Chapter 43

The Vice Tower Master descended the stone stairs slowly. Ivailo raised a brow and followed after him. The underground floor was a laboratory filled with experimental tools and vials of various liquid reagents. It was the kind of sight one could easily find in the Imperial Court Magicians’ research rooms.

 

But there was one thing that was anything but ordinary.

 

“Bars…?”

 

There were iron bars standing at the front of the laboratory.

 

“You may go closer and take a look.”

 

Ivailo widened his eyes as he approached the bars. Inside, a monster was imprisoned.

 

“An orc?”

 

“That, and the lord of the Red-Fur Orc Tribe—Kertug.”

 

The Red-Fur Orcs were the tribe that had thrown the Northern Subjugation into misery. Compared to other orc tribes, they possessed higher intelligence, and their warriors’ massive builds made normal tactics difficult to employ. Even when cornered, killing them in a single blow was nearly impossible.

 

“How is that thing here?”

 

This one in particular—the Red-Fur Orc Lord—was a monster that even multiple top-class knights had failed to capture, eventually losing him altogether. Ivailo glared at the Vice Tower Master, who merely laughed as if this were all trivial.

 

“Well, we caught him, of course?”

 

“You know that’s not what I’m asking.”

 

“The method of capture is classified Tower information. I’m afraid I can’t speak of it.”

 

Ivailo’s nose bridge creased at the man’s uncooperative attitude. His pressure spread throughout the laboratory. The Vice Tower Master smirked.

 

“Not a wise choice, Your Highness.”

 

Immediately, the orc twisted its mouth grotesquely and let out a roar in response to Ivailo’s aura.

 

Grrrrrr—

 

It thrashed despite the gag shoved in its mouth, its red eyes blazing, staring straight at Ivailo as if seeing a delectable prey. Drool dripped from its jaws as it watched him.

 

Were it not for the bars and the gag, it would have torn into his throat in an instant. Ivailo raised one corner of his mouth in a wicked grin.

 

“Fine. I’m intrigued. Tell me what craving you people want satisfied.”

 

“I want an ancient tome stored in the Imperial Library.”

 

Ivailo snorted, as if the request wasn’t worth a full sentence.

 

“Access to the Imperial Library is impossible.”

 

Only the Emperor held the key. Even as Crown Prince, he could not set foot inside unless he ascended the throne.

 

“I’m aware.”

 

“And you still dared ask? Amazing how easily words spill from that mouth.”

 

“Wasn’t it said that the Emperor would grant any wish to the winner of the upcoming Hunting Festival held for the first time in years?”

 

“That is true. Are you saying you want to use the Emperor’s wish to extract a book from the library?”

 

“Yes.”

 

It was, in a way, a tempting offer. After all, he was the only one who could possibly win. And the Emperor’s wish was useless to him.

 

‘Once I take the throne, everything becomes mine anyway.’

 

And with Kertug, the Red-Fur Orc Lord, the Hunting Festival would surely become… interesting.

 

“I will retrieve the ancient tome for you.”

 

“Then I will take that as acceptance. We will prepare the item for the festival.”

 

Ivailo tilted his head back and burst into loud laughter.

 

“Puhahahaha—this will be an entertaining festival indeed.”

 

 

***

 

 

News arrived that the Crown Prince’s proxy had come to visit, and I hurried down to the first floor. It was the same representative I had met when delivering fabric to the palace last time. Though the visit was sudden, I maintained my composure and asked, “What brings you to our merchant house?”

 

“It is simply to inform you that the Hunting Festival will proceed without issue thanks to your timely supply of mana stones to the palace. His Highness the Crown Prince wishes to convey his gratitude and deliver the payment for the mana stones.”

 

“…?”

 

What? I had delegated all authority over mana stones to Freyer. This was completely out of my hands.

 

‘I’m not the one who supplied mana stones—Freyer did.’

 

I opened my mouth to say so, but before I could, the representative pulled out two small envelopes.

 

“The black envelope contains a bank note of 1,000 gold coins for the mana stones.”

 

That money wasn’t mine. It belonged to Freyer. The payment had arrived at the wrong destination.

 

“The navy envelope contains a handwritten letter from His Highness. He could not visit in person due to pressing duties, but he asked that you read the contents.”

