Reincarnated as a Villainous Aristocrat in an Otome Game, So I Bought the Main Heroine with Money - Chapter 02: Helping the Main Heroine with the Power of Money

Chapter 02: Helping the Main Heroine with the Power of Money

As I stepped into the bustling town square, a symphony of lively sounds greeted my ears. The bold voices of street vendors, the laughter of children, and the cheerful tunes of flutes played by street performers filled the air.

Everything about it made this world feel undeniably alive.

“So this is… the game’s setting.”

The sights of the town were far more vivid and real than anything I’d seen on a screen. The intricate patterns of the cobblestone streets, the colorful array of fruits displayed at market stalls, and the expressions of the people passing by on the busy streets.

It was all breathtaking, yet tinged with the harsh realities of life.

I stepped down from the carriage with my maid, Faina, making sure not to draw attention.

Walking around town in full noble attire would clearly attract unnecessary stares. For now, I opted to drape a simple cloak over myself to conceal my status.

“Lord Cerios, are you sure there’s something specific you’re looking for here?”

“Yes. There’s something I need to do in this place.”

Faina looked visibly uncomfortable as we entered the dirtier parts of the lower town.

But according to the game’s storyline, Liese and her mother were supposed to be living in this very area, struggling to survive. Her mother was gravely ill, unable to afford the expensive medicine she needed, which eventually led to her death.

And the reason for their suffering? It was none other than Cerios von Egrid himself. The heavy taxes imposed on the Egrid domain to fund his extravagant lifestyle had driven them into poverty.

This, in turn, motivated Liese to work hard, eventually earning a scholarship to the academy. There, she would fall in love with a powerful noble and dedicate herself to dismantling the corrupt political system upheld by villainous nobles like Cerios.

This was the very place where her story began—her determination to change the world sparked by the hardships she endured here.

But things were going to be different this time. As Cerios von Egrid, I had the power to prevent her tragedy and rewrite her future.

Suddenly, I stopped in my tracks, catching the sound of an argument coming from a narrow alleyway.

“Please! Even just a little will do! I beg you, give me some medicine! My mother… my mother is going to die!”

The desperate voice of a young girl echoed through the alley. But in the impoverished lower town, no one was willing to help her.

In fact, the people here were struggling to survive themselves under the crushing weight of heavy taxes.

Looking deeper into the alley, I saw a girl in tattered clothes begging a merchant. Her appearance matched the image of Liese from my memories.

In the game, she had always appeared noble and resolute, exuding the aura of a true heroine. But the girl in front of me now was thin, trembling, and on the verge of tears.

“Enough already! I can’t sell medicine to someone who can’t pay! I’m running a business here, not a charity!”

The merchant’s frustrated voice rang out as he shoved her aside. She staggered but tried once again to reach out, only for her hand to grasp at nothing but air.

“Please… just a little…”

I couldn’t bear to watch any longer.

“Wait.”

My low voice made both the merchant and the girl turn toward me. Stepping into the alley, I positioned myself in front of the girl, shielding her.

“Sell this girl the medicine. Name your price.”

“H-Huh? And who the hell are you?”

“I asked for the price.”

My words carried a quiet yet undeniable authority. The merchant straightened up, clearly realizing I wasn’t just some passerby.

“T-Ten gold coins. I pay taxes too, you know! I can’t cut the price by even a single coin!”

Ten gold coins were an impossible amount for any commoner to pay. For me, however, it was a mere trifle. Without hesitation, I pulled out the coins from my pocket and handed them over casually.

“This should cover it. Keep the change.”

The merchant stared at me in shock before hurriedly handing over the medicine. I took it and placed it in Liese’s trembling hands.

“Here. This should do it.”

“…Huh?”

Liese took the medicine, her hands shaking and tears welling up in her eyes.

“Why… would you do this…?”

“I bought it because it was necessary. That’s all.”

I kept my reply brief and extended my hand to help her stand. She hesitated but eventually grabbed it, using my support to get to her feet.

“Thank you… truly… thank you so much…”

Her voice was unsteady, yet it carried a clear sense of relief and gratitude.

As I accompanied her back to her home, I remained silent. I wasn’t sure how to interact with her. To her, my actions might have seemed nothing more than a strange act of charity.

But when we arrived at her house, and I saw the tears of gratitude in her eyes as she gave the medicine to her ailing mother, I felt a small sense of satisfaction.

“Why… why would you help someone like us?”

Her question lingered in the air. I gave a short reply.

“…A whim.”

There was no way I could tell her the real reason. But this was enough. At the very least, I had managed to save her mother’s life.

“Um!”

“What is it?”

“I’ll do anything! Please, tell me how I can repay you for saving my mother!”

She was ragged, her appearance far from beautiful. But I knew that one day, she would grow to become the most stunning woman in the kingdom—the main heroine herself.

“Then, I’ll buy everything you have with my money.”

“!!!”

“Not interested? Then don’t bother worrying about it.”

“No! Please, let me serve you!”

“What?”

Liese bowed deeply, her voice unwavering.

“Please tell me your name. You appeared out of nowhere and saved my mother, even though we’re probably the same age. I want to repay that kindness!”

Whoa, whoa. Isn’t she being way too straightforward? Sure, life might be tough, but isn’t she undervaluing herself a bit too much for her mother’s sake?

“Are you serious?”

“Yes! I’m completely serious!”

Wow. Her body might be frail, but the determination shining in her eyes was something else. Is this the legendary power of a main heroine?!

“Faina.”

“Yes!”

“We’re taking this mother and daughter back with us.”

“Are you certain about this?”

“They’re commoners I’ve decided to pick up. No complaints, alright?”

When I shot her a sharp look, Faina inexplicably started trembling.

“Everything is as you wish, Lord Cerios!”

“Good. Hey, Liese, was it? I’m Cerios. Remember that. From now on, I’m taking you and your mother back to my estate. If I leave you here, your mother will die even if she takes the medicine.”

“Ah!”

It seemed she thought the medicine alone would save her mother. How naive. In her current state, malnutrition would surely claim her life.

I couldn’t allow that. Saving Liese with my money would mean nothing if her mother died soon after.