Chapter 72: If Only I Could Suffer Forever
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 72: If Only I Could Suffer Forever
The Merchants of Death.
A new merchant group that had appeared in Noctar, making one bold move after another since its founding. It began with the absorption of The Peacock’s Night Gathering, Noctar’s most popular tavern.
The tavern was a hub where the city's information and connections intertwined. By taking it over, the Merchants of Death seized control of the information network, beginning their dual domination of both commerce and intelligence.
This allowed them to stay one step ahead of their competitors.
Their second move was securing the full support of Baron Bardelli. First, they sold the collections hidden in the basement of the Desert Rose Merchant Group for a high price to raise capital, then erected their own building on the site where the Desert Rose once stood.
Furthermore, Baron Bardelli and Narsha’s connections granted them entry into aristocratic society. They had bypassed the time and capital a typical merchant group would need to spend to trade with nobles.
Thanks to this, they forged good relationships with the aristocracy and secured lucrative deals. They had effectively seized control of the city's entire market, from the upper class on down.
Of course, any merchant group on the continent might have been able to achieve this much.
But Narsha was competent, and the Merchants of Death possessed a business strategy that no one else in the world could imitate.
Elves.
It wasn't just about making the elves serve drinks. That was merely an act to draw attention in the beginning. What truly interested Narsha were the elves' spirits.
Spirits that held the power of nature. While they demonstrated great strength in combat, if you broke down their abilities one by one, they were perfectly optimized for agriculture.
Spirits of abundance made the land fertile, and water spirits brought rain. A vast expanse of farmland was created in the barren lands of Noctar.
They gave jobs to the slum dwellers who had been wandering the back alleys and paid them accordingly. With money in their pockets, the market economy began to thrive.
Life was beginning to stir in Noctar. And the person most pleased by this was none other than Baron Bardelli.
“Hahaha! To think the day would come when my domain is so full of life. Lady Bryan, this is all thanks to you. It seems my eyes haven't grown dull yet.”
“You flatter me.”
“There’s no need for modesty. You’ve accomplished what my father and even my grandfather could not. Count Bryan has raised his child very well indeed.”
The baron’s grin stretched as wide as his mouth would allow. Lately, every single day had been a joy. But unlike the baron, who was smiling from ear to ear, Narsha showed no reaction.
“Lady Bryan. What of the matter I asked you to consider last time? Have you given it some thought?”
“Yes.”
“And? Are you willing to meet my son?”
Baron Bardelli had two sons and a daughter. Compared to Narsha, the daughter of a count, they were sorely lacking, but they were still handsome individuals.
He didn't think the chances were high, but you never knew with matters between a man and a woman. If it worked out, great. If not, it was a shame.
“I refuse. I have no interest whatsoever.”
“Haha, well, my sons are indeed a far cry from you, Lady Bryan, but to be rejected so flatly… it still pains a father’s heart.”
“My apologies.”
His words carried the unspoken question, ‘Don’t you think that was a bit harsh?’ but Narsha only apologized, offering no correction. Her expressionless gaze remained fixed on a point in the distance.
As if to say, You’re the one at fault for making such a suggestion.
The baron couldn't say anything more. Though Narsha didn't even have a title yet, it was the baron who was in the weaker position.
Narsha was essentially donating her talents; if she left, only the baron would lose out.
“My lady, aren’t you taking this too seriously? It was just a joke. A joke.”
The baron had no choice but to let out a hearty laugh and brush the matter aside.
Narsha set down her teacup and rose from her seat.
“Are you leaving already?”
“I cannot be away from my post for too long.”
“Ah, I’ve kept the leader of the merchant group for too long. Please, have a safe trip back.”
Narsha paused just as she was leaving the guest room. Baron Bardelli tilted his head.
“Is something the matter?”
“I am not the leader. The leader is someone else. I am merely acting as his representative for a time.”
With those meaningful words, Narsha departed.
In the guest room she left behind, Baron Bardelli met the eyes of his chief secretary.
“The Merchants of Death has another leader?”
“I’m not sure, my lord. This is the first I’m hearing of it.”
If not Narsha, then who was the master of the merchant group? Just what kind of fearsome individual commanded both the daughter of a count and a host of elves?
The bombshell Narsha had dropped would have the baron racking his brain for some time.
*
“You’re back? You must have had a rough two weeks.”
On the very spot where the Desert Rose Merchant Group once stood.
There now stood the headquarters of the Merchants of Death.
Alfia greeted Narsha upon her return. Narsha had just come back from a business trip to another city to handle trade for the group.
“Did something unpleasant happen?”
