Count Pepper
Ailene Calendar, March 2nd, Wednesday.
The sky carriage of the Pepper Count's family—known for clutching the purse strings of the South Continent's western regions—entered the airspace over Gold Territory.
Shooooooo—
And moments later.
A sky turtle, its shell wrinkled five or six times more than a typical one and bristling with snowy white whiskers, let out a deflating balloon wheeze as it set the Pepper family's carriage down.
Thud—
Rumble-rumble—
The Pepper family carriage, creaking and groaning as it settled in Gold Territory, was humbly modest despite the prestige of their house. The front glass was cracked, spiderwebs clung to the wheels, and grimy filth coated the doors—it was less "simple" and more "shabby."
Screeech—
Screeeeech—
The hinges, who knew when they'd last been oiled, swung open on doors that could shatter at any moment without surprise.
From within emerged a neatly dressed middle-aged gentleman and a girl whose eyes were veiled by the Southeast Continent-style veil often worn by women there, both descending gracefully under the butler's guidance.
Dong—
Dong-dong-dong—
Dong-dong—
Dong—
Dong—
Dong-dong-dong—
Dong-dong—
Dong—
The sky carriage had landed in an open field in Gold Territory. The girl, stepping down daintily, flashed a peculiar smile as she glanced at the burly men beating drums bare-chested despite the lingering chill of spring winds.
"Hmm... Not bad for a welcome from rootless frontier nobility?"
"Sigh, Marien. If you're thinking of acting rashly, head straight back to the territory. Butler, take Marien—"
"Oh come on, Father! When have you ever seen me slip up in front of others? Let's go already! I really wanted to visit the Beauty Tower."
The butler watched the bickering yet affectionate father-daughter duo with a faint smile.
"Heh heh, do enjoy yourselves, my lord. Lady Marien will be just fine."
"Ugh... Fine, then. We'll be waiting inside."
"Safe travels, my lord, Lady Marien."
The Pepper Count immediately scolded his only daughter when her unrefined speech—utterly at odds with her poised and gentle demeanor—burst out. But as always, Marien brushed it off with a playful retort.
As the Count let out a soft sigh at his daughter's antics, she hooked her arm through his like any girl her age and urged him on.
"Father, hurry up."
"Keep it in mind, Marien. Count Gold amassed a fortune in a shockingly short time. He's also famous for rewarding even those beneath him generously. People like that—"
"I know, I know! Your usual lecture! 'Beware those who become nobles overnight. Beware those who amass vast wealth in no time. But above all, beware those who hide their true intentions and humble themselves!' Right?"
"Ugh, yes. Remember it always, no matter the occasion. It's chilly out—let's get inside."
With one final warning to his daughter—who would one day be his successor—the Pepper Count leaned on his cane in one hand and her supporting arm in the other as they headed toward the Beauty Tower.
They'd barely taken a few steps when a woman with vibrant citrus-orange hair approached, lifting her skirt slightly in greeting.
"Welcome to the Beauty Tower, Count Pepper, Lady Marien. I'm Cache, the scribe of Gold Territory and attendant to Count Minor Gold."
"Hard work in the cold. Is Count Gold at the manor?"
"Count Gold awaits in the Beauty Tower. Allow me to guide you inside."
"Right, lead on."
As the woman who introduced herself as Gold Territory's scribe guided them with steady steps, it happened.
Scritch—
Scritch-scratch—
Scritch—
Scratch-scratch—
Scratch-scratch—
Scritch—
Scritch—
Marien traced a secret signal—passed down only among the Pepper family's direct line—onto her father's palm, which was linked arm-in-arm for escort. The Count replied in kind.
'Father, we need to watch out for Count Gold. Those drum-beaters at the landing spot, and now this Cache woman—they're all too beautiful.'
'Hmm... We must be cautious. No decent folk show their faces so openly. Stay alert—no sign of surprise at my eyes?'
Scratch-scratch—
Scritch—
Scritch—
Scritch—
Scritch-scratch—
Scritch—
Scritch-scratch—
Scritch—
Scratch-scratch—
Scritch—
'No sign of that...'
'Hm, that's odd. Either they've investigated me beforehand... or... In any case, stay vigilant.'
'Yes, Father.'
As their secret palm conversation ended, Cache's footsteps halted.
"This is the Beauty Tower entrance. Please excuse the commoner guests inside. You'll reach the Director shortly."
"No worries there. House Pepper doesn't mind sharing space with common folk."
"Thank you for your understanding. This way, then."
Cache bowed in gratitude and stepped lightly into the Beauty Tower. The automatic doors slid open, enveloping them in warm air.
'Father...'
'Heavens... this is...'
The moment they entered, father and daughter signaled their shock via palm scratches.
The Count was stunned first by the cozy warmth blasting out, making the outdoor chill laughable.
