Chapter 57

“It’s called white mica. It’s mainly used in fertilizer production. So we’ve been investigating the Empire’s fertilizer factories… but unfortunately, we haven’t found any trace linking Bart and his mines yet. The Crown Prince’s secret knights haven’t found any relevant documents either,” the aide explained.

Hearing this, Dylan grew anxious, worrying that if they spent too much time on paperwork, Bart might slip away again.

“Duke, how about we strike the mines first and look for the related documents? Production is happening, but… isn’t it strange there’s no sales? If we delay further, Bart might catch on,” one of the others suggested.

“If we don’t have the documents, it would be reckless to strike just one mine. You know Bart isn’t a man to be taken lightly,” Calis replied, deep in thought as he considered how Bart had always managed to escape after leaving behind minimal traces.

At that moment, Oliver quietly raised his hand, drawing the attention of all the adults.

“When I was there, some children died. Two of them. But no one mourned or cried,” he said in a flat voice.

But Philina, seeing the fear and sorrow in his eyes, hugged him tightly.

“Two children died… and no one mourned or cried… how many more must have died…” she thought, her heart aching for the little boy, who must have suffered guilt alone all this time, included among those who showed no grief.

“Oliver, you must have been so sad. But it’s okay now. Everyone here will help save them. You’ll be the one to save the children. You don’t have to be sad or feel guilty anymore.”

“Yes, sister. I’ll save them all. I won’t be sad or feel guilty anymore.”

With tears welling in his eyes, Oliver looked at Philina and hugged her tightly, grateful that she understood his feelings. Just as his sister said, it truly felt like the good people here would defeat the bad ones and rescue the children.

“I really need to save them quickly. Children have died… I can’t waste any more time,” Philina thought.

Seeing Oliver’s tears, Calis and Dylan exchanged glances.

“Saving the children is more urgent. Let’s launch the operation tonight. Dylan, everything’s ready, right?”

“Yes, Duke. We can leave tonight. Oliver drew the map and identified the location, and we have a rough idea of the cave’s layout. They won’t expect us to move before the Crown Prince’s wedding.”

Calis had made up his mind. Bart could escape again, but with children dying, they couldn’t wait any longer.

“Tonight. We commence the operation.”

“Yes, Duke.”

Everyone, though anxious, set their resolve and prepared to rise.

“Wait a moment,” Philina said, releasing Oliver and gently wiping his tears with her handkerchief, meeting each of their eyes one by one.

+++

After meeting their gaze, I nodded to Stella. She pulled something out of her bag and placed it on the table in front of us.

“This is a soap for facial massage, this is foundation, this is just soap, this is a face pack…”

Stella proudly laid out the cosmetics, while the men looked bewildered, not understanding what it meant.

“Uh… ma’am… why are you taking out these cosmetics?” Dylan finally asked impatiently.

‘Tsk, tsk. Half the world is female… and yet they don’t understand women’s items,’ I thought.

I picked up a bar of soap and explained to Calis and the men sitting across from me.

“White mica. It’s a mineral formed when magma meets hot water. White mica contains a lot of magnesium and potassium.”

At that, they all looked at me as if I were speaking some alien language. Even Calis.

‘Ah… I guess this world doesn’t know about magnesium or potassium… frustrating.’

In romance novels, when the heroine says something like this, everyone nods as if she’s a genius… but these men looked at me as if I were an alien.

I decided to ignore the scientific details and just explain in a way they could understand.

“This white mica is also used in women’s cosmetics. These cosmetics are produced in the Luna Empire and are used only by noblewomen here because they are very expensive.”

Compared to the Luna Empire, women’s rights were lower in the Abel Empire, and even cosmetics were very different.

In the Luna Empire, there were many types of cosmetics, and those containing white mica were widely used. In the Abel Empire, there were few types and few factories producing them.

Finally, understanding something, they looked at the cosmetics with interest. One of Calis’ aides picked up a bar of soap, eyes shining.

“So, the mineral is being used in cosmetics… Duke, it seems Bart is involved in smuggling… secretly sending white mica to the Luna Empire and getting cosmetics in return.”

Hearing this, Stella pulled a document from her bag and slid it across the table.

“These are salons frequently visited by noblewomen in the capital. Normally, they purchase expensive imported cosmetics here. I also bought from one of these salons. If we trace which salons receive the cosmetics, we can find the smuggling route.”

