Chapter 165
7.
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—Ending 5. Marigold, Sangdan’s Worker.
—Marigold learned the heart of a miser while working as a low-level employee for Rosemary Sangdan. You dream of starting your own sangdan with your name and earning a lot of money. A life of grand mansions, villas, hundreds of servants, and feasts of all kinds. The determination to achieve a happy life within that…….
“Hey, Merry! Stop sleeping and walk!”
“Yes, yeees!”
But the journey is arduous, and you quietly breathe your last in the dead of winter. The illusion of a happy life as a rich person appears before your eyes.
Sleep well, little Marigold. I hope you are happy there.
============
This session was different from the start.
Ransel, who rushed to where Rosemary Sangdan’s caravan was passing,
“……Are you the newcomer who said you would join us here? You said you were tall, and you are indeed sturdy! What’s your name?”
For some reason, the master merchant mistook him for a new worker.
He had lost his voice on the long journey and his clothes were battered by the elements, so he certainly looked the part. By no means did he look like a noble.
“My name is Ransel.”
“Ransel. Right. If you’re here, hurry up and carry the luggage.”
Ransel, shouldering the bundle of luggage handed to him, suddenly felt eyes glittering from afar, watching him intently.
“Merry! Your junior has arrived! Stick with them and teach them well!”
“Yes!”
Marigold, 15 years old, rushed over.
That was the one.
“From now on, call me Senior Merry!”
“…….”
Seeing Marigold’s smug face, Ransel regretted pretending to be a worker, but it was too late.
Ransel took Marigold’s hand.
“I look forward to working with you, Senior Merry.”
“Mm!”
Ransel later learned that Marigold had already been with the sangdan for over two years at this point.
Having lived as the youngest during that time, his desire for a junior was beyond words.
“By the way, where are we going?”
“You came without even knowing that? We’re going to Rive Territory to sell goods, and then buy their specialty dried animal hides and return to the capital city. A sangdan buys goods in low-value areas and sells them in high-value areas.”
“Ohh. As expected of a senior.”
“Hehehe! Ask me if you have any more questions!”
“Then, is there a special reason you left the lid of your water pouch open?”
“Huh? Aaaaaargh! My drinking water…!”
“Can I offer you some of my water?”
“It’s, it’s okay, Senior… I can’t take and drink from my junior.”
His bravado lasted only a moment. In the end, Ransel ended up giving him water to drink on the second day of the journey.
“Puh.”
The thirst he had endured for days was quenched, and Marigold, his face flushed with embarrassment, glanced sideways at Ransel.
“Ahem, s-actually, would you believe me if I said this was all an educational session on how to deal with missing water during a journey, junior?”
“So, the solution is to drink from your junior.”
“Th-that’s right.”
“But I don’t have a junior?”
“…….”
The two spent a lot of time together during their long journey.
After a week, in a village they arrived at after a long time, Marigold casually approached Ransel.
Holding a glass of juice with no alcohol, Marigold pretended to be drunk, his eyes unfocused.
“Junior, I abandoned the human heart a long time ago.”
“……?”
“I am destined to become a master merchant. So, I’ve completely transcended human emotions, sentiments, love, friendship… and all that.”
“That’s scary. To stop being human.”
“You’ll also have a day when you’ll be proud to have had a senior like me. If you behave well, I’ll hire you as my subordinate. How about it? This kind of opportunity doesn’t come easily. Grab it tight.”
“It’s an honor.”
“Mm! Come on, pour me a drink.”
“Yep.”
“Gulp, gulp, puh! After tasting all the bitterness of life, even this tastes sweet, junior.”
“Well, it’s a sweet fruit beverage.”
“One more glass!”
At this point, Ransel decided not to reveal his identity to him.
There was no need to make him feel dejected by revealing he was a noble, so he just went along with Marigold’s arrogant mood.
Still, he wouldn’t be able to hide it forever.
‘When should I tell him?’
He had to tell him someday. When would be the right time? Ransel pondered the timing and began the caravan’s journey again today.
“Let’s go, junior! To where gold and silver coins flow!”
* * *
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—Imperial Calendar Year 816, September 8th. Mostly clear weather.
—How long have we walked through endless fields? Marigold, weighed down by heavy luggage, is running out of stamina.
※Condition, Faith, Morality Down! Stamina, Sexiness UP!
============
“Huff, huff……”
Marigold, sticking out his tongue and his back increasingly bent, was struggling. Ransel eventually subtly took the luggage from him.
