Chapter 11
"Report"
"Yes my lady"
Cecile replied. Right now, we are in my personal bathroom in my room, [Master Suite]. I was inside the bathtub while taking a deep, with rose petals and other perfume mixed in the water. Cecile is washing my hair with a most-in and high note, popular shampoo
"First off, the handling of our caught fishes. We were able to sell 1 {Sky Flatter Fish} for 40 silver coins, with 50, we were able to obtain 57 big silver coins, and 5 silver coins, or 2 gold coins, 7 big silver coins, and 5 silver coins, which is the same prescribe market price"
"Our men?"
"We let them order some folks who are in the lower class to sell it. We also made sure to pay them for their cooperation. We also procure the same amount of fish and sell it. This time, we let our men do it, and recieved the same amount even with your emblem. So with that, the market isn't yet off the mark when it comes to serving a balance trade, between the lower class and the upper class, my lady"
"Hmm....send the money to the orphanage, while take some for the men. Let them enjoy some good ale"
"Yes, my lady"
Cecile replied. She then continued her report
"Secondly, the order for inspection in the [Town's Market]. We ordered 2 of our early-platinum ranked men to investigate the market, and were able to take 3 of the 6 in our custody. They are in the [Dungeon Prison] right now"
"Any info?"
"They are trying to sell, or doing an illegal trade between young children, between 7 to 10 years old, all were women. They are being sold as sex slave for some high ranking nobles, with disgusting taste, my lady"
"....."
I was completely speechless, though I wasn't new to this kind of thing but still
"Please close your eyes, my lady"
Cecile utters. I then closed my eyes as she poured some water at my head, before she added
"Thirdly, the surveillance. One of our men were able to obtain an information or two last night, well, in a forceful way"
I chuckled
"They were able to obtain an information, about an illegal trade of beast and monster part, even human parts were being traded. And some underground casino were found, where slave women and men are being used as a chip replacement, my lady"
Blob Blob
As the water made a blobby sound, as I played it using my mouth
"Please don't play my lady, that doesn't fit your age and title"
Cecile object, as she caressingly washed my hair
"And lastly, the one you ordered me to do. I let 2 of my servants investigate the matter of the said request they asked, while the other one for the additional surviellance"
"So?"
"I received a report from my servant, that the request is validated. Reports and documents shown that there are unknown entities of enemies, that are attacking our men and trade route, 6 merchant carriages already received damage"
"I see"
"And for the surveillance.....some of the Baronet officers did an inside job in our trading"
"How much?"
"35% of the said income is directly delivered to "them", sometimes they done it personally. 3 of their associates are now in our hands, my lady" (note: they are the one who were captured at the previous chap)
"Hmmm...how about the suspected individuals?"
"2 had a close relationship with you, my lady. 3 were Baronets, while the other 3....they are outside of our scope, so for now, no justified proof were yet to be found"
After Cecile gave her full report, I then smiled as I was amaze on how fast they were. In just 1 night, they are able to obtain that much information, and took the penetrators in, especially Cecile. As a maid, she truly did a wonderful job. I then stood up from the bathtub, placed my left hand on my waist, and look at Cecile
"So how about we visit our dear guest"
Cecile then nodded as she took a towel, and wrapped it on me. I then stared at my wrapped chest
"Darling might be a breast man, don't you think?"
"....."
"Oh yes, Cecile"
"Yes, my lady?"
"How did you catch those mice?"
"It wasn't hard as those people were idiots, and are moving in a group, my lady. So it was easy for us to take them by surprise. We just let one of them spill the beans, and let the domino in motion, forcefully of course"
I was awed on her simple but proud responce. After I have dressed up in a pale gray, yellow off-white, with green undertone top, and grayish black pants, and took my meal, I then called our Butler, the head of the manservant, and the Head Maid
"Prepare the [Town Hall] 2 days in time, call someone to send these letters, and clean the [Grand Room]"
I spoke, I then added
"Cook something special tonight. We will be attending a guest"
"Yes, my lady"
They bowed as they replied. I then waved my hand as I walked towards the entrance. Cecile already arrange a carriage for us to ride, an obsidian black one, towards the east trade route, which is were the frequent attacks of monster occurs. In the [Town of Fall], there are 3 trade routes that are being used or mainly used, the north route, north-east route, and east route. During the report of Cecile, the north route only recieve minimal damage, while the east route got frequently visited, and the north-east route wasn't even touched
"Send 8 Knights in the north-east route. Let them investigate that place, and report the finding to me"
As I ordered the butler, I then went inside the carriage
"Cecile, send some of the trusted [Town's Guard] to check on the Knights, just 4 or 5 will do. Make sure it's you who personally choose them"
"Yes, my lady"
Cecile replied. The north-east route is the main trade route of the 3 trade routes, as it was mostly connects to each city of the [Land of the Fallen], so it was truly suspicious how the main trade route weren't even attack, nor sighted any. I ordered Cecile to also check the Knights that will be sent in the north-east, as we are away for 3 years, which indicates that within those said years, there should be atleast a great change happened to the town, so Knights and the likes aren't exempted to such drastic changes, so being cautious is a must. We then started moving.
