Chapter 76: Making a Big Move

"Ian-sama! Ian-sama!"

Hannah called out as she crossed the garden. Ian, who had been cutting gula sprouts, turned his head, and she panted as she held out a letter to him. The envelope was tough and of high quality, though it bore no seal.

"It's a letter from Merelop!"

"Oh, is that so."

Ian took off his gloves and accepted the letter. It didn't seem to be from the viscount... If not, then the only person in the manor who could write it was clear.

"It seems to be from the butler."

"Huh? Not from the viscount?"

"There's no seal, so it's unlikely. If it were from the viscount, he would have given it to you directly."

He probably came to the main gate and threatened to hand it over to Ian directly. Regardless of the situation, the position of a viscount who hasn't been formally ennobled was evident.

Ian elegantly tore open the envelope and read the contents on the spot. Hannah, who couldn't read, rolled her eyes and observed Ian's expression.

"Is it the content Ian-sama was waiting for?"

"...Not exactly, but it's welcome news."

Ian lightly folded the paper and patted Hannah's shoulder. Then he instructed Beric, who was lounging under a tree.

"Beric, stop playing and let's go to the basement."

"Basement? Why there?"

"Also, bring Lord Roman and tell the kitchen to mix a little flour with some other things to make a lump."

The butler was asking on behalf of the viscount whether gula trade was possible.

-Greetings, Viscount Ian. Please forgive me for addressing you informally and writing in place of the viscount. The viscount is currently unable to reply.

The informal address was because Ian hadn't yet received his surname. The claim that the viscount couldn't reply was a blatant lie. The first letter sent to Merelop was about the assassination plot, but there had been no formal response yet.

'Probably the congratulatory message for the ennoblement was also written by the butler.'

-We in Merelop are thoroughly investigating the plot you informed us about. Please bear with us a little longer. I am writing this letter to inquire if you might open up gula trade.

We've heard that you strictly prohibit trade with outsiders. While we respect that, I am writing this considering the approaching winter.

This is my personal proposal, unrelated to the viscount. However, if you permit it, I will ensure a mutually satisfactory transaction.

I hope for your generous consideration. Sincerely,

Saman, Butler of the Merelop Manor.

Ian slowly shook the letter, pondering the butler's name at the end. Saman, while Barie is a place of diverse coexistence, each fief has its distinct characteristics. It doesn't seem to be a name from Merelop.

"What are you planning to use this for?"

"You're quick, Beric."

"Bringing a lump of flour isn't that hard."

In no time, Beric held a thumb-sized lump of dough. Its strange color made it impossible to guess what he had mixed in.

Well, he didn't really want to know.

Bang!

"Ah! Ian!"

"Lord Roman, you might fall."

"Ouch, it hurts. You said a letter came from Merelop? A proposal for gula trade? I rushed over as soon as I heard."

"No, unfortunately, it's from the butler, not the viscount. The viscount seems to still be hungry."

Ian handed the letter to Roman and smiled. He quickly scanned the contents. If there was still a hill to climb, it meant they had a place to procure food besides Brats.

"...Shayron?"

"It seems so. We'll send people to the Hwan Kingdom, but with bandits appearing and causing trouble, we can't send many people, and there won't be any volunteers."

"True. Dying of hunger is painful, but being stabbed is even more so. That route is probably blocked. Hmm, Suh? That Chyulrye woman?"

Ian knew through Suh's messenger bird what had happened in the canyon at night. It was coincidental that Erica appeared at that perfect moment.

He wasn't sure if she was dead, but the rumor that the Hwan Kingdom had dispatched soldiers to suppress the bandits was widespread. For the time being, they wouldn't dare to go that way if they valued their lives.

"Anyway, the Chyulrye are better at handling things than expected."

"Especially when it comes to physical tasks."

"Going to Shayron will take about ten days... The problem will be the return trip. The altitude is high, and the snow falls early."

