Chapter 79

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 79

Chapter Title: The Neglected Heart and Drifting Emotions (1)

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There were a few renowned merchant caravans across the continent, and among them, the one firmly in the top five was 'Karan', based in Torkan. Karan Trading Company roamed the continent and islands with a strong escort of mercenaries, dealing in all sorts of goods, to the point where people said, "When Karan arrives, it's like a festival breaks out in the market."

The head of Karan Trading Company, Nelly, had upturned eyes and always tied her long hair back in a tight ponytail. Her sharp gaze was so fierce that even at a young age, no one dared belittle her anywhere she went.

Nelly never faltered, even when negotiating with a king. But as she inspected the wagons returning this time, she couldn't hide her agitation.

'So it was real after all?'

The large wagons carried several massive tanks filled with seawater, each holding one specimen of various sea creatures. A member of the caravan spoke up beside her.

"It's been two months already, but the water hasn't gone bad at all. Just in case, we didn't sell any and brought them all back. Look—they're all still alive. As fresh as if they were just caught. Especially this one; it's so sensitive it drops dead at the slightest jolt, but it's been perfectly fine the whole journey."

With their base in a coastal city, they had certainly considered dealing in seafood. But transporting sea creatures in seawater tanks across the continent wasn't easy. Each species had different survival needs, so you couldn't just toss them into the same tank willy-nilly. And taking just a few meant operating at a loss.

Even commissioning the Mage Tower for magic to support seafood distribution was dubious—they might not even develop it. And if they did, they'd demand a cut of every sale, making it worse than nothing.

That was why, despite knowing how much fresh fish fetched in the continent's heartland, they'd tearfully abandoned the venture.

'How is this even possible?'

They'd tried everything to distribute fresh seafood. Everything failed. No matter how well they maintained the tanks, the water started stinking after a few days, and the creatures rotted or sickened and died.

Yet these tanks held nothing but seawater—no seaweed, no nothing—and it was as pristine as if freshly scooped from the ocean.

'Inferno Guild...'

The new guild had approached Nelly back in May. Inferno's guildmaster proposed, "We'll make it possible to distribute seafood as fresh as the moment it's caught."

She'd thought it absurd at the time, but the guildmaster persuaded her: "If you don't believe us, just try it once. If anything goes wrong, we'll take full responsibility."

If it had been some nobody, Nelly would've snorted and told them she had no time for such nonsense before walking out. But Inferno's guildmaster, Drehi Niirn, was famous enough that even children knew his name.

'Drehi Niirn... There's no way that's really the guildmaster.'

Nelly strode through the market streets, lost in thought.

Drehi Niirn was a veteran knight-errant who'd made a name for himself long ago, earning great merits in various kingdoms. Over a decade back, he'd lost his entire family except one granddaughter to a magical beast and retired, declaring, "A sword that can't even protect its family is worthless!"

'The guy who vanished after that suddenly runs a guild? Now? No way. Someone must be pulling the old man's strings... Who?'

The first names that came to mind were Drehi's disciples, Adrian and Kain.

'Not Adrian. That frivolous playboy who loves dancing and women wouldn't bother with something this troublesome. He'd rather spend the time with another girl. Then... Kain? No, definitely not. That sword-obsessed fool starting a guild? Arsen... Nah, no chance.'

Arsen had introduced her to Inferno's guildmaster, Drehi Niirn, but that refined gentleman wouldn't personally run a guild.

'Yeah, he'd rather toss a ball to his dogs one more time. If someone's moving both Arsen and Drehi Niirn, it has to be the Grand Duke.'

Nelly stopped in front of Inferno Guild's building in a market alley and glared at the firmly shut wooden door.

'Well, there's gotta be a way to find out.'

The once-renowned veteran across the continent, Drehi Niirn, sat with his legs crossed, staring at Nelly opposite his desk. Having laid out her deductions, Nelly fixed him with a piercing gaze and said,

"So, no matter how I look at it, my conclusion is that you're not the real master of Inferno."

"Hm..."

"I might believe someone else, but you can't fool my eyes, Sir Niirn."

"Mm..."

