"Look at that round belly."
"It's so adorable and cute."
"I heard the elders at the meeting fiercely opposed that child. Isn’t that too harsh?"
"How can they torment such a tiny saintess!"
The conversations around me were sweet, indeed very sweet!
The scary old men I met at the last meeting were gone, and now this place was filled with 40-50-year-old retainers.
They were essentially the real heads of each affiliate company under the dinosaur corporation, Driblyane.
'In other words, they're all powerful figures outside!'
Getting on the good side of these people would pave a smooth path for me.
"As you said, that area has been entirely bought by Driblyane. We purchased it at a very low price since it was still winter a week ago."
Wow, they call buying a whole village cheap.
The head of the house waited until I finished my honey milk before slowly opening his mouth. Then, as if on cue, the surroundings became quiet.
"Shall we now turn that land into farmland?"
"Pardon...?"
"Wasn't it originally a wheat-producing area? You meant to plow the fields now that spring has arrived, right?"
No, no, no! What are you saying now?
I lifted my head in shock to see the head of the house looking at me with an amused expression. The retainers around him also seemed curious about what I would answer.
'Ah, this is a test.'
Realizing this a beat late, I wiped my milk-wet chin and stood up, wobbling with my round belly.
"Goodness, so cute I could die."
"Such a little one, smelling like milk."
"Have you ever seen one this small? It’s my first time in my life."
"Well, your family is full of bears. No small figures among the Grizzly Bear family!"
With such murmurs, I clasped my front paws politely.
Did the retainers give me some time to prepare my answer on purpose?
After taking three deep breaths, I boldly shouted.
"Put it up for auction and sell it expensively to the Imperial family!"
Proof of spring. That’s a huge event that would shake not only the Magic Empire but even the Holy Empire.
Can you even imagine the value of Luxoria at this point?
986 years since the saintess's sealing, now it’s 995. After almost ten years, the lost season returned. Only there!
'If we live in Luxoria, it would become an exclusive privilege for a few.'
Yet, making it farmland wouldn’t save the entire Magic Empire.
Moreover, making the frozen land suitable for farming with sufficient fertilizer would take a long time. It’s a highly significant piece of land but completely impractical.
I looked up at the head of the house with the most trustworthy expression a ferret could make.
"You should sell it at a very high price. So high that everyone will be astonished!"
That way, more money would come to me.
Once again, Driblyane strictly adheres to performance and reward systems despite being villains. If we sell Luxoria, they’d surely share the proceeds with me.
"And this is really top-secret information..."
"Do you have more interesting information?"
I nodded.
The head of the house now looked very amused. From suspicion to interest, from interest to fun, and now to joy.
Watching the change, I smiled broadly.
"Spring is coming. To the whole world."
So Luxoria had value only now, as the first place where spring returned.
"Then we should hurry and sell Luxoria before spring is spotted nationwide."
"Yes!"
"Those Imperial folks will be quite upset after paying the price!"
The head of the house laughed heartily, hitting the table.
The retainers laughed sinisterly, and I, fitting right in as the future daughter-in-law of a villainous family, grinned widely.
'But why do I get along so well with these villains...?'
Though I felt a bit conflicted, seeing everyone laugh to the point of tears made me feel not so bad.
"I wonder what reaction the Emperor will have when he finds out whose idea this was!"
"Just thinking about it is refreshing!"
"Every year, they take so much from us under the guise of taxes, donations, and border defense funds."
"Consider this as getting some of it back. Hahaha!"
While they seemed more thrilled about sticking it to the Imperial family than recouping the investment, that was fine with me.
'What's good is good.'
I was slowly adapting to this villainous family.
Finally, I tugged slightly on the sleeve of the head of the house. I still had more to say.
"Excuse me, Head of the House, do you happen to have seeds and fertilizer in Driblyane?"
"You mean to sell the seeds and fertilizers we’ve been researching since spring will come nationwide anyway?"
"Yes!"
"You’re suggesting we corner the market. Everyone will soon need fertilizer."
It’s nice when people understand quickly. You can’t ignore experience.
In the original story, Driblyane was involved in the munitions industry, focusing heavily on the development of weapons and invisible surveillance golems.
'But the current Duchess is a Spirit Summoner. One who made a pact with the Earth Spirit.'
She had long researched ways to grow crops indoors to benefit many people, presenting methods to the Imperial family that allowed crops to grow well even with minimal nutrients.
Thanks to her research, the people of the Magic Empire were less starving compared to those in the Holy Empire.
'And the seeds Driblyane possesses are stronger than those of any other family.'
Planting those would yield a harvest even in barren conditions.
It would be more than just a harvest.
'It would symbolize hope.'
But how would everyone react to this information?
'Even if I suggest incorporating the Duchess’s research, they might find it too far-fetched and be wary.'
Pondering with my round ears twitching, I decided to throw Kiraxis under the bus.
"You’re very capable. I won’t ask where you got this information or how you came up with its application."
"Um... half of it was from Kitty."
"Are you referring to Kiraxis by any chance?"
"...Yes."
The name Kiraxis was too hard to pronounce, so I found an easier substitute... Kitty.
Sorry.
"Pfft, hahaha!"
"Did you just call the Deputy Head a kitten?"
"My sides hurt! I'm dying here!"
"Our little baby kitten, the Deputy Head! Hahaha!"
...The retainers might end up thinking I'm a comedian.
I sighed deeply.
"So, what do you want in return for all this information?"
"A reward?"
"Yes. Driblyane is greedy by nature. But nothing comes without a price."
The head of the house was explaining Driblyane’s principles to me.
'This means they’re ready to accept me!'
My heart pounded with excitement.
It was a sense of belonging. Until now, I had drifted around without being part of anywhere.
Finally, I would have a place to belong. Officially.
"You set the value of your accomplishments yourself. This experience will help you manage the family’s affairs in the future."
"Yes."
"Now, tell me, what value do you place on this achievement?"
I realized that pretending to be weak, cute, or clueless would be no fun here.
These people didn’t want a 'child' like that.
'I'm an unexpected, comet-like presence.'
The head of the house, as well as the loyal retainers of Driblyane, only desired one thing.
A talented person fit for the role of a daughter-in-law.
In this world, the belief is that nature doesn’t change.
Even if I seem suspicious, if I prove as useful as a dragon’s offspring, they’ll gladly discard their existing plans for me.
"..."
I looked around at the faces waiting for my answer. I sensed faint expectations. I decided to meet those expectations.
"Driblyane."
"What?"
The head of the house raised an eyebrow, but I answered without blinking.
"I want Driblyane. Because... because... that’s the best!"
My pronunciation, clearer than before, showed how much effort I was putting into my speech. Then, I added a touch of cuteness before the atmosphere turned strange.
"I also want to be praised."
But after declaring that while showing off my belly, I felt a bit confused.
"Where do I get praised? On my head or...?"
If I were a human, it would obviously be on the head, but as a beastkin, especially in my ferret form, I was confused.
When you praise a puppy, don’t you usually rub its belly...? Or not...?