Ian, Beric, and Roman descended to the basement, discussing the situation. They then looked at the closed door simultaneously. It was the room where the only survivor of the group that had attacked Ian was locked up.

"Open the door."

Creak.

At Ian's command, two guards unlocked the door. The man lying curled up on the bed inside, Collin, jumped up and fell to the floor. His unkempt beard and rough skin revealed his suffering. Living like an animal in a place without windows was to be expected.

"Collin."

"Y-Yes..."

He raised his head slightly in response. What was happening? Was he about to be killed now? Collin's body trembled like a leaf.

"Eat this."

"Wh-What?"

"Eat it, and I'll send you home."

Ian nodded to Beric and smiled. Whatever it was, if he was told to eat it, he had to. Beric held up the rice cake and then roughly grabbed Collin's cheeks. Collin struggled reflexively but couldn't match Beric's strength.

"Ah, what is this! Help, help..."

"Are you worried you might die? Don't worry. You'll die either way."

Beric forced the rice cake down Collin's throat and then pinched his nose and tilted his head back to prevent him from spitting it out. Collin grimaced and rolled on the floor, feeling the unpleasant taste.

"Ugh..."

"Did he eat it all? Ian, he ate it all."

"Good. Collin, I'm going to send you back to Merelop."

"R-Really? Thank you..."

"But you have a task to do."

Ian squatted in front of him and tidied his hair, as if petting a well-behaved dog.

"Have you ever been to Shayron?"

"S-Shayron? No, I haven't."

Collin's answer made Ian look a bit disappointed, but it didn't matter. Collin's role in Merelop was not to be a guide but the opposite.

"Listen carefully to what I'm about to say. When you return, you must keep everything that happened here a secret, and no one must know your movements or mission."

This was a fair proposal for Collin.

If it were discovered that he had tried to kill a noble, even if Ian was only half a noble, he would surely be put on trial.

"In return, you must volunteer for the group Merelop Manor is recruiting to go to Shayron."

Whether there would be many or few volunteers was uncertain. The result would depend on the mood in the fief. But as a strong young man, Collin could manage to join the trade group.

"And do whatever it takes to prevent the group from reaching Shayron. Or make sure they return empty-handed. You can break the wagons or tie them up. It's up to you, but they must not return for at least a fortnight."

Collin couldn't understand Ian's words at once and just blinked. So, he was being asked to act as a double agent? Collin shook his head reflexively.

"H-How can I..."

"You were willing to kill for money. This should be easy for you."

"Sir Ian, I really did wrong."

"If you don't follow my instructions, you will die."

"What do you mean..."

Swoosh.

Ian's eyes turned golden, and he faintly released mana. His hair fluttered in the room without windows, and Collin's body stiffened at the unfamiliar mana.

"The thing you just ate will dissolve in your body and turn into blood and flesh. As soon as I confirm my plan has failed, I will release this aura without restraint. Your blood will turn to poison, and your body will melt into the ground."

"Ugh! Ugh!"

Ian's calm, whispering voice was quite menacing. Collin started to retch, but Beric immediately clamped his mouth and tied him up.

"But if you succeed, I promise you freedom. I will remove the magic I personally cast. Compared to your dead comrades, you are truly fortunate."

So, don't have any foolish thoughts. Collin nodded fearfully, feeling the lump in his throat as if it would choke him at any moment.

Creak.

"Come out now."

Ian turned and opened the door. The stairs were visible through the half-open gap. The bright light pouring down from above. It had been a long time since he saw daylight.

"Should you go home looking like this? Beric, tidy him up."

"I'm also a skilled barber."

"Don't cut his throat."

"Yikes!"

"Just a joke. A joke."

Ian's joke made Collin clutch his neck. Beric chuckled and dragged him out, and Collin was intoxicated by the fresh air after nearly a month. It felt like he had just stepped back from the brink of death.

Roman, watching this, gave Ian a hint.

"Just in case, we should assign someone to watch him."

"Yes, please give me a suitable