Investing in the Three Villainesses Gives Me Infinite Returns

Shadows cast by the torches along the walls danced across Elias’s dumbfounded face as he stared at Olide in disbelief.

For a moment, he wondered whether he had misunderstood the merchant. However, the amused expression on Olide’s face made it clear that he had heard correctly.

Elias had no idea how long ago the Purple Lily had lived because his maidservant had never provided him with a proper explanation. The few stories she had told him described the woman as a legendary figure whose achievements had been passed down through generations, which naturally led Elias to believe that she had lived hundreds of years ago.

Yet, if Olide’s father had personally served her, then the Purple Lily might have lived within the past century.

That was roughly the lifespan of an Exalted, after all.

Of course, Elias could not simply assume that she had been an ordinary human without a path, nor could he conclude that she had advanced beyond the Exalted rank. He possessed no evidence to support either possibility.

Still, considering the brilliance attributed to her, it seemed unlikely that she had remained ordinary.

’If she truly possessed that kind of intelligence, then reaching a higher rank should not have been impossible for her,’ Elias thought, narrowing his eyes slightly.

”Why are you so confused?” Olide asked, his brows lifting with curiosity.

Benjamin also looked toward Elias, apparently unable to understand why the merchant’s words had surprised him so much.

Elias glanced between the two men and then let out a quiet sigh.

”I am just a little surprised,” he mumbled, choosing not to explain the thoughts running through his mind.

”It is a surprising thing, after all,” Olide replied with a chuckle. ”Not every commoner receives the honor of serving a princess, especially one who was loved by the public.”

As he spoke, he casually fiddled with one of the rings on his finger, his movements relaxed despite the guarded atmosphere surrounding them.

Elias nodded, though his attention soon shifted toward the slender woman dressed entirely in black.

She had remained silent in the corner until now, but she suddenly stepped forward with a wooden tray balanced in her hands. Her movements were so quiet and controlled that even the faint sound of her footsteps was nearly swallowed by the crackling torches.

When she reached the table, she placed the tray down and revealed two teacups filled with brownish-red liquid. She then stepped backward and stood beside the table without saying a word.

Benjamin’s gaze immediately settled on her, and his eyes narrowed as he studied her concealed figure.

Elias, meanwhile, stared at the tea.

”It is a good tea from the east,” Olide said as he lifted his cup and offered Elias a pleasant smile.

Elias considered the situation carefully.

He had two obvious choices. He could accept the tea, which would suggest that he trusted Olide and the people surrounding him, or he could refuse it and demonstrate that he remained suspicious of the merchant’s intentions. ℯ

In truth, drinking it would not pose any danger to him. His Thousand Poison Immunity would protect him from nearly any poison that could be placed inside the cup.

However, accepting it without hesitation would make him appear careless.

’I need him to believe that I am suspicious of him,’ Elias decided, keeping his eyes fixed on the tea.

Olide took a sip from his own cup, and when he noticed that Elias had not touched his, his brows drew together slightly.

”What is wrong, Lord Elias?” he asked.

Elias lifted his gaze toward him. ”I do not feel like drinking.”

Olide knitted his brows, though a soft chuckle soon escaped him.

”It is tea, not alcohol, Lord Elias,” he said. ”I am sure you would not dislike it.”

”You may be right,” Elias replied, shaking his head, ”but I no longer like having tea while discussing anything important.”

Olide studied him for a moment before taking another sip.

”Alright,” he said calmly. ”I have no intention of forcing you.”

He leaned forward slightly, his expression becoming more businesslike.

”Instead, let us discuss why you were searching for me.”

Elias nodded, finally shifting his attention away from the untouched teacup.

”You must be aware of the closure of the city gates,” he said.

”I do,” Olide answered. ”It is going to be a problem for most people, though it should not trouble me too much.”

”Because you are the son of the Honorgold Merchant Company’s master?” Elias asked.

”Exactly,” Olide replied with a grin.

Elias’s expression remained calm as he considered his next words.

”What do you need me for, Lord Elias?” Olide asked.

”I want to buy resources from you,” Elias said.

Benjamin’s head immediately turned toward him, and the old butler’s eyes widened in disbelief.

He leaned closer to Elias and lowered his voice.

”How are you going to do that, my lord?” he whispered. ”We cannot use all of our gold on resources alone.”

Elias glanced at him but did not answer.

Although Olide could not hear the butler’s words, he clearly noticed the sudden change in Benjamin’s expression. His eyes narrowed slightly, and he placed his teacup down with deliberate care.

”Is there any problem?” he asked.

”There is not,” Elias replied at once, shaking his head.

Benjamin’s face paled.

”My lord—” he began, but Elias raised one hand, silently stopping him.

Olide’s gaze shifted between them, his curiosity deepening.

”Then let us discuss the price and the resources you wish to purcha—”

”Before that,” Elias interrupted, leaning forward with a faint smile, ”I want to sell something.”

Olide paused, his brows lifting at the unexpected interruption. However, the merchant quickly replaced his surprise with a polite smile.

”What do you want to sell?” he asked.

Elias leaned back slightly, his grin widening.

”Monster corpses and Riftstone.”

The moment the two men heard those words, their eyes narrowed, and Olide asked, ”You are not joking, are you?”

Elias frowned slightly. ”Do you think I would waste my time joking here?”

”I did not mean to offend you...” Olide mumbled and asked curiously, ”Do you have them with you?”

Elias rose from his chair and turned toward the exit.

”Come to my manor and make sure to prepare a large carriage.”

With those words, he left the room, and Benjamin followed behind him.