Heavenly Castle

Lead by the hand, Catherine Halfen was brought to a certain building.

She followed absentmindedly without even paying attention to her surroundings, but upon seeing that building she slightly furrowed her brow.

That was because this building belonged to a trading company that sold slaves. Thought not Koshmar Company, it was still a firm whose name appeared in stories about slave traders told by other slaves.

Reginshion Company, as some said it is the second-biggest trading company of Karluk Kingdom, right after Koshmar Company.

Noticing that Catherine was looking at the signboard of Reginshion company, the man showed a wry smile and shook his head.

「Relax. Reginshion company...... Or rather, the manager of the head office is our cooperator.」

After telling that to Catherine, the man pulled her hand and went to the rear side of the building.

Behind the building was a narrow alleyway, where if three adult men stood there side by side their shoulders would inevitably touch. The group of men that went ahead of them now was lined up there. 𝒇r𝙚𝙚𝓌𝙚𝑏𝗻𝑜𝘷𝗲𝘭.c૦𝑚

「I’ll go and have a talk with Sieg. I leave this woman to you.」

When the man said that, others nodded in unison.

「So you are the golden princess? Indeed, an unbelievable beauty.」

One of the men said, looking at Catherine, the others agreed.

「But to get targeted by other states because of that...... What a pity.」

「Yeah. I wonder how many knights and palace guards will be sent out to search when they learn that that pig died and Catherine disappeared.」

「The chances of us getting discovered will increase, but we also will get more chances to kill nobles.」

After hearing the men’s words Catherine looked down and then closed her eyes.

「......Futile struggle.」

No one heard the words Catherine muttered under her breath.

——————————————————

Sieg, the person entrusted with the head office of Reginshion company, was an ambitious one.

In part due to his small stature and mild smile, he didn’t raise much caution in his opponents.

However, on the inside, he was controlled by strong ambitions, which even he struggled to control.

Gazing at the sharp-eyed man that sat on the opposite side of the table, Sieg breathed a sigh of relief.

「Well, I’m glad that you were fine. Since I heard your plan, I couldn’t help but be nervous.」

When Sieg said that with a slightly embarrassed expression, the man, slightly inclined his head with a frown.

「...Don’t fret. We absolutely won’t reveal your name.」

「No, no, I have no such worries. However, our adversary is that Koshmar company after all...... One wouldn’t expect things to go that easy.」 𝘧r𝘦𝗲w𝘦𝚋𝐧o𝘷𝘦𝙡.co𝑚

As Sieg said that with a wry smile, the man replied with a nod.

「......We got rid of Nagib. For now, we will go into hiding. Sorry, but please keep lending us your strength.」

Being told that Sieg opened his eyes wide in surprise.

「Oh my...... That Nagib, so easily...... Good gracious, I underestimated you.」

Sieg slightly lowered his head and then suddenly raised it again, as if he recalled something.

「......Which reminds me, the one who won the bid on that noble lady also was Nagib. Miss Catherine is an unfortunate person, to lose not only her house and homeland but even her family all at the same time. If I had a chance I would’ve liked to give her shelter at our firm.」

Looking at Sieg, who spoke with a sad expression, the man narrowed his eyes and shook his head.

「......I trust Sieg-dono, but the same cannot be said about Reginshion company itself. You also have your position, it would be difficult for you to shelter Miss Catherine without anyone learning about that. As such, we will go into hiding bringing that girl with us.」

A glimpse of a faint frown flashed across Sieg’s face, but he immediately donned a bright smile.

「Ah, I see! Indeed, were I to hide Miss Catherine it probably would attract public attention no matter what. Then, I’m sorry to ask this of you, but please treat her with proper hospitality. She probably went through unimaginable suffering, so mental care is......」

「We will handle this to the best of our abilities. Well then, contact us in the usual way when you decide on the next target.」

The man announced, interrupting Sieg, and then stood up.

And after leaving some casual parting words he left the room, leaving Sieg there alone.

A few seconds later, Sieg contemplated with an emotionless expression, then exhaled a deep sigh.

「......The matter with Catherine Halfen is incredibly regrettable, but those fellows are quite usable. In this case, crushing Koshmar company first would be more profitable, huh.」

Whispering so, Sieg shifted his thoughts.

If possible, it would be preferable to erase Koshmar Company’s executives while they are desperately searching for Nagib’s killer.

And when Koshmar Company loses the ability to properly operate, the privileges on the important economic activity of this country, the slave trade, will pass to the second biggest firm of this kingdom, Reginshion Company.

When that happens, there is a high probability that the most important work will be entrusted to Sieg as the one in charge of the head office.

Revelling in the vision of that future, Sieg lips curled in a smile.