Chapter 136

Heaven Forges Bonds, People Forge Affection (2)

Brumbar, chief of the dwarves, sat at the center of the council chamber with a presence as ponderous as a mountain.

“Chief, we cannot simply let a ton of high-purity runesteel slip through our fingers.”

One ton of runesteel ore had appeared in a human city. In truth, a ton was not an enormous quantity, even if its purity exceeded eighteen percent.

But runesteel of such purity was almost impossible to form. It required environmental conditions that could never occur.

Yet if those conditions could be achieved, the amount of runesteel that formed there would defy imagination.

In other words, the very existence of runesteel that pure—and the emergence of an entire ton of it—

“Doesn't that mean this Whitefang or whatever has discovered a runesteel vein?” another dwarf cried urgently, trying to persuade the chief.

But Brumbar could not readily answer that, either.

“Shouldn't we at least make contact, Chief?”

Having to approach humans to obtain runesteel was a deeply distasteful prospect.

Human greed knew no bounds. They dug beyond what the earth permitted, always coveting more, always delving deeper. They knew neither how to take only what they needed nor how to recognize their own limits. Greedy beasts that knew nothing of satisfaction.

Human nobles were worse still. Those bastards were beneath even the primitive dimwits who had rampaged about with stone axes.

Adrian Whitewolf, the supplier of this runesteel, was just such a noble. That made the idea especially repugnant, but...

“We need runesteel, Chief.”

Runesteel was a vital, indispensable resource for Feractrum. Deep underground, where the kingdom lay, the earth's mana became distorted and concentrated. The immense subterranean pressure sent that mana out of control, causing it to erupt explosively like a natural disaster.

Mana storms and mana-release earthquakes. These were the two great calamities that threatened Feractrum. Runesteel neutralized those natural torrents of mana and was indispensable for the shielding that kept the kingdom safe.

“The steelmasters have been reporting one after another that the recent shifts in the strata are ominous.”

Deep anxiety shadowed the faces of the dwarves assembled in the chamber. The shifts in the strata were unprecedented. If a mana storm and a mana-release earthquake struck at the same time...

“It could be the end of Feractrum, Chief.”

The dwarves' voices weighed heavily upon Brumbar's muscles.

* * *

Before anyone knew it, winter had passed in Whitewolf county. But the changing seasons meant little in this land of perpetual cold. Icy winds and drifting snow were part of everyday life, adorning the county's landscape.

Yet the hearts of the people within that landscape had not frozen.

“A little cold is nothing! Move your bodies and you'll warm up! Prepare to charge again!”

“Raaaaah!”

The soldiers' cheers rang out as though they would swallow even the cold.

“Lucia! I told you to take breaks! Good heavens, your fingertips are frozen!”

“Oh dear, how did that...?”

“Honestly, it's because you never stop working!”

“When I see my children smiling these days, I just can't bring myself to stop.”

“What am I going to do with you?”

Women worked without even noticing their fingertips freezing. Life and energy abounded. The new shoots of hope that had sprouted in the cold earth were slowly growing.

In the office of Countess Whitewolf...

SCRATCH, SCRATCH.

The soft sound of a quill brushing paper filled the room.

Heaps of papers lay scattered across the desk, documents crammed with closely written numbers and signatures.

'This is so difficult...'

Seraphia felt as though her eyes were about to fall out.

This was nothing like the work she had done as a stand-in. Now that she was truly a countess, the weight was far greater than she had imagined. The county's recent prosperity, in particular, had made the work much more complicated than before.

Provisions and wages to maintain thousands of soldiers. The manufacture and repair of weapons and armor. Procuring supplies. Managing materials and maintaining the barracks. All manner of work poured onto her desk.

Then there were the countless goods traded within the county: weaving, crafts, pottery, dyeing, textile production, ornaments, and household goods. The associated taxes, account books, tariff rates, and other figures left her head not merely aching but ready to split.

She could not afford to skim over any of it. A single figure, a single signature—the fate of the county changed with each stroke of her quill.

“You'll ruin your health at this rate. Please take a break.”

