“I apologize for my rudeness this morning… Count.”

The men Park Se-hee brought bowed their heads in apology. The etiquette training had clearly worked. Though the traces of their beating had vanished, likely due to healing magic, fear was evident on their faces.

Just a few days ago, they lived in a world without a class system. Unlike Korea, where law and order are well-established, this is a medieval fantasy world. They’ve realized that I hold the power to make people like them disappear without a trace.

“Please forgive us…”

“We’ll do as you say, just please don’t leave us with that strange woman…”

Though it seems the etiquette training has gone beyond education and into trauma territory…

“See, Wendy. They’re all terrified of you.”

“Huh? N-no, it’s not me, it’s Lady Helga…”

“What? What are you talking about? I’m not the strange one, am I?”

The yeti—no, the rabbit—standing behind me tilted its head. It looked like the very definition of a strange woman.

The men were all eyeing Helga nervously. Even I couldn’t help but feel uneasy about her appearance.

I don’t know why Helga is dressed like that, but the purpose of the etiquette training was achieved. I thought it was enough… but it seems not everyone has been completely subdued.

“…Thank you, but we’ll be leaving now.”

It was Director Choi Jae-man.

“We’re grateful for the rescue, but we can’t keep relying on you, Count… We’re just acquaintances of Secretary Park. We have no ties to you. Right, everyone?”

“D-Director?”

“But how will we…?”

“Stop talking nonsense. Are grown men like you planning to keep mooching off here? We need to figure out how to return to our world.”

Despite his subordinates’ protests, Choi Jae-man stood up as if ready to leave immediately. He spoke to me with a sarcastic tone.

“Thank you for your ‘generous hospitality,’ Count. But from now on, we’ll find our own way without relying on anyone.”

Despite his words, it’s clear he can’t stand being treated like this. According to Park Se-hee, Choi Jae-man is a highly authoritative man who’s always been in a position of power.

He can’t accept bowing his head to people he once saw as mere NPCs. Even Helga’s training couldn’t break his pride. At this point, it’s almost a matter of principle.

In a way, he’s like me, Tristan. Born as the heir to the notorious Ruelberta Family, a natural-born power wielder who manipulated the Empire with immense wealth. My power was enough to make even the Emperor wary.

Of course, if Tristan had continued living like that, he wouldn’t have survived long.

“You are guests brought here by my close friend Park Se-hee. Whether you stay or leave is your choice.”

“Then…”

“But I can’t just let my guests leave like this.”

I looked at them with a smile full of ‘pride.’

“At least let me offer you some tea before you go.”

“No… We…”

“Refusing my hospitality once is fine. But the second time, I’ll take it as an insult.”

Realizing it was practically a demand, Choi Jae-man opened his mouth to protest but gave up after seeing my expression.

“Understood…”

“Helga, escort the guests to the reception room.”

“Got it, bing.”

“……”

If I let it bother me, I’d lose. I wanted to snap back, but I held it in, tightening my lower abdomen. Instead, I called out to Director Choi Jae-man, who was about to follow Helga.

“You stay here and have tea with me.”

“Huh?”

“Wendy.”

“Yes, yes! I’ll prepare it right away!”

While Wendy went to prepare the tea, I gestured for Choi Jae-man to sit. After hesitating, he finally took a seat across from me.

“Don’t be so wary. As I said, I have no intention of keeping you here. I’ll keep my promise to let you go, so just accept my hospitality until the end.”

“……”

Director Choi Jae-man looked skeptical. I heard he avoided getting hit by Helga by quickly bowing his head, but his pride must have taken a hit. Having to address someone much younger as “Count” and being in this situation must be unpleasant for him.

But for him, it’s fortunate it ended at that.

I had no intention of treating those who tried to exploit this world as honored guests. Feeding them was just a way to repay Park Se-hee for bringing them here. Honestly, being in the same space as this man was unpleasant.

Still, the reason I wanted to have tea with Director Choi Jae-man was because I had something to ask him.

“Choi Jae-man, was it? You seem to have been quite a high-ranking person in your original world.”

“……Me? What makes you say that?”

“I can tell at a glance.”

“Oh ho…? So, those with power recognize others with power, is that it?”

“Something like that.”

I shrugged. If Park Se-hee hadn’t told me, I would’ve just thought he was an arrogant old man.

“Hmm…”

Perhaps intrigued by being recognized as a man of power, Director Choi Jae-man let his guard down a bit.

“Then you’ve got a good eye. If I were to compare it to this world… well, I’d be a noble, like you, Count.”

“A noble… So, you were of high status?”

“No. I was rich. In my world, money was power.”

“That’s true in any world.”

“Haha… You’re right. Tristan, was it?”

“Yes.”

“I’m not sure if I should say this, but you’re quite different from what I heard…”

“Different?”

