SWNOVELXO Chapter 5
Chapter 5: The Forget-Me-Not Princess (4)
In conclusion, for now, the priesthood was given a polite refusal.
No matter how much I had resolved to practically rebel against the king, pledging allegiance to the Order immediately was not an option.
Isn’t that obvious?
Even if I had become the only one of my kind in the kingdom, it was too great a loss to set aside my status as a princess and take on the identity of a priestess.
It would mean shifting power from royal authority to divine authority.
That would not leave me with enough lives to spare.
A father who had no affection for me, and an extended family that didn’t exist in the first place.
The only faction that could even remotely be considered my supporters was the Mage Tower, and if I received priestly ordination, even that would be lost.
"Please rest assured. I will handle this matter so that it does not cause any trouble for you, Your Highness. Fortunately, given the nature of the leaked information, we should be able to determine who passed it on rather quickly."
"I trust only you, Master Dúnedain."
Fortunately, the Mage Tower had no intention of neglecting the kingdom’s only life magician, who had appeared after a long wait.
From the start, they were enthusiastic about having someone with the title of ‘Master’—one of the top five within the entire Pélancia Mage Tower—as my mentor.
They were also highly cooperative in resolving the 'issue' related to the Order.
Well, it was only natural that the Mage Tower would be enraged.
After finally establishing a connection with the royal family and securing someone who could elevate their standing, the Order had tried to claim me first using information that only a select few within the Mage Tower should have known.
I had no way of knowing exactly what measures they had taken, but for several months afterward, there were no further attempts to approach or contact me.
It was clear that they had made every effort to create an environment where I could focus entirely on learning magic.
Thus, for those few months, I concentrated on mastering the art of handling life mana.
Before I could enlist in the military or receive priestly ordination, I first needed to develop at least a basic level of proficiency.
"Your Highness learns applications quite quickly. Have you ever received professional-level mathematics training?"
"Not really. I just found it interesting, so I read some books on my own."
"Mathematics, you say? Your Highness truly seems destined for magic."
At the very least, I had succeeded in reaching the minimum standard—learning a few practical spells.
And what should have taken at least six months, I managed in just two.
Now, the problem was how to refine my skills further.
"With that in mind, I want to open a relief center, even if only temporarily."
"A relief center? Well, given the type of magic Your Highness has learned, that could be a suitable method. However, the Order will not provide any support. The Mage Tower could offer some funding, but…"
"Oh, don’t worry about that. I’ve accumulated quite a bit of my private funds over time."
It was essentially a form of dignity maintenance allowance.
As a formal member of the royal family, I was expected to purchase clothing, jewelry, and accessories.
But instead of spending it on such things, I had diligently saved it.
"May I ask how much you have?"
"Enough to buy a small building in the slums, set up a relief center, and hire a few people. Master, what I need from you isn’t money, but people."
"The slums? Your Highness plans to establish a relief center in the slums? Wouldn’t it be better to reconsider? Even the Order does not enter the slums. That place is far too unfit for Your Highness."
That was an unexpected revelation.
I had assumed that if a relief center or medical facility were to be established, the slums would be the priority.
But it turned out that the very place in most desperate need of such facilities had none.
"Logically, aren’t the slums the place that needs a relief center or medical facility the most? For the Order, which depends heavily on public support, it should be a critical area they wouldn’t want to neglect."
"Logically, that’s true. However, also logically, even if you run a relief center or medical facility in the slums, there are few who would acknowledge it. That place… does not have many who would view such actions favorably."
In other words, the slums were too low in quality to even show charity.
They were a hotbed of crime, wielded virtually no political influence, and held a poor reputation among the middle-class citizens, who had some degree of political sway.
That was understandable.
Though I had never been there myself, I was certain that the stench was overwhelming and that it was filled with all sorts of criminal activity.
Many people were likely troubled by the very existence of the slums.
And at the same time, there were also many who had no choice but to live there.
"That’s exactly why it’s the perfect place to test and refine my abilities, isn’t it? Even if my proficiency is low and the effects aren’t perfect, the people there aren’t in a position to complain."
That sounded like a plausible excuse.
Trying to justify it by saying the poor were pitiable or in need of help wouldn’t be convincing in this situation.
So, I needed to frame it in a way that would actually be persuasive.
"Hmm… I suppose that is one way to think about it. However, the slums are still… too dangerous, Your Highness. While no organized group would dare to oppose the royal family, there could be individuals who are not in their right mind."
Master Dúnedain had a point.
Within the Pélancia Kingdom, there was no group in the slums that would openly defy the royal family.
However, that didn’t mean there wouldn’t be some lunatic who might try to attack me.
Whether they were under the influence of drugs or simply unhinged from the start.
"Did you forget? I am a princess. Before my magic manifested, I was a princess in name only, but ever since then, I’ve gained a certain degree of influence. Some nobles have even approached me to establish ties, and within the royal family, I now have a voice. Though still a faint one."
The nobles who sought me out were mostly insignificant, and my voice in the royal family was limited to matters concerning my personal life.
I still wasn’t even allowed to approach the tower where my mother was confined.
Even so, no one would go so far as to stop me from spending my private funds to display royal charity.
In fact, I might even be able to secure some official support.
"How much support do you expect from the royal family?"
"At the very least, I should be able to bring along a small unit of my palace guards. Probably about half of my company."
The number of royal guards currently stationed at my detached palace was just over a hundred.
According to the captain, that was about half of a full-strength unit.
Originally, it had been just around twenty men, but it had increased significantly due to my growing value in the kingdom.
