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Chapter 25
The conversation between the two lasted for over three hours. Leblanc and La Heana, along with Jill, discussed the items, various costs, and profit distribution in detail, recording everything carefully in a single contract. Apart from a few cultural differences, the negotiations went surprisingly smoothly. Jill, holding a quill, signed the document and then carefully reviewed it.
“Then, with this, we will conclude all negotiations regarding the ‘Rivea Guild.’”
Leblanc nodded slowly instead of replying. The Rivea Guild was the new branch to be established in the Peronto territory. Overall management would be handled by the guild owner, Leblanc, while supply and production of goods would be handled by the Heana Guild.
“Count, I’ll prepare the Yubon, Red Sand, and Red Tea leaves first. Since the quantity is abundant, contact me once the Rivea Guild is fully ready.”
“Understood. Guild owner, do we currently have enough tea leaves, teacups, and desserts?”
“Teacups and desserts too? Hmm, I’ll need to check precisely, but roughly about thirteen sets should be available.”
“Thirteen sets…”
Jill replied with some confusion at the mention of ordinary teacups and desserts. Meanwhile, Leblanc muttered to herself, seemingly deep in thought.
“There’s still some time before the guild is fully established, so I thought we could present the tea and desserts first. I was planning to hold a tea party soon anyway; it would be a perfect opportunity to introduce them naturally.”
“Oh! That’s a good approach!”
Jill, having spent her life as a merchant, was struck by the novelty of Leblanc’s words. To showcase tea and desserts commonly enjoyed here at a noble’s tea party—what a fresh concept.
Of course, the fragrance and taste were exceptional, unmatched by anything else, but Jill worried whether even the Empire’s nobles would accept these unfamiliar delicacies.
Reading her expression, Leblanc casually lifted a teacup and said,
“There’s no one more sensitive to trends or obsessed with rarity than the nobles. Thirteen sets are just right. I plan to gradually introduce this culture to the people of the Empire, starting with that tea party.”
“To target the nobles first… I would never have thought of that plan, let alone executed it. I assumed these goods would be aimed at commoners.”
“Desert items have their value—at least, in my eyes. And I don’t intend to target the guild’s buyers as strictly nobles or commoners. If the tea and desserts capture the nobles’ taste, the clothing made from Yubon will serve the commoners quite well.”
“I see. Then we’ll start preparing the fabrics in advance. Especially Yubon fabric, which is highly useful in summer, so if we start production now, the quantity should suffice by summer.”
“I completely agree, guild owner.”
They continued talking for a long while, and it was only when the sky turned red at sunset that Leblanc slowly rose from her seat. Jill also stood politely and bowed.
“It was a pleasure today. Next time, if the opportunity arises, I will visit you.”
“The pleasure was mine as well. I hope we can meet often from now on.”
“May the glory of the deity Pirtia be with you.”
With a short blessing, Jill lowered her eyes, touching her forehead, nose, and lips with her index and middle fingers in order. She then seemed to recall something, casting a faint smile as she looked intently at Leblanc.
“Now that I think of it, a recent oracle mentioned that a child with the gods would be my benefactor. At first, I thought it was just vague, but perhaps it was referring to you, Count. The gods are always with us, after all. Perhaps the deity Pirtia guided you to me.”
“Oh… really?”
Leblanc blinked slowly. Jill was half right and half wrong. Yes, she was a child accompanied by a god, but the god with her was Chaos, the deity of darkness.
She felt curious about the oracle Jill had received.
“The oracle… was it from a temple?”
“Yes, exactly. The Iubon royal family is adjacent to the Pirtia Temple. It’s one reason many people in the kingdom still believe and follow the gods.”
For centuries, people across the continent had worshiped the twelve guardian deities, led by Pirtia, the mother of gods and goddess of destiny. Though the Empire’s power grew and the emperor’s authority strengthened, reducing their influence within the Empire, many nations on the continent still firmly believed in the gods’ power.
Leblanc, having experienced the gods’ power firsthand, believed in their existence as well. After briefly pondering the temple, she shook her head. She no longer wished to be involved with the gods. Her past life, fallen into ruin, and her current powers were enough.
In the end, she did not ask Jill further about the temple or the oracle and left. When she had arrived at the guild earlier, the sun had been high, but now darkness had settled outside.
While Leblanc had been with Jill, Shiesha had rested comfortably at the guild, her face glowing with health. Holding a pastry in one hand, Shiesha climbed onto the camel beside her.
“Took longer than I expected.”
“Yeah… we should have left before sunset. Can’t be helped. We’ll stay one more night in town.”
“Fine. I like it here. People are kind, food is tasty! They were so impressed with you as my guard, even though I’m just a kid!”
“Really? I was worried you might be bored. Looks like you like the pastries?”
The red pastries in Shiesha’s hand were one type of dessert Jill had shown her earlier. Shiesha’s eyes widened as she nodded.
“Yeah. It’s really good. I brought some extra—want some, Count?”
“No, it’s definitely chilly at night, maybe because it’s the desert. Let’s hurry before it gets later.”
They retraced their path, crossing the desert again. The sandstorm had ceased, but at night, visibility was poor and cold, making the journey as tough as under the blazing sun.
Unlike the Empire, where streets were brightly lit even at night, here it was pitch dark, giving a creepy feeling. Without the lantern Jill had brought, they might have lost their way.
“Count, to switch to horses, we need to return to that inn, right?”
“Yes, but it’s late—we probably won’t make it today. I should’ve called the coachman earlier.”
Eventually, they reached the edge of the desert and entered the forest. They dismounted, holding the reins and walking slowly. The inn where they had rented the camels was just ahead. From there, they would switch to horses and continue toward the Empire.
At that moment, Leblanc sensed something unusual and raised her hand to stop Shiesha, who was following behind.
“Wait.”
Shiesha froze silently, focusing on their surroundings. In the distance, the faint sound of multiple hooves could be heard. Turning around, they saw horses charging toward them at tremendous speed.
“Shiesha, run!”
They abandoned the lamp and camels, rushing forward. Darkness quickly overtook their vision, but they couldn’t stop.
Soon, a horse burst out of the forest, chasing them. Glancing back, Leblanc saw that the rider’s face was completely hidden behind a dark mask—it was an assassin.
“Damn…”
For a moment, Bertie’s face flashed in her mind. At present, the only one capable of this against Leblanc was Bertie.
After running for a while, Leblanc hid behind a thick tree trunk instead of moving forward. Her heavy breathing shook her body. Only then did she remember she had tied her sword to the camel. Furrowing her brows in frustration, she reached for Shiesha.
“Shiesha?”
She realized she had lost track of Shiesha. Running blindly ahead, she hadn’t noticed his location.
Leblanc bit her lip deeply. She had only brought Shiesha as a guard to help him gain experience and insight.
No matter how athletic or talented with the sword Shiesha was, he had just turned fifteen. He might also have dismounted and left his sword behind. A sudden ominous thought prompted Leblanc to spring into action.
