Episode 34. With Appletree Manor and Amy Cromwell
in debt, and Amy even working part-time, it seemed that anyone could see our family’s finances.
It was when I was still young that the family’s estate had been confiscated at about that time.
Well, from the time my hair was thick in the first place, I only knew that there was a manor, but I had no memories or memories of the Cromwell manor.
Rather, the days spent in a mansion near the capital were longer.
However, the mansion near the capital was eventually put up for auction right before I entered Rodlen Academy.
Thanks to that, I heard that Amy is now living in a small house located a little far from the metropolitan area.
As for why I’m thinking this now… ….
“welcome. Guest~”
I said directly to the real estate owner who greeted me with a snort.
“Is the ‘Apple Tree Mansion’ empty on the Welton estate?”
“yes? yes. Please wait a moment.”
He went through some papers and started running his hand through to find the property I mentioned.
Following his hand, my gaze followed without my knowledge.
I don’t know what happened to the mansion after it went up for auction.
Maybe there was already a new owner and people were living there.
‘Still, if I get a down payment from William and take out a loan, the apple tree mansion will suffice.’
The money that would normally have gone into the signet ring remained intact, and he was able to think of the mansion as well.
There was no problem with the loan because I could get enough of it with my patent rights.
“ah! Here it is.”
As if he had finally found it, he pulled out a document and showed it to me.
In the documents, there was a photograph of the mansion that he had longed for.
“It is a property that has been put on hold for auction. It is currently belonging to the imperial family.”
“How much does it cost?”
“Hmm, I checked and it’s not for sale. I’m sorry, but I think you’ll have to go to the Imperial Family’s Territorial Management Department.”
Huh, I never thought it would be blocked like this.
Since it’s Sunday, I don’t know if the departments related to the imperial family will be working.
Still, it was regrettable to return to the academy as it is, so I left the real estate and moved on.
It was a rampant winter.
The scenery of the city, which had turned white with snow from the previous evening, warmed my heart apart from the cold weather.
‘I didn’t know it when I saw it as a game.’
Seeing it in real life, I never thought it would be this pretty.
Normally, I would have taken the carriage and headed straight to my destination, but today I walked quietly down the street.
As I walked like that, the store where Amy works caught my eye.
‘Not yet….’
A real family for the first time.
The first day we met, I was disappointed.
I got my ring back, but I wanted to be a more confident older brother.
I don’t know if I’m working because it’s Sunday, but thinking of Amy who is still struggling, it wasn’t the time to relax.
I grabbed a passing carriage and headed straight to the work area near the imperial palace.
* * *
Baron Sosslen, a member of the great noble family of Laudelen, sat with his legs crossed with a dissatisfied expression on his face.
‘No, why am I on duty on Sunday? Among many, many low-ranking officials, why am I?’
Still, it was time for work soon, so I suppressed my uncomfortable feelings and habitually tapped my feet.
But contrary to his wishes, someone knocked on the door of his office.
“Come on, Sir Soslen.”
“why? What is it?”
“His Excellency the Earl of Cromwell has come to visit on business.”
count?
Baron Soslen was startled and straightened his posture.
“Tell them to come in.”
But what about Cromwell? Where did Cromwell come from?
I rolled my head a little because of the unfamiliar family name.
In the meantime, Count Cromwell, who disturbed the peaceful time, entered.
‘what? Aren’t you a kid?’
Count Cromwell, who entered the room, whether or not he knew Baron Soslen’s heart, stared blankly at the baron.
“Oh, please sit here.”
Earl Cromwell, who sat down at the baron’s guidance, immediately told the business.
“Baron Soslen?”
“yes. dismissal.”
“There is a mansion I want to buy, but since it belongs to the imperial family, it is impossible to buy it. Is there any way to purchase this mansion?”
“Where is the mansion?”
“It’s an apple tree mansion in Welton Manor.”
“Please wait a moment.”
Baron Soslen took out his tablet and searched for the mansion Count Cromwell had mentioned.
He glanced over and soon found a locked mansion.
‘Lock? Why?’
I was embarrassed for a moment at a situation I had never experienced before, but soon acted according to the manual.
“Come on, Your Excellency. I’m sorry, but this mansion seems difficult to buy.”
“Why?”
“This item is not for sale.”
If I say this, will you give up on your own?
Baron Soslen felt better as if he had wisely dealt with a situation that could have been unexpected and troublesome.
Contrary to the baron’s thoughts, however, Count Cromwell took something out of his pocket and handed it to the baron.
“The only thing I can give you right now is this, so how can it be?”
“oh my. dismissal. We shouldn’t accept bribes like this… ….”
The baron’s words soon diminished the moment he checked the item.
I wondered if I had seen it wrong, but my saliva went over because I wanted to.
“Your Excellency. Maybe this… …?”
“It’s the Everlast Potion. This is absolutely not a bribe, it’s a gift from me to you who must be tired from working on Sundays, so please accept it.”
Everlast Potion?
A dream potion that even if you have money, you can’t find it because it’s out of stock!
And lightning flashed in the baron’s head as he looked at the potion.
Count Cromwell? Maybe Adrias Cromwell?
The inventor of the Everlast Potion!
Even though the baron knew he shouldn’t be like this, he accepted the potion without realizing it.
And as soon as he received the potion, Adrias raised his face and asked.
“How can this mansion not be?”
“ah!”
Only then did the baron realize what he had done and bit his lip while crying.
Even now, he reached out to refuse the potion again, but the potion containing the yellow liquid quietly seduced him.
‘Lately, His Excellency Beckman said he was desperately looking for it. If you can get this straight… ….’
Even if not immediately, the path to becoming a hereditary nobleman could be opened someday.
Seeing Baron Soslen’s hesitation, Adrias reached into his bosom and pulled out another potion.
