Episode 338 – Everfell (1)
Henry, head of the Everfell family, had recently found life to be quite enjoyable.
"Hehehe, at last, Everfell is basking in the light."
Ever since Alex had visited, the number of carriages arriving at the mansion increased by the day.
Most of the visitors ca to obtain World Tree leaves, and they acted subserviently, as if they’d offer up their liver and gallbladder just to get a single leaf.
What Henry had received in exchange for selling elves—the leaves—had now beco the treasure that would revive the family.
And it all began after he t the Lord.
"So rumors about have started to spread..."
He had caught wind of a rumor that the remaining leaves owned by the World Tree Union were now in Everfell’s hands.
Because the rumor spread so quickly, Henry was sure it had been intentionally planted by soone.
At first, he was quite worried, but that worry faded quickly. Once rumors spread that he had made a deal with the Lord using a Kunta Soul-Binding Doll, the atmosphere shifted.
The Lord's apparent interest in the leaves drew rchants to Everfell.
Most of them ca hoping to build a connection to the Lord through the leaves.
“Things have gone smoothly so far.”
Henry sipped his tea as he looked out the window.
He could see carriages lined up all the way from the front gate.
So of them belonged to quite well-known trade guilds.
Smiling at the sight, Henry savored his tea.
People eager to build ties to the Lord through the leaves—it wasn’t a bad assumption.
“The Lord desires the leaves greatly, after all.”
He had traded a Kunta Doll, which had fetched 21 million gold at auction, for a single leaf.
On top of that, the Lord expressed an intense desire to acquire all the leaves Henry had.
“At least 30 million, maybe more?”
Henry planned to drive the price up as much as possible.
"Tea tastes divine today."
Feeling good, Henry put his cup down and rose from his seat.
He casually changed into the fine clothes brought by the attendants and prepared to receive the rchants waiting anxiously in the reception room.
He enjoyed keeping them waiting—it was a fun way to show who held the upper hand.
Having already approved all the appointnts, he intended to sell at least a portion of the leaves today.
"Selling all of them to the Lord carries too much risk."
A few days ago, he had proposed a major deal to the Lord for the rest of the leaves but was asked to delay negotiations.
Henry had no intention of accommodating that.
The Dark Sales period would end soon.
Once a monopoly over the leaves was established and they began circulating, their value would plumt.
If the Lord kept stalling until then, Henry would suffer a massive loss. That’s why he planned to sell a portion now and secure funds.
“Let’s go.”
His steps were light.
He still had plenty of leaves left.
With them, he could gain both money and powerful connections.
If the conditions were right, he’d sell up to half to rchants.
“Heading to the reception room, sir?”
“Yes.”
“Allow to escort you.”
When Henry stepped into the hallway, the rcenaries stationed at the door bowed and guided him.
Their presence was sharp and disciplined.
They were part of A-Class rcenary groups stationed within Aintrier, many of whom were 4-star fighters.
Henry had spent 30% of his fortune to hire three A-Class groups to guard the mansion.
“It’s a ti to be cautious.”
He had spent that enormous sum as soon as the rumors about the leaves began circulating—and he didn’t regret it.
After all, rumors had also spread that he possessed a Kunta Soul-Binding Doll.
An intruder could appear at any mont.
“Just like that bastard.”
Henry bit his lip, thinking of Alex.
A single man had violated his family’s pride.
To avoid repeating that mistake, he had bought a large number of magic crossbows and ard the rcenaries.
Now with dozens of elite 4-star rcenaries and over a hundred soldiers ard with enchanted crossbows, Henry had poured half his fortune into protection.
He was confident even a 5-star attacker would fail to breach it.
Just then, a hearty laugh echoed from the lounge.
“Hahaha! Welco!”
It was his son, Windsor.
After suffering humiliation at the hands of Alex, Windsor had locked himself in his room, seething—but as of yesterday, he had regained his energy.
He greeted rchants at the mansion’s entrance, and they all bowed deeply to him, the blood heir of the Everfell family.
Windsor grinned at the flattery.
Behind him stood 4-star rcenaries acting as guards. Seeing this, Henry envisioned the future Everfell Guard Force.
“Just one more year.”
No matter what sacrifices were needed, he would use the Kunta Soul-Binding Doll to build a guard unit composed entirely of 4-star fighters.
“Even if those sacrifices are elves…”
He was determined to one day destroy the World Tree Union and enslave all non-human races.
“Pleased to et you, Lord Henry.”
“It’s been a while, Lord Roches.”
His first visitor was a big one.
Leaving Windsor’s bold laughter behind, Henry began negotiations with the rchant before him.
Everything progressed smoothly, just as he had planned.
By late afternoon, he had seen off all visitors, arranging to et again tomorrow.
Today’s talks had brought significant profits and valuable new connections.
So had even offered bribes not for the leaves but to curry favor with Everfell’s rising power.
Henry slumped onto the sofa, staring at the chests full of gold coins in front of him.
“I feel incredible.”
He had sold two leaves today.
That alone had already covered the cost of the rcenary contracts and the magic crossbows—with profit to spare.
