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nChapter 38

nProofreader: xoxomonami

nArtizea went out quietly without being noticed by the people of the mansion.

nThe clothes were of the nobility and were more commonly worn in times of mourning. There was nothing special about the characteristic of such a dress.

nThe striking white blonde was wrapped in a finely woven net of fine brown thread.

nA black veil was attached to the brim of the hat, covering all the way to her lips. That was the biggest reason for choosing a mourning dress in the first place.

nFreil removed his epaulettes.

n(T

/N: Epaulette is the ornamental shoulder piece on military uniforms.)

nIt seemed that Artizea knew why Alphonse was inadequate to accompany her. Alphonse was an overly picturesque knight, so even wearing rags, he was sure to still look good.

nExcept for Freil, one coachman was the only attendant. Alice didn’t come along either.

n“Do you often go out like this?” Freil asked in surprise

n“Until now, I didn’t have much to go out for this kind of thing, but yes. Should there be occasions where I’ll need to go out unnoticed, I will have to operate this way.”

nFreil looked at the black two wheeled carriage without a single crest.

nNowhere, there were no special features anywhere. No one would be able to tell who Artizea is or what kind of person she was.

nThere was nothing dangerous to do unless a fight broke out in the field.

nAnd such a thing could be avoided by having a strong coachman and moving carefully.

nFreil thought he didn’t know what Artizea was like.

nHe had known that she was clever from the time she proposed a contract marriage by tying up her own marriage and Western military affairs.

nWhen Saintess Olga’s heart was linked to the Baron Yetz case, she even advised Cedric that he shouldn’t miss it.

nBut isn’t this like an area of experience?

nFreil thought that even if he prepared for Cedric’s secret affairs, he would not be able to do this thoroughly.

nFreil was wary of Artizea.

nBehind the Grand Duke of Evron were many simple, good-natured Northerners.

nAt first, several people were shocked that the master was engaged to Milaira’s daughter.

nBut everyone noticed that Artizea had suffered a great deal under Milaira’s hands and put their guard down.

nThere was no one who did not sympathize with her, knowing how miserable she was in Rosan.

nWhen Artizea came to the mansion and showed a calm appearance, his good feelings grew.

nShe was noble and kind.

nWhile entrusting great authority to her subordinates, she knew almost everything.

nIt was the mistress that the people of the Grand Duke of Evron had longed for.

nHowever, Freil was convinced that the event with Milaira was also made up by Artizea.

nThe work that began with Saintess Olga’s heart was not finished yet.

nIn fact, Artizea received an invitation from the Empress because of this incident.

nIt didn’t seem like she had bad intentions.

nBut it wasn’t clear to Freil how far Artizea’s work would be connected or what big picture she was drawing.

nIt was dangerous to be that invisible.

nFreil thought that he should be alert and keep his head straight.

nThe carriage passed the downtown area and entered the old street.

nThis street has been inside the city gate since the early days of the establishment of the imperial capital, but due to its lack of geographical advantage, it was not incorporated into the center.

nHowever, a new building could not be built, nor could it create a strong community like a rural village, so the slums were in progress.

nMost of the inhabitants were not citizens who had lived for a long time, but were thieves who came to the city.

nThere was a bar in the middle. Artizea opened one of the doors and entered.

nFreil followed her. He was taken aback in his heart that Artizea knew a place like this.

nArtizea did not hesitate to approach the bartender. And said,”Tell Rye Fidget that I’m here to buy a bottle of barberry wine.”

nThe bartender’s face hardened.

nThe other clerks panicked when they heard it and went inside.

n“Where did you hear the name?”

n“Rye? Because we know each other very well.”

nArtizea leaned against the back of the chair in a relaxed manner.

nThe breathless tension settled down in the store.

nRye Fidget was a solver and an honest villain. He would do everything he could if you gave him money and kept his trust in the person who gave him the money first.

n“You are the one who sold humanity for money. So you have to be loyal to money.”

nArtizea praised him for that point.

nShe used money to grow Rye’s organization. Because there were many things that needed black hands.

nUnder Artizea he bloomed as a trusted villain.

nFrom forgery of documents to intimidation, kidnapping, torture, and spreading bad rumors, it was a useful load. In fact, he matched Artizea very well.

nAnd in the end, he betrayed Artizea.

nArtizea remembered that he had come to court with forged documents and evidence of the assassination.

nI’m sorry, Marchioness. I am a man who sells humanity for money.

nWith a face that had lost one eye and broken nose from torture, Rye confessed.

nArtizea did not think she was betrayed. It wasn’t a relationship that was made with fidelity anyway.

nThere was no need for conflict between the emperor and his former master, who have been accused of treason.

nWhy did he need to risk his life to protect her?

