Chapter 25

The morning after the intruders broke in.

Bertine was in Cecilio's study.

"So, you fired the rifle, did you?"

"Yes, I did. There were two of them, and if I hadn't fired, Diego might have been killed."

"Where did you get the rifle?"

"My father sent our private soldiers to the Kingdom of Azdahl to buy it. It was one of my dowry items."

"A rifle as part of the dowry..."

Cecilio almost burst out laughing in surprise but managed to suppress it, making a rather awkward expression. Noticing this, Bertine tilted her head in confusion.

Cecilio, who had inadvertently thought, "If I marry this person, will I be targeted with a rifle during our arguments?" finally couldn't hold back his laughter and coughed to cover it up, saying, "Ahem, ahem."

The Kingdom of Azdahl is a country located beyond the western mountains of the Empire, known for its expertise in weapon manufacturing. Due to the high mountains, there is little interaction with the Empire, and no interaction at all with the Southern Union. Cecilio had only heard about rifles in stories and had never seen one in person.

"I see. Are you familiar with handling it?"

"Yes. I was told that a weapon can only perform well with the skill of its user, so I was made to practice extensively. If I hadn't driven them away, I would have been beaten and forced to reveal the source of the dye. Once they had the information, they might have killed me. They probably underestimated me because I'm a woman."

Nodding bitterly, Cecilio turned to Ignacio.

"What about the dyer?"

"He is being interrogated. The dyer took over the shop three years ago after his father died, but his skills were lacking. According to the neighbors, he lost customers and accumulated debt. We have contacted all the doctors in the capital. If a patient with a wounded right shoulder comes in, we will be notified."

"I see. Please continue the investigation."

After watching Ignacio leave, Cecilio turned back to Bertine.

"Bertine, I wish you could be bold only in business negotiations. Is that too much to ask?"

"Your Excellency, I was raised to take appropriate action against intruders who target my property and to protect both my property and myself."

Cecilio pressed his fingertips to his forehead and looked down, muttering, "No, that's true, but..."

He then looked up at Bertine with a concerned expression. He didn't mention how shaken he was when he heard the report that she had been attacked at dawn.

"I see, appropriate action... As Diego's master, it was a justifiable action."

Cecilio stood up, sighed, and looked out the window before sitting down again.

"Do you think the target was the dye material?"

"Yes. After learning the dyeing technique from Meira, I commissioned that supplier. He was quite persistent in asking for the dye materials, even though the shop seemed legitimate."

"Is the dye for that dress so rare?"

"Yes. It was a beautiful color I had never seen before. It can be sold at a high price to the Empire's nobility. I didn't expect to be attacked, though."

Cecilio tapped his desk with his index finger and continued.

"Your eyes are impressive. I saw that dance several times but never thought the fabric was so valuable that it would be targeted."

"My maternal family was in the clothing business."

"If it's that valuable, it should be protected by the state."

Bertine clenched her fist involuntarily.

"That's right. I was about to request protection. If the Empire's suppliers find out, the bark will be overharvested. Or they might plant a lot of trees that produce the bark."

"That would be bad."

"The balance of supply and demand must be maintained, or the price will drop quickly, and the money flowing into the south will decrease. It's a pity to let it become a short-lived trend. Your Excellency, I have a good idea."

"Wait a moment. First, we need to choose a trustworthy dye supplier."

Cecilio was making notes.

"Alright, can you tell me your plan?"

"Yes. I intend to sell the crimson fabric to influential noblewomen in the Empire. I will narrow down the channels so that anyone who wants the fabric must go through one specific woman. I plan to ask her to act as a bridge for trade between this country and the Empire."

"Do you have such a woman in mind?"

Bertine puffed out her chest.

"Yes. I didn't grow up in a country known for its money-making for nothing. Your Excellency, I will sell it at a high price, so please look forward to it. I will bring great profit to this country."

"Understood. Changing the subject, Bertine."

"What is it?"

"Can you not entrust the rifle to Diego in the future?"

"I can't. I'm a better shot."

Cecilio, hearing Bertine's firm refusal, slumped in defeat.

A few days later.

Cecilio introduced a trustworthy dye supplier, and Bertine successfully obtained the crimson fabric. Just enough for one dress.

"How is it, Meira?"

"Perfect. As expected from the supplier in Ibit. It's dyed without any issues. Well, my job here is done."

"Are you going back to the Bilva district, Meira?"

"Yes. The city is interesting, but I still prefer the life in Bilva."

"I want to go back to Bilva too."

"Already? You just got back."

She found it strange herself.

She missed the deep forests, the slow-flowing rivers, and the fruits within reach in Bilva more than the city where she had grown up until she was twenty-four.

"Maybe I was born in the wrong place."

"Come visit anytime, Bert."

"Would it be rude to ask you for a favor?"

"What is it?"

"I want you to make the fruits from over there into syrup jars."

Bertine showed Meira the jars of fruit syrups from the Empire that were sold in Ibit.

"Wow, they're beautiful."

"Isn't the label stylish?"

"Yes, yes. I want to try them."

"Sure. I've set aside some for you to take as a souvenir, so you can taste them all."

After tasting the syrups and jams of apples and cranberries, Meira pondered,

"Can we make syrup jars of dragon eggs and star fruits?"

"Sure. I think it would be interesting to see how the texture changes when cooked. Hey, are you interested in making a business out of it? Are you interested in earning money to use as you like?"

Meira grinned and answered immediately.

"Yes. Being able to earn money while living in Bilva sounds like a dream."

"Great! I'll provide you with the necessary glass jars and sugar. I'll also give you detailed instructions. You can do it alone or gather a group. I want you to try it out first."

"Wow, this is getting interesting!"

That day, the three of them, including Dorothe, went shopping in Ibit and packed the materials and tools for making syrup jars into wooden boxes. Dorothe then made the syrup jars, and Bertine explained the key points.

"I'll prepare labels that will attract buyers from the Empire. How about a 60% profit share?"

"Sixty percent? Is that okay?"

"After deducting transportation costs, sales commissions, jar costs, label costs, sugar costs, fuel costs, and the cost of the contents, not much will be left. But even a little cash will flow into Bilva."

Meira pondered.

"Bert, the fruits grow on their own, and the fuel is dead branches from the forest."

"If there are no material costs, the profit will be higher."

"Hehe. Hey, Bert, if this sells, can we buy Empire-made cosmetics?"

"Of course!"

"Wow. Okay, I'll work hard! I'm sure my mother will help too."

Thus, Meira returned home with the packed jars and sugar on a hired carriage.

Bertine thought it would take about six months for the syrup jars to arrive after some trial and error. However, two months later, a carriage arrived with various syrup jars filled with fruits.

The letter that came with the carriage read:

"Not only my mother but also the neighboring ladies got so excited that we quickly used up all the jars. Please send more jars and sugar as soon as possible. Everyone wants to make more."

Jams were also included, made according to the instructions, with no mold.

"Hey, Dorothe. Should we report to Lord Cecilio?"

"He will surely be pleased."

The labels were already made. They started by attaching the labels, making glue from boiled flour, and carefully pasting the labels on the glass jars.

The jars contained dragon eggs, star fruits, and other unfamiliar fruits.

To learn the names of the unknown contents and to taste them, Bertine decided to visit Lord Cecilio's study. Diego, who went to deliver the message, returned with the reply:

"Lord Cecilio said, 'You can come anytime.'"

Bertine asked a nearby woman to watch her shop, "Ursula," and headed to the building where Cecilio was.