I'm The Wrong Guy In The Wrong World : It's An Otome Game?

I remembered—yesterday, Gaia had completed her investigation regarding the natural resources in this region.

The Lucien territory lies in a secluded highland, surrounded by dense forests and towering mountain ranges. These mountains stretch wide, forming a natural border between our forests and the infamous Dark Forest—a place known as the den of savage and terrifying monsters.

When Gaia deployed several drones to scan the area, she discovered an old, abandoned iron mine. Possibly a relic of the past… or something the locals had long forgotten.

From my balcony, I jumped down into the yard and used telekinesis to land lightly. Thankfully, no one noticed my rather suspicious movements.

I walked toward the small crowd gathered outside the gate.

"Ma'am, we can't keep waiting much longer," said one of the debt collectors, his tone showing clear impatience.

"Pardon me, gentlemen," I cut in politely, stepping forward. "Why don't you come inside and enjoy a cup of tea? We can talk things over more calmly."

I lowered my head slightly, offering the formal greeting of a noble.

"Rey, what are you doing?" Ossana asked, one eyebrow raised.

I glanced at her and gave a small signal, then leaned in and whispered something in her ear. Her eyes widened slightly, but she soon appeared thoughtful.

"…Very well," she said softly. "I'll trust you this time."

We moved into the drawing room to continue the discussion. The room was spacious, its walls decorated with faded portraits of the Lucien family. A large round table sat at the center, drawing us together, and the scent of freshly brewed tea wafted gently in the air, making the atmosphere feel slightly more relaxed—though the tension lingered.

One of the collectors—the thick-mustached man with a sharp gaze—frowned as I explained.

"So you're saying… there's an iron mine in the Lucien territory?"

"Yep. That's right," I replied casually, leaning back on the sofa, one leg crossed over the other, and a hand tucked into my jacket.

His expression turned skeptical. "Don't tell me… you plan to take out another loan? With your current debt untouched, that would be difficult, Young Master."

I raised my hand slightly, signaling he'd misunderstood.

"No, no… I'm not asking for a loan." I leaned forward, meeting his eyes directly. "I'm offering you an opportunity—a real investment."

"An investment…?" His tone shifted. Still doubtful, but I sensed a flicker of curiosity.

"Exactly," I said firmly. "You're aware of Lucien's geographical position, aren't you? We're in the northeast of the Tharsaros Kingdom—right on the volatile border. The Eastern Duke is always busy waging war against barbarians and neighboring states looking to tear through our borders. Meanwhile, the Northern Duke is locked in a desperate battle against waves of monsters from the Dark Forest."

I tapped the table with a rhythmic finger. "Now think—how valuable would an iron mine be in a frontline region like this?"

One of the collectors began stroking his chin, gears turning in his head.

"Weapons, repairs, logistics—they all need iron. Even a soldier's shield or a harvest cart won't roll without it."

I continued in a calm but assertive tone, "I'm only proposing a partnership. No upfront taxes. All I'm asking is that you invest in reopening this mine. In less than a year, the profit could cover our current debt. Maybe even double it."

In my mind, I recalled Gaia's report. The mine might be old, but with a little technology from Stargazer and local manpower, it could be up and running efficiently again.

—-

From what I've gathered so far, the Kingdom of Tharsaros is held up by four Grand Dukes, like the four pillars of a palace:

The North, where warriors are stuck in an eternal Tower Defense simulation, holding back waves of wild monsters.

The East, a bloody battlefield resembling a never-ending war sim against foreign nations.

The South, busy with political maneuvering—like a high-level diplomatic strategy game.

The West, a bustling sea trade hub dealing with imports and exports to the eastern continent, basically a global economy simulator.

And Lucien? We're caught between two fires: the North and the East.

I looked at the collectors with confidence. If they were smart, they'd realize this wasn't about debt repayment… but the beginning of a strategic investment.

I took a slow breath and leaned back into the sofa.

"But of course," I added, eyes locked on the three collectors across the table, "to start all of this… I'll need initial funding. Around one thousand gold coins."

"One thousand?" One of them—a plump man with ring-laden fingers—arched a brow. "That's no small amount just for a start."

I smiled casually. "That's just the first step."

"And what exactly would it be used for?" another asked, suspicion dripping from his voice.

"First," I said, raising one finger, "we have a bandit problem. Lucien doesn't fall under direct protection from any Duke. Bandits have grown bold, encroaching deep into our territory. I'll need troops and mercenaries to wipe them out completely. One clean sweep, and it won't be a recurring issue."

