Chapter 78
Chapter 78
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 78
Chapter Title: Strange Behavior
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While checking documents, the Merelrof Count heard the sound of someone running footsteps.
He raised his head at the same time the butler flung open the door with a panicked expression. A man who treated etiquette like the law, he always knocked no matter what...
“What is it?”
“My, my lord Count. Something terrible has happened.”
At the butler's trembling voice, the Merelrof Count unwittingly set down his pen. He had rarely seen the butler so rattled.
“The trading group sent word... the wagons all burned up.”
“What?!”
The Merelrof Count shot to his feet, gaping in disbelief. How could the wagons have burned?
“A man named Collin set fire to the wagons and tried to kill people. It seems he was after the gold coins carried by the private soldiers, but some in the group died trying to stop him.”
“How much gold was that?”
Most transactions were handled through Hyman Bank with checks and promissory notes. Thus, the gold carried by the private soldiers was merely pocket money for the journey, not trade funds.
“It's a large sum in the eyes of commoners.”
“No, so what? What do you expect to do about it?”
“With the wagons completely burned and injured people who inhaled smoke deep in the cave, a messenger bird came saying they're heading to Sheiron first, but we don't know how long it will take.”
That wasn't all.
With the wagons burned to a crisp, they'd need new ones to transport food. Cost aside, acquiring them right away in this winter was uncertain. All the wood was being used as firewood this season.
“...Ha. Haha. Ha!”
“As expected, that Collin was suspicious. If the trading group goes to Sheiron, it'll cost more money there too. Wouldn't it be better to have them turn back?”
They weren't sleeping on the bare ground or surviving on water alone. With injured people, they'd need a doctor too.
At the butler's words, the Merelrof Count pressed his forehead and groaned.
'This is the worst.'
Yes. Among all the winters he had sent groups out, the Merelrof Count was certain this year was by far the worst.
“...Why the hell did he set the fire?!”
Splash!
Unable to contain his anger, the Merelrof Count grabbed whatever was at hand and hurled it.
It was absurd that among all those people, no one had properly stopped him. Were the people living under the Merelrof name such a ragtag bunch?
Yes.
The incompetence hidden beneath peace had reared its head through the hole of crisis. One could say the Merelrof estate was in a truly deplorable state.
“Kill Collin's family. All of them.”
“...Yes, my lord Count.”
“Strip that beggar's hovel bare. Hang men, women, and children from ropes without mercy. Kill them all, kill them all...”
The overlapping misfortunes were suffocating. Leaving aside the burned wagons, things had reached the point where he now worried about what would grace the count's table. If they couldn't procure food in Sheiron or the Hawan Kingdom, there was only one option left.
Bang! Boom!
“Damn it. What the hell is going on? Do I need to get an oracle or something? Huh?”
“Kyaaak!”
The Merelrof Count slammed the table violently and, out of habit, grabbed the hair of the servant standing beside him. Then he unleashed his full fury on her body.
The scrawny servant's body swayed wildly, but the butler could only lower his eyes and stay silent.
“I'm, I'm sorry. My lord Count. I'm sorry.”
“Haa. Really, butler. That's why I told you to pick better people!”
“...Please spare me!”
Slap!
The butler bit his lip hard and bowed deeply at the waist. If he didn't somehow soothe the count's mood, an innocent child might end up in a coffin today.
“Get out.”
“My, my lord Count.”
“Go kill everything related to that bastard Collin by blood!”
Creak.
Strands of the servant's hair were tangled in the Merelrof Count's fingers. The butler had no choice but to back out of the study, and the servants waiting outside looked up at him with tearful faces.
“B-butler.”
“All of you, step back. Sparks are flying.”
“What about her?”
“Shh. Do you want to stand guard?”
At the butler's words, terror filled the servants' eyes. Even thicker and deeper with the tears welling up. The servants hesitated, pretending not to hear the screams coming from inside the study.
Click-clack.
The clear sound of heels rang out. It felt like a crack in the icy atmosphere. The butler and servants turned their heads simultaneously. The Merelrof Countess stood there with a calm expression.
“What are you all doing?”
“M-Madam...”
Bang! Boom!
Instead of answering, the countess glanced toward the noisy door. She glanced at the butler and let out a faint sigh.
“Open the door.”
“Madam. N-Now is...”
“It's fine. Open it.”
The countess brushed aside the protesting servants. Her resolute yet endlessly serene gaze made it impossible for them to guess her intentions. Even though this had happened countless times as servants died one after another.
“Hic...”
“Do I have to open it myself?”
When one servant couldn't hold back and burst into tears, the Merelrof Countess shot her a sharp glance.
In the end, it was the butler who placed his hand on the doorknob.
Creak.
The door opened slowly. The servant, beaten to a pulp, lay sprawled on the floor, with blood splattered on various wooden furniture. The Merelrof Countess lifted her head proudly and stepped inside.
“Dear.”
At her call, the count turned around, panting heavily.
His head dripped sweat from how savagely he had beaten the person like a dog. The servant desperately rubbed her palms together nonstop.
“Let that child go.”
“Hic... Please, please spare me...”
“Play with me.”
The Merelrof Countess's emotionless, parched face bloomed into a radiant smile. She tilted her head slightly, locking eyes with the butler at the door. The servant seized the chance to crawl out hurriedly.
'Close the door.'
Creak.
