Extra – 『Capital of Flowers』
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Independent Calendar, Year 431, Beginning of May
Elaine put down the quill after finishing writing the letter. All she had to do now was to wait for the ink to dry, roll up the parchment, and seal it with wax. But, it’d still take some time until the ink was dry. As such, she stood up from her chair and walked up to the window.
Up here from her office on the third floor, she had a view of the desolate port and ocean. Free City States Viola―the town which Elaine had chosen as her headquarters.
It’s a blessing that the window is facing the sea, she thought. If it were the townscape instead, I’d probably not think of even looking out of the window.
Viola began to bustle after the sun went down. Until then, the city was more or less asleep. If it came to looking at a desolate port, it was one thing, but staring at a deserted city was just sad. She couldn’t bear to be shown this sort of scenery after she had fought so hard to obtain the position to look at it.
In the Free City States, anyone could lead a luxurious life, regardless of their social status, as long as they had money. And anyone was allowed to make a career, regardless of their origin, as long as they had talent.
It’s laughable. In any country, you can live luxuriously if you have money, and make a career if you have talent. In the end, the Free City States are no different from other countries. Farmers will have to pay their taxes, even if they have a poor harvest, and if they live in poverty, they’ll be forced to reduce the number of mouths to feed.
Reducing the number of mouths to feed―for this very common reason, Elaine had left her home village at the tender age of fifteen. Back then, her parents gave her some money. Even to this day, Elaine doesn’t know whether they did that out of parental love or simply because they wanted to claim they hadn’t discarded their daughter. Either way, it was doubtlessly true that their money had become the basis of her actions.
She had to build a livelihood while the money still lasted. Because of that, she decided to job hunt in Viola. At that time, Elaine carefreely believed that she’d definitely be able to easily find a job in a city as big as Viola. As could only be expected, her job hunting proved to be a challenge. One reason was the already proceeding decline of the city itself, but far more importantly, Elaine didn’t possess any connections, education, or special skill of notice. Society wasn’t as simple as providing employment for some unskilled, country girl.
In the blink of an eye, Elaine had used up her money and was thus faced with a choice. She could either become a beggar, a slave, or a prostitute. After worrying about it for a while, Elaine chose the third option. She thought that occupation still promised some sort of future, unlike the other two.
Fortunately, the brothel that took her in was decent. At the very least, they paid her wages properly, and they didn’t exert violence for no reason either.
Having said that, the first month was still tough. She cried many times over and thought about returning home just as often. But after half a year had passed, she stopped lamenting and began to closely observe the older prostitutes. And then she noticed that refinement was necessary to draw in good customers.
However, even though she comprehended as much, she couldn’t easily put it into practice. Learning refinement required a significant investment, and there was no guarantee she’d get hold of good customers, even if she paid for the education. It was a sort of gamble. After pondering it, Elaine decided to learn refinement. Then again, this wasn’t a world where you could count on seeing tomorrow. As a result, Elaine wanted to obtain something that couldn’t be stolen from her.
Thinking back on it now, she realized that it was at this moment that she understood the concept of investment.
Hence, she learned to conduct herself properly, but that didn’t mean things changed dramatically. It was at the level of the quality of her customers becoming slightly better once she changed. She still couldn’t secure the high-paying customers, but she would procure a refinement that corresponded to the effort and money she put into it.
One day, while she was doing her job and consoling herself in this way, a turning point came. When she told a story she had heard from one customer to another guest, that man started visiting her frequently. Not for the sake of sleeping with Elaine, but in order to buy information.
After she realized that information was valuable, things developed rapidly. Elaine approached powerful men and influential merchants as a refined prostitute and offered them a bit of information for free. They drew some profit from it and soon started visiting Elaine to get more information.
All of it went as Elaine had expected. Naturally, the chances of appearing at their meetings increased.
She also looked after her juniors at the brothel. But, not out of kindness, but because she needed more pawns to gather information across a wider range. She expanded her personal connections, built information networks, acquired a big amount of money――and when ten years had passed, she had grasped the city of Viola.
It was around then that Salk came into contact with her. She didn’t like his attitude, but the benefits of being acquainted with them outweighed it. After all, he made it easier to run a shop in other cities. Considering that, it was a cushy job.
“…If only he didn’t look down on me for being a prostitute at every opportunity,” she spat out under her breath.
Just then, she could hear a knocking. Someone was at the door. As she silently stared out the window, the door opened. The one who had opened it was a woman with sleepy eyes. She was a junior at the brothel where Elaine had worked, called Cyana.
