“So now you’ll spare my……”

The blade flashed, and hot blood sprayed. Having anticipated the direction, he was able to preserve his clothes. The man, who had been twitching with his mouth gaping blankly, collapsed. Quido shook his sword clean.

“I didn’t say I would spare you. I said I wouldn’t cut your throat. That’s quite a troublesome task.”

There was quite a distance to the fountain of God Haspia, so he needed to move quickly. Beitram had designated today as fox hunting day and gathered people. First, he needed to go there to report the location and prepare for the attack.

With a faint sigh, he looked up at the sky. Though it was still far from nightfall, clouds made the sky gloomy. Suddenly, he was reminded of silver hair that resembled clouds.

Touching the Bickman family in such a high-profile situation would escalate matters. Moreover, since Lucienne had won Beitram’s favor, the Bickman family would be safe if only that man disappeared. Of course, what to do with the Nix merchant group was something to consider later.

……Would she be sad when he dies, or angry?

Either way, it seemed like it would be quite interesting. She was clever enough that her reactions couldn’t be predicted, but one thing was certain. It wouldn’t be boring.

With a brief smile, Quido walked toward where he had tied his horse. All that remained was to ride quickly. Having relaxed after achieving his goal, he didn’t notice the city gate opening once more.

* * *

“Now, see what a great job I’ve done.”

Nix, who had been organizing the list of goods to bring in tomorrow, tried to hold back a sigh as he turned his head. Kirhin was showing him documents with a bright, flower-like smile.

“This is truly impressive. Earning 2800 pedir in just a week! When word spreads, everyone will rush to work at this merchant group.”

Kirhin, who had been entering and leaving the merchant group disguised in shabby clothes for a while, started dressing flamboyantly as soon as the Bickman family announced their intentions to the Merchant Association. Saying that it was better to stand out, he adorned himself so extravagantly that it was almost dazzling.

He wore an uncommon purple velvet jacket decorated with dozens of gold buttons, with a smooth, glossy silk shirt underneath and a tightly fitted vest that showed off his firm body—quite stylish indeed.

But the perfume bottles and jewels dangling from his waist belt and the gold decorations embedded even in the heels of his shoes were certainly excessive. If anyone other than Kirhin Bickman had dressed like this, they would have been scorned.

His appearance itself was so splendid that he didn’t look intimidated or frivolous even amid all that glitter. That was Kirhin’s greatest advantage.

Of course, the sales summary he was proudly showing off would need to be revised by Lucienne, but Nix simply bowed politely. Kirhin grinned and picked up his teacup.

“How about it? I’ve definitely been helpful since I came, right? I thought our pebble should rest sometimes. Recently, she’s been working on merchant group matters day and night like a horse with loose reins, so I should pull those reins, shouldn’t I?”

Strictly speaking, he hadn’t pulled the reins but had whipped the horse with loose reins. But knowing his affection for Lucienne, Nix refilled his empty teacup.

“You’ve worked hard, my lord.”

“I’m worried, anyway. For a while, she seemed to be walking the path of a fairly elegant noble lady, but now she’s become a merchant who only thinks about profit? Other noble ladies think about possessing beautiful and good things when they see them, but this one immediately thinks about procuring and selling them.”

“She seemed to be enjoying it.”

“That’s the problem. Her eyes light up as soon as the merchant group is mentioned. Nix, I’m scared when I see those eyes now. Wondering what she’s planning next.”

Though he was shuddering, Kirhin’s face looked like a father bragging about his child. Nix smiled faintly and closed the window.

The day was growing dark earlier than usual. The streets were already filled with the smell of appetizing dinners being prepared.

“Looking at the sky, it seems like it might snow tonight. How about a drink at our house? Lucy would like that.”

“Would that be alright?”

Nix asked because he knew what Lucienne would say if he went. From the items that were particularly sought after by customers last week to the distribution routes for goods to be brought in next month, to why Freemont’s jewels were famous—there were too many topics to discuss. And Kirhin would hardly be able to join in those conversations.

Perhaps belatedly realizing this, Kirhin raised his eyebrows and scratched his chin.

“You should cut her off appropriately. I don’t know what happened, but these days that head of hers is full of nothing but merchant group business. No one has ever rushed her to make money quickly, so why is she making such a fuss like a foal with its rear on fire, really.”

Finding the expression very relatable, Nix lowered his eyes.

“Shall we go now?”

As Kirhin was getting up, he startled and stepped back at the sound of someone bursting through the door with a crash. Nix reflexively blocked the way, blue veins popping on his forehead.

The man who had tumbled in looked around while catching his breath, then spotted them and lowered his voice.

“Are you Baron Bickman?”

“Who are you.”

Nix moved his hand to his back. But the man paid no attention and approached, pulling out a letter from his bosom.

“It’s an extremely urgent matter. A letter from His Highness, Prince Pelowic.”

