Chapter 10

Having been in exile in the empire for five months, the Tretor Trading Company had been steadily increasing its reputation.

I woke up in the rented house in the lower town, quickly tidied myself up, and finished a simple breakfast with Mirei, who had already woken up and prepared it, getting ready to leave the house.

At that moment, a small bird flew into the room through the window.

"Lady Ely, this is the regular report from the king's men."

"Is that so? Is there anything unusual?"

"Yes, it seems that the daughter of Baron Rockeet has been officially recognized as the Crown Prince's fiancée.

Moreover, it appears that Lady Ely is wanted for plotting treason.

The Duke's family seems to have been granted immunity in exchange for leading the pursuit of Lady Ely."

Mirei read out the message, trembling with anger.

"I see, by officially recognizing Fried's nonsense, they're trying to preserve the royal family's prestige.

I doubt that brainless one could think of it, so it's probably the Duke's suggestion."

"Such a thing! They're making Lady Ely, his own daughter, a traitor?!"

"The Duke would do it.

What matters to him is the kingdom.

Since they can't find me, to protect the Crown Prince's honor, he would do something like this."

While Mirei, overwhelmed with anger, shed tears, I burned the message with a candle and discarded the ashes in the ashtray.

Of course, I was also furious about this report.

However, I had already sworn to take revenge on them and had started acting on it.

My anger will crush them when the time comes.

"Come, Mirei. Let's go to the trading company."

"......Yes, Lady Ely."

As usual, we went to work at the dilapidated house, diligently continuing to make soap.

Normally, we would deliver soap to customers around noon and continue making soap until the evening.

But today, someone knocked on the door of the dilapidated house.

I wish they wouldn't knock so hard on the half-rotten door.

"Coming."

When Mirei opened the door, several men in armor grabbed the door and pushed it open, barging in.

"Who are you?!"

Mirei shouted, but the men didn't answer.

The men surrounded Mirei and me, placing their hands on the swords at their waists.

"Don't make any sudden moves."

The voice came from behind the men.

A woman in a neat outfit with glasses appeared from behind the men who had their hands on their swords.

"Who are you?"

When I asked, the woman with glasses showed her guild card with a sharp voice.

"My name is Arthe Hildagier.

I am a first-class investigator in the Legal Department of the Commercial Guild."

The Legal Department of the Commercial Guild is an investigative agency that enforces the law for crimes committed by guild-affiliated trading companies.

"There have been complaints that the Tretor Trading Company is selling toxic soap."

"Toxic soap?"

"Yes, there are testimonies from people who used Tretor Trading Company's soap, reporting severe skin damage and chemical burns."

Arthe took out a letter signed by the Commercial Guild's Guild Master from her pocket.

"This is a warrant for a forced investigation from the Commercial Guild.

We will now begin a forced investigation of the Tretor Trading Company's office.

The head of the trading company, Ely Reis, and the trading company member, Mirei Catalia, will be detained by the Commercial Guild.

We will conduct an investigation at the Commercial Guild, so we request that you accompany us."

Arthe announced this in a tone that left no room for argument.

"Lady Ely..."

"...Understood, we, the Tretor Trading Company, have nothing to hide.

We will cooperate with the investigation."

"I appreciate your cooperation. The carriage is waiting outside."

We were escorted by Arthe and the soldiers, got into the carriage, and set off for the Commercial Guild.

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