Carolus's Offer

After Baron Aarg left, the mages looked confused.

They had only been hired by Baron Aarg.

Judging there was no point in staying, they left as well.

Many of the city's residents were watching Alexia, but officials guided them to disperse.

One girl slipped away from the crowd, handed Alexia a flower, and left.

"Hm. I'd guess the baron's headed to the count's estate."

Carolus gazed in the direction Baron Aarg had departed.

Once he was out of sight, Carolus turned to face Alexia, who had removed her hood.

"Well, it's been a while, Alexia."

"Indeed, Carolus."

"You were hiding your face, so I thought you weren't planning to reveal yourself."

"That was my intention. But it's fine now."

"I see. Well, this is more like you anyway."

After saying that much, Carolus tucked the letter away inside his coat.

"Things are going to get busy from here. My travels are ending, and I plan to return home to pursue the count over this city's matter. Alexia, would you come with me?"

"That's…"

"After that incident, I looked into you. I know what your current situation is. I'll provide the money to free you from your position. I'll even pay double if necessary. Won't you come with me?"

Carolus stepped closer to Alexia.

But Alexia shook her head at his words.

"Carolus, I'm happy you'd say that, but I refuse to be bought a second time."

"That's different. I only mean to free you from your position as a slave—"

"It's the same thing. If nothing had happened and I was still in this city, I might have gone with you. But that's not what happened."

Alexia said that and looked at Azu and the others.

"I'm quite fond of my current situation. The slave status aside."

"I see. After all, I came back too late. If I had returned sooner… no, there's no point in saying it."

"What's done is done."

"That's right. It's unfortunate. Alexia, I don't like the current Empire. The Senate is obsessed with expanding their estates to fill their own pockets, and the other nobles are desperate to ingratiate themselves with the Senate. At this rate, the Empire will weaken. I'm going to change that. I wanted you by my side."

Carolus said that while looking into Alexia's eyes.

Alexia looked back into his eyes.

"Straightforward as always. Father liked that about you. I can't go with you, but I'll support you."

"Yes. Thank you. Well then, I'll be going."

With that, Carolus walked away with firm, steady steps.

"Are you sure about this?"

"I am."

When I asked, Alexia nodded while watching Carolus leave.

From the flow of the conversation, I thought maybe she would, but Alexia didn't accept Carolus's proposal.

"Hehe. More important than my life, right? After being told that much, well…"

"That was… yeah."

It seems like those words from that day will come up again and again.

But since it was my true feeling, I have no intention of retracting it.

One of the Water Elementals drifted around Alexia before approaching Azu.

"What is it?"

Azu asked the approaching Water Elemental.

It moved in front of Azu's right eye, then smoothly absorbed into it.

"Wah!"

Azu was startled.

"It's all right. It seems like it wants to lend you its power."

Elza comforted the surprised Azu.

"But, in my right eye…"

"Azu-chan's right eye has become an Apostle's Vessel, so it should be comfortable for the Water Elemental."

"Is that so? It feels strange though."

"You'll get used to it after a little while, so don't worry."

The other Water Elementals faded into the air.

"With this, the water energy has returned to normal. It'll take a little time to fully recover, but it should be fine now."

"I see. That's good."

"Yes. I'm sorry for being selfish."

"What, it's rare for you to bow your head."

"Honestly, I'm bowing my head for once and this is your response."

Even after I bought her as a slave, this might be the first time Alexia has bowed her head to me while maintaining her own will.

That's how much she cared about this city.

Now then, this city still has a mountain of problems, but we can only get involved so much.

Rather, we've already stepped in too far.

I had been thinking a bit about what to do from here.

Right now, this city is lacking many things.

The damage to the land from the Water Elemental being captured will recover over time, and there seem to be business opportunities.

Merchants had probably been avoiding this city for a while.

And the people in this city are relatively wealthy.

Though they were suffering from the drought, I didn't see anyone in financial trouble.

If that's the case, should we go back once?

"Alright, it's decided."

"Yes. What will you do, Master?"

"For a while, we'll do trade between this city and our shop to earn foreign currency from the Empire."

Azu clapped her hands with a cheer.

Alexia seemed to have no objections either.

"Sounds good, doesn't it? The Church of the Sun God doesn't seem to be around here either."

It seems she had been checking if there were any temples at some point.

I'll need to look into what's lacking.

Daily necessities would probably sell if I packed them in.

Should I buy a wagon?