Chapter 73

Mereloff the butler’s day always began the same way.

The moment he woke up, he tidied the bedding, then gathered the servants to confirm their morning duties. While breakfast was being prepared, he sorted through various letters and delivered them to the study.

All of this had to be done before the sun rose.

Knock knock.

“Are you awake, Count?”

Hearing the count’s reply, the butler opened the door and stepped inside the bedroom. The suite consisted of three rooms, and the count’s chamber was the innermost. Behind him, his wife still lay resting, unable to cough just yet. The count himself was already neatly dressed.

“The weather’s definitely getting colder.”

“I’ll have the fireplace cleaned.”

The count began checking the letters laid out on a tray—mostly formal correspondence to maintain social ties.

“What’s this?”

“Oh, my apologies.”

The count held up a reply from Ian. Since his master showed little interest in congratulatory messages, managing the household’s public image was part of the butler’s duties.

Mereloff muttered dismissively, “You’re unnecessarily diligent, aren’t you?”

Then the count’s hand froze. Ian had sent a reply not only to the count but also to the countess. Without hesitation, the count broke the wax seal and read the contents.

“This is…”

His expression was one of utter confusion. The pronounced arch of his brow stood out even more. The deep frown in his eyes made the butler uneasy.

“This one’s addressed to Lien?”

“Yes. Knowing the count wasn’t planning to send a congratulatory message, Ian sent one on his behalf. The lady is very attentive to household affairs.”

The count placed the letter on the table and stared at it intently. The butler broke out in a cold sweat—he couldn’t believe the day was starting like this.

“It looks like there’s a gift, too.”

“He selected some unused items from the storage.”

“Personally?”

“…Yes.”

“Personally picked out a gift and sent a congratulatory message? And Ian accepted it gladly? Have they met in person?”

The butler shook his head firmly.

They were nothing but scrap metal to each other. No matter how polite the greetings, the count, a nobleman, knew well that they weren’t sincere.

From the innermost bedroom came the distinct sound of the countess tossing and turning. It wasn’t just the butler who was having a rough morning.

“There hasn’t been any meeting, Count.”

“When Ian came to the central mansion, did you meet?”

“Well, um, I did see him briefly when I went to see them off. But it was very, very brief, and we didn’t exchange any words.”

The butler added the excuse desperately, but it seemed the count didn’t hear it. His already sullen face had flushed red. You could almost see his blood pressure rising.

“Good morning.”

At that moment, the countess emerged from the inner bedroom, dressed lightly. She stretched out a long yawn like a cat and snatched the letter from her husband’s hand.

“Why are you reading my letters without permission?”

“Lien, come on.”

“Let me see. Hmm. He says he truly likes it. Should I be happy or not? Ha ha ha.”

The countess laughed off her husband’s ominous mood as if it didn’t matter. The butler turned his head away, determined not to watch any further. The atmosphere in the bedroom twisted even more—a clash between the lighthearted and the heavy-hearted.

“Prepare breakfast.”

“Yes, Count.”

“I want venison steak today.”

“Yes, my lady. I’ll have it ready.”

“You said that last time, but it never came.”

“…My apologies. I’ll make sure it’s done.”

It was an autumn without the joy of harvest. The mansion was always well-stocked, so the kitchen ran smoothly, but ingredients that had to be sourced externally were often hard to get in a single day.

Especially venison.

The countess perched on the edge of the table and asked her husband quietly.

“Honey, I heard the Bratz people all grow gulas and eat it. Apparently, it tastes surprisingly good?”

“They’ve become like beasts because they hang around beasts. They eat that because they have nothing else.”

“Even if that’s true for us, the lower classes there have different circumstances. Ian wants to visit to express thanks. Should I go see for myself?”

“Where? To Bratz?”

The count’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. But the countess nodded as if it was no big deal.

“Do you think I’d go anywhere else?”

“Nonsense. Every year around this time, it’s the same complaints—no food, this and that. The trade delegation from the Havan Kingdom will arrive soon, so just hold on until then. How can they be so slow to learn? Tsk tsk.”

Why wouldn’t they learn? Because they did, the amount of farming had decreased year by year, and more and more locals opened taverns and inns. Even with winter approaching, many relied solely on the trade delegation’s arrival without preparing.

‘…There are problems inside and out.’

The butler bowed his head and left the bedroom. The countess smiled faintly at him but said nothing.

“Honey.”

Once the door closed completely, Lien placed her hand on her husband’s shoulder and asked. The count’s mood was still at rock bottom.

“By the way, when is the trade delegation from Havan supposed to arrive?”

“Why do you ask?”

“Isn’t it okay to ask?”

“…I’ve been told they’ll depart in a month.”

“A month, huh. Then crossing the mountains will take about a month and a half? No, maybe a month and a week…”

The countess muttered to herself, making the count’s gaze even sharper. She was always unpredictable, but lately, it had gotten worse.

“I hope they come soon.”

She said that and slipped out of the bedroom. A man cleaning windows in the hallway paused and glanced toward the door. The countess shot him a look so cold it was almost deadly.

