The Villainess Is Annoyed by the Male Leads Again Today - Chapter 2.2

“My lady……”

Dawson looked at me with an expression that really didn’t suit him.

Why is he looking at me with eyes that seem to say, ‘You’re covering for my mistake! You’re truly a generous person!’?

He did all this himself.

He was an extreme perfectionist.

“When you arrive in Veil, give ample compensation to the injured and commend them. Don’t stress too much yourself either. You’ve done well.”

“Yes! I will do that.”

“But why did monsters appear there? Have you looked into the cause?”

“Well… This is the first time monsters have appeared on that route.”

As far as I knew, that was true. It was particularly known as a route with few monsters, which is why it was used as the main passage connecting the north and the capital.

“But recently, the number of monsters in the nearby Soneka Mountains has increased. And in the northern areas, the number of monsters coming from the borders of the Blessed Land has also increased.”

“Hmm, the Soneka Mountains are connected to the Blessed Land, aren’t they?”

“That’s right. Everyone suspects that’s the cause, but it will take some time to determine the exact reason.”

This wasn’t something even in Lora’s memories.

At the edge of the north, there’s a forest called the Blessed Land. This place was originally blessed by the gods, and hundreds of years ago, it was a forest that was green all year round, overflowing with mana and vitality.

It was called the Blessed Land because it provided abundant food and living space for people in the cold and barren northernmost region.

However, after the main deity was sealed and his soul scattered, it’s said to have become a dead forest where vitality disappeared and eerie energy flowed out.

So now, the trees grow in bizarre shapes, and it’s so dark when you enter the forest that you can’t see the sky. The flowers and grasses are full of poison and kill any living beings that enter.

Due to the demonic energy, ordinary people experience hallucinations shortly after entering.

The temple has tried to purify it several times but failed. As years passed, the demonic energy grew stronger, and now it’s dangerous to even approach the edge of the forest without a priest accompanying.

The monsters have also become stronger and more numerous, requiring regular subjugation to maintain the safety of the surrounding territories.

Now, during the warm summer and autumn, subjugation teams are sent from the capital, and during winter and spring when it’s difficult to move from the capital to the north, they’re sent from the northern Grand Duchy.

“I heard that their numbers were being well controlled until recently. Did they suddenly increase?”

“It seems so. Investigation teams are being sent to determine the cause, but as you know, they can only go as far as the early to middle parts of the forest, so it’s uncertain how it will turn out.”

It was already a place where monsters appeared, and now there are even more? I should stay far away from there.

I decided to lose interest in the matter.

Originally, such big issues were supposed to be handled by higher-ups anyway.

“I see. Are there any problems with the five-colored stones?”

“No, there are no issues on that front. Both should arrive in Veil within this week. That’s why I’m planning to go to Veil myself.”

“Right, there’s a lot to coordinate. I’m counting on you, Dawson.”

“Yes! I’ll work hard to live up to your trust. Don’t worry!”

“Huh? Okay.”

Dawson seems to really like me now.

Well, if he works this hard, it’s really good for me.

While Dawson went to handle the remaining tasks, time passed quickly, and finally, the Riman Kingdom announced that they would close the Silk Road.

At that time, I was sitting askew on the sofa, reading a newspaper and eating madeleines.

“This is delicious.”

“The chef has newly developed it, I hear.”

“Is that so? The merchant groups must be in an uproar. They’ll all be desperately trying to secure the sea route.”

Our country and the Asuka Empire originally traded through the Silk Road of the Riman Kingdom, which lies between us. This is because traveling through uncharted paths would be lawless due to monsters. The sea route, requiring a roundabout journey from one end of the two countries to the other, was rarely used due to the time and cost involved.

“Yes, my lady. Moreover, there must be chaos over port usage rights and ships.”

Slurp-

Irena said as she poured me some warm tea. I lifted the cup and savored the scent of chamomile.

“That’s right. If they can’t secure a port, the only option left is teleportation.”

Teleportation was the most inefficient and expensive method among all options. In an era where mana is scarce, in most cases, the cost outweighed the benefit. Just like the items I’ve purchased this time.

Knock knock-

“Come in. Oh? Damian?”

It was an unexpected face. He gave a slight bow and held out a crystal ball the size of a fist. It was a communication orb. A blue light was steadily blinking on and off, signaling that a message had arrived.

“The recipient is Veil Port, and the addressee is Administrator Dawson.”

“Okay, thanks. Turn on the crystal ball.”

Whoosh-

The crystal ball emitted a blue light and created a translucent screen in the air. Dawson’s face appeared beyond the screen. He looked restless today as well.

“My lady, all the goods have arrived. But we have a problem.”

“I see. That’s troublesome. What’s the problem this time?”

I picked up a cookie studded with chocolate chips, still lounging in my relaxed posture. Based on previous experience, it was likely to be nothing significant.

“The Helena merchant group says they want to terminate the contract.”

Startled, I threw the cookie back onto the plate and sprang up.

“What? Then are they willing to pay a thousand times the contract fee?”

“Yes. They say they’ll return it. I don’t understand at all. This isn’t even the closest port to the Asuka Empire and a thousand times 5 million berks! Ha!”

It was a measure whose intention was difficult to guess.

“The Helena merchant group has usage rights for countless ports besides Veil. There’s no need for them to take such a risk… Have you met with the Master?”

“The Master,”

Through the screen, I could see Dawson gritting his teeth.

“Said they would meet only if the person in charge comes directly.”

“Is that so? Then I should go.”

“But the Count…”

“Told you to keep me out of the public eye. For now, make it an unofficial visit. I’ll make it seem like I’ve never left my place. And in the meantime, you have a job to do.”

“What kind of job?”

“We need to sell the goods. Inform the Asuka Empire’s diplomatic office in Veil about the items we currently have in stock. Don’t quote prices yet, just let them know how much we have.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“I’ll be there tomorrow, so make preparations.”

“Understood.”

Whoosh-

The screen disappeared, leaving a solid line. I sighed and stood up. Damian asked with a strange expression.

“Are you planning to go yourself?”

“Yes.”

“The Count won’t allow it.”

“Of course, I’ll have to go secretly.”

Damian stared at me expressionlessly.

“Are you objecting?”

“Then I’ll accompany you.”

“Huh?”

“I think you’ll need an escort.”

I didn’t really want to take him along. He wasn’t someone I could trust. I deliberately looked him up and down.

“You don’t seem like you’d make a good escort.”

“Then I’ll have no choice but to report to the Count.”

“I’m counting on you, Damian. You’re very reliable.”

I answered quickly.