Published at 20th of February 2020 6:49 am

Chapter 5 – Lora・Summers

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MTL: uniquegasuki

Editor/ Proofreader: (not proofread)

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Lora・Summers is Rivas・Summers (リヴァス・サマラス) and Helen・Summers (ヘレン・サマラス) only daughter.

Rivas・Summers was an heir to a small company in the city-state of, Shufelt (スフェルト). Aside from Rivas, he had a little brother named Reinard (レイナール). In the neiborhood, these two siblings were known to be close.

Rivas and Reinard, the two brothers who were quite close, quickly grew up. But then, that event tore the two of them apart. While their parents were traveling on route to another city-state for business, both parents were involved in a rockslide and died. At the time, Rivas was 18 while Reinard was 15. To further complicate matters, the married couple had secretly taken out a loan and had hidden that fact from the brothers. The company was also on the verge of collapsing. Normally, the debt is supposed to be inherited by the brothers. Although by Shufelt law, the children have the privilege of choosing who receives the inheritance (including debt). However, there is an exception to the rule. They can refuse the inheritance by legally cutting ties with the parents. Naturally, those who cut ties are not allowed to attend the funeral. The two brothers disagreed on whether to succeed their parent’s debt.

Rivas claimed that they should receive it out of love for their parents, returning the favor. If they were to cut ties, that would mean abandoning the Summers’ firm and their employees.

Reinard claimed that they should legally sever ties with their parents. Even if they don’t go to the funeral, the bonds with their parents will still exist. And, that their parents would have wanted them to not be burden with debt. Inheriting the debt would make their parents unhappy and either way, the Summers’ company will collapse; it was better to get it over with, he suggested.

Neither of the two would admit that they were wrong. The two had argued for 3 days and 3 nights but nothing was settled on. Eventually, Rivas received all of the parent’s inheritance (including debt) and Reinard had cut ties with both of his parents.

Rivas by himself had succeeded the Summers’ company and inherited the debt. After his parents’ funeral, he reshaped the firm and began to repay the debt. However, the bubble-berry proved to be a heavy burden for the Summers’ company to handle. Bubble-berry is very easily affected by the change in the weather and the market price can fluctuate just as easily. Rivas tried his best to supply a steady flow of bubble-berry by investing in its cultivation at a farming village. He built facilities in order to maintain and preserve the bubble-berry, a thoroughly economical endeavor in an attempt to eliminate waste. At the time, Rivas even had to bow down his head to the debt collectors.

When Rivas was 23, he was visited by Reinard. When they met, Reinard bowed his head down to Rivas. (T/N: dogeza)

「Sorry, nii-san. I was mistaken. I should have inherited the debt. Although, I may not be able to atone, may I help nii-san out?」 (Reinard)

Of course, if this man was not his family, Rivas would have declined; however, Reinard has earnestly apologized. And thus, Rivas forgave Reinard as originally they were quite close. From a perspective, it appeared that the two of them had reconciled. Until that time……

One by one, Reinard linked transaction after transaction until he had a solid position in the company.

With Rivas’s and Reinard’s effort, their achievements began to bear fruit and the debt had been repaid. Rivas was 25, then. The Summers’ firm was no longer small but a prominent up and coming company in Shufelt.

During this time, Rivas was busy with work so he was still a bachelor. Having gained achievements and having restored the company, there were soon talks about marriage. At the age of 25, there was now a mountain of marriage proposals. The reason why was because Rivas was quite handsome.

Around that time, Rivas was invited to an influential gathering at a parliament-held-party. As most of his clientele for bubble-berry were wealthy people, he had no reason to refuse so he attended. There Rivas had a fateful encounter.

The person in question was reported to be the most beautiful woman…… not really. She wasn’t particularly beautiful nor was she ugly, her appearance was somewhere in-between. Let’s say, she is a beautiful redhead. By chance, Rivas happened upon the woman when she was having her meal alone. Being curious about her action, he talked to her.

「My name is Rivas・Summers. May I ask you for your name?」 (Rivas)

As he says this, his body was shaking. She turns to look at him. After swallowing her steak, the woman answered Rivas.

「I am Helen・Albertine (ヘレン・アルベルティーニ). Rivas・Summers…… sorry, I have never heard of you before. What is your reason for coming here?」 (Helen)

Rivas was surprised to hear that. First off, he knows of the family with the surname, Albertine. In this country, the people who share that name would fight from the top 1st and 2nd seat in the parliament. Secondly, while Rivas was unfamiliar with women, he found her to be a woman of superior quality. He was more or less interested in her as Helen had a sophisticated air about her; Rivas liked that she didn’t try to flatter him with compliments and thus the two naturally became more acquainted.

After dating for 1 year, Rivas and Helen were married despite Helen’s father’s reluctance for them to marry. At the time, Helen was 21 and Rivas was 26.