“Huh…? It’s lighter…”
“I’ll carry it for you, so please rest for a bit.”
“Huh? Oh, no, junior! As a senior, I can’t let my junior carry my luggage! Give it back, quick.”
“You look like you’re about to collapse?”
“Th-that’s impossible.”
“Then think of it as showing your favor to someone who will be a great magnate later.”
“Hmm… Then I have no choice. I’ll regain my energy soon, so wait… Aaaargh!”
“Comfortable, right?”
Carried on Ransel’s shoulder, Marigold quickly regained his energy.
The merchants watched Marigold with envious gazes.
* * *
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—Imperial Calendar Year 816, December 23rd. Blizzard conditions.
—The caravan encounters a snowstorm. However, there is no turning back. We must push through with all our might. Let us pray for survival!
※Faith, Stamina, Sexiness UP!
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Whooosh-!
“If you fall behind, we’ll leave you! Keep your wits about you and walk! There! Don’t go the wrong way! Follow the person in front!”
The caravan was at a critical juncture.
In the blinding snow, they couldn’t see an inch ahead, yet they had no choice but to walk forward. It was still a long way to a place where they could stop and rest.
Dark circles had long since formed under Marigold’s eyes. The unexpected blizzard encountered on the winter caravan was draining the young boy’s stamina from the roots.
“Junior, if I happen to die here… still… you’ll remember me, won’t you…?”
“Don’t say weak things. Didn’t you say you abandoned your human heart?”
“Yes… You know… I wanted to be rich, junior… To build a big house… and raise a dog… every day… with good people… happily every day…”
“Then you can’t die until you’re happy. Snap out of it.”
“Still… at the last moment… I’m glad I met you, junior…”
His eyes were becoming blurry.
Ransel suddenly remembered the contents of the ending card.
“So this is where I die.”
“……Huh?”
Ransel quickly took Marigold’s luggage onto his own shoulders.
“Ugh!”
Marigold’s body swayed precariously. The thick cloak he wore was already covered in snow.
Ransel scooped him up.
“Haaa…”
“Come inside, Senior.”
“I… go inside… junior’s…?”
Ransel enveloped Marigold within his cloak.
Marigold was completely covered by the hem of Ransel’s robe, from head to toe.
Marigold instinctively clung to Ransel’s chest like a young mouse seeking a burrow.
“Haaaaaa… It’s warm…”
He felt like his whole body was melting. Marigold’s body trembled. He even started to fall asleep, breathing softly in his embrace.
Ransel walked through the snowstorm, carrying two bundles on his shoulders and Marigold in his arms.
If it weren’t for him, this would have been Marigold’s grave.
The long snowstorm began to subside as they crossed the mountain range.
Marigold was still sleeping soundly in Ransel’s arms, breathing rhythmically.
“……Mom…”
What was he dreaming about? Feeling Marigold’s quiet sobs, Ransel managed a bittersweet smile.
* * *
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—Imperial Calendar Year 817, July 18th. Very clear weather.
—The caravan has arrived at its destination, the Duke’s territory. After selling the sangdan’s goods, you have two days of personal time. It would be a waste to just let it pass, right? Let’s buy something profitable!
※Emotion, Charm, Sexiness UP!
============
“Junior, just follow me. I know everything that sells well in the capital!”
“Why are you buying candy?”
“This is… food that helps with the journey.”
“You’ve just been snacking since earlier?”
“Hey, junior, you eat too! Come on! Traveling like this is what makes it fun! Here, come on!”
The goods to be resold were only a few famous animal hides from this region.
Ransel and Marigold spent two days together, traveling through the city of the Duke’s territory.
Sixteen-year-old Marigold had no intention of letting go of Ransel’s arm.
“Junior! We have to hurry, junior! If we don’t, we’ll miss seeing the ship depart!”
“Is a departing ship that great a sight?”
“That’s right! It’s a spectacle, seeing the third largest sailing ship in the Empire move! It’s the famous Routlevich! Hurry, let’s go!”
“Ughhh.”
“Hurry, we’ll be late!”
Ransel later learned that legend had it that a man and a woman who watched the departure of the sailing ship Routlevich together would be bound together as companions forever.
“Hehehe.”
“…….”
Did Marigold know about that?
* * *
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—Imperial Calendar Year 818, September 20th. Clear weather.
—Seventeen-year-old Marigold successfully completed a long-distance caravan journey and earned a considerable amount of money! Now you have enough money to buy a carriage and stock up on goods, right?
