volume 3 - Chapter 207 – Scouts and information (1/2)

============= Firburh ============

The seasons within the Dark Forest changed frequently, but the harsh winter in Firburh in the Year of the Sword was just over, and the temperature had not gone back to its warm state.

It even snowed heavily twice in January, but it also seemed to hint that the city was going to have a wonderful harvest.

The cold winds were still biting in the streets, and there was hardly anyone pa.s.sing through.

The only bar within the city was a different sight, and the fireplace in it was burning strongly to fill the bar with light and warmth.

Adventurers would gather in this place during autumn and wait for the snow in the forest to melt. Every one of them who came into the bar would take out their robes that were covered fully with snow, observe the entire hall, then took out their hat to show their respect to a young woman who was sitting far away at the corner of the hall.

That girl’s forehead was very high, and it was smooth as a crystal. The light from the fire would make it s.h.i.+ne brightly, and her eyes were large and showed a little wisdom in them, and they glittered as she looked at the people and goods around her curiously. She wore a beautiful formal dress, and though she could not be considered to be a full adult yet, her chest was maturing amply. Her dress was tucked in at the waist and perfectly accentuated the girl’s slender body form. It was just that the lady-like dress was not very fitting for her as her actions were a little thief-like; she acted as if she had stolen the dress from somewhere.

“Lady boss, this is the deerskin that you wanted. The forest has completely frozen up and we spent a great deal of effort to chase after a herd of deer. Harduo even suffered a little frostbite. You can’t be overly stingy with our rewards—”

There were a few people who were clearly hunters standing before her and negotiating. The leader was apparently a nearby villager living in the hills. He wore a thick fur coat and there was a longbow on his back.

“Hoh, Harduo has frostbite? That’s really unlucky for him.” Romaine blinked her eyes and asked curiously: “Are there no more deer herds in the forest?”

“It’s because of those d.a.m.ned Subterrane Dwellers. They scared away the animals.”

“Hmm, I heard that the Subterrane Dwellers stopped doing that before it snowed.”

“That’s…… In any case, it has something to do with it.”

“I want these deer hides so I can make a coat for Brendel. Are two hundred silver coins fine?” Romaine carefully poked the deer hides with her finger as she looked up and asked.

“We’re definitely pleased to help our Lord and make him a large coat. I’m sure he will be even more fond of you, lady boss.” The leader’s face did not show that he believed the lady in front of him would be able to make a coat, but he still spoke respectfully: “But this amount is too little. Lady boss, please take into account that Harduo is frostbitten.”

“But this deer hide is clearly from last year. Look at the top here. There are worms that bit through this section,” the merchant girl innocently lifted up the deer hide.

“What—”

“An experienced merchant is in front of us—”

“S-surely it’s not too important how old it is, right? Besides, we really went to the forest. Harduo really has frostbites.” The leader coughed as the other adventurers showed embarra.s.sed looks.

“Which is why these deer hides are not worth a lot of money, and you know it well, right? The remainder of the money is for Harduo, okay? Don’t go off and gamble away your money to that gambler Mano. I’ll send someone to check on Harduo,” Romaine glared at them, “if he didn’t receive the coins, I’ll send the Subterrane Dwellers on you and have them feast on your flesh.”

The hunters obediently received the money and left after being scolded. Even though they did not deceive that lady, they did not show any dissatisfaction as if they were used to such haggling.

Romaine restlessly touched her leather shoes, and she looked around with her large eyes constantly as if they never stopped while holding on to a large steaming mug of beer. She looked like she was waiting for someone.

Ever since it was winter, the self-proclaimed great merchant had been sitting on that particular spot, working on official business or working to buy the natives’ hearts. It was not without reason that she was being respected. Not only was she the lord’s fiancee, but she also had half of the territory’s money and was a G.o.ddess of wealth. But the biggest reason was that she was friendly and would never use her status to oppress someone, and instead spent an afternoon to bargain over a few copper coins.

Strangely, it was because of that reason that the natives did not feel the difference in status. The lives of the adventurers were not easy.

Money was a very important thing, and they actually looked down on people who arbitrarily spent coins. Amongst Brendel’s advisors, only Freya and Romaine understood this point. Freya knew it because she was born in a poor village, but Romaine did it because she was simply fond of s.h.i.+ny things.

As the winter days pa.s.sed, Romaine had interacted enough with the adventurers to be recognized by them. Even though they were not very close, she was able to gain enough news that Brendel’s men did not get.

The doors to the bar were pushed open once again, and there was a moment of hushed silence.

The Silver Elf princess, Medissa, stood in the snow. She was wearing a dull silver fur coat and she placed both hands over lips and sighed. Her eyes looked at the packed hall a little tensely.

Humans were a little strange to her. The Elves did not like to gather in large numbers. The definition of a friend was like a mental attachment of sorts. With time pa.s.sing slowly for the Elves, their display of emotions was perceived to be one of slight indifference.

But it was not the first time that she came here. She was here to transmit a message from the lord’s squire, the wizard Ciel, to Romaine.

The people who saw the little Elven princess backed away to create a path made from an unspoken agreement. There were people who teased her the first time they saw her and nearly caused the long-eared girl to blush.

In the end, a rumor spread out. ‘The shy second fiancee of Lord Trentheim’ was Medissa’s new t.i.tle, and she could not help but glare at Romaine with every muttering and whispering that came at her.

“Medissa, do you want to drink beer?”

“No!”