A year later, Helen gave birth to a lovely baby girl.

「Look at that, she has the same beautiful hair as you. It almost like a ruby.」 (Rivas)

「If I had to say, she resembles you more. It is going to be troublesome in the future when all those marriage proposals start coming.」 (Helen)

「Not going to happen! This child isn’t going anywhere!!」 (Rivas)

Rivas was acting like a splendid doting-parent. Although, Helen’s father was the most delighted as he was known to clamor on about how much of a prodigy the child was. This baby girl was named, Lora. Lora quickly grew up while receiving her parent’s love.

As for Helen’s father…… while he did claim that Lora was a prodigy, in truth she was. By the time she was 5, Lora could perfectly read and write. When Lora turned 6, she was capable of being able to calculate well enough to manage a business. At the age of 7, Lora had taken an interest in the family business and was being taught by Rivas the basics of business management.

Again and again, Lora exceeded the norm of what the average person was capable of. Because of this, she received a fairy’s blessing.

A person has a 1/10,000 chance to be gifted with a fairy’s blessing. Those who have such an ability are able to use that ability at the cost of very little maryoku. The ability can vary from person to person. For example; there is an ability that allows a person to avoid incoming objects or arrows that are approaching at a fixed speed, a clairvoyance blessing that can see over long distances, and an ability that lets a person read another’s mind. Lora was born with a money-making based blessing; this ability allows her to smell the scent of profit. Rivas and Helen were delighted to hear that Lora had a business specialized ability. Fearing that Lora would be kidnapped, they decided to keep quiet about her blessing until she was an adult. She was told not to tell anyone about her ability. Lora was a clever little girl, she understood that she couldn’t boast to her friends about her blessing.

Things changed when Lora turned 9. Rivas and Helen were going away on a important business trip. Lora didn’t throw a trantrum this time when she saw the two of them off.

「Well, Lora we are leaving now. I will bring you back a souvenir when we return.」 (Rivas)

「Lora be good and listen to what Reinard-san says, okay.

Reinard-san, I’m leaving Lora in your care.」 (Helen)

「Don’t worry, please leave it to me. I will protect Lora with my life.」 (Reinard)

Lora and Reinard waited for Rivas and Helen to return. While Rivas and Helen were absence, Reinard took care of Lora. She was told that her parents would return in 2 weeks. However, when her parents were supposed to return, 2 weeks later, bad news had arrived instead.

Rivas・Summers and Helen・Summers were attacked and had died.

They were attacked by robbers on route to their destination. Of course, the two had hired mercenaries; however, they were unlucky. While on a seemingly safe road they had encountered bandits.

With his dying breath, Rivas wrote a message on his clothes.

『Lora will inherit the company. I nominated Reinard as her guardian. Lora, please grow up in good health.』

A grand funeral was held for the two. It was a funeral fit for the president of a prominent company and the daughter of a parliament member.

Lora loudly cried that day.

「Why!! Liar. You promised me you would return. You said you’d bring me back a gift if I was a good child.」 (Lora)

When Lora cried her eyes out, Reinard was the one that comforted her.

「Lora-chan…… you can cry as much as you want. It is okay to cry when you’re sad. But, the two liked Lora’s smile more than her tear-stained face. You may be crying now, but try to send them off with a smile.」 (Reinard)

Hearing this, Lora regained her composure. The two will not be returning. If she continued to weep, her parents would not be able to be relieved while in Heaven. Besides, Reinard must also be sad, she thought. He knew her parent far longer than herself…… Lora finished crying and then sent them off with a smile.

That night, Lora awoken in her bed. After the funeral had ended, Lora cried herself to sleep with tears clinging to her face. Reinard was the one who carried Lora to her bed.

From all her crying, Lora had become thirsty. When she left her room to get a cup of water, she heard voices while she was walking down the hallway.

「Here is the reward I promised you. Thank you, for your work and I’ll be counting on you for next time as well.」 (Reinard)

「Yes, I certainly will accept. By the way, are you really alright with the dying message? Would it not have been better to name yourself the successor?」 (???)

「Idiot, that would be too suspicious. This way is fine. It will be awhile before that brat becomes an adult. I still have time to overtake things. When that time comes, I will be counting on you to kill Lora.」 (Reinard)

「Hihihi, as long as you have the money, I am always willing to accept. From now on, I will be in your care, boss.」 (???)

The voices belonged to Reinard and an unknown man. In that moment, Lora understood everything. Reinard had planned to take over the company. She started to understand what sort of person Reinard was. It was only a matter of time before it was discovered that Lora overheard their conversation. If she goes to the police, will they believe her…… there is also the chance that the police might be somehow involved. Sensing that her life is in danger, Lora ran away.

With what little money she had on her, Lora took refuge in the neighboring country of Clarice. Having no relatives to rely on, she eventually ran out of money.

