Reconstruction of the Trading Company (2)

Bella lived up to her nickname of the Red Witch with her finicky personality. But the truth was a bit different. No matter what anyone said, Bella was a mage of exceptional talent. Belonging to one of the top Magic Towers, the Tower of Fire, and bearing the title of direct disciple to the tower ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠master seemed to prove her genius—but in reality, she was also the hardest-working mage of them all.

Whenever curiosity struck her about anything magic-related, she had to figure it out completely or it wouldn't sit right with her. That trait made her seem picky to some. Bella slipped out of the Magic Tower in secret and headed for the Hartwell count's territory. She even used magic to hide her red hair as she infiltrated the estate. There was one reason she went to such lengths: Ethan, the bastard son of the Hartwell family.

If Ethan had been just some ordinary bastard, Bella wouldn't have given him a second glance. She'd have spent that time researching magic instead. But if he was part of Black Raven—and not just any part, but Phantom, the secret guard directly under the leader—then things changed.

While learning magic from her master, Bella had set one goal for herself: to meet the leader of Black Raven. Her master, Adeline, the master of the Tower of Fire, had originally lacked talent in magic. Yet under the leader's guidance, she'd become a grand mage. What if she, in her current state, learned directly from the leader?

I could surpass even Master! Bella's heart raced. It reminded her of the day she'd first learned magic as a child. To find Black Raven's leader, she decided to use Ethan. Since he was in Phantom, wouldn't he eventually make contact? So she planned to tail him when he went out.

But this ambitious Bella ran into an unexpected obstacle. Someone lightly tapped her shoulder.

"Eek!"

Bella let out a small scream in surprise. She hadn't sensed a thing—no footsteps, nothing. She couldn't help but panic.

"Wh-what? You...!"

Turning around, she found Emilia standing there with cold eyes. Bella knew ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠her well; they'd ridden in the same carriage back to the count's estate with Ethan. Of course, whenever Black Raven came up, Bella had knocked Emilia out with magic.

Emilia handed a letter to the flustered Bella.

"Lord Ethan said to give you this."

Emilia's tone was curt.

That little brat dares...! Bella bristled at a mere commoner using casual speech with her, but she quickly composed herself. Instead, she eyed Emilia's gray hair closely. The girl had a sharp look mixed oddly with a dull air—it was strangely captivating.

Bella waved her off dismissively. "Got it. I'll take my time reading it, so go on."

But Emilia didn't budge.

Irritation bubbled up. "Why aren't you leaving?"

"Lord Ethan wants a firm yes or no on when you can do it."

No, this kid really... Bella grumbled inwardly. Complaining to Emilia wouldn't help; it was that great Lord Ethan's order, after all.

Phantom through and through.

Bella was impressed despite herself. How had they known she was here? She'd even skipped hiding her red hair just in case. Her clothes were plain too. All that effort, wasted.

How did they pinpoint my location? And sending Emilia with a letter like they'd known all along.

Phantom is terrifying.

Sighing inwardly, Bella had no choice but to read the letter.

The letter's contents were simple and clear. But the specific methods outlined were downright vicious.

This is insane... Bella shivered as she read. But she soon nodded. It was Ethan's plan, so some sacrifices were expected, right? Besides, Bastel meant nothing to her. Whether he died or went bankrupt didn't matter. She just had to follow orders.

She had no obligation to obey, but Bella remembered her promise with Ethan.

That damn promise... Grumbling, she recalled it: if everything went well, he'd put in a word with the leader.

"Ahem." Not wanting to look too eager in front of Emilia, Bella cleared her throat. "This is simple enough. Tell him I'll handle it."

With confirmation, Emilia left. Moments later, Bella strode off in the same direction. Her cover was blown anyway—might as well carry out Ethan's orders quickly.

"Shall we?" She dispelled the magic ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠hiding her red hair, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"You delivered it to Bella yourself?"

Surprise filled my voice. Normally, it should've taken days for the letter to reach her. Yet Emilia was back ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠almost immediately after stepping out.

"By sheer luck, Lady Bella was in the territory."

Emilia replied flatly.

"What? Bella's here?"

I furrowed my brow and asked again. Emilia nodded slowly.

"Huh..."

