hunter, the House of Ruthius would cover all costs associated with establishing and running the guild.

Establishing a guild was a plan I hadn’t even told Zenia.

So how did Duke Ruthius know?

‘Did he plant a spy among the Hunters?’

I was too dumbfounded to even scoff.

“On whose authority are you interfering with my guild’s establishment?”

“Was your plan not made with me in mind?”

My mouth snapped shut. I hadn’t even considered that.

I hadn’t planned to start things off on such a grand scale.

My intention was to use the money from selling the mother core to Kaiel to rent a small office, live there, and start recruiting guild members.

I’d handle the gate compensation with the money I’d squeeze out of them in exchange for becoming the family’s Hunter.

Then, once I’d made some money, I could move to a decent building and begin in earnest.

That was the plan…

‘This might be easier than I thought.’

I quickly changed the subject, my mind racing.

“What’s with these specific compensation amounts?”

“It’s only natural to differentiate compensation based on a monster’s threat level. I’ve arranged for the Magic Tower to handle the assessments.”

“That’s all well and good, but I think you’ve miscalculated the compensation. A minimum of fifty million Ruan?”

“Is that too little?”

“……”

I thought you’d accidentally added an extra zero, but you didn’t?

No wonder the projected operating funds for the guild were so enormous.

I never imagined Duke Ruthius’s scale of investment would be this massive.

‘He’s willing to lend this money indefinitely, interest-free? Isn’t that the same as just giving it to me?’

I knew he was rich, but I had no idea he was *this* rich. It was astonishing.

They say the only thing the Duke lacks compared to the Emperor is status. It seems the rumors were true.

‘If Duke Ruthius takes care of the most critical issue—the cost…’

At this rate, establishing the guild would only be a matter of time.

No matter how I looked at it, there was no reason to refuse.

‘What a windfall.’

I felt a smile coming on, but I suppressed it.

I couldn’t look like an amateur by showing how pleased I was.

I scanned the contract with a haughty air, then my eyes widened.

“Wait a minute, what’s this clause written in the fine print?”

“Which clause?”

“‘The investment shall not be reclaimed as long as Astell Ruthius resides in the Ruthius estate.’ This one! Does this mean you’ll reclaim it if I leave the estate?”

“When making an investment, one must always secure collateral. That’s how you minimize losses in case of failure.”

Does he mean to hold me hostage in case the investment fails?

To Duke Ruthius, money was like the ocean—endless, no matter how much you bailed out.

On the other hand, a number-one-ranked Hunter isn’t something you can find just anywhere.

So for Duke Ruthius, keeping me here was more profitable than the money.

I quickly flipped the contract back to the front and stared at the number written at the top.

Total Projected Investment.

Approximately 70,000,000,000 Ruan

‘Gasp, seventy billion?’

If I have to earn that much money just to get out of this wretched house…

‘Is he telling me to just become a ghost in this house? Am I crazy?’

Independence is right around the corner. I can’t let myself be blinded by money and give up now.

‘The guild can be established slowly, that’s not a problem, but I can’t stay in this house.’

The Ruthius estate was a prison to Astell.

A prison she couldn’t escape, even with the doors wide open.

I wanted to get Astell out of here. To set her free.

‘It’s a shame, but I have to give up.’

Fighting back the sting of regret, I set the contract down.

“This offer… I refuse.”

“Is that so? A pity.”

Duke Ruthius said, his expression not the least bit regretful. It was as if he had anticipated my reaction.

He nonchalantly took out another document and offered it to me.

“What’s this?”

“The second offer.”

The second contract was very simple.

[In exchange for becoming the family’s Hunter, Axion Ruthius shall pay Astell Ruthius 30,000,000 Ruan per month.]

Fearing I’d be stabbed in the back, I read it over carefully several times, but there were no hidden traps.

According to these terms, it was more than enough to execute my original plan.

‘And there’s no poison pill clause about having to live in the estate.’

In fact, the monthly salary was three times what I’d expected, which would ease the burden of the initial capital.

‘With this much, I can start off quite comfortably.’

I stroked my chin, pretending to consider it seriously, while hiding the smile that threatened to break out.

“Hmm, could you pay six months’ worth upfront as a signing bonus?”

“That would be one hundred and eighty million. If you wish, it can be done immediately.”

“Then I’ll agree to these terms. The compensation isn’t entirely to my liking, but we can add a special provision for the contract to be renewed annually.”

Duke Ruthius readily added the provision I requested, then wrote another line below it.

“What are you doing?”

“I also thought of a special provision to add.”

“If you have something like that, you should discuss it with me before adding it to the contract. What is it?”

“That the contract will be terminated the moment your ranking drops. Since the fault would lie with you, you would also have to pay the penalty.”

“How much is the penalty?”

“The penalty is typically set at ten times the signing bonus.”

“……”

Ten times one hundred and eighty million Ruan is 1.8 billion Ruan.

‘I have to pay 1.8 billion if my rank drops? What kind of daylight robbery is this?’

Seeing my dumbfounded expression, Duke Ruthius’s lips twisted into a smirk.

“You seem to be lacking in confidence.”

“…Me? Your eyesight must be getting worse, Duke. You should eat more blueberries. I hear they’re good for aging eyes.”

A vein twitched slightly on Duke Ruthius’s smooth forehead.

I scoffed and signed the bottom of the contract.

“There, I’ve signed. You’ve finally acquired the world’s number-one-ranked Hunter. How does it feel?”

“We’ll see. Ranks can change at any time, can’t they? I am, however, concerned about whether you’ll be able to afford the penalty.”

“……”

I can say with certainty that his insufferable personality must be congenital.

Not something that changed because of a loved one’s death.

“Oh, right. There’s something I need to tell you.”

“What is it?”

“I’m planning to move out.”

“When?”

“As soon as I find a place.”

“…It will be difficult to find a house in the capital.”

“I’ll manage.”

“Do as you wish. However, you must find a proper house.”

Duke Ruthius’s reaction was utterly indifferent.

Now that he had secured me as the Ruthius family’s Hunter, he probably didn’t care about anything else, as long as I lived in a house that wouldn’t bring shame upon them.

In any case, moving out wasn’t my true revenge, so it didn’t matter.

‘But why is there such a bitter taste in my mouth?’

I swallowed a bitter laugh and stood up.

“Let me ask you one thing. How on earth did you know about the guild?”

“Your question is wrong.”

“Pardon?”

“You shouldn’t be asking me how I know, but who else knows.”

“……”

That was the meaning behind Duke Ruthius’s words.

Someone else knows about your plan.

The problem was that this person might also try to interfere with my plans, just like Duke Ruthius.

Or they might establish a guild themselves.

After all, anyone with enough money and a good reason can start a guild.

‘Who could it be?’

Someone with an information network and financial resources on par with Duke Ruthius.

But such people were extremely rare.

‘Wait, why is he telling me this?’

Ah, is that it? A warning not to even think about joining hands with anyone else but him?

Thinking that sounded plausible, I turned to leave.

“I’ll be going now.”

“Very well.”

After a business-like farewell with Duke Ruthius, I went up to the fourth floor.

And as soon as I entered my bedroom, I dramatically flopped onto the bed.

“My lady, you should take off your dress before you sleep.”

“Later.”

“You look very tired. Rest for a little while. I’ll prepare a bath and a meal for when you wake.”

Zenia quietly left the bedroom.

I, who had been pretending to be asleep with my eyes closed, quickly sat up in bed. A searing pain coursed through my body.

“Ugh… damn it.”