“Excuse me. Sir Cif has come for a visit.”
“Did he say something?”
“He mentioned he wishes to talk to you, so I had him wait in the reception room.”
“That’s not what I meant,” Elaine said with a sigh.
Cyana cocked her head to the side. Elaine wanted her to ask him what sort of business he had, but she was a ditz in this regard. Or rather, she didn’t pay attention to details.
“You seem to be busy. Should I have him go back?”
“It’s okay. I’ll go,” Elain spat out another sigh and started to head over.
※
Once Elaine entered the reception room after being guided by Cyana, she found Cif sitting on the sofa, very relaxed. He didn’t carry a weapon. She guessed he had left it at the reception.
“Sorry for making you wait.”
“I didn’t wait that long anyway.”
Elaine sat down on the sofa, opposite Cif. Cyana remained standing next to Elaine. Cif cast a fleeting glance at her, probably being vigilant.
“Did you think this room would have a bed since it’s the reception room of a brothel?”
“No, I didn’t think anything like that.”
Elaine deliberately questioned him with an off-topic question. She thought it might hurt his mood, but Cif answered calmly. He shifted his eyes to Elaine.
“It’s a reception room with a soothing ambiance.”
“Oh my, thank you. I feel happy to hear you praise it,” Elaine expressed her honest feelings.
She had worked hard so that the room would be like that.
“I heard you want to talk with me, but what exactly?”
“About that…”
Cif retrieved a small leather bag from his pocket and put it on the table. Once, Elaine asked him with her eyes whether she could open it, and he nodded. She picked up the bad. It was quite heavy. Loosening its string and peering inside, she could see gold beads. She fastened the string again and put the leather bag on the table.
“I want to know about Marquis Erakis and his fief for that payment.”
“It’s just as you’ve heard from Salk. Marquis Erakis is a little, perverted brat. Beyond that, everything is just as it’s written in the report. That’s why I’ll give this back to you.”
She pushed the leather bag to the center of the table, but Cif didn’t show any hints of picking it up.
“We should be able to cooperate with each other.”
“Cooperate? On what?”
“You’re trying to launch a company, no, trade guild, right?”
“No, you’re wrong,” Elaine denied.
It was no lie either. She had already started a public company―the Sinner Trade Association. She obtained 10,000 gold from Chrono while using the association’s rights as collateral, and she also secured a business permit. So far, it didn’t have a store, but the Sinner Trade Association definitely existed.
Suddenly, Cif put his hands together and leaned forward.
“We―the alliance of tribes―wish to relocate to an abundant land.”
“That’s quite a coming out all of a sudden.”
“Is it that unexpected?”
“The timing is, yes, but the idea itself isn’t all that unexpected.”
The Bettel Mountains, the place where the Alliance of Tribes currently lives, has little land suitable for farming. For this reason, the tribe members have been making a living as mercenaries, but Cif probably had misgivings about this situation.
“But, why would you do this now of all times?”
“I wanted to convey that our interests match. Besides, I’m not so naive to think that I can get people to trust me without saying anything.”
“…I see,” Elaine answered after a short pause. “So, what kind of cooperation are you looking for?”
“A mediation of craftsmen, no, former craftsmen.”
“Hmm,” answered Elaine conversationally while crossing her legs.
My attempt at herding in craftsmen was exposed faster than I’d expected. At least, Cif knows about it. So Salk and the others should have grasped that information, too. It might be best to have him cooperate in that case.
“Also, I swear that we won’t allow the mercenaries attached to the mercenary guild to get in your way.”
“What if there’s interference that uses methods other than hiring mercenaries?”
“We’ll assist as much as possible. Of course, we’ll cooperate as much as possible on other matters, too.”
“Alright. Let’s work together for both our interests. So, what is your demand?”
“I’d like you to introduce me to Marquis Erakis.”
“Just an introduction is fine?”
“Yeah. I’ll negotiate with him myself.”
“Got it. I can promise you that much. Okay, we’re done here, right?”
Just as Elain tried to wrap up their talk, Cif sighed and said, “What kind of man is he?”
“I told you before, he’s a little, perverted brat. But he’s got a reasonably good judgment, and he knows how to bargain well, considering his young age. Also, every once in a while, his eyes will become so cold that it makes me shudder.”
“It seems he was called One-Eyed Demon in the previous war, but I guess he’s a man that doesn’t need to be ashamed of that nickname.”
“The father is a slaughterer, the son is a demon…I’m sure the grandson is going to be the demon king.”