Lady Pepper, meanwhile, was captivated by the sweet, refreshing scent she'd never smelled before, and the compact yet dazzling decorations and novel items crammed everywhere—too much to take in at once.
Scritch—
Scritch—
Scratch-scratch-scratch—
Scritch—
Scritch—
Scratch-scratch-scratch—
Scritch—
Scratch-scratch—
Scritch—
'Father, are you hearing this?'
'Yes, but I can scarcely believe it. How can such a heavenly voice come from human lips...'
But what truly astonished the Pepper duo was the beautiful song piercing straight to their souls.
They stopped scratching each other's palms and froze, savoring the dulcet tones from the daprone in the back of the first-floor Cache Shop.
Cache smiled at their entranced halt.
"That's Daprone, Gold Territory's exclusive siren vocalist. Crystal orb videos and recordings are for sale."
"Ah, no wonder it sounded otherworldly. My apologies—shall we continue?"
"Yes, this way, my lord."
The Pepper Count tried to play it cool inwardly. But his heart pounded like twin war drums.
His daughter Marien was no different.
Scratch-scratch—
Scritch—
Scritch—
Scritch—
Scritch—
Scritch—
Scratch-scratch—
Scratch-scratch-scratch-scratch—
'Father! It's a siren—a real siren! First time seeing one in my life!'
'Tch, stay calm, Marien...! This could be a ploy to rattle us.'
He'd calmed his daughter, but the Count himself was utterly bewildered.
A frontier count with no ties requesting a meeting was suspicious enough. But Gold Territory brimmed with even stranger things: retainers of excessive beauty, openly employing demi-humans as territory folk!
As he pondered the inscrutable motives of his host Count Gold, their elevator arrived at the 11th floor of the Beauty Tower.
A man in a white gown stood before the smoothly opening doors.
He greeted the Pepper father and daughter.
"Welcome."
* * *
"You've had a long journey—my thanks for coming, Count Pepper. I am Minor Gold, lord of Gold Territory."
"Grateful for the invitation, Count Gold. As you see, my mobility is limited, so I've brought my daughter."
"Marien Pepper."
Minutes after Cache's crystal orb summons, they arrived right on cue.
A pleased smile formed at the sight and details matching Cache and Rachel's crystal orb footage and intel perfectly.
"Let's talk inside. No troubles on the way?"
"Haha, troubles? You may not know, Count Gold, but House Pepper started as merchants. Merchants never hesitate to sell their footwork and move on."
Russell Pepper, current head of House Pepper, had inherited his merchant father's business, amassed vast wealth, and bought a countship with it.
Even as a count, he still cherished coin, joined deals personally, and lived simply—until worsening chronic illness curtailed his outings in recent years.
Of course, I knew all that well. That's why House Pepper was my first target for mana stone acquisition—no, transaction.
'Naturally, no jumping straight to his illness. Treatment fees skyrocket when desperation peaks.'
As I mentally rehearsed the conversation flow once more, we reached the Director's office.
The count's daughter briefly widened her eyes at the panoramic glass revealing verdant greenery, quickly masking her surprise.
But my micro-expression reading caught that split-second.
"This is where I spend most of my time. My true profession is doctor, after all—a place to diagnose patients. Please, have a seat."
"Haha, I can picture the splendid view even without seeing it."
"Indeed. Quite the... beautiful vista."
My old Gangnam hospital had river views, not forest, but no need to dwell on the past.
Gold Territory was my new home.
Time to open negotiations.
"I invited you, Count Pepper, because I wish to aid House Pepper's business."
"Haha, you mentioned urgent matters, so here I am. Business aid? I'm most intrigued."
The Count chuckled heartily, settling into the chair with his daughter's help.
His micro-expressions screamed: What business aid could a hospital operator offer me?
I itched to cure his ailment on the spot and claim mana stones as payment.
But per Cache and Rachel's intel, money—not health—was what he valued most in life.
First, waft the aroma of profit to flare those tight nostrils.
"Forgive me for broaching this on first meeting, but I've heard House Pepper's core spice trade volumes are declining. Existing clients increasingly contracting with rival houses, it seems."
"Haha, word travels fast—even to Gold Territory, I never imagined."
The Count shrugged it off nonchalantly. His vision was surely blurry from illness.
Yet he brimmed with confidence regardless.
"True enough. Our foundation was pepper sales. We expanded to importing salt, sugar, mustard, sesame, ginger—various spices and seasonings—from across regions to sell in the West Continent."
"Yes, I'm well aware. And lately, tales of your suppliers switching to other houses have grown frequent."
"Hmm, can't deny it. As my eyesight failed and I cut back on travel, it began."
He smiled bitterly at his own explanation.
"Leading to mounting losses... even territory folk migrating elsewhere."
"Hmm, hm."
As his brow furrowed at my words pricking his pride, I pressed on smoothly.
"I have a simple solution. Very straightforward."
Now, the real play to extract those mana stones.