Chapter 97: Good News and Bad News

The path was set.

Romandoro continued to scratch his pen until the ink ran out, writing down the details of the incident without any lies, but in the most favorable light possible, to the point of straining his eyes.

Rustle.

"Sir Romandoro, should I place this here?"

"Ah, Hana. Yes, thank you."

It was the testimony of the servants from the Mereloff mansion. Most of them were illiterate, so only their fingerprints were on the documents, but these would serve to prove the innocence of the lady and the pilgrimage of Dive.

"Still, I think they will be quite surprised in the capital."

"Of course they will. The noble was killed by a slave in a single day, and his only heir, his younger brother, is a heretic who believes in the underground deity."

"Moreover, they will be surprised that you sold gula seeds to Mereloff. The report we received didn't mention anything about the popularity of gula yet."

"Have we received a response from the capital?"

At Ian's question, Romandoro hesitated for a moment. His attitude suggested it wasn't a very positive response.

"They, they asked me to send Sir Molin to the capital first."

"Lord Marib?"

"Yes."

"Damn."

Ian genuinely clicked his tongue. This was a clear indication of who had won and who had lost in the power struggle between Marib and Gail.

"Though it's a bit disappointing, it's not that difficult. I'll have the carriage prepared immediately."

"Will it be alright? We'll meet again in the capital soon."

"What can we do? When we meet again, our positions will be clear."

Ian is a noble and a magician. Molin is an official in the administrative department.

The difference is quite clear, isn't it?

"Anyway, the capital says that gula can't be used for food. Many people will struggle until this winter."

"By the way, what about the gula that Mereloff has started cultivating?"

The seeds that the noble had bought to distribute gula were still stored in the warehouse. It was a mess before the ink on the contract had even dried.

"I don't know. We've already been paid, so it's best to follow the lady's wishes."

"The lady seemed eager to distribute and cultivate them to have a plentiful supply of food."

"Then let her do it. We should also completely liberalize the trade of gula among our residents."

This meant including not only roasted gula but also live gula that could be cultivated. Romandoro put down his pen and glanced at the chest in the corner of the office.

"Two chests already. I'll have to go to the bank soon. How much do you think it will be? About 200 gold coins per chest, I suppose."

As Romandoro muttered, Ian also started to calculate. With the small income from such sales, plus the 3,500 gold coins from the gula trade and the 5,000 gold coins in gratuity from the lady, they had already gathered most of the tribute money.

"Congratulations. At this rate, you'll be able to pay off the tribute money before next summer. Then you'll truly become a noble. Ah, when that happens, I'll be sure to show you the proper respect."

"Please, don't worry about it. I've already received a great deal of help from you."

Ian's sincere praise made Romandoro's cheeks rise slightly. He continued to write the report to the palace with great care, one letter at a time.

"By the way, once things are roughly settled in Mereloff, we should start packing and get ready to leave. If we depart in two weeks, we should have plenty of time to reach the capital."

"Sure. We don't have much to pack anyway. We don't have many family members to bring along."

Only Ian and a few companions were moving, not the entire household. His belongings would fit in one carriage. Since they would be staying at Romandoro's mansion in the capital, packing too much would only be a burden. The only family member he would bring was Beric.

"Speaking of which, what about your mother?"

"My mother?"

"I mean Filia. I heard she continues to live in the forest."

"Ah. I asked her to come down to the village, but she seems reluctant. She only comes down when the cold is unbearable. I plan to ask the village foresters to keep an eye on her."

Despite the changes in the village due to the battle, the forest was still Filia's home. She seemed to be thoroughly enjoying her life there.

"Still, once we go to the capital, we won't see her for a long time."

"Even if we take her with us, we won't see her often."

"True. Magic Department won't let you off easily. Ah, I'm sorry. That's just my personal prediction."

Romandoro, who had been muttering absentmindedly, laughed sheepishly. But Ian immediately understood his meaning.

"I think the same. Minister Wesley, right? He'll be all over it, whether it's a blessing or a curse. He might even tear me apart."

"True. They say magicians come out when the crescent moon rises and look at the stars. Even if we bring your mother, they won't be able to take care of her properly."

This meant that the training and workload would be intense. But Ian, who had already experienced it, didn't think too deeply about it. After all, he could always return to his previous life if he didn't like it.

"But what is Beric doing? He hasn't come back yet."

Romandoro muttered, looking at the darkening sky outside. Beric, one of the three knights of Mereloff, had set out to chase Puhuru half a day ago. It was natural to be worried since there was no sign of him returning.

"Didn't you send warriors with him?"

"Yes. If something happened, an eagle would have flown in. Let's wait until tonight. Sir Romandoro, once you finish the report, could you check the Hawan Kingdom's merchant guild next?"

