By the Grace of the Gods

Today, two chapters are posted simultaneously.

This is the second chapter.

The next day.

“It’s such nice weather… Maybe it’s because I went outside for the first time in a while? The sunlight feels somehow dazzling.”

The bright midday sun struck just on the short path from the mansion’s entrance to the carriage. Though he seemed slightly bothered by it, he was also enjoying it, which made me imagine how busy Mr. Reinhardt usually is.

However,

“Are you really sure about this? I’m very grateful, but I feel bad that you’re spending your precious day off accompanying me.”

“It’s fine. Actually, lately, even when I have days off, I’ve been feeling restless. When Elia was around, we’d play together or I’d teach her things, but now she’s at the academy, right? That leaves me feeling a bit idle, so I end up working instead.”

“Mr. Reinhardt, we both can’t really talk about others’ situations…”

“That’s true… Now that you mention it, I think I’m starting to understand your feelings a little.”

Elia going to school affected this too… Before leaving, everyone was worried about whether Elia would be okay, but now I think the ones who should really have been worried were her parents.

For now, I want to stop him before he becomes a full-blown workaholic, and I’m grateful he’s accompanying me. But,

“By the way, is the place we’re going to dangerous?”

“No, no, it’s not dangerous. It’s just a little inappropriate to let Lord Ryoma go alone… Although I introduced the place, yes.”

“The shop itself is respectable. However, the representative of that shop is a bit… well.”

Today, not only Mr. Reinhardt but also Mr. Serge, Mr. Pioro, and Mr. Fay are accompanying me. The destination is the “Morton Slave Trading Company,” which was introduced to me before. When we talked again last night, it was decided that the civil engineering work would be in the afternoon, so I happened to remember this and mentioned it as a way to spend the time until then.

Then these three suddenly insisted very strongly on coming along. As an adult, I said that Mr. Fay was in the back seat, so that should be enough, but apparently it wasn't about that.

Apparently, Mr. Serge, who introduced the place initially, also gave the information to Mr. Calm in order to ensure it was a safe shop if I were to use it, so they didn’t exactly recommend it… to be honest, it seems something was bothering them. They seemed very hesitant to say it, but,

“Is there a problem with the representative?”

“Yes, that’s right. Well, you don’t have to worry about scams or anything like that. He’s serious about business and a trustworthy person. At least in terms of business.”

“He has only taken over the store from the previous generation a few years ago, but he has learned well from his predecessor, improving where possible and following the old ways. He can be considered an excellent manager. Perhaps because of his profession, when it comes to ‘reading people,’ he has better insight than we do. In that respect alone, he rivals the guild master.”

The image of the elderly guild master of the Gimul Commercial Guild flashed through my mind.

“That sounds like a very capable person.”

“He is. Because he is capable, well…”

“Sometimes geniuses are hard for ordinary people to understand. In short, he’s an eccentric.”

“To add on, his behavior is suspicious. Also, we’d rather not have Elia meet him.”

Elia? Not wanting her to meet him… Suspicious behavior… Could it be a loli thing? No, I shouldn’t have a rude impression of someone I haven’t even met.

“Excuse me.”

A male coachman called out, saying we were close to our destination. As I prepared to get off, the carriage slowed and entered through a large gate.

“This place…”

Compared to the Duke’s household, it’s unfair to compare, but the size of the grounds, the building itself, and the exterior—all looked like a bright and beautiful noble’s mansion. After getting off at the stop, a staff member dressed like a butler immediately came to greet us.