Chapter 408 9th Birthday V
────Gulp!
Everyone related to Grandchester was quite shaken inside, but they didn't show it at all, like true nobles. Of course, thanks to Rebecca, Sara was just barely passing.
"Why do you think that?"
"There are many reasons. Despite her beauty and business skills, there's no trace of her past. To be alive means to exist in society, and that existence comes from connections with others. For merchants, it would be strange if those connections didn't spread like a spider's web. But there are no signs of connections with Sophia. Even though she runs a business that requires assets, we can't trace where those assets came from."
'We can't just say we made magic stones with magic, right?'
Then Count Piane glanced over at Marquis Grandchester.
"Well, I can understand that the Grandchester family created someone like Sophia. But, since Marquis Grandchester is a straightforward person, Marquis Grandchester seems unsuitable for such schemes. She's a person who wouldn't exist unless made artificially."
Marquis Grandchester slightly moved his eyebrows, just enough for those close to him to notice.
"Count Piane, that's quite an interesting story."
"Isn't it?"
"The Sophia Merchant Guild sells storybooks too. You should definitely try writing one yourself."
"That's true. I need to think of a title for the book. But first, I should request an interview with Sophia."
Piane Count continued to talk with a thin smile on his face.
"Sophia suddenly appeared in the Grandchester territory around the time when riots and forest fires were happening there."
"That's true."
"However, the changes in the Grandchester administration started earlier than when Sophia showed up."
Then, Robert, the governor of Grandchester, joined the conversation.
"Even if there's a shortage of workers, merchants usually don't get directly involved in administration. I won't deny there's a cooperative relationship, but we think that introducing Thomas Tyler's double-entry bookkeeping is more important than our connection with the Sophia Merchant Guild."
Robert told a big lie with a cool face. No, it's not that everything is a lie; that's why he can calmly tell a false story.
"Indeed, getting Thomas Tyler's help is certainly a credit to Sir Robert."
When Piane Count praised Robert, former Count Minton nodded happily. He must be glad that his student is being recognized.
"My cousin Jeffrey was the one who invited Thomas Tyler to Grandchester. He hired him as a tutor for his son, and he helped our territory, which was struggling with a lack of talent, and as a result, he wrote a book."
"Yet, there are no records of Thomas Tyler entering the administrative building. It's quite a strange story."
"Actually, because of the lack of staff, there are many women working in the office building. We call them office maids. However, it seems that Thomas Tyler doesn't really like having women close to him since the incident in the capital."
"Ah, I see. So that's the situation."
The incident with Thomas is well-known in the capital. By the way, the woman who caused the commotion can no longer show her face in high society and is said to be in a convent now.
"But you know, even Thomas, besides being Sir Jeffrey's son, is also tutoring Lady Sara, right?"
"The Grandchester kids are studying together now. I'm sitting at the same desk as my cousin Adam."
Sara is trying hard to act like a child, but since her tail has already slipped out, the adults around her aren't fooled.
"Ah, no, Lady Sara. You don't have to force it."
"It's too late, so you can relax."
Looking around, the old men surrounding Sara were all shaking with suppressed laughter.
'Ugh... I tried so hard, but I'm so disappointed.'
To comfort the frustrated Sara, Musashi lightly patted her arm. There was no need for such concern in that situation.
"Honestly, when I look at Lady Sara, I feel uncomfortable. Since Lady Sara moved to the Grandchester territory, the administrative reforms there have advanced quickly. But the one who should be the reason for this, Thomas Tyler, is your tutor. Then, suddenly, Sophia appears, looking just like you, and becomes the wealthiest guildmaster in Grandchester. At this point, she's one of the top merchant guilds in all of Avalon. She has shown she can gather enough money to buy all the wheat in Grandchester this year. It's not an exaggeration to say Sophia is crushing all the merchants in Grandchester, even in Avalon, with her money."
Count Piane briefly looked down, let out a small sigh, then raised his face and stared straight into Sara's eyes.
"Even so, I've been involved in this country's administration for 40 years and have many connections with merchants. I know Sophia has been taking down the greedy merchants in the capital's Commerce Guild with her gold. That's why I can say for sure: at the center of it all is you, Lady Sara."
"You're overestimating me."
"Hahaha. I didn't think you would admit it so easily."
Then, former Count Minton, who was next to Count Piane, let out a groan.
"Hmm... If Lady Sara were a boy, I would have invited you to be my student at the Academy."
