Chapter 95

"You're even whistling, you must be in a great mood."

Chaf sent an exasperated glance at the silver-haired girl walking beside him. As someone who had gone out for a walk to clear his mind, he felt a bit frustrated.

"Today, I hope you can overlook my giddiness."

The silver-haired girl took light steps, turning gracefully a few paces ahead of Chaf. Her hat fell off with the momentum, revealing her silver hair. The sash around her waist, dyed a vivid red, fluttered like a colored wind. On the frozen winter road, a silver flower with red leaves bloomed. Chaf smiled wryly and picked up the fallen hat.

"Even today, it's our first meeting. ...Your secret negotiation must have gone very well, I suppose."

Chaf brushed the dirt off the hat and handed it to the silver-haired girl. Blushing slightly, she took the hat.

"Yes! They said you would join the plan—"

She covered her mouth with one hand as she spoke, looking around like a squirrel to make sure no one was around. Seeing her behavior, Chaf smiled wryly, realizing it was a secret matter.

"…Should I not speak of what you just said?"

"…I'm sorry. I got carried away."

She seemed to have realized her mistake and hung her head dejectedly. Chaf's wry smile deepened. He patted her shoulder to encourage her.

"Don't be so down. It's relatable."

"…Relatable?"

Repeating his words, Chaf realized his slip. Seeing his bitter expression, the silver-haired girl smiled mischievously.

"Should I not speak of it?"

"…Please don't."

The silver-haired girl chuckled pleasantly.

"Since we're sharing secrets, let's be good friends."

She placed her index finger on her lips and extended her other hand. Chaf shook it, explaining that his injury prevented him from using much strength. The handshake was a prelude to a firm promise. Even as they released their hands, the silver-haired girl's eyes still sparkled with mischief.

"Still, my secret will only be effective for another two or three years. After that, I'll be the one holding your secret."

She pointed at Chaf with the finger she had on her lips and smiled slyly.

"That's scary."

It was an obvious joke, so Chaf shrugged.

"Right? It's scary, isn't it?"

The silver-haired girl made a serious face and nodded repeatedly. A smile still lingered on her lips.

"But don't worry. Once your secret is gone, the problem is solved."

She twirled her index finger like a pointer and continued.

"I'll solve your secret for you."

She confidently tapped her chest and winked at Chaf.

"…You will?"

Chaf asked, half-doubting, half-confused. The silver-haired girl nodded firmly.

"I'm the one who will save the Kleinzelt territory. I'll solve a few of your teenage worries in no time."

"Save the Kleinzelt territory?"

For a merchant, it was a grand scale. When Chaf asked, the silver-haired girl nodded vigorously.

"Not immediately, of course."

She didn't seem to be retracting her statement. Chaf found her confidence intriguing.

"How do you plan to save the Kleinzelt territory?"

"That's a secret."

Chaf smiled wryly at the emptiness of her response.

"I see, a secret..."

Chaf's attitude suggested he regretted asking. The silver-haired girl pouted in dissatisfaction.

"You don't believe me, do you?"

"I'll acknowledge your determination to change things."

"You're being condescending."

Indeed, Chaf was the second most powerful person in the Kleinzelt territory after Sora. Being condescending was natural, but the silver-haired girl seemed frustrated, unaware of this fact.

"I want to make you say 'Ah!'"

The silver-haired girl placed a hand on her cheek, pretending to think. She muttered to herself, considering different options. After a while, she raised her face and looked at Chaf with a challenging gaze.

"…Then, let's do this. I'll show you the future of the Kleinzelt territory. In ten years, no, in five years, you'll be in awe of my foresight. And you'll regret not seeking my advice."

Her words were strong. Chaf listened with a wry smile, not interrupting. As they walked down the night street, the silver-haired girl began to speak.

"First, the problem with the Kleinzelt territory is the unproductivity of its people. They focus on taking and deceiving."

She pointed out. Chaf, who had come to the Kleinzelt territory from outside, had also noticed this. The officials plundered wealth, and the merchants felt no guilt in driving down prices. They didn't try to increase wealth, but rather fought among themselves. Those who were left out starved to death. The Kleinzelt territory was such a place. Chaf turned and looked at the newly built lord's mansion.

—The Kleinzelt viscount must have noticed this, but hasn't taken any measures to improve it. To increase productivity, the people's mindset and technological skills need to be improved. This was a field that the financially struggling Sora couldn't afford to tackle. Chaf turned his gaze back to the silver-haired girl. She walked with her hands clasped behind her back, looking up at the night sky. The moon, always the same, looked down on the earth.

"In a certain town, a facility will be built to increase productivity. The purpose is to house refugees flowing from the earldom to the viscountcy and dispatch them as cheap labor to merchant guilds and craftsmen."

The facility the silver-haired girl described was a dispatch company based on vocational training.

—It could surpass the Kleinzelt viscount's achievements.

Chaf's eyes widened for a moment, but then his expression darkened.

"Indeed, if it's realized, it will help increase productivity... but—"

—There are too many problems.

First, there are no takers for refugees who lack skills and have low occupational awareness. Second, the existing craft guilds are likely to oppose it. Furthermore, the funds needed to support the refugees are substantial, depending on the number of people.

—The Kleinzelt viscount has a reason for not doing it. It's an unmanageable dream.

Chaf was about to point this out with a sigh, but the silver-haired girl turned and smiled at him.

"–All the concerns you have will be resolved."

Chaf's mouth, which was about to open, stopped moving. The silver-haired girl chuckled softly.

"What a lovely expression."

"Hey... What do you mean by 'resolved'?"

Chaf asked, unable to ignore her words. The silver-haired girl laughed.

"Everything will be in place soon. All that's left is to use the threads of fate to make it happen. The beginning of a beautiful puppet show."

Smiling, the silver-haired girl extended her hand to Chaf.

"How about joining the show?"