Chapter 86. The Place to Store Gold Coins

The brother of the viscount, who would be the uncle to his wife. She pulled out a forgotten memory and answered.

"Yes. Just twice. If you go up to the east of the estate, there's a small manor. He lived there almost in seclusion. Blood can't be hidden, his personality is just as despicable."

Hmm. Eian frowned as he tried to imagine the viscount's brother. If he were a proper member of the family, he wouldn't have allowed a former slave to become the viscount's wife. Considering that the affair happened without a wedding, it was possible to guess how messy it was.

Both Bratz and Mereloph.

Surely, it can't be that all the nobles 100 years ago were like this.

"The only one who would raise questions if the viscount dies is his brother, right?"

"Yes. There are two younger sisters, but they married abroad and I've never met them."

"If he lives in seclusion and has no contact, there doesn't seem to be much to worry about. Who would suspect the wife if the viscount dies?"

At that, the viscountess stopped and stared at Eian. In the bright sunlight, it was clear that her black eyes had a hint of green, a mark showing she was the child of a dryad.

"There's a saying that those who defy the natural order are abandoned by the gods."

She cut down the tree, but ultimately, it was her mother's life. Even if it was to save her father, the reality didn't change. The viscountess often felt the scar on her palm like a brand of sin.

"Would you think that someone who defies the natural order even knows what they've defied? The gods soothe the wounds of those who constantly lash themselves. I don't know the full story, but, my lady, this much I can tell. You are as innocent as a child of the fairies."

Eian was led down by the man who called him uncle. In the royal palace, it was common for relatives to draw swords for power, and even parents would keep an eye on their children. In a world where even loved ones couldn't show their backs to each other, this was to be expected.

"Innocent? Me?"

"If it offends you, I apologize. What I mean is, don't drown yourself in self-pity. Whatever you think, it's right."

If she believed she was cursed, it would be so, and if she didn't, it wouldn't be. This is similar to why villains often carry their curses; they don't think it's wrong.

Viscountess Rien had never considered this perspective and paused for a moment.

"...I am cursed."

"Yes. If you think so, then that's how it is."

Eian didn't deny it. He had never seen her cut the fairy tree, nor did he know what hardships she had endured.

The viscountess couldn't move, feeling as if her life was being denied.

"Mother always spoke of the fairy's curse."

"Ah, I know. I've heard of it."

Dryads and other nature fairies were beings that existed between promises and fulfillment. If they agreed to do something, they had to do it, and if they did, the fairies would grant their wish in return.

"Don't those who can't rely on temples or wizards usually do this? They hear of fairies and head to the mountains, the sea, and the unknown."

But something puzzled him... Eian also stopped walking and turned around.

"Did you make a promise with your mother? If not, there shouldn't be any particular problem."

"...If I'm not cursed, why am I like this now?"

"Didn't I say? You think you're cursed, so that's why."

Viscountess Rien felt as if someone had hit her on the head with a hammer. She was so confused that she couldn't even think clearly. Eian, leaving her like that, approached the room where Clark was being held.

"Open the door."

The soldier nodded briefly at Eian's command. The lock, which had been firmly closed, fell with a thud, and a gap opened. This was due to Clark shaking it so much that the joints had come loose.

Creak.

"Ah, Clark."

"...Viscountess Rien."

The two looked at each other, but that was all. They remained rooted to the spot as if a clear line had been drawn between them. Viscountess Mereloph turned away as soon as she confirmed that Clark was unharmed.

"Are you leaving like this?"

"Yes. What business do I have here? I sold him to Sir Eian, so just seeing him alive is enough."

Clark didn't chase after her either. Beric turned his head back and forth, looking at the two curiously. He had expected them to embrace and cry, but their reaction was too indifferent.

"What are you two doing? You should really show some emotion."

"You, your attitude has always been so disrespectful."

"Maybe my brain is paralyzed because of you. My tongue doesn't move properly. I'm so~rry."