“Tomorrow will be even more profitable.”
Since becoming Everfell’s head, this was the first ti he had experienced such fortune.
Was Lady Luck finally blessing Everfell?
Basking in the fragrance of wealth, Henry relaxed on the sofa when a butler approached.
“A visitor from the World Tree Union has just arrived.”
“Must be about the completed transaction?”
“Yes, sir. They brought the certificate confirming the elves have been delivered and the deal is complete.”
“Did you take the certificate?”
“They said they wished to deliver it to you personally…”
“Who ca? Must be that representative, Alex?”
“No, sir. It’s soone unfamiliar. We’re investigating now.”
“Unfamiliar? They dare send so nobody to ?!”
His good mood quickly soured.
Important people had been waiting in carriages since dawn just to see his face, yet the World Tree Union had the nerve to send so no-na fool?
Still, the certificate was necessary to prove ownership of the leaves. He had no other choice.
“Bring them to the second floor. I’ll be there soon. I want to see what kind of bastard they sent.”
“Understood.”
After enjoying his tea a little longer, Henry stood and headed for the stairs.
Just then, he heard a commotion at the entrance.
“What’s going on?!”
At his shout, a rcenary rushed over.
“It’s an old man in a robe. He says he wants to see the Lord of the house.”
“Didn’t I say we’re no longer taking visitors?!”
“But, sir, he has… this.”
“Huh??”
The rcenary handed him a gold coin with a unique seal.
Midas’ Coin.
A special coin given only to VIPs by Lord Azonne.
Upon seeing it, Henry ordered the old man to be brought to the reception room.
Being recognized by the Lord was a prerequisite to receiving VIP treatnt in Aintrier.
A short while later, the robed man walked into the room and, without permission, sat across from Henry.
Then, he slowly removed his robe.
He was a thin, old man—his most notable feature was a worn, red-hued staff.
Henry didn’t recognize him.
Frowning, he narrowed his eyes and asked,
“Excuse , but who are you?”
“From the Castle.”
“The Lord’s castle?”
When the old man nodded, Henry’s face hardened.
“Did the Lord send you?”
“What if he did?”
“Are you toying with right now?”
“Let’s drop the gas. I’ve co to collect the Kunta Soul-Binding Doll.”
He said it as if it were his all along, simply demanding it back.
Henry imdiately thought of the Lord.
“Are you saying… that’s the Lord’s will?”
It felt like a betrayal. Henry’s expression grew sharp.
But the old man shook his head.
“No, it’s mine.”
“You crazy old bastard!”
“I hear that a lot.”
The old man pushed himself up with his staff.
As their eyes t, Henry flinched.
A chill ran down his spine. Goosebumps broke out over his skin.
Dangerous!
He could tell imdiately from that gaze—this was a very dangerous person.
Henry slowly backed toward the rcenaries and spoke,
“This man is clearly unstable. Escort him out.”
“Yes, sir.”
The rcenaries nodded and moved toward the old man.
But he scratched his chin and asked,
“So you’re not giving up the doll?”
“If you want sothing, you bring a price for it. Not that soone like you would understand.”
“Price, price, huh…”
Mumbling, the old man let himself be dragged away as Henry turned his back with a sneer.
Ruined my mood at the last minute.
Then—
“I’ll send you off painlessly.”
“What?”
Despite being softly spoken, his next words were crystal clear.
“My master once said this—when sothing precious is stolen, seek revenge. But if you’re the one doing the stealing, don’t let them live. Since I’m the thief, I should kill you. But I can at least do it painlessly.”
“You crazy—throw him out, now!”
At Henry’s shout, the rcenaries grabbed the old man by both arms.
His expression remained blank as he was dragged away.
And then—
BOOM!
The ceiling exploded in a burst of dust.
Through the collapsing ceiling, bright white threads shot down like lightning.
“Wha—ugh!!?”
“Gah!”
Thin threads.
The rcenaries choked, their necks ensnared, then were yanked upward through the gaping hole.
Monts later—crack!, the sound of tearing—and blood began to pour from above.
The thick scent of blood flooded the room as more rcenaries drew weapons and shouted,
“We’re under attack!”
“Everyone, battle formation!”
Their response was swift. They spread out from the ceiling and took defensive positions.
Henry clutched the chests of gold to his chest and stumbled backward, then looked to the old man.
The rcenaries who had grabbed him were gone.
In their place, streams of blood from above dripped right in front of the old man’s face.
“W-What the hell?!”
Then ca a sound from above—and sothing dropped through the ceiling.
“Whew~”
A black doll.
A woman with flowing black hair and a sensual figure.
She landed gracefully and stretched lazily, her sultry movents causing several rcenaries to gulp nervously.
The old man, Rengua, looked at her and said,
“You’re late.”
“This mansion is huge, you know. You realize how far I had to run?”
“The work?”
“Already done.”
Azolett smiled sweetly, twirling the rings on her fingers.
Rengua nodded and handed her a pouch of money.
Then, lifting his red-hued staff, he slowly began to wave it.
The entire reception room was soon bathed in red light.
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