"The cleanup of Dive's aftermath, which Lady Rien was worried about, is the responsibility of the Hawan Kingdom. Specifically, the merchant guild that goes through Hawan to Toulun."

"I don't know if there's a good one."

"The cost isn't the main concern. We need someone reliable and responsible. We should focus on older, established guilds."

"Mode of travel?"

Romandoro's eyes narrowed. There were several ways to entrust someone. They could travel with the merchant guild like Sang had, or they could travel with strict protection, or even...

"The latter seems more appropriate."

"As a pilgrim, Dive should endure suffering and trials, right?"

Ian's joke made Romandoro laugh heartily for the first time in a while.

"Who will fund the journey?"

"The cost will be covered by selling Dive's mansion in Mereloff. We should finalize it soon, before we leave. Let's decide it with my subordinates tomorrow."

"Tell Lady Rien to choose someone who will take responsibility for Dive and bring him to Hawan, and then to Toulun."

"Hmm. Adding another layer of security would be good."

'Personally, I think Clark is the right person, but that's up to the lady.'

Incidentally, there were many soldiers stationed on the way to Hawan. The misunderstanding that they were bandits, due to Erica's appearance, hadn't been resolved yet. Erica and the investigation team had disappeared in the chaos, and there was no news of them.

"And Hana."

"Yes?"

Hana was eavesdropping while moving various items around. Ian gestured for her to come closer.

"Did you hear everything?"

"Um... It wasn't a secret, was it?"

"Yes. I mean, remember it well. Learn everything while we wrap up the affairs over the next two weeks."

"Learn everything?"

"Starting tomorrow, you can ask the butler to teach you the duties when you go to Mereloff."

Ian's words were met with a puzzled expression. Hana blinked and tilted her head. Romandoro, who had been watching her out of the corner of his eye, chuckled.

"Will you be the butler?"

"Yes."

"Me? Me? I'm the butler?"

"You're really slow on the uptake."

Hana covered her mouth with both hands, but her wide-open mouth was still visible. It was clear she had never considered it.

A butler must be well-versed in the etiquette and systems of the nobility, able to read and write, and capable of managing the mansion in the owner's absence.

"I don't think I can do it."

"Why not?"

"I haven't learned anything..."

"That's why I'm telling you to learn. You're a capable person. You'll learn a lot from the butler. Do you have anything else to say?"

It was a firm response, implying that she should accept it unless she had a good reason. Hana stood there for a moment, then muttered.

"Can I run down the hallway a bit?"

"Sure. No one is sleeping yet."

"Excuse me."

Click.

Hana left the office with a polite bow, which she rarely did. The sound of her running down the hallway followed immediately. She was so excited that she couldn't contain herself.

Romandoro shook his head with a smile.

"Damn. I wonder if she can do it."

"Hana is a reliable person. There are many others who can make up for her lack of experience. Lord Nersarn is still here, and you have two subordinates left, don't you?"

"Originally, I was going to leave only one, but since Mereloff is in such a state, the palace will surely send various confirmation instructions. I'll have them come up after that."

"I heard the ones left behind are unmarried."

"That's their fate. Who's telling them not to get married?"

Romandoro's playful response made Ian smile slightly. With that, the office was filled once again with the sound of the pen scratching on parchment.

Knock. Knock.

As the night deepened, something was tapping at the window. A black eagle, as dark as the night, with golden eyes, was calling out to Ian.

"Damn."

"Is it the warrior's eagle?"

If there was a problem with Beric, the eagle would come, as Ian had jokingly said. It turned out to be no joke. Ian immediately opened the window and let the eagle in. A small note was tied to its leg.

Rustle.

"What does it say? I hope Beric isn't dead."

Romandoro asked, getting up from his seat, but Ian only had a strange look on his face. He showed the note and shrugged.

"Seems the warriors who went with him aren't fluent in Barial."

-Beric. Knight. Monne. Pursuit. Forever.

The note only listed words, so it was impossible to understand the situation. Even the two of them, who were quite perceptive, couldn't figure it out.

"Anyway, there's a problem."

"That's the only thing we can confirm."

"Monne, you mean the mine?"

"Yes. The pursuit seems to have reached there."

It wasn't within the territory, but a mine deep in the mountains between Mereloff and this territory.

"Should we go check it out?"

Romandoro asked in a hesitant voice. Next to him was a pile of parchment that smelled strongly of ink, overpowering the smell of the fireplace.

Ian shook his head and grabbed his thick coat.

"Sir Romandoro, please finish your work. There's only two weeks left, so you need to be diligent. I'll go check on Beric. Is anyone outside?"

"Yes, Sir Ian. Did you call?"

"Prepare a carriage and guards."

"At this hour? Where are you going?"

The servant was startled, but Ian only smiled and adjusted his clothes.

"Monne. To bring Beric back."