[Side Story] Two-Arm Scale (11)
Caldem Rental Center was created to receive the most valuable guests in the commercial city of Oldeck.
It is a huge inn that owns four large buildings at the entrance to Old Deck, and the two top floors of the big building are all ultra-luxurious rooms for entertaining the highest-class VIPs.
It’s hard to imagine one guest occupying two entire floors, but for the continent’s most distinguished guests, that level doesn’t even fall into the category of luxury.
Having entertained many distinguished guests visiting Alldeck over a long period of time, the accumulated know-how is considerable.
However, it was too much to ask to prepare to welcome Saint Carpea in just one day.
As soon as they heard Commissioner Oldeck’s words, they mobilized all their manpower and quickly prepared to welcome the distinguished guest, but no matter how you looked at it, it was difficult to see it as a treatment worthy of Saint Clarice.
It was a huge effort just to prepare this much in just 6 hours, so there were no particular complaints from the success team.
Initially, I visited without notice. It was all because of Saint Clarice’s sudden whim.
“Originally, I was planning to visit the imperial capital and host a worship service…”
“I am just grateful that you changed your schedule so suddenly. “I owe you a lot.”
“Well, I knew that you weren’t the type of person to call urgently without any reason. Sir Ed. “There must have been a good reason for making me do this.”
The tone of voice calling Ed had become much stiffer. There are too many eyes watching.
The location is the VIP room of Caldem Rental Hall. This place, where many of Saint Clarice’s assistants are gathered, is actually not much different from the Holy Emperor’s office.
Since they were the Knights of the Cathedral who kept a close eye on even the saint’s every step, it was clear that they would be furious if they dealt with Ed like they did at Sylvania Academy.
Ed was well aware of that fact, so he didn’t really question Clarice’s not-so-friendly behavior. Clarisse just felt uncomfortable inside.
“…This dispute over the interests of Elte Trading Company will be of great benefit to Seonghwangdo in the future.”
Anyway, I called Saint Clarisse to the Old Deck like I didn’t know anything, so it was time to clean things up.
First of all, he moved only because of the name Ed Ross Taylor, but this is not a problem that can be solved through loyalty alone.
A person with the title of saint is closer to an institution or group than to an individual.
Just by her moving, the schedule of the Holy Emperor’s Capital is disrupted quite a bit, and many of her subjects have to move as well.
So, we have to give a good reason why Saint Clarisse moved this far. That was a problem directly related to Ed’s own trust.
“Raising a large debt to the next owner of Elte Company will be of great significance in helping the saintess form her own power.”
At those words, the saint’s aides looked at each other secretly.
Clarisse carries the power of the Church of Telos, but she is not absolute.
The Holy Emperor and the Archbishops are constantly monitoring the situation even though they pretend not to be… If you look at the power groups, they all look similar.
In the end, even the servants of the gods cannot completely escape the swamp of strife.
Conflict is human nature.
In order to have completely independent power from them, it is necessary to have as many forces as possible.
“The deal with Elte Company… is Sir Ed’s ‘blueprint’.”
Mutual solidarity between Seonghwangdo and Elte Chamber of Commerce.
Saint Clarice ensures that the Elte Company, led by Lortel, can account for most of Seonghwangdo’s logistics distribution.
Then, from Lortel’s point of view, in addition to the enormous economic benefits that come from successful logistics distribution, the voice in the power structure within the chamber becomes even louder. Since I have been asked about such a large transaction, there is no other supporter like this to secure the position of the next shareholder.
And from Clarice’s point of view, her voice and influence within Seonghwangdo will increase as she takes control of Elte Trading Company, which is responsible for most of Seonghwangdo’s logistics distribution.
The more Seonghwangdo’s dependence on logistics is concentrated on Elte Trading Company, the louder Clarisse’s voice over the debt she owes to Elte Trading Company’s owner will become louder.
In this process of exerting influence for each other’s internal unity, it is Ed Rosstaylor who acts as a bridge between the two.