※Congratulations! Marigold has become an official carriage merchant of the sangdan. Travel the continent and earn money like crazy! Charm, Emotion, Sexiness UP!
============
“Junior, get in my carriage.”
“……?”
“Get in my carriage!”
He was direct.
“Daily meals provided, all necessary expenses paid by me, and I’ll make sure to give you 30% of the profits earned. How about it, isn’t that an unprecedented offer?”
“If you do all that, is there anything left for you?”
“I’m doing it for you, my junior. I promised. When I became rich, I’d let you stay right beside me. And the help I received in the snowy mountains… is there. Ahem.”
“It seems I’ve picked the right person to follow.”
“Right? Come on, pat me.”
“Pat, pat.”
“Mm!”
* * *
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—Imperial Calendar Year 819, March 13th. Very clear weather.
—During the caravan, Marigold travels with a man. Is he a good person? A bad person? I don’t know for sure, but there’s no choice. He got into the carriage before anyone could stop him.
============
“Wow, a young lady like you is a carriage merchant? Isn’t that too dangerous? You could be kidnapped by anyone!”
“What are you talking about? This year I’m of age. Don’t look down on me.”
“Oh, please don’t be offended. I’m just curious. Is the person next to you your husband?”
“Husband…! N-no, that’s not it. He’s just my assistant, Ransel.”
“Still, it’s reassuring to have someone protecting you. Hahaha, since we’ve met like this, let’s travel together until we pass through the forest. My name is Maxwell.”
“I’m Ransel. You carry a lot of blades on you.”
“Oh, did you see that? Don’t be too wary. I sometimes work as a mercenary when I need money. Anyway, thank you for letting me ride in your carriage.”
“The carriage owner is Merry, so thank her.”
“Ah, right. Thank you, Miss Merry. Seeing you reminds me of the old days. There used to be a time when the river would flood our village so often that wagons couldn’t come…”
The man didn’t stop talking for a moment.
‘When will he turn into a bandit?’
Ransel was just waiting for that.
* * *
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—Imperial Calendar Year 819, March 14th. Clear weather.
—A pack of wolves appears. Marigold’s carriage faces a desperate crisis.
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“I can’t put the people I owe favors to in danger. I’ll hold them off here, so you all go ahead.”
“No, Uncle Maxwell! We agreed to get out of the forest together!”
The dark forest.
The hungry wolves’ eyes glittered.
There were dozens, at least.
The howling of beasts echoed from all directions.
“Miss Merry, my mother was supposed to cross the river with me, but she couldn’t. She disappeared without a cry, perhaps because she thought I would see her.”
Maxwell drew his sword.
“If I had been married, I would have had a daughter just like you, Miss Merry, so this is my turn.”
He seemed unwilling to back down.
After all, he knew someone had to face these wolves.
“So, Miss Merry. Be sure to become rich. If even a child like you can succeed in this damned Empire, it will be remembered as a tolerable place to live.”
“Uncle Maxwelllllll!”
Even someone who worked as a mercenary couldn’t defeat so many wolves.
He was bound to be torn to shreds and killed.
*Swoosh-!*
Yes. If a sudden silver flash hadn’t cleaved five wolves.
“Y-your assistant…?”
Yip!
Screech!
With each swing of the sword, three or four wolves fell to the ground. It took only a few minutes for the forest to fall silent.
Ransel wiped the blood from his blade and looked at Marigold and Maxwell.
“What are you doing? We need to collect the hides and teeth.”
That day, Marigold gained an unexpected profit.
* * *
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—Imperial Calendar Year 820, November 13th. Very clear weather.
—Congratulations! Marigold has successfully completed this caravan journey. Furthermore, you have secured the initial capital to establish a sangdan under your own name. The path to becoming a magnate begins now!
※Faith, Charm, Emotion, Sexiness UP!
============
“The name will be MR Sangdan.”
“Why?”
“Merry, Ransel. MR Sangdan.”
Hmm.
It was quite a strange name.
Ransel’s name was originally derived from Rancel, which started with R, but in reality, it also started with Lancel.
‘Well, it doesn’t matter.’
He decided not to fuss over it.
“Vice-leader Ransel! Now that we’re a sangdan, let’s get a lot of investment and gather people to become rich. Trust me and follow me until we build that grand mansion, okay?”
Marigold put his hands on his hips and laughed heartily.
A cloak made of quite luxurious fabric now hung over her shoulders.