Clomp Clomp Clomp
...
".....any witnesses?"
"There are quite few. Mostly weren't even sure, my lady"
Cecile replied while I was scanning the whole area. Right now, we are at the forest in north-east route
"3 of the merchant attendees' spoke of a 3 headed beast that attack them. Most of their goods were destroyed"
'3 heads?'
I thought
"While 5 peddlers talks about a giant bird that swiftly took their carriage away"
"Hmm...."
"While the adventurers who took the quest of hunting down the said monster, encountered a {Horned Raven Boar-Bear}"
"....casualty?"
"50 were killed, 20 went missing, and 35 were injured, my lady"
"How about the witnesses?"
"All of them were included in the missing people, my lady. After they reported the incident, they went missing. No traces were left behind after they disappeared. And for the adventurers, only the healer was left in a party of 12"
"Valid?"
"Mostly, as we can't be certain as most, or all of the witness were missing"
".....how peculiar. So which lead us to her. We should start with her then, as I can't find any lead even though I've used my [Silver Wolf Sense]. We are left to one and none option"
".....that won't be necessary, my lady"
".....and why is that?"
I then looked at my maid with a baffled look
"After she reported and got healed, she then went back to the Inn she stayed in. A day after that, she was found dead in her room…. as she hanged herself. The guild took care of her funeral"
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
"...."
Surprised to her sudden report, I stood still, silently. I then took a breathe before muttering
"It can't be help. Find someone who can give us some clue. We need to at least find who were the penetrators before it gets worst"
I might sound harsh, but I can't let a single diversion get me riled up, and mixed my work with virtue and moral. If I did, then I should just be glad to be a housewife, than the heiress itself.
"Yes, my lady"
It can't be help, trauma is something a person can't overcome in an instant, especially if you saw your own comrades getting devoured and slaughtered, as you turn your back at them, even if they did that for their own violation to protect you as much as they can, trying to at least let you survive. You will still felt guilty and regret. Regretting your action, and guilty for abandoning them while you saved yourself. "Why did I run?" "Why am I so weak!?" "I abandon them" "it wasn't my fault!" "I'm sorry", might be all the whispering guilt that she keep muttering to herself
"For now, let's go deeper in the woods"
A {Boar-Bear} is a combination of Boar's tusk and hooves with a body of a Bear, a peak silver ranked beast. While {Raven Boar-Bear} is just another type of a {Boar-Bear}, with a beak of a {Raven} and a black feathered head, a peak silver to mid gold rank monster. Their skill levels differ in their size and age. A {Horned Raven Boar-Bear} is another kind of {Raven Boar Bear}, with a horn at its forehead, a peak gold to peak platinum rank beast.
Bears are now extinct monster, as their meat and fur were in high demand and mostly, easily hunted by cooper to silver rank adventurers.
We then headed deeper to the forest
"....interesting"
2 hours came as we went inside the forest
"My lady, isn't this-"
"I know, that's why it's interesting, for how these punks were able to tame one. I'll make sure to make them cough all the foods and drinks they took"
I said as I crossed my arms and grinned. It was almost at noon when we get back to the mansion
"Any information from the Knights dispatched?"
As I asked the butler after I took my meal
"There was none my lady. Every one of them found nothing. The Knights reported of no sighting of any monster in the north-east route"
"None? Anything they found suspicious?"
"There was none, my lady. Also one of the Baronets went towards the north-east route for additional support. Even then, they found none, my lady"
"....Baronet? Who?"
"It's a newly appointed Baronet, my lady. He told the Knight that they are there for additional recon"
"Oh~, I didn't know a Baronet would actually do that, praise worthy. How about the one I asked?"
"The letters were already sent. The Cook already finished arranging the meal for tonight, and we already clean the [Grand Room], and mostly prepared the [Town Hall], my lady"
After he reported everything, he then bowed and leave. I then used my [Silver Wolf Sense] to scan my area. After everything was clear
"Cecile"
I then called my lady-in-waiting, while she was tidying the table, and placing some snacks. I have been activating my [Silver Wolf Sense] every time I talked to Cecile
"The guard reported the same, my lady. A newly appointed Baronet came at the north-east route"
"So...did they found any?"
