chapter 36

Citrina learned that a gem mine had been found in the empire.

What caught her attention the most was the mine discovered in Count Haley is where the finest Silmaril that she wants was buried.

Adilak, who was working together with her, whispered.

“Citrina, have you heard the news about the mines found in the Empire? All kinds of rare minerals were discovered.”

“… Yeah.”

“You’re going back now, right? I am already packed up and ready to go.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Then let’s go together!”

Before Citrina even suggested, Adilak looked at her with a fixed gaze. Over the past years, the bond they’ve made has not changed.

Facing Adilak’s sincere trust, she nodded.

“Will you set up an atelier when you return?”

“Yes. In that sense, I need to have a talk with Oslo.”

“Talk?”

“Yes, talk.”

Citrina laughed. Now is the time to show her business capabilities.

-So, are we going on a trip?

-Yes. We’re going on a trip.

Gemma spread her beautiful wings and started flying around again. She looked at the lovely spirit for a few seconds before turning her head to Oslo.

It was obvious that he was baking something in the distance.

She approached him and spoke.

“Mister Oslo.”

“What is it?”

“I have something I would like to talk about with you.”

Oslo frowned slightly. He seemed to have a hunch of what she wanted to talk about.

Oslo and Citrina did not face each other on a table. As Oslo listened to Citrina’s plans, he contemplated. His finger on his chin.

“You’re leaving.”

“Yes, sir.”

“After leaving, I will sign a direct contract with the mines of Patrosia Empire, La.”

Oslo’s eyes were filled with interest. He was fond of his disciples. However, being a dwarf, there is one thing they’re good at. Knowing how to measure losses and gains.

His calculating prowess was running at full throttle right now.

Citrina looked at him with a calm face.

“It’s interesting, but there are a lot of humans who want to sign a contract just by asking my name. What do I get?”

Oslo asked, looking at Citrina with calcularing eyes.

“Fame.”

“Fame?”

“All the other dwarves went down to the underground kingdom, but there must be a reason that only sir Oslo remained here to train disciples.”

‘Because dwarves want to be more honorable than anyone else.’

Oslo was a man of honor, not money. Secluding himself in the atelier and educating his disciples, Oslo’s reputation spread throughout the continent.

“Yes, that’s right. I definitely judge people well. You are not stupid. That’s great.”

He replied as he caressed his beard. Citrina faced Oslo.

The four-year period may be short for dwarves, but long for Citrina. And he preferred proud disciples.

“I have one more question. What do you get?”

“There are two things I want.”

Citrina opened her mouth.

“The first is I want to borrow a capital fund to set up an atelier, and the second is I want to borrow Oslo’s name when setting up an atelier in the Empire.”

In other words, she was offering a proposal in a franchising format. With its headquarters at Drift Empire managed by Oslo, and building an atelier as a branch office.

Oslo clearly understood Citrina’s meaning. A frown forming on his forehead.

“The capital fund is not a problem since they are often paid to the disciples. But my name? For you, a human?”

No matter how much he loves a disciple, Oslo has his own bottom line. Citrina guessed that much. Since she was just an ordinary disciple of his.

“It’s surprisingly pleasant, but it’s not a special offer. Do you believe that you can become a disciple who will increase my reputation in the human world?”

“Yes. First of all, I am working with Adilak, a genius craftsman.”

“Adilak is capable, but that’s all.”

“And for me…”

Stopping halfway, Citrina quietly removed the pendant from her neck. Slowly, light began to leak out of the pendant. Through the gap, the small spirit quietly rubbed her eyes without saying anything.

“There is a spirit. It’s not a losing business for you either.”

Oslo immediately noticed the gem spirit that came out of the pendant.

“…Is that a gem spirit? I thought they’re already extinct?”

In the era of the disappearance of different races, his voice rose, filled with pure affinity for the same race.

Just as what Citrina ordered last night, Gemma shut her mouth and was being quiet in the pendant. An innocent face was staring at Oslo.

