“You will undoubtedly receive proper returns for that trust.”

Before long, those three silver coins would brilliantly change their color to gold. And they would become the main pillar for Radilt’s small workshop.

The carriage that had been traveling along the road soon came to a stop. Escorted by Pendlore, Radilt stepped down from the carriage and looked up at the building before her.

It was a large three-story commercial building with many people coming and going. Radilt raised her gaze to the sign engraved with elegant golden lettering.

『Verso Grain Association』

“The three most essential elements for human survival are clothing, food, and shelter. Do you know which among them is considered the most important?”

To Pendlore’s question, Radilt answered without much thought.

“Food, I would think? Even without clothes or a house, if the weather is warm and there are no dangerous beasts lurking, one could survive, but without food, it’s difficult to last long.”

“Yes. That’s why it’s rare for large merchant companies not to deal in grain. It’s a commodity that everyone in the world must consume, regardless of social status.”

Radilt nodded and watched the busy people coming and going. Sacks of wheat were piled high on carts pulled by large, strong horses. Beside them was barley. Old wheat and recently harvested barley grains.

“This place is a trading association that only makes small-scale deliveries. The actual warehouse is located separately near the port.”

He explained that they mainly transported by ship since there was a port near the Empire’s largest granary region. To think those fully loaded carts were considered small-scale. Radilt watched the carts leaving the association with surprised eyes.

“Welcome, Lord Duston. Lady Brill.”

The general manager in charge of the Verso Grain Association greeted Pendlore warmly. Then he guided them inside.

“Wheat is the grain with the highest volume of trade. The price is good until early summer. After midsummer, last year’s harvested wheat begins to get cheaper. Because it becomes old wheat when the harvest season arrives.”

The general manager explained that this was why the current period was the busiest after harvest season.

They passed through the first floor filled with grain and people and went up to the second floor. The general manager personally opened the door to the spacious office and offered Pendlore the seat of honor.

“There’s little difference from the report I submitted previously.”

The general manager said that changes were separately organized and would be included in the regular report. Pendlore quickly checked the documents and spoke.

“You mentioned there was a problematic employee.”

“Yes, Lord Duston.”

The general manager sighed briefly and continued.

“According to the rules, we pointed out the issues, gave warnings, and allowed more than a month’s time, but he only pretended to correct his behavior for the first few days.”

“I see.”

Placing the documents on the table, Pendlore rose from his seat.

“Let’s go see.”

The backyard of the Verso Grain Association became noisy. The association’s employees peered into the backyard, frowning or clicking their tongues.

“My work increased so much because of that guy.”

“He’s finally getting fired. He deserved it.”

Amid the murmurs of other employees, a young male employee pleaded his innocence in front of Pendlore.

“I really worked hard! But I was forced into an unsuitable position after falling out of favor with the managers! Lord Duston! I am a talented individual who attended an advanced school in the capital. My grades were good! But that person only gave me strange tasks!”

The general manager made an incredulous expression at the employee’s outcry.

“Strange tasks! Carrying grain is the most basic of basics!”

“Look at my arms and legs! I’m not suited for such rough work! I entered thinking this was a famous association where I would naturally use my mind, but……”

“Well, really!”

The general manager let out a bitter laugh, saying he was utterly dumbfounded. Radilt, who had followed along and was standing beside Pendlore, tilted her head curiously as she looked back and forth between the two men.

‘He looks like a normal man, is he very ill somewhere?’

How weak must he be to say he couldn’t carry grain because it was rough work? Of course, it wouldn’t be easy. But for Radilt, who had wandered unable to find work after losing her husband, it sounded like he was complaining about having too much good fortune.

“Wilt.”

Pendlore, who had been silently listening to the conversation, spoke.

“You worked for a month as an apprentice and then voluntarily accepted a position as a formal employee. By then, you would have already been explained what duties you would have at the association, and would have had plenty of experience.”

It was Wilt himself who had said he would stay despite knowing he would have to carry grain. Wilt rolled his eyes in panic.

