I became an antagonist teacher in RPG WORLD

Chapter 8: Debt and Plan ( Remake)

Meanwhile, Iris returned to her room, her mind buzzing with thoughts and emotions. As she closed the door behind her, she took a deep breath, trying to shake off the weight of the dining room encounter. She spotted a pile of letters on her desk, a mix of official correspondence and personal invitations. One letter, in particular, caught her eye. It bore a noble seal— But something was off.

"Wait... was this already opened?" she muttered, picking it up cautiously.

The seal sparked recognition, and her stomach twisted. "Don't tell me..."

She ripped the letter open with a sharp flick of her wrist, eyes scanning the elegant script. Her jaw dropped.

It was a marriage arrangement proposal from the House of Arenthis Marquess.

"House Arenthis? Who tf are they?!" Iris squinted at the name, her expression twisted in confusion and horror. "Is this another random NPC family or something?" She flailed the letter in disbelief, like shaking it would somehow make it disappear. Her devastated look was almost comical as she gawked at the words on the page.  "A marriage proposal? Why do I look like, some damsel from a second-rate romance novel?" Her eyes darted across the ornate script, each word making her stomach churn.

As she neared the bottom of the letter, her heart nearly stopped.

"We, House of Arenthis, will pay off the debt with 300,000 gold, if she agrees to a political marriage."

Iris froze, her hands trembling.

"Three hundred thousand... WHAT?!" Her voice cracked, and she tossed the letter onto the floor in a crumpled heap, glaring at it as though it personally insulted her. She started pacing the room, her feet stomping loudly as she muttered to herself, fuming.

"Are they seriously expecting me to fix my family's financial problems by being sold off like this?!"

"How does this even work in noble society? 'Oh, just sell off your daughter and settle a deal!' Like I'm some bargaining chip! What kind of father sells off his own daughter?!"

Suddenly, her eyes lit up with a mischievous glint. "Wait a second... A business. That's it! I'll start my own business and pay off the debt myself!" She sat up, a smirk spreading across her face, her anger quickly turning into determination.

"Heh, just you wait... I'll show them. Marrying me off? I'll make more gold than they could ever imagine." She rubbed her hands together, the gleam of a master plan taking shape in her mind. "They'll be begging me for loans by the time I'm rich enough."

Iris leaned back in her chair, the satisfaction of her scheme bubbling inside her. Who needs marriage when you've got ambition and a brilliant idea?

Her eyes gleamed with determination as she started planning her next move.

But first, she thought, I have to cancel this ridiculous engagement. Before that, convincing her father about her business plan was crucial.

"Elra! Are you there?" Iris called out, her voice brimming with urgency.

A soft knock followed by a calm voice answered, "Yes, my lady."

The door creaked open, and Elra, Iris' personal maid, stepped inside, her navy blue hair falling neatly behind her shoulders, her brown eyes observing Iris with an expression of mild confusion.

 Iris had never sounded this intense about anything before.

"Elra, I need you to bring me a map of the areas surrounding the estate. Especially locations near here where monsters are known to roam."

Elra blinked, her confusion deepening. "A map, my lady?" Her voice was steady, but her brow furrowed ever so slightly as she wondered why her mistress would want something so peculiar. Monsters? What was my lady planning for?But Elra, ever the dutiful servant, quickly composed herself. "Of course, my lady," she said, bowing slightly before turning to fetch the requested map.

As the maid left, Iris could hardly contain her excitement. Just you wait, father. I'll gather materials, start the business, and end this engagement myself.

 She felt a strange thrill at the thought of monsters being key to her new life plan. The irony wasn't lost on her—she was about to dive into a world of beasts to solve her own problems."Monsters, business, and freedom... This plan can't fail," she whispered to herself, her grin widening.

✵ ✵ ✵

A few moments later, there was a soft knock at the door.

"My lady, I've brought the things you requested," Elra's calm and measured voice floated through the door as she entered, carrying a rolled-up map and a list of forest locations.

"Bring it here," Iris instructed, not looking up from the papers scattered on her desk.

Elra moved gracefully toward the table, placing the map before Iris with the same composed demeanor. The map unfurled, revealing the entirety of Rheinnach, with the Hesperii territory marked in detail.

"My lady, may I suggest reviewing the forest near the eastern edge of our lands? It's rumored to be untouched for years. There's talk of creatures roaming, but nothing concrete has been confirmed."

iris nodded, her eyes scanning the intricate drawings and markings. "Interesting... the eastern edge, you say?"

Her mind drifted as she studied the map. Eastern edge... in the game, it was barely a footnote. Just some forgotten land until Aurelius Emberfall stumbled upon it during that one expedition. Typical protagonist luck... A spark of excitement flickered through her. But if I get there first...

Elra tilted her head slightly, curiosity flickering in her eyes, though her expression remained calm. "If I may, my lady—should I make any further arrangements? Perhaps send a scout ahead?"

Iris tapped her chin, a mischievous glint forming. "No, that won't be necessary. I'm going there myself."

Elra's calm demeanor wavered ever so slightly. "But my lady! It would be dange—"

"Elra!" Iris snapped, her voice sharp but steady, as a dark purple aura suddenly flared around her like a chaotic storm. The room felt colder for a split second.

The maid froze, visibly trembling though she tried—really tried—to keep her expression neutral. I swear, this family... she thought, forcing a smile.

"Don't make me repeat myself," Iris continued, her tone dangerously calm. "Prepare the supplies. Five empty bottles, a dimensional bag, and a sword.

 And, Elra—" She leaned in, her eyes gleaming with a playful menace. "—do not tell my father about this. Or... I'll be forced to remind him of that time you were sneaking cookies late at night and—"

"Y-Yes, I understand! As you wish, my lady!" Elra practically squeaked, bowing at lightning speed before retreating with more urgency than grace, her composure cracking under the weight of the threat. Her face was a mix of relief and mild panic. Note to self: never cross Iris before noon. Especially if snacks are involved.

As the door softly creaked shut behind her, Iris leaned back in her chair, the map still sprawled before her. A sly smile crept onto her face. Looks like it's time for the protagonist to take the back seat.

"The eastern forest, huh? Sounds like the perfect place to start," she mused, her fingertips lightly tracing the edge of the map.

With a quick motion, she pressed her hand flat against it and whispered, "Map open."

In an instant, a translucent screen materialized in front of her, glowing with a soft, light-purple hue. The details of the Hesperii lands sharpened before her eyes, with each region and its terrain becoming far more distinct.

"Now that looks more detailed," she smirked, leaning closer as new possibilities unfolded. 

Next chapter continued...