8. The girl who will become a count (2)
#8
“This is a little strange.”
“What is it?”
Duon stroked his mustache and sighed. He said as he returned the sphere to Ronan.
“I can’t figure out what the material is. “I thought my knowledge wasn’t limited because I used to handle pets too… but this is the first time I’ve seen something like this in my life.”
“Shit…was it really poop and not eggs?”
“I don’t think so.”
Ronan shrugged his eyebrows at the assertive tone. Duon who was rummaging under the stall took out a small hammer. One side of the head made of cast iron had a bluish glow.
“It’s an appraisal hammer coated with mithril. “It’s one of the most expensive items in our store.”
He tapped the sphere with a hammer. A completely different sound from the normal hitting sound rang out. Ronan’s eyes widened at her.
“This sound…”
“Do you know the properties of mithril?”
Ronan nodded. Mithril known as the prince of metals had the property of making a unique sound like a drum when it collided with a material that was harder than that or had the same hardness.
“Give it to me.”
“What? customer?!”
Ronan grabbed the hammer and struck the sphere again. Chaaaang! The attention of people in the market was focused on the loud metallic sound.
“What on earth did you pack?”
Ronan stuck out his tongue. I hit it with some force but there wasn’t even a scratch left on the sphere. This meant that the hardness of the sphere was similar to or harder than mithril. Duon also couldn’t hide his expression of admiration.
“What’s for sure is…whatever it is it’s a great item.”
It was definitely a scary thing whether it was poop or eggs. Ronan felt a little more afraid of the latter case. If this is an egg it means that some living thing is breaking through the shell and coming out.
“Are you going to sell it? “I am willing to purchase but…”
“yes? No I’ll just keep it. “You can’t sell something you don’t know what it is.”
“I think that’s right too. “Get the right emotions.”
Ronan put the sphere back in his pocket. Now even though I was curious I didn’t want to sell it. He was thinking of finding someone who knew better or asking this guy named Varen.
At that time Asher poked Ronan in the back. He mouthed the word ‘Phileon’. Ronan clapped his hands and turned around to talk to Duon again.
“It seems like you buy and sell everything. Are there any books related to Phileon?”
“hmm? “Do you mean Phileon Academy?”
“yes.”
Ronan explained the whole story. There was a need to collect information in order to take the entrance exam next month. Duon’s face brightened as he lowered his head and listened to his situation.
“Aha you were applicants for admission? “It just worked out well.”
“Are you saying it’s going well?”
“My daughter is also taking the Phileon exam this time. I think I can help you in some small way. sonny!”
he exclaimed looking back at the carriage parked behind the stall. The wagon which had undergone various modifications was a means of transportation a store and a warehouse. When no answer came back Duon began knocking on his carriage as if knocking.
“baby! Marya!”
“what? baby?”
Then a head popped out from the roof of the carriage. She was an impressive girl with as much blonde hair as a lion but she had the smallest head of any woman Ronan had ever seen. She frowned and opened her mouth.
“Younggamtaegi… I thought you told me not to call you that?”
“Ouch.”
Ronan laughed. It was a line that did not suit his doll-like appearance. Suddenly a feeling of déjà vu crossed my mind.
‘hmm? wait for a sec. Obviously…’
Blonde with small hair. It was a face I felt like I had seen somewhere before.
Marya. Marya? Where did I see him?
I felt like I couldn’t remember anything. Duon shouted putting his hands on his waist.
“Maria! “What kind of habit is that?”
“If you twist me… haaam… let me make you independent.”
“You really!”
Marya yawned without covering her mouth. Asher’s face turned white. She stretched her legs and jumped out of her carriage in one go. Her light landing was as graceful as a cat’s.
“So what are you guys?”
She turned her back and glared at the boys. It seemed like she was trying to hold on to her own weight but since she was only slightly taller than Asher she didn’t make much of a difference. At that time Duon grabbed her head.
“Aya! “Why are you hitting me?!”
“I’ll try to do it in moderation. Now say hello. “They are the customers who made a big deal this time and they are applying to Phileon next month.”
“Ssi…you’re a guest?”
Marya who was rubbing her hit area looked the boys up and down. Aside from her scraggly appearance she looked very young. Her eyes narrowed in suspicion.
“What did you sell that made you a big customer?”
“Marya. Did you forget the iron rule above? “We do not ask about the source of the customer’s money or goods.”
“…Oh that’s right. “I’m sorry everyone.”
Marja bowed her head politely and apologized. Ronan nodded her head intrigued.
As mentioned earlier she focused on the fact that she was a ‘customer’ rather than Phileon and although it was not cheesy her attitude as a merchant itself seemed excellent. Duon who saw that bowed his head along with her.
“I apologize for my rudeness everyone. “She is my only daughter and since she was young she has been hanging out with men at the top… so it is all my fault as a parent.”
“are you okay. “Anyway would you please raise your head?”
“yes? why?”
Marja raised her head. The concave and fine features were symmetrical as if measured with a ruler. Her water-colored eyes were a soft green like the southern sea.
She was quite a beauty. Of course compared to her Iril older sister she is worse than chick pee.
“Hmm?”
Ronan who was looking at her face closely tilted his head.
“You’re your uncle’s only daughter?”
“yes? Oh yes. “Yes.”
“That’s strange… Do you have a secret son or something?”
“yes…?”
“Think about it carefully. Why do we males often make mistakes? The so-called mistakes of youth…”
Bewilderment appeared on Duon’s face. Even if she had downed five bottles of alcohol it wasn’t something worth talking about in front of her daughter. Asher sensing her tense mood tugged on Ronan’s sleeve but his muzzle only gave her more vulgar examples.
