Not a barbarian warrior.

While Lorena was making artifacts and Eugene was trying to recover from his gloomy mood, Dietrich was busy moving around day after day.

After several days passed like that, Dietrich, sitting with middle-aged merchants in his office, opened his mouth:

“How did it go?”

“The contract with the church has been finalized. Our Gray Wolf merchant group will be in charge of distributing the communion wine produced in Eslan for the next two years.”

“Good. It was handled smoothly as expected.”

“The donation we made to the church was substantial. That alone was not small, but considering the bribes we paid under the table… I feel like the church side was too hesitant.”

The middle-aged merchant reporting to Dietrich shook his head with a dissatisfied expression.

However, Dietrich lightly laughed and tapped the contract with his fingertip.

“Anyway, we’ve overcome one hurdle for now. What’s left now is how well we can sell this wine.”

Dietrich’s Gray Wolf merchant group was no different from an uninvited guest who had suddenly intervened among the existing merchant groups that had been dealing with the church for a long time. It was natural for there to be backlash since they had taken away their share.

The problem wasn’t just that. The Gray Wolf merchant group was too small compared to the task they had now taken on. They had poured all their capabilities into winning the contract with the church, and as a result, they had to postpone solidifying their internal structure.

Now, what they needed most urgently was people. Escorts to protect the carriages, merchants to travel beyond Eslan and sell wine in various regions, coachmen and porters to carry the loads. They were short-handed.

A long and fierce discussion continued in the office. As it was finally wrapping up, Dietrich opened his mouth:

“Since arriving in Eslan, everyone has been working without proper rest. As I mentioned before, I’m planning to hold a modest banquet tomorrow.”

At Dietrich’s words, the merchants smiled and nodded.

“It will be the launching ceremony for the Gray Wolf merchant group.”

“Then, at tomorrow’s banquet, will we be able to taste the wine contracted with the church?”

Dietrich smiled lightly as he organized the documents.

“Of course. It’s also to commemorate our first step in Eslan, so let’s all dress up nicely and come.”

The merchants answered with satisfied expressions that they would do so as they stood up from their seats.

As the long meeting concluded, red sunset light began to seep into the mansion from outside.

The next day, Eugene asked in bewilderment at the servants who suddenly barged in from the morning:

“What’s going on? Why are you all suddenly like this?”

A servant politely answered:

“As you may know, a banquet is scheduled to be held at the mansion today. Master Dietrich told us to help the guests with their grooming.”

“Grooming… you say?”

“Don’t worry. You just need to leave it to us.”

Eugene just blinked his eyes silently.

“…?”

The grooming wasn’t anything too grand.

They filled a large bathtub with hot water for him to wash his body, and tidied up his fingernails and toenails. His overgrown hair was neatly trimmed, and his beard was cleanly shaved. Instead of rough everyday clothes, he wore a shirt and pants made of finely woven high-quality fabric, and finally, light perfume was applied to his collar and wrists.

The servants guided Eugene to a large mirror with satisfied expressions.

His appearance reflected in the mirror was clearly different from before. How to put it… It felt like he had gone from a wandering mercenary to the youngest son of a noble. It seemed like he should be heading to a court banquet right away.

“…It’s amazing.”

“The banquet will be held at sunset today. Don’t worry, we plan to touch you up once more before you attend.”

“There’s no need to go that far…”

“Then, we’ll take our leave now.”

As the servants who had barged into the room suddenly disappeared, Eugene looked at the mirror once more with a dazed face before coming out.

As he entered the hallway, he heard noisy sounds from the next room. It was Lorena’s voice. He couldn’t hear clearly what she was saying, but it was obvious that she was flustered just like him.

Eugene chuckled and returned to his room.

Time passed quickly, and as the sun hanging in the sky began to set, the banquet finally began in the main hall of the mansion.

Guided by a servant, Eugene went down the stairs first and headed to the banquet hall.

Elegant chandeliers cast a soft light, and long tables filled the banquet hall. Glasses filled with wine sparkled between candlesticks, and plates were piled high with glistening roasted meat and fresh fruits.

Dietrich and the merchants who had arrived earlier were sitting and talking, but when they saw Eugene, their eyes widened in surprise and they couldn’t hide their astonishment.

However, it was the same for Eugene. Seeing the elaborately dressed-up merchants, Eugene chuckled and said:

“Anyone who sees this would think nobles are having a party.”

“Haha! Just for today, we intend to enjoy ourselves no less than nobles. It’s a joyous day after all.”

Dietrich, sitting in the seat of honor, smiled and said:

“Now we’re just waiting for one more person… Ah, here she comes.”

Eugene turned his head at his words.

An unfamiliar woman carefully entered the banquet hall.

At first, he thought it was someone he didn’t know. But seeing her hair and eyes, Eugene swallowed blankly.

It was Lorena. But a completely different person was standing there.

Her once messy hair was neatly arranged and held a soft light, and with the glasses that always covered her face gone, her clear and distinct eyes were vividly revealed.

