Chapter 24
The outer walls were Gray.
The atmosphere was eerie.
Vines grew along the edges of the entrance.
Isn’t this like a haunted house?
The man cautiously opened the door and entered.
We followed closely behind.
It’s cold.
I haven’t visited many mansions, but I doubt any place would feel colder than this.
A neatly dressed butler came down from the second floor.
The man who guided us exchanged a few words with him and then disappeared outside.
The butler took over.
“The Margrave is in his office.”
We headed to the office.
Upon entering, a well-built middle-aged man greeted us.
“Welcome!”
“Thank you for receiving us.”
Contrary to the cold atmosphere outside, he seemed to have a cheerful personality.
It was a relief.
“Please, have a seat.”
We went to a sofa set up in one corner of the office.
“Luke, could you serve tea to our guests?”
“Yes, sir.”
It seems the butler’s name is Luke.
The Margrave’s expression hardened.
“My apologies. You’ve come at a time when the atmosphere of the territory is rather bleak. I’m ashamed to receive esteemed guests under these circumstances.”
A tense silence filled the room.
‘It doesn’t look like hosting a concert is going to be easy.’
In such situations, it’s best to tackle things head-on.
Why has a maritime trading city, once a source of pride for the Empire, become so desolate? It’s time to ask directly.
“May I ask the reason behind this?”
The Margrave nodded.
He began explaining the situation.
***
A maritime trading city located in the eastern part of the Empire.
The Rosley Margraviate.
Until recently, the place bustled with merchants and trade ships in constant flow.
The harbour was piled high with all sorts of trade goods.
The market was noisy and lively.
The salty breeze always carried new stories, and the streets were filled with children dreaming of adventure.
It was a rare sight anywhere else in the Empire.
However—
An unexpected incident occurred a few days ago.
“Poison was found.”
Highly toxic substances, potent enough to burn the skin upon contact, were discovered in the trade goods they were about to export.
And not just in one or two places—it appeared simultaneously in multiple locations.
“In the end, one of the sailors lost a finger.”
“Why did this happen?”
“We can only speculate that someone infiltrated the inspection station and tampered with our goods.”
It’s certainly unnatural for poison to suddenly be found in goods that had never had any issues before.
As he said, it’s reasonable to think there’s a mastermind behind this.
‘Is it a scheme by a rival country to seize control of the trade routes?’
If that’s true, then Rosley’s standing as a trading port is bound to collapse.
If this is indeed the case—
“Shouldn’t this be reported to His Majesty, the Emperor?”
When I asked, the Margrave nodded.
“I’ve already sent a special envoy.”
“I see.”
It seems he’s thinking along the same lines as I am.
However, it doesn’t look like this issue will be resolved anytime soon.
The distance between here and the capital is incredibly far.
It’s practically like crossing the entire Empire.
Even if one were to forgo sleep and push a carriage non-stop, it would still take over a month.
I know this better than anyone else because I’ve experienced it myself.
Anyway.
The rumour of poison being found in the goods spread like wildfire and soon reached the neighbouring countries, who then cut off all trade with the Margrave.
On top of that, merchants stopped coming here altogether.
Since an incident occurred in a major trading port, it’s only natural for such consequences to follow.
Even if it means incurring some losses, there are other harbours, and one only has one life.
With no transactions taking place, the trade routes became useless.
The port was closed, and all the merchants who had resided in the territory left.
The locals who had been making a living by assisting in trade became wanderers without a job overnight.
The reason why the city was deathly quiet is now clear.
They haven’t caught the culprit.
‘What a headache.’
I came here for a concert, only to encounter an unexpected situation.
It’s not easy.
This isn’t something I can handle.
I unknowingly showed signs of discomfort, and the Margrave smiled as he spoke.
“My apologies.”
“No, I should be the one to apologize for being impolite.”
“I invited you here shamelessly, so please feel at ease during your stay.”
“Thank you.”
He probably didn’t expect such an incident to happen within a few days either.
For now, holding a concert is out of the question.
Playing a piece to console the people would only backfire.
What they need right now isn’t empty words of encouragement but a direct solution.
After exchanging farewells with the Margrave, I left the office.
The butler, Luke, happened to be waiting.
He guided us to the guest quarters.
“Everyone must be tired, so let’s call it a day.”
I said that to Edward and Erdi before entering my room.
How much time passed?
“Young Master.”
Edward came to find me.
He insisted there was something urgent to see, so I stepped outside again.