Being stared at by Gemma’s big eyes, he was frightened and distanced himself.

“Cu- cute and small.”

In addition to their powers of blessing, spirits have various abilities specialized in jewelry. He knew a little better than Citrina.

“Can I borrow your name, then?”

Oslo stopped the wonders that were attempting to leak out from his mouth. As he nodded slowly.

Citrina smiled brightly.

“I won’t disappoint you”

“Then, I’m looking forward to it.”

Oslo slowly stroked the crude beard on his chin.

After handing the capital funds and various gemstones to the departing Citrina and Adilak, he handed a little crystal ball to Citrina.

“It’s a craftsman’s magical tool, so you can contact us here.”

“Yes. I understand”

“Oslo-nim, thank you so much! May everyone bless you, sir!”

“Okay. Don’t be too polite. I will see you again.”

He sent them out with a wave. The separation between the teacher and the student who had been together for four years came easily.

Over the past four years, Citrina had grown a little more mature. She took a strong step forward, recalling the sleeping spirit in the necklace and Adilak, who was standing next to her.

Citrina, who left Duke Pietro’s place with nothing, returned outstandingly after four years.

Adilak and Citrina left the atelier and returned to Patrosia Empire. The destination was Datrin Street in the capital, the most promising jewelry street.

***

Arriving in the Patrosia Empire, they didn’t face any difficulties on the way.

“Ay, we came to the month when no houses are for sale! The capital seems to be incredibly busy. How could this be? My great grandfather wouldn’t have done this!”

“But I already signed an atelier.”

Citrina fluttered the rat contract in her hand.

Right now, at Darin Street, unoccupied ateliers are hard to come by. How come there were no houses for sales nearby. It doesn’t make sense.

“If there really is nowhere else, why don’t we go to my house for a while…”

How could this be, the real estate market was in a cold wave.

The broker who saw the situation, spoke out.

“Oh, there is one house left for sale. But it’s only for people with great courage.”

“Is there a ghost or something?” asked the frightened Adilak.

“That’s not it. Why don’t we go look first? ”

The broker’s fat body trembled. For some unknown reason, Citrina felt that there was something wrong.

Citrina and her party rode in the carriage with the broker. Their carriage ran for about a dozen minutes. Maybe it was because this was inside the capital or the road was well-paved, there was no inconvenience.

The broker didn’t try to meet her gaze, even if she did try to do so for about ten times. Seeing this, it gave her a rather ominous feeling.

Citrina exchanged glances with Adilak.

Thinking indifferently and being at ease, Citrina got off the carriage and entered the townhouse.

The house was small. However, the wall painted in white was clean, and there was a bedroom that looked cozy inside. There was also a small sofa in the living room and a rug.

Overall, it gave off a modern and neat impression. It’s not a bad environment for one woman and one spirit to live in.

“Citrina, don’t you think it’s really good here? It looks like the place where my cute puppy, Summer, lived!”

Hearing Adilak’s remark, Gemma whispered to her side.

-Is it good if it’s a house that dog can live in?

-Uh, maybe it’s something good for Adilak…

“It’s definitely neat.”

The water condition is not bad, and it is small but clean. It didn’t even have insects or mold.

Citrina looked inside carefully and looked at the broker.

“The security is very good. You probably don’t need to be afraid of murderers barging in.”

Even murderers won’t barge in, there’s something odd about these words, which Citrina keenly caught.

“I see. However, it is close to the capital and close to the commercial district, so why is the security so thorough?”

“Is- Isn’t it good to have a tight security.”

‘No, well, that’s… ‘

Citrina looked out the window. She suddenly felt puzzled when she saw what was outside the window.

“What is that mansion?”

There was a large mansion she saw nearby. Somehow it felt familiar…

“Uhh… You mean that.”

“Yes.”

“Actually, that mansion, it’s cursed…”

______________________________________