54

“Welcome!”

“……”

As someone who knew the true identity of that man, I found it a bit fascinating.

The owner of the Schmaikel, the top of the empire’s commercial district, welcoming guests with enthusiasm in a small pie shop.

And today, he wasn’t even standing at the cashier, but diligently wiping the tables with a cloth…

‘He seems quite familiar with cleaning.’

Who could have imagined?

That man, who was so focused on the dust on the table, was actually a highly regarded noble in the empire.

Benedict, who happened to make eye contact with me, kindly spoke to me.

“We’re currently cleaning. If you can wait for a moment, I’ll guide you inside soon.”

“Oh, sure.”

Well, in that case.

I took a seat near the cafe window.

Resting my chin on my hand, I absentmindedly gazed out the window.

Beyond the glass, people living their daily lives were busy moving around.

A child selling newspapers.

An employee wiping the store’s glass.

Couples and families strolling around, exchanging fist bumps since morning.

“……”

Something felt strange.

It was a fluttering sensation in my chest, a ticklish feeling.

How should I put it… it felt like I was included in their ordinary daily lives.

Managing students, paying close attention to the actions of male protagonists.

For the moment, it felt like someone else’s business…

But then.

“Thank you for waiting, Lady Lepherian.”

Benedict, who had finished cleaning, politely addressed me.

“Please come inside.”

“……”

I looked up at Benedict without saying a word.

It was like a splash of cold water on my face.

Right.

The reason I came to this pie shop was because of the deal with the male protagonist.

“Lady?”

Benedict tilted his head with a smile, calling me again.

I nodded my head and stood up.

“I’m sorry, I was lost in thought for a moment.”

“No problem. Shall we go then?”

Benedict, with a faint smile, walked ahead of me.

Watching his back, I felt a sense of anxiety, as if I were walking into the mouth of a giant beast, hiding its true nature behind a gentle exterior—a fearsome creature that could swallow me whole at any moment.

* * *

Benedict and I sat facing each other in the office we had visited before.

“So.”

Benedict, who had lifted the appearance-changing magic, looked at me with an intrigued gaze.

“What kind of deal are you here to propose this time?”

Then, he raised his eyebrows, forming a refreshing smile.

“I’m looking forward to this deal as well. The last one was quite satisfying.”

As he spoke, Benedict paused for a moment.

Opening his eyes wide, he clapped his hands together.

“Oh, I see. I’ve hosted a guest and haven’t even offered a cup of tea.”

“You didn’t offer last time either.”

As I playfully pointed out, Benedict responded without batting an eyelash.

“Honestly, back then, it felt more like an unwelcome visitor than a guest, didn’t it?”

“Well, that’s true.”

I shrugged without elaborating further.

Benedict strolled out of the office, and I glanced back for a moment.

“So, would you like coffee? Or perhaps tea?”

“I’ll go with coffee, please.”

A moment later, Benedict came back with a tray holding a glass pot filled with drip coffee and two mugs.

I stared at the pot in shock.

“This coffee is for me and the Count alone?”

“Yes. I drink this much by myself in the morning.”

“…All of this by yourself?”

“Yes. I’ll have another round in the afternoon.”

Benedict looked at me with a face that questioned why I found it so surprising.

‘No, it’s still amazing that his disguise is intact.’

I inwardly sighed.

Benedict placed a large mug in front of me and poured the coffee.

I looked at the boiling hot coffee with wary eyes.

After taking a sip, Benedict, who had already taken a sip himself, curiously asked me, “Aren’t you drinking?”

“Oh, yes… I’ll drink.”

Although drinking this coffee might lead to sleepless nights for at least three or four days…

However, I couldn’t ignore the hospitality of the male protagonist.

I raised the mug with a trembling expression.

And then, “Is it delicious?”

Having tasted the coffee, I widened my eyes.

It looked like something scooped up from hell, but surprisingly, it wasn’t as unpleasant as expected.

Benedict shrugged with a smirk.

“Do you really think I would serve Lady something she couldn’t eat?”

“Oh, yes…”

Mixing words with that man would only complicate things.

I decided to stick to my business.

Clank.

After putting down the mug, I looked straight at Benedict.

“By any chance, would Count Luneburg have some interest in Black Gold?”

For a moment, violet eyes flashed with curiosity.

“Are you talking about Quiness?”

Quiness.

Recently, there has been a tremendous popularity in the Empire for a spice.

Known for its unique fragrance, it is primarily used in gourmet cooking, and its price is set even higher than that of gold for the same weight.

It couldn’t be helped.

Quiness was not found within the Empire, so it was a spice imported entirely from overseas.

Hence, it earned the nickname ‘Black Gold.’

“If there is a spice that is much cheaper than Quiness but has a similar taste… what would you do?”

Looking at Benedict with sparkling eyes, I added casually, “By the way, this spice can be cultivated domestically.”

“Is that really so?”

“Of course.”

I nodded confidently.

No wonder, this product.

‘It’s a blockbuster product that Benedict himself personally discovered.’

Approximately two years from now.

Benedict happened to travel to the region where this spice is found and commercialized what the locals were consuming bit by bit.

As expected of a male protagonist, picking up a jackpot product while walking along the road.

I recalled being impressed while reading the novel…

‘Well, whatever.’

I inwardly shrugged.

After all, male protagonists were beings who monopolized all the wealth, honor, and power in this world.

So, it’s okay if I take advantage of them a bit, right?

“Do you happen to know the Glenndale region?”

“Well, it’s the northernmost part of the Empire, isn’t it?”

The Glenndale region.

Located at the northern border of the Empire, it is connected to a massive mountain range.

The environment is harsh due to persistently low temperatures, and it is a place with scarce resources.

“In the northern part of Glenndale, there is a plant that rarely grows naturally near the mountainous villages. The locals call it Palasso…”

“Palasso?”

“Yes. It’s a vine plant that spreads on the ground, and every summer, it produces red and firm fruits in the thickets.”

I recalled information about Palasso in my mind.

Was Benedict praising how remarkable the male protagonist’s discovery was?

In the novel, detailed descriptions of Palasso’s appearance were given, along with Benedict monopolizing its sales and profiting greatly.

Palasso was so popular that a saying circulated about it sustaining the entire Glenndale.

“In that area, for generations, locals have used the fruit to add flavor to their food. Since spice prices are so high, it seems.”

“Hmm.”

“While it might be challenging to find in official records, it is indeed documented in the Empire’s botanical encyclopedia. However, you should look into medicinal plants rather than the spice section.”

Palasso has a unique and intense aroma, and its taste is spicy and pungent.

People in Glenndale even used Palasso as a remedy for colds.

Of course, it didn’t actually contain medicinal properties; it simply produced a placebo effect.

Meanwhile, Benedict had fallen deep into thought.

His elegant violet eyes narrowed slightly.

Is there marketability in this product, and if so, how much interest would it generate?

It was the gaze of a merchant deeply contemplating.

A moment later.

“I understand the point you mentioned for now.”

Benedict, lifting his head slightly, seemed to release a breath.

“If that plant called Palasso truly has a taste similar to Quiness… yes, there is enough investment value.”

Judging by his tone, it seemed at first glance that he was positively considering my opinion.

‘No.’

I narrowed my eyes with a cold glare.

It was close to a tactful rejection.

And then.

“However, we need to closely examine whether that plant can truly replace Quiness.”

Benedict drew the line like that.