“There was a night when her maid’s butt looked particularly desirable as she washed the dishes… really?”
“I really want to hear this!”
match! Marya’s palm flew like the wind and slapped Ronan. An unusual sound came from her head as she turned around. I couldn’t believe the strength that came from her small body.
“What are you talking about to my dad!”
“Ro Ronan…are you okay?”
“This taste….”
Ronan touched her cheek and slowly turned her head. Her temper flared but she was able to maintain her confidence at the same time. The girl in front of her was someone she knew.
Ronan said.
“Is your middle name ‘Sen’ by any chance?”
Maria’s eyes widened as she huffed. Around the age of ten she was given a self-made name a middle name that only she and Duon knew.
“How did you do that…!”
Ronan laughed bitterly. She thought that life is about not knowing one step ahead. I never thought I would encounter a connection from her past here.
‘Damn it Count Armalen. You… were a woman.’
****
The first time Ronan met her (though she knew him as ‘he’ at the time) was nearing the end of two years after her death.
She had been fighting against werewolves in a remote northern area called the Tukan Plateau for two months when a handsome nobleman Sari visited her with a bunch of supplies.
“I am Count Seine who rules over Armalen. “I came to appreciate your hard work.”
The Count was an androgynous handsome man with his hair cut short. Now that the secret has been revealed it seems obvious but she looked exactly like Marya.
Since even a year’s supply was not enough he provided expensive silver weapons to all his soldiers. It was a use worthy of the rumor that he was second only to the emperor in wealth.
Of course it wasn’t free. Because merchants don’t do business at a loss. Providing silver weapons which were Werewolves’ weak point meant that I should quickly drive those furry creatures out of my business.
Everyone knew his intentions. However since being thankful was something to be thankful for the soldiers including Ronan expressed their gratitude by chanting the Count’s name.
“Ooh! I heard rich people like this! Look at my handstand applause Count Sen!”
“Take my ass Sen!”
Anyway on the day the Count came he held a grand banquet. The punishment soldiers were able to relieve their accumulated worries at the feast of good drinks and food they had never seen in their lives.
Ronan his best warrior took his seat next to the count. Sen had an easy-going personality that was unusual for a nobleman so we were able to have a pleasant conversation. Maybe thirty glasses were exchanged? Ronan who was pouring drinks spoke in a voice with his tongue very twisted.
“I have a question Count…is the underside of your hibbog also…gold?”
“Ugh down…?”
“Why is that there? I’m talking about the hair on my dick and the back… hehe! I wonder if nobles are any different. Hehehe.”
“…this guy!!”
The Count whose face turned red slapped Ronan on the cheek. Ronan who fell on two wheels picked up the bottle and hit the count on the head. Wow! The banquet ended like that.
‘…There was a reason why you were angry.’
The last time I saw him was during the battle with Ahayute. The size of the private soldiers brought by the count was comparable to that of an army corps. He took the lead to boost the morale of his soldiers and was killed in an explosion on the first day of the war.
He ‘was a nice guy.’
Ronan twitched his lips and lowered his gaze. Marya’s face still fuming came into view. As he lowered it a little further he could see his breasts already showing off their presence. How on earth did they hide that? It would have gotten bigger later.
“How did you know that name?! “No apologize to your dad sooner than that!”
Marya shouted. Asher was nervous as he watched the two people. Ronan raised one of his hands to stop Duon from scolding his daughter.
And he lowered his head.
“sorry. “I was mistaken.”
Asher’s face contorted in astonishment. Duon fidgeted and tried to raise him up but Ronan seemed frozen and did not move.
After a while another customer came and Duon left and only then did Ronan slowly raise his head. Marja crossed her arms and snorted.
“Hmph it’s good that apples are quick.”
“I didn’t do it to you. “You hairless bitch.”
Wow! Ronan raised his body and planted his fist into the top of Marja’s head. The intensity was on a different level from the honey balm filled with Duon’s love. Marya almost fell to the ground.
“Ugh…Ugh…!”
“If you don’t want to get hurt don’t touch my face. Did you understand?”
Ronan threatened. He didn’t know what happened before he became Count Armalen and why he disguised himself as a man but the count he knew was the greatest merchant on the continent. He was sure that building up friendships would be of great help.
“Did you understand?”
“Ro Ronan… stop now….”
But he didn’t want to make friends even as he groveled. What Ronan said to Duon was clearly rude. From his daughter’s perspective it was understandable that he was angry.
But other than that I felt bad when I got hit in the face. Other causal relationships were not really my business.
“Hi…heeeeeee…it hurts….”
Marja didn’t wake up clutching his head. A sobbing sound began to be heard. Asher poked Ronan in the side.
“I hit you too hard…!”
“I hit him gently…damn it.”
His small shoulders were shaking pitifully. The crying was getting louder. Ronan approached her sighing and placed his hand on her shoulder.
“Hah… So why did you do that? From next time know the topic and stay calm!”
bang! Marya jumped to her knees and delivered her uppercut. Ronan’s body staggered after being hit directly in the chin by her. There wasn’t anything resembling tears to be found on her exposed face.
“You bastard! “I thought you split her head!”
Without hesitation Marya picked up a chair and hit him on the head. Kwajak! Ronan’s face popped out through the bottom of the chair. The market’s attention was focused on the untimely commotion.
“Little customer! Marya! “What is this now…!”
“You damn bitch…!”
Blood appeared on Ronan’s fist. Duon who was greeting other guests was running towards them throwing away money. Asher screamed almost screaming at her.
“This invisible hand!”
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