"If that were the case, I would have graduated early and gone directly to scout for a position as a palace bureaucrat."
'Ah, here it is again, the limitation of "if you are a boy".'
Former Count Minton and Count Piane aren't thinking that deeply when they speak. They just know that to become a palace bureaucrat, you must graduate from the academy, and only boys can enter the academy. However, it's clear that Sara is fed up with hearing 'if you are a boy' like a fixed phrase.
"If that's the case, I'm glad I'm a girl."
"What do you mean by that?"
"I'm not a noble yet, but it's already decided that I will become one soon. For boys from noble families, attending the academy is almost an obligation, but that's not the case for girls."
At this statement, former Count Minton, the head of the academy, reacted.
"Lady Sara, do you dislike the academy?"
"No. I have never attended, nor can I attend, so I can't say I like or dislike it. However, I am aware that there are people who make insulting critiques just because a paper was written by a woman."
"Ha... those fools from McKellen."
Former Count Minton shook his head with a big sigh.
"Please believe that not everyone is like that. I remember Ms. Aristos from Grandchester... no, her real name was Lady Alicia, right? We truly wanted her to enroll. It's regrettable that we couldn't change the rule that only boys could enroll due to the imperial decree."
"I don't need such an explanation from you. I understand that busy people who read many papers and do various research won't pay attention to papers sent by outsiders."
"I see, so you understand."
Former Count Minton was happy that Sara showed some understanding, but that joy quickly faded.
"However, please understand that feeling uncomfortable is natural. I believe Alicia is an excellent alchemist. Even if she isn't recognized by the country or the academy, that doesn't change. I won't forgive those who insult her. They dismissed her work as absurd just because she wrote it and sent back a disrespectful reply. If they felt that way, they should have returned the paper unopened with a note saying, 'I don't read papers from anyone outside the academy.'"
"About that..."
"I know. You couldn't ignore Alicia... no, the former Ms. Aristos. She defeated Professor McKellen and others in the academy debate."
"You knew about that?"
"Of course, I looked it up. When Professor McKellen was a student, he always settled for second place. The top spot was held by Alicia's father, Master Theofrastos. Alicia defeated him in that debate, which must have triggered his past feelings of inferiority. But he must have also been very curious about her paper. Being an alchemist, he would have eagerly sought new knowledge."
"Lady Sara, you certainly don't look like you're 9 years old. That's true, but..."
"Come on, Lord Minton, getting this emotional is way more childish."
Count Piane looked at Sara with a smile, like he was watching something cute.
'Oh no, I messed up again.'
"I really feel sorry for what I did. Is there any chance you could forgive me?"
"It's already in the past. I won't forgive those who insulted me, but I don't have a very bad impression of the Academy."
"I see!"
"However, since I was born a woman, I don't think I will be involved with the Academy."
"Th-that's..."
For some reason, Musashi, who was in Sara's arms, trembled in response to her words. She made a gesture as if to bury her face in Sara's chest. But Sara didn't notice Musashi's actions at all.
"Is that why Lady Sara invited Ms. Aristos to the Maiden's Tower, which is only for women?"
"You know a lot."
"There's no professor at the Academy who doesn't know the name of the Maiden's Tower. After all, the alchemist and pharmacist professors are competing over who can get in there first."
"No one can get in, right? It's the Maiden's Tower."
"But Mr. Paracelsus and Thomas Tyler can, right?"
"That place was originally Mr. Paracelsus's laboratory. Plus, Mister Thomas is our tutor."
"So if you become a teacher for the Grandchester kids, you can get into the Maiden's Tower?"
"No, it's not like that."
"Ughhh. Why not?"
"I'm just choosing as I like because it's my private property."
When Sara coldly brushed him off, the powerful people around her started whispering to each other.
"Isn't it all about looks in the end?"
"Thomas Tyler is one thing, but Mr. Paracelsus is an old man."
"No, no, they say he's a handsome guy blessed by fairies."
"So, Lady Sara is a looks person, huh?"
Then, Sara turned her face toward the voices and smiled brightly.
"I'm not really concerned about appearances. What's more important is whether someone's ability is high or low."
This statement caught the attention of Count Piane.
"I may not be good-looking, but I pride myself on my decent administrative abilities. Can you let me into the Maiden's Tower?"
"In your case, I think it's too much to let you into my main residence."
"Hmph. That's just a silly excuse."
"They say children's silly arguments are often correct."