A dress that slightly exposed her shoulders, elegantly tied hair, and the sound of heels clicking on the floor. At this familiar yet unfamiliar sight, Eugene unconsciously stared at her.

Lorena carefully approached and sat down next to him.

“I-I’m sorry for being late…”

A slightly stammering voice.

Only then could Eugene realize that the woman before him was really Lorena.

She slightly bowed her reddened face. Avoiding Eugene’s gaze, she murmured in a small voice:

“Um… H-How do I look…?”

Eugene, who couldn’t take his eyes off Lorena’s face, stared at her blankly and unconsciously said:

“…You’re pretty.”

“Hehe… You too, Eugene… You look handsome…”

As all attendees had arrived at the banquet like that, Dietrich stood up raising his glass.

“We’ve only just begun. We’ve finalized the contract with the church, and the wine distribution has come into our hands. But what comes next will be even more important.”

Dietrich looked around, making eye contact with each person.

“This gathering is to celebrate what we’ve achieved and gain strength to move forward. Now, everyone. Please raise your glasses.”

The merchants all raised their glasses, and Eugene and Lorena naturally followed suit.

“To the prosperity of our Gray Wolf merchant group!”

“To prosperity!”

The sound of clinking glasses rang out, and the banquet hall was enveloped in a joyful and lively atmosphere.

As several drinks were exchanged, the banquet hall became increasingly vibrant. Laughter never ceased, and someone, overcome with drunkenness, hummed while beating on the table. Eugene was holding a glass in one hand and conversing with the merchants, while Lorena watched this scene with an awkward smile.

Dietrich approached her and, seeing the ring on her finger, widened his eyes and said:

“Isn’t this the ring I gave you?”

“Y-Yes… That’s right…”

The ruby she had turned into an artifact was emitting a soft, brilliant light. It wasn’t reflecting light, but literally emitting light on its own.

While talking about various things regarding the ring, Lorena brought up how the Alchemy Guild was selling items at ridiculous prices.

“For just orpiment, mercury, lead, and… what was it…? Anyway, they asked for nearly two gold coins to buy those… Swindlers…”

“Ah, there’s a reason why the Alchemy Guild is selling those things expensively now.”

“Eh…? Why…?”

“It’s because of Eslan’s lord. From some point, goblin hordes started gathering near the mines, and the lord has been using up items from the Alchemy Guild saying he’d solve this.”

“What does that have to do with the prices of things sold at the guild…?”

“Demand has soared, but supply remains the same, so it’s natural for prices to rise. Moreover, the mines are still suspended due to the goblins. They say even after spreading poison, the numbers haven’t decreased. Even after killing hundreds.”

Lorena furrowed her brow and muttered:

“Can goblins really keep coming endlessly like that…?”

“And there’s a strange rumor going around. They say a few lumps of silver ore barely mined from the mine turned into iron in an instant.”

“Come on… Isn’t it just someone who stole it…?”

To Lorena’s question, Dietrich raised the corners of his mouth and said:

“Of course, that must be it. Someone must have switched the silver ore, no doubt.”

Lorena shrugged her shoulders and nodded.

“Anyway, I see why the prices were so high…”

The banquet that started in the late afternoon continued deep into the night, and people became drunk one by one. Eugene and Lorena were no exception.

With faces flushed from alcohol, the two came out of the mansion and sat side by side in a quiet corner of the courtyard. Lorena, with her cheeks dyed red, quietly caught her breath and finally opened her mouth:

“It’s nice…”

“What is?”

To Eugene’s question, Lorena blinked her eyes slowly and answered:

“Just… Everything… The artifact turned out well… The night breeze is cool… Being moderately drunk feels good… And…”

Lorena looked at Eugene and raised the corners of her mouth.

“Being here with Eugene like this is nice too… Hehehe…”

Eugene finally realized that she wasn’t “moderately” drunk, but very drunk.

Lorena stared at Eugene’s face and asked with a mischievous smile:

“How about Eugene…?”

“What?”

“The things I feel good about… Does Eugene feel the same way…?”

She hoped. That Eugene would feel good about everything like her. The artifact she made, the cool night breeze, getting tipsy. And…

“I like it too.”

“Heh… Really…?”

Eugene chuckled and quietly nodded.

“Then it should be okay…”

“What should be okay?”

Lorena didn’t answer Eugene’s question. Instead, she showed him directly.

She had somehow come close, and now she closed the distance even more.

For a moment, Eugene didn’t know what she was trying to do. He just watched quietly.

And then.

A warm and soft sensation touched his lips.

“…?”

Eugene blinked with a blank face.

Belatedly, he realized that it was Lorena’s lips.

As the brief but clear kiss passed by, Lorena smiled broadly and murmured:

“It wasn’t much…”

She said that and then quietly closed her eyes leaning on Eugene’s shoulder.

Amidst the sound of even breathing, Eugene was frozen like a stone with his eyes wide open.