The body, covered in wounds and tightly bound, was trapped in a box, unable to do anything.

“How much are Lupus slaves worth these days?”

Louise Ideana asked the Bitel merchant, leaving the slave behind.

“Well, as you know, the atmosphere regarding slaves has changed a bit lately. There aren’t many slave trades outside of Ideana territory.”

The merchant spoke with a troubled expression.

Ideana, located in the frontier, still firmly maintains the slave system for the Lupus, but in the central regions, the treatment of the Lupus is gradually improving.

However, this does not mean that the treatment of the Lupus has become as good as that of ordinary people, but slavery has now become a sensitive issue.

The contributions made by the Lupus in several wars have reached a level that cannot be ignored, and resistance has also intensified.

Therefore, the Bitel company is also reluctant to engage in slave trade.

“Even a small amount of money is fine. The condition is like that anyway……”

“Is there any particular reason you’re suddenly selling a slave?”

“……Because of strong resistance and annoyance.”

Louise spat out harsh words in a calm voice.

It was strange.

To say such things with an expression that looked like she was about to burst into tears at any moment.

Like Eclas, his father also read the atmosphere and did not inquire further.

“Do you want to take the slave right away, Miss?”

At that, Louise couldn’t seem to bring herself to speak and just silently nodded her head.

“The price I can offer right now is only 50 della.”

The merchant did not forget the basics of trade even in this situation.

He named an absurdly low price as a test.

50 della was not even half the market price.

Roughly the price of a well-fattened pig.

Even considering the poor condition of that Lupus, it’s a giveaway price.

Even a young lady unfamiliar with the ways of the world would realize it’s a low price.

However.

“Alright.”

Louise agreed without any bargaining.

Willard stared intently at Louise, who had her lips pressed inward.

“Are you really…… selling the slave?”

As a merchant, he usually didn’t question a deal once it was made.

There was no point in making the other party doubt the transaction and gaining an advantage.

But for some reason, he felt the need to confirm it with Louise one more time.

Then Louise closed her eyes tightly and clenched her fists.

“Take the slave away right now.”

In front of her, who seemed to be struggling to steady her wavering heart, Willard did not ask further.

“Understood, Miss.”

Then the knights tried to lift the lid of the box and cover it again.

“Ugh……! Ugh! Ugh……!”

The bound Lupus let out a hoarse voice through the gag, but the knights kicked him inside, pushed him in, and covered the lid.

While nailing the lid to seal it, the company paid the slave price of 50 della.

Louise Ideana received the 50 della with trembling hands. A small amount of money that even her small hands could hold.

Once the transaction was completed, the porters loaded the large box onto the Bitel family’s wagon.

“Well then, I’ll be on my way, Miss.”

Willard bid farewell to Louise and took a step.

Eclas followed his father but stopped for a moment. Somehow, it felt like this deal shouldn’t be made.

He glanced back at Louise Ideana.

That day, Eclas learned that there are people who cry without shedding a single tear.

And that such sadness, unable to be diluted by tears, becomes even deeper.

He couldn’t take his eyes off Louise Ideana, who had her head lowered.

Is it right to leave her alone like this? Is it right to accept this deal while knowing everything and pretending not to know?

At that moment, Louise, who had been looking down with her long eyelashes, raised her eyes.

Eclas was startled as if he had been caught peeping and hurriedly turned his head.

Realizing that he had rudely stared at a noble lady, he hurriedly turned to leave.

But.

“Excuse me……!”

A thin voice stopped him.

Eclas, who was about to run away, had no choice but to stop in his tracks.

“You’re Willard Bitel’s son, right……?”

Louise, who had approached him at some point, was quietly looking up at him.

“……Yes, that’s right, Miss.”

“I heard that the Lester Duchy treats the Lupus well……”

She spoke in a small voice.

Until just now, she spoke calmly with an expression that looked like she was about to cry, but now her voice was completely soaked in tears and trembling.

“……That’s true within the empire. It’s the only territory where the slave system has been officially abolished.”

Eclas answered her sincerely for her sake.

The Lester territory was a land where the treatment of the Lupus had improved, thanks to a quite progressive and reformist duke.

Then Louise grabbed his sleeve.

“Can you send that child there?”

“Pardon? But slave trade is prohibited there. Selling that Lupus……”

“I’ll pay the price.”

Louise returned the money she had received earlier to his hand and even added the emerald ring she was wearing.

Eclas shook his head in embarrassment, but Louise firmly placed the payment in his hand.

Eclas couldn’t bring himself to refuse that desperate request.

“Excuse me, may I ask the reason?”

Originally, it was taboo for a merchant to ask for a reason behind a noble’s secret request. It could lead to getting involved in dangerous matters or offending the noble.

But Louise’s demeanor was so desperate that he broke the taboo and asked. So this was Eclas’ first mistake.