“Well… I heard you were a bit more… plump.”

“That was a while ago. You seem to know about me from that time. Did you know me as an outsider?”

“Ah… well… I heard it from Park Se-hee. I apologize if it’s offensive. I heard it from her, but I didn’t expect you to have changed so much…”

Choi Jae-man dodged the question, but I could guess the situation. Stella’s associates roughly know about this world’s setting. Someone like Director Choi Jae-man would naturally know about the notable characters in this world. But even he didn’t know how this world had changed. After I became Tristan, Park Se-hee monopolized the access rights, so it makes sense.

Well, they probably didn’t expect time to pass in the game world. They must think Park Se-hee arbitrarily changed the settings.

“Don’t worry about it. More importantly, do you know about this?”

I pulled out a fist-sized stone from my pocket and showed it to him. A purple-glowing gem. Choi Jae-man’s eyes widened in surprise.

“…Did Park Se-hee tell you?”

“Yes. This is a Famillion gem. It’s widely used in magical tools and ornaments.”

It must be the gem Choi Jae-man showed Park Se-hee. After hearing her story, I had people search for purple-glowing gems. It didn’t take long. They’re also found in the Gehenna Mine, which I own.

I gave him a ‘greedy’ look.

“Were you planning to take this gem to your world and sell it? Regardless of the profit, how did you plan to bring it to your world?”

“…Are you suggesting a deal with me, Count?”

“That depends on what you have to say.”

“Hmm…”

Finally understanding my intent, Choi Jae-man stroked his chin.

Though I didn’t like it, the reason I was indulging him wasn’t to make a deal. If there was a ‘secret route’ that allowed travel between the two worlds, I needed to find out.

“Seems the Count likes money too. I do know a way to bring this gem to our world. But first, I need to get out of this world… So, how about this?”

Choi Jae-man gave a sly smile.

“If you help me leave this world, I’ll help you sell items in our world.”

“Not a bad offer. But can you guarantee you’ll return here after going back? It’s hard to believe there’s a way out of this world.”

“Well, you see…”

Knock knock.

“Excuse me…”

Wendy appeared, pushing a tray with our tea. Her big, round eyes darted around, gauging the mood between me and Director Choi Jae-man.

Perfect timing…

I watched as Wendy brewed the tea. She managed to do it quite skillfully, thanks to her practice.

After successfully brewing the tea, Wendy confidently placed the teacups in front of us. That’s when it happened.

“Ah!”

Wendy tripped and dropped the teacup onto the table. As expected, I caught the falling cup mid-air. This was familiar to me, but I overlooked one thing: I wasn’t the only one drinking tea.

“Ouch!”

The remaining tea spilled onto the table, soaking Choi Jae-man’s pants. It wasn’t scalding hot, but it was still quite warm.

“I’m so sorry! Are you okay?!”

“Are you okay, you clumsy…!”

“Ah! I’m so sorry!”

Choi Jae-man, who was about to raise his hand, froze.

“No. No, wait. Count. How much is this girl worth?”

“…How much?”

For a moment, I didn’t understand what he was saying. Choi Jae-man glared at the trembling Wendy.

“Even so, she’s your ‘property,’ so I can’t just touch her. How much is she? I’ll buy her on credit if I have to.”

What is this guy saying?

“You insolent brat. How dare you spill tea on me?”

“I’m so sorry… I really am!”

“Shut up! A girl like you needs to be taught a lesson!”

Choi Jae-man, who lived like a noble in the modern world, believed money was the ultimate power. His mindset was rotten to the core. Even in this world, that mindset hadn’t changed. That’s why he saw Wendy, whom he considered beneath him, as an easy target.

“Count, name your price. No matter how broke I am, I can afford something like this.”

“You’ve ruined my mood.”

“She’s just a lowly slave… What?”

I stood up.

“I think we should forget the conversation we just had.”

Finally sensing something was off, Choi Jae-man’s face turned pale.

“W-what are you talking about?”

“…I despise people who don’t know their place and are vulgar.”

“…Huh? I feel the same… That’s why I wanted to teach this lowly, worthless girl a lesson myself… Ugh!”

Before Choi Jae-man could finish, I punched him in the face. I thought I had cultivated enough patience, but my fist moved on its own.

“Ah! Count?!”

“Listening to you is rotting my ears.”

My chest burned. It was a sensation I hadn’t felt in a long time. ‘Wrath’ was raging inside me.

Choi Jae-man clutched his face, shouting in confusion.

“What did I do to deserve this?!”

“You insulted me.”

“What?!”

“This girl you called a lowly slave…”

Standing in front of Wendy, I looked down at Choi Jae-man and spoke with ‘wrath.’

“Is my fiancée, you vulgar fool.”