She had no money to buy bread. While being hungry, she saw a boy steal bread and in the blink of an eye, he ran away. To steal…… she had no choice. Lora got involved with thievery. Naturally, she wasn’t quick enough for pickpocketing and thus she had no choice but to shoplift.

The first thing she stole was an apple. It felt as if her heart would explode from the tension. Later, she found that the stolen apple was surprisingly delicious.

From then onwards, Lora frequently shoplifted. She would especially target bread as it could be preserved. During the day, she could then eat it little by little.

Naturally, she discovered other methods aside from shoplifting. At times, she would guide travelers and peddlers. Lora has a divine blessing that allows her to smell the scent of money (profit); this blessing gives her the ability to locate stores that offer a good bargain. Working on the streets as a guide was fairly profitable. However, the other beggars would do the same. At times, she wasn’t able to eat and had to compensate by shoplifting.

While living like this, she turned 12. And then one day, at her usual spot in a back alley, she saw a mysterious young man walking by. The young man was carelessly walking towards the slum. Normally, Lora would not have been concerned with an unknown foreigner being robbed. However, she smelled the scent of profit. Lora was sure this person would give her a tip.

「Onii-san, that way leads to the slums. Did you want to get robbed?」 (Lora)

Lora called out to the young man and he responded to her.

「Thank you for telling me, but that isn’t enough for a tip.」 (Haruto)

Lora unintentionally made a wry smile. The chance for a tip wasn’t gone and thus, Lora introduced herself.

「I haven’t even said anything yet. I am Lora・Summers. Onii-chan, what is your name? You are wearing clothes I have never seen before; where are you from?」 (Lora)

The young man stated his name.

「My name is Haruto・Asuma. I am from the far east.」 (Haruto)

Lora acknowledged that this young man had come from the east as she has never seen someone with his features. To befriend the young man, Lora continued the conversation.

「From the far east……, do you mean past the large mountain, great forest, and the vast desert? That sure is very far away.」 (Lora)

When she said this, the young man hurried the conversation.

「Anyhow, where can I find an inn; do you mind being my guide?」 (Haruto)

For some reason, Lora was in the mood to swindle the young man. But, only in the sense of being a guide as there was no need for her to dig a hole and cover it with leaves.

「I’m alright with that, but not for free……」 (Lora)

Lora demanded a tip and the young man handed her 4 copper coins. Normally, a tip is 1 copper coin; however, the other party wasn’t stingy with their coin. As she smiled, Lora thought his person was an easy mark.

「Fufu, thank you very much. Now, Haruto-san, what are you looking for?」 (Lora)

「If possible, I’m looking for somewhere that is clean, but affordable. A cheap place would be nice.」 (Haruto)

If that is the case, then it has to be Sylph’s pavilion. That shop is clean and popular. Also, Undine being next door made it a good deal. Having received 4 copper coins, she carried out her work.

「Understood. Then will 『Sylph’s Pavillion (シルフー亭)』do. That place charges about 2,000 Doraria a night.」 (Lora)

Upon Lora’s answer, the young man’s eyebrows furrowed; he seems to be thinking about something.

「Excuse me, but will you tell me about the currency here, for reminder’s sake?」 (Haruto)

When Lora heard him say this, she was surprised. “Just how far did this person travel for them to not know the value of the currency”, she thought. But, this was yet another chance for a profit.

「Alright, but it will cost you 1 copper.」 (Lora)

Lora smiled as she demanded a tip. Haruto showed a wry smile as he handed her the coin.

While on the way to Slyph’s pavilion, she answered Haruto’s questions. It was things such as the value of currency here and the basic geography.

「Truly, a wasteful expense.」 (Haruto)

Today, Lora earned 8 copper coins. It was a big profit.

「Well, that is Haruto-san own fault for being ignorant.」 (Lora)

It was true. “Where one earth was this person before they came to Clarice”, she thought.

「Despite being a beggar, you sure do know the value of a gold coin and the geography of this land.」 (Haruto)

Lora was startled by Haruto’s words. Although, he was right. Beggars usual have never seen a gold coin and as for knowing the geography, Lora doesn’t know.

「Eh, well, it isn’t like I started out as a beggar.」 (Lora)

Lora dodged the question as it is a matter of the past and that wasn’t something one should talk about with a person they just met.

It wasn’t longer before they reached Sylph’s pavilion and soon they will say their farewells.

「Over there is Sylph’s Pavillion. Now then, I will be excusing myself.」 (Lora)

Lora considered Haruto to be a good natured person.

The next time Lora and Haruto encountered one another, it would be 2 days later when Lora was following the scent of profit on the streets.

The scent lead her to Haruto.

「Oh, if it is not, Haruto. It has been awhile. What have you been up to?」 (Lora)

Lora rushed over to greeted Haruto.