Saint Clarice and Lortel Kecheln… are ultimately only acting based on their trust in Ed.
The saint’s aides swallowed dryly when they saw Ed quietly lowering his head.
A large map of the empire. It feels like the numerous movements and structures of power are drawn over and over again.
The recent attack on Elte Trading Company will be viewed as an accident that occurred during a power struggle within the trading company.
People’s attention will eventually be focused on Clarice, who arrived at the scene, and Lortel, who will become the new owner of Elte Company.
In the process, the name of the bastard nobleman who hit and destroyed the Elte Company may be quietly buried… but
the person who really set the tone is that blonde nobleman.
Usually, in these matters, the real power is the people who are hiding beneath the surface, not being revealed to the surface.
The aides had no choice but to quietly hold their breath as they felt like they had caught a glimpse of that part of the story.
“From my perspective, it’s an offer I have no reason to refuse. Sir Ed.”
Clarice smiled kindly as she listened to Ed’s explanation.
Although he couldn’t smile as cheerfully as he did when I saw him at Sylvania Academy, it was still an honest smile in its own way.
Anyway, I didn’t have the heart to refuse Ed’s offer.
“There is enough reason to drive a carriage to such a distant place, even beyond the schedule.”
“Thank you for saying that.”
“I will give instructions to my aides and convey the detailed contract details. However… the story about the aftermath of this attack…”
After speaking to that point, Clarice saw two people kneeling and bowing their heads near the entrance to the VIP room.
One person is Belle Maiago, a maid who is calm and polite.
The other person is a hesitant girl who doesn’t know what to do… Lortel Kecheln.
Unable to overcome the solemn atmosphere of the scene, Lortel was breaking into a cute cold sweat.
“If Lord Lortel is in such a state… I’m embarrassed too… I should quickly start working as the next chairman…” ”
…All I can say is that time will tell. ”
“It’s not urgent, so it doesn’t matter, but I don’t think the slog will stay still.”
I have just gotten out of the chaos of the business meeting and returned to the rental hall.
Clarice, who has not fully grasped the situation, is bound to be worried in many ways.
“…You don’t have to worry about that part.”
Ed closed his eyes and said.
“Slog Keldlux is dead. “I confirmed it.”
*
“Thank you for your hard work. “I sent a letter to Lady Tanya saying that the Elte Company matter has been concluded.”
“You had a hard time too, Bell. “You did everything neatly as instructed.”
The accommodations that Belle arranged were practical, although not luxurious.
It was an inn that had a clear view of the many sailboats along the coast, following my instructions to place it in a place with a clear view of the dock.
From the street trees stretching down the low hills to the distant horizon.
As I rested my arms on the side of the table and quietly felt the wind outside, I felt fatigued.
Lortel, who was accompanying Belle, was already fast asleep on a bed on one side. The peaceful appearance of the world makes even those who see it feel at ease.
“What is your schedule for returning home? “Sylvania Academy’s semester is starting soon, so you should return soon so you can go to Aken Island in time for the start of school.”
“okay. I’m considering it, but I still have some more work to do in Alldeck. First, I have to hand Lortel over to Secretary Rienna.”
Until the curse is lifted, Rienna’s secretary will take good care of it.
It seems that Secretary Rienna is currently sorting out the traitors of the Chamber of Commerce… so she will be busy right now.
“Um… Master Ed.”
“I know even if you don’t say it. This is the first time you have left the mansion for such a long period of time, so the mansion must be in disrepair. “
As I’ve said repeatedly, Belle is the key person in charge of the mansion.
Since there weren’t enough people to replace Belle yet, it was obvious what the mansion would be like without even looking at it. There’s no way Belle isn’t worried about that.
When I entered the room, I saw that Belle had already packed her belongings and put them away. It was obvious that he was getting ready to go back since he didn’t have a separate room for himself.
I rested my body on the back of the chair and put my feet on the table.
