Volume 1 Chapter 8 Surprises Require Preparation And Planning
Randy and Elizabeth, who had gained the ability of production magic, or rather, crafting, were trying out various things as their interests led them. Right now, their ability was only at the level of refining materials, but according to Eleonora, as their crafting skills improved, they would be able to create various items.
Elizabeth especially loved this ability.
Like a child given a toy, she refined different materials every day and wrote down their effects in her notebook. According to Eleonora, her production magic was expected to strengthen soon, allowing her to create items.
However, it wasn't all good news. As the two of them used their ability to hunt beasts, refine their corpses into materials, and sell them to merchants, they ended up with a lot of unsold stock.
"We really can't handle any more than this──."
"Oh, is that so?"
They had exceeded the merchant's capacity and ended up with a lot of leftover inventory.
In front of a mountain of materials piled up in the warehouse, Randy turned to Elizabeth with a wry smile.
"These materials have low demand to begin with."
"If we could open a market overseas, it might be different."
Elizabeth seemed to have an idea, but her expression clouded for a moment.
(Ah, I remember her family was involved in maritime trade.)
Even Randy knew that the Braubelg family had a huge port in the southwestern part of the kingdom and had built great wealth through trade with distant continents. They were nobles who also had their own merchant guild, making them skilled traders.
Seeing Elizabeth clearly lost in thought about her family, Randy spoke up.
"Maybe dwarves would be interested in buying them?"
It felt a bit mean, but Randy decided to pick up on her vision. He didn't want to change the subject too forcefully, as it felt like touching a sore spot.
Elizabeth was momentarily surprised by Randy's question, but she smiled slightly and replied, "Yes."
"Dwarves from the distant continent. They might show interest in such sturdy materials."
"An overseas route to the distant continent... There's a rundown fishing village by a great river at the edge of the territory, so if we were to use it, it would be there."
The rundown fishing village was where his mother Grace and his younger siblings were currently visiting. Despite its name, most villagers had gone out to work elsewhere, making it a desolate place. Turning it into a port seemed quite unrealistic, so there was nothing they could do for now.
"For now, let's make our next goal item creation. If we can turn materials into items, it will open up more paths for us."
Randy placed his hand on the door, signaling the end of their conversation... but then he turned back to Elizabeth with a thought.
"Miss Elizabeth──."
──Are you worried about your family?
Randy swallowed those words. Asking that question now wouldn't help either him or Elizabeth. He didn't even know how much her family was involved in her banishment.
He thought that Elizabeth's family was probably unrelated to her situation, but he had no certainty about it.
So, I can't ask this question yet, he thought, swallowing the words he almost let out and weaving different ones instead.
"──Miss Elizabeth, it's good to work hard, but don't overdo it."
"I understand."
Leaving behind the elegantly bowing Elizabeth, Randy exited her office.
"Your keen insight is impressive, young master."
Keith, who had appeared out of nowhere, smiled at Randy as he left the office. Surprised, Randy scratched his head awkwardly and said, "Don't just show up like that." After all, if he had any achievements, it was just moving a heavy stone coffin. And maybe sharing this strange status window with Elizabeth.
"Flattery won't get you anything."
Randy sighed softly, and Keith bowed his head, saying, "I speak from the heart."
"So? The fact that you showed up suddenly means you heard something, right?"
In response to Randy's words, Keith simply shook his head.
"You're tight-lipped, huh?"
"I have shared quite a bit with the maids, but that one point seems to be a secret."
With a look of loyalty, Keith continued, and Randy nodded in understanding.
"I'll ask directly. Where is Rita?"
"I'll guide you."
Following Keith, Randy made his way through the mansion to the courtyard. There, he spotted a maid doing laundry. Just as Keith had said, Rita was happily chatting and working on the laundry.
(It's good to see she's relaxed.)
Randy let out a small sigh of relief, and one of the maids looked up as if she noticed him.
"Huh? Young master, what brings you here?"
At the sound of one maid's voice, all of them noticed Randy and stood up. He hurriedly stopped them from bowing. It felt wrong to interrupt their territory and then ask them to stop.
"Sorry, but can I borrow Rita?"
"Of course."
To the suspicious maid, Randy replied, "It's just a workplace meeting," and waved for Rita to come over. He felt a bit guilty as Rita's cheerful expression turned to confusion, but he quickly led her to a corner of the courtyard, away from the laundry area.
"Young master, do you need something from me?"
"Even you call me young master..."
Randy held his head in frustration, but he didn't have time to dwell on that. Taking a deep breath to refocus, he looked straight at Rita.
"I want to contact the Marquis family."
At those words, Rita's shoulders jumped in surprise.
Anxiety.
Panic.
Doubt.
Fear.
Amidst those feelings, Randy didn't miss the glimmer of hope that flickered in her eyes.
"Miss Elizabeth was abandoned by the world... you said that, but that's not true, is it?"
Randy asked directly, and Rita, flustered, averted her gaze and said, "W-What do you mean?"
"It's about her, isn't it? If it would cause trouble for her family, she would rather sacrifice herself... that's the kind of thinking, right?"