Kai had approached quietly, his voice carrying a rare note of concern.

“It's been ten days since you last slept properly, hasn't it?”

Had it been that long...? Looking in the mirror, she saw deep, dark circles beneath her eyes.

“I'm all right.”

Even so, Seraphia shook her head.

'Brother was doing all of this by himself.'

She still had a long way to go before she could be of help to Adrian. Being a countess still felt unfamiliar, but...

'I have to work hard!'

She checked the documents again. Despite her determination, however, she could not concentrate. Pale sunlight shone through the window.

'Why hasn't Brother come back...?'

Adrian had left to look over the new territory. That had already been ten whole days ago. Yet he still hadn't returned—

KNOCK, KNOCK.

“May I come in?”

“Brother!!”

Before she knew it, she had sprung from her chair, breath coming fast. Then the door opened, revealing Adrian, all his limbs intact.

“You've returned safely!”

“Didn't I say I would?”

He was perfectly composed, as though his ten-day absence meant nothing at all. Considering all the worry he had put her through, she felt terribly hurt... but he was back, and that was enough.

“Did everything go well?”

“A small problem came up. On that note, Seraphia.”

“Yes! What is it?”

“I need your approval for something.”

He handed her a document.

“What is this?”

“A document for elevation to a higher noble rank.”

“Noble rank?”

Seraphia sat back down and examined it.

“Adlan...?”

The name on the document was one she had never heard before.

* * *

Adlan let out a shriek like an orc having its throat slit and nearly went into convulsions. He staggered and collapsed into a chair, seemingly dizzy.

Understandably so. To put it bluntly, ten million gold was enough to buy the entire Adlan Trading Company and still have money left over. It was not a sum one would invest merely in research or business capital. In other words, I had no intention of simply handing over ten million gold.

“There is one condition.”

That snapped Adlan back to his senses. He gulped and looked at me with deeply unsettled eyes.

“A-a condition, my lord...?”

“Work for me.”

“Pardon...?”

“I'll make you president of Predator Merchant Company.”

The president was second only to the company owner. It was a position that supervised every branch manager and oversaw all the company's dealings, cash flow, and personnel matters. Put simply, it was much like being a chancellor.

I had originally intended to make Adlan the Frecce branch manager. But my thinking had gradually changed. He was too talented to remain a mere branch manager.

The abilities he had shown while taking care of things for me proved that, as president, he could uphold Predator Merchant Company's foundations and help it grow.

He was someone I had never met in my previous life. But there was no need to cling exclusively to my old bonds. Fighting myself had taught me that the bonds I forged in this life were every bit as precious.

Heaven might forge bonds, but people forged affection. In that spirit, now that we had secured the countship—though I would still need Seraphia's permission...

“If you wish, I'll also grant you the title of baron.”

“Eeeeeek?!?!”

Adlan's entire body shook as though he had taken a direct hit from a lightning spell.

“M-me...! A noble??!!”

His voice was almost a scream.

“H-how could someone like me be a noble...! I've never even held a knife and fork at the same time, my lord!!”

“Just hold one in each hand.”

“I-is that how it works?”

“Yes.”

“Aaaah, I don't know! Me, a noble! What if I make some mistake and disgrace you, Lord Adrian?!”

“That's all right. My reputation is already ruined.”

“I don't know the first thing about noble dignity or etiquette!!”

“Neither do I.”

Adlan gaped, his eyes wide. I asked him again.

“Will you work for me?”

His answer did not come aloud.

◆Adlan's affinity toward you has reached its limit!!

A message flashed before my eyes. Then another appeared.

◆Connection Quest, [A Dream Treasured Deep Within the Heart], has arrived.

==[A Dream Treasured Deep Within the Heart]==

[Description] - Successfully distribute Adlan's alcoholic beverages

[Reward] - Unlock Adlan's affinity 「Bond Tier」

[If Declined] - No penalty

Adlan threw himself flat on the floor. He stretched both hands forward and pressed his face against it as though trying to bury himself in the ground.

“Hnnngh...!”

A stifled, sobbing breath escaped him.

