Chapter 73: Masterpiece

Butler Mereleuf's day always began the same way.

As soon as he woke up, he would tidy the bed, oversee the servants to confirm the morning duties, and sort various letters to be delivered to the study while breakfast was being prepared. All of this had to be done before the sun rose.

Knock knock.

"Are you awake, my lord?"

Upon hearing Lord Mereleuf's response, the butler opened the door and entered the bedroom. The innermost room of the three-room suite. The lord was already dressed neatly, leaving his still-sleeping wife behind.

"The weather is definitely getting colder."

"I'll clean the fireplace."

Lord Mereleuf checked the letters on the tray one by one. Most of them were formal letters to maintain social relationships.

"What's this?"

"Oh, my apologies."

The letter the lord was holding was Ian's reply. Since the master was indifferent to congratulatory letters, maintaining the family's reputation was also part of the butler's duties.

"You're also quite industrious, aren't you?"

The lord casually flipped through the letters, muttering to himself.

Suddenly, the lord's hand stopped. Ian had sent a reply not only to the lord but also to the lady. Without hesitation, the lord tore off the sealing wax and read the contents.

"This is..."

His expression showed that he had no idea what was going on. His raised eyebrows were even more prominent. The butler sensed his caution from the lord's furrowed brows.

"It's for Lady Rien?"

"That, my lord, knowing you wouldn't send a congratulatory letter, he sent it on your behalf. The lady is very attentive to her role as a hostess."

Lord Mereleuf placed the letter on the table and stared at it. The butler's back was drenched in cold sweat, unable to believe that the day had started this way.

"He also sent a gift."

"He selected unused items from the warehouse."

"Personally?"

"...Yes."

"Personally selected and sent a congratulatory letter? And Ian really liked it? Did they meet separately?"

The butler waved his hand lightly but confidently.

An unknown piece of scrap metal. Even if the polite exchanges were formal, the lord, being a noble, would know better if they were insincere.

Rustle.

The sound of the lady stirring in the innermost bedroom was unusually loud. Today, the butler wasn't the only one who would have a tough day.

"There's no way, my lord."

"Did you meet Ian when you came to the central mansion?"

"Ah, well, we did meet when I went to see him off. But it was very, very brief, and we didn't exchange any particular words."

The butler desperately tried to explain, but the lord didn't seem to hear. His face, already dark, turned even darker. His rising blood pressure was visible.

"Good morning."

At that moment, the lady walked out of the inner bedroom in light clothing. She yawned widely and snatched the letter from the lord's hand.

"Why did you read my letter without permission?"

"Rien, listen."

"Let's see what it says. Hmm. He says he genuinely liked it. Should I be happy or not? Hahaha."

The lady laughed as if she didn't notice her husband's ominous mood. The butler turned his head away, determined not to look, and the bedroom's atmosphere became even more twisted. The effect of one side being infinitely light and the other infinitely heavy.

"Prepare breakfast."

"Yes, my lord."

"I want venison steak today."

"Yes, my lady. I'll prepare it."

"You said that last time, but you didn't bring it up, did you?"

"...I apologize. I'll correct it."

It was autumn, a season without the joy of harvest. The mansion always had an abundance, so there were no issues with kitchen operations, but ingredients that needed to be sourced externally were often difficult to obtain within a day.

Especially venison.

Lady Mereleuf sat on the table and casually asked her husband.

"Dear, I heard that the people of Brats are all cultivating and eating gula. They say it's surprisingly delicious?"

"They've become beasts by associating with beastly people. They eat it because they have nothing else to eat."

"While that might be true for us, the situation is different for the lower classes. Sir Ian suggested a visit to express gratitude. Should I go?"

"Where? To Brats?"

Lord Mereleuf's eyes narrowed suspiciously. But the lady nodded as if there was nothing to worry about.

"Where else would I go?"

"Ridiculous. Every year at this time, they complain about the same things. No food, what to do. The large caravan from Hwan Kingdom will arrive soon, so they just need to wait. How can they lack learning ability? Tsk tsk."

