As Lady Finihiya stepped onto the second floor, the scene before her eyes left her slightly surprised.
In stark contrast to the filth and disorder of the first floor, the second floor looked rather clean. There were no discarded clothes strewn about, and the air lacked that frown-inducing smell of alcohol.
Pushing open the door at the end of the corridor, she found the room’s décor not much different from that of an ordinary office.
“Our employer will be here soon. Please wait here for a moment, ladies.”
After the dark elf man spoke, he simply stood off to the side, while Lady Finihiya and Darlian sat at the wooden table in the middle of the room, set up for visitors to rest.
Faced with this unfamiliar environment, Lady Finihiya silently took in her surroundings. Meanwhile, Darlian, who sat beside her, suddenly spoke up.
“He was the one who wanted to see us, yet he has us waiting here. Your employer really is lacking in basic manners.”
“Haha~ I suppose you must be Miss Sasha, then? Apologies for keeping you waiting.”
The door behind them swung open again.
Hearing this mature male voice, Lady Finihiya turned her head to look in that direction.
The man had a black mole on his forehead and wore boots caked with mud as he walked over and sat down in the chair across from them.
“Then this must be Miss Clea.” The man looked at her with a smile.
“I’d already heard Elrod sing your praises before I arrived. He said Miss Clea’s beauty could eclipse all things on earth. Now that I see you myself, I think even that description falls short.”
“I feel that every word in this world that describes beauty is simply too pale and powerless when applied to Miss Clea.”
“Thank you.”
Lady Finihiya responded to his compliment with a polite, well-practiced social smile.
“…Oh, I haven’t introduced myself.” The man spoke with a faint tone, but when he glanced at Darlian, his gaze suddenly carried a peculiar emotion.
“I am the president of the Castellic Green Chamber of Commerce—Heruglin Tennil.”
“Mr. Heruglin.”
After Heruglin nodded at Lady Finihiya with a smile, his gaze shifted, carefully scrutinizing Darlian.
Then, Heruglin forced out somewhat stiff words.
“I can’t help but feel that Miss Sasha resembles a certain person.”
Darlian gave a brief “Hm?” then lifted her lips in a subtle, enigmatic smile. “And who do you think I resemble?”
“…The Demon King, my lady.”
“Is that so?” Darlian lightly raised her right hand, twirling the end of her long hair with her fingertip. “You’ve seen the Demon King?”
“Yes. Five years ago, when the Demon King’s grand feast invited representatives of all social classes in the city, I was fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of her beautiful, noble figure.”
“I see.” Darlian’s twirling finger slowly came to a halt, and her slightly parted rosy lips took on a seductive hue. “So, it’s just a bit of a resemblance?”
Darlian’s tone was rather light.
But Heruglin seemed as if he’d seen a ghost, his head snapping up in shock. His startled cry was so soft and weak, it sounded almost like a woman’s.
Thick sweat broke out on Heruglin’s face.
Snapping out of his astonishment, Heruglin immediately knelt on the floor, his slightly plump body bumping into the edge of the wooden table and causing a jarring sound to echo through the room.
“Y-Your Majesty! Please forgive my disrespect!”
“Mr. Heruglin, what are you doing?” Darlian said with a look and tone of amused interest. “I never said I was Darlian Sasha Lissti.”
“No, I couldn’t possibly be mistaken! Your bearing and appearance are exactly the same as hers!”
Perhaps realizing there was no way to keep pretending, Darlian let out a faint sigh, her tone returning to its usual faint coldness.
“So, you brought the two of us here for what purpose?” As she spoke, Darlian tilted her head cutely. “Human trafficking?”
“N-no, no!” Heruglin’s voice shook with spasms, the very idea of such a crime terrifying him.
“The reason I invited you both here was purely to discuss the matter of the secret medicine, I swear, I have absolutely no sinister intentions at all.”
“Discuss? Using such forceful methods, how do you plan to negotiate?” Darlian’s shapely brows arched.
“If we can’t reach an agreement, are you planning to imprison, abuse, or perhaps even keep us here to satisfy your own desires until you get your way?”
“Ah, no, no… We would never do such a thing! Please believe me, Lady Darlian!”
Watching the man’s pitiful state before her, Lady Finihiya—soft-hearted as ever—couldn’t help but feel a trace of sympathy.
Judging from his previous behavior, Heruglin didn’t really seem like a villain guilty of heinous crimes. Otherwise, his manner of treating and speaking to them wouldn’t be so gentle.
Clearly, Darlian was in high spirits, enjoying herself by forcing a cap onto Heruglin that he simply couldn’t wear.
“Since you say this is a discussion, how much benefit are you prepared to offer to sign a contract with us?”
She paused for a moment, then continued, “The Belgrade Association has already offered us ninety percent of the profits.”
“T-then… our Castellic Green Chamber of Commerce is willing to offer ninety-five percent.”
“Ninety-five?” Darlian raised her brows skillfully. “That doesn’t seem like much of an improvement.”
“One… one hundred percent.”
“One hundred percent? Wouldn’t that mean your Chamber gets nothing, and you even have to lose money?”
“T-to serve Your Majesty is the greatest honor of the Castellic Green Chamber of Commerce!”
Hmm…
Even Lady Finihiya could see that Heruglin’s words were clearly insincere, his face already twisted in an expression full of pain.
“Is that so.” Darlian’s lips curved into a smile. “Mr. Heruglin, your courage, wisdom, and selfless dedication are worthy of our admiration and praise.”
“…It’s what we citizens of the Empire ought to do.”
“Since Mr. Heruglin is so nobly determined, from now on you’ll serve the court of the Mihol Empire.”
“…Ah?”
Darlian’s sudden, abrupt decision made Heruglin’s face instantly turn as pale as a sheet.
Paying no mind to Heruglin’s frightened state, Darlian turned her gaze away indifferently, tilting her head to look at Lady Finihiya.
“This Mr. Heruglin is willing to give up all profit and help you make the secret medicine for free. Go ahead and sign a new contract with him.”
“Hmm? What’s the matter?”
“Nothing.” At the favorable terms Darlian had “won” for her, Lady Finihiya gently shook her head, declining.
“Mr. Heruglin’s offer is indeed very tempting, but I’ve already signed a contract with Mr. Royce. If I were to go back on it now, I wouldn’t be keeping my word.”