Looking at the papers, the aides were eager to rush out and search these locations.

“Go to the Crown Prince immediately. Have the secret knights investigate these places and let him know we’re launching the operation tonight. Once they start investigating the salons, Bart will act. Tell them there’s no time to waste.”

“Yes, Duke.”

As soon as Calis gave the order, the two left the room, likely heading to the Crown Prince’s palace at full speed.

Oliver clenched his fists at the thought that tonight they would go to the cave in the forest and save the children.

“I’m coming too.”

He said with determination, but the adults hesitated to allow it.

Dylan looked at Oliver gently, trying to reason with the determined boy.

“Oliver… you know how dangerous that place is. And at night, it will be even more dangerous.”

But clever Oliver seemed to have expected this. He grinned at Dylan.

“The cave was manned in two shifts. Even in the dark, twenty children are inside. I know the cave’s location well, and I’m the only one small enough to get in. If I guide them, the children will get out safely.”

“Ha…”

Dylan sighed at Oliver’s firm words, while Calis laughed heartily.

“Ha ha ha. Oliver, you are a brave boy. I understand your desire to save your friends. Let’s go together. I’ll assign knight escorts, so don’t take any unnecessary risks.”

For the first time, Calis looked at Oliver with genuine approval.

‘Now’s my chance! I’ll go too!’

I subtly raised my hand to catch Calis and Dylan’s attention.

Realizing my intention, Dylan’s jaw dropped, Stella’s eyes widened, and Calis… glared at me.

‘This guy always glares at me!’

I wanted to glare back, but since I had to make a request, I just smiled lightly.

“I’ll go too.”

“No.”

“Not allowed!”

“Absolutely not, sister.”

Ugh. I expected Dylan and Calis to oppose me, but even Oliver betrayed me!

I pressed down on Oliver’s head to get back at him, then started persuading Calis.

“Calis, I’m a sharpshooter. You know my archery skills. If we place archers in multiple positions and shoot fire arrows, we can distract them. Also… I’m small, so I’ll be helpful when rescuing the children in the cave.”

“Absolutely not!”

Calis rejected me firmly, even frowning.

But I have the stubbornness of a Korean. I asked everyone else to leave so I could persuade him alone.

Alone, I stood next to Calis’ chair and gently pushed his shoulders side to side.

‘I noticed he liked this before… why so stiff… relax!’

He was so tense he barely budged.

“Calis. You told me to do whatever I wanted. Now I want to save the children. I can help.”

I continued pushing his stiff shoulders until he finally gave in.

“Ha… fine. But you must stay close to the knight escorts.”

He sighed and surrendered. I knew I was being stubborn, but doing something—even anything—helped me shake off my gloom.

“Thank you, Calis.”

I hugged him to show my gratitude, and he subtly lifted me onto his lap.

‘Uh… uh… Calis… we shouldn’t be doing this here…’

Worried he might try something like a kiss, I glanced at the door.

“Absolutely no dangerous behavior,” I said.

But Calis just held me briefly and released me. I had gotten ahead of myself.

Outside his office, Stella and Oliver waited for me. Dylan, seeing me smile, stifled a sigh and entered the office with Calis.

“Stella, shall we make some money?” I winked at her. She scowled briefly but then smiled.

“Yes, ma’am. I’ll look into cosmetic imports. If smuggling stops, we can fill that gap.”

As expected, clever Stella had noticed the gap and intended to seize the opportunity. I had a great aide.

“Stella, we’ll import for now, but eventually we need to manufacture. Got it? If we already have raw materials, why import? Contact Vivian to make a business plan and start market research.”

“Ma… ma’am…”

I guided Stella, wide-eyed and overwhelmed, back to my office. Oliver followed closely.

+++

Dylan sat next to Calis, who was still at the office table reviewing documents, staring until Calis met his gaze.

“Dylan, have you lost your will to live lately, staring at me like that?”

Calis, now scratching white mica with a pen to produce powder, spoke.

“Duke… you’re right… she may be in danger. Ma’am might be in danger, Duke.”

At Dylan’s worried words, Calis finally looked at him.

“Philina needs to do something to shake off her gloom. Tonight, you will guard Philina and Oliver. You can protect them well.”

“…Yes, Duke.”

Dylan recalled what Philina would have heard yesterday.

‘She must have been deeply upset… she must still miss her family…’