Chapter 78: Odd Occurrence

As Count Merelev was checking documents, he heard the sound of someone running towards him. As he lifted his head, the butler opened the door with a flustered expression. Despite his strict adherence to formality, he had never knocked before...

“What is it?”

“L-Lord Count, something terrible has happened.”

The butler’s trembling voice made Count Merelev involuntarily put down his pen. He had rarely seen the butler so agitated.

“The trade caravan sent word... all the wagons were burned to ashes.”

“What?!”

Count Merelev jumped up, his mouth agape in disbelief. How could the wagons have been burned?

“A man named Collin set fire to the wagons and tried to kill the people. It seems he was after the gold coins the mercenaries carried. During the struggle, the group was killed.”

“How much gold was there?”

Most of the transactions were handled through the Hyman Bank, issuing checks and bills. Therefore, the gold coins the mercenaries carried were not the trade payment but merely the funds needed for the journey.

“To the common people, it’s a large amount.”

“Still, what are you saying?”

“The wagons were all burned, and some of the survivors who inhaled smoke from inside the cave are injured. A messenger bird has been sent to Sheiron, but we don’t know how long it will take.”

That wasn’t all.

With the wagons completely burned, new ones would need to be acquired to transport the food. The cost aside, it was uncertain whether they could be obtained in the middle of winter, when all the wood was used for firewood.

“...Ha. Ha ha ha. Ha!”

“Indeed, Collin, that man was suspicious. Since the trade caravan is heading to Sheiron, it will cost more money there. Perhaps it would be better to have them return?”

It wasn’t as if they could just sleep on the ground or survive by drinking water. With injured people, they would need to see a doctor.

At the butler’s words, Count Merelev rubbed his forehead and groaned.

‘This is the worst.’

Yes, among all the winters he had experienced, this year was undoubtedly the worst.

“...Why the fire?!”

Rrrrr!

Count Merelev, unable to contain his anger, grabbed the nearest object and threw it.

It was absurd that no one could stop him among so many people. Were those living under the Merelev name really such a ragtag group?

Indeed.

The clumsy ones hidden beneath the peace had raised their heads through the crisis. The state of the Merelev mansion was truly deplorable.

“Collin’s family. Kill them all.”

“...Yes, Lord Count.”

“Their wretched home, ransack it completely. Leave no one, man, woman, or child, and hang them all. Kill them, kill them all...”

The continuous string of misfortunes was suffocating. Setting aside the burned wagons, the situation had now reached the point where the count’s table was at risk. If they couldn’t get food from Sheiron or the Havan Kingdom, there was only one option left.

Bang! Crash!

“Damn it. What the hell is going on? Do I need a divine revelation? Huh?”

“Screeech!”

Count Merelev slammed the table and, out of habit, grabbed the hair of a servant standing beside him. Then, with all his might, he vented his anger physically.

The servant’s emaciated body swayed, but the butler could only lower his eyes and remain silent.

“I’m sorry, Lord Count. I’m sorry.”

“Ha. Really, butler. I told you to choose better people!”

“...Please spare me!”

Crack!

The butler bit his lip tightly and bowed deeply. He had to calm the count’s mood somehow, or an innocent child might suffer today.

“Leave.”

“L-Lord Count.”

“Go and kill all of Collin’s kin!”

Creak.

The servant’s hair was tangled in Count Merelev’s hand. The butler had no choice but to back away and leave the office, where the servants waiting outside looked at him with worried faces.

“B-Butler.”

“Everyone, step back. Sparks might fly.”

“What about him?”

“Shh. Do you want to ring the bell?”

The butler’s words filled the servant’s eyes with fear, making them even more moist and deep. The servants hesitated and pretended not to hear the screams coming from inside the office.

Click.

The clear sound of footsteps. It felt like a crack in the ice-cold atmosphere. The butler and servants turned their heads simultaneously. Countess Merelev stood there with a calm expression.

“What are you all doing?”

“M-Madam...”