“The baron asked if I would meet his son.”
“That sounds great. Why not get married while you’re at it? I’ll bring the elves and spirits to give you our blessing. You can leave the merchant group to me.”
“No, thank you. If I left the group to you, it would be bankrupt in a day.”
“A shame, then.”
Crunch.
Alfia bit into a cookie. Narsha surveyed the sight of her.
The very picture of a freeloader, lying on the sofa and stuffing her face with grain cookies. While one person was busy working all day, the other hadn't moved an inch.
“Don’t you have any work to do?”
“You’re the one who told me not to.”
Alfia was truly terrible at her job. Everything she touched, she ruined; it was no exaggeration to say she had the Midas touch, only in reverse.
That was why Narsha handled most of the merchant group’s affairs. It was only because of Narsha, who had been educated since childhood and possessed a natural talent for it, that the group was still standing. Anyone else would have run it into the ground long ago.
The only person Narsha could rely on in the group was Victor. His life experience and business sense as a former tavern owner were invaluable.
Even by Narsha’s high standards, his abilities passed muster. That was why Victor had become the group’s manager.
Unlike him, Alfia was… it was better not to say anything. The best way she could help was by staying quiet.
“By the way, Lady Alfia, wasn’t it two weeks ago that I left? I feel like you were in this exact same position back then.”
“I was. I haven’t moved a single step.”
“Then you haven’t washed this entire time?”
“Elves are different from humans. We don’t need to wash often. We always smell fragrant, and even if we get dirty, we can just use a water spirit to clean ourselves.”
She said as much, but the scowl on Narsha’s face didn't soften. It was the look one gave to something filthy. Sometimes, personal feelings took precedence over the truth.
Narsha pulled Alfia up.
“Follow me. Let’s get you washed.”
“Ugh, but it’s such a bother. I’m telling you, I’m really clean.”
“I’m just lonely washing by myself, so stop complaining and come along.”
*
Within the merchant group’s headquarters, there was a large bathhouse.
Since all the self-proclaimed slaves of the group were female, the idea was to build a large bath so they could all bathe together.
However, it was far too extravagant for an ordinary bathhouse. With angel statues, marble floors, and expensive luminous stones on the ceiling, it wouldn't have looked out of place in a palace.
As a daughter of a prestigious house, Narsha was extremely particular about such things. It was an element she, as a noble, could never compromise on.
“Haaah…”
Narsha sank deep into the tub until her shoulders were submerged. A sigh of relief escaped her lips as she felt the fatigue from her journey melt away.
It wasn't just a feeling, either. The bath, created with the power of water spirits, possessed extraordinary properties. It didn't just relieve fatigue; it was also good for one's health.
You could even drink the water you were bathing in.
It was holy water.
In more ways than one.
“Hm-hm~ Hm-hm~”
Alfia leaned against the edge, enjoying her bath with her back exposed, as if showing off the brand etched upon it to someone.
Narsha was well aware that someone was her. Alfia’s elven body already possessed a beauty that no sculpture could ever hope to capture.
The brand etched onto such a body could have been a flaw, but not in Narsha’s eyes. On the contrary, for a brief moment, she felt her own unblemished body seemed plain in comparison.
Should I ask Master to give me one when he comes back?
Of course, Alfia’s brand was meant to suppress her pain, but Narsha was unaware of the detailed circumstances.
As Narsha was leisurely observing Alfia’s naked form, a bandage wrapped around Alfia’s arm caught her eye.
“Lady Alfia, are you hurt?”
“Hm?”
“You have a bandage on.”
“Oh, this?”
Alfia looked at her own arm and gave a sly smile.
“It’s a secret.”
Narsha couldn't fully grasp what the secret was. But she could faintly read the flicker of a faint darkness in Alfia’s eyes.
*
Having finished her first bath in a while, Alfia returned to her private room and lay down on her bed.
It felt good to be clean and fresh. And unlike before, she felt no pain.
The spirits that had constantly run rampant were now crushed by Alfia’s will, no longer daring to challenge her. She was completely liberated from the pain.
And for Alfia, that was nothing but a pity.
Alfia unwrapped the bandage. Revealed on her jade-like arm were several fresh scratches. They were shaped just like fingernail marks.
If I’m in pain, if I’m wounded, won’t he come back a little sooner? He’ll come and worry about me, comfort me…
The more I hurt, the longer he’ll stay by my side. He won’t leave until I’m all better. He can’t leave. So—
‘If I suffer forever, he’ll stay by my side for all time.’
Harboring this wish, Alfia smiled faintly and carved another wound into her own flesh.