Journey to Bertium(2)

The sound of waves crashing against the pier and the salty scent of the sea breeze filled the air.

Their ship had stopped at the main port of Bertium.

According to the letters sent by Rachel, she and her people were supposed to be met here.

Adjusting her hat, the girl looked around, searching for the people she needed.

Annelise, who had been standing quietly behind her for quite some time, sighed softly.

Showing a forged noble insignia, the knights who were supposed to inspect all the "tuna" cargo merely glanced at a couple of sacks filled with real fish.

Even the inspection of the cabins and the ship itself was rather superficial.

Often, even if the goods weren't thoroughly checked, the bribe-taking officials would meticulously search the vessel for drugs, illegal weapons, and the like.

So the precaution of hiding drugs disguised as "tuna" was a perfect idea.

Moreover, the sacks that truly looked like fish-filled tuna sacks did not raise any suspicions. Breathing a sigh of relief, Rachel just had to wait for her clients.

After about fifteen minutes, among the crowd appeared people heading towards her.

And her intuition was right — these were indeed her clients.

— Lady, Rachel? — a man in expensive clothes approached, looking at the girl inquisitively.

— Yes. Let's avoid using names, shall we? — Rachel replied with a friendly smile.

— As you wish, lady. — The mustached man grinned slyly and waved his hand, inviting her and her people to follow him.

(This deal promises to be profitable), Rachel thought as she followed the foreign nobles.

---

— So, this way you will be able to supply...

Listening half-heartedly and watching the supply route map with a bored, empty gaze, the girl thought,

(Not this again...)

—I think we can end here, — seeing her disinterest, the client decided not to test his patience further.

— Yes, everything sounds perfect, sign here. — Finally hearing a blessed silence for a few seconds, Rachel deftly slid him the contract.

Bertium seemed very strict at first glance. But as it turned out, every country has those who want to break the strict, conservative order.

And these people exactly represented that.

It was impossible to say for sure, but two reasons stood out why the girl did not rush her clients despite the lengthy and repetitive information.

First — profitability and benefit. Second — strengthening ties abroad for Planta.

— Thank you, lady.

With a nasty smile, one of the clients looked at Rachel.

— It was a pleasure doing business with you. — Like a fox, the girl returned the sly smile, pleased with the signed contract.

— Don't mention it, l-l-lady… — the aristocrat drawled the last word with a mocking smirk, looking at Rachel.

Without a doubt, all the people she dealt with were disgusting creatures with terrible temperaments. But what else could one expect from clients of a criminal guild?

(I think that's it for today. Surprisingly, everything went quickly and smoothly.)

Thinking this, the girl pushed back her chair and stood up on legs slightly numb from sitting too long.

Imagine, she had been sitting at the negotiation table for about six hours, and finally her work here was done.

Opening the doors, Rachel nodded to Annelise, who had stood as obediently as the other servants all this time.

— Let's go.

Commanding shortly, the mistress left the meeting place.

— The bath is ready, madam, — one of the maids, whom the blonde had brought with her to Bertium, bowed respectfully as she entered.

It was a temporarily rented mansion, but it looked quite decent and somewhat luxurious.

Looking at the servant in the doorway, Rachel gave a faint smile and went out.

The rented house.

As soon as she sank into the fragrant bath filled with rose petals and oils, her immortal but tired body felt renewed.

(This is divine.)

(Isn't this what they call a paradise life?) — turning her head to the side, one of the maids began massaging her shoulders, carefully lifting the mistress's light golden hair off her back. Meanwhile, two others were working on her hands.

(In this life, I can command people with just a nod, if I'm too lazy to move a finger.)

(God… how good it feels), — murmuring mentally, a blissful smile appeared on Rachel's face.

Having finished with the bath, Rachel sat in the living room reading.

From her interested face with a soft, friendly smile, it was clear this was another scandalous romance novel. For some reason, she simply adored them — reading one or two a day.

Her personal maid Liz stood behind, brushing her already dry silky locks.

— Annelise.

— Yes, madam?

— Do you know where one can have some fun around here? — throwing her head back, Rachel looked at her with curious blue eyes.

— Have fun? — Annelise paused for a second, surprised.

— Bars, taverns… Although it's okay if you don't know, we're not in Planta.