"All the Knights that were send, work for him my lady. They were transporting goods and weapons in a horse carriage, the destination is unclear. We couldn't even procure any more information afterwards"
"So when they said "they found nothing" they were actually hiding something"
I then grinned
"Where are the guards now? Tell them to inspect the route they took"
".....I used [String Puppetry] for questioning, my lady"
"....is that so...so be it"
Cecile then bowed down as she went out. I was now left alone in the [Grand Room], thinking, judging. [String Puppetry] is one of the most skills used for interrogation, no lies neither half-baked truth could slip out from it, but this skill could only be used, on an unmoving being
"The guards ha..."
Yes, [String Puppetry] is a skill used for those who have died. I then stood up and went to my chamber. Right now, I don't have time to mourn neither feel dejected. People die and live, that's natural, being rational and logical for such is a must, if I can't, then I should just have stayed home, and be darling's little obedient pet. I then jumped to my comfy bed
"Oof~"
I then took one of my pillow close to me, and embraced it
"Darling....I miss you"
I murmured before I closed my eyes
(???? POV)
"She's started moving ha....move some of our men to watch her"
"Yes"
"The cargos?"
"It's already prepared"
"Good. Any witness?"
"4 only"
"So?"
"Already cleaned"
"Hmm"
(Isabelle's POV)
After I took a nap till evening, Cecile then woke me up, telling me that our guest is here. I then went down after I arranged myself, and dressed up in a smokey, gray blue one-shouler dress, with a touch of silver charm that glitters like a star.
A one-shoulder dress is a cloth that only covers one shoulder. I then went down the curved staircase, that is coated in ivory paint, and a medium bright tone of red-violet carpet
"I hope I didn't made you wait"
I spoke, in sweet tinder, but not daring not to waver tone
"Oh, you weren't your honorable. Please do forgive me if I can't greet you"
A man then spoke who was sitting in the [Grand Room's] sofa. I then sat down in front of him
"It's my greatest honor for Lord Tibalt to head my summon, so please don't apologize for such simple courtesy"
"Oho~, being invited by such a beauty, the honor is mine"
Lord Mack Tibalt, a Baron that owns an estate in the [Town of Fall]. One of the most influential people on the town, and one of the close associate of my father. A fat man who greeds for money and women, wore a dark brownish-green clothe, with golden rings to crystal ones from each finger, while holding an expensive golden staff
"Such flattery fufufu"
"Hahahah"
The man then laughed as he showed his full golden teeth, showcasing both his power and might – both literally and figuratively - in a single glance
"How is your father? It's been a while since we saw each other"
"His been well and fine. I shall give your regards to him. Father been busy for quite some time now"
"Hohoho I see....so, what honor do I have to be summoned, your honorable"
He spoke, as he gave me a stern look
"....still the same as always"
"Oho~ I can't be in this business world if I don't know my ins and outs, ahahah"
He laughed. I then giggled. Lord Tibalt isn't just a noble in title, but also a great merchant in name, as he owns great numbers of company, and held up high by great nobles from Viscount to Count. He even had some great connection to illegal gambling dens and black market. He was able to avoid the other nobles attention....except for me.
I then crossed my legs and spoke
"I want to make the [Town of Fall] into a city"
"Oh~, interesting. But how d-"
"The [Great Canyon of the South]"
I mutter as I interrupted him. He then looked at me in the eyes before he grinned
"You truly lived to your very name, Isabelle Fall"
"Just like you said, "I won't be in this business world if I don't know my ins and outs"
I then smiled as I took the coffee that Cecile brewed for us. He then caress his chin with his big hand, before he grinned
"It would be my greatest honor to work with you, your honorable"
He stated. An hour passed as both me, and Lord Tibalt discussed our means of action for the plan I was initiating. From the financial outputs of the labors fee, materials to be taken, and ingredients that are needed, to the process of elimination for any competitors, and thoroughly stating our means of product, our main course menu that would attract individuals.
Every time I tried to speak about the demand and services, he always confront me with full truth of no curry words, as he tried to corner me as what will be the instant outcome, if I dare to half-bake my approach with a simple hypothesis, and narratives. He was even able to counter and re-eduacte me about what is business, and how does it work.
Papers by papers piled up in the table, reports after reports, documents after documents. A full hour came as we tackled, until we both settled down and made an agreement. He then walked out after he got what he wants. It's just me and Cecile who were left in the [Grand Room] now
"Phew~, I totally need to learn more"
"Good work today, my lady"
Cecile uttered as she congratulate me, while she was tidying the table up, and replaced some snacks with new ones, and poured me another coffee
"My lady....is it really okay?"
She asked
"Hmm?"
"I know we have planned everything, but I think it's much better if we do tell Sir Cr-"
"No. Darling doesn't need to know. Beside, this for his future"
As I objected
"....."
Cecile was silent, as she didn't want to try currying for any information on me.
