Merchant Noble is out (4/4 chapters for today)

 

 

New Life

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Arc was in the Fourth Town. He had handed over the position of Chief of Mikanda to his sister, Yanna, and had asked Tyr to take over his duties in the capital. Currently, what Arc was focusing on was the business that the Warden Household was originally supposed to manage and that was trade. These days, he would go to the Merchant Guild headquarters in the Fourth Town and have daily meetings with his cousin Hangue, who was the head of the Warden Trading Company.

Today, they were once again discussing the business strategy, spreading out maps of neighboring countries.

“Anyway, Hangue, I want to increase trade abroad.” (Arc)

“Since the relationship with the Lureid Kingdom is still somewhat fragile, the southern countries are a good option.” (Hangue)

“I think we’re already doing some trade, but from now on, I want to focus more on foreign trade than domestic trade.” (Arc)

“Domestic trade tends to shift drastically depending on the mood of Casablanca-sama. For merchants, the risks are too great to keep doing it.” (Hangue)

The current Laplace Kingdom had entered an era of monarchy under Casablanca after the balance between the nobility, the royal family, and the church collapsed. There was no longer anyone who could speak up to her, and everything in the country was at her will. For the Warden Trading Company, it was becoming necessary to expand trade with other countries as a form of crisis management.

While Arc and Hangue were discussing overseas expansion, the door opened, and Hangue’s secretary announced the visit of Marie.

“Oh, it’s already this time.” (Arc)

Arc checked the time. They had been discussing since early morning, and it was already noon. Arc’s work ended in the morning.

“Hangue, want to have lunch at my place?” (Arc)

“No, a large cargo ship is arriving this afternoon, so I’ll have lunch here.” (Hangue)

“I see. Well, I’ll leave the overseas expansion to you.” (Arc)

With those words, Arc left his office on the second floor and went down the stairs. At the entrance of the building, Marie was waiting.

“You.” (Marie)

Arc gently embraced his cute wife, who ran to him as he descended the stairs. This had become a recent routine.

“Marie, you don’t have to come every day.” (Arc)

“If I don’t come to pick you up, you won’t come home, right?” (Marie)

Their discussions with Hangue would get so intense that they would forget the passage of time. Marie’s arrival reminded Arc of his own hunger.

“Well then, shall we go home? What’s for lunch today?” (Arc)

“Our lunch today is vegetable soup. It was brought from the Second Town.” (Yuria)

Yuria replied while receiving Arc’s belongings. The three of them then happily headed home together.

 

—

 

It has been three months since Ark returned to Mikanda. The turmoil caused by Arc’s resignation from both Mikanda and the royal capital had probably settled by now. When he had offered his resignation, Casablanca’s reaction was a masterpiece. After handing the letter to the Third Unit soldier, Lily, Arc was immediately summoned by Casablanca.

“Arc, why are you retiring?” (Casablanca)

As Arc entered the room and was about to kneel and bow, Casablanca stopped him and asked.

“The threat of the nobles has passed, and the invasion from neighboring countries has been repelled. The era welcomes a new age under you, Casablanca-sama. I just wish to rest for a while.” (Arc)

“Don’t say such things. I still need your strength.” (Casablanca)

Casablanca knelt down and looked Arc in the eye, saying this.

“I’m grateful for your kind words.” (Arc)

Arc answered politely. The act of kneeling was proper etiquette and allowed him to avoid looking directly at Casablanca.

“Are you dissatisfied with your treatment? I’ll raise your position, whether it be as a minister or whatever role you want.” (Casablanca)

“No, it’s not about that.” (Arc)

Casablanca was caught off guard by Arc’s retirement. She was desperately trying to find out the reason. She was quite flustered. Normally, Arc would have broken the silence and started speaking by now, but in this case, she was the one who couldn’t stop talking.

“So, what is it then? Is it that you were unhappy with the seating arrangement the other day? You were upset that Renoir Mintia got the first seat, right? I’ll prepare a new medal for you immediately. Fran! Bring a medal for Arc right away…” (Casablanca)

“I haven’t seen Marie recently.” (Arc)

“…What…?” (Casablanca)

Casablanca couldn’t keep up with Arc’s words. It was so far from what she expected.

“I’ve been busy with work in the royal capital, and my wife Marie has been lonely. I also want to see her. So, I would like some time off.” (Arc)

“You want to see Marie… that’s what this is about.” (Casablanca)

Casablanca sat down, repeating Arc’s words in a daze, as if she couldn’t believe it.

“This is not about dissatisfaction with you, Casablanca-sama.” (Arc)

“Want to see Marie…” (Casablanca)

She repeated it again, still in a daze.

“Casablanca-sama…?” (Arc)

“Oh, I’m sorry. Arc, you really do care about her, don’t you?” (Casablanca)

“What do you mean by that?” (Arc)

“No, it’s just my ramblings. Don’t mind it.” (Casablanca)

“I see. Well, if that’s the case, I can’t really argue with that.” (Arc)

Casablanca, who had been so forceful before, was now completely deflated. Her face looked dazed, like she had lost her fighting spirit.

“I apologize for the inconvenience my resignation may cause you, Casablanca-sama.” (Arc)

“That’s fine. It’s a big loss for me, but if you want to see Marie, I suppose I can’t stop you.” (Casablanca)

Casablanca weakly raised her right hand in acknowledgment of Arc’s gratitude.

“Thank you. Well then…” (Arc)

Arc, feeling relieved that the matter was settled so smoothly, left the room in a dejected manner.

 

—

 

Arc’s footsteps grew faint. In contrast, Casablanca’s face quickly turned red.

“…Casablanca-sama?” (Fran)

“…” (Casablanca)

Casablanca walked over to the desk, grabbed a cup, and slammed it onto the floor.

The loud noise of the cup breaking filled the room, and glass shards scattered all around.

“Casablanca-sama! You’re hurt!” (Fran)

Casablanca’s hand was bleeding, likely from the shards of glass. However, she stopped Fran, who hurried to help.

“That man! How far is he going to mock me?!” (Casablanca)

Her voice cracked with fury, and her body shook with anger.

“He’s resigning just to see his wife!? What kind of excuse is that!?” (Casablanca)

“Casablanca-sama, we don’t know who might be listening outside. Please lower your voice.” (Fran)

Fran’s warning fell on deaf ears. Casablanca, consumed by anger, drove her sword into the bed. Cotton flew all around.

“This is a direct insult to me! He must really hate how I treated him!” (Casablanca)

“Casablanca-sama, please calm down.” (Fran)

“Fine. I’m glad to see the Warden Household’s influence weakening. It’s a relief.” (Casablanca)

Fran forcibly gave Casablanca some water to drink. The cool liquid helped calm her down a bit.

“Fran, send a few trustworthy maids to Mikanda. Have them report immediately if Arc makes any suspicious moves.” (Casablanca)

Fran calmly made a suggestion.

“Casablanca-sama, sending maids to Marie at this time might make Arc suspicious. We should send students, craftsmen, adventurers, or others in their place.” (Fran)

“You’re right. I’ll leave the method to you. Just make sure to increase the surveillance on Arc.” (Casablanca)

Casablanca said this before collapsing onto the bed, exhausted, as though she had lost all energy.

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