Captain! Where is the Battlefield?

 

  Rosalie and Erudit sat on a couch in Countess Seth’s reception room. Rosalie usually didn’t bring many servants around, but a few servants from the Duchy’s household stood behind the sofa where the two were seated today.

 

  Soon, the door to the reception room opened, and Moiron entered.

 

  “Hello, Duchess.”

 

  “It’s been a while.”

 

  Moiron smiled and took a seat on the opposite side of the couch, facing Rosalie and Erudit.

 

  “This is Erudit, our general administrator,” Rosalie introduced Erudit to her.

 

  Moiron nodded in acknowledgment, and Erudit inclined his head. 

 

  “I’m Erudit. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

 

  “We’ve met before, right?”

 

  Moiron, with her sharp memory, immediately recognized Erudit, who had come with Rosalie on a previous occasion. When she mentioned this, Erudit nodded in agreement.

 

  “But, why do you have the General Administrator with you?” Moiron asked.

 

  “I asked for his assistance. Erudit may be the general administrator, but he’s a top graduate from the academy and a remarkable talent.”

 

  “Oh, so he’s a trusted administrator indeed.”

 

  Moiron asked and chuckled lightly, causing Rosalie to further praise Erudit. Meanwhile, Erudit adjusted his glasses with a slight cough.

 

  Moiron observed Erudit’s reaction with amusement before alternating her gaze between Rosalie and Erudit. However, business took precedence over curiosity.

 

  “So, shall we take a look at the items first?” 

 

  Then, Rosalie gestured to the servants standing behind him. They brought forward a large box and placed it on the table. It was a huge box.

 

  “Does this box contain the reason you’ve prepared for the territory war, Duchess?” 

 

  “You could say that.” 

 

  Rosalie replied with a confident smile as she opened the box. Inside, there were the finest life stones freshly mined from the Dita Mine.

 

  “…Now, I understand why you’ve been eagerly preparing for the territory war.”

 

  Moiron remarked as she examined the life stones with a magnifying glass. She had an excellent eye for quality, whether it was people or items.

 

  The life stones in front of her were undoubtedly among the best they had ever handled at the merchant guild. While she scrutinized the stones, Erudit spoke up.

 

  “The current reserves should last for several hundred years.”

 

  “The Dukedom of Judeheart is on the brink of an unprecedented revival.”

 

  Moiron said, putting down the magnifying glass. The current strength of the duchy was evident, if not overpowering, based on the territory war.

 

  Furthermore, the fact that the person leading them was an auror user and had even saved the Prince and Crown Prince was remarkable. Thanks to this, it was not an exaggeration to say that they’d earned Emperor Patrick’s trust.

 

  ‘Combined with this economic power…’

 

  Moiron swallowed, locking eyes with Rosalie. Perhaps she was a more impressive figure than Moiron had initially thought. She wanted to praise herself for being favorable towards Rosalie in the past.

 

  “I would like to entrust the distribution of these life stones exclusively to Countess Seth,” Rosalie said.

 

  “…There’s no reason to refuse. In fact, I’m so pleased I should be shouting for joy.” 

 

  Moiron replied playfully, and Rosalie chuckled at her whimsical tone. Still looking at the life stone, Moiron spoke again.

 

  “I’m curious how you discovered the value of a mine that no one else knew about.”

 

  Rosalie fell silent at Moiron’s question. After studying Rosalie’s face for a moment, Moiron took a step back, knowing better than to push for something that could harm the deal.

 

  “But for a merchant, it’s more important to seize the opportunity than to satisfy one’s curiosity.”

 

  Rosalie smiled faintly. Moiron was quicker on the uptake than expected. Had she pressed her with persistent questions, Rosalie would have reconsidered the contract.

 

  “Duchess, may I make a proposal?” 

 

  “I’m listening.”

 

  “If the life stones mined are plentiful, then how about diverting some as an investment?”

 

  As Rosalie’s eyes sparkled with interest and curiosity, Moiron continued explaining with a smile. 

 

  “In truth, our merchant guild not only distributes magic items but also provides direct support for development. If these top-quality life stones are supplied at a more affordable price, the development speed would increase significantly.”

 

  “What would we gain from this?”

 

  Erudit asked after listening to Moiron’s explanation, seemingly ready to withdraw if there were no substantial benefits. Moiron responded with a gracious smile, accommodating Erudit’s temperament.

 

  “Of course, the immediate gains from the life stones for the duchy would be reduced, but you’d profit from the shares in the patented products in the long run.”

 

  “First, I’d like to see a written report of what you’ve accomplished so far. And if we proceed, you must promise that the life stones used for development will come exclusively from our duchy’s reserves.”

 

  “Hmm… Any other requests?”

 

  “Also, we will determine the share percentage first.”

 

  Look at that! 

 

  Moiron’s eyes sparkled in response to Erudit’s proposal. She finally understood why Rosalie had brought him along.

 

  ‘If it has enough value, then extract the maximum benefits you can. Else, withdraw immediately. Is that it?’

 

  A faint smile appeared on the corners of Moiron’s lips. He wasn’t just intelligent but also adept at utilizing it. Somehow, though, she didn’t feel bad about it.