 

“I think you’ve come to the wrong person. It’s best you take these back.”

 

I tried to return the envelopes, but he shook his head awkwardly.

 

“I’m sorry, but I don’t have the authority. If there is an issue, you should arrange separately to discuss it with His Highness.”

 

A misdelivered payment and letter—yet the man washed his hands of it and left. I stared blankly, speechless.

 

Kenny approached me.

 

“Miss, what did the Crown Prince’s proxy want?”

 

“I’m… not entirely sure myself.”

 

Complicated circumstances twisted inside me. My head throbbed.

 

“I’ll go upstairs, Kenny.”

 

I sighed heavily and went back to my office, setting the bank note and the letter on the desk.

 

“Why did you come to me instead of the actual recipient…”

 

Letting out another long sigh, I opened the letter. It was mostly a polite thank-you for supplying the mana stones. But at the end, there was an added note:

 

Lady Lilithia Baimery, I would be grateful if you could attend this autumn’s Hunting Festival.

 

I had no intention of attending. I had already prevented Freyer’s danger, and the merchant work I had put off piled like a mountain.

 

‘More importantly, I need to return this money to Freyer…’

 

But I had vowed never to show myself before him again. Delivering it in person was impossible.

 

‘First, I’ll check these documents, then I need to visit the bank to send the money back.’

 

As I picked up the paperwork to resume my duties—

 

Crash—!

 

A loud tumble sounded outside. Probably Kenny breaking something again—it was a daily affair.

 

“What happened?”

 

I stepped out of the office and looked down to the first floor. Someone lay sprawled on the floor.

 

“Lady Nazlee?”

 

Hearing me call her name, Nazlee looked up with an embarrassed smile.

 

“……Hello, Miss Lilithia?”

 

 

***

 

 

I helped Nazlee up and guided her to my office. After seating her, I asked, “Lady Nazlee, are you hurt anywhere?”

 

She checked herself over.

 

“No, I think I’m fine. My dress is puffy, so it cushioned the fall.”

 

“That’s a relief. I didn’t realize the floorboards had loosened. Had I been more attentive, this wouldn’t have happened…”

 

Our merchant house was old, and though we cleaned and maintained it constantly, predicting structural deterioration was tough.

 

“I’m truly fine. Please don’t worry.”

 

“If anything starts hurting later, please tell me.”

 

It was a small accident, but she might not notice the pain until later. And since the incident happened under my roof, I was responsible. Nazlee smiled warmly.

 

“Lady Lilithia, you’re so kind.”

 

Despite falling, she still smiled so brightly. She really was a gentle person.

 

“What brings you to our merchant house today, Lady Nazlee?”

 

“Well… I visited the dressmaker to buy an outfit for the festival, but nothing caught my eye. Then I thought—perhaps I should commission one, and your merchant house’s fabric came to mind.”

 

She fidgeted with her hands, glancing at me.

 

“I heard Baimery fabrics have become difficult to obtain lately… but I wanted to ask if there might be a little I could use.”

 

We were already behind schedule by a week, so fulfilling her request would be difficult. I scratched my head. She hesitated.

 

“I suppose… it’s impossible, isn’t it?”

 

Her small, disappointed voice made my heart twist.

 

“Let me check our inventory first.”

 

I looked through the stock documents.

 

‘Active-wear fabric might still be available.’

 

The high-grade materials had long production times, causing the backlog. Fortunately, the active-wear fabrics were still being produced smoothly.

 

“Fortunately, we do have some in the warehouse.”

 

“I—really?!”

 

Nazlee clasped her hands in delight.

 

“I’ll have the fabric delivered to your residence by this evening.”

 

“That makes me so happy!”

 

Her eyes sparkled.

 

“I can’t wait to wear a pretty hunting outfit and play with the little animals at the festival!”

 

Although the festival set aside a zone with small animals for young nobles, the event itself was a competition—hunting animals to determine the winner. Talking about playing with animal friends and hunting… those were contradictory things.

 

But that was just who Nazlee was. A person who couldn’t bring herself to harm anything. I simply smiled and didn’t correct her.

 

“And I’m so glad I’ll get to spend time with you at the festival, Miss Lilithia!”

 

She blushed shyly.

 

“Ah… I’m not attending the festival, Lady Nazlee.”