“I don’t have too many, but you seem to be suffering too much. Eat this and give me strength.”
“Your Excellency! I can’t accept this… ….”
“ah! There was one more! Now, take it here.”
…It was too many potions to refuse.
Baron Soslen, who received the potion by politely putting his hands together, looked at Adrias with loyal eyes and started manipulating the tablet.
‘What mansion has so many locks?’
I started to get a little scared, but I decided to close my eyes tightly for a brilliant future.
However, the baron, who had a problem that was difficult to solve on his own, said to Adrias.
“I think I should report it to the superiors. Please wait a moment.”
“Are there any problems?”
“yes. It’s okay because I’m looking for help for a while because I need the authority of one level higher than me.”
“i get it. don’t wait.”
Baron Soslen immediately picked up the magic communicator and called his superior, Viscount Udelen.
I knew it was rude to call on the phone on a holiday, but three bottles of potion made it okay to listen to nagging.
– Hey, hello. Sir Soslen. Do you know what day of the week it is today?
“sorry. Sir Cromwell came to the office to purchase a property, but it was locked… ….”
-lock? Are you unable to solve it? Shouldn’t we politely decline if there is a lock in the first place?
“That is….”
After thinking about it, the baron decided to quietly give him a word.
On top of that, I decided to give up one potion, even if it was a little wasteful.
“…It has come to pass.”
—Adrias Cromwell. oh well then i can’t help it I get it. Instead, I must obtain a bottle for my share.
“of course. dismissal.”
After the call, the baron smiled at Adrias and told him that it was resolved.
“ah! That’s it. All locks have been unlocked… ….”
No matter how much the baron looked at the writing on the tablet, he felt nothing strange.
Why the hell are you so locked up?
Then Adrias asked.
“It was locked?”
“yes? Oh no big deal. Sometimes things that are cursed or have a story are locked. It won’t be a big deal.”
Is that not a big deal?
It was dumbfounded even after he said it, but fortunately the other person was quiet.
Instead, he stared into space as though lost in thought.
“That Sir Cromwell?”
“hmm?”
“First of all, the purchase price was set by comparing it to the market price of the surrounding territories. What should I do?”
Adrias confirmed the price and nodded.
“I’ll buy it right away.”
“yes. ah! For reference, taxes, maintenance, and clearance costs are separate from the purchase price. Are you okay?”
“hmm. Was my sincerity lacking? I thought I was sincere enough… ….”
“haha! In fact, does it make sense to pay maintenance or cleanup costs? Thank you for your purchase. I will take care of it myself.”
“Thank you.”
When Adrias, who paid the bill on the spot, received the house documents and left, Baron Soslen let out a sigh.
It wasn’t that hard, but I felt uncomfortable because I felt like I was doing something illegal.
‘No. why is this illegal I sold it at the right price to buy a defective mansion, but it was rather a good thing.’
Come to think of it, why the hell were there so many locks?
The baron grumbled and checked the mansion that Adrias had bought once again to see if there was anything wrong.
* * *
‘It’s a lock… ….’
I didn’t know exactly what the intention was, but I had a strong feeling that I didn’t want to sell it.
I don’t know who did it or why, but I got it back anyway, so it was good.
‘I was able to buy it cheaper than I thought.’
I even thought about taking out a loan, but I was relieved of my worries.
On the way back, I took another look at the store where Amy works.
And I mustered up the courage to enter the store.
“welcome.”
A different staff greeted me than last time.
I looked around and asked her.
“Is there any Amy Cromwell?”
“yes? What did you come for?”
“He is Amy’s older brother. Maybe you did a job today.”
“Amy? Did you just get off work?”
I came out again with a thank you for letting me know.
And immediately ran to the train station.
When I arrived at the station, it was evening and it was overflowing with people using the train for work.
Among them, I looked around to find Amy, but I couldn’t find it easily.
“Amy!”
Even if it was a little embarrassing, I decided to use the most primitive method.
“Amy Cromwell!”
As I started shouting at the station, the people around me passed me with strange eyes.
I didn’t care what other people thought.
I called out the name again to find Amy.
“Amy Cromwell!”
“what are you doing!”
I turned my head at the sound of a high-pitched voice coming from behind me.
There was Amy, who was glaring at me with eyes like a goblin.
“Amy.”
“What the hell are you doing? Embarrassing in such a crowded place!”
I was just happy to say, stroking Amy’s head whether she was angry or not.
“Amy. You can stop working now.”
“What are you talking about suddenly? Did you eat something wrong?”
“this.”
I handed her the house documents.
“What is this? A ring rather than that?”
As she asked, her eyes went to my hand.
Seeing the signet ring on my hand, Amy looked relieved and said with an axe eye.
“Looks like you found the ring again. Do you think that will ease my anger?”
“Amy. read that.”
At my words, she looked at the house documents I handed over.
Then, gradually, her expression changed.
“what’s this? Why is this with you?”
“I bought it. And now you can quit your job.”
I calmly explained to Amy, who did not understand.
Making potions at the academy and earning money from it.
“Really?”
“uh. Now, every month the money will be on your card as well. I made it.”
Amy looked down at the house documents in silence for a moment.
Then he gave it back to me.
“I know what you are talking about. For now, my brother has this.”
She took a moment to catch her breath, then spoke in a trembling tone, perhaps feeling overwhelmed.
“I knew my brother could do it. My brother is Cromwell’s head of household. So I knew I could do it.”
“okay.”
“Can I get some rest now?”
“uh.”
I said as I wrapped my arms around Amy who was shaking her shoulders.
“You’ve been through a lot.”
Amy’s trembling was transmitted and she made a promise once again.
great job. Amy. Now I’ll suffer instead.
