You, be my colleague (6)
Two days have passed since Baba visited Eldern Castle.
Today again, Beorn and Duke Eldern were locked in their office.
They were even stopping training and eating in their offices to deal with the piled-up work.
"What happened to those guys?"
"All eight were released early yesterday morning. We even confirmed that they were entering an abandoned brewery near the outer wall."
"What other moves?"
"Not yet, but I can tell they're being followed. These guys are no ordinary guys."
Duke Eldern's face became serious."
The assassins' target would be Millenia or Kalit. In fact, it would be strange not to have guessed.
"If they are assassins, who do you think their target is?"
"Didn't the First Prince come to visit a few days ago? Could it be that he was aware of Young Lady's crisis?"
Kalit, who arrived late at night without notice, asked for Millenia's location out of the blue.
"If it's Millenia, it's in the villa...?"
"If it's a villa, then it's a hunter's shelter, right? I remember going there before."
"That is correct, Your Highness. But why do you ask that?"
"Please give me two horses."
"Are you really thinking of going to the villa? How can you run through the forest path in the middle of the night while a blizzard is raging? No. It's too dangerous."
"I'm saying this because I think I'll be late if I don't go now. I'll tell you why later, so hurry up."
"Then, accompany the Knights. I will prepare you right away."
"I don't have time for that right now."
Kalit refused the knight's offer and disappeared alone, leading two horses.
Looking back, he thinks he noticed something was wrong with Millenia.
Duke Eldern tilted his head.
"Do you think the assassins' target is Millennia?"
"It's still just a guess, but His Highness must have a reason for acting that way."
Duke Eldern's eyes, which had been silent for a moment, became determined.
"Millenia is our benefactor, Eldern. We must protect her."
"I will protect her with my life."
Beorn and Duke Eldern's gaze shifted to the documents.
"What happened to the herbs?"
"I've heard rumors, but the quantity isn't enough."
"It's almost the end of August. This is a big deal. How many people live in Orquidwood?"
"There are about 500 people. It's not that many because it's on the outskirts."
Orquidwood was an area in Eldern where small fissures were frequent.
So he planned to use this opportunity to distribute herbs to all residents to fight against demons, but the amount of herbs was woefully inadequate.
Duke Eldern tapped the table with his fingertips.
"Why don't you build a nest first instead of waiting?"
Since Millenia had told them the location and date of the rift, dealing with it before the monsters became active was the best way to reduce casualties.
"Your Highness, the snow is up to your waist. It is not a situation in which a horse can move."
"Why don't you just put on your snowshoes and walk?"
Beorn blinked with an embarrassed expression.
"Wouldn't that be a little... difficult?"
It was impossible to walk the distance that would take at least four hours wearing snowshoes.
If there's anyone who can do that, it's probably Ian and Duke Eldern, who have monstrous physical strength.
"Tsk, are you really that weak? Increase the intensity of your training."
"Yes."
"Collect as many herbs as possible. We need to make enough to pay the knights."
The expression on Duke Eldern's face as he spoke was grave. This was because he knew that herbs that didn't exist wouldn't suddenly fall from the sky.
At that moment, the butler entered the office with a knock.
"A guest has arrived."
"I will take care of it."
After a while, the person who appeared in the office guided by the butler was someone that Duke Eldern also knew well.
Duke Eldern stood up with a surprised look on his face.
"Miss Erica?"
"It has been a pleasure, Your Highness."
Erica Margreta was a self-made woman who founded the top in her late teens and raised it to the top of the empire in just five years.
She was actually better known by her nickname, "Golden Hands." than by her real name, as she hit the jackpot with everything she touched.
"Welcome."
"Thank you for your hospitality."
As Erica sat down on the sofa, the butler brought out some tea.
In fact, Duke Eldern and Erica had no contact whatsoever. This was the first time they had met since Erica had come to Eldern to discuss the issue of setting up a branch of the Golden Tree.
Duke Eldern broke the awkward silence and opened his mouth.
"Is there anything you need help with upstairs?"
"I heard that the Duke was gathering herbs, so I came here. I thought I could help you."
"I guess you know what herbs we're looking for."
"Information is essential for a businessman. Of course, I know that."
Beorn and Duke Eldern exchanged quick glances.
Duke Eldern asked with a bright face.
"How much do you have? We need quite a lot."
"A considerable amount has been imported from the Grand Duchy of Rome. I think it will be enough."
"Wow, that's a relief. I'll buy them all."
"I won't accept money."
"You're giving it to me for free? Why...?"
Duke Eldern's eyes widened at the unexpected suggestion.
So, didn't you grow that insignificant company into the largest in the empire in just 5 years?
Erica was frighteningly sensitive to profit and was also famous for never doing anything that would result in a loss.
"I don't know if Your Highness knows, but 'The One Who Walks First' visited our branch a while ago."
"Oh, I heard that."
It was no secret that Millenia had bought 178 bottles of perfume from the Golden Tree at that time.
And then she distributed it all to his employees.
At first, the employees were offended, thinking that she was trying to curry favor, but now they were showing off the perfume, saying that it was a perfume given to them by their guardian.
"At that time, she told our manager that if we didn't change the trade route next month, everyone except me would be killed."
"She's seen the future."
Erica, who was wondering why she was the only one to survive, noticed that Millenia had bought perfume.
Soon, she concludes that the answer lies in the perfume she sprays, and imports perfume raw materials from the Grand Duchy of Rome.
It also contained herbs.
"Are you sure you're okay? I'm worried you'll lose too much."
"Instead, she saved my life. It's absolutely not a loss."
Duke Eldern laughed out loud.
"What Ms. Erica said is right. There is nothing more precious than life. Then I will not decline."
"Thank you for accepting."
Erica answered frankly and changed the subject.
"Is the 'first walker' still at the villa?"
"How did you know that? I kept Millenia's location a secret."
"I wanted to thank her, but I couldn't find her at all. I felt something was off, so I looked into it. I apologize if I was rude."
Duke Eldern sighed deeply.
"What can I do? You already know that. To be honest. I can't do anything about it. All I can do is wait for the snow to stop."
"Even if the snow stops, it will take a long time to wait for it to me."
"I guess so."
"I brought you something interesting from the Grand Duchy of Rome. It's a substance that melts snow when you spray it. Why don't you try it?"
"There is such a strange thing? But..."
Duke Eldern hesitated for a moment and then shook his head.
"That substance alone won't be enough to melt all that snow. We'll probably have to clear the snow away to make a path. However, the situation isn't favorable."
The knights were busy keeping watch over outsiders and guarding the outskirts. There were no personnel available to clear the snow that had piled up three hours away from the castle.
Erica smiled faintly as if she had read Duke Eldern's mind.
"If you are worried about manpower. I think that can be easily resolved."
"Hmm? Is there a way?"
"First, I have something to ask for Your Highness's forgiveness for."
As she said that, Erica slightly lowered her head. Duke Eldern opened his eyes wide.
"Forgiveness? What do you mean?"
"Before visiting the castle, I met briefly with the people of the territory. It was to discuss the rescue of the 'first walker'. So I had no choice but to inform them of the young lady's location."
Duke Eldern knew that Erica was a person of faith.
There was no way she would have revealed Millenia's location to just anyone. Of course, she would have told someone she could trust.
That information might have leaked to the assassin, but he didn't care.
'There's no way they wouldn't know where Millenia is.'
Just as the people of Eldern Castle were unable to rescue her because of the snow, neither were the assassins.
Now that Millenia is isolated, even the assassins will not be able to harm her.
'I guess I have to hurry though.'
Duke Eldern's voice was filled with impatience.
"What was the conclusion?"
"Everyone was angry and asked why I was telling them now. We decided to start clearing the snow as soon as the snow stopped. If only Your Highness would give us permission."
"Whew, that's a relief. Alright, then as soon as the snow stops..."
Before Duke Eldern could finish speaking, the door burst open and Tail rushed in.
"Father! It has stopped snowing!"
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