A horse and its driver were lying on the ground, leaning sideways.
“It’s an inflammation. It seems the pain in the hoof is severe.”
One of the horses pulling the carriage appeared to have a problem.
It was struggling even to stand on its four legs.
‘It’s actually a wonder it’s been fine until now.’
I did keep it well-maintained, but it’s true that I pushed it too hard.
“Let it rest.”
In the end, we decided to pause our journey until the horse recovered.
I didn’t know then.
That one decision would lead us to be stuck here for nearly two months.
***
“We greet His Highness, the Prince.”
Luhan Flovitz stepped out of the carriage.
A few knights stood behind him.
Ainz was there as well.
As I remained kneeling quietly, the Prince’s face showed a hint of surprise when he saw me.
“…Why are you here?”
I wish I could ask the same.
“I was on the way to a concert and stopped by for a while.”
“Is that so? How fortunate. Lead me to the Margrave’s mansion.”
“This way, please.”
I ended up escorting him.
So, the special envoy sent to the Imperial Family didn’t bring the Emperor or the Crown Princess Elize.
Even though this is a serious matter, it seems they chose a suitable representative.
Honestly, I’m curious to see how he plans to resolve this situation.
I arrived at the Margrave’s mansion along with the Prince.
“It is an honour to welcome His Highness, the representative of His Majesty the Emperor.”
After ensuring that the two had entered together, I returned to the guest quarters.
***
“You look exhausted,” Luhan said.
“How can I be comfortable when I see the difficult lives of the locals?”
“Tell me the details.”
The Margrave explained everything that had happened.
Luhan listened silently without a word.
After a while—
“The culprit has already escaped, and there are no witnesses.”
His eyes darkened, filled with a heavy weight.
It’s not possible that this was an accidental incident.
The circumstances are far too unnatural.
And it’s hard to believe that the Margrave orchestrated this himself.
Rather than gaining anything, he’s suffered significant losses.
They lost both their honor and financial security.
In that case, there’s only one thing left.
“It seems highly likely that this is a scheme by a rival nation to seize profits.”
“However, it won’t be easy to find the mastermind behind this.”
Luhan spread out a map and pointed to a small island to the east of the Empire with his finger.
“The Kingdom of Ibelon.”
“It seems their position as a trade port is more favourable. Why haven’t they done this before?”
“The location is good, but the coast is filled with reefs, making it unsuitable for trade ships to come and go.”
“However, if it’s the only port nearby, docking there becomes inevitable.”
Luhan and the Margrave exchanged glances in the air.
Of course, the Margrave had considered that possibility as well.
Could the Kingdom of Ibelon be threatening his position to establish itself as the new hub of trade?
It was certainly a reasonable assumption.
If the culprit behind this uncertain incident is unclear, the easiest way to identify them is to look at who stands to gain the most from it.
But there was no evidence.
To prove his innocence and restore his reputation, they needed definitive proof that the Kingdom of Ibelon was indeed behind this plot.
But they hadn’t figured out a way to prove it yet.
At that moment—
“We need to investigate this matter further.”
Luhan spoke.
“Send an envoy with a letter. I plan to visit in person.”
***
“Me, Your Highness?”
The Prince came to the guest quarters.
The words he suddenly uttered were quite striking.
“I will soon be going to Ibelon. You’re coming with me.”
Am I destined to be dragged along everywhere?
It’s not like I can defy a royal command either.
I’ve heard that the Kingdom of Ibelon, located to the east, has recently constructed a new port, and the Prince seems to suspect that they are behind this incident.
It’s not an entirely far-fetched idea.
I have no objection to the fact that he wants to personally investigate.
But why do I have to be involved?
He can’t be planning to make me play the piano there, can he?
“It’s a diplomatic visit in name, so it must be treated with due respect. Don’t worry; I’ll ensure the piano is safely transported.”
The Prince spoke in a matter-of-fact tone.
‘He’s serious.’
Perhaps because he felt slightly guilty, he unexpectedly promised a reward.
“If we return safely from this matter, I will personally recommend the elevation of your family’s title to His Majesty.”
…Isn’t that quite favourable?
I really don’t know anymore.
“I will obey your command.”
And so, the decision to go to Ibelon was made.
Not long after, the envoy that was sent ahead returned, delivering a letter of permission for the Prince’s visit.
I was wandering for a concert, but now I’ll end up leaving the Empire altogether.
You really never know what’s going to happen in life.
—
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