Chapter 19
“What…”
Blazer shrank back slightly, as if tired, after locking eyes with me for a moment.
“You came here to talk about that too? If that’s the case, go back. There’s nothing more to discuss.”
“If ‘that’ story is about the Kitchel Mines, then you’re halfway right.”
Kitchel. A medium used in the Magic Tower, a device that amplifies the power of those wielding magic or sword energy. At the time, the Kitchel Mine, owned by Marquis Melody, had passed into the hands of an unknown owner due to the death of the unmarried Marquis, who had no living relatives.
And that unknown owner was Blazer Melody herself.
Though she was the niece of the late Marquis Melody, her parents had died in a carriage accident. The Marquis, indifferent to what was taken from her, left Blazer to live a life barely better than a commoner. But when the unmarried Marquis succumbed to illness, unwilling to let strangers take over the mine, the Marquis eventually handed it to Blazer, the niece he had long neglected, and passed away.
Everyone had eyes only for the mine and its wealth. No one had helped her. So, seeking to survive amid countless threats, she had fled even to this small village.
Until now, that had been the situation. Six months later, exhausted by it all, she would eventually hand over ownership to the guild she knew.
“Even now, she looks quite tired.”
“I do want to talk about the mine,” I said, smiling faintly, “but I have no interest in ownership or anything like that.”
“Then what do you want?”
The question I had been waiting for came at last. I returned a crescent-moon smile and spoke.
“Could you… sell me just ten Kitchel?”
“Huh?”
Blazer stared at me in astonishment. That was all I wanted.
“The price of Kitchel has risen sharply, so I’ll pay accordingly. How does that sound?”
I set a pouch on the desk. After subtracting the money going to the family, I had included every possible profit I could get—about three times the usual value of ten Kitchel.
It should be more than enough.
“Is that all you want?”
I nodded, and after a brief moment of confusion, she assessed the price.
“By chance, there are some refined ones left. Just take them all.”
“?”
I could hardly believe my eyes at the price she set.
“Just this much for ten Kitchel?”
Even a few extra Kitchel added to the deal barely changed the sum.
“Are you sure you measured that correctly?”
The amount itself wasn’t small, but for Kitchel, it was surprisingly low. Even when Kitchel was common on the market, it would have exceeded this.
As if reading my thoughts, Blazer answered.
“I can’t sell it all by myself anyway. Is this enough for you?”
“Yes, thank you so much.”
She laughed, a mixture of relief and amusement, and reached into a drawer to pull out a cloth pouch.
“What a composed person.”
Kitchel was an excellent asset by any measure. Its scarcity ensured value, its usability was universal, and its potential for growth was limitless.
“Blazer, don’t you want to sell Kitchel yourself?”
I couldn’t resist asking, but she only let out a small chuckle.
“Look at me. Miners, craftsmen, the guild to sell it—all of them cost money. I have no remaining family, so I can’t rely on anyone.”
“…”
“Don’t worry unnecessarily. This is my decision.”
Blazer, smart and perceptive, likely knew that selling it herself would be a disaster. Anyone she might turn to for help would probably betray her.
She was already exhausted from standing alone.
For a few more months, she would continue struggling alone.
I wanted to help, but I was, in her eyes, just another stranger. Trust would be difficult.
While I was lost in thought, she quietly filled the pouch with Kitchel.
“Finally, I’ll have a decent dinner with good ingredients,” she said, smiling weakly, taking only a portion of the money I offered.
Thud. Watching the closed door, I returned to the carriage, leaving a pouch containing ten gold in her mailbox.
I hoped she wouldn’t struggle too much in the months ahead.
On the way home.
Despite my heavy body, my heart felt light, satisfied that everything had been accomplished.
We decided to return quickly, giving the driver extra money and requesting no detours, so we could reach the mansion as fast as possible.
The other two, Meisha and Illar, slept through the bumpy ride, exhausted. Since I wanted to keep Blazer’s location secret, we couldn’t use the family carriage.
After days of travel, we finally reached the capital and were able to call the family carriage. About three days later, we returned to the mansion.
“Ugh…”
Exhausted, I, Meisha, and Illar collapsed into our rooms. I gave Illar and Meisha two days off, and I postponed my own work for a short while.
Though slightly guilty, I decided to set it aside for now.
“Just rest properly for one day.”
Oddly, after spending over a week outside, a single day passed in less than twelve hours.
“I did my best as instructed, but the costs were higher than expected.”
“This is already a great reduction. Good job, Mari.”
Maritian smiled proudly, while Jin’s serious face reminded me of the details.
“…Are we really gathering all of them in one place?”
Jin opposed, worried that bringing so many high-ranking nobles together might be risky.
“Their impression of me shouldn’t be bad. Conflicts may arise among them, and one mistake could undo carefully rebuilt relationships.”
“Hmm, but Jin, my view is different.”
Jin had set her assumptions incorrectly from the start.
“The high nobles still don’t like me. They only respect Reyzen. My image hasn’t changed before or now.”
“But they know you helped them through Reyzen,” Jin said.
“Of course, some may appreciate that, but most won’t. People focus more on appearances. Even the three were cautious before meeting me, right?”
Exactly the same.
I muttered, and they nodded silently, understanding my point.
Ah, I didn’t mean for them to apologize.
“Any other issues?” I tried to shift the conversation with a cough.
“What guarantees that all of them will come?” Jin asked.
“I have a plan for that. Other issues?”
“What about the item you recovered?” Cheprin asked.
“That’s perfect too.”
“Then it’s settled. I approve of the plan. Let’s start preparations.”
Maritian smiled brightly, and that finalized everything.
“Good, thank you.”
The ten letters were sent to each invitee one by one.
Reyzen was noisier than usual with people arriving.
Steps, chatter, and other sounds filled the building.
Passing the second floor, where wealthy commoners and lower nobles mingled, the third floor had a different atmosphere entirely.
Around a dozen people sat in the room, exchanging glances that ranged from interest to discomfort.
One spoke first.
“To think everyone gathered just because of the Countess’s word—it’s amusing.”
It was the Marquis of Coran, who owned mines in the West.
“How dare she imply consequences for non-attendance? That’s bold for a young lady,” a viscount countered, displeased.
“Given how well they’ve been treated, this is nothing,” said a masked woman, smiling as she fluttered her fan.
Several others wore masks to conceal their identities.
“So, when will the young lady who summoned us arrive? It’s the appointed hour,” asked a noble.
I slowly revealed myself from behind the wall.
“I’m here.”
All eyes turned to me, and not all were welcoming.
“Thank you for accepting my invitation,” I said, lifting one side of my dress and bowing slightly.
“…”
No one spoke. I smiled gently and took my seat.
As the prepared refreshments were set, finally some voices spoke.
“So, what is the reason for gathering us?”
A question that captured everyone’s curiosity.
They wanted to know why and what I wanted, and the tension was palpable.
Before coming here, I wondered how they’d view me. Now, I could guess.
A young noblewoman who managed to gain a club in her favour.
How should I respond? Accept their assumptions or challenge them?
