Chapter 7 [Side Marie Flight] A New Client
"Hey, it seems like the (Black-Robed Executor) has appeared again!"
It was a sunny day in the royal capital, Ridale.
I, who was preparing to open the flower shop, stopped my hands in response to that voice.
There was a crowd forming in the streets, and it seemed like an extra edition was being distributed at the center.
"Hey Marie-san. You seem lively today too."
"Oh, good morning."
The person who called out to me was a male peddler who supplied flowers.
I received the delivery of flowers and bowed slightly.
Due to certain circumstances, there are few people who trade with me now, so I am truly grateful.
"I just got this extra edition over there, this person is amazing. Here, I'll give you a part of it too, Marie-san."
"Thank you."
I glanced at the extra edition document I received from the peddler, and the headline 'Black-Robed Executor Appears!' jumped out at me.
From what I'm reading, it seems to be related to an issue involving the Bartley family, a noble family.
"When you mention the Bartley family, aren't they the ones with a long history of bad rumors?"
"Yeah, apparently, the head of the family was engaging in abusive discipline toward the children. The capital city guards couldn't intervene because of their high status."
As I continue reading, there's a lot of praise for someone called the Black-Robed Executor, who apparently saved them from their predicament.
Also, there's a photo of a woman named Lilyna Bartley, who seems to be the new head of the house, and it includes details of an interview she gave.
According to it, details about the Black-Robed Executor are kept secret, but there are expressions of gratitude like "saved us from a dire situation, including our young children" and "will never forget this kindness for the rest of our lives."
The term "Black-Robed Executor" gives off quite a formidable impression.
The content of the article is quite the opposite, it feels like a hero of justice from a fairy tale I read in my childhood.
"Marie-san."
When I looked up at the words spoken, the traveling merchant had a gloomy expression on his face.
And the next words he spoke were shocking to me.
"Sorry, Marie-san, but this might be the last time I can wholesale goods to you."
"W-Why?!"
For someone in business, not being able to source goods affects their livelihood.
The merchant adjusted his hat and clenched his teeth in frustration.
Seeing his expression, I understood.
"Don't tell me, it's the Lowenthal Merchant Guild..."
"Yeah... They showed up yesterday. They threatened that if I didn't sever ties with you, my family would face consequences we couldn't bear."
"Ah..."
"I know your situation is tough, Marie-san. But, this is..."
The Lowenthal Merchant Guild.
There's this new merchant guild that recently started to control this entire area.
They barged into this district where autonomous business was originally allowed.
The Lowenthal merchant guild proclaimed, "If there's any trouble, we'll help," and started collecting money called "protection money" from the locals.
Naturally, when this was first proposed, the people doing business in this area strongly opposed it.
However, those who opposed started to receive mysterious attacks, and members of the Lowenthal merchant guild said,
――Looks like you do need our help after all, right?
And before anyone knew it, everyone couldn't go against the Lowenthal merchant guild.
"Isn't the capital's guards going to do something about this?"
"Doesn't seem like it. Maybe the rumor that the royal family is backing the Lowenthal merchant guild is true after all."
"That's unbelievable..."
Because there are powerful people behind the scenes, even the organizations that are supposed to put a stop to it aren't functioning properly.
That's what the peddler seems to want to say.
"By the way, they've come to see you too, right, Marie-san? The eviction notice from the Lowenthal merchant guild."
"Yes... They told me to close up this shabby flower shop and leave, saying they plan to build a brothel..."
"Even so, Marie-san doesn't plan to leave this place, right?"
"Yes. It's my precious shop inherited from my late mother. ...And besides, I owe a debt of gratitude to the 7th Prince for saving us. I want to protect this shop to repay our feelings for him."
"I see. I remember now..."
Previously, when the royal family established a large-scale urban development plan, this shop was once in danger of being demolished.
At that time, a person named Adel Vandale, who was the 7th Prince at the time, strongly opposed it and saved the shop that my mother used to run.
I've never actually met him, but when the royal family's plans were revised, both my mother and I cried tears of joy and were deeply grateful to the 7th Prince.
I had always wanted to express my gratitude when I met the 7th Prince someday.
However...
According to what I heard, right after that, the 7th Prince was exiled from the royal family because of the Job Ability he had acquired.
It's unclear what he's doing now, and his life or death is not certain.
Could it be that he couldn't overcome the waves of unreasonableness?
"Anyway, those guys might come to your place again today. Be sure not to do anything reckless, Marie-san."
"...Yes."
The peddler apologized for not being able to help and left.
I stood alone in front of the flower shop, thinking about what to do next.
――What should I do if the people from the Lowenthal Merchant Guild come like this and resort to force to evict me?
――How can I protect this shop, passed down from my mother and saved by the 7th Prince?
"Someone... Someone, help me..."
Overwhelmed by anxiety, tears welled up.
And thus, all that remained in my hands was an extra edition document about the Black-Robed Executor...
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