I thought it was definitely a ghost.

Where in the world would you find a person entirely black from head to toe?

The bodyguards took defensive positions.

“Who are you?”

“I, I’m not a bad person, really.”

The black shadow stuttered.

It was a young man’s voice.

Through two holes in the cloth, frightened gray eyes could be seen.

“Those thugs… they took my children.”

From the drooping folds of cloth, white slender fingers emerged.

He pointed to the bulging pouch on one of the thug’s waists.

Strange attire, timid voice, unique personality of personifying objects.

It was Borits the farmer I was looking for.

‘To find Borits so quickly!’

Borits was a character who hid his appearance with a black cloak and hood.

It was due to his severe shyness and complexes.

Stopping the bodyguards, I took a step closer to the mysterious man covered in black cloth.

“What kind of children were taken?”

“Rare and expensive ones. May I take them back?”

“By all means.”

The leather pouch contained unknown plant roots and greens.

He hugged the plants and rejoiced.

“You’re safe! Thank goodness, my babies!”

“Is your name Borits?”

“You know me?”

“I heard you’re an excellent farmer.”

“Thank you. And thank you for helping.”

“Do you sell those children?”

“Even farmers need money. There’s a shop nearby where I trade.”

“Why is an herb shop in such a dangerous neighborhood?”

“They deal in secretive goods too. Poisonous mushrooms, vipers, vampire bats. You know what I mean?”

Oh. So that was the reason.

Borits, watching my reaction, shrugged his shoulders.

“I just go there because they pay the best prices for herbs.”

“May I buy those children?”

“You, miss?”

“I’ll pay 10 times what the shop would.”

“What?!”

The gray eyes through the holes trembled.

Fearing I might change my mind, he handed over the plant pouch.

“Please take good care of them, customer!”

I handed over heavy gold coins.

It was pocket change for me, but enough to buy land.

“I can buy anything with this! And pay off my debts!”

Borits rejoiced, kissing the gold coins.

No, I grabbed the collar of the impostor pretending to be Borits.

“Hey. Where’s the real Borits?”

“What do you mean? I am Borits…”

With an expressionless face, I gestured to the bodyguards.

The bodyguards perked up, seemingly unsatisfied with just dealing with a few thugs.

Ominous cracking sounds came from their necks, shoulders, and finger joints.

“Want to end up like this too?”

I lightly stepped on the back of the thug submerged in sewage.

The fake Borits screamed.

“Aaagh, I’ll tell the truth! Please don’t hit me!”

The appearance of the fake Borits was a huge stroke of luck.

Not only would I meet the real Borits, but I also learned about the hidden farm by the lake.

“My younger brother has been very rude… I’m truly sorry.”

Borits was wearing a black hood pulled down low, just as described in the original work.

Only his lips and chin were visible, but I could feel his sincere apology.

Borits’ rough hands fidgeted with the teacup.

He seemed unbearably awkward having to converse with a stranger.

‘It took Claudia a while to become friends with Borits too. I’ll be able to shorten that time. He thinks he owes me.’

I took a sip of the herbal tea Borits had grown himself.

I was surprised by its deep and refreshing taste.

Borman, imitating his brother, asked sarcastically with his feet up on the log chair.

“Hey, miss. How did you know my identity?”

Unlike his timid brother, his tone was bold and challenging.

He said he was 16 this year. The same age as Susan.

I gave a relaxed smile towards the pretty-faced Borman.

“Your hands. They’re too smooth to be a farmer’s.”

Borman flinched, and Borits sighed as if it was natural to be caught.

“As you can see, Borits’ hands are full of calluses, right? With dirt under his nails.”

“Tch.”

“Moreover, if it were Borits, he wouldn’t have sold his crops right away to someone offering a large sum for no reason.”

“Of course. I don’t know what they might do with those children…”

Borits shuddered just imagining it.

“Borman pretended to care for the herbs too, but he judged their value by price.”

“My brother doesn’t like farming. He wants to be an artist.”

Borits answered in a gloomy voice.

Borman stood up angrily.

“I’m already an excellent artist. Only my ignorant brother doesn’t know!”

“But how could you steal?”

“If you had just paid me on time for my materials. Would I have done such a thing?”

“I told you to wait a few days. Those children needed to grow a bit more.”

“Are those measly weeds more important than your brother’s work?!”

“Such harsh words… These children are all listening…”

Borits wrapped his arms around the herbs replanted in pots.

Borman’s face was flushed with blue anger.

I intervened to stop the brotherly fight about to begin again.

“Don’t fight. I’ll solve this for you.”

“How can you, miss?”

“I’ll become Borman’s patron.”

“What?!”

Borman’s eyes widened at the unexpected proposal.

Borits waved his hands, declining.

“We can’t trouble you any further. You’ve helped my brother and even rescued my children…”

“Brother! This sister is rich. Can’t you tell by how she throws around gold coins?”