"Good grief, it's always 'if you say this, then I say that.' Well then, Lady Sara, could you at least recognize me as a friend who's older than you? I want to be friends with a smart and beautiful girl."
"Huh? Are you a pervert?"
Sara accidentally dropped her lady-like mask, shocked by Count Piane's words.
"That's a misunderstanding. I'm not a pedophile. I wouldn't do anything strange with a girl younger than my grandchildren."
Count Piane hurriedly denied it, but he noticed that Marquis Grandchester and Robert were already on high alert.
"That's not what I meant. Aren't you all being a bit too much of doting parents? Are you going to be a doting grandfather or a doting uncle?"
Marquis Grandchester and Robert quietly stepped back while holding Sara, brushing off Count Piane's comment.
"There were various things at the hunting tournament."
"Ah, so it's about His Highness Crown Prince Gerhart from Roisen. I heard he said something about taking a concubine. But I am definitely not interested in that!"
While Marquis Grandchester and Robert were arguing with Count Piane, Sedrick whispered information into Sara's ear. A slightly dangerous glint appeared in Sara's eyes as she listened.
"Grandfather, it seems there's been a misunderstanding. We should properly respond to the invitation to be friends."
Saying this, Sara made a gesture as if asking to be picked up, which flustered Marquis Grandchester, who was holding her.
"Hey, Sara!"
"I want to talk to you while looking you in the eye."
Count Piane gently took Sara from Marquis Grandchester and held her securely. He was able to support her without any trouble, as he had many grandchildren.
"Let me introduce myself again, I am Sara Grandchester. You are quite a bit older than me, but it's okay to be friends, right?"
"That's kind of you. You can call me Doug, not Count Piane."
"Then please call me Sara, Uncle Doug."
Sara smiled brightly and then hugged Count Piane. She whispered softly in his ear.
"Uncle Doug, please pay off the debt to the Guinness Merchant Guild immediately. The Sophia Merchant Guild will lend you the full amount without interest. That guild is secretly connected to the Silt Merchant Guild. Your integrity in not embezzling public funds, even when in financial trouble, is admirable, but the Guinness Merchant Guild is trying to trap your son in debt, hoping you'll do something illegal. There seem to be issues with your current position."
At that moment, the smile faded from Count Piane's face. He whispered back to Sara.
"I had a feeling, but since there are official documents, I can't just ignore it."
"If you act wisely, you might be able to get the money back."
"I see, thank you."
"It's a small gift for a new friend."
Sara gently pulled away from the hug and smiled at Count Piane again.
"Lord Grandchester, may I take back what I said earlier?"
"What do you mean?"
"Sara is starting to look like an angel."
'So easy to read. Hey.'
However, as soon as Robert heard Count Piane's words, he forcefully pulled Sara back.
"Uh, Father, that's a bit rough."
"A father has a duty to protect his daughter from perverts!"
Then, he took Sara away from the stunned group of old men and brought her to his original partner, Alfred.
"Wow, you're already a doting parent before she's officially adopted."
"With a beauty like that, it's only natural to worry."
"Still... Lady Sara is the kind of person you want to share a drink and have a slow conversation with."
"But she's only 9 years old. We have to wait a bit longer until she can drink."
"I need to live a long life."
Then, Count Piane, who had just lost Sara, let out a small sigh with a wry smile. He was truly troubled. His youngest son had fallen into debt from gambling, and in trying to pay it back, he borrowed more money in his father's name and got caught in a shady investment scam. By the time Count Piane realized what was happening, many of his lands and buildings were already mortgaged.
Even though it was his son, borrowing money in someone else's name without permission is illegal. Count Piane could argue that the debts to the Guinness Merchant Guild were invalid. But to do that, he would have to accuse his own son of a crime. After losing his wife of many years, he couldn't help but spoil the youngest son from his new wife. Maybe because he spoiled him, the boy was impatient and lacked common sense, acting foolishly like he wasn't even his son. Still, Count Piane couldn't bring himself to condemn his youngest son.
Sedrick whispered to Sara that this youngest son wasn't Count Piane's real child, but Sara chose to stay quiet, thinking it wasn't her place to reveal such information. Regardless of who the real father was, Count Piane still had a responsibility for raising such a foolish child.
By the way, the first debt his son got into was from gambling at Madame Violet's salon, just like Lysander, the brother of Duke Arbal.
'Should I think that Madame Violet is also connected to the Silt Merchant Guild...?'
Sara thought about this as she munched on snacks while waiting to return to Alfred.
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