Chapter 144

Chapter 144: The Eldest Daughter’s Hunt (1)

A rising graph.

Nothing made one’s heart race quite like that.

Stock prices for all regions of the continent, updated every morning at 9 a.m.

Among them, the most striking asset was, as expected, Lloyd Shipping.

Back in my previous life, it had performed so spectacularly that it appeared not only in the newspapers but even in the history books.

“Director.”

“It’s your turn to speak.”

The weekly meeting of Iron Maiden.

The chief secretary and the head of the secretarial office, who had been reporting on the performance, asked for her approval.

“Ah, right. Where was I?”

“You were talking about how this second half’s revenue from Luton Maiden has increased by 50% compared to last year.”

The two aides looked at Freya with concern.

She had been deep in thought lately, and at times, it felt like she couldn’t focus on the company’s work.

“Well, that’s good news. Nothing else to report?”

It was a stark contrast to the professionalism she once upheld.

“No, nothing further.”

“Then let’s end the meeting here. Only the chief secretary and the head of the secretarial office should remain.”

The executives offered a bow and left their seats.

Only her two closest aides remained by her side.

“Chief Secretary, how’s my father’s trade route improvement project going?”

“It seems to be progressing smoothly. Thanks to a newly developed construction method, the previously barren mountain paths are being paved well, contrary to our concerns.”

Freya placed her fingers on the desk, satisfied with the news.

Then, like gently playing piano keys, she tapped them lightly as she spoke.

“I should tell Father. That we’ll be able to support him with 50 billion gold soon.”

“F-Fifty billion gold...?”

The middle-aged mage, with his stern features, widened his eyes in shock.

No matter how he thought about it, there was no way that kind of money could just pop out of her pocket.

“Yes. I secured enough capital this time.”

“Surely... you’re talking about the stocks you invested in using the company funds?”

To spend company funds as she pleased and still speak of it without shame—

Perhaps only the eldest daughter before them could pull that off.

“That’s right. That 50 billion has become 100 billion.”

With her arms crossed, the eldest daughter lifted her chin proudly.

Like a victorious general returning from the battlefield.

“It may be a little late, but if I show up with even more money, he’ll surely be pleased.”

Freya wanted to regain her father’s trust.

She knew just how important it was, as the eldest daughter, to earn the Grand Duke’s favor.

Her aides, too, working for the Grand Duke’s company, were well aware of that fact.

Still, there was one thing that weighed on their minds.

How far could this smoothly sailing stock rise?

“Forgive me, Director... but may I dare ask at what point you placed your sell order?”

“Like I said before—set it at 25 times.”

Even at the current rate, it had already reached 100 billion.

If it truly climbed 25 times from there…

That would mean she could buy the entire family with money.

However, that sweet dream couldn’t last long—shattered swiftly by her two aides.

“Director, setting it at 25 times is far too reckless.”

“He’s right. There’s no guarantee the price will rise so dramatically. It would be wiser to recover at least some of the gains in advance…”

At the advice of the two middle-aged men, Freya let out a small scoff.

She stood with arms folded, gazing beyond the window toward the distant Erian Hotel.

“No. If I do that, it might put the brakes on the stock’s growth.”

Just then, a messenger hawk flew in through the window.

Tied to its leg was a small note.

“In the nature of the stock market, when a major investor pulls out, small shareholders tend to react emotionally and sell everything as well.”

She had dabbled in stocks long enough to know this.

She was fully aware that major shareholders like herself were the ones who stirred the winds of change.

“Especially with a low-cap stock like this, the impact is even greater.”

As Freya read the note, a satisfied smile formed on her lips.

On the paper, it read:

‘In one week, Lloyd Shipping’s stock price is expected to reach approximately 100,000 gold. After that, a period of sideways movement is expected, but the outlook remains strong.’

It was a reassuring tip from the head of the stock exchange.

With that, she no longer had anything to fear.

“As long as major shareholders like us hold the line, the bottom-feeders will follow along.”

Wearing a bold expression, Freya took a sip of the tea sitting on the conference table.

Then, letting out another soft chuckle, she silently crafted an ambitious plan in her mind.

“Let’s just say it’s the responsibility of those who bear much.”

And that plan truly seemed to be coming to life.

