Chapter 147 - The Mateo Trading Company's Situation and Lini's Future
The training was still underway. I watched them for a moment before heading over to where Claire and Mercedes were. Shizuka and Lini were nearby as well.
I had mentioned the Earth Dragon tribe to Mercedes, but he hadn't seemed very interested in doing business with them. However, after I had them try the sparkling wine the Earth Dragons made, they suddenly became quite eager. We had arranged to meet the Earth Dragons in Migul, so I would introduce them there.
"By the way, about Lini…"
"It is an honor to have her entrusted to us. It may only be until we reach Migul, but we will see to her care nonetheless. However, what sort of person do you wish for her to become?"
At Mercedes's question, I looked at Lini. She was sitting so close to Shizuka she was practically hiding behind her. It seemed she wasn't very comfortable around me.
"Lini, what do you want to be?"
My words brought a troubled look to her face. Shizuka whispered something in her ear.
"You don't have to say prostitute or anything like that anymore, you know."
Lini's mouth opened and closed, but no words came out. I shot a glare at Shizuka. I really wanted to punch her just once. I had no idea why Lini was so attached to a woman like that.
"What kind of work did your parents do?"
"I've never seen my father. My mother was…"
Her mouth just moved silently. I see, so her mother was a prostitute. I knew it wasn't right to laugh at her misfortune, but I couldn't help but wonder if she had a hidden talent for comedy. In any case, I wondered what girls her age in this world aspired to be.
"My father was a merchant, so I wanted to help with his work. That is why I learned to read and write. But I was always anxious, not knowing to whom I would be married off," Claire said.
"Adventurer, merchant, court servant, knight, mercenary, farmer, artisan, housekeeper…"
It was no use. My imagination was too limited to come up with anything. It might be meddling, but I wanted to give her an education, like Claire, so that when she decided she wanted to be something, she would have the option.
"Mash…-sama, are you an adventurer?" Lini asked.
"That's right, I'm an adventurer. And you can speak casually. Drop the '-sama.'"
My answer brought tears to her eyes.
"Then Lini will be an adventurer too. Mash is weaker than Lini, so if I don't protect you, you'll die…"
"Kuh… I can't argue with that, but I've got strong big sisters looking out for me, so I'll be fine."
Now I was being worried over by a little kid.
"Listen, that one over there practicing while flashing her underwear and that big-breasted older sister dressed like a priest are especially strong. But the one you must never, ever make angry is that dog-eared sister. Got it?"
Lini listened to my explanation and nodded deeply.
"How about we take her to the church once to get her a profession?"
I nodded at Mercedes's suggestion.
"Yeah, good idea. I'll ask Maira about it later. But it would be best if she learned to read, write, and do arithmetic as well."
"Understood. We shall educate her to become a worthy wife for Master Mash."
"Hold on, I have no intention of making her my wife at the moment."
At my words, Mercedes's expression turned to one of shock. Lini, too, looked as though she was about to cry again.
"A-Am I going to be sold… again?"
"No, that's not it. That's something you can decide for yourself when you're an adult."
"Master Mash, that would put us in a difficult position," Mercedes said. "We are taking her in precisely because she has your favor. There are others in the company's service who are older than her. If that is not the case, we cannot justify treating her differently from them."
For the Mateo Trading Company, Lini's value came from the fact that I held a special interest in her; that was the only reason they wanted to keep her around.
"Lini's future is being Mash's bride. I'll try my best not to be sold… for now."
"Hey, it's tough to have your partner decided at your age. Don't worry about it too much. But if you really don't want to, you have to tell me first. Got it? In secret. And whatever you do, don't say a word about it in front of that dog-eared sister swinging her sword over there."
I whispered in her ear, and she gave a small nod.
"Okay. I'll endure it, so it's fine."
That subtly hurtful phrasing was concerning. Was she only saying that because she didn't want to be sold?
"It'll start feeling good eventually," Lini added. I glared at Shizuka. She just shot me a V-sign with a beaming, unapologetic smile. I wish she would stop planting strange ideas in a child's head.
"By the way, there is something we would like to discuss with you."
I nodded in response to his words. Mercedes cleared his throat and began.
"First, we have information on the Crimson Brigade."
They were the ones who attacked Fam's village. A band of mercenaries who also acted as bandits, raiding small villages, plundering, and dealing in human trafficking.
"Their base seems to be located somewhere in the mountain range that stretches between Migul and the capital of the Old Empire… which is now the capital of the Demon Kingdom."
This was the lawless territory between the Empire and the Demon Kingdom, the very place where the dog-eared tribes, like Fam's people, lived. From here, it would be to the northeast, I supposed. I tried to look, but all I could see from here were the city walls.
"Are you familiar with a place called Shamon Island?"
I shook my head. Mercedes explained that it was a city on a sandbar in the river downstream from Heilong, heading toward the Demon Kingdom's sphere of influence.
It was originally an isolated place dotted with monasteries, cut off from the rest of the world. However, with the fall of the Old Empire's capital, it became a refuge for displaced citizens and transformed into a city.
Now, it stands as the westernmost city of the Demon Kingdom, but the influence of the monasteries remains strong, and with the rise of a powerful merchant's guild, it has become a city that serves as a bridge between the Empire and the Demon Kingdom.