「Nothing much, I’m just here to buy some daily necessities.」 (Haruto)

Lora kept her eyes open for her chance to make a profit.

「I know of an inexpensive shop; I don’t mind guiding you there for 500 Doraria.」 (Lora)

「No thanks. I will look around on my own.」 (Haruto)

She needs to pull him in. Lora tried to persuade Haruto.

「You should know that the prices in the shops will vary. If you are careless, you could end up with inferior goods……, for just 500 Doraria you could avoid such dangers. If you are low on money, that is all the more reason to hire me as I am well informed about this town.」 (Lora)

As Clarice is a country of merchants, there are numerous swindlers and con-men here.

「Fine. But, I ask that you properly do your job.」 (Haruto)

Lora was able to convince Haruto and thus became his guide.

「Fufufu, thank you for your patronageー」 (Lora)

She was quite glad when she received the copper coins.

While Lora guided Haruto to a shop, he initiated a conversation. She normally didn’t talk with those she guided, but for some reason, Lora felt she couldn’t just ignore him. And thus, she took an active role in the conversation.

「By the way, Haruto-san, you’re quite proficient with the Claris (キリス語) language despite being a foreigner.」 (Lora)

Despite her principle of not prying into the customer’s affairs, Lora voiced her opinion about what she had been thinking about after taking into consideration how close they have become.

「Well, now that have I bought a wallet and clothes, all that is left is soap.」 (Haruto)

But, he doesn’t give a reply. However “what is soap?”, she thought. Lora had no idea what it was. It wasn’t in any of the many books she had read in the past.

「Eh? 『Soap』? What is that?」 (Lora)

Upon Lora’s response, Haruto showed a flustered expression. “Was it really that important?”, she thought.

「You know, that thing that is used to wash off dirt. That bubbly stuff.」 (Haruto)

Dirt…… lye is usually used to remove it. The wealthy would use bubble-berry, though.

「Oh, are you talking about bubble-berry? You should have said so from the start.」 (Lora)

If it is something used to remove dirt, then is it mostly like that. Bubble-berry was something her father had dealt in. Lora had absolute confidence about that topic.

「What is a bubble-berry?」 (Haruto)

Hearing this Lora was shocked. Bubble-berry is not only used in the city-states but also the kingdoms and the empire.

「Eh! You don’t know? Is it not grown in the east…..? Look, it is the berry that they are selling over there. Because the skin on your body will get ruined if you don’t wash it, it is usually used by the wealthy.」 (Lora)

Lora pointed towards the place selling bubble-berry. When Haruto saw the price, he showed a surprised expression. In the olden day, Lora didn’t understand the high price but now that she has become a beggar, she understands. That sort of money isn’t used for washing or bathing.

Although Haruto was surprised, he suddenly showed a determined expression.

「Lora, would you happen to know where I can get a hot pot, olive oil, salt, and firewood?」 (Haruto)

It was abrupt, but she realized it. “He was planning to do something”, she thought.

「Eh? I do but…… what are you planning to use it for?」 (Lora)

A mischief expression appeared on Haruto’s face.

「Well, you’ll see.」 (Haruto)

Lora instinctively tilted her head in puzzlement.

◆◆◆

The next day, while she was walking down the street, a wallet fell. Thinking she was lucky, Lora picked it up, inside there was money. Naturally, it looked as if a beggar had stolen a wallet. As she thought this, Lora tried to return the wallet to the ground but then something happened.

「Hey, brat. What are you holding!!」 (policeman)

In an instant, Lora’s arm is seized by a policeman.

「A wallet? Is this not money! Where did you steal this!!」 (policeman)

She didn’t steal it. Lora tried to explain but the other party doesn’t listen.

「That is why you’re a 2nd-class citizen…… criminal such as yourself should be immediately expelled from this country…… you are coming with me.」 (policeman)

Lora’s body breaks out into a cold sweat. At this rate, she will be turned into a slave. Slaves usually do labor intensive work compared to regular citizens. Because she is female, the chances of her being forced into a corrupted line of work are high. While being dragged off to the slave-trading company, Lora resists as she imagines the things that would happen to her.

「Like I was saying, I didn’t steal it. It is the truth!! Please, believe me. Let me go!!」 (Lora)

A crowd had gathered. And then, Lora heard a loud voice come from the surrounding crowd of people.

「Liar! There is no way an orphan like you can have a wallet with money in it. In the first place, why should we trust the words of a bread thief!!」 (???)

「No, this is……」 (Lora)

This man told them that he had witnessed Lora shoplifting. Lora couldn’t refute the claim. If things continue as is; she will be sold to a brothel, end up catching a disease, and then die…… when all hope was about to be lost, at that moment,

「Please, wait.」 (Haruto)

Lora hears the voice of someone suddenly barging into the conversation.

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