“I’ll keep it a secret that you’re the one running the black market. Just between us and the Duke. Right, Your Grace?”
“I’ll keep the secret.”
“Great. Then let’s talk business. Why are you trying to sell these medicines on the black market?”
Alexis answered instead.
“Let’s just say it’s hard for me to run a public business.”
He let out a sigh, and Elia explained the full situation.
“The Duke is under surveillance and being restrained.”
Lapis nodded knowingly.
“I suspected something, but it’s that serious?”
With Alexis’ permission, Elia explained the circumstances of the Ducal House to Lapis.
“They’re even messing with food supplies, huh…”
In order to maintain military strength, the Duke’s household needed food aid.
Thanks to the Duke protecting the North, the Empire was safe from monster and demonic beast attacks.
But what if the Ducal House were to disappear?
It would mean the loss of the powerful army guarding the North. Monsters and beasts would swiftly overrun the region, and to prevent them from spilling into the Empire, the imperial family and capital nobles would be forced to mobilize troops at great cost.
“Aside from Duke Cartellani, the next strongest knight in the Empire is the Margrave of the South.”
But even calling on the Margrave would take too long, as troops would have to travel all the way up from the South.
“Which means the Imperial family would have to hold the line in the meantime.”
The nobles in the capital were so entangled in power struggles that they wouldn’t lift a finger unless there was something in it for them. They certainly wouldn’t voluntarily send soldiers.
“To get their troops, the Imperial family would have to pay a price.”
All of this was because the imperial power had weakened.
The current Emperor was powerless. That’s why powerful nobles like Grand Duchess Christina had gained so much influence. As a result, the Duke couldn’t act openly anymore.
“We’ll start by auctioning off the medicines on the black market, then continue with limited supplies.”
“Once people try it and find it effective, word will spread and demand will surge.”
“When it becomes a hot topic, we’ll release small quantities at high prices — only the wealthy will be able to buy it.”
“You’re planning to squeeze money out of the nobles, aren’t you?”
“So what if I am? They’re loaded anyway.”
Elia grinned mischievously and turned to Lapis.
“So just sell these medicines at a very high price on the black market.”
“Understood.”
Lapis smiled, understanding the plan.
“Shall we draw up the official contract, then?”
“Sounds good.”
“Let’s do it.”
Elia and Alexis signed a secret contract with Lapis.
The deal was with Lapis as the owner of the black market. He would receive 20% of the auction profits.
They were willing to go as high as 40%, but Lapis, feeling grateful for Elia saving Razli, insisted on taking only 20%.
There was no reason to refuse. Elia gladly agreed to Lapis’ terms.
He was a benefactor, after all — of course he should receive less.
“Take this.”
“What is it?”
When Lapis handed over a marble, Elia asked curiously.
“It’s a communication orb that lets you contact me directly.”
“A communication orb…”
A very expensive magical item.
“This is too much…”
“Don’t get the wrong idea — I’m just lending it to you. Communication orbs are valuable to us too.”
Elia was a little embarrassed.
“Of course I’m just borrowing it. I figured that.”
Lapis chuckled playfully and explained how to use it.
“If you inject mana here, you’ll be connected to me instantly.”
He took out his own orb and demonstrated to make sure it worked.
“Giving me this must mean you’re leaving soon?”
“I have to return to my original work. I left the merchant guild behind to come here.”
When Elia looked disappointed, Lapis added,
“Razli was sad to see you go too. Would you be willing to write back if she sends you a letter?”
“Of course! Anytime!”
Elia had clearly grown fond of Razli.
It felt like having an older sister — something Elia enjoyed.
‘In the past, Razli never lived long.’
In her first and second lives, she died because they couldn’t get the herbs in time. In her third life, Elia met Lapis after Razli had already died.
This time, she had saved her.
The Next Day
Lapis and Razli departed.
They had promised to stay in touch by letter.
Now, all that remained was the result of the black market auction and producing a small supply of additional medicine with Felix.
The necessary ingredients would be provided by the Black Pearl Merchant Guild. They also agreed to trade essential goods with the Duke’s household.
They no longer had to rely on other territories and beg for supplies.
Now, if the Duke’s household requested something, the Black Pearl Guild would procure and deliver it.
This included food.
Even if the Grand Duchess’s faction tried to play games with food distribution from the capital, it no longer mattered. From now on, the Duke’s estate would produce its own food.
“Elly, let’s go check on the results.”
“Yes.”
Today, Elia and Alexis were visiting the Blessed Land together.
The Blessed Land was an area Elia had blessed using the World Tree’s power. The residents had started calling it that themselves.
When they arrived, wheat sprouts were already growing.
Thanks to the blessing of growth Elia had granted, the wheat was said to grow faster each day, Alexis explained.
The residents working the fields looked happier than ever — simply because they could farm again.
“How does it feel, seeing the miracle you created, Elly?”
“It’s fulfilling.”
“Soon, the harvest here will feed everyone. It’s all thanks to you, Elly. Thank you.”
“Please stop thanking me all the time. I want to do this.”
“Still, gratitude should be expressed. That’s what I was taught. Don’t refuse it. As your guardian, I’ll protect you for the rest of your life, Elly.”
Embarrassed, Elia just smiled in response.
“Thank you too, Your Grace.”
Just then, a woman spotted Elia and came running over with a cheerful face.
“Miss, you’re here!”
“Hello, ma’am.”
“I rushed over when I heard you’d be visiting today. Please take this.”
She handed Elia a paper bag.
“What’s this?”
“Cookies! I heard you like them, so I baked them myself.”
“You really didn’t have to…”
“Thanks to you, we can farm on this blessed land!”
She wasn’t the only one.
Everyone working the fields came to greet Elia warmly.
“Oh my, Miss, welcome!”
“Miss, please try this!”
“Miss, we made this ourselves…”
They all wanted to give her something.
Elia’s arms were soon full of gifts.
Freshly baked bread, cookies, candy, and even a hand-sewn stuffed doll.
All tokens of gratitude.
“You’re a blessing to us, Miss!”
“Grow up strong and healthy, Miss!”
“Children need to eat and sleep well to grow fast!”
“Thank you, everyone.”
“Elly, that’s heavy. Let me help.”
Alexis relieved her of some of the presents.
“All the townsfolk are grateful to you.”
The people of the Duchy had suffered every year from food shortages. Sometimes they had to go hungry, or feed only their children.
Some had even left the territory because of it.
Elia’s chest swelled with emotion.
[Elly, congratulations. In this life, you’re finally being praised.]
‘What?’
[In the past, everyone cursed you. Now they’re not only not cursing — they’re praising you.]
‘Are you picking a fight with me right now?’
[What? I’m just stating facts.]
‘Then why do I feel kind of pissed?’
[I don’t get it either.]
‘Forget it. Why am I even talking to you?’
Given what it had done in the past, there was no use reasoning with it.
[What was so wrong about what I said?]
‘Just… be quiet, will you?’
[Tch.]
The spirit sulked.
“Let’s head back now, Your Grace. I’m hungry.”
Looking up, Elia noticed the sun had begun to set.