Exactly one week later, just as the head of the stock exchange had said—

Lloyd Shipping coiled like it was gathering strength…

‘Lloyd Shipping stock price skyrockets 10x in just two weeks of listing…!!’

And then it soared into the sky like it was ascending to the heavens.

――――――

“Chief of Staff, what happened with Echina?”

“As she stated herself, she sold off all her invested funds just moments ago.”

Typically, when a stock reaches a symbolic price point, many investors start pulling out.

Lloyd Shipping, originally priced at 10,000 gold, had hit 100,000—promptly entering a sideways trend.

But Freya remained completely unfazed.

“So that means 80 billion gold vanished in an instant?”

“That’s correct.”

She believed this brief fluctuation was due to Echina’s exit.

“What about that Roger fellow?”

“According to the head of the stock exchange, he hasn’t sold a single share yet.”

The eldest daughter nodded, as if everything was going just as expected.

“Good. All we need to do is keep our eyes on him.”

She knew exactly who had orchestrated this entire game.

Which meant all she had to do was follow his selling timing.

“…Understood.”

The middle-aged chief of staff pressed his lips together, clearly unsettled.

Still, even he couldn’t bring himself to voice a different opinion here.

The director’s unyielding attitude, backed by sound reasoning.

A perfectly aligned situation, and the massive profits flowing into the company.

He didn’t have the confidence to stand alone in denying all of that.

And so, he decided to ride the tide of this grand current as well.

However, Luton Maiden, which had been swept up in that flow, soon began to falter—severely.

Lloyd Shipping, which had soared sky-high with no fear of heights.

Its stock price stalled at the tenfold mark and refused to climb further.

Worse, today marked the first drop: from 100,000 gold down to 90,000.

“What’s going on…? He said the sideways trend would last only one week.”

It was a completely different outcome from what the head of the exchange had said.

Freya began to feel anxious.

With a grave expression, she fidgeted with her silver hair.

“What about Roger’s movements?”

“He hasn’t sold a single share.”

The chief of staff reported the information plainly.

“That means… he anticipated this, too. I should write him a letter.”

She had once admired his capabilities while also keeping her guard up around him.

Yet somehow, Freya had started to rely on this man more and more.

Without even realizing it herself.

She scrawled out the letter quickly, and a reply arrived as if he’d been waiting for it.

Freya tore open the envelope with her bare hands, not even bothering to use a letter opener.

And as soon as she read the contents—

She let out a short sigh, like she’d just been given a sedative.

‘There was a safety accident recently during the construction of a trade ship at Lloyd Shipping.’

So the reason for the stock stalling over the past two weeks wasn’t anything too serious.

‘Fortunately, no one was killed, and while construction has been temporarily halted, it only led to some bad rumors. There’s no need to worry. I haven’t sold a single share either.’

“So that’s what it was… Makes sense. The head of the exchange also said the outlook remained positive.”

And that outlook was simple.

The trade ships being built by Lloyd Shipping—

None of them had even hit the sea yet.

If they succeeded in their first voyage, that would mark their real debut as a legitimate shipping company.

In other words, from that moment on, they’d be gaining serious attention and advancing without hindrance.

Which meant this current stock surge was nothing more than a warm-up.

The main course hadn’t even been served yet.

‘We just need to wait for Lloyd Shipping’s first departure. That’ll be the peak.’

Freya made up her mind not to be shaken by every little setback.

She chuckled softly and shook her head, thinking how unlike herself she’d been.

But this creeping, indescribable pressure…

It was only just beginning.

The next day, it dropped again—from 90,000 gold to 80,000.

The day after that, it dropped from 80,000 to a shocking 60,000 gold.

And today—

Unbelievably—it plunged again, down to 40,000 gold.

“……”

Freya’s expression darkened dramatically.

In just a few days, her 500 billion had shrunk to 200 billion gold.

Of course, it was still an enormous profit.

After all, the initial investment had only been 50 billion gold.

But what weighed on her mind were the bold promises she had made to her father… and the handful of contracts she’d jumped into with high hopes.

If—

Even if it was just a very big if—

Something went wrong with Lloyd Shipping’s first departure…

Then the failed contracts, the blow to the company’s credibility, and her father’s disappointment would all come crashing down in a perfect storm.

“Roger… that bastard still hasn’t sold?”

The eldest daughter was visibly deteriorating.