Light seeped through the slowly closing gap. As always, the butler felt his heart grow heavy as he shut the door.
The Merelrof Countess took her husband's hand and suggested gently.
“Dear. Instead of that, how about asking for help from Bratz?”
But the old man's ragged breaths, gleaming with madness, showed no sign of calming. She whispered quietly once more.
“If it's too embarrassing for you, I'll go talk to them. We're similar in age, and it would be better for both sides if I go rather than you.”
“You?”
“Yes. Leave it to me.”
The Merelrof Count grabbed a fistful of his wife's flowing hair and growled. The woman wore her usual serene expression.
“You're not thinking of running away, are you?”
“Of course not. How could I?”
At the countess's calm words, the count shook her hair roughly. Her gaze remained fixed on the bright full moon behind her husband.
* * *
The Merelrof Countess arrived at Bratz four days later. Ian, who had received word in advance, waited at the mansion's main gate. As the carriage door opened, a woman in splendid outing attire extended her hand with a smile.
“Welcome, Merelrof Countess. It's an honor.”
“Ian, no. I almost slipped up right away. I should call you Viscount Ian now.”
“Was the journey tiring?”
“Not at all. Are we so distant?”
The Merelrof Countess subtly reminded him they were neighbors. Ian smiled without replying and escorted her to the drawing room.
“I was honestly a bit surprised to hear you were coming, Madam.”
“When we heard about your title appointment, neither the count nor I could send proper congratulations, and it weighed on us.”
The countess handed her thick coat to a servant. Perhaps the carriage was cold; the tip of her nose was red.
“No need to mention it. I understand you're busy with official duties.”
“Thank you. Lord Ian. The count wanted to come too, but as you said, there was no time.”
“You even sent a gift.”
Ian alluded to the Dripper indirectly.
“It's such a precious item; I'm not sure if it's right for you to give it to me.”
Did she know the value of the Dripper and give it? Or was it meant as a taunt that had backfired spectacularly?
Ian observed the Merelrof Countess's expression changes meticulously, but she only wore a subtle smile.
“Was it too tricky after all? I suggested something else, but the count insisted it would be perfect for you, Lord Ian. What would I know? Since the count said so...”
'Her origins are unknown, but she's definitely nobility now.'
Wasn't it an utterly exasperating way of speaking?
By saying the count insisted, it implied it had that much value, and if Ian didn't like it, it was his own lack of discernment.
“No, I like it. You've given me something amazing.”
It wasn't mere courtesy; he truly liked it. Judging by its condition, it seemed newly developed. Where else could he obtain something like this?
The countess smiled brightly and nodded.
“I'm glad to hear that. The count will be pleased for sure. We've prepared other gifts too, so look forward to them.”
“It's an honor, Madam.”
“But Lord Ian. The reason I came today is...”
The Merelrof Countess trailed off. Ian naturally expected it to be about the Gula trade. But what came from her mouth was something he hadn't anticipated at all.
“I'd like to see Mary Madam's room. Remember, I mentioned last time? There's something I lent to Mary Madam that I haven't gotten back.”
“Ah.”
Ian paused in surprise. The countess's eyes sparkled eagerly. Please let me, they pleaded. And on another note, she seemed to hope Ian hadn't cleared out the room of his criminal stepmother. Normally, one would overhaul such a room...
“Please, make yourself at home. It's your item, so how could I stop you? I've been too busy to touch that side. It's probably just as Mary Madam left it.”
He had preserved it due to the suspicious behavior of the two women. More precisely, he just hadn't bothered with it.
At Ian's permission, the Merelrof Countess jumped up and urged the servant.
“Then we should take care of that first.”
“I'll guide you.”
“You too, Lord Ian?”
“Yes, of course. I'll help search as well. If you just tell me what it is.”
At Ian's words, the Merelrof Countess's face stiffened slightly. But it was so subtle it seemed like an illusion, so Ian watched her complexion even more carefully. Her posture as she walked with straight back was exceedingly graceful.
“This way, Countess.”
The servant politely guided the Merelrof Countess and Ian. The room at the end of the floor directly below the study. The firmly shut doorknob turned, and the distinctive musty smell of an old mansion wafted out immediately.
“We said we'd clean it, but since no one's using it, it smells strongly of wood. We'll ventilate right away.”
Slide.
Chilly air entered through the window, but the Merelrof Countess didn't seem to mind. She carefully looked around here and there, then began rummaging through drawers and wardrobes. Ian simply watched from a step away.
“Madam. If you tell me, I'll have the servants do it.”
“No. It can't be touched by others.”
Splash.
The Merelrof Countess's hands rifled through the clothes. Fine, ornate fabrics were quickly pushed to one side of the hangers, but it seemed she didn't find what she was looking for.
“Lord Ian.”
“Yes, Madam.”
“If it's not too much trouble, could you step out for a moment? I need to check the inner parts. I'll let you know when I find the item.”
The place she pointed to was for undergarments. Ian signaled the servant to watch and left the room without a word. Confirming the door fully closed, the Merelrof Countess resumed searching the wardrobe.
“Um, Countess... Is there anything I can help with?”
“Open every drawer. I'll search myself.”
The countess rummaged through a drawer, then suddenly stopped and muttered. The servant flinched at the woman's chilling, venomous expression reflected in the vanity.
As if deep in thought, she began madly tearing through the dresser again.