Chapter 14

A few days before the two private soldiers of the Marquis family met with Cecil,

Five civil servants and Bertyne, making six, were gathered around a table with a map spread out.

"Do you have any preferred district, Miss Juan Marquis?"

"No, I have no particular preference. Since I am new to all the districts, I don't have a specific one in mind. Is there any place you don't want to go? If so, I'll go there. I need to achieve results now."

The civil servants had a place they would rather not take charge of if possible. It was the area known as the "deepest part of the Federation," located much further south than the central part of the country, governed by seven tribes. Among the seven tribal chiefs, the most stubborn and inflexible man was in charge of the Birlba district.

The civil servants exchanged glances, asking each other, "What should we do?"

The leading civil servant among the five was torn between the feeling that "it's her own wish" and the concern that "the minister's instructions must be carried out."

"The deepest part is where the most stubborn and troublesome tribal chiefs are concentrated. Since you are not from this country, I think it will be really difficult for you, Miss Juan Marquis."

"I understand. Then I will take charge of that district. Please call me Bertyne."

"Is that so? ... Then I will entrust the deepest part to you, but if it seems too difficult, please contact me. I will be visiting the tribal chiefs in the neighboring district to the east. We will start moving tomorrow, but do you need an escort, Miss Bertyne?"

"No, I have a friend who can serve as an escort, so there's no need to arrange one for me."

On the second floor of Bertyne's shop, Ursula.

"Huh? Me? To accompany you to the deepest part?"

"Is it not possible, Evans? Should I ask a professional escort?"

"No, it's not impossible. I can take time off from my work at the guild. It's a waste to spend money on an escort. I'll do it. Just..."

After hesitating for a while, Evans confessed.

"I'm from the Birlba district. I told my father, 'I won't come back until I make a name for myself!' So if I see him now, it won't look good."

"But the Birlba district is quite large, right? I don't think you'll meet your father?"

"Ah, um..."

Seeing Evans' uncertain response, Bertyne said, "Then I'll ask you to be my escort," and the next morning, Bertyne, Evans, and Dorothe set off.

(Why of all places, the deepest part? Was I given the district that would be the hardest to persuade?)

Evans was worried, though he didn't say it out loud.

The carriage journey was proceeding smoothly, and they were scheduled to arrive at the Birlba district, the deepest part of the Federation, the next day. Evans, who was not as enthusiastic as Bertyne, who was eager to meet the most stubborn person, had a gloomy expression.

"Evans, what's wrong? You don't have to worry; we won't go to your hometown."

"Bertyne, I can't hide it anymore. I have to go to my hometown. My father is the tribal chief of Birlba."

"..."

"Because the tribal chief of Birlba is my father..."

"Then isn't that convenient? You can also speak on my behalf?"

Evans scratched his head and groaned, "Guh."

"Probably the opposite. If I return to my hometown without achieving anything, my father won't be happy. So I'll spend time near my hometown and wait. Is that okay? I'll sleep in the carriage at night."

Bertyne, who smiled wryly at the big man's timid suggestion and expression, asked, "If you really don't want to, that's fine. Then where should we meet?"

"I'll wait under the large oak tree you can see ahead."

"Understood."

Thus, Bertyne parted ways with Evans and headed to Evans' hometown.

When she arrived at Evans' house, a woman who was probably Evans' mother came out, looking troubled.

"My husband Bruno is bedridden. What is your business?"

"I have a letter from Lord Cecil. The lord wishes to set the price of wheat at more than seven large silver coins per cart."

"Is that so? Please wait a moment."

The woman went back into the house and returned after a while.

"Please come in."

The tribal chief of Birlba, Bruno, was in bed.

"I am Bruno, the tribal chief of Birlba. Who are you? You're not from the Federation, and you're a woman. Why are you delivering the lord's message?"

Saying this, Bruno looked at Bertyne with sharp eyes under his thick eyebrows. Bertyne suppressed her fear and smiled.

"Nice to meet you. I am Bertyne, who moved to the Federation from the Kingdom of Sanlouan. I have come to confirm the contract to ensure that the price of wheat does not fall below the minimum set by the lord."

Bruno's face turned bitter.

"Hah! To send someone from a country like the Empire, which is like a leech, to the deepest part of Birlba. What is Lord Cecil thinking? This is an insult to Birlba, no, to the deepest part of the Federation!"

He raised his voice and then groaned in pain.

"You, you're shouting. It must hurt, right?"

"Are you sick? If so, perhaps I can speak with someone else on your behalf..."

"Just a strain in my back! I'm not sick! I'll get better with rest!"

Thinking that his shouting was probably making him hurt, Bertyne decided to go along with him.

"You're injured. Please lie down and listen to me. The lord is concerned that too much money is leaving our country due to the wheat trade with the Empire. He believes that if we don't fix this, it will hinder the country's recovery after the war."

"What's the reason you were sent here?"

Considering how much to reveal, Bertyne chose her words carefully.

"There are two reasons. One is that I can speak both the Imperial language and the Federation's official language. We are short of personnel. The other is that I love this country and want to be of service if I am to stay here. By the way, I understand that you are Evans' father."

Mentioning Evans' name had a dramatic effect.

"You know Evans!"

"Yes, he came with me today but said he can't return home until he achieves something, so he's waiting nearby."

"Please, forgive him. I beg you."

His wife, with a tragic expression, clung to Bruno.

"Where is he! Where is he?"

"Would you like me to call him?"

"Please! I need to apologize to him!"

Bertyne simply replied, "I'll go right away," and headed to the meeting place.

Evans, who was napping under the large tree, complained, "Huh? I said I didn't want to go," but when Bertyne told him, "Your father is injured and bedridden," he hurriedly got into the carriage with her.

"Father! What happened! Are you injured!"

"Evans! Are you alright! It was wrong of me to tell you to leave without listening to your story. I was so worried after you left with just a little money. My injury will heal with rest. Knowing you're alive, I..."

Bertyne smiled wryly at the passionate, loud conversation between father and son.

Evans told the story of being mugged in Ibit and being saved by Bertyne. Bruno's attitude changed completely.

"My son was taken care of. I was very rude to you earlier. If it's your duty to enforce the minimum price for wheat, I will follow your lead. Thank you for taking care of my weak son."

"Weak? ... No, it's nothing. Thank you! I'm relieved."

Bruno, who had been selling wheat for five large silver coins per cart as the middlemen suggested, promised to change it to seven from now on.

That's not all.

He promised to immediately inform the other six tribal chiefs in the deepest part.

"You don't need to go there. Just stay here and wait for their responses."

Bertyne was unsure if this was really okay, but Bruno explained the reason.

"People in this area value tradition. We have an old custom that if someone helps a family member, we repay them twofold. You took care of my son, who was penniless and weak, gave him a place to stay, and supported him. I will repay you twofold."

"Really? That's too much... (What does he mean by weak?)"

Immediately, six messengers were sent to the other tribal chiefs in the deepest part to get their approval.

"Can I explore the area while waiting for their responses? This is the first place I've ever visited, and I'm looking forward to it."

When Bertyne said this, her hostess Cassandra and Evans offered to show her around.

"Thank you. I'll take you up on your offer."

Thus, Bertyne set out to explore the neighborhood and discovered new charms of the country.