Chapter 79. Rien's Situation

"Ian."

Meanwhile, Ian, who had come out to the central garden, turned his head at Romandor's call.

"Didn't the Countess come from Merelop? Where is she? It seems like the Count is embarrassed to come forward, hahaha! Indeed."

"I thought so too, but the Countess is now in Mrs. Mary's room."

"Huh? Mrs. Mary Brats? Why there? I heard they were close friends, but is she here to pay her respects late?"

"I'm not sure. If that were the case, it would be better. She says she's looking for something she lent to Mrs. Mary."

"…What kind of thing?"

"I don't know. She wouldn't answer when I asked."

Romandor tilted his head at Ian's words. What could the noblewomen be exchanging? The Countess's visit, which he thought would be brief, continued until lunchtime.

Creak.

"…"

The expression on the Countess of Merelop's face as she left Mary's room was peculiar. It seemed like she had achieved her goal, but also like she hadn't.

Ian noticed the servant who followed her out was pale and guessed she had failed to find the item.

"Countess?"

"Ah. Sir Ian, it took longer than I expected."

"Did you find what you were looking for?"

"No. It seems to have been lost in the commotion. It wasn't in the room."

The Countess ran her fingers through her hair and smiled. If someone unfamiliar saw her, they would have thought her radiant and charming. From what he could tell, she didn't seem willing to reveal what she was looking for, both earlier and now.

Then there's no need to press the issue.

"Shall we go to the parlor?"

"Actually, I was just about to have some tea. That would be nice."

"Countess Merelop, how are you?"

"Oh! Hello. How have you been? I believe your name is Romandor."

"Yes, Countess."

Merelop received a hand kiss from Romandor and greeted him warmly, then chattered as she headed back to the parlor. Beric, watching from the bottom of the stairs, muttered.

"There's a smell of something extraordinary about her."

"…Beric."

"You're right. Why is she like that?"

"Check the room and tidy it up."

"Sure. I understand."

Beric answered half-heartedly and entered Mary's room.

When Ian arrived at the parlor, Romandor and the Countess of Merelop were already pouring tea.

"Sir Ian, I really caused a lot of trouble."

"Not at all, Countess. Don't worry about it."

"And didn't I mention there was another gift?"

"Yes, you did."

Ian answered as he sat opposite the Countess of Merelop.

"I heard you need to pay a tribute to the central authority."

"Oh. How did you know?"

"Things have a way of getting around. Since the amount seems quite large, perhaps we could help you a bit."

"Count Merelop?"

"Yes. While we can't give you the full amount, I think we could lend you about 5,000 gold coins."

"Ah. Lend me?"

"Interest-free, of course, in exchange for some Gula seeds. What do you think?"

Ian smiled and replied.

"It doesn't seem like a good deal."

"Keh!"

Romandor was taken aback. No matter what, to be so bluntly rejected was unexpected. However, the Countess seemed unfazed, merely shrugging her shoulders.

"Is that so?"

"Firstly, I'm grateful for the Count and Countess's concern. However, the tribute must be paid by us to have meaning, and we have the means to do so."

"You have the means? Are you serious?"

"Absolutely. Therefore, I can't accept your offer. Moreover, if we compare 5,000 gold coins to the value of Gula seeds, the latter is overwhelmingly more valuable. Gula seeds can be replanted to produce dozens more, solving the winter famine, don't you think?"

"Even so, Gula was worth nothing before."

"Before, yes. We can always earn more gold, but a person's life is irreplaceable once lost."

It was a statement that clearly understood the situation in Merelop. Despite having a full purse, there was no place to spend it. The Countess sipped her tea and smiled gently.

"Perhaps the price of Gula will be a problem. Wouldn't you have to give up some land?"

"Thank you for understanding."

Meanwhile, inside Mrs. Mary's room.

While Ian and the Countess of Merelop were having a subtle negotiation, Beric, who was lazily looking around Mary's room, sensed someone and turned around.

Creak.

"Beric? What are you doing here?"

It was Hana. She wiped her wet hands on her apron and tilted her head.

