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Chapter 23
The desert of the Kingdom of Iubon. A scorching sandstorm blew relentlessly, making it hard to even open one’s eyes. LeBlanc, wrapped tightly from head to toe in a cloak with her face covered by cloth, furrowed her brow and slowly guided her camel.
“Good thing I didn’t come with Erkis.”
She was heading toward the Heajal Trading Company, which was situated in the Iubon desert. A historically renowned trading company that supplied goods to the Iubon royal family, it was also the place that had recently sold a large quantity of Yubon seeds to the Peronto territory. It had already been a week since she left her domain. Five hours ago, she had gotten off the carriage and switched to riding a camel to cross the desert.
Soon, as the sandstorm subsided, the scorching sunlight poured down. The journey was far more grueling than expected, and even LeBlanc showed a slight sign of fatigue.
“Count! Keep up!”
From far behind her, Shiesha shouted loudly. Unlike LeBlanc, who rode her camel with perfect posture and skill, Shiesha was half-slouched atop hers.
“Why aren’t you coming faster?”
LeBlanc paused her camel briefly to match his pace. Shiesha, stopping beside her, took out her water flask from her bag, looking utterly exhausted.
“I think I’m really going to die.”
“No one dies from this much.”
“How on earth can you ride so well, Count? This camel thing is really weird.”
“It’s just like riding a horse. Don’t whine and keep up.”
“My butt hurts, it’s too hot… and, most of all, it stinks so much!”
Shiesha glared at the camel beneath him, his voice full of annoyance. But the camel seemed completely unconcerned, sniffing the air and looking around. LeBlanc sympathized with him but didn’t show it, turning her body forward and continuing on.
“You were the one who insisted on escorting me first. If you get tired this easily, how are you going to protect me ahead? Looks like stamina is the issue—when we return to the territory, I’ll tell Sir Corden to double your training.”
“No, that’s not what I meant…”
Flustered by her words, Shiesha hurriedly followed her. He looked at the back of her tightly cloaked figure and pouted, feeling slightly hurt.
A week ago, LeBlanc had thought it better to travel quietly and alone without any escort. Two people insisted on following her: her husband Erkis and her guard, Shiesha.
But LeBlanc, with a worried expression, had said something like, “The road is rough, and it’ll be hard—I can’t bring you. If you struggle, I’ll be upset.” She left Erkis at the mansion and came alone. She hadn’t even asked Shiesha, not even in empty words, if it would be too hard for him.
Of course, Shiesha didn’t expect her to treat her husband and him exactly the same, but he felt it quite unpleasant to see her act particularly affectionate toward Erkis.
LeBlanc wasn’t a cruel person by nature, but her cold tone and expression made many people wary. Everyone envied Lily and Shiesha, who could speak to her freely.
Even so, no matter how friendly Shiesha tried to be or how brief his words were, he wasn’t unafraid of LeBlanc. She was a member of the great Arnetio Ducal family, had been granted a territory at a young age, and was the count of the Peronto domain. Her gaze and movements radiated an aura ordinary people couldn’t even hope to imitate.
Yet when standing before Erkis, LeBlanc would change completely. Shiesha and many others had often been taken aback by this stark contrast, though few had ever mentioned it.
Soon, a massive building of pristine white marble came into view. Its exotic atmosphere, very different from the Tier Empire, left the two of them momentarily speechless.
LeBlanc lightly jumped off her camel and presented her credentials to the guards at the entrance before stepping inside.
Inside, the walls were coated with broad layers of red clay, contrasting with the white exterior. Sitting in the reception room while waiting for the head of the trading company, LeBlanc lightly brushed her hand across the rough-textured wall. The roughness, resulting from an unfinished finish, somehow felt strangely appealing.
“This red sand is only available in the Iubon desert. It helps block heat, so it’s used a lot in construction.”
Startled by the presence behind her, LeBlanc turned. A woman with bronze skin and piercing white eyes, exuding an air of mystery, had appeared. Draped in multicolored cloth, she bowed politely to LeBlanc.
“Count of Peronto, you must be exhausted coming all this way. I am La Heana Zil, head of the Heajal Trading Company. Please, call me Zil.”
“I should be the one thanking you for inviting me. I am LeBlanc Arnetio, Count of Peronto. Your command of the imperial language is impressive.”
“My grandfather immigrated from the Tier Empire, so I can speak it, at least a little. Shall we sit and talk?”
A peculiar atmosphere flowed between the two as they sat across from each other at the table. LeBlanc glanced briefly at Zil. Her white eyes were unreadable, but LeBlanc instinctively recognized her as the same kind.
A human as cold as ice, willing to use any means for her goals—that was LeBlanc’s first impression of Zil, head of Heajal.
Well, if she weren’t like that, she wouldn’t have become head of the trading company at such a young age.
LeBlanc sipped her tea. Its reddish hue left a slightly astringent taste, with a lingering aroma that drew the eye. She gazed at the tea and smiled faintly.
“Is this the tea made from the red sand you mentioned earlier?”
“Something like it. Ordinary tea leaves are soaked in red sand for fifteen days. Most wouldn’t notice, but you, Count, are exceptional.”
LeBlanc’s gaze slowly swept across the table. Not only the tea, but even the cups and desserts were all related to Iubon, particularly the desert.
Recognizing Zil’s intention, a relaxed expression spread across LeBlanc’s face. Both were seated here for the same purpose, facing each other. Without feeling the need for formalities, LeBlanc spoke first.
“Head of the trading company, are you intending to use our territory to sell goods from the Iubon desert?”
Zil’s movement paused slightly, as if LeBlanc had read straight into her mind. But she soon nodded with a gentle expression.
“Yes. Our Heajal Trading Company specializes in desert goods within the Kingdom of Iubon. These are items rooted in the traditions of the Heia tribe, who have lived in the desert for generations. Until a few years ago, our goods were only distributed locally, but since last year, we’ve been supplying not only the royal family but most of the kingdom. Now, we aim to expand beyond Iubon, even into the empire.”
“I see.”
Zil spoke with confidence in every sentence. LeBlanc only sipped her tea in response. It aligned perfectly with the information she had received from Peln before coming here.
The period when Heajal expanded its reach to the royal family coincided with Zil becoming the head of the trading company. And now, less than a year later, she planned to expand into the empire. LeBlanc couldn’t help but admire her insight and capability.
“One question. Why did you choose me? Surely Heajal could have partnered with other trading companies in the Tier Empire. As you know, we don’t have a trading company of our own, and our territory has few citizens, so we can’t be of much help.”
Her words were sincere. The Peronto domain had far fewer residents than other territories, and the population was decreasing each year.
Moreover, LeBlanc had only been managing the domain for less than two months. She was quietly preparing to establish a trading company, but she didn’t mention it. For most merchants who calculated profits, it would make sense to choose an established trading company rather than one just starting out. LeBlanc wanted to understand Zil’s intentions, which were difficult to read.
Even when faced with LeBlanc’s direct question, Zil remained composed. With a gentle smile, she met LeBlanc’s gaze and spoke.
“I expected you would question it. As you said, we could have contacted other trading companies. But there was only one reason we came to you: because we trust your abilities.”
