“Is everyone here? Then, let’s begin the discussion regarding Baron Bjorn’s matter.”
Freya, having left her usual desk in the office, called out, gathering their attention.
Always there to protect Freya’s safety, the reliable head butler, Gordon.
Once the boss of an organization that controlled the underworld of this territory, and now knighted by Freya, Fenrir.
The first chairman of Hanseong Group, and currently the third princess of the Elven Kingdom, Estelle.
And then there was Common, once Baron Bjorn’s dog, but abandoned and forced to endure hellish days, now completely obedient to Freya.
Among those in this mansion, these were the people Freya could trust, excluding her family.
“Based on the information gathered by our informants and the data Felix collected separately, it is expected that Baron Bjorn will visit our territory in about two months, in the 13th month.”
The setting of the original novel, [Dawn’s Blaze], was clearly medieval fantasy, but strangely, there were capitals, flush toilets, and Arabic numerals for number symbols, all author-convenient settings that told historical accuracy to go to hell.
As a result, the concepts of time and date were the same, with the only difference being the addition of a 13th month after December.
“He’s probably aiming for the New Year’s party held in the 13th month.”
And the reason Baron Bjorn was targeting the 13th month was right there.
In the Empire, it was a tradition that in the last month of the year, nobles gathered in the Imperial City to hold a party celebrating the upcoming New Year.
Of course, the stated purpose was to commemorate the New Year, but in reality, it was deeply intertwined with politics, a way to investigate the activities of nobles and make connections when the imperial power was not yet secure.
Now, the imperial power was immense, and the imperial family reigned over the nobles, but this New Year’s party continued to be held.
The first reason was to show that the imperial family was still strong and possessed immense power, and the second was that it had degenerated into a social gathering for the imperial heirs to build their own connections.
“It seems he intends to store the magical beasts they’ve collected in our territory first, and then trade them with the nobles gathering at the New Year’s party.”
“Indeed, with the excuse of the New Year’s party, there would be no problem even if he contacted them openly, so it seems he’s put some thought into it.”
“It seems his intention is to use this place as a warehouse, and then, on the way back from the New Year’s party, stop by the Evergarden territory to pick up the magical beasts and finalize the deal.”
“Hmm… I see.”
“Indeed…”
“Hoo…”
While Freya was passionately continuing the discussion, using the information and reasoning she had gathered to anticipate Baron Bjorn’s scheme, Gordon, Fenrir, and Common were listening intently with serious expressions.
However, only one thought had been on their minds since earlier.
That was—
‘So, how hot was their night together last night?’
It was only natural to think so.
After all, this was Freya Evergarden, the countess who always wore a kind smile but relentlessly pushed them while also perfectly handling her own work.
And although their relationship didn’t seem bad, unlike other ordinary noble couples, they had separate bedrooms and she was always immersed in her work.
So, when rumors spread that she had gone into the bedroom with Darian in broad daylight and stayed there all day (the rumors had already spread throughout the Evergarden mansion), they couldn’t help but be concerned.
Moreover, she was wearing a collar that covered her neck more than usual, and she was wearing a scarf that she never used, wrapped tightly around her neck.
Besides, it was obvious to them that she was constantly worried that the scarf around her neck would come loose whenever she moved.
They thought that there must be something special, something she didn’t want to show to others, engraved there, no, there was no other possibility at all.
‘The master and mistress’s relationship has improved so much…This Gordon is deeply moved…!’
Although he wasn’t showing it, Gordon, who had been wondering if their affection had waned due to the lack of intimacy lately, was filled with joy and emotion in his heart.
‘That the mistress is so passionate… Unbelievable…!? What kind of play did he use to cause that…!? Ah, no…..! Tail, calm down, please…!’
Fenrir, who usually showed a dignified and strong appearance, but secretly harbored girlish emotions in her heart, was desperately suppressing her tail, which had been wagging since earlier, out of curiosity about the marks beyond the scarf.
‘….Sigh, I want to go home too. How long has it been since I saw my wife’s face…?’
And Common, who hadn’t been able to leave work for about two months and whose wife’s face was fading from his memory, was looking at them with envious eyes.
But they shouldn’t show it now—
‘—I shouldn’t.’
‘—I shouldn’t, I suppose.’
‘—I shouldn’t, I guess.’
Even so, it would be very rude for them, mere employees, to ask about Freya’s private affairs as a noble, so the three of them were suppressing their curiosity as much as possible.
“So, was it hot last night?”
“Pfft!?”
“Cough!?”
“…Ooh.”
However, Estelle, not caring about such things, threw a fastball right at Freya’s head at over 300 km/h, causing the three of them to spit out their drinks simultaneously.