The once-brilliant director now wore a face lined with fatigue, and the chief of staff closed his eyes tightly at the sight.

“Yes, Director Roger still hasn’t sold a single share.”

“As expected of the man who backed Echina. His mental fortitude is incredible.”

She had believed she’d analyzed the situation thoroughly.

Roger Julius’ investigative ability, his sound investment strategy—

The information she’d gathered on Lloyd Shipping had lined up almost perfectly.

Everything suggested that company had genuine promise.

And yet…

“Why am I so uneasy?”

Her instincts, honed as the daughter of the Grand Duke of the North, were speaking.

Telling her to pull out of this stock right now.

But Freya couldn’t. Not easily.

She had already made preliminary contracts with multiple parties, including her father, Duke Luton.

There was no turning back.

Now, she was on the same boat with a man who had eyes as sly as a fox.

She had abandoned her grand ship, only to climb aboard the fox’s shabby sailboat—

one that carried nothing but a single treasure map.

And I, the one holding that map, smiled faintly.

Because at the edge of that treasure island—

there was nothing waiting.

‘Breaking News: United Kingdoms of the Northern Seas cancel announcement of shipping industry nationalization…!!’

The next day.

At last, the United Kingdoms’ scheme surfaced.

Their domestic stock market, which had grown rapidly by building an alliance with the Empire—

And their handpicked manipulation stock, Lloyd Shipping, used to milk the market for all it was worth.

Since the stock price had swelled nicely, they simply canceled the nationalization and drained only the profits from the soaring shares of up-and-coming companies.

The impact was tremendous.

As the massive capital injected by the United Kingdoms was pulled out and established powerhouses began to recover…

Even Lloyd Shipping, whose stock had once reached 40,000 gold, plummeted.

There wasn’t even time to react.

In just twenty minutes—

Before the news could even cross the Northern Seas and reach the continent, the crash had already happened.

From 40,000 to 5,000 gold in a flash.

Then from 5,000 to 2,000.

By the time the head of Freya’s stock exchange received the update…

It had dropped to 1,000 gold.

The stock she had bought for 10,000 gold had fallen to a tenth of its value.

“……”

Freya, the eldest daughter of the Grand Duke of the North, heard the news.

Her once-radiant golden eyes had lost their light.

The 50 billion gold she’d scraped together—even drawing from company funds—

was now 5 billion.

In the middle of a disaster so unreal, it felt like the world itself had turned against her…

Freya could only stare blankly, her lips parted.

“This can’t be happening.”

Only one person came to mind.

Roger Julius.

And in that moment, the Grand Duke’s daughter realized—

That all of this had been his trap.

“Roger… Roger Julius…!!”

Her once-beautiful face twisted completely.

Like a furious wild beast.

“That bastard scammed me…!!”

She rose abruptly from her desk.

Without even bothering to put on her coat, she stormed out the door and headed straight for a hotel.

――――――

Meanwhile, at the infamous Erian Hotel—

Here sat a man who had just lost 9 billion gold out of 10.

“Roger.”

“Yes, Lady Echina.”

Across from me at the lounge bar sat Echina.

Despite losing that much money, she stared at me calmly.

“You’ve lost 9 billion gold, yet your face is so calm.”

“……”

I didn’t offer any real response to the Grand Duke’s daughter’s question.

Instead, I gently dropped a sugar cube into her bitter coffee and said,

“You’ve already turned my 800 million into 8 billion, after all.”

Echina quietly gazed at the dark surface of her coffee, watching the sugar cube dissolve.

There, our reflections were faintly mirrored.

“What are you talking about? I was only planning to pay back the principal.”

She smiled wryly, pouting as if teasing me.

At that, I opened my fox-like, slender eyes even wider and said,

“Then… just give me the principal.”

“……”

Echina lifted her eyes, glancing at me sideways in response to my indifferent tone.

“You’re always so thorough with money matters, but now you’re suddenly being generous?”

To her question, I looked at her with a gentle expression.

Just like that time in my past life—

When I was dying and she was the only one who held me.

“It’s just… you feel like ‘family’ to me, Lady Echina.”

Family.

At those two short syllables, Echina’s lips parted ever so slightly.

I, turning my head, watched her lightly bite her lip with amusement.

Completely unaware that Echina had interpreted those words in a way entirely different from mine…

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