Elaine answered Cif with a laugh.
“What’s the state of his fief?”
“The number of vagrants has clearly decreased, and the public order has improved as well. They’re putting their efforts into reclamation and the construction of an industry. I guess you could summarize it as what’s generally known as running a good government. Oh, come to think of it, right now they’re building a port.”
“And that’s the reason for you trying to start a trade guild, huh?”
“I’m not trying to start it. I have already started one.”
Cif widened his eyes in surprise, causing Elaine to giggle.
“It’s good that I asked you about things after all.”
“Why?”
“There were many things you didn’t mention in your report.”
Cif’s lips curved slightly once Elaine asked.
※
————- End of Part 1 ————-
At noon, Elaine went outside after finishing her lunch. It wasn’t as though she had some business to take care of. She just wanted a change of pace, since she had been stuck in her office most of the time recently. Going to the port, she stared at the five ships anchored there. All of them belonged to the Sinner Trade Association.
The ships had shapes similar to casks that had been slimmed down. They could be operated by only a few people while offering ample space for loading. Masts were towering at the bow and in the center of the ship. Right now they were folded, but each of those masts was equipped with a triangular sail. The ships apparently advanced――even when exposed to headwind――by adjusting the angle of the sails.
Unfortunately, all five ships were second-hand. Originally, Elaine wanted new ships, but being told that it’d cost 1000 gold per ship, she decided to make do with used goods. This lowered the price to 700 gold per ship. She wanted to believe that they had value proportionate to their prices, but――
“It’d have been good if I had learned more about ships,” Elaine muttered while rubbing her eyes with the back of her hand.
She was blearily blinking her eyes. She assumed her current exhaustion stemmed from shifting her activity cycle from nighttime to daytime.
Come to think of it, my subordinates, who went back to being craftsmen, said something similar.
Some were lamenting the loss of their edge. Some wept convulsively at the thought of becoming craftsmen again. Others were baffled by her doing this now of all times. However, right now they were all working frantically, trying to regain their lost techniques of the past.”
“…Lady Elaine.”
“What’s wrong?”
Once she turned around after having her name called, she found Cyana standing there. As usual, her eyes looked sleepy.
“The procurement of materials has started to slow down significantly. Currently only 70% of the orders have been delivered. They say they’ll supply as ordered, if we add an extra fee――”
“Turn them down.”
“Okay, as you wish,” Cyana nodded lightly, turned on her heels, and started to leave.
“Blast it, those old men are so obvious.”
“Ohh! Lady Elaine!”
Immediately after she spat out her anger, she heard a voice from behind. Turning around, Aljane was just rushing over. But he didn’t have the strength to reach Elaine and collapsed halfway there. As she had no other choice, Elaine walked over to him.
“You could have waited for me in the store…”
“H…ur…sa…”
“No need to force yourself.”
What passed Aljane’s lips were scraps of words and wheezing sounds. He looked like he could die any moment if he tried to talk. As such, Elaine waited for his breathing to calm down.
After around five minutes, he had finally gotten his breathing under control.
“Why――”
“I heard you were struggling, Lady Elaine, so I came here to deliver the material you are missing. Well, I am well aware that I could be a nuisance for you, so I shall provide a special service on top of that this time.”
Interrupting Elaine’s words, Aljane rattled on and on.
Heck, he sure showed up at the perfect time. Just how did he sniff it out?
“Therefore――”
“Wouldn’t it be better to ask someone doing the same trade as you if you want to be introduced to Marquis Erakis?”
Elaine interrupted Aljane. Many slave traders were frequenting the Erakis March. There was no need for him to expressly create a debt with Elaine over this.
“I would like to ask for that as well, but I wanted to get permission to use the port of Viola. I think you are already aware of it, but the Bettel Mountains, our base, are nearby. I have also consulted with Sir Solck, but…”
“Oh my, I see.”
Elaine pretended to be full of pity. Of course, she was already aware of everything Aljane was telling her. Also, about the fact that he was forced to trade overland, as he wasn’t allowed to use the port.
“I’d love to help you on this, but…”
“Naturally, I would never dream of asking you to do it for free. As long as I am allowed to use the port, I plan to rent out what you need within reasonable limits. I know that it might sound impertinent, but I will not spare anything to help you with your projects as well, Lady Elaine.”
“Getting your support makes me very happy. But, we won’t be able to have a calm talk here, so…”
“Okay, then let us go to your store, Lady Elaine.”
Aljane nodded deeply at Elaine’s words.