“We have land inherited from our ancestors. Why should we receive help from others when we have grateful land that gives back what we put in?”

“To become a famous artist, a rich patron is essential!”

“A skilled artist can succeed on their own.”

“Don’t be foolish! I don’t want to live like you, brother. I want to succeed quickly and date pretty women like this sister!”

Borits seemed embarrassed by his brother, but I liked Borman’s honest attitude.

“Don’t think of it as troubling me. I don’t intend to sponsor for free.”

“What do you mean?”

“I want exclusive rights to purchase the herbs and crops Borits grows.”

“…Exclusive?”

“The shop you’re dealing with now is dangerous. If it’s revealed they handle dangerous goods, you’ll be in trouble too, Borits.”

“I know, but…”

“Our Emster Trading Company will give you the best treatment. I, the heiress, guarantee it.”

The brothers Borits and Borman flinched at the mention of the Emster Trading Company heiress.

Even a farmer stuck in a remote farm couldn’t be unaware of the empire’s top trading company.

“Isn’t Emster Trading Company a place that deals with the rich and nobility?”

“We handle high-end clothing, jewelry, tableware, rare furs and ingredients.”

“My children don’t suit that. They won’t sell.”

“They’ll sell like hotcakes. This herbal tea is superior to the finest tea leaves imported from famous regions.”

“…Are you serious, miss?”

Though trying to appear calm, Borits also seemed pleased.

“I’m sure His Majesty the Emperor and His Highness the Crown Prince would say the same.”

“Hi-His Majesty the Emperor?!”

“Though inadequate, I work as the education officer for His Highness the Crown Prince.”

Borits and Borman’s eyes widened to the point of tearing.

To commoners, even low-ranking nobles were far above them.

And now, the Emperor.

Borman, with strong ambitions, shook his brother’s shoulders with a reddened face.

“Brother! Our fortunes are about to change!”

“Don’t be hasty, Borman.”

“The children you raised might become beloved nationwide! They could be recognized by His Majesty the Emperor himself!”

But Borits was more stubborn than I had expected.

“I’m grateful… but I must decline.”

“Wh-what are you saying, brother?!”

“I dealt with that shop because the owner understood me better than anyone. He recognized the value of my children…”

“This sister recognized it too! That’s why she’s making this offer!”

Borman said what I wanted to say.

But he couldn’t break his brother’s stubbornness.

“I want to grow crops for ordinary, poor people.”

Borits hung his head low and spoke in a barely audible voice.

He seemed newly magnificent, maintaining his beliefs even before the Emperor’s name.

If I didn’t know what achievements Borits would make, I would have clicked my tongue thinking he was a fool.

“Will you still refuse if I guarantee Borman’s future?”

“I don’t think sudden fortune will be of much help to my brother.”

“It would be a great opportunity for Borits the farmer too.”

“I’m sorry. I’m satisfied with my life now.”

Borits bowed repeatedly.

Borman burst into tears of frustration.

“Brother is crazy! It’s as good as abandoning your only brother!”

Bang!

Borman slammed the door shut and ran out.

“I’m sorry for showing you such an embarrassing scene, Miss Elizabeth.”

“I’m more sorry for causing unnecessary discord.”

“Let me say again, it’s not that I don’t trust you, miss…”

“You don’t need to say more. It’s uncomfortable for you to refuse, isn’t it?”

Borits flinched as if wondering how I knew his feelings.

It was disappointing not to convince the best talent at once, but it was a great achievement just to become acquainted with Borits.

I was planning to save my charm for the last moment.

‘Pushing this type forcefully will only backfire. But I can’t leave empty-handed after coming this far.’

I smiled gently towards Borits.

I could feel the young man who had lived his whole life cooped up on a farm becoming flustered.

“Borits. Would you grant me one small favor?”

“If, if it’s something I can do…”

“I’m making a tonic for His Highness the Crown Prince. Could you procure these herbs for me?”

“You’re making a tonic with just herbs, without medicinal plants?”

Borits showed deep interest.

I handed him the memo Susan had written.

“I’ve never seen a recipe like this.”

“It’s research by Marquis Nettleton, who was the imperial pharmacist. It’s a recipe developed by his granddaughter.”

“!”

“If Borits doesn’t know, I’ll have to find them elsewhere.”

I took a step back.

Sure enough, Borits became unprecedentedly proactive.

“I have them all! Some well-dried ones, and some to be harvested in 2 weeks.”

“Think it over slowly. There’s still plenty of time.”

“You must be very busy… Will you come again?”

“If Borits invites me.”

Borits was visibly moved.

Everything was going according to my plan.

‘Borits is a farmer who develops the best famine relief crops. Next time, I’ll surely be able to make this talent called the saint of the hungry my person!’

I looked over Borits with eyes that couldn’t hide my greed.

If these crops were going to come out to the world anyway, would it be so bad to move up the timing a little?

Nine-tenths for me.

The remaining one-tenth for the hungry people.