“What? From His, His Highness?”

The letter clearly bore the royal seal. Kirhin was quite surprised because although he had thought his activities might be related to Pelowic, he had never directly corresponded with the prince.

Hiding behind Nix, who was wary of the man, he opened the letter. Prince Pelowic’s signature was visible beneath the hastily scrawled writing that was difficult to read due to the urgency of the situation. After quickly reading the letter, he raised his head, breathing heavily.

“Nix. I’m afraid dinner won’t work tonight. I have somewhere I need to go urgently.”

“I’ll bring out a horse for you.”

As Nix hurried out, the man staggered. His face was flushed red and drenched in sweat, suggesting he had ridden a long distance without rest. Kirhin patted his shoulder and pointed to a chair.

“At least wet your throat with some tea before you go back.”

“Th-thank you for your consideration.”

Finally exhaling a long breath, the man slumped into the chair. Kirhin stuffed the letter into his chest and left the merchant group, hearing the sound of a horse’s hooves. There was no time to grab a cloak. He quickly spoke while grabbing the reins of the horse Nix had brought.

“Nix, just in case, go to Lucy. If you see any guards on the way, take a few with you. Consider tonight my treat. Stay with her until I return.”

“I will do that.”

Nix, sensing the unusual atmosphere, nodded briefly. Kirhin gestured with his eyes and then mounted the horse. When he spurred it, the horse began to run.

He had known such a day would come, but when it actually arrived, his heart felt like it would burst. He recalled Prince Pelowic’s letter as the cold wind scraped his cheeks.

L is in danger, so evacuate him as soon as you receive this letter. Please.

Since there was only one person who could threaten them, he wasn’t curious about who the enemy was. He just couldn’t gauge how Pelowic had detected this danger or how urgent the situation was.

There must have been circumstances preventing him from sending a letter directly to Lars, so he came to the merchant group to find him. Judging by the instruction to evacuate, it seemed Lars’s location had been exposed. That was all Kirhin could guess.

He knew about Lars and Pelowic’s relationship. Just the fact that Pelowic used the word “please” to a mere noble like himself revealed what kind of person Pelowic was and how he felt about Lars.

The thought crossed his mind that he should bring soldiers or at least take some guards, but he quickly dismissed it. If the Count had already completed his preparations, gathering soldiers now wouldn’t help them win. Escaping was the best option.

“Whoa, whoa!”

People scattered to avoid him as he rode quickly. However, Kirhin pulled on the reins when he spotted a man in a black coat standing still among them, looking at him. Yanken rushed over to him, who had stopped as if sensing something.

“What’s happening?”

“Something’s come up. It seems the Count has discovered where he is.”

“What? How suddenly……!”

Kirhin showed the letter to Yanken, whose face immediately crumpled. Yanken’s eyebrows shot up sharply when he confirmed the royal emblem and Pelowic’s signature. Taking a rough breath, Yanken growled his words.

“I’ll bring a horse right away.”

“No, there’s no time. I’ll go ahead and inform him, so bring your friends. The escape route won’t be safe. We need to prepare.”

Yanken’s deliberation didn’t last long at this reasonable point. Looking at Kirhin with fresh eyes, he bowed respectfully.

“Then I’ll leave it to you.”

“That’s why you should show me respect usually… Whoa!”

Before he could finish, Yanken slapped the horse’s rump, causing it to bolt forward. Kirhin, who barely managed to grip the reins while lying flat, started cursing inwardly, but the more urgent thoughts didn’t allow that luxury for long. The sound of hoofbeats loudly echoed through the darkening streets.

* * *

After packing his belongings, Lars checked the time and clicked his tongue.

“He’s late. What on earth is he planning to bring back?”

It had been over three hours since Yanken went out saying he would buy food supplies they needed to prepare before their long journey. By now, Lars was afraid he might return with an entire carriage.

Maybe I should go out and have dinner with him instead.

Once, when drunk, Yanken had mentioned being trapped in an underground cave untouched by human hands for ten days when he was young. Perhaps that was why he had such a strong appetite and sometimes couldn’t control himself if not stopped.

It would be better to wait rather than risk missing each other. While thinking this, Lars suddenly raised his head.

The inn where he was staying was always bustling with all sorts of groups. That was why he had chosen it, though it was also inconvenient for the same reason. But today it felt unusually quiet.

It was probably because of the performance that was being held at the nearby theater after a long time. A snake that coiled around a beautiful woman’s body and swallowed a boy, a man who supposedly never bled even with dozens of throwing stars stuck in his body, and twin girls who did triple somersaults in mid-air before standing on one foot on a thin wooden stick while drinking tea—these attractions had been making the inn noisy for days. Thanks to them, the street was now empty.

As he was getting up, thinking he might go out since he had nothing else to do, he paused. He heard someone rushing in. Though his room was in a corner, it had three windows, making outside sounds quite audible.