 

  “Very well. I’ll have the documents prepared immediately. Once you’ve reviewed and sorted out the changes you’d like to make, send them back to the mansion.”

 

  Moiron rang the bell to summon a servant to fetch the documents, settling the negotiation for the time being.

 

  “Duchess, you have a very clever talent by your side.”

 

  “Yes, I’ve been fortunate.”

 

  At Rosalie’s quick response, Erudit adjusted his glasses and gazed at the reception room door where the documents were being prepared. 

 

  Moiron smiled subtly at the sight. They were both quite endearing, though their talents were anything but cute.

 

  ⊱⊱⊱────── {.⋅ ✧✧✧ ⋅.} ──────⊰⊰⊰

 

  Returning to the mansion, Rosalie and Erudit shed their coats and took a breath. As both slouched on the couch, Nathan approached them, raising an eyebrow.

 

  “Why do you both look like you’ve lost your souls?”

 

  “We both felt tense.”

 

  “Hmm~ Still, you seem to have achieved what you wanted, don’t you?”

 

  “Of course.”

 

  Erudit responded with a small smile. In response, Nathan suggested celebrating with a drink, and he proceeded to bring some alcohol without waiting for Rosalie’s permission. 

 

  Erudit, who was enjoying the drink more than he had anticipated, didn’t refuse, and Rosalie raised her glass, intending to savor it lightly.

 

  ‘It seems they both like drinking more than I thought.’

 

  Rosalie thought about ordering various types of alcohol. The trivial conversation continued as they sipped their drinks until Rosalie, feeling the effects of the alcohol, decided to get up first.

 

  “Drink in moderation.”

 

  Rosalie left the room, and as he watched the door slowly close, Erudit, who had been holding his glass, also got up.

 

  “I’ll be going to the restroom for a moment.”

 

  He quickly followed Rosalie, opening the door as if to catch up. Nathan emptied the glass filled with alcohol in one gulp. Then, he poured another round into the glass that Erudit had left behind.

 

  “Your Grace!”

 

  Erudit, who had just come out of the room, called for Rosalie.

 

  “Do you have something to say?”

 

  “Well… it’s… nothing.”

 

  Erudit hesitated and finally sealed his lips. He scolded himself for impulsively following Rosalie out.

 

  ‘Why on earth did I suddenly think of confessing?’

 

  Erudit silently cursed himself inside. Rosalie tilted her head, then remembered something she needed to say.

 

  “No, it’s alright. Come to think of it, there’s something I should tell you.”

 

  Erudit suddenly raised his head. Somehow, he felt like he could sense a tinge of guilt in Rosalie’s deep khaki-colored eyes as they met his.

 

  “Do you remember the story I told you about how I saw this world in a book?”

 

  “Oh, yes. I remember.”

 

  “The truth is, I’ve known about you, Erudit. I read the book.”

 

  “What…?”

 

  “I knew about you and brought you into the Duchy.”

 

  Erudit’s face displayed confusion in response to Rosalie’s words. Expecting this reaction, she continued with a bitter smile.

 

  “Erudit, you were originally meant to enter the palace under Derivis because he recognized your exceptional abilities. However, you happened to see the duchy’s announcement and appeared before me. That’s how I recognized your talent and hired you on the spot.”

 

  “…”

 

  “You can curse me if you want. I tried to treat you well in my own way, but in the end, I took away your chance to enter the palace.”

 

  Rosalie spoke calmly and her voice was tinged with guilt, causing Erudit to falter and take a step back.

 

  “I should have told you and apologized sooner.”

 

  When she first arrived, everyone here was just a character from a novel. But she now felt the need to apologize because this place had become the world she truly lived in.

 

  Under the steady influence of alcohol and Rosalie’s startling revelation, Erudit felt his thoughts becoming more chaotic.

 

  “I… I’m confused. I need some time to think.”

 

  Feeling confused, Erudit ran his hand through his hair, causing his silver glasses chain to sway gently.

 

  The thought that her kindness might have been a planned deception made his mind race even more.

 

  “We’ll talk next time.”

 

  “…Okay.”

 

  As Erudit turned back and headed toward the path he had taken earlier, Rosalie swallowed the bitter taste in her mouth. She gazed out of the window that lined the hallway, but even the moonlight was concealed behind the clouds.

 

  Rosalie sighed longingly, as if wishing for the clouds to clear. However, the clouds continued to drift lazily, slowly filling the sky.

 

  ⊱⊱⊱────── {.⋅ ✧✧✧ ⋅.} ──────⊰⊰⊰

 

  After finishing her training the next morning, Rosalie wiped the sweat from her brow with her hand. She had to train later than usual because of the drinks she had with Nathan and Erudit the night before.

 

  “Well done. Here, take this.”

 

  “Did you just arrive? I was so focused on my training that I didn’t notice.”

 

  Derivis, offering a white handkerchief, replied quietly that he had just come and shrugged his shoulders. Then, he approached Rosalie and gently dabbed her forehead with it.

 

  “I have something for you.”

 

 

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