After his brief explanation of Shamon Island, he turned his gaze toward Fam, who was still training.
Fam was sparring with Fang, wielding the same wooden sword I had used. She was mimicking my kendo movements. Fang, leveraging the power and speed of the Werewolf Race, was running circles around her.
"It seems they used to sell their goods in this city and in Migul, but after a conflict with House Wanland, one of Migul's Four Ruling Families, their activities within the Empire became restricted."
"That's the dog-eared race's family, right?"
Mercedes nodded. The Crimson Brigade's plundering was something House Wanland could not overlook. Upon learning of the plight of the dog-eared tribes living in the eastern mountains, they sent their army against the Brigade without consulting the other ruling houses.
However, the Brigade avoided direct confrontation with the army and fled into the eastern mountain range. The army could not pursue them, as advancing further would risk provoking the Demon Kingdom. Instead, House Wanland banned the Brigade from entering their territory and declared that any city that welcomed them would be considered to have committed a hostile act.
"So there are good rulers out there."
"Please do not forget that the principles behind a politician's actions are almost always born from their own conscience," Mercedes stated coldly. His words reminded me of the saying, 'The road to hell is paved with good intentions.' Was that from the time of the Crusades? I wondered if this was his personal creed, or if he would have praised House Wanland had they been a human family. It seemed there was a faction within the Empire that opposed House Wanland's unilateral decision. Under pressure from the Demon Kingdom, the border cities were in disarray, with some even in a state of war. Many cities were in desperate need of mercenaries.
"In any case, having lost their base of operations within the Empire, they have hidden themselves in the northeastern mountains and moved their market to Shamon Island."
They attack villages, sell what they steal to get by. And the result is a life hiding in the mountains. It wasn't a way I could live. Was this truly the life they wanted? Was this why Fam's village was attacked?
"I see. Is there any way to narrow down the location of their stronghold? I don't know how large that mountain range is, but searching for their base without any information will be a pain."
"I do not know the exact size, but the mountains stretch for hundreds of kilometers," Mercedes said with a smile. This wasn't just a pain; it was impossible.
"House Wanland seems to have intelligence regarding their base. Once we arrive in Migul, I believe we can provide you with more accurate information."
"Got it. When we get to Migul, I'll ask Moh if he can get that information. I'd like you to continue your investigation in parallel."
"Leave it to us. However, what do you intend to do once you have it? I must question your sanity."
Mercedes sighed. He probably wanted to stop me from trying to start something with the Crimson Brigade.
"The goddess told me to defeat the Demon Lord. This should be a piece of cake, right? Otherwise, it makes no sense that she summoned me."
Even I think I'm not in my right mind. But I remembered her, in that cell, emaciated, not even allowed to wash her body. She cried all alone after she was rescued. Eventually, she stopped crying in front of me. But the more days I spent with her, the more that memory settled on me, a quiet, heavy weight. Besides, the area they're occupying is where the dog-eared tribes live. If they're left alone, other villages will be attacked. It's not like the dog-eared people chose to live there, but now, that place is their home.
"…Perhaps so. But are you looking at the her of now?"
"Now, for the second matter."
Mercedes's words seemed to be laced with a quiet anger.
"W-what is it?"
"It concerns the young mistress. If she does not please you, then please say so plainly."
My eyes met Claire's, who was standing next to him. She offered a weak smile and lowered her gaze.
You don't have to say this in front of her, I thought, but I knew that uniting us was the mission Mateo had given him.
"She's ridiculously cute, and I'm very fond of her!"
"Then why do you not grant her your favor?!"
For once, Mercedes's voice was filled with agitation.
"W-well, I've thought about it a lot. I'm not sure if this will be accepted, but…"
"Let us hear it. Please, speak your mind."
"I want my first child to be with Fam, but she's still young. On top of that, I have a mission given to me by the goddess."
"Are you concerned about an heir? We would never use a child with our young mistress to seize your inheritance. Furthermore, if a child is born, the company will take full responsibility for raising them. We will not trouble you in any way."
It was just like Yanan. That was exactly what I didn't want, but I hesitated to say so to him. This was precisely why Mateo had offered Claire to me. I had been naive back then. And I owed them more than just gratitude for giving me an escort mission and a safe opportunity to learn about this world. To them, it was a strategy to tame and win me over. To me, it was an invaluable experience.
"Could you wait on the matter of a child?"
"How long must we wait?"
"…About six years."
Mercedes looked up at the sky with a grim expression. The sun was getting stronger; the morning was drawing to a close.
"I'm sorry to keep you waiting. So, is Claire not an option?"
When I asked her, she shook her head.
"I have no complaints about whatever you ask of me, Mash."
Hearing Claire's reply, Mercedes let out a sigh.
"Very well. However, mishaps are a common occurrence in these matters."
Mercedes sent a meaningful glance at Claire. I thought I saw her give a small nod.
If they didn't keep applying this unnecessary pressure, I would have slept with Claire long ago.
Of course, I couldn't say that out loud, so I kept silent.
"Allow me to add one more thing. The Mateo Trading Company's security is not particularly robust. Should a skilled individual such as yourself, Master Mash, attempt to infiltrate, you might easily find your way into the young mistress's chambers."
He pressed the point, as if to say, you understand, don't you? All I could do was nod.
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