"Sir Niirn. Do you know who I am? I'm Nelly, head of Karan Trading Company. No matter how valuable the deal, I don't like going through proxies. Even if that proxy is the Wind Blade Niirn. So, be honest. It's the Grand Duke, right?"

"Why do you think so?"

"Because the Latan Grand Duke saved your granddaughter long ago. You see him as your benefactor, so you'd take on even this hassle for him."

Drehi smiled warmly, like at a granddaughter, making Nelly flush.

"I was wrong."

"Even without you digging so sharply, the real guildmaster has already said she'll meet you, Miss Nelly."

"Really? Where?"

"Right here."

As soon as Drehi finished speaking, the door behind him opened.

What entered first was a massive beast.

'A wolf?'

At the sight of the fierce-eyed wolf, Nelly's hand went to the dagger in her bosom. Fortunately, the wolf didn't approach further and sat obediently by the door.

Only then did Nelly notice the woman following behind it. A woman with long, pale golden hair cascading down, her skin strikingly white. Tall and poised, she stood out.

The moment Nelly saw her, her mouth fell open.

"The Lily Palace's... honored guest?"

The woman smiled softly.

"You know me?"

Her voice was gentle, but Nelly couldn't respond right away. The figure was too unexpected.

While Nelly gathered her words, Drehi quietly stood, yielded his seat, and left. Now seated in the guildmaster's chair, Nelly replied calmly to her.

"Who in Sellshar City doesn't know the honored guest of the Lily Palace? The nobles are buzzing with rumors. Plus, you've appeared at festivals with the Grand Duke. They say you're his lover."

As she spoke, Nelly quickly glanced at the woman's collarbone.

'No slave brand. Is the info wrong?'

Rumors said the Lily Palace honored guest bore a slave brand on her collarbone.

'Not one reliable story. People in the Grand Duke's palace keep their mouths too shut.'

And rightly so—Torkan was different from other lands. Most gathered here trusted Floyd's strength and character, so their loyalty was unmatched.

If Floyd wanted information sealed, you couldn't uncover it naturally unless you probed deliberately.

Nelly had been curious about the Lily Palace guest too, but she waited for solid rumors rather than risk offending Floyd by prying.

Yet here she was, meeting her in a place like this.

"Then you know my name too."

"Embarrassingly, I only know you raise a huge wolf and your appearance. Not your name... Ah, I've heard knights call you 'Princess' sometimes. Are you really a princess?"

"Not anymore. I'm Roxiana."

'Roxiana? That name rings a bell...'

As Nelly pondered where she'd heard it, Roxiana stared straight at her and added,

"I'm Roxiana Franche."

Nelly felt as if a boulder had crashed on her head, staring blankly at the woman before her.

Roxiana Franche. Princess of Kanta Kingdom, which fell a year ago.

'She's alive?'

She'd heard no one from the Franche royal family survived. People had pointed fingers at the Pellur royal family's brutality, even slaughtering children.

Yet she lived, became the Lily Palace's honored guest, and now sat here as the new guild's guildmaster.

"Ha!"

Nelly let out a hollow laugh and uncrossed her legs.

"Life really is unpredictable. Who'd think I'd meet Kanta's princess here, someone I'd never cross paths with in a lifetime? Pleased to meet you. I'm Nelly, head of Karan Trading Company."

"Yes, pleased to meet you."

Roxiana seemed serene, unlike someone who'd lost her kingdom and family.

Of course, no one could grieve forever, but it had been only a year since losing everything. Her smiling as if nothing happened sent chills down Nelly's spine.

'She keeps her emotions well in check. Not an easy opponent.'

Nelly quickly assessed Roxiana and spoke.

"Princess—no, Master... that okay?"

Roxiana nodded lightly.

"Good, Master. To be frank, the tanks from Inferno were perfect. I want them so badly I'd pay any price for exclusive rights."

Nelly didn't usually negotiate like this. Even with great goods, she'd nitpick flaws to haggle the price down.

But that wouldn't work on Roxiana.

"I looked into it—Inferno offered those tanks only to us. So, if we give you what you want, exclusive rights shouldn't be hard... What is it? What does Inferno want from Karan Trading Company?"