— Ah, you mean... I think the tavern "Cherry Garden" was famous for good drinks… some of the servants mentioned it, but I'm not sure.

— Really? Sounds familiar. We saw it on the way back.

— Do you think they really have tasty alcohol there? — closing the book, Rachel looked at the maid again with interest.

— If you want, we can serve some bottles from what you brought with you, — Annelise offered, unsure how to respond.

— N-no, not that! You're always so boring, — Rachel whined, sighing and pouting.

— …

— I think fate itself is calling me there!

— Haven't you had enough to drink on vacation?.. Alcohol is bad for...

— Stop it, no matter how much I drink, I don't get drunk. Did you forget who I am? — cutting her off, Rachel grinned slyly, her eyes darkening to red.

— Ha… be careful. — Resigned, Annelise sighed.

She wasn't interested in her mistress's antics but didn't want Rachel to disappear again for weeks. Then her salary would be delayed again.

For some strange reason, the blonde delayed payment only to her, as if testing Liz's patience, knowing that she simply had nowhere else to go.

Finishing brushing the hair, Annelise waved her hand, and Rachel disappeared behind the door, taking her cloak.

---

Ezekiel sat on the bed in the room, staring at a letter.

Clenching the scrap of paper tightly, his fingers seemed ready to crush it completely.

— Son of a bitch, — the man cursed coldly and continued to glare at the words as if trying to find a hidden sender.

— Ha… — finally exhaling irritably, Ezekiel tried to calm down and reread the letter.

"Dear client,

It seems you have arrived here to find me, right? It must have been such an urgent matter that you traveled all this way.

My dear deputy Jack kept bothering me with letters asking to accept you. There were about twenty letters.

And just as many apologies for your recklessness.

In any case, whatever it was, I will gladly meet you, since the hero of the empire — Ezekiel Flaylmery himself — hurried after me even overseas.

Hm, I suppose that's what I would say if I were glad to see you.

But… no one ever said I was like that, right?

First, send an invitation to the guild's main headquarters and wait for me like a dog begging for help, you arrogant bastard.

Thought you could get away with anything just because you're a hero? Don't forget your place.

P.S. For your information, I already crossed paths with you a day ago on the way back to Planta*.

See you soon!

Neat handwriting, beautiful letters, carefully written with ink on paper — but such a harsh and insulting message. What a pity.

"Damn, I should have known that psycho would try something like this. But just think — did we really cross paths? I don't think he's lying, but still… it's so damn annoying."

Ruffling his silver hair, the paladin crumpled the sheet and lay down on the bed.

The person he wanted to meet so badly was the head of the Teoharis information guild.

Even knowing that he was on a mission abroad, Izzekiel had followed him closely, eager for a quick meeting.

He sent a couple of hastily written letters, hoping he would accept. But as Jack — the deputy and right hand of the guild leader — said, "It's impossible. My boss is a real psycho. He never accepts anyone he doesn't like, no matter how much money they offer. Don't think you'll be an exception just because you suddenly asked to meet."

"He was supposed to be in this city. That guy slipped away so fast, ha… Who would've thought the head of Teoharis would run off like a rat," Izzekiel said with an ironic grin, lowering his gaze.

Of course, he was displeased. So much that he could feel it shaking through his whole body — he wanted to choke the arrogant bastard who had so cleverly avoided their confrontation.

And he still couldn't admit how impulsive and reckless his own action had been.

The guild leader, who was supposed to stay here for at least two more weeks on business, had suddenly left.

And left a shocked Izzekiel like a stray puppy.

(I thought he would refuse the meeting, but is he really gone?! Damn that lousy bastard!)

Cursing again, he crumpled the letter he still held for some reason and threw it into the drawer.

Of course, he could keep hoping the guy was still here and just lying, but the brief report from Jack only confirmed the leader's actions.

The head of Teoharis was a strange man. Despite his intelligence and agility, which helped him found the guild, he was a real psycho. Why? It's not a pleasant story, but in short — he enjoyed making people cry. That's enough to call him crazy, isn't it?

"The innkeeper said their drink is quite popular…"

"I think having a drink now would be just perfect. Ha…" Trying to distract himself from the bad news, the man snorted, tousled his silver hair once more, and got up from the bed.

---

*The Holy Planta Empire — that's where everything will happen, where the main character lives, and so on.