“That, that’s…… because I was confident that if I showed more of my abilities, they would move me to an office position……”

“Also, two months ago when you received a warning for frequent workplace absences, you complained about the job content, and the employee manager advised you to resign if the work didn’t suit you.”

If he disliked the assigned duties, he could leave the association. Under Pendlore’s calm gaze, Wilt hung his head low.

“You said you would stay, and the manager demanded an improvement in your attitude. However, your effort was only momentary, and you again showed poor work ethic.”

“Lord, Lord Duston……!”

“I am not a philanthropist.”

Wilt’s complexion turned pale at Pendlore’s words, which were as good as saying he would be fired. With his abilities, it would be nearly impossible to find a better workplace than this one.

Moreover, being forcibly removed from a workplace belonging to House Duston would brand him as lazy and useless. It meant finding new employment would also become difficult.

“Just once, please give me one more chance! Lord Duston!”

“My, before clinging to Lord Duston, you should have done your work properly. How many chances have you been given!”

Despite the general manager’s intervention, Wilt did not give up. His gaze turned toward the woman standing beside Pendlore. The lover whom the Count was said to cherish greatly.

With a thud, Wilt knelt before Radilt.

“Merciful lady! I have elderly parents to support and a fiancée I’m about to marry!”

“……Pardon?”

Startled by the sudden situation, Radilt turned to look at Pendlore in confusion. Seeing her clearly wavering, Wilt pressed on with an even more desperate voice.

“Please spare me just this once! If I lose my job, my elderly parents will starve!”

“No…… I……”

“Please! Please save me!”

Elderly parents? He didn’t look that old, perhaps he was a late child. But no matter how sad the story might be.

“……I don’t have that power.”

Radilt was merely an outsider. But then Pendlore, who had been quietly watching her, spoke.

“If it’s your opinion, I would certainly take it into consideration.”

“……Pardon?”

If Radilt asked for it, he might change his mind. At Pendlore’s words, Wilt clung even more fervently to Radilt, who appeared vulnerable. He even banged his head on the ground.

“If I’m driven out like this, no place associated with House Duston will accept me! How many commercial establishments in this capital have no connection whatsoever with the Duston family! It’s as good as telling me to starve to death with my elderly parents, madam!”

“……”

At Wilt’s plea, Radilt recalled her own past. That day when she looked into her empty pockets and worried about her next meal. That particularly harsh and cold winter.

She couldn’t help but feel sympathy. But precisely because of that.

“I still cannot get involved.”

“……Madam!”

“And you’re a young man. You won’t starve to death. There are plenty of jobs for young men. Some don’t even check your status or name. They might be harder than carrying grain, but—”

Ptui! Wilt spat toward Radilt. Pendlore quickly pulled her aside, and the spit barely missed her dress, falling to the dirt floor. Wilt stood up and glared at Radilt with a fierce expression.

“You’ve made your life easy by wagging your tail at men! You say there are plenty of jobs? Sure there are! But who in the world wants to work themselves to death for pennies!”

“Take him away.”

As soon as Pendlore’s words fell, employees who had been watching rushed forward and grabbed Wilt by both arms.

“A woman who’s never lifted anything heavier than a ladle!”

Even as he was being dragged away, Wilt spewed angry shouts. Radilt, who had been frozen with a shocked expression, opened her mouth.

“I carried sacks full of flowers. I carried water jugs on my back, going to the well many times. I washed dirt from roots in winter’s ice water and blanched rough stems in summer’s boiling water. All day long, throughout the week, and even then, it was hard to receive even a few coins at first.”

Wilt flinched and stopped shouting. The employees also turned to look at Radilt, as if surprised.

“Even such jobs were not easily given to a widow thrown into the world without any experience.”

Radilt’s voice continued calmly.

“This is not to mock or blame you, but my sincere feeling and a simple fact.”

It was merely the time that Radilt Brill had personally experienced and lived through.

Wilt’s face contorted heavily. But his struggling stopped.

“I’ll leave on my own, so let me go.”

The employees, though suspicious, released their hands for now. With a deathly expression, Wilt roughly bowed his head toward Radilt.