The innermost recesses of the Libra Aerial Garden.
Zone 0, where no one can observe or dare to invade, wrapped in the most advanced boundary magic of the present age.
The mansion of the Libra clan.
"Hmm, I see."
In the library there, 'Johanna', the second child and eldest daughter of the family, received a report from Belingham. It was news that Jade had brought an insignificant senior from Endex to Zone 1.
"You don't seem surprised."
"Considering Jade's personality, it's expected. It's Derek who should be upset. I don't care."
Johanna despises her own blood. To her, her younger brother Jade is merely incompetent, the eldest son Derek is nothing more than a merchant who has lost his essence, and the youngest Zia is a mental patient suffering from Peter Pan Syndrome.
"But he draws quite well. These days, such talent is hard to find even in art schools."
Among the considerable assets held by the current head, Sherlock, the Libra Art School is a business that has not yet been succeeded.
"Perhaps, is Jade also coveting the art school?"
When asked subtly by Belingham, Johanna sneered without expression.
"Jade is the guy who ruined the arm of the painter he was sponsoring at eighteen."
"That's right. It was a famous incident."
How dare he insult his taste or something. It was a talent that stood out even in art school.
"And Derek is a guy who only gathers guys who draw decently and only thinks about how to evade taxes."
Derek was the main culprit who inflated the market price of artworks by more than double recently. The purpose is, of course, tax evasion and embezzlement. All the artists he raised were for such purposes.
Of course, their 'love for art' is somewhat sincere, but at least not as much as Johanna.
The assets she inherited are the best hotels and casinos on the continent, stocks, department stores, etc., but the field she is currently focusing on is various training institutions of Libra, including the art school.
Undoubtedly, Johanna does not lack in fortune, needless to say all of Sherlock's human networks will also fall into her hands the moment she grabs them, but above all, Johanna has an ardent love for art itself.
"More importantly, Belingham."
She glanced at Belingham with sharp eyes.
"Whose side are you on?"
Despite the sudden question, Belingham smiled faintly.
"I am always by Libra's side."
"...Hmm. I should write my name bigger when signing in the future. Sometimes it seems like you can't read it."
Johanna got up from her chair.
"Where is the painter Jade brought?"
"He is staying in the accommodation in Zone 1."
The entry of an Endex senior into Zone 1 is something that happens 2-3 times a year. It's not common, but it's not very special either.
"Do you know him?"
"He's a guy I've marked a bit. The guy who I gave a card. His talent is lacking, but his loyalty seems useful."
Johanna raised an eyebrow.
If Belingham, known for his harsh evaluation standards, praises loyalty, it means at least a born 'dog'.
"...I was quite free, so it worked out well."
She walked out of the office, her face expressionless.
* * *
I leisurely completed Jade's portrait right there. Jade, who had promised only 30 minutes, held a pose for a whopping 1 hour and 30 minutes.
However, I couldn't use that portrait as an assignment.
Jade took it.
I guess he liked it that much.
Anyway, after that, Jade left for Zone 0, and I was guided to the accommodation in Zone 1 by the housekeepers.
"It's ordinary…"
The room itself is modern and clean. It's not overly luxurious, but it has everything necessary like a TV, massage chair, and all the brands are luxury.
Even the bed is 'Bellagio'. This king-size bed alone costs a whopping 200,000 Ren.
I sat down on it.
"It's worth the money."
My buttocks are comfortable. It feels like a cloud, moderately firm and moderately soft, is supporting my body.
I looked out the window in that state. The 'Bloodline Barrier' of the Libra main house was right in front of me.
The barrier is very smart, it refuses entry if there is no Libra blood mixed in, and even if you do enter, it tracks all your movements. If an unauthorized intruder enters, it can remotely twist the blood vessels and kill them.
It's a bit bitter.
Before my regression, it was a place I couldn't even visit in my lifetime, but now I'm this close as a mere high school student.
"Did I live wrong?"
A hollow laugh slipped out.
I was tired.
My whole body was weary.
Knock, knock-
At that moment, someone knocked on the guest room door. I was about to take a habitual defensive posture, but I let it go.
