Chapter 48: Banaji’s Desperate Gamble

The unexpected expense was a blow.
The Diner ducal house couldn’t readily produce 100 million rin in cash.

(Should I use the Lilith gold mine as collateral to borrow from the bank? I might even need to mortgage the Naruto mine.)

Banaji’s mind raced with financing options.

But he soon realized there was no need to worry so much and stopped.

If he dug in the place Finu indicated, a new gold mine would surely be found, and 100 million rin could be repaid in no time.
Besides, the land he bought today was destined to become Vittore’s premier resort.

Pledging the gold mine as collateral, the bank eagerly lent him the money, as expected.
Banaji used the funds to purchase Thesea, and it officially became the property of the Diner ducal house.

“What the hell is going on!”

Banaji’s roar echoed through the Diner ducal house’s study.

“How long does it take to find cedar trees growing in a hexagonal shape near a waterfall! Get it together!”

“But we can’t find anything like that…”

The excavation supervisor desperately explained the situation.
Banaji slammed his fist on the desk.

“I’m sick of excuses. Go look now. Find it within three days!”

Yelled at by Banaji, the supervisor muttered, “Understood,” and hurriedly left.
Left alone, Banaji clutched his head.

“Why can’t they find it!”

Finu had said there were cedar trees in a hexagonal shape near a waterfall.
There were only a few waterfalls in the area, and they’d searched those intensively, but the spot still hadn’t been found.

If it stayed missing, the bank might seize both the Lilith and Naruto gold mines used as collateral.

Worse, despite spending 100 million rin on Thesea, no one mentioned anything about resort development.
There wasn’t even a road for carriages, so turning it into a resort would take over a decade.
Banaji began to doubt the credibility of the resort development rumor itself.

“Damn it. I shouldn’t have taken Reina’s word and investigated more first.”

He clenched his fist.

From the moment he learned Thesea was up for auction until the bidding day, there was too little time.
There was no solid evidence the land was valuable, but he’d assumed it was a sure thing when that man at the auction bid so high.

(What now… Wait, if I ask Finu again—)

If Finu, who could hear the earth’s voice, helped, she might turn this around.

When Finu visited the Diner ducal house the other day, she kept glancing at Banaji, her cheeks occasionally flushing.
She clearly still couldn’t forget him.
If he asked, she’d surely agree to help.

Banaji grabbed a pen and began writing a letter.

“Hey, someone!”

“Yes, my lord?”

At Banaji’s call, the steward appeared.

“Send this to Finu. Urgently!”

If he could just use Finu’s divine gift, this problem would be solved in no time.

◇ ◇ ◇

[October, Villa Calendar Year 424]

Finu, leading her beloved horse Lily, enjoyed a stroll on the estate grounds.

When Lily stopped to nibble grass by the roadside, Finu paused and admired the flowers nearby.

“Finu.”

A voice called her name.

“Lord Hawk. Taking a break?”

Finu smiled at Hawk as he approached.

“Yeah. I just got back from an inspection and saw you walking with Lily. Heading out for a stroll?”

“No, I’ve just finished one.”

“I see. Let’s head back together, then. I’ll walk you to your room.”

“Thank you.”

Hawk naturally took Lily’s reins from Finu and walked beside her.

“The other day, Val told us about an underground water source, and we dug a well, right? We’ve also started building the planned aqueduct.”

“Really? Then next summer will surely bring a great harvest.”

“Yeah, it will.”

After returning Lily to the stables, Hawk looked at her closely.

“She’s grown quite a bit. Starting to look a lot like Sherry.”

“She is. Quite the beauty.”

Finu nodded with a smile.
Hawk gazed at her warmly, his eyes softening.

“Want to come check on the aqueduct construction with me next time?”

“I’d love to!”

Finu’s eyes sparkled.

Going out with the busy Hawk, even for an inspection, made her happy.

“Good. That aqueduct is happening because of you, so I really wanted you to see it.”

“Because of me?”

“Absolutely. You found the water source and secured the funds for it.”

Hawk grinned.

In truth, the aqueduct’s funding came from the profit of Banaji buying that land for an unthinkable 100 million rin.
The land had been purchased by the Rosaider family for 5 million rin beforehand.

Those present at the auction must have wondered what secrets the land held, but Thesea was, in fact, worthless.
The nearby coast wasn’t shallow enough for swimming, and the rocky, barren land would be a nightmare to cultivate.
Nor was there any ore buried underground.

In short, the chances of that land appreciating in value were near zero.

*

Back in her room, Finu noticed a letter on her desk.

“Oh, speak of the devil. It’s from Lord Banaji.”

She opened it and read the contents, a smile playing on her lips.
It asked for financial support due to an urgent need for cash and for her to help again with her divine gift.

“Really, the nerve.”

“Are you going to reply?”

Hawk asked.

“Yes, I think I will. I’ll tell him I’m not helping anymore, no matter what he says.”

Finu smiled sweetly.

She had no intention of helping them ever again.