As the midday sea breeze blows through the curtains, fatigue slowly creeps in.
“You can go back first. “I have two things left to do at Alldeck… so let’s finish it.”
“Thank you for your understanding. “I will prepare in advance so that you will not see an embarrassing image of your family when you return home.”
One way or another, Bell also had quite a hard time on this Alldeck business trip.
Since I had come this far by horseback and had to do a lot of miscellaneous work as soon as I arrived… the fatigue I would have accumulated was probably not normal.
All major tasks have been completed.
I was thinking of leaving the mansion for the first time in a while and letting him rest for a while without anyone noticing… but that means going back to work right away.
– Hwiik.
He lifted the wooden luggage bag he had prepared in advance and placed it on the table, checking to see if he had left anything behind.
He looked at Belle, who was still playing with her hands with an expressionless face, and suddenly spoke.
“Hey Bell.”
“…yes?”
“How long have you been working as a maid?”
After leaving Baron Planzel’s house, passing briefly through Cleric’s Monastery, we reached Ophilis House and Rosstaylor Mansion.
If you ask Belle, who has worked as a maid all her life, about her career, you would not be able to count it on both hands.
“…I have never counted the exact number of years. As I said, I was already doing this when I grew up…”
“Is that so?”
“yes. “Is there anything that bothers you?”
“…no.”
I sat down on the chair and asked as if I was throwing it.
“Aren’t you tired?”
“Thank you for your consideration. However, I am not overdoing it as I am taking breaks from time to time. “Managing your condition is also important.”
“Rather than consideration… it’s just curiosity. “I don’t know what it feels like to do only one thing for the rest of my life.”
“…Do you mind if I ask why you’re suddenly asking such a question?”
“…well, that’s it.”
I rest my chin and look up out the window.
Blue sky and the sun floating in the sky. The sea breeze caressing my chin.
Occasionally, the sound of Lortel writhing in his sleep and the rustling of the curtains.
“When do you think you will need to retire?”
“Retirement… you mean…?”
“okay. “I wonder what it will be like when I finally feel like I have to give up what I have been working on my whole life…” “
…I have never really imagined it. “If you think about it…”
Belle stops moving her arm and looks out the window as she speaks.
“…Do you remember when I worked at Ofilis Hall?”
“of course.”
“Elise, who was the head maid of the squadron… the ending wasn’t good… but she decided to quit her job because her body wasn’t keeping up. I think the same goes for me too. “I think I will continue to work as long as my body moves.”
Belle eventually lowered her gaze, closed her eyes, and spoke.
“Anyway, quitting what you have been doing your whole life and retiring is… “It’s not an easy decision.”
“…okay.”
The dockside outside the window I looked out the window with my chin resting was still full of merchants bustling about.
“Well, I guess it’s like that for everyone. “I’m sorry for asking a useless question.”
“no.”
So, I gradually surrendered myself to the sleep that was creeping in.
Probably around the time the sun sets and the moon rises, you will receive a call from the Rienna secretary or the government office.
Until then, it is time for sweet rest.
I exhaled quietly, relaxing my overworked body.
*
– Coogung boom!
I opened my eyes to the sound of something hitting.
Before I closed my eyes, the sun was high in the sky, but when I came to my senses, the sun had already set.
Under the sky that seemed to be spread with reddish paint, people on the dockside who were busy with their daily lives were also finishing their day.
The sound of seagulls croaking also gave a quiet feeling.
The table near the window where I was sitting was also completely colored red, and a different scene unfolded in a moment.
It was quite dark inside the room, so it seemed like he was taking a nap and fell asleep longer than expected.
I was quite tired.
“…”
There was a letter left by Belle on the table. It seemed like there was no need to wake him up so he left for the mansion on his own.
Since permission was given in advance, there shouldn’t be any problem.
I shook off my bangs a few times, got up, and chased away all the remaining sleep.
My mouth felt stuffy, so I lifted the teapot to drink some cold water. But it was empty.