※
Late at night, Elaine returned to her private room located on the third floor of the brothel after finishing taking a bath. She staggered towards the bed and flopped down on it. The negotiations took several hours, as it was a constant contest over when to make a push while repeatedly blending in idle chatter.
“The matter of the materials is settled with this. The problem would be how much I can trust those two, but…,” Elaine muttered while lying face-down.
She could have felt a bit more secure if she had secured herself a position as Chrono’s lover. Even if she didn’t have any substantial power at her disposal, others didn’t think so. They came up with weird theories out of nowhere, making it hard for them to betray her. Being the lover of a noble would be a blessing for her.
It seems like that girl doesn’t understand just how blessed she is, though, Elaine turned over on the floor and placed her hands on her belly.
“…Taking it easy despite being a prostitute, huh?”
Elaine mumbled while staring up at the ceiling.
Right now she’s a slave, but Elana is someone who has been granted a blessed life. I can understand that someone like her holds no high opinion of prostitutes. But I wonder what a country girl who has no redeeming qualities at all can do otherwise.
She recalled what she had done up to this point. Sometimes she got scolded by her senior prostitutes for being too cocky. Other times she hit customers who lacked courtesy. One time, she was also terribly rejected after falling in love with a man who was somewhat nice to her.
There were countless bad memories. And yet, she had frantically tried to survive. She had gritted her teeth, held back her tears, and persuaded herself that happiness had nothing to do with her――
In the eyes of people who were leading decent lives, Elaine’s way of living had to look terribly warped and ridiculous. Sometimes even Elaine herself thought so, but she still threw out her chest in pride over her way of life. If she didn’t, she wouldn’t be able to apologize for all the sacrifices she made and the people who have been following her all this time.
“I’m slightly tired.”
Probably because she was lying sideways on the bed, keeping her eyes open while continuing the conversation was troublesome for her. She crawled under her blanket and closed her eyes. A rattling could be heard from the floor below, but it immediately vanished as fast as it came.
※
The next morning, Elaine went downstairs after getting her personal appearance in order. A young waitress was diligently wiping the floor. Going by the remaining rusty smell, even after the window was wide open, and the pale expression of that girl, Elaine grasped that something must have happened.
“…Good work.”
After that brief praise, she went down to the first floor and then to the basement. Nowadays, they were brightly lighting up the hallways with special Magic Items. Elaine headed to the deepest room while staring at her feet.
Something like a rusty smell and a muffled scream reached me. And those became louder as you got closer to the room.
Once Elaine entered the room, she found a man sitting on the chair. His limbs were affixed to the chair with leather belts while his mouth was gagged.
It wasn’t as though she was offering her guests perverted, crazy plays. As proof of that, teeth and nails were lining up on the table next to him.
“Good Morning, Lady Elaine.”
“Mmh, morning.”
She returned Cyana’s greeting while the pliers could be heard.
“Feel free to go on.”
“If you let them experience the pain for too long, their senses become numb.”
Cyana put down the bloodstained pliers on the table and rubbed her eyes sleepily.
“So, how many people were there?”
“Three. I thought one would be enough, so I finished off the other two.”
Elaine sat down on the chair, crossing her legs.
“Who sent them here?”
“Contrary to expectations, he remained silent.”
As soon as Elaine shifted her eyes to him, the man shook his head as if to deny the claim. Very likely, he’d confess who sent them here. But then again, no one could guarantee he was telling the truth. That’s why Cyana continued her torture.
“Since I have my own work as well, I would like to settle this quickly.”
“Makes sense. I leave the choice of methods to you.”
As Elaine left the room, she could hear water splashing and a stifled scream. It appeared as though she wouldn’t let the man have an easy end.
“I think it was an instigation by the old men, but their work isn’t coordinated,” Elaine quietly muttered while walking through a corridor.
Were they considering the time after the port in the Cad Earldom would be finished, or were they flustered after being betrayed by Cif and Aljane? Either way, Elaine’s side would be able to resist as long as her enemies acted in an uncoordinated, chaotic manner.
“As I thought, my eyes didn’t betray me,” Elaine chuckled.
The unity of the old men――the leaders of the Free City States――which she had considered to be unmovable rocks, was currently shaking. Because of the man she considered to be promising. Originally, this should bring a smile to her face. But then again, she couldn’t stop laughing. Chrono was headed for a battlefield once again, and as long as he didn’t come back alive, all would be over anyway.
“…Stay strong and live on,” Elaine whispered.
She didn’t pray to a god. Because she knew it’d be far too selfish to call her wish a prayer.
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