"What kind of...!"

Viscountess Rien shouted in disgust, but Beric wasn't going to be swayed. He already knew she was a former slave and was aware of her plan to kill her husband. When Beric stuck out his tongue, she closed her eyes as if she couldn't bear to look.

"Beric. You should show respect to the viscountess."

"Are you kidding? I've suffered so much."

"You slept well, didn't you?"

"That's one thing, but I had a bit of a shock."

While Eian and Beric bickered, Viscountess Rien slipped into another parlor as if to avoid them.

"She seems dazed. Is she okay?"

"She has a lot to think about. Bring out some refreshments and keep an eye on her. I need to go help Lord Romandor."

Romandor looked as if he had been drained from dealing with Viscount Mereloph alone. When Eian returned, he seemed to come back to life like a withered leaf.

"Sorry to interrupt. How far have you gotten?"

"Good timing. It's the last page. The revised parts have a darker brown ink, so check them."

Eian read the document with ink that hadn't even dried, apologizing to the viscount. The viscount also looked exhausted from revising the contract.

"Viscount Mereloph. Unfortunately, there's no official seal, so I'll sign instead."

"Go ahead. I just finished revising that part. Where is the viscountess?"

"She's resting in another parlor, having some refreshments."

Without a word, the viscount got up and headed out. Once he was out of sight, Romandor slumped into the sofa.

"What a stubborn old man."

"Was it tough?"

"Don't even ask. I've never seen anyone like him."

"Good job."

"Still, I defended the price well. I expected a significant cut, so I agreed to have the gourds packed in different sizes."

Romandor's satisfied evaluation made Eian smile. Finally, the moment was approaching where he could sell 100 gourds for 3,500 gold coins.

'Why isn't she coming?'

After a while, Viscount Mereloph entered, straightening his disheveled sleeve. No one knew, but Eian noticed a strand of a woman's hair caught in his button. He couldn't resist and had his way in someone else's manor.

Anyway, his dignity...

"Hmm. Good. Have you checked everything?"

Eian handed him the pen to finalize the contract.

"Yes, there are no issues. I will sign now, Viscount."

"Go ahead. The gourds will be taken today."

"Do you have the gold coins with you?"

"I can give you 1,000 gold coins now, and the rest will be transferred through the Hayman Bank. I can go to the bank while the gourds are being selected."

The viscount checked his watch. 1,000 gold coins. He must have thought that 10 coins per gourd was just right and brought them.

Eian signed without hesitation, and the viscount did the same, pulling out his seal from his inner pocket to complete the transaction.

"Thank you, Viscount. Today's transaction will be a meaningful moment for both estates."

"Hmm. Yes. Let's start the selection of the gourds."

"Outside, gather the workers. We will pack 100 gourds."

"Bring the sacks! Sturdy ones that stretch well! And bring boxes from the carriage!"

Once the contract was signed, the manor's servants bustled about. Following the viscount's instructions, the servants took out boxes from the carriage. Three adult men grunted as they carried 1,000 gold coins, which had been divided among four carriages.

"Whoa!"

When the box was opened, a bright golden light shone from inside, and all the servants froze. They then looked at Eian in confusion.

"I've never seen so many yellow things gathered together except for corn kernels. Wow..."

"W, what should we do with this?"

Eian also checked his watch and gave instructions. The viscount seemed busy leading his servants to the gourd warehouse.

"Load the boxes back onto the carriage. We're going to the bank. Everyone, help Viscount Mereloph and his men to move 100 gourds."

"Wh-what? 100 gourds?"

"Did I hear that wrong?"

"They'll take what they want, so it won't be too much trouble."

The size and quality would be handled by the Mereloph estate people. The servants just needed to supervise and guide them.

"Bank...?"

"Is there another bank in Barial? Hayman Bank."

At Eian's firm words, the servants loaded the boxes back onto the carriage. They then left the chaotic manor and headed out the front gate.