Chapter 7
Chapter 7
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: The Young Lady's Visit
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"Wait. She'll be here soon."
The private soldier standing in front said. His eyes, fixed on Well, were filled with disgust. His expression made it clear that he was only accompanying him out of obligation.
Guchi shot a glance at Louis. A noble who brought a private soldier along to another territory wasn't just anyone ordinary. Before getting picked on for no reason, he needed to show that he was doing his absolute best.
Louis came out with a handcloth. He began wiping down the tables and cleaning off any visible dust.
The private soldiers scanned the shop interior with dissatisfied eyes, then said as if they had no choice,
"Forget about that spot. Clear away the surrounding tables as much as possible and prepare just one. Get some clean water ready too."
"We only have the drinking water we got this morning... Is that okay?"
Louis asked cautiously.
"Is it purified water?"
"No. It's just water we scooped from the stream and let sit overnight."
"Disgusting. Just tidy up. We can't serve something like that."
"Yes, understood."
Louis, thoroughly intimidated, replied softly and finished cleaning. He didn't like this situation one bit, but he couldn't just speak out recklessly.
A private soldier was practically the embodiment of noble authority. Nobles rarely let challenges to their authority slide easily.
Guchi imagined the 'young lady' who must be on her way here, given her owner's impatient nature.
If she were a woman obsessed with luxuries, she'd do anything to get Lander's necklace into her hands. She might even resort to force.
What worried him was Lander's reaction. He seemed quick-witted, but he had an unpredictable side. If that rubbed the noble the wrong way, it could spell trouble.
"Hand over the necklace if you can. Someone who comes all the way out here won't just let it go easily."
He stood beside Lander and whispered.
"I've told you many times, but I have no intention of selling."
"You might end up losing it without a penny."
"Nobles must fulfill their duties. Seizing a citizen's property without due process isn't proper conduct for a noble."
"If more people upheld such noble ideals, the world wouldn't be in this state. Anyway, don't cause any problems—just let it go quietly. Earning travel funds and journeying comfortably isn't a bad deal."
"Thank you for the advice. But my decision stands."
"Stubborn, aren't you? I've done what I can, so handle the rest yourself. And keep this in mind: nobles tend to escalate issues. When you refuse to sell the necklace, make sure the noble's irritation doesn't spill over onto this shop. If Louis gets hurt because of it, I'll be furious."
"I'll keep that in mind. I have no intention of causing trouble for others either."
"Good, then that's settled."
He had said all he needed to. He crossed his arms and stepped back. He could see Well smirking insolently.
If they crossed paths in a back alley later, he'd have to knock out a few teeth. Especially that rotten front one.
He glared at Well before heading straight to Louis. Louis was staring blankly ahead, clutching the dirty handcloth tightly.
"It'll be fine. Don't worry."
"My father said that if a noble with private soldiers shows up, you grovel no matter the reason."
"Just stay quiet and it won't be a big deal, so relax."
"Is Lander okay? Holding him here like this means the obsession is no joke."
"I tried persuading him, but he'll make his own choice."
It wasn't long before hoofbeats sounded. Crisp and swift. The waiting private soldier moved. The door opened, revealing the outside.
A woman was dismounting from a brown horse that looked expensive at a glance. She took the hand of the man from the guild building and stepped down to the ground, then elegantly brushed the wrinkles from her clothes. She flashed a reassuring smile at the following attendant and entered the shop.
"I'm a bit late, aren't I?"
She looked just over twenty. No, maybe even younger. Her skin tone, familiar with the sun, gave her a healthy glow.
She felt worlds apart from the young ladies who sipped tea under parasols and chattered idly.
As if to prove her hobbies were unique, three daggers hung from her thigh. Guchi prayed inwardly that they'd never see use.
"Who's the owner of the necklace?"
The woman said. The private soldier beside her jerked his chin once. As if urging him to step forward quickly. It was then, as Lander took a couple of steps toward the woman.
"Halt! Don't come any closer."
The private soldier said, gripping his scabbard. To Guchi, it looked like he was just showboating to impress the 'young lady.'
"I appreciate the effort for my safety, but I don't like all this fuss. What was your name again?"
The young lady said, looking at the private soldier.
"Deisna, ma'am."
"Deisna. I'll accept it this once as loyalty. But don't do it again. If you react like that, it makes me seem like I'm up to no good. Like I'm intimidating these people."
"I'm sorry. I'll be more careful."
"That's fine, then. Step back."