He could not say a word. So I, too, simply refrained from answering him aloud.

◆Beginning Connection Quest, [A Dream Treasured Deep Within the Heart].

* * *

Adlan—the name written on the document for elevation to noble rank. Seraphia thought hard, but nothing came to mind. It was, in short, a name she had never heard before. Then Adrian added,

“He's helped me a great deal, and he'll continue to do so. I was thinking of granting him a barony...”

He paused and looked at her.

“But if you object, Seraphia, I'll abide by your decision.”

“Not at all! If he's helped you that much, I think he's more than qualified!”

She lifted her quill without hesitation.

But then...

“There's someone else here, too?”

RUSTLE.

“Head Steward Bernard?”

Bernard was even being considered for a viscountcy: a rank higher than baron, and the highest a count could bestow.

“Bernard has devoted himself to our house since Father's time. I believe he more than deserves to be a viscount, but again, if you object, I'll abide by your decision.”

“No! I don't object!”

Seraphia quickly waved her hands. As Adrian had said, Bernard was more than qualified.

In truth, this was something she should have thought of first. But she was still unused to being a countess, and the flood of work had kept her from giving it any attention.

Adrian was different. Despite being even busier than she was, he thoughtfully looked after each and every person. How did he manage it? He truly was remarkable.

She still had so far to go before she could catch up with him. She had not had enough time or experience to become a countess. Yet Adrian had trusted her and allowed her to inherit the countship.

She could not give up. She would work harder and learn more, and one day become a wonderful countess worthy of his faith in her.

On that note, there was one more person.

“Then Sir Kai should receive a title as—!”

“Do you need one?”

“I do not.”

Kai shook his head firmly, without the slightest hesitation.

“Huh...? Why not?”

Unlike the thoroughly puzzled Seraphia, Adrian nodded as though he had expected that answer.

“Well then, Kai. I wouldn't exactly call this a substitute, but...”

Adrian drew something out of thin air. The surprise at his subspace magic lasted only a moment.

“What is this?”

“A dwarf-made sword.”

“... Pardon?”

Kai looked down at the sword in bewilderment.

The dwarves were the continent's finest race of artisans. A sword made by them was guaranteed to be of the highest quality. But their trade with human society was so limited that acquiring a dwarf-made weapon was nearly impossible. It was no exaggeration to say that such a weapon rivaled a count's title in value.

“It's not from me. His Highness Leon told me to give it to you.”

“Why would His Highness Leon give me this?”

“A bribe.”

“...?”

Kai tilted his head. Adrian approached and whispered something to him, too quietly for Seraphia to hear. The whispering went on for quite some time.

Then, just as it seemed to be ending, Kai's face suddenly twisted. And not just a little. He looked positively demonic—his expression was so hideous that even that description fit.

He handed the dwarf-made sword back to Adrian.

“I don't need it.”

“Huh?”

“Are you sure?”

“Throw it away.”

“Whaaat?!”

Seraphia sprang from her chair again.

“Why would you throw away something so precious?!”

“It's vulgar trash.”

“Whaaaat?!”

Her eyes widened involuntarily.

She tried desperately to persuade him, but...

“That is worthless waste, without the slightest use or value.”

Kai would not budge.

At last, Seraphia turned to Adrian for help. But once again, he merely chuckled as though he had expected this all along.

Apparently, the two had shared some secret. Though she felt strangely hurt at being the only one left out, they really did feel... like a family.

They bickered, yet understood and accepted one another, their hearts connecting without a word. Things were not entirely smooth between them. But wasn't there a saying that heaven forged bonds while people forged affection?

So that their relationship could fit together better and grow deeper...

'I'll work really, really hard!!'

Seraphia's determination burned brightly.

“Well, I'll be off again.”

“Again? Aren't you going to rest?”

“I've got a Kraulgar of work to do.”

His words made no sense to her. Before she could ask what he meant, he started walking away.

“... Oh, that's right! Brother.”

Something she suddenly remembered stopped him in his tracks.

“You had a visitor.”

Adrian came to an abrupt halt, his eyes widening as far as they could go.