Ugh...
I closed the door behind me and exhaled heavily.
I'm alive. For now. I wasn't stabbed, tortured, or even locked in a dungeon. Thank the author of this story. Or maybe, on second thought, I shouldn't thank them?
I scanned the room unnervingly quiet and... somewhat gloomy, but with a bed, a table, and even a window. Luxury, compared to a dungeon.
Now, I need to get myself together. In one day, I managed to: End up in the body of the first victim, Blurt out way too much about the future, And accidentally sell information about the diamond mines. Genius. Just genius.
I rushed to the table and...
"Damn. No pen. No notebook. Nothing but some parchment and an ink bottle. Fantasy world, great."
I found a quill, awkwardly dipped it in ink, and began writing. But not directly. No, I'm not stupid. What if someone finds it?
I wrote in codes. Abbreviations. Strange phrases that only I would understand. Key moments from the novel, one after the other: The appearance of the Saint. The first assassination attempt on the Emperor. The hidden room in the southern wing of the palace. The secret alliance between Cassian and the mages. He final scene with Lucien, when...
I froze. No. I won't write that part for now.
If Lucien finds out that he dies in the end... He'll definitely slit my throat.
Oh yes, there's one more major problem.
The Saint. Selena.
White hair, shining golden eyes, God's chosen one, and... the second transmigrator. Just like me.
According to the plot, she also came from another world and unlike me, she didn't end up in the body of a fool but in the body of the beloved heroine. Lucky her.
She also knows the future. And very soon, if everything goes according to the book, Selena will start searching for the diamond mines to fund the Church. With her knowledge, she'll quickly find the right spot, and the money will pour in. And then... hell will break loose. The Church will gain power, influence, and an army. And Selena will start her game to destroy Lucien.
I can't let that happen.
If I can make it to the village of Signora – yes, I think that's what it was called – within a month, I can beat her to it. In the book, this mine was considered abandoned and useless. It would have been sold for next to nothing.
I'll buy it. In Lucien's name. And then – the digging begins.
Ugh... Now I need to make a contract with Lucien.
Of course, it's stupid—asking for something on behalf of a traitor. But damn it, no one can prove he'll really give me five months. His character... it's like a broken pendulum.
Today he says one thing, tomorrow he throws me in the dungeon.
I need protection. On paper.
A contract.
Official.
With a seal.
First clause: a guarantee on my life.
I'm not asking for much - just not to die suddenly, you know?
Second clause: a reasonable budget.
Because how, excuse me, am I supposed to find the mine without a map, horses, a team, or anything?
Even the dumbest fool can understand on an empty stomach, I'll find only death.
So…
Time to be bold. Very politely bold.
The next morning, I entered Lucien's office.
First, three knocks.
Then, a slight bow of my head.
It came naturally, like a reflex. Probably from the body of this fool.
Lucien sat behind the desk, with Valente standing slightly behind, his ever-present half-smile on his face. A funny duo: one cold as ice, the other too... content.
"Lord, I would like to discuss something with you."
"And what would that be?"
Cold. Disinterested. Like I was a fly on the window.
"I would like to make a contract with you."
"What?"
Ah, he's surprised. And it seems... angry.
His already cold eyes turned even... colder.
"Your position," he said with a slight sneer, "isn't one that should be asking for a contract from me."
"I understand, but... Your Grace, you have the right to change your mind..."
"Are you accusing the lord of being unable to stand by his word?" Valente chimed in.
Damn, Valente, either help me or stay quiet.
"No, I just... want to be sure that I'll stay alive."
A smirk spread across Lucien's face.
One that could grace a novel cover.
Or a nightmare.
"You know, that's actually a good idea. And I won't have to dirty my hands."
He snapped his fingers.
And a piece of paper appeared in the air.
A magical contract.
"We'll make it official," he said.
His tone was even, but his eyes burning with either curiosity or a desire to kill me. It was hard to tell.
"You do know what happens if either side breaks the terms?"
"Heart... explodes. On the spot."
"Exactly."
He reached out, and the magical parchment absorbed my demands:
"Life protection," "budget for reconnaissance," "right to be accompanied..."
But Lucien smiled even wider:
"Listen carefully. I added my own terms. And I'll read them aloud. First, yours."
Damn... I feel like this is going to hurt.
But at least it'll be official.