Crash! Bang!

The countess glanced at the chaotic door and then at the butler, letting out a faint sigh.

“Open the door.”

“Madam, r-right now...”

“It’s fine. Open it.”

The countess gently pushed away the servants trying to stop her. Her resolute yet serene gaze made it impossible for them to guess her intentions, even though they had seen servants die many times.

“Huh...”

“Do I have to open it myself?”

One of the servants, unable to hold back, burst into tears, and Countess Merelev gave a sharp glance.

In the end, it was the butler who put his hand on the doorknob.

Creak.

The door slowly opened. A servant, now a bloody mess, lay on the floor, and blood splattered the wooden furniture. Countess Merelev raised her head proudly and entered.

“Dear.”

At her call, the count turned around, panting heavily. Sweat dripped from his forehead, showing how brutally he had beaten the servant. The servant frantically rubbed his palms.

“Let that boy go.”

“Huh... Please, please spare me...”

“Let’s play, shall we?”

A radiant smile spread across the countess’s usually emotionless face. She tilted her head slightly and met the butler’s eyes. The servant took the opportunity to crawl out quickly.

‘Close the door.’

Creak.

Light seeped through the slowly closing door. The butler, feeling the weight in his heart as usual, closed the door.

Countess Merelev took her husband’s hand and suggested kindly.

“Dear, why don’t we ask for help from Bratz?”

But the old man’s rough breathing, filled with madness, did not easily subside. She whispered quietly again.

“If it’s too difficult for you, I can go and talk to him. We’re about the same age, and it might be better for both of us if I go instead of you.”

“You?”

“Yes. Please leave it to me.”

Count Merelev grabbed his wife’s hair as it slipped through his fingers and growled. The woman’s expression remained calm as usual.

“You’re not planning to run away, are you?”

“Of course not. How could I?”

At the countess’s calm words, the count roughly shook her hair. Her gaze was fixed on the full moon behind her husband.

* * *

Four days later, Countess Merelev arrived at Bratz. Ian, who had received prior notice, was waiting at the mansion’s front gate. As the carriage door opened, a beautifully dressed woman smiled and extended her hand.

“Welcome, Countess Merelev. It’s a pleasure to have you.”

“Ian, no, I almost made a mistake. You’re now Lord Ian.”

“Was the journey difficult for you?”

“Not at all. Are we that far apart?”

Countess Merelev subtly hinted that they were neighbors. Ian smiled without answering and led her to the parlor.

“To be honest, I was a bit surprised to hear you were coming.”

“When I heard about your ennoblement, I felt bad for not sending a proper congratulatory message, both for the count and myself.”

The countess handed her thick coat to a servant. Her nose was red from the cold inside the carriage.

“No need to apologize. I understand you were busy with your duties.”

“Thank you, Sir Ian. The count also wanted to come, but as you said, he couldn’t find the time.”

“You even sent a gift.”

Ian casually mentioned the dripper.

“It’s such a precious item, I’m not sure if it’s appropriate for me.”

Perhaps she knew the value of the dripper and gave it intentionally, or maybe it was just a bribe that worked.

Ian carefully observed the countess’s expression, but she only smiled mysteriously.

“Was it a bit difficult? I suggested something else, but the count insisted it would be very helpful for you. I don’t know much, but since he said so...”

‘Unknown origin, but definitely a noble now.’

Her speech was truly annoying.

If the count insisted, it must have been valuable, and if Ian didn’t like it, it was his fault for lacking taste.

“No, I like it. It’s a fantastic gift.”

It wasn’t just for show; he genuinely liked it. Judging by its condition, it seemed to be newly developed, and where else could he get such a thing?

The countess smiled and nodded.

“I’m glad to hear that. The count will surely be pleased. I’ve also prepared another gift, so you can look forward to it.”

“It’s an honor, my lady.”

“By the way, Sir Ian. The reason I came today...”

Countess Merelev left her sentence hanging. Ian naturally expected to discuss the gula trade. But what she said was