“Huh? Hah!? What?! No, why are you bringing that up now—”
“Isn’t it your first time being intimate lately? I thought that guy’s thing had rotted away. A lively young m—no, a man not touching such a pretty w—no, wife.”
“What are you talking about?!”
‘Mistress…’
‘Ah, her face is turning red.’
‘I want to see my wife…’
A combination of an old person’s insensitivity and meddling exploded in succession, and Freya’s face turned bright red, so the three of them decided to just watch the situation while being careful.
“So, was it good?”
“Please…! Stop it! Why are you talking about this now…!”
“Alright, alright. Geez… Still, he’s quite the passionate one! I heard he picked you up and paraded you around the mansion like back then?”
“Hngaaaa!!”
‘Mistress…’
‘Wow, the mistress is really angry.’
‘When will I ever be able to pick up my wife…’
In the end, thanks to Estelle, who continued to throw explosive remarks until the end, the meeting was temporarily suspended until Freya’s anger subsided.
“Ahem…! Ahem…! I’m sorry. There was a bit of a commotion…”
“It’s alright, Mistress. Aren’t you and the master husband and wife? This Gordon, as a loyal head butler of the Evergarden family, thinks it’s a very good thing!”
“Yes! Of course! It’s a very natural thing, so you don’t have to be embarrassed! Yes! Haha…”
“Ah, Mistress. Could I perhaps receive some of the medicine that the young master gave you—”
“Enough.”
“””Yes.”””
“Hoo… Let’s continue.”
Freya, having regained control of the somewhat chaotic atmosphere of the meeting, cleared her throat and continued.
“The key is the magical beasts that Baron Bjorn has. Due to the nature of magical beasts, they are unstable and dangerous bombs that could lead to treason and execution by hanging.”
“Um… I have a question, but can’t we just refuse? Even though we have a debt, we’ve paid the interest, and with the current state of the territory, even if it’s difficult, once ‘that’ project is implemented, we’ll be able to pay off the principal and have plenty left over. And even though we’re in arrears, I don’t think it’s mandatory.”
“That’s a good question, Common. Certainly, from our territory’s perspective, there’s no reason to accept Baron Bjorn’s request.”
Common’s question made sense.
Currently, the Evergarden territory had a large debt to Baron Bjorn, but there was no need for the territory to take on the unstable bomb that was a magical beast.
“But do you think Baron Bjorn will back down if we refuse?”
“Magical beasts, which are enormous bombs, can also be used as weapons.”
“As long as Baron Bjorn possesses them, if he secretly smuggles magical beasts into our territory and then reports us, our territory will be destroyed.”
“Starting with a simple legal battle, even if we are found innocent, we will spend a considerable amount of money and time until then, and if he demands payment in arrears during that time, we won’t be able to afford it.”
“Therefore, it’s better to fulfill his request obediently before he pulls any tricks, to minimize variables.”
“I see… I was short-sighted.”
Why is North Korea scary?
Is it because of its strong military power? Or is it because the country itself is a superpower?
No.
Most of the people in North Korea are struggling to figure out what to eat for dinner today, and the facilities are so outdated that they can’t even be considered a developing country.
An opponent that could have the South Korean military plant the Taegeukgi flag at the edge of North Hamgyong Province in less than three days if it mobilized all its forces.
But even so, North Korea is a scary presence.
That’s because it possesses a weapon called a nuke.
And for Baron Bjorn, magical beasts were no different from nukes.
Because they were difficult to deal with, and once they were launched, they would cause considerable damage.
“The best way is to pretend to accept them obediently while contacting the imperial government in advance and getting out of it as an informant.”
“That’s right. For now, that’s the best option.”
Therefore, Freya decided to bring Baron Bjorn’s magical beasts into the territory obediently, but she found a way to get out of the magical beast trade without getting on board.
“However, according to the information we’ve gathered, it’s estimated that Baron Bjorn already has a backer in the royal family, or someone comparable to them… What should we do if they crush us with their power?”
However, the problem was Baron Bjorn’s backer.
Even though the magical beast collection took place in the north, the de facto ruler of the north, the Boreas Margrave family, showed no reaction, which meant that the margrave was already involved with Baron Bjorn.
In addition to the margrave, it was easy to infer that he was connected to even higher-ups to commit such acts.
“That’s right. Baron Bjorn’s backer is definitely too big for us to handle.”
Freya also frowned slightly at Fenrir’s point, answering with a sigh.
But.
“Then… what if we also had a strong backer?”
“…..Ah!? Could it be…! That’s why you’ve been working on ‘that’ project…?”
“I think it’s time to explain my plan in earnest.”
Freya smiled faintly and unfolded the parchment she had prepared.
Her plan was now in its initial stages.