And as if pointing out that mistake, Louise quietly looked at him.

“It’s not related to any crime or espionage, so you don’t have to worry. I can guarantee that……”

That wasn’t the answer Eclas was looking for.

But that was all the answer he could get.

And so, he took the Lupus slave to the Lester territory.

At that time, Eclas Bitel did not know how it would change history.

On that day, the Bitel company, which had purchased the slave for money, handed Sched over to the Lester ducal family to serve as a servant.

Sched, who had survived quite tenaciously, distinguished himself and became a squire, then a knight, and even saved the life of the Duke of Lester, becoming his adopted son.

The first Lupus to obtain the title of duke in this way.

Sched Lester was very favorable to the Bitel company, which had been the starting point of all this success.

‘He probably doesn’t know that Louise Ideana made such a request.’

Sched believed that he had reached the Lester territory, where there was no slave system, thanks to the mercy of the Bitel family. The Bitel family had not specifically revealed that it was all at Louise’s request.

Just a few months after Sched left Ideana, Ideana fell due to charges of treason.

Getting involved with such a traitorous family would only bring trouble to Sched, and if the Lester family learned that Ideana had intentionally sent Sched away, they would have immediately expelled him.

‘Moreover, Louise Ideana, who is now dead, seemed to have her own circumstances that she couldn’t speak of……’

Although she was a traitor, perhaps because of the last image he had seen of her, Eclas wanted to keep Louise’s wishes.

‘Of course, those are all excuses.’

Eclas dryly mocked his own sentimental thoughts.

‘Above all, keeping it a secret is beneficial for our company.’

Sched is a powerful figure with funds, an army, and vast territories.

The fact that Sched thinks he is ‘indebted’ to Bitel is very useful.

Even when Eclas Bitel occasionally makes provocative remarks or actions, it is thanks to that debt that Sched turns a blind eye and lets it slide.

Anyway, what’s important now is not that, but that woman, Riana Serpens.

‘In other words, she reminds me exactly of the young lady from the Ideana family.’

Louise Ideana met her death due to the rebellion of the Ideana count family.

It is an undeniable fact, as it has been acknowledged by the temple as well.

However, Riana certainly resembles Louise.

Apart from the hair color, if the fifteen-year-old Louise Ideana had survived until now and grown up beautifully, wouldn’t she look just like that?

‘The reason why Duke Lester is so persistent with that woman is probably because of that face……’

A maid who resembles the young lady who abandoned him.

“Interesting.”

Eclas’ eyes narrowed.

Whatever the case, it is clear that the woman has the ability to unsettle Sched Lester.

That means she could potentially be used as a useful pawn someday, and it could also mean that she may become an inconvenient variable in future dealings.

The schedule to Ideana has already been disrupted because of that woman.

Eclas, who had been slowly stroking his chin, got up from his seat and opened the safe next to the bed.

Inside the safe were several thick money pouches.

“Investigate that woman.”

Eclas took out one of the money pouches and tossed it onto the table in front of his attendant.

Information is important for all transactions and investments.

“Understood, young master.”

The attendant bowed his head and took the money pouch, putting it in his pocket.

“Also, young master. The medicine you requested has been prepared. It will be transported directly to Ideana.”

Having taken the money pouch, the attendant reported on the progress of other matters.

At the attendant’s words, a satisfied smile spread across Eclas’ lips.

“Excellent.”

Eclas said as he locked the safe and took the key.

“Make sure to keep a tight lid on the medicine.”

“Of course. The hawks will be moving directly.”

“Thank you for your hard work as always.”

Eclas smiled as he thought of his ‘birds’.

He referred to his informants operating in various parts of the empire and abroad as ‘birds’.

The robins conveyed secret stories flowing out from taverns, inns, and red-light districts, and the young sparrows running barefoot through dirty alleys diligently scratched up and told him the rumors scattered like grains on the streets.

The black-hearted crows, though not well-behaved, go wild when given something shiny and faithfully carry out their tasks to the extent of the value they receive.

The well-trained, loyal hawks hunted their prey accurately with sharp eyes, and the seagulls brought valuable news from across the sea.

The ‘birds of the Bitel family’ would also bring information about Riana Serpens.

“Then I will take my leave now.”

The attendant placed his hand on his chest to show his obedience and left the room.

Eclas sat back leisurely at the tea table and looked out the window.

Just then, in the distance, the knights led by Sched were returning.

Eclas rolled his eyes to check the clock. It was almost the end of the morning.

“We won’t be leaving for Ideana today either.”

Eclas shrugged and took a sip of tea.

Although he disliked the inconvenience of plans being disrupted, he was not so impatient as to be unsettled just because things didn’t go according to plan.

“Well, should I consider it the price of witnessing something interesting?”

He fiddled with a coin with the tip of his finger and watched Sched Lester in the distance, carrying the woman on his horse.