“Clark, make sure the windows sparkle. The guests from the Havan Kingdom will arrive in a month.”

“…Yes, ma’am.”

Clark simply nodded in acknowledgment. As he wiped the windows, he muttered to himself: “Departing for Havan in a month. Departing for Havan in a month…”

• ♟ *

After Kakantir left, Ian threw himself into a thorough investigation of the Mereloff family in the study. Knowing your enemy on the battlefield was crucial. Before making contact with Mereloff, it was advantageous to learn as much as possible about them.

“But about the countess, Mereloff’s wife…”

“His wife?”

Romandro’s subordinate flipped through the report, frowning in confusion.

“We confirmed her name is Lien Mereloff, but we don’t know where she’s from.”

“You mean her family background is unknown?”

“Yes, and we don’t even know her exact social rank. They’ve been married for three years, but the wedding was modest, so many locals only learned about it later.”

Hearing their conversation, Ian looked up. No matter how modest the ceremony, he was still a count.

“That means there’s a significant difference in status.”

“I think so, too. Maybe she was a commoner?”

“Hmm. I’m not sure.”

Ian shrugged, recalling the countess’s oddly smiling face. It was clear she was an outsider. And since she knew Dripper, she probably wasn’t from an ordinary background.

“Have you identified the trade delegation departing from the Havan Kingdom?”

“They’re called the Ilak Trade Company, a group that circulates every five years. Including the leader, there are about a hundred people.”

“Not as large as I expected.”

“But their route is fixed, so many rely on them.”

Individuals or small groups pay to join for safety. Since there are over fifty such groups, the total number is roughly 150 to 200.

“The Ilak Trade Company leads, and every two weeks, more large and small groups will arrive.”

“Then it’s important to intercept them early on.”

“If they’re relying on us, it should be fairly easy.”

Nersarn said this as he flipped through the documents, carefully reading the text. Since it was in Bariel, it took him longer than others.

“They won’t have enough manpower to respond in emergencies, and more importantly, they won’t be a burden.”

“I agree. We should start planning the timing. They’ll want to arrive before winter, so at the latest…”

“Oh, we already know the date.”

Romandro’s subordinate raised his hand excitedly.

“They’re leaving the Havan Kingdom in a month, and with the mountain crossing time added, rumors say they’ll arrive shortly after.”

“Rumors? Where from?”

“From Mereloff.”

Once they had the exact date, Romandro and his men cheered and encouraged each other. Only Ian remained silent, unable to smile.

“Is there a problem?”

“It only takes ten days to get from here to the Havan Kingdom.”

“No, that’s not the issue. I’m wondering if there are any bandits around here.”

Especially mountain bandits. The trade delegation carries many mercenaries but also a lot of valuables. If their schedule is known in advance, they could become targets. If bandits interfere, the plan could be disrupted. It’s best if they cross quietly and quickly.

“Bandits, huh? Maybe there aren’t any left after the recent battles.”

“And if we announce their expected arrival, the local lords can prepare accordingly.”

Ian nodded hesitantly. Yeah, from the merchant guild’s or Merellop’s perspective, it was important—but for Ian himself, it didn’t really matter.

“Alright then. Let’s get this moving…”

Thud thud thud! Thud thud! Thud!

That was when it happened. A heavy, booming rhythm echoed down the hallway. Someone was approaching at a fast pace—too loud to be just any ordinary person.

Romandro and his men quickly reached for their swords, but Ian, Nersarn, and Beric calmly closed their documents.

Bang!

“You’re here?”

Beric was the first to greet.

“Such bad manners,” Nersarn chided lightly.

“Soo.”

“Whaaat! Why me?”

Her face flushed red as she shook her fists in frustration. As soon as Kakantir returned to Cheonryeo, Soo had been sent here.

“Well, well. Loud as ever, huh?”

“Beric! It’s you, isn’t it? You’re the one who recommended me, right?”

“What power do I have? Can’t you see? While everyone’s working at the table, I’m just curled up on the sofa.”

“Why? Why me? Huh? It’s freezing outside the desert, and now you want me to climb a mountain? I don’t even know what that mountain looks like!”

“Stop lying.”

“Shut up, Beric! I’m not in my right mind right now!”

Ian stood up and went to meet Soo. She was breathing heavily, her eyes full of resentment as she looked up at him.

“Why do I have to go all the way to the Hwan Kingdom to infiltrate the caravan? Are there really no capable people here?”

So that’s why they called him out of his comfortable life of eating and relaxing! He should’ve known the moment Kakantir handed him the meat on a silver platter. The world, the world! The Hwan Kingdom!

Ian smiled brightly and nodded.

“Yeah. There’s no one else. No matter how much I think about it, you’re the perfect fit. Sit down, catch your breath, and I’ll explain the plan in detail. Kakantir must’ve told you the basics, right?”

At that, Soo pressed her palm to her forehead, unable to hide her frustration.

“Basics? Ha. Barely. Just that I’m supposed to infiltrate the guild and release Gula poison.”