Chapter 7: New family

Savine sat before a table filled with all the new delicacies she introduced. Already, there were some variations since some of the fruits that grew here were unique to the world. However, she wasn't interested in them and silently ate her beef stew.

Vevian sat at the table's helm, his every body part busy. His mouth was busy talking to his eldest son and eating, right hand grabbing random snacks and left hand playing with his favorite object. It was supposedly a coin, but because he rubbed it so much, it was no different from a flat piece of gold. Vevian had yet to talk about the history behind it and Savine kind of hoped it stayed that way. It was probably some dog story about how it was the first gold coin he earned or something.

Vevian's sons and daughters lined up on both his sides. They made a total of five persons. The only noteworthy ones were the eldest brother and sister. From the reports Savine read casually, they did an extremely good job. The accounts actually looked fabricated with how clean they were.

Honestly, with how Vevian was with money, it would be more impressive if they were fabricated.

They were named Pelos and Vega, who both managed a Merchant's Union in Strati state's two other big cities. Savine was more interested in Vega, who was trying to make business contact with the Sovereignty close by, where her mother was. She had a good head on her head and was the only one of the siblings who took Savine seriously.

The rest looked at Savine like she was some parasite.

Savine sighed. Usually, she would've ignored them, but she needed to take her current situation a bit more seriously. Vevian, that nosy dog, realized what kind of a goldmine Savine was and was trying to keep her by his side by all means possible.

Originally, Savine just wanted to borrow some money from him and go to the Sovereignty, but Vevian listed off a bunch of excuses and forced her to stay here. It was a delaying act, as Savine would still get her money from the craftsmen sooner or later leave by herself.

She was very curious to see how the Temples of the Sovereignty looked like.

But before that, she was forced to accompany Vevian for some money-making and also maybe coexist with his other children.

'Maybe I should make a show of force so he knows not to mess with me…? But I don't think Jibril will allow that.'

Savine sighed again.

"Oh, Ney, do you want some more food?" Vevian said.

"Savine."

"Oh, of course. Savine. We had a new naming ceremony for you and everything. How could I forget?" Vevian laughed. "It's scary how age crawls up at you, hah!"

Savine scoffed. Why does he have to act like an idiot all the time?

"Mm. And no. Thanks for the food. I'll be in my room if you need anything."

"Of course. Of course. You can ask me anything too!"

Savine nodded and walked out of the room. When she walked away for a few steps, she could hear the discussion erupting behind her.

<Father! What is the meaning of this?>

<No, you need to kick her out of the house immediately!>

It was the useless three who were talking behind her back. She then heard the Vega speak.

<Father has his plans,> Pelos added, sounding displeased, but accepting of the circumstances.

With how clearly she could hear their words and distinguish their voices, Savine realized that her Gift was manifesting in her new body. It wasn't yet reaching the level of Areal Omniscience, but she could definitely hear what others talked about her and things she focused on deliberately.

That was one good news at least. She could only lament the fact that her Divinity did not do the same and manifest inside her.

<But still!> the three continued. <She takes on the Lashawn name and throws it around everywhere like she was born with it!>

<She specifically asked if she could use our name before getting adopted,> Vega sighed. <Are we supposed to be those lowlife merchants who go back on our words after the deal is agreed upon?>

'Oh? I thought it'd be around 12…' Savine hummed.

She made a contract with 260 craftsmen in Strati city. Their average monthly income was about 60 mixed silver coins, which was 0.6 gold coins. Since she was getting 8% of that, the number averaged out to 12.

'Does he think that the craftsmen' profit is going to be bigger?'

Since the craftsmen's products are going to be much better, it was definitely plausible for there to be more profits.

'Hmm… Well, it doesn't really matter,' Savine thought. 'The real money's gonna come when I can use mana and talk with the farmers.'

Though Savine managed to gather almost every craftsman she could find, it was still a drop in the ocean compared to the real behemoths of most of human history, farmers. Up until chemical fertilizers and heavy machinery, it was a necessity for most civilizations to have up to 90% of its total population to be farmers due to the need for food.

Savine could make some chemical fertilizers if she tried hard enough, but she didn't think that the farmers would believe her. Some might, but the results of that investment would only show after a year or two.

It was better to use her mana to bless their lands directly. The concept of magic would make her offer much more believable. If things came down to it, Savine could even make their yield grow immediately.

By that point, Savine wouldn't have to share her profits with the Vevian as well.

Back in the dining room, the discussion continued.

<Silence! In three months, she'll make ten times that amount. 200 pure golden coins! That's more money than what you'll make in your entire lives! It should be you three useless mutts who I should kick out!>

<We…>

The discussion went towards something unrelated to Savine, so it started to sound hazy. She shook her head and headed to her room.

On her way, though, she was met with a panic-stricken servant running at his fastest towards the dining room.

'Are they here already?' Savine wondered. 'That was quick.'

She focused on the servant, who upon reaching the dining room, loudly opened the door without even knocking and declared.

<Sir! A Magus is here to meet with you!>

<What?!>

The siblings all panicked in horror. Even the two eldest raised their voices. Only Vevian remained calm.

<Stay in your rooms,> Vevian ordered. <Don't come crying to me if the Magus finds you sour to the eye and decides you need to die.>

With that, the Headmaster of the Merchant Union headed towards the entrance.

Savine wondered if her presence would be beneficial for Vevian's talk with the Magus. Thinking for a second, she made herself presentable and walked towards the entrance as well.

She met Vevian on the way. He was a bit surprised to see Savine, but seeing her helplessly nodding towards the exit, he spoke up.

"You should stay in your room. I'll take care of this."

He sounded more serious. Perhaps because he just had a fight with his kids, or perhaps because of the Magus.

"They'll probably call for me anyway," Savine said. "And besides, I want to see one of these Magi."

Vevian grunted.

During the walk, Savine amused herself, seeing how quickly the old man changed his expression from serious and unwilling to friendly and servile.

Though he usually acted like a friendly, somewhat foolish old man, Savine knew he was a serious, cold person on the inside.

When the Magus came into view, he spoke up amicably.

"Esteemed Magus! It is an honor to be in your presence! I'm mortally ashamed to have not welcomed you personally!"

The 'esteemed Magus' was a youth of about twenty. Maybe even younger. He had that air of arrogance that came naturally to privileged youths. Eyes that seemed to belittle your every fiber of being, lips that were forever pursed as if he didn't want any of the air around him to enter his mouth.

From the badge without any stars on, Savine could tell it was only and Initiate. Not a prosperous one, either, from how the mana in the air trickled into him at its slowest.

'This shouldn't be that difficult,' Savine hummed inwardly.

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