When I think about it, I was so tired and thirsty that I drank it all before I fell asleep. I thought I would have to go to the inn lobby and get a new bottle of water.
“Ugh…”
I stood up and stretched once.
In the room, all you can see is Lortel sleeping, covered in a blanket. I grabbed the teapot, left the room, and headed toward the lobby.
I went downstairs to the lobby, my feet pounding on the wooden floor, and asked the clerk sitting there for more water.
The staff member who accepted the teapot with a friendly smile quickly served me some cold water.
“Well… if you need some clothes or something, can I buy you some?”
“…yes?”
“Ah, if you don’t mind… I asked a pointless question…”
“…?”
I expressed my doubts about the employee’s strange question, but decided not to pay much attention to it.
As I took the kettle full of cold water, went up the stairs, and returned to the front of the room, I heard a strange noise coming from inside.
It seemed that young Lortel, who had been fast asleep, had woken up. Since he fell asleep earlier than me, he might be waking up soon. One way or another, Lortel must have been very surprised and must have been very tired from going back and forth, so I need to comfort him.
I nodded to myself, opened the door, and went in.
“Hey Lortel. Wake up──”
– Kwadangtang boom!
When I opened the door and went in, Lortel on the bed was so startled that he turned over the blanket.
“…”
I wondered why I was so surprised, but I trudged into the room and put the kettle on the table in front of the window.
Then he sat down on a chair and talked leisurely.
“Bell went back first. Since he is busy, it will be difficult to stay with him all the time. “Don’t cry because you don’t have a bell, but for the time being, I’ll probably be with Lienna’s secretary at Elte Company…”
It felt strange to hear him talking so calmly. Should I say that the sight of Lortel wrapped in a blanket and writhing inside looks unnatural…
“…Lortel?”
Then, as I looked near the bed, I saw some clothes lying on the floor.
These are the clothes young Lortel was wearing…
…At this point, I started to feel out of breath.
“…Lortel… you….”
…
……….
There is no answer.
Lortel’s body, which has become one with the blanket and doesn’t come out… somehow… seems bigger than usual.
W… here… there is no good in forcing an answer hastily. I am a person who is far from delicate, but there is still a minimum of tact.
I suddenly felt like my throat was burning even more, so I poured myself another glass of cold water.
In the silence, only the sound of drinking water was heard. The hellish silence continued like that.
After drinking water several times, I eventually put down the cup and washed my face dry.
However, it is not possible to stay still like this forever.
I wiped my face several times, took a deep breath, and walked to the side of the bed where Lortel was lying.
Then I sat down on my bed and slowly called Lortel.
“…Hey…”
“…….”
“When… did you wake up…”
“Ha… It’s been about an hour…”
Just listen to the tone. It is clean and clear to look at. It was the voice of Lortel I knew.
“…”
“…”
“If it’s not too much trouble, I’d like to explain your current physical condition… the situation… are you in any pain or have any side effects… what’s your psychological state… what’s needed? “It’s work…”
“…”
I said as calmly as I could while looking at Lortel under the blanket.
“I… I think my body… is in good condition…”
“… Yeah…”
“It’s been a while since I woke up… Senior Ed was sleeping…” “
… “
Oh… the clothes… I didn’t have any clothes that fit… so… I was embarrassed so… I quickly wrapped myself in a blanket and tried to go out… but… it didn’t work out as I thought… ”
I think I now understand how the employee’s strange question just came out.
“So… I’m sorry for rambling…”
“No… Speak slowly…”
Perhaps… all the memories from while under the curse came to mind…
It is too grand and fatal to express it all with just one simple and clear word: dark history.
Lortel… spoke painfully in a hushed voice.
“Um… Senior Ed… Please don’t misunderstand and listen…”
“…”
“… I want to die… …”
Yes….. It’s worth it…
This is the beginning…. Cheer up… It’s a fight against yourself….
Be strong…. ……!!
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