Confirmed
We returned to the estate and reported to Father.
“The Delm Company, huh? Its representative is someone who split off from the Arilan Company? If we ask Raziel, we might be able to find out what kind of person they are.”
Ah, right—before Raziel came to work with our company, he was with that one.
That means if this person became independent around the same time as Raziel, they’re probably close in age, which makes it highly likely they know each other.
Father gave instructions to investigate the representative of the Delm Company. We should know the name soon.
“Jack Delm, huh,” Raziel said with a grimace.
Once the name was revealed, Raziel was called in and Father began asking questions.
Judging by Raziel’s reaction, they didn’t seem to be on good terms.
Perhaps Father came to the same conclusion. He explained that the Delm Company had been snooping around about curry powder and beastkin, and even making contact with our employees.
Raziel’s face turned pale. Father waited patiently for Raziel to speak.
“Jack Delm is the one who became the new branch manager of the Royal Capital office after I left the company. And since we’re close in age, he’s always seen me as a rival. He hated the fact that I got the branch manager position before him and had to take over after me, so the handover was difficult. But he only ever acted that way toward me—most people probably don’t even know about it.”
“So then, he must’ve gone independent not long after becoming branch manager. We’ll need to look into that.”
“I’ll be heading to the capital the day after tomorrow, so I’ll confirm it while I’m there.”
“No, Raziel. It’s better if you don’t move. There’s a possibility you’re being watched. We’ll check on it from here.”
“But…”
“It’s possible a noble helped him go independent. So just pretend you don’t know anything and carry on as planned.”
“… Understood. I’m sorry for the trouble I’ve caused.”
“No, this isn’t your fault. It’s a problem that was bound to happen sooner or later. It just happens to involve someone you know, that’s all.”
After Raziel left Father’s study, Mother said,
“We’ve found the employee who’s been in contact with the Delm Company. Abel Laurel. He’s the fourth son of a baron’s family. He’s been working with us for three years. His work attitude has been serious, and no one has spoken ill of him. However, it seems his family got into debt from a failed investment.”
“So they used that as leverage.”
“Most likely. It probably wasn’t his fault personally, but…”
“We need to check whether that company is connected to any noble family, or if they’re operating independently.”
At this point, there’s nothing I can do to help. We’ll have to leave it to my parents.
Still, it must be hard to have your family’s failure pushed onto you for something you didn’t do yourself. Especially if you’re a serious person…
---
“Uwah!”
The morning started again with a close-up of Luan’s face.
Come on, Luan, cut it out. Are you doing this on purpose? I’m starting to suspect you are.
With Atre interpreting, I listened to the story.
Apparently, last night, the spy spoke with the usual contact, and afterward, that person went to someone wearing a bunch of glittery things on their fingers.
It seems he said that if this plan goes well, he’ll be promoted from viscount to count. He’ll gain land next door, and that he wants to continue working hard as a contracted merchant.
“Luan, you didn’t return with our employees but stayed with the merchant and listened to the whole conversation? That was reckless! You shouldn’t do things like that. And how did you even get back?”
No response to that.
Don’t you guys have too many secrets?
I reported what Luan said to the family.
“Could it be that the Laurel barony’s failed investment was a trap set by that viscount? The viscount’s estate is next to the barony’s. That would make it either the Viscount Zardane or Viscount Eynz.”
“Since they were in Westland yesterday, we’ll know soon enough.”
After that, I left things to my parents.
I should go talk to Raziel about Carlo.
I went to the office, told him about Carlo, and asked for permission to visit Maria.
He simply said, “Go ahead.”
That was too easy.
Something’s off. Normally, I’d get a little lecture first, but this time it was just “Go ahead.”
There were no other employees around, so I asked,
“Raziel, you’re thinking about the Delm Company, aren’t you? I know you’re familiar with the guy, but you didn’t get along, did you? Could his going independent have something to do with you?”
Raziel let out a long sigh and replied,
“You’re sharp. Yes, that incident did prompt him to go independent a bit earlier.”
But he didn’t elaborate further.
Well, if he were going to talk to an eight-year-old like me about it, he’d have spoken to my parents first.
I didn’t want to push and have him decide to quit, so I told him not to overdo it and headed off to Maria.
What do you think about this chapter?
