Chapter 39

After returning to her room in the mansion from the party, Sora received a report from Lazette.

"The Wooddora Guild, huh. It’s fortunate that we were able to locate them."

"Did you know they were in the capital?"

When Lazette asked in surprise, Sora nodded.

"It seems they made a fortune from the lottery until last year, but now it’s the church-affiliated nobles who are running it."

Sora’s investigation revealed that a year ago, a fraud scheme had been rampant, and a church-affiliated noble who served as a cardinal had been deceived. The method was relatively simple but quite novel in this world, and it had deceived many people, including commoners. The Wooddora Guild, under the protection of the church, had set up a shop in the capital, but it was used to deceive a major figure in the church, who then had the lottery taken away as compensation.

"No wonder it’s so quiet there."

Lazette recalled the state of the Wooddora Guild. The location was good, but it seemed to be avoided by merchants. Many suspicious-looking men were seen around the guild, and the guild members themselves were afraid.

"That’s the work of the church or the cardinal. It’s a warning, I suppose."

The position of cardinal has a ceremonial significance within the church. Since it involves face, the church took a strong stance, and the Wooddora Guild lost its backing. According to Sora’s prediction, the Wooddora Guild would go bankrupt unless it found a new backer. The time limit was very short, and the guild, which had fled from the Kleinzelt barony, had neither strong products nor connections.

"So, the guild is going to go bankrupt, then."

Lazette said this with a lack of interest, almost as if she didn’t care. She might even think it serves them right, but she wouldn’t feel any sympathy. If it were Sania or Lylou, who had lost their firewood, they might clap their hands in joy.

"However, I won’t let it go bankrupt. It would be a waste."

Confused, Lazette tilted her head, and Sora told her to bring a piece of parchment with a scheming look on his face. She brought it as instructed, though she didn’t understand why.

"Emotionally, I don’t like the idea of helping the Wooddora Guild either."

Sora took the parchment and began writing a letter. As he wrote, he continued to speak.

"However, if we can use the Wooddora Guild, we can do a favor for the Bartz Duke and make a profit at the same time."

"What do you mean?"

"Do you remember the fire scene in the Bartz Duke’s territory?"

When Sora asked, Lazette nodded, recalling the situation in the forestry city.

"It seems to be the work of arsonists. Or rather, an organized band of arson thieves."

Initially, they were ordinary arson thieves operating in the capital, but they fled from law enforcement and entered the Bartz Duke’s territory, where they increased their numbers and changed their tactics to starting fires near towns.

"Their method of burning the surrounding forests has dealt a significant blow to the forestry industry in the Bartz Duke’s territory. Despite searching for ways to solve the shortage of materials, imports have not been successful."

Wood is bulky and heavy, making transportation costs high, and importing from distant places would result in a loss. Therefore, it is inevitable to import from neighboring territories. Additionally, the Bartz Duke is a mage-affiliated noble, making it difficult to import from church-affiliated noble territories. Naturally, the other side is aware of the situation and is taking advantage of it, making price negotiations difficult. Sora intends to step in and supply wood to the Bartz Duke’s territory, thereby doing him a favor.

"Is it okay to help a rival faction?"

When Lazette asked, Sora made a face as if he had bitten into a bitter bug. Indeed, if the Kleinzelt barony, which is mage-affiliated, helps the Bartz Duke, who is also mage-affiliated, the church would likely raise objections. Measures need to be taken to avoid interference from the church.

"However, even if the church is displeased, I will help the Bartz Duke. Father has made a mess and is in danger of being ostracized by the church."

Sighing with a tired face that belied his seven years, Sora continued.

"Therefore, to avoid being preyed upon by other families after breaking away from the church faction, I will do a favor for the Bartz Duke. Father is determined to cling to the church."

Sora has long since accepted that Father is foolish and there’s nothing he can do about it. After finishing the letter, Sora carefully placed it in an envelope. Thinking of a substitute for sealing wax, Sora had a mischievous idea. He drew a certain picture on the envelope and handed it to Lazette.

"Deliver this to the head of the Wooddora Guild. Don’t let Father find out."

"Now?"

"Looking at the dark outside, you seem reluctant."

"You’ve been sleeping since we arrived in the capital, so you shouldn’t be sleepy yet."

"Daytime naps and nighttime sleep are different. It’s like they have different destinations."

"…Just go already, without any more complaints."

Sora ordered Lazette to leave, almost pushing her out. Lazette, who was moving sluggishly towards the door, suddenly turned to look at Sora.

"What about the spellbooks?"

"Heating and paperweight, right? If the material itself is heated, get the heating spellbook. If the material is subjected to gravity, get the paperweight spellbook as well."

Sora opened a secret box and handed a pearl to Lazette.

"Keep the change."

"Master Sora, I love you."

"Tell that to Zess."

"I love Zess."

"Don’t say it here. Tell it to him directly."

While pushing Lazette’s back, they engaged in this pointless conversation. Incidentally, Zess, along with Sania and Lylou, is staying at an inn in the capital. The beastwoman Sania is easily disliked by nobles, and Lylou, being beautiful, could cause problems if introduced to the pig lord or his wife. Even in the relatively stable capital, it’s dangerous to leave two women alone, so Zess is serving as their guard. Besides, Zess is one of Sora’s few subordinates, and it’s better if he remains unknown. There’s a possibility that the conversation could reach the guard detachment assigned to Sora during the journey to the capital, but they would likely confirm the truth with Sora first, so it can be covered up.

"By the way, give this message to Zess and the others. On the way back, they might have to rely on their own means, so they should keep their souvenirs to a minimum."

Considering the possibility of returning with the pig lord, Sora gave this warning. Lazette’s eyes darted around, but Sora pretended not to notice.