Chapter 17.1: Alkimas Workshop (4)

Bark grabbed his bloody chest with trembling hands.

Varia, who was watching the situation, finally regained his composure and opened his mouth.

“…I apologize for the rudeness, so please have mercy, Sir Akin.”

If they didn’t bow and apologize, it wouldn’t be strange if someone’s neck was blown off.

Even Varia, someone who had a great influence on the entire North, was just a meaningless existence in front of the Lord’s power.

The knight who cut down Bark was Akin Kradel, the vice-captain of the Iron Blood Knights.

From the moment a big man like this showed up in person, he already had a hunch that something unusual had happened, but the words that came out of the other’s mouth were beyond his imagination.

The Lord’s order, why…

Why did the newly enthroned Seventh Lord ask for him and Scarlett? Didn’t he arrive in the capital just yesterday?

What was even more incomprehensible was the vice-captain’s attitude.

Anyone could see that he was overbearing on their side, but was polite to Scarlett.

While Varia was confused, he couldn’t help but feel an ominous feeling that something terrible was about to happen.

The vice-captain who drew the sword approached Scarlett and stood next to him without paying attention to the fallen Bark.

“Then we’ll move right away.”

Scarlett looked at Thane and the elders in embarrassment, as the others were looking at the knights at the same time.

“Umm, why are taking the family head…”

One elder opened his mouth involuntarily, but shut it back immediately.

He had no choice but to do so because Bark who did the same, was now in that kind of situation.

However, the vice-captain answered in a polite voice this time.

“Don’t worry, the Lord asked us to escort the workshop owner, so it’s definitely not a bad thing.”

“…”

The elders had no choice but to remain silent.

Although they were worried about why the Seventh Lord was looking for the family head, but they couldn’t stand in the way of the knights either.

“Si- sister.”

Thane grabbed his wounded arm and stood up.

Scarlett saw that and was about to talk to the vice-captain, but another elder stepped forward and said.

“Family head, don’t worry and go. We will treat Thane’s arm right away.”

She hesitated, then nodded.

Knights were attached to both sides of Scarlett. Some knights then approached Varia.

Varia let out a small sigh and turned to Bark.

“Treat your wound.”

The knights led the two of them and moved straight to the Lord’s castle.

***

After passing through the main gate of the castle and entering the inner sanctuary, Scarlett looked around with a nervous expression.

Just looking at the sight of the knights standing guard throughout the castle, she felt the severity of the situation.

There was no way that she, a mere outsider, had ever entered the interior of the castle like this.

When I reached the huge building in the center, there was an elderly butler waiting at the entrance.

He bowed his head and greeted Scarlett.

“My name is Floto, the head butler. The Lord is waiting for you, let me lead you there.”

Then he turned his gaze and took a quick glance at Varia before he started walking in the lead.

Passing through a wide and long corridor and stairs, we arrived at the highest floor of the building.

When I arrived at the central hall on the top floor, I saw a man sitting on a chair looking at something, and a female knight standing behind him.

“…?”

Upon seeing the scene, Scarlett’s face was instantly filled with doubt and bewilderment.

It had to be. Because the faces of the two were familiar.

The unknown customer who visited the studio in the morning and bought a scarlet potion, and paid three platinum coins as if they were a penny.

But what were they doing here…

“My lord.”

Floto said and bowed his head.

Scarlett also looked at the man with a dazed expression.

Suddenly, the conversation she had with Thane flashed through her mind. A conversation about the newly enthroned Seventh Lord.

“As you commanded, I brought you the owner of Alkimas Workshop and the head of the Varia Merchant Corps.”

Putting down the thing he was holding in his hand, the man slowly turned his head to look at Scarlett and opