Chapter 68 (2/2)
Towards the archduke that was his lord, he shouldn’t have spoken that simply to at all.
“Well, don’t worry about it. Even I don’t mind it. Rather, if you have a beautiful daughter, send her over for my personal care.”
“Yes, certainly!”
What happened for a little while after that moment about that n.o.ble sending his beautiful daughter to serve Ria… that’s another topic.
“Ah~, so worn out~”
Slowly soaking in the bathtub, Ria groaned. Both of her mounds floated up in the hot water.
“I think you did well! The n.o.bles’ morale went up too.”
Besides Guinevere and the prince, Maal and Irina were also in the bathtub that could be mistaken for a pool.
Irina had Maal was.h.i.+ng her hair. She was weak to shampoo.
“I just want to leisurely travel the world, fighting various monsters…”
“Give it up. For now we have to somehow deal with Cordova, it won’t be easy.”
“Compared to domestic affairs, I’d prefer war~”
Although Ria was lamenting, it couldn’t be helped due to her station.
A voice came from outside the bathroom calling for Ria, who was now sinking into the bathtub and sighing loudly under the water.
“Ria-sama. A merchant named Fernoss arrived. I showed her to the parlor.”
“Got it. I’ll be there immediately.”
When she immediately got out of the water as she’d said, she wiped down her body, refusing the maid’s help. Still collecting her hair, Ria entered the parlor holding Nagasone Kotetsu.
Her impression from their first meeting was: ‘What’s up with her?’
Her chestnut hair was cut at shoulder-length, a girl in male attire.
Her eyes were cool and her lips shapely. Though her figure definitely fit Ria’s preference, none of those things were the problem.
“Thank you very much for nominated our firm this time. I serve as the director of the northwest branch, my name is Fernoss Crystal.”
She then stood up. Ria almost instinctively moved to unsheathe Nagasone Kotetsu.
So it was like that.
One who held [Natural Talent in the Sword], so it was like that.
She was level 40, but that couldn’t be it. The tiny bit of magical power that leaked out despite being restrained was, perhaps, even above Serge’s.
She fully unleashed Dragon Eyes. As for what she could then see, first was a talisman equipped at her chest. This was likely a magic tool for recognition inhibition.
“Fernoss, no, is it alright to call you Ferna? Please call me Ria.”
Vehemently, she wanted to fight the girl before her eyes.
Her usual disease.
She wanted to confirm that her swordplay was better. Perhaps, in swordplay alone, this girl was better than Carla.
“Terribly gracious, then I shall call you Ria-sama.”
“Then Ferna, as for the thing concealing your ability, it’s that talisman on your chest right? Or is it some magic?”
With a start, Ferna stopped moving.
She lowered her center of gravity. Seeing her s.h.i.+ft in weight, Ria grasped Nagasone Kotetsu.
Despite her opponent being barehanded.
“For Black Cat… as it is a business, we have certainly invested into Cordova. Nevertheless, we have changed our plans and from now on shall be doing business with Ogress Dukedom-sama alone.”
Although Ferna was nervous, she wasn’t afraid. Did she think that she could deal with Ria even if she unsheathed Nagasone Kotetsu?
However, Ria wasn’t stupid enough to actually pull out her katana here.
“I antic.i.p.ate Black Cat’s transportation capabilities. We are also being treated favorably.”
Then, Ria indicated the sofa, motioning for Ferna to sit.
“What I want to say is… right… there was still a master like you as an anonymous person? What level is your swordplay? 8, 9? Or maybe 10?”
“I wonder? As a merchant, information is one of my commodities…”
“Hmm… Black Cat has seized the flow of goods through the continent… with its power of money, does it plan on dominating the world behind the curtain?”
“Nonsense! We simply wish to earn people’s words of thanks and their smiles, we only transport luggage safely.”
From her words alone, they seemed to be spoken from the bottom of her heart.
“Well, I didn’t say to tell me everything. I’ll be relying on you from now on.”
Ria presented her right hand, which Ferna grasped with both of hers.
“Ah, Ferna-san, how did it go?”
Leaving from the royal palace, Ferna saw Halt’s always calm face and almost collapsed.
“What happened? You look pale you know? Were there any unreasonable demands?”
No. No!
It wasn’t nothing at that level.
“I felt like my life was in danger…”
She instinctively confirmed the sword was still hanging at her waist. As long as she had it, she could somehow manage to escape.
“That queen was scary after all?”
“Mou, yes! It’s a huge difference seeing her up close!”
She saw her fight with the Dragonslayer, but when she actually drew close, the bloodthirst emitted from her was different. It was majestic. There’s no way that could come from a 15-year old girl.
“Well, according to other people, Ferna-san is the scary one.”
Since he said something upsetting, Ferna beat against Halt with a thud.
“Although the business talks were settled, there is a vast amount of arranged goods. Could Halt-san help as well?”
“Yeah, I originally planned on concentrating on Ogress after all.”
Seeing his natural smile, Ferna finally felt some of her nervousness ease.
On the way to head out together with Ferna for dinner, Halt looked back at the royal castle once again.
One who had defeated the Dragonslayer, as well as traverse the labyrinth. Moreover, showing a talent for war and opposing the militaristic country of Cordova.
There were still a few years until the Millennium. His choice was here.
(I don’t want to fight…)
Halt felt that from the bottom of his heart, following Ferna.
<script>