Chapter 7

Work. More work. Again work. Even more work. Today, tomorrow, and the day after.

While rubbing her sleepy eyes, Rasette was reciting a dark poem under her breath.

"Rasette, good work."

Sora offered her a cup of tea with words of encouragement. A fine aroma rose from the high-quality tea suitable for a noble. Rasette was perplexed as Sora thrust the tea at her, urging her to drink it quickly. Although Sora, who still retained the mindset of a modern Japanese person, didn't fully understand, this was not something to be given to a mere servant.

"What are you staring at? Come on, the tea will get cold."

"…Thank you."

Rasette drank the tea that was handed to her a bit gruffly. As expected, it was a taste that didn't suit her. While sipping the tea slowly, aware of her own frugality, Sora opened the window and looked down at the street. Her sharp gaze, which could make even adults flinch, was directed somewhere.

"Rasette, I'll give you a few days off to investigate the state of the homeless children."

"More work…."

Rasette sighed, her face showing her weariness. She had expected to be busier given the nature of the plan, but it was frustrating to have no break at all. Initially, Rasette thought it was either a child's sense of justice or a noble's pastime, but as she helped Sora prepare, the plan started to seem more feasible. Even she, who was part of the plan, was amazed by Sora's planning and execution. Even as a two-year-old, Sora was completely different from a commoner. Rasette thought the blood of the nobility was truly terrifying, especially in the lack of guilt in using people.

"Try to choose homeless children who won't be missed if they disappear from the city. I don't need to be picky about their physique, but I need at least ten."

"Should I do this discreetly?"

When Rasette confirmed, Sora nodded silently. After some negotiation, Rasette managed to get five days off instead of the three Sora initially offered. She left the mansion, brushing off the envious glances of her colleagues and the snide remarks of the head maid. She headed to the market street, being cautious of being followed, though she didn't expect it.

On the central street, where the ground was exposed, dry winds stirred up dust, and women paid for withered vegetables without complaint. From houses with holes in the walls, thin children ran out, joining their friends and racing to play. As Rasette compared the clothes of the children she saw with those she had made, her confidence wavered and then returned. She finally reached her destination. The white stone walls of the building reflected the sunlight without a speck of mud. A golden decoration of a bird with a cane sat on the roof. The double doors, reinforced with iron, and the elegant stained glass and reactive stones significantly increased the building's value. This building, which always existed where people gathered, was a church.

Rasette looked up at the church for a while, then glanced around to make sure no one was nearby before going to the back. The back of the church was a dim alley. Homeless people gathered here, expecting the church's charity, so the area was relatively safe but dirty. Rasette planned to find homeless children here, which was safer than entering the slums alone. It was around noon, and even without a communal meal, she could observe the homeless children by pretending to help distribute bread.

However, she had forgotten one thing. This was the center of the Kleinzelt territory, known for its poor governance. There was no hope for donations, and the church itself was so corrupt that it relied more on bribes than donations.

"…No one is here."

Rasette sighed, peeking into the slightly spacious area behind the church. There were no cats or crows, indicating that there was no charity. Otherwise, animals would have gathered for any dropped bread. She leaned against the church wall, contemplating. She thought about kicking a pebble out of frustration, but there were none to be found. It was a frustrating day.

As Rasette stood aimlessly, she heard voices from the back door of the church.

"–The lord has come up with an interesting business idea. It was a bit sloppy, though."

"Yes, there was confusion in the timber procurement as well. We don't have that worry."

A nervous voice and a confident voice responded. Rasette peeked out, just her head, a lazy gesture typical of her, but this time it saved her. There were three shadows at the back door of the church. One was a child around five years old, and the other two were adults. The tense atmosphere around them suggested they were having a secret meeting.

"The only worry is the lord's mood."

The nervous voice laughed through his nose.

"That's up to the church."

"…Well, it's fine. There's a benefit for us as well."

Rasette pulled her head back, sighing as she sensed more work. She recognized the confident voice.

"Zendo, this matter is a secret even from the other members of the church. I don't want to share the credit. In return, I'll help the guild's expansion into the capital."

Zendo, the man with the nervous voice, was known to Rasette. He was the president of the Wooddora Timber Guild, and Rasette had met him during the timber negotiations, which had been complicated by the lottery.

"Understood. I'll take my leave then."

Zendo headed down the alley opposite where Rasette was hiding. As Rasette was about to leave, the nervous voice spoke to the child.

"Find out where the other homeless children are storing firewood. Do it secretly."

As Rasette listened to the nervous voice giving the child orders, she felt a sense of déjà vu. It seemed that covert operations were in vogue in this city.