Stephanie stood in the center of the freezing, ruined hall, weighing the heavy leather pouches in her hand. The rhythmic clinking of coins inside was the most melodious music she had heard since waking up in this cursed world.
"Vespera, stop crying," Stephanie commanded calmly without looking back. "Get some water from outside. I need to wash my hands."
Vespera, still trembling uncontrollably at the sight of the massive, silver-haired monster standing as still as a statue behind Stephanie, could only nod frantically and run off to obey.
Stephanie glanced at the three thugs now huddled near the broken castle pillars. Their leader, the bald man, was still unconscious from the excruciating shock after his wrist was crushed to powder by Revista. The other two, Titus and Rufus, stared at Stephanie as if she were a terrifying demon wearing the delicate skin of a noblewoman.
[Ding! Real-world currency detected: 12 Silver Coins, 45 Copper Coins.][Would you like to convert them into Wealth Points (WP)?][Conversion Rate: 1 Silver Coin = 10 WP. 100 Copper Coins = 10 WP.]
Convert everything, Stephanie commanded internally.
The blue holographic screen flickered, and the numbers in the corner of her vision shifted rapidly.
[Conversion Successful. Current WP Balance: 124.5 WP.][Territory Treasury Balance: -500 Gold Coins (Unchanged).]
"Hmm... only enough to secure one basic blueprint," Stephanie muttered under her breath. Her sharp, calculating eyes fixed onto the two thugs who were still conscious.
"You two. Names?"
"T-Titus, My Lady... and this is... this is Rufus," the larger thug squeaked, his voice cracking in terror.
"Titus and Rufus," Stephanie nodded slowly.
Indentured servitude. A classic method of debt repayment and acquiring free labor, she thought cynically.
"From this moment on, you are no longer debt collectors for Tarkus," Stephanie declared, her voice echoing with absolute authority. "You are now property of Winterhaven until your trespass penalty is fully paid in labor. Your first task: clear this hall of debris and stone within the hour."
"B-But what about our boss's hand—"
Stephanie didn't even have to speak. She merely glanced over her shoulder at Revista. The cursed prince shifted his glowing red eyes slightly toward the thugs, letting out a low, vibrating growl from his broad chest.
Titus and Rufus immediately leapt to their feet, moving heavy boulders and sweeping debris with incredible, panic-driven speed.
Fear is a highly efficient short-term motivator, but it's not sustainable for long-term productivity, Stephanie analyzed inwardly. I'll need to establish a better incentive system later.
Stephanie then turned her attention to Revista. The man still radiated a scorching, suffocating heat, creating a bizarrely warm micro-climate around him—a stark contrast to the night air that was dropping drastically by the minute.
"Revista," Stephanie called out softly.
The silver-haired man turned his head. His red eyes were still highly guarded and feral, but there was something remarkably different in them now—a tiny, hesitant flicker of curiosity.
"You're the most effective heat source I've ever seen, but you need a bath and proper clothes," Stephanie said. She discreetly opened the [System Shop] and tapped the purchase button on a glowing golden icon.
[Ding! You have purchased: Ondol Heating System Blueprint (Basic).][Remaining Balance: 24.5 WP.][Instructions: Utilize labor to install heat ducts under the stone floor of a sealed room.]
"Vespera!" Stephanie called out to her maid, who had just returned carrying a wooden bucket of freshly melted snow.
"Take Revista to the master bedroom on the second floor where the roof is still intact. Clean him up. Use the warm water you just made."
"M-My Lady! I have to... bathe... him?!" Vespera pointed a shaking finger at the towering, bloodstained beast of a man.
He is my SSS-Class security asset, Stephanie thought. But explaining that would be a waste of breath.
"He is the absolute most valuable thing in this territory right now, Vespera. Treat him well if you don't want to freeze to death tonight," Stephanie said firmly, before looking up at Revista. "Follow her upstairs. I will join you shortly after disciplining our new labor force down here."
Revista stared down at Stephanie for a long time. His beast-like mind was struggling to understand why this fragile human woman was so calm while giving orders to a monster that could snap her in half. However, the phantom warmth he had felt from her soothing touch earlier still lingered on his burning skin, somehow keeping the agonizing Abyssal Curse at bay.
Without a single word, Revista let out a huff, turned around, and obediently followed the terrified Vespera toward the grand staircase.
Stephanie exhaled, watching a thick cloud of white vapor escape her lips. The temperature was dropping extremely fast. She walked toward Titus and Rufus, who were sweating profusely despite the cold.
"Good work," Stephanie said, making the two thugs flinch as if they had just been whipped. "Finish clearing this hall, then immediately follow me upstairs to dig some floor trenches. If you work efficiently, I might give you a hot dinner. If not..."
Stephanie pointed a slender finger toward the pitch-black basement door.
"...I'll return you to the man from earlier."
Titus and Rufus instantly worked twice as fast, their hands moving like blurs.
Stephanie smiled cynically. Human resource management isn't that much different, whether you're in a modern glass skyscraper or a ruined medieval castle.
However, as she looked out the gaping, glassless window into the pitch-black darkness of the northern forest, a new system notification suddenly flashed in a blaring, warning red.
[Ding! Critical Warning!][Scent of blood detected: Frost Wolves (Tier 5) are rapidly approaching the castle.][Quantity: 5.][Estimated Time of Arrival: 3 Minutes.]
Stephanie clicked her tongue in severe annoyance.
More pests disrupting my operational hours. Unbelievable.
She looked up toward the second floor where Revista had just gone.
"Revista!" Stephanie called out, her voice sharp and ringing with the authority of a commander. "It looks like your bath will have to wait!"
Time for some mandatory overtime.
"Get back down here!" she ordered fearlessly into the dark hall. "I need you to earn your keep!"
[Nymphaearoot the Author]: Hope you enjoy reading! If you like it, please add it to your library and let me know your favorite moments in the comments. Looks like the "free space heater" is about to show why he's graded SSS-Class in combat!