It's Zone 1 of Libra. No criminals can intrude here.
I went and opened the door.
"Hello. I'm the housekeeper 'Janna'."
It was a female housekeeper in a suit. She asked as she entered the room.
"Is there anything you need?"
"No, I'm fine."
"It's almost dinner time, do you have a preferred menu?"
"…I don't care about the menu. I eat a lot, so is 5-6 servings okay?"
"Yes. I understand. Also, Jade said that if there's anything you want, you should take it. As payment for the painting."
"Really?"
It was an unexpected gain.
And there's no burden since it's Jade. If it were Derek, the correct answer would be 'I won't accept it', but Jade would get angry if I didn't accept.
"Can I think about it and let you know?"
"Of course."
The housekeeper smiled and asked another question.
"But, you must have learned to paint? Jade likes it so much. They say your technique is unique."
"No, I've never learned. It's a hobby."
"A hobby?"
"Yes. I'm grateful that he likes it. It's like a dream just being here."
This was not an empty word.
It really feels like a dream.
"Hmm…"
The housekeeper scanned me from head to toe.
"You seem to like Libra a lot?"
Her tone was slightly suggestive. I looked at her silently for a moment.
It seemed like she was trying to dig for information, but that's understandable. This is the heart of Libra, after all. I should give her the answer she wants.
"Yes, I like Libra. A debt is owed."
"Oh, is that so?"
Of course, it's not me who's in debt, but Libra.
They killed my father, after all. They even killed me 'once'.
"It's the family my grandfather and father served. There's no reason not to like them."
"Ah, I see…."
I shrugged my shoulders and pointed to the TV in the corner of the room.
"May I turn on the TV?"
"Of course."
It was a gesture to ask her to leave, but the housekeeper obliviously handed me the remote control.
"….Ah, thank you."
"You're welcome."
Click- I pressed the remote button.
─No~ This is absurd! Libra is throwing a tantrum right now.
It was a current affairs debate show. The topic was the controversy over the acquisition of Libra's SNS company 'Whiteboard'.
I shouldn't have turned it on.
This is uncomfortable.
─This kind of bidding itself doesn't make sense! They're trying to acquire a company worth 1 billion Ren for just 200 million Ren!
Among them, there was one panelist who was particularly vehemently opposed.
Like looking at my past self, no, even more frothing at the mouth than that, a journalist named 'Denver'.
…I know him.
It's been a long time, and even though I'm only seeing him on TV, his face is disgusting.
"That's the controversy these days. What do you think?"
The housekeeper asked.
"Well, it'll work out somehow."
I tried to keep my words to a minimum.
"Hey, there's no 'somehow'."
The housekeeper kept digging.
"Especially that Denver guy, he seems to be a headache for Libra."
At that, I gave a small smile.
"I wonder."
─Look! Even in the industry, they evaluate this Whiteboard as a company worth 1 billion Ren.
I almost fell for that guy in the past.
Not that he wasn't, he was quite famous before my regression. He picked fights with Libra, tackled them, even held one-man protests.
I thought he was a colleague of mine.
"He doesn't seem to be a headache."
"Why?"
The housekeeper looked at me.
"He seems to be on our side. He's raising the value of Whiteboard, isn't he?"
"But the company's worth 1 billion Ren, right? Isn't Libra taking a big loss?"
"They're not losing. They just don't have to acquire it. Libra is already the majority shareholder of Whiteboard."
─1 billion Ren, 1 billion Ren! They're trying to buy a company worth 1 billion Ren for 300 million Ren?! This is nothing short of robbery using the power of the family!
Look at him, constantly emphasizing 1 billion Ren. It's as if he's shouting that Whiteboard is currently an undervalued company.
If you fall for his words and invest in stocks, you'll end up holding the bag.
It's a tactic often used by the eldest son, Derek.
"Thanks to his words, the price goes up. Then Libra can just pretend to lose and sell as is."
Denver also builds his reputation that way.
He took a shot at Libra, and Libra feigned retreat after securing his own interests.