nApart from that, of course, this time he felt the need to have some other safeguards, not money.

nIt wasn’t long before Rye came out to the store with a pale complexion.

nAs if he came out of bed right away, his hair was shaky and his shirt was wrinkled. It was refreshing to see the young face after a long time.

nArtizea looked at him closely, so Rye felt embarrassed.

n“Who are you?” Asking so, he tilted his head.

nOnly his colleagues knew what his real name was. Because the name was so cute, he was often looked down on, so he changed his name to Watt when he came to the city.

nIt was because of the mail coming from his hometown that he gave out his name to his colleagues.

nThere was no way anyone who knew his name would come. Much less referring to the ‘barberry wine’.

n‘Barberry wine’ was a slang word for murder in this area.

n‘Who is it? She looks young, but when you look at your gestures, it doesn’t seem right. And the man beside her….. Is he a knight?’

n“Decide after hearing my suggestion, Rye. Right now, you won’t even understand if you roll your head,” Artizea said briefly.

nRye bit his lips gently and asked.

n“How did you know my name?”

n“Is that important?”

nBeyond the veil, thin lips smiled brightly

n“I’m here to buy barberry wine. And you’ll sell whatever money can buy.”

n“Okay, I’ll connect you with someone who can sell.”

n“I want you to take care of it yourself. Of course, it doesn’t mean I want you to use your own hands.”

nThis woman is dangerous. Rye trusted his intuition.

nHe wondered how she knew his name. However, it was better not to get connected.

nIt is true that he is a guy who sells anything for money. However, he did not sell his life or his family.

nArtizea gave Rye a small bunch wrapped in black paper.

nRye took it and weighed it by hand. Looking at the thickness and texture, it seemed like ten gold coins.

nIf it was 10 golds, it was enough for a common people’s family to eat and live for a month.

nIt wasn’t a small amount of money, but Rye pushed it away with his hand.

nThen Artizea presented a second bundle. Rye pushed it back again. Then came the third bundle.

nRye flinched briefly this time. Artizea asked as she held out the fourth bundle.

n“Is that enough to sell humanity yet?”

n“Damn it, stop it.”

nArtizea added two more bundles to make a total of 60 gold.

nRye rolled his eyes.

nHe wondered how far the amount would go up. He said he wouldn’t be bought, but it seemed that he could be sold depending on the amount.

nHowever, it wasn’t a bunch of gold coins that came out as the seventh, but an envelope.

nArtizea silently put it on top of the stack of gold coins.

nRye felt ominous and grabbed the envelope and opened it.

nTo brother Rye.

nThe youngest is in very good condition thanks to the money and the doctor you sent us this time. I can even walk around.

nAll that’s left is to dry out firewood this winter. Thanks to you, I have a lot of room, so hopefully I can prepare a cloth to hang on the wall before winter. Thank you so much.

nBut is it okay to send me such a large amount of money? You are not working dangerously, are you? Sending me a doctor from the capital must have cost you a lot of money.

nThe youngest is also important, but the older brother is also important. Do not work too hard. And as far as I am concerned, I just want my brother to return to his hometown.

nThere was a longer comment below, but it didn’t come into Rye’s eyes.

nThe hand holding the letter trembled.

nHe had never sent money to a doctor, so this woman must have done it.

nAnd Rye wasn’t so stupid that he couldn’t know it was a blackmail.

n“Ahhhhh! “

nHe screamed and jumped to his feet.

nFreil tried to block it. But Artizea shook her head and signaled Freil to stop.

nRye reached out his fist at Artizea, but he dared not touch her.

nThis woman is a noble.

nShe also knows why Rye needs money.

nHe couldn’t figure out how far she knew, and how far she would have played tricks. It was too dangerous.

nArtizea finally took out a small card and handed it to Rai.

nRye read the card and sat down. And asked in a tone of resignation.

n“Is this all I need to do? You don’t have to look for me to deal with such a stupid guy. I’ll just give it to a drunkard with a tenth of the money. It’s a waste.”

n“I want perfect results, and it’s not a waste if I think I can get you on my side.”

nAfter saying so, Artizea took the card back and put it in her handbag.

nRye stroked his head with his palms. And he sighed.

n“Okay. You’ll be able to hear the news the day after tomorrow. Lady Rosan.”

nBy saying so, he revealed that he knew who Artizea was.

nBut Artizea was not shaken.

nInside the card was the name of the person to be dealt with. If he was stupid enough to see it and still not recognize who she was, then she wouldn’t even make a deal with Rye.

n“I don’t mind if you don’t give me separate news,” Artizea said so and stood up from her seat.

n“What did you ask for?” Freil asked as they made their exit.

n“To get rid of traces,” Artizea said as she got into the carriage. The next destination was a safe house.

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