I raised another finger. "Second—the mine is quite far from the central estate. The current route is infested with monsters. If mining operations are to run smoothly, the path must be secured. I'll deploy adventurers and soldiers to make it safe."

They fell silent, exchanging glances.

"I'm not saying this will be easy," I continued calmly, "but this land has potential. High-quality iron on the frontier? You could monopolize metal distribution across both the Eastern and Northern fronts."

The thick-mustached man who had been the most confrontational looked at me again, then slowly nodded. "Alright. One thousand gold coins to start."

I shook my head gently, then leaned in.

"No. Five thousand."

"Five thousand?!"

"You mentioned one thousand as a starting investment, so I'm taking that as agreement. But listen carefully," my voice lowered, sharp and clear, "I'm not offering an illusion. This is a real long-term project. With five thousand coins, you're not just reopening a mine—you're establishing logistics routes, territorial security, and even laying the foundation for future trade outposts."

They fell quiet, and I continued before doubt could pile up.

"If this territory rises, you'll be part of its foundation. And I'll personally ensure you receive exclusive distribution rights for the mine's output for the next five years."

"Five years… exclusive distribution?" the plump one murmured, stroking his chin.

"Of course," I added with a faint smile, "it'll all be in the contract. I'm not just looking for cash—I'm looking for business partners."

They looked at one another again. This time, not with suspicion… but with serious contemplation.

I knew their type—greedy, yes, but capable of calculating profit and risk. All I had to do was position myself as an opportunity, not a burden. And it looked like… it was working.

"Very well," the mustached man finally said, exhaling. "We'll agree to the five thousand… but we'll send inspectors to monitor the site."

"Agreed." I nodded firmly. "We'll draft the contract—once the gold is delivered."

—-

Alric Lucien's Study

Knock knock.

"I'm coming in," I said, opening the door without waiting for permission.

Alric gave me a brief glance before returning to the report in his hands. "You stirred quite the storm this morning, Rey," he muttered flatly. "Mother seems relieved… but also worried."

I dropped myself onto the chair across from him and placed a leather pouch on the desk with a soft thud. The clink of gold coins rang out from within.

Alric raised an eyebrow. "What's this?"

"Startup capital. Five hundred gold coins," I replied, crossing my legs. "Use it to prepare an expedition to the iron mine."

He narrowed his eyes. "Wait… iron mine? Do we actually have one of those in our territory?"

I gave a slow nod. "When I disappeared two months ago, I was actually in the eastern forest… sort of on a private training retreat. I found an old, abandoned mine there. The structure's still stable. But the path is full of monsters, and I suspect the deeper parts are occupied by at least a mid-level monster boss—judging by the aura I sensed."

Alric leaned back, sighing. "Why didn't you say anything sooner?"

"I wasn't sure back then. But now, with our financial pressure, I think this is our best shot." I leaned forward. "The mine's at the base of the northeastern mountains. It's a three-day journey from here. I need you to organize an expedition—troops, supplies, and if necessary, hire trusted adventurers or mercenaries. I'm sure you know who's reliable."

"And you want this done in…?"

"One week," I said firmly. "No more."

Alric paused. His eyes met mine—analyzing.

"Rey, honestly… I don't know what changed in you, but…" he took a deep breath, then stood, "I'll trust you. Just this once."

I smiled faintly. "That's all I need."

He took the coin pouch and nodded slowly. "Alright. I'll start recruiting tonight."

"And make sure the rumors don't spread too far. We don't need idea thieves beating us to it."

Alric smirked faintly. "You're a handful… but sometimes, your ideas aren't the worst."

I stood and gave a playful salute. "See you at the next strategy meeting… Commander Alric."

After the long discussion with Alric, I stepped out into the corridor. The air felt a little lighter—though maybe that was just my plan finally moving forward.

My goal: return to my room and resume my magic studies—not the poetic kind, though it's turning out to be just as complicated.

As I ascended the stairs, a familiar voice broke into my thoughts.

"It's obvious, Apolo," I replied casually without turning. "Tonight, we're going hunting."

I chuckled, brushing my hair back. "Don't be ridiculous, Apolo. We're not unleashing that… not yet. Maybe."

My steps grew lighter, adrenaline tingling at my fingertips.

"Besides, it's the perfect time to take Genesis out for a walk, isn't it?"

"Technically… an alien dog with four front legs and two hind legs," I replied with a faint grin.

The wild rats have gotten far too comfortable in this land.

It's time they learned… who really owns this forest.