The current queen’s biological child and the elder sibling of Ligares.

As a child, he was kidnapped by fanatics and eventually went missing, which became the cause of Ligares’s hatred toward the church nation.

“But he......”

He’s been missing for nearly thirteen years. It was practically expected that a funeral would be held at any time.

The four quickly dismissed this gloomy and unlikely possibility.

“Anyway, the current leading candidates are the first prince and the third prince.”

“Since the regent queen’s health isn’t good, the decision will probably be made soon.”

“I just hope it won’t be extreme. I can’t imagine a bloody wind blowing over the capital.”

“......A wind.”

Suddenly, Shez perked up as if recalling something and muttered.

“A wind in the capital!”

“What’s wrong, Shez?”

“I heard a strange rumor.”

“A strange rumor spreading in the capital?”

“Yeah, yeah.”

Shez, Raywin, and Prinz all focused their gazes on Shez. Clearing her throat, she unusually spoke a perfect sentence.

“The ‘Black Prophet’ will decide the owner of the throne.”

A heavy statement to be carried on the wind.

It lodged itself deep in the minds of those who heard it, like a spell.

✠

Each country on the continent of Serentra had its own distinct features, especially reflected in the appearance of its capital.

If the republic’s capital, Gehenid, pursued refined beauty with the integration of magical engineering, then the royal capital Wilhelon boasted a lavish and antique architectural style that clearly proclaimed to the world: this is where the royal family resides.

In a building located in Wilhelon’s bustling district. Originally a luxury inn, it had a great view, offering a full sight of the central square and the royal palace through the windows.

This was one of the buildings Reid had purchased early on and, from today, became the base for villains planning to conquer the kingdom.

“Do you like it?”

“Yeah.”

I nodded enthusiastically, but Reid left room for improvement.

“It’s a luxury inn, but it mainly caters to wealthy commoner travelers, so there are many shortcomings. If anything is uncomfortable, just tell me anytime.”

“What happens if I tell you?”

“I’m thinking of taking over the Duke of Valenstein’s townhouse.”

“Calm down, Reid. Let’s not forget our plan.”

“I always have several plans prepared, but if my accomplice prefers the milder approach—”

“Yeah, yeah. I don’t like extremes. Thanks for always adapting.”

“You’re welcome.”

At this point, such talk could be considered normal conversation.

<Well, for someone who could conquer the world by force right now, choosing to scheme is indeed mild. Hmm.>

Maybe friends do start to resemble each other. Agnes seems to have grown accustomed to reasonable thinking as well.

Reid stood in front of the stairs and extended his hand toward me.

“Well then, kid. Shall we go see the new business downstairs?”

“Sounds good! But sorry, I’ll pass on the escort.”

“Oh, right. Excuse me.”

Purchasing this building wasn’t simply to use as lodging. The first floor housed restaurants, general stores, and various shops.

Among them, we took over a small antiquarian bookstore entirely and remodeled it a bit. According to our mild world conquest plan, we needed to start a small business.

Of course, ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) the business fit the specialties of a regressor and a spirit possessor, so just from the signboard, one could guess the nature of the business.

[Future Sight (未來視) — specializing in revealing secrets of love fortune, wealth, business luck, career, health, and more.]

We planned to actively utilize the advantage of knowing the future. Thus, Reid took the role of astrologer, and I became the astrologer’s assistant.

The formerly musty antiquarian bookstore had been transformed into a mysterious astrologer’s shop, with colorful celestial patterns fluttering and crystal beads sparkling. The interior was inspired by a VIP point shop I had visited before.

I dressed to suit the con artist role, wearing a gypsy dancer’s outfit, styling my pink hair uniquely twisted on both sides with hairpins like traditional ornamental sticks.

I thought this was enough to look dazzling and mysterious as the astrologer’s assistant.

[‘The Word that Builds Worlds’ relaxes as it looks at your outfit.]

[‘The Scales that Judge Souls’ secretly favors the somewhat revealing design.]

“Pretty. It suits you well.”