After repeating this process several times, those who held a grudge against Libra naturally flocked to Denver, the 'authority'.
Denver listened to their stories. He collected only their most intimate weaknesses and relayed them back to Libra.
Libra was thorough like this.
He knew that planting one of the most famous opponents on his side was more valuable than cultivating hundreds of thousands of supporters.
"I can't believe that whiteboard company is worth a billion Ren."
In fact, Whiteboard would be delisted in three years.
"Hmm. Is that so?"
The butler looked at her watch.
"The food will be out soon. What gift will you receive from lord Jade?"
"Oh, I'll just go with a mana core."
"Mana core. Understood."
"Yes. Thank you."
The butler stood at the threshold. She seemed ready to leave.
But then she suddenly turned around and looked at me.
"Aren't you going to tip?"
"…Excuse me?"
I was slightly taken aback, but then I understood.
Libra is a noble family of scales. Therefore, tipping is not only natural but almost a law.
"Uh…"
I rummaged in my school uniform pocket. I only had two ten-Ren bills. I had spent the rest on taxi fare and admission.
Instead, I felt a few cold objects.
"…This is all I have right now."
In the end, I took out one of them. It seemed much better than 20 Ren.
"That's fine. Give it to me."
Janna held out her palm. I placed the item on it.
It was a casino chip.
"..."
For a moment, the butler's expression hardened. It cooled as if it had been frozen, making a cracking sound.
I hurriedly explained.
"Ah. That is, I brought it not long ago. It's made of mana stone, so it should be a bit expensive. Really."
She still looked at me with a cold face. A strange energy rippled in her clear eyes. It seemed to exude a murderous aura.
"Interesting."
She twisted one corner of her mouth, then slammed the door shut with a bang.
"..."
I scratched the back of my neck in a daze.
"…If I had given 20 Ren, I would have been killed."
______________________________________________________________________
Outside the accommodation in Zone 1 of the Aerial Garden.
Belingham is leaning against the wall. He's waiting for someone.
The footsteps of a certain noble, even their steps are rhythmic.
"May I ask how you feel, Miss Janna?"
He asked playfully. The butler Janna, who had come out of the accommodation, hardened her expression.
"...."
Then she deactivated her disguise without a word. Her face changed. Her ordinary features became more noble, and the blue symbolizing her bloodline seeped into her hair and pupils.
"It seems something happened, Lady Johanna."
Johanna glanced at Belingham. She held out something in her hand. Belingham took it.
"…He's a cheeky one. I almost bit him to death."
"Hmm?"
It was an unexpected remark. Belingham looked at his hand with a smirk.
It was a small, round casino chip.
"...Ha ha."
Upon seeing it, he couldn't help but chuckle. It naturally slipped from the corners of his mouth.
"He's got guts."
"Whether it's guts or recklessness, we'll have to wait and see."
Johanna loves gambling as much as she loves art.
No, to her, gambling itself is art.
From a young age, she learned about life in the casino of the Libra hotel.
Minor successes. Minor failures. Massive successes. Massive failures.
She knew that all of these results originated from 'betting'.
Just like the front and back of a chip, success and failure were merely two sides of the same coin.
Regardless of whether a person reigns in a splendid palace today, they must be prepared to sweep the dirtiest road with a broom tomorrow.
She had lived for 30 years with such a mindset, building her own wealth through bold bets, confident successes, and regret-free failures.
Therefore, this 'casino chip' symbolizing her life is the message conveyed by that young, bright blonde.
It's a polite yet cheeky, gentle yet audacious expression that says, "I know who you are."
"He's even vaguely aware of Denver's presence."
Johanna said. Belingham put the casino chip in his pocket.
"He has an eye for understanding people and reading the political situation? Are you going scout him?"
Belingham asked. Johanna shook her head.
"It's like advertising that I have a hand worth playing."
With that, she extended her hand to Belingham again.
"It's my property. I never gave it to you, so hand it over."
"You caught me."
He took out the casino chip and handed it over. Johanna flicked it with her fingers as if playing it, then slipped it into her pocket.