Emilia had started using formal speech with me during her training at the mansion. I found it burdensome and told her to relax when it was just us, but she stubbornly stuck to it.

Wonder what brought her to the territory? My mind raced. The Tower of Fire wasn't close. A mage who should be researching spells had come all this way.

No, don't overthink it. I shook my head. Better this way—it shaved days off the plan.

Lucky break. If she'd wanted to see me, she'd have shown up at the mansion already. She must've been here on other business and bumped into Emilia by chance. I slowly curled my lips into a smile. Unexpected luck—a good start.

"So, what'd Bella say?"

"She said she'd handle it herself."

Emilia's dry response. But inwardly, I clapped. As the tower master's disciple, she was probably sharp in these matters. I'd detailed the plan in the letter just in case. Now, I could only hope she'd pull it off.

"She didn't say when she'd start?"

Tomorrow at earliest? But Emilia's answer shocked me again.

"She's already arrived at the mansion."

"Crazy..."

A curse slipped out unbidden. Faster than I'd imagined. What had fired Bella up like that?

Bastel had been living chaotic days lately. Piles of papers strewn across his desk spoke to his exhaustion. After the Golden Wing merchant group's raid, dark shadows hung heavier on his face. They'd recovered the goods and assets, thankfully, but rebuilding would take immense effort.

"Haa..."

Bastel closed his weary eyes with a deep sigh. How nice it would be if someone helped right now. Unbidden, his half-brother Ethan's face came to mind.

"......"

Another powerless sigh, eyes shut. Then came a knock.

"Come in."

Bastel answered heavily. The door opened, revealing a woman with striking red hair.

"......?"

Expecting a servant or butler, Bastel couldn't hide his confusion. Outsiders entering his room was improper. He nearly raised his voice—then noticed her elegant attire.

I've seen her somewhere... Eerily familiar. While he stared blankly, she spoke first.

"Pleased to meet you. I'm Bella from the Tower of Fire."

Bastel shot to his feet. A mage from the Tower of Fire? Where was that? Home to a grand mage tower master, hailed as the top among towers. And 'Bella' rang a bell: the tower master's direct disciple, the Red Witch. A mage of such skill she was called the next tower master!

The atmosphere shifted completely.

"Ah, Bastel Hartwell. What brings you...? Please, come in."

He guided her politely. Bella cut straight to it.

"I have a proposal for you, Young Master Bastel."

His eyes gleamed.

"What kind of proposal?"

"Regarding the reconstruction of Golden Wing."

She pulled a small box from her bosom and offered it.

"Take a look."

Inside was a pair of exquisite bracelets. Bastel eyed them curiously.

"These are magical artifacts..."

Greed flashed in his eyes. They were indeed magical artifacts.

"Yes. And I can supply them to your merchant group."

Bastel's mind whirled. Magical artifacts were rare, valuable items tied to magic—immensely useful. They could block attacks or let ordinary folk cast spells. Hence their sky-high prices. Tricky to make, too, so scarce. Not just anyone with money could buy them. That's why merchant groups knocked on Magic Tower doors. Even low-grade sales rights could elevate a group's status sky-high.

And from the Tower of Fire? Top quality, no doubt. The tower master's disciple coming personally? The implications were clear.

If the deal goes through, reconstruction's a breeze. Maybe even massive profits. No need to borrow his mother's influence then.

"You can really supply them?"

Bella nodded at his question.

"Of course. But I have one condition."

As expected. No free lunch. Still, Bastel was willing to bend.

"Share the Golden Wing merchant group's equity."

Equity... The group was in ruins now anyway. With artifacts, it could top the principality—nay, the empire. Shares were a small price.

"Very well. I accept your proposal, Mage."

Bastel offered a handshake, believing it his salvation. But inwardly, Bella clicked her tongue in pity.

Bastel, obsessed with rebuilding, overlooked a key fact: magical artifacts were strictly controlled due to their value. Towers didn't deal casually with merchant groups—finances, escorts, all scrutinized. Yet this 'contract'? Sealed with a few words.

Poor fool.

Ethan's letter outlined near-fraudulent tactics. The hand Bastel grasped wasn't salvation. It was the devil's temptation leading to hell.