Meanwhile, Reid, the astrologer himself, hadn’t changed much from his usual attire.

“You’re only wearing one more monocle?”

“There’s nothing else to add.”

Maybe because he always dresses to the extreme?

...I realized I was under the scales’ filter too.

“Put on a harness or something.”

“If you want.”

Half in jest, Reid complied. The charm was so overwhelming it became a bit difficult, but I managed to endure.

‘That would be dangerous in a corrupted state.’

As I reminded myself to be cautious, the beaded curtain hanging at the entrance softly clinked as the beads brushed together.

It was the monumental first customer’s visit.

A middle-aged man with sunken eyes stumbled and sat down at a table.

Though the weather was clearly bright today, only above his head seemed to be covered by dark clouds, making him look gloomy.

He immediately asked Reid.

“Fortune teller, when will I hit it big in business?”

Reid rolled his eyes and gave the man a quick once-over, top to bottom. Clearly an ordinary person who didn’t seem to play a major role in saving or destroying the world.

Even regressors and spirit possessors don’t know every extra’s situation. Yet if you must scam for a profession, there’s only one way.

‘Cold reading.’

There is a technique to read people’s minds even with no prior information about them.

Humans tend to consider themselves special, so if you just vaguely mention common human traits, they often believe those traits are unique to themselves.

Now, let’s watch Reid’s cold reading skill.

“There’s no big jackpot in your life.”

“Ah, no, wait—what...!”

“That’s a good thing.”

“Are you trying to pick a fight?!”

Calm down, sir. You’ll lose.

Reid found it too silly even to smile and continued calmly.

“If there’s an ascent, a descent inevitably follows. The steeper you rise quickly, the steeper you fall. That’s what we call ups and downs. But is having ups and downs in life a good thing?”

“No, usually?”

“Yes. Saying there’s no jackpot means life has no ups and downs, which is pretty good in its own way.”

“Ah!”

The customer realized.

“I see! Thank you! I will live well, embracing my smooth life from now on!”

He left a generous tip and disappeared. His face looked considerably brighter than when he came in.

I applauded in admiration.

“Wow, experience shows.”

“.......”

Maybe it was just my imagination. He seemed to dislike it.

[ The final mastermind performed a small good deed. You received 1 Good Deed coin.]

An unexpected side income.

Maybe it was because he gave hope and comfort to a man frustrated by business failure. I playfully rested my arms on the back of Reid’s chair and propped my chin.

“Hmmm.” 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

“Why?”

Reid turned his head but paused. Well, it would make our faces too close here.

I answered behind his steadfast back.

“For being kind.”

“You’re relatively kind to me.”

I saw through his attempt to twist the meaning to dodge the compliment. He’s really changed a lot compared to before.

We received a few more customers after that. Generally, fortunes regarding wealth and love were popular.

[‘The Harsh Critic of Balance’ doubts whether you are in a position to meddle in others’ romances.]

[‘The Scales that Judge Souls’ suggests it’s better for you to watch love fortunes yourselves.]

[‘The Noble General Store’ claims it specializes in love fortunes and invites you to visit the VIP point shop.]

A noble lady who came for unrequited love counseling left the shop feeling relieved yet somber. I sincerely hope her love succeeds.

With the customers gone, it was time to clean up. I was putting the star charts, tarot cards, and crystal balls back in place when Agnes asked with suspicious eyes.

<Can the conquest of the Kingdom of Vinchester really be possible with this kind of business?>

“Of course not.”

<Then?>

“It’s just a pastime to have regular customers. We’re killing time until the special customer arrives.”

<A special customer? Do you have reservations?>

“Rather than reservations, it’s better called a scheme. Reid has done a lot of groundwork. Ah, looks like they’re coming now.”

Suspicious figures entered the fortune-telling shop, faces hidden under deep hoods.

The one who appeared to be their leader slammed both hands on the table and asked Reid.

“You’re the astrologer, black and long-haired, and so handsome it’s unforgettable... Are you ‘that one’?”