She pushed the private soldier back and stepped forward.
"No need for this tense atmosphere. I came here only for a fair transaction. Is the shop owner the one in the back there?"
Guchi, catching the woman's gaze, politely shook his head before speaking.
"Not me. Louis here runs the shop."
He pointed at Louis.
"You told me your name without me even asking—how kind. So, Louis?"
"Yes!"
Louis replied in a slightly startled voice.
"Bring something to drink."
"We don't have any proper beverages fit to serve... This isn't a place worthy of someone like you, and we're unprepared. I'm sorry."
"Too bad. Then bring whatever. I don't mind plain food."
"What about some strong-tasting grape wine?"
"That would be expecting too much, so prepare it quickly and bring it."
As the woman stood by the table, the uniformed man swiftly pulled out a chair. As she sat, she said,
"You sit too."
Lander sat in a chair as well. So far, the mood was okay. Whether it stayed that way once the talking started was another question.
"Give it here."
Guchi held out his hand to Louis. Louis's hand, holding the bottle, was trembling finely.
If left alone, he'd make a mistake. Guchi took the bottle and poured into a glass. He picked up the glass and walked to the table.
"Wine served in a glass. Perfect for slipping in poison."
"I'll bring a new one."
"That was just a joke. No one with the guts for that would be in a place like this anyway."
The woman brought the glass to her nose, sniffed the aroma, then drank. She savored it, moving her lips.
"Really cheap taste. That's what makes it good, somehow."
The woman set down her glass. He retrieved it and stepped back.
"What's your name?"
"Lander."
"Lander, huh. Nice. Lander, the man behind me said you have a very unique item."
"If you're talking about the necklace, yes."
"This will go quickly, then. I'm thinking of buying that necklace from you for a very good price. Assuming it's really made from a white-horned deer's horn."
"I'm sorry, but I have no intention of selling the necklace."
The woman crossed her arms. Her left lip curled up briefly before settling back.
Guchi sighed inwardly as he listened to their conversation. Lander's unyielding integrity was admirable even before a noble, but now was the time to play nice.
"I see. I understand not wanting to part with something so precious right away. I'd respond the same way. Hmm, but I'm not planning to give up just like that."
The woman leaned forward.
"First, I need to see the item to discuss specifics. You can at least show it, right?"
He could see Lander's head shaking side to side. She seemed to glance at the private soldier behind the woman.
"My mind won't change."
Lander said as he placed the necklace on the table.
"Who knows."
The uniformed man gently picked up the necklace and brought it before the woman's eyes. The woman took it in her own hand.
"It's bigger than I thought. Crude workmanship lowers its value as craftsmanship, but the material itself is so rare."
The woman examined the necklace with careful eyes. Whether she had real discernment or was just pretending, Guchi couldn't tell.
"Did you know? Just seven years ago, white-horned deer horns weren't that expensive. Then suddenly, sightings dropped, and once they were only found in uncharted lands, the price skyrocketed."
"It's a gift, so I don't know the details."
"Nothing sadder than a treasure in the hands of someone who doesn't know its worth. I like it more than expected. How much did you have in mind? Whatever price, I'll double it."
"I've said from the start—it's not for sale."
"Three times, then? At the price I have in mind, a capital citizen could live comfortably for two years."
"I appreciate the offer, but I'm still not selling."
"You've got backbone. And you're tiring me out."
The woman's smile faded a bit. Guchi sensed the situation heading south.
Lander was determined not to yield. The idea of pandering to a noble's whims apparently didn't exist in that guy's head.
That's when it happened. The woman tilted her head and narrowed her eyes. She was scrutinizing the underside of the triangular horn ornament.
"You said you got this as a gift, right?"
"Yes."
"Are you sure about that?"
"There's no reason to lie."
Lander replied. The woman closed her mouth and gave a deep smile. To Guchi, it looked extremely dangerous.
"I doubt that. Because this is a very special item. I never expected to see something like this here. I'm thrilled, but at the same time, displeased."
The woman reached a hand behind her neck. Her fingers trailed along her nape, and a string caught on her fingertip.
The woman lifted her chin slightly and pulled the string on her fingertip. A white carved piece emerged.
It bore a striking resemblance to Lander's necklace.
"This one was definitely made by my father. It's so suspicious that you have something like this. So tell me. Where and how did you get this necklace? Concisely, and only the truth. If it contradicts what I know even slightly, or if you hesitate to answer right away, we'll move somewhere else to talk. And it won't be this civilized then."