“The vice-leader will also help me become rich.”
* * *
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—Imperial Calendar Year 822, March 5th. Very clear weather.
—Marigold unexpectedly meets Baron Dante. Following him to the Dante Territory manor, she finally learns that Ransel Dante is a noble.
※Charm, Emotion, Sexiness Greatly UP!
============
“Sangdan leader. Why are you so timid?”
“Pl-please speak comfortably, R-Ransel… sir…”
“You speak comfortably too. Why are you acting so unlike yourself?”
“B-but, you are a noble… How can I dare…”
“It’s unlike you, Sangdan leader Merry.”
For some reason, Ransel and Marigold, who had to share the same room due to misunderstandings with the household staff, maintained a subtly distant relationship.
Unable to bear it any longer, Ransel approached and lifted Marigold abruptly.
“Hiiiiik!”
“Are you going to keep acting so awkwardly?”
“But…!”
“Come here, rat.”
Ransel threw Marigold onto the bed.
“Keng!”
Ransel climbed over her and met her eyes.
Marigold’s sparkling eyes fluttered open.
“Ransel…”
“Sangdan leader. Whether you are a noble, a knight, or the son of a lord, those are now meaningless titles to me.”
He approached to within a breath’s distance.
“My name has no meaning other than being the vice-leader of MR Sangdan.”
“…….”
“Or, do you hate me because I’m a noble?”
“……No!”
In the dawn with the sound of insects chirping.
In the room where only faint moonlight seeped in.
The two whispered in voices only they could hear.
“Because Ransel is… a noble, I worried you would leave me soon… I worried you would get tired of me…”
“Why would I get tired of you? You are destined to become the most successful magnate in the capital. You must hold onto the lucky break you’ve caught until the moment you die.”
“…….”
“Sangdan leader, if you’re really worried, shall I put a nail in it?”
“A nail?”
Ransel took out a pair of rings from his pocket.
He had been carrying them for over two years, always thinking about when to give them to her.
Marigold’s eyes shimmered.
“Ransel!”
Her arms wrapped around Ransel’s neck.
A soft sensation swept over her lips.
“Mm.”
When their lips, which had been touching for a long time, separated, Marigold looked at him with a peculiar expression.
“So, from now on, is the distribution 50-50…!”
“……Can’t help it, you’re a miser.”
“Hehe.”
* * *
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—Imperial Calendar Year 826, June 5th. Very clear weather.
—Marigold has finally achieved her first life goal! She succeeded in purchasing a grand mansion in the heart of the capital. With a total of forty servants managing the garden and mansion, she has become a renowned magnate in the capital.
※Faith, Sexiness UP!
============
Chandelier.
A vast bed.
Swaying curtains.
Splendid ceiling decorations.
“Ransel.”
Ransel turned his head.
How long had she been watching the sleeping Ransel? Marigold, lying on the bed with her chin propped up, smiled at him with her eyes curved.
“Good morning.”
This was their daily life.
“What shall we do today?”
She thought for a moment and replied.
“Whatever you wish.”
.
.
.
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—Ending 5. Marigold, Sangdan’s Worker.
—Your dreams and illusions, which you recalled while dying in the snowstorm in the previous ending, have finally become reality. Now, the misfortunes will be forgotten, and happy days will continue. Still, the name MR Sangdan is not very good.
※The name of the ending card changes to ‘Does Marigold dream of becoming the Empire’s Richest Woman?’
============
“Twelve more.”
8.
“Sniff sniff!”
“……”
“Sniff sniff!”
“……”
“I found them, Master Farmer! Here’s an amazing mushroom! Keeheeheehee!”
“…….”
“I’ll find more! Leave it all to me!”
“Let’s call it a day and wash up, Merry.”
“Ah, no! There are still expensive spices and mushrooms waiting for me, buried in the ground and crying! It’s my mission to find them and exchange them for a high price, and to repay Master Farmer…!”
“That’s enough!”
“Keng!”
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—Ending 6. Marigold, the Spice Farm’s Bloodhound.
—Thanks to the kindness of the new Master Farmer, Ransel Dante, you receive half of the spices you find as your share. Is there any greater happiness than this?
※The name of the ending card changes to ‘Master Farmer Ransel Dante and Marigold, the Priestess with a Superior Sense of Smell’.
============
“……Well, we lived happily, so that’s good enough, right?”
Ransel, sweating, reached for the doorknob of the next room.
There were eleven sessions left.
