Leave a comment

“What a mess…”

Count Fonan groaned as he wandered restlessly inside his room.

“I told you she was a spy sent by the Duke. If only you hadn’t ignored…” Porto replied coldly, casting a dissatisfied look at the restlessly wandering Count Fonan.
“Be quiet.” The Count, on the other hand, reprimanded him coldly in response.

“We can’t be sure that Zera is the Duke’s spy.”
“What are you saying?! The documents disappeared alongside her! Furthermore, the inn she gave you has long been deserted! How can you still defend her?!”
“That’s…”

Count Fonan desperately wanted to believe Zera. However, he couldn’t totally rule out the possibility that she was involved, as Porto suggested. It was embarrassing for him to confess, but Zera had charmed him with her looks and had expertly played him for a fool. The Count clenched his fists.

“I won’t forgive her…”
“This is not the time for this, Master. What should we do? That girl is unquestionably the Duke’s spy. As a result, after getting the documents, the Duke’s soldiers will undoubtedly be knocking on our door in a few days.”
“I know. There’s only one thing left to do.”

The Count remarked this while pulling out a letter and handing it to Porto, who was staring back at him.

“Send this ASAP.”
“What is… What?! You can’t be serious!”

Porto exclaimed as he examined the letter. In response, the Count just smiled.

“This is the only way we have out of this mess… Porto, I’m counting on you. Don’t mess this up.”
“But… I understand.”

Porto said this regretfully, unable to defy his Master’s orders. He then turned around and walked out of the room. The Count mumbled once more as he watched him leave.

“What a mess…”

“What a mess…” Merc mumbled, overcome with worry.
“What’s wrong?” Astard asked her.
“I wasn’t sure whether the drugs would be enough of a payback so I also went out to town to pick out a bag for Kena.”
“What? Still, although a bit too much, I see nothing wrong with it. Where’s the problem?”
“Right here.”

Merc said, showing the bag placed right next to her to Astard. When he spotted the bag, Astard glanced at Merc again, puzzled.

“What’s wrong with it? It looks like a normal shoulder bag to me.”
“That may be true for you and me, but what about a little girl? I bought it because I liked it, but now that I look at it, it doesn’t appear to be really cute.”

The shoulder bag was designed in such a way that it appeared to be more useful than stylish. It was made using ingredients derived from specific plants, making it durable and resistant to tearing and scratches. However, due to their lack of flexibility, these bags were not particularly attractive.

The bag that Merc had chosen for Kena was no exception to that. It definitely wasn’t one that screamed cute. Its design was far too insensitive to be worn with the outfits that a normal young girl would wear.

“I doubt Kena will mind. You should hurry up and give it to her. Timing is everything with these things.”
“I know…”

Astard said, if Merc became overly concerned about this and lost the opportunity to give it, it would all be for naught. Merc was determined to avoid such a situation at all costs.

“Kena is in the kitchen, right?”
“Yes. She went to prepare some food after putting Tetem to sleep.”
“I see. I’ll be right back then.”

Merc put the drugs she’d prepared inside the bag and proceeded to the kitchen after she’d made up her mind. Kena beamed at Merc the moment she spotted her.

“Miss Merc, what brings you here? If you’ve come to help, then there’s no need.”
“It’s not that…”
“It’s not? Ah! Are you perhaps looking for a snack then? I’m afraid I can’t give you any. The Great Sage will scold me.”

Kena smiled and moved her index finger sideways in a cute manner. Merc, on the other hand, shook her head and presented the shoulder bag to Kena while still hanging onto the strap.

“T-This is for doing my makeup and lending me your clothes. Please accept it.”
“Oh my! You shouldn’t have, it wasn’t much. Nonetheless, thank you.”

Kena showed her gratitude and accepted the gift with grace. Merc was concerned that Kena might refuse it, but happily, this did not occur. She was overjoyed when Kena joyfully accepted the present she had chosen.

“What a lovely bag… Oh my, it’s so heavy.”
“There are some drugs that I made inside. Use them when you see fit… Although I guess that drugs are better left unused.”
“You made them? That’s amazing. I didn’t know you could do this!”
“Y-Yeah. I’ve labeled each container with its distinct functions so it’ll be difficult to mix them up. Make good use of them.”

Merc explained quickly, her face flushed from Kena’s compliment. Kena nodded and slung the strap over her shoulder.

“Does it look good?”
“It does. If I do say so myself, it’s rather stylish.”

Merc remarked, admiring her own efforts. She acted as if she’d forgotten all she’d just said to Astard. However, Merc only applauded herself because Kena looked stunning in the shoulder bag.

“Thank you, Miss Merc. I’ll take good care of it.”
“Please do.”

After gifting the bag to Kena and witnessing how much she appreciated it, Merc was finally able to relax. She was still troubled by the Doctor Glodel situation, but knowing that Count Fonan would be arrested in a few days helped her forget about it.

She also needed to start making plans to leave so she wouldn’t disturb Kena and Astard. She’d then go to a Guild and pick up some requests. The next day, however, something unexpected happened before Merc could put her plans into action.

“FAST!”

The next morning, Kena rushed in unexpectedly when Merc was lounging in the living room after waking up.

“What’s wrong, Kena?”
“I can’t find Tem!”
“…! What?!”
“T-This was in her room!”

Kena shouted, shaking as she handed Merc a piece of paper. There was only one passage on the page.

{Do nothing, Great Sage, and we’ll spare her.}

As her gaze moved over that section, Merc’s demeanor shifted.