And about half of them could accompany me as I trained my magic while also showcasing royal benevolence in the slums.
"If it’s the royal guards, that should be fine. We often rely on them during dungeon explorations and subjugation missions. Even against the roughest types in the slums, each guard could handle at least six opponents alone."
"Right? Then I’ll prepare the relief center as soon as possible. I’ll take it that the Mage Tower will be cooperating, Master."
"Of course, Your Highness. I will begin preparations immediately."
Purchasing and renovating a building in the slums was no issue.
After all, the private funds I had accumulated over the past fifteen years were more than enough to buy such a property with ease.
I could even use them as seed money if I ever decided to start a real enterprise.
Thus, acquiring and refurbishing the relief center proceeded smoothly.
This was my first official public activity before even making an appearance in high society.
There were those who might want to stop me, but not enough to openly oppose it.
"…So, will Your Highness personally perform the treatments?"
"Treating the poor will be no easy task. Setting aside their lack of manners, the smell alone will be unbearable."
Since both the Mage Tower and the royal guards were mobilized, it was impossible to stop the rumors from spreading.
Naturally, minor nobles who wanted to secure ties with me began approaching in this way.
And since they were nobles, even if they were desperate enough to cling to such weak connections, it was only expected that they would speak ill of the poor.
"That’s precisely why they are the most suitable recipients of the royal family’s charity. Of course, there will be those I treat personally, but the Mage Tower will also be hiring nurses and doctors. It will be difficult to gather exceptional talents, but that should be sufficient, don’t you think?"
"Haha, of course. Just the chance to see Your Highness’s noble beauty from a distance will be an unparalleled honor for those filthy creatures, wouldn’t you agree?"
Damn this man.
I am only fifteen years old.
In my mind, I had already yanked out his pathetic mustache multiple times.
But I had grown quite accustomed to merely smiling gently in such situations.
Humans are adaptable creatures.
And with the added motivation of wanting to avoid marriage at all costs, this much was hardly difficult.
"Rather than that, there’s something else I’ve taken an interest in lately. I was hoping you all could help me with it."
"Us? Ah, of course! If it’s for Your Highness, we would be honored to assist."
The people gathered in this detached palace were, naturally, minor figures in high society.
Either they were completely detached from any significant connections, or they had never been connected in the first place.
It was almost impressive how well they had been gathered together.
However, even they were still nobles, meaning they possessed a certain degree of wealth.
Some had even gained their titles purely through financial success.
The only reason there hadn’t been any scandals yet was that I had yet to make my debut in high society.
And most importantly, the minor nobles and nouveau riche gathered here had come as patrons of the relief center.
If their money was used for charity, criticizing it would be far more difficult.
And since I was using this opportunity to gather some information, it wasn’t something that would draw much scrutiny either.
"My private funds have accumulated, and it seems like a waste to just let them sit idle. I’m curious if there are any factories or products worth investing in."
"Ah, if it’s about that, then we are the right people to ask. My, it seems Your Highness is already taking an interest in financial investments. Indeed, treating money management as a bothersome or vulgar task and avoiding it too much, or leaving it entirely to others, is not ideal."
A potbellied man in a silk hat.
He was such a stereotypical capitalist that I wondered if the illustrations I had seen were not caricatures but hyperrealistic depictions.
Amusingly, there were two more men in this gathering who looked almost identical.
"There’s a hot trend these days—tulip investments. Compared to last December, the price has quintupled in just five months."
"Ah, I’ve heard about that as well. I’ve even made a small investment myself."
"Haha, I actually sold mine two months ago when it had doubled in value. Had I known it would skyrocket this much, I would have held onto them."
Tulips, huh?
For a moment, I considered whether I should just obliterate these people.
This was a bubble, no matter how I looked at it.
Prices doubling every month?
There was no way this was sustainable.
But that thought lasted only a moment.
"Tulips? When did the prices start rising?"
"Hmm, they began increasing noticeably around last winter. Now that May is approaching, it’s been less than half a year."
It seemed like a good opportunity for a short-term play—get in, make a profit, and get out quickly.
Alright.
Then let’s form a consortium right here.
"This is a bubble. At this rate, tulip bulbs will end up costing more than gold of the same weight."
"Yes, indeed. As Your Highness said, it’s a bubble."
As I spoke firmly, the people around me started exchanging glances.
Honestly, anyone with half a brain could tell it was a bubble.
"The real issue is how much further the bubble will inflate before it bursts. Before more people suffer, we need to pop it first."
"Excuse me? What do you mean by that?"
"Well, we have to use my influence and the power of everyone gathered here. And while we’re at it, we might as well make a profit."
Money is a powerful force.
More than military power, the economy can be used to ruin or elevate people.
And here, I decided to drain the wealth of those nouveau riche who had yet to fully side with me.
"What method do you have in mind…?"
"We form a consortium and monopolize the tulip bulbs."
At my words, the people hesitated.
Legally, hoarding and monopolization weren’t banned yet, but doing it too blatantly could draw criticism.
They were probably wondering if it was even possible.
"Would that really be okay?"
"Why not? It’s not like we’ll hold onto them indefinitely—we’ll just take the profits and exit quickly. And if any problems arise, I’ll guarantee the investment capital. However, if you refuse to sell when I do and end up taking a loss, that’s on you."
"With such generous terms, there’s no reason to refuse. I will invest."
Once the first person took the bait, forming the consortium happened in an instant.
And all the while, the construction and organization of the relief center progressed swiftly.
After all, handling multiple projects at once is far more efficient than tackling them one by one.
And one of these simultaneous ventures soon yielded an undeniable success.