"Lord Timbalt wouldn't just be our backer, but our own gold mine. Cecile, I think you have noticed"
".....yes I did, my lady"
"Isn't it? How fascinating for a person like him to own such a thing. Something that did exceeds my expectation on him, as a man. He truly owned such big one"
I grinned, as I looked towards the door where he left
"Cecile"
"I already sent 3 [Hornet Tracker Bees], my lady"
"Then we just need to wait. Wait until our little piggy gave us his full support"
I spoke, as I took a sip of the brewed coffee Cecile brewed
A [Hornet Tracker Bee] is a monster that owns the skill [Tracker], to which they could easily give us the location of any target moving or unmoving, a peak copper ranked beast. With its small size, this monster is suitable for gathering information, and sabotage
(Baron Tibalt's POV)
After I took my leave, I then went inside the carriage that was waiting for me outside the mansion, coated in full gold and deep purplish red paint
"Good work today, my lord"
A woman then greeted me as I entered the carriage, wearing a loosen night gown, fully showing her voluptous breast, as she lay down in the carriage floor. I then stared at her before muttering
"Indeed..."
"....quite a stressful day, isn't it my lord? You seem quite pack, do you want me to loose you up?"
As she spoke in her sweet tinder vixing voice, I then touched my harden crotch
"Indeed I am. In fact, I'm quite vexed to such beauty before me"
The woman then giggled, but I can only snear at his idiocacy, as I wasn't referring to her, why should I refer a used good in such manner anyway?
'She became such a splendid adult'
I murmured, as I can deeply remember how those proportioned waist and ample butt, added with her well-shapen breast, already made my cock hard.
The woman then slowly closed the distance between us. She then slowly took my pants off as she unzipped it, slowly caressing the bump part of my underpants. She then licked it a few times before taking it off, and showcasing an 8 and a half inch cock
"Hah! ❤ Haah! ❤ Hah! ❤"
I then grinned as she breathes erotically in front of my dick, lusting over my fully erected cock. She then slowly took a peck to my harden crotch, before sucking it
"Oh~ hmmm"
I groaned
"Was it good, my lord~? ❤"
She asked as she detached her mouth from my cock, and caress my harden dick with her lustful gaze
"Do it better, or I will send you back to your husband's home, with his small beans"
I then chuckled, as the woman then sucked my crotch like he was eating a high class meal. I could still remember how I stole this woman from his husband, banged her in front of him, even made him wipe my cum and his wife lovely juice, as she keep muttering how mighty my cock was than her husband, how good it was than his. His grim expression excited me, to which resulted for another round and two, until he broke. And this woman was a pure whore who would listen to every demand I asked, just to taste my cock, even humiliating her husband to death, and pounding her in front of his grave
"Mnmmh"
I groaned. I then grinned towards the woman in front and imagine, if it's that high class woman, Isabelle Fall, sucking my crotch, would she still dare to act high and mighty against me?
"Hohoho, we shall see"
The carriage then started moving, while this stupid whore keep sucking my cock
(Isabelle's POV)
"My lady, would you be using [Shadow Duplication]?"
"No. Even if you mastered that skill, it only had minimal duration for 5 minutes or so. The longest one I knew reached till 7, and there's none who followed after"
"...then my lady"
"Don't worry. I will used something realistic for him to take the bait"
I then grinned, as I imagine that man between my fingertips
"Cecile, found anything?"
"Yes, my lady. During this afternoon, I used my servant to investigate the north-east route, and found their tracks. It took as approximately 3 hours just to locate it"
"Oh, so found any?"
"Forgive me my lady, but we were too late. I could only find their hideout, but not the goods neither the people who transported it"
"They are quick and smart....how about the north?"
"I could only procure a thing or two in the north route, my lady"
"What is it?"
I asked
"The monster who attacked it were the same who assualted the east route, only the timing of the attack, and damage dealt differ, my lady"
"...interesting"
I muttered. During our investigation in the east route, I told Cecile to order her servants to venture the north route for any clues and hints. After that, in the afternoon, I told her to investigate the north-east route – which is after we investigated the east route. After Cecile reported, I then went on a deep thought, racking my brain
".....we lack information...I do hope our fat bank could give us something"
(???? POV)
"....progress?"
"We are 70% of initial plan, my lord"
"Double it, we don't have much time. One single mistake in our end would deliver us to that vixen"
".....yes, my lord"
"Any resistance?"
"5 of the captured did, but were already taken care of"
"Good. Tell them to double the surveillance and monitor her. We can't afford to be noticed by her"
"Yes, my lord"
(Isabelle's POV)
"Cecile, about the letters?"
"Already sent. I'm just waiting for their response, my lady"
"Well done. There's still time before the appointed conference and the ball, lets take our time to grab every bits of info we could"
"Yes, my lady"
Cecile replied, as I took a sip, and let the evening time play its melody