"Ah. The Countess came and messed up the room, so she asked me to check it and lock the door."

"Messed up the room? Why?"

"I don't know. It seems Mrs. Mary borrowed something and didn't return it. Ian thinks it's in the room, but I can't find it."

Even in the tense moment when Mrs. Mary fled, she didn't seem to have visited the room.

"You don't know what it is?"

"She's crazy, isn't she?"

"Hmm. Indeed, it's not an easy situation."

Hana crossed her arms and quickly scanned the room. Then, she got down on her hands and knees and poked around under the bed with a broom.

"What are you doing?"

"Checking hiding spots. There's not much space in a room, so under the bed, behind the wardrobe, or under the drawers…"

"I've already looked everywhere."

"Then maybe the floor or the ceiling."

"The floor and ceiling?"

Hana walked around, tapping the floor with the broom to check for hollow spots.

Thump! Thump thump!

"Yes. Sometimes the wooden floor can be pulled up. The ceiling is so high that you can't reach it… Ah!"

Hana looked up at the ceiling as if something had occurred to her. Her gaze was fixed on the chandelier. The fabric, like tangled wood, started from the center and extended in all directions.

"Wait a moment. A chair won't work, will it?"

"Ladder?"

"Yes, yes."

"I'll get it. You keep tapping the floor."

Beric hesitated as he was about to run out. He was surprised by Hana's skill.

"But what are you, exactly? You can pick locks, have good hands, and are great at hiding and finding things."

"Kids in our neighborhood can all do this much."

"I doubt that…"

It was a skill shaped by the environment. While Hana's home was relatively better, he had heard of a house where the ceiling collapsed due to hidden potions.

Hana gestured for him to hurry, and Beric, shaking his head, obediently listened.

"Hold me steady."

"Shouldn't I go up?"

"Beric, you can't even find clothes in a drawer. Hold me steady."

Creak.

Hana climbed the ladder and reached inside the chandelier. The warmth of the lamp and the sticky dust clung to her hands.

"A little to the left… Ah!"

"What? What? Did you find it?"

"Um…"

Hana pulled out a round, black, shiny powder box. It seemed to be the item the Countess and Mrs. Mary were discussing.

"Why would she hide cosmetics here?"

"Indeed. It's nothing special!"

"Should we open it?"

While Hana handed the powder box to Beric and climbed down the ladder, Beric couldn't resist and opened the lid first. It was filled with fine powder.

"Really nothing… Huh?"

"Why?"

"This… smell…"

Hana asked curiously, but Beric was too busy sniffing the powder to respond. It smelled strange.

After a couple of deep breaths, Beric's eyes rolled back, and he fell forward.

Thud!

"Ah! Beric!"

At the same time, the powder scattered on the floor. Hana shook Beric, but his body was stiff, showing no signs of waking up.

"Ugh…"

"A, Ian! Ian!"

Hana stumbled back and rushed to the parlor, bursting in without knocking. Romandor, Ian, and the Countess of Merelop looked at her in surprise.

"Ian! Something terrible has happened!"

"What's the commotion, Hana?"

"Beric found the, the black round powder box, and he collapsed as soon as he smelled the powder."

"Exactly what is this…"

While Ian was confused, the Countess of Merelop reacted instinctively and rushed out. Hana, pushed back, fell, and Ian, surprised, followed her.

Thud thud!

The Countess, running in her dress, was desperately determined. Ian quickly caught up and grabbed her arm.

Snap!

"Countess, please calm down a bit…"

"Let go of me!"

"No, wait a moment…"

A brief struggle. The Countess slipped down the stairs, and Ian tumbled down with her. Romandor and Hana, who had followed, called out to Ian.

"Sir Ian! Are you alright?"

"I, Ian! Are you okay?"

"Ah. I'm fine. Countess, are you hurt…?"

"Ah…"

How urgent it must have been for the Countess to climb the stairs so quickly. As she ascended, a glimpse of her ankle under her skirt revealed a purple hue, not human.

Ian flinched but soon realized it was a bruise.