Why would they lack learning ability? Because they have it, fewer people farm each year, and more open entertainment or lodging businesses. Many also rely solely on the large caravan for winter preparations.

'...There are problems both inside and out.'

The butler bowed and left the bedroom. Lady Mereleuf smiled at him but didn't say anything else.

"Dear."

When the door closed completely, Rien placed her hand on her husband's shoulder and asked. The lord's mood was still at rock bottom.

"By the way, when is the caravan from Hwan arriving?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Can't I ask?"

"...I received word that they will depart in a month."

"A month. Then they have to cross the mountains, so it will take a month and a half? No, maybe a month and a week..."

The lady's muttering made the lord's eyes even more fierce. She was always unpredictable, but lately, it was worse.

"I hope they arrive soon."

She said this and slipped out of the bedroom. In the corridor, a man polishing a window hesitated and looked at the door. The woman glared at him with a cold, almost murderous expression.

"Clark. Polish the windows until they shine. Guests from Hwan Kingdom will arrive in a month."

"...Yes, I understand."

Clark nodded and replied. He kept polishing the window, repeating to himself. In a month, Hwan Kingdom departure. In a month, Hwan Kingdom departure...

* ♟ *

After Kakantir left, Ian delved into a thorough investigation of Mereleuf in his study. Knowing the enemy on the battlefield was crucial. It was advantageous to gather as much detailed information as possible before meeting Mereleuf.

"By the way, about Lady Mereleuf."

"Lady?"

Romandor's subordinate flipped through the report and tilted his head in confusion.

"I confirmed that her name is Rien Mereleuf, but I don't know where she's from."

"Do you mean you don't know her family?"

"Her family, and her exact social status before marriage. They've been married for three years, but the wedding was very simple, so many of the estate's residents didn't even know about it."

Hearing the conversation between Romandor and his subordinate, Ian raised his head. Even if the wedding was simple, she was a countess.

"The significant difference in social status."

"I think so too. Was she a commoner?"

"Hmm. I'm not sure."

Ian shrugged, recalling the strangely smiling face of Lady Mereleuf. She was definitely from outside, and knowing Driper, she couldn't be of ordinary origin.

"Have you identified the large caravan from Hwan Kingdom?"

"It's called the Ilak Caravan, which operates on a five-year cycle. Including the caravan leader, there are about 100 people."

"It's not as large as I thought."

"However, many people rely on it because its route is fixed."

Travelers or small caravans would pay to join for safety. With over fifty joining, the total number would be around 150 to 200.

"More caravans, large and small, are expected to follow the Ilak Caravan at two-week intervals."

"Then it's important to catch them early."

"If we join, it will be quite smooth for us."

Nersarn said this while flipping through the documents, slowly reading the text. Being in Barial, it took him longer to verify than the others.

"In an emergency, they can't provide enough manpower, and they would be a burden."

"I agree. We should set the date soon. They will want to arrive before winter, so at the latest..."

"A, I know the date."

Romandor's subordinate raised his hand happily.

"In a month, the caravan will depart from Hwan Kingdom, and it will take time to cross the mountains, so the arrival time is widely known."

"Known? Where?"

"In Mereleuf."

Knowing the exact date, Romandor and his subordinate cheered and encouraged each other. Only Ian remained silent, not smiling.

"Is there a problem?"

"From here to Hwan Kingdom, it takes only ten days."

"No, no. That's not the problem. I'm wondering if there are any bandits around here."

Especially mountain bandits. Large caravans mean many mercenaries, but also many valuables. If the timing is known in advance, they could become targets for bandits. If bandits get involved, it could disrupt the plan. It would be better to pass quietly and quickly.

"Hmm. Bandits. Maybe they disappeared due to the battle's aftermath."

"And we need to inform the arrival time so the estate can prepare, right?"

Ian nodded hesitantly. Yes, it's important for the caravan and Mereleuf, but not for Ian.

"Right. Then let's proceed..."

Boom!