At Randy's pointed statement, Rita's eyes widened in surprise as she looked at him.
(It's a hit)
Randy let out a big sigh inside, but he didn't just guess. He remembered her status screen from before. It clearly said... 'Marquis Daughter.'
If she was really cast out from her home, if she truly severed ties with her family, it should say 'former.' But it doesn't. This means that her family didn't want her to leave the country. Considering this fact and Elizabeth's personality, it was easy to make a guess.
In fact, both Keith and Father Alan shared the same opinion.
"W-What are you going to do by contacting the Marquis family?"
Rita, trembling, hurriedly added, "I-I have no relation to the young lady anymore." Seeing her desperately trying to protect her will, Randy couldn't help but smile.
"I'm not trying to do anything bad. I'm just checking their response."
"Response...?"
Randy explained to Rita what he was thinking.
It had already been over a week since Elizabeth left the country. The missing Elizabeth was already the subject of death rumors within the kingdom. Of course, those rumors had reached the Dukedom as well.
Yes, it was just a rumor.
The kingdom couldn't rely on a foreign country to confirm the life or death of someone they exiled. Besides, it was an illegal exile without proper procedures. If they pushed too hard, they would end up with painful consequences.
They couldn't officially announce her death, but the situation suggested she was most likely dead. Hence the death rumors. So, Randy planned to contact her family, saying he found something that seemed to belong to her.
"From their attitude towards her belongings, we can understand a bit about Lord Braubelg's feelings for Miss Elizabeth."
If they reject it, he wouldn't inform them of Elizabeth's survival.
If they accept it, if they could support her, he could tell them Elizabeth was alive to ease their worries.
"They will definitely say they want it."
"You're quite confident."
Randy couldn't help but snort at Rita, who looked straight back at him. If they cared about their daughter, they could have sent one or 2 guards to protect her. But they couldn't even do that, so what were they doing now... Randy didn't say it out loud, but Rita seemed to sense it and silently shook her head.
"I have nothing but confidence. It's because you are the master that I was able to be involved."
What Rita meant was that Elizabeth had refused all assistance from her family and had entrusted herself to the royal family and the saint's arrangements. Still, at least one servant to take care of her could be sent by Lord Braubelg to the royal family.
"The Marquis family loves the young lady. And the opposite is also true──."
"So Miss Elizabeth was exiled alone to avoid being a burden to the Marquis family."
Rita nodded at those words.
"Keith, what do you think?"
Randy glanced at Keith, who had been silent beside him.
"I think it's okay to trust them."
Keith, stroking his beard, began to explain that he didn't think Rita would say anything that would be disadvantageous to Elizabeth.
"I agree."
Randy nodded at the explanation. While there might be loyalty involved, even if Rita was accompanying him for strategic reasons, there was no benefit for her to lie here. Now that this was confirmed, there was only one thing to do.
"Then a survival report would be better."
At Randy's murmured words, Rita hurriedly shook her head.
"The Marquis family and the young lady care for each other. However, the young lady doesn't want to trouble the Marquis family──."
Seeing the pleading look in Rita's eyes, Randy let out a small sigh.
"I understand both your feelings and Miss Elizabeth's, but..."
Randy's voice dropped slightly as he continued.
"Do you think the daughter-loving Marquis would just sit back and let his daughter be killed?"
Rita gasped at Randy's words.
"So, what should we do...?"
"We have to inform the Marquis family about Miss Elizabeth's survival. Secretly, of course."
"But the young lady's wishes..."
"Don't worry. I won't do anything bad to Miss Elizabeth. She's our important source of income."
Finally, with Randy's serious gaze, Rita nodded. Now that they had Rita's cooperation, there was only one thing left to do.
"Keith, to my father──."
"I already have it."
Saying this, Keith took out a sealed letter from his pocket. Randy showed a face that said he had been outsmarted by his father and the steward.
"I've been watching you for 17 years, young master."
Keith's triumphant smile made Randy's face twitch, but he returned a smile nonetheless.
"Then it's settled. I'll leave the contact with my father to you."
"Understood."
As Keith bowed respectfully, Rita raised her voice, "Um, um..."
"When the young lady reaches a safe place, use this."
Rita took out a bird-shaped magical tool.
──The Mail Bird. This magic tool serves as a means of communication in this world, but it is expensive, so commoners can't easily own one.
"Is the destination written down?"
"Yes. It's for the Braubelg Marquis residence."
Rita nodded and handed over the Mail Bird.
"Please take care of the young lady."
Rita bowed deeply, and Randy nodded as he took the Mail Bird, raising his hand and saying, "Leave it to me." As Randy turned to leave, Rita bowed her head once more.
With Rita's expectations on his back, Randy's pace quickened... by the time he reached his room, he was almost running.
He opened the window and placed the letter he received from Keith on the back of the Mail Bird... the softly glowing letter disappeared, and at the same time, the Mail Bird took off, shining brightly.
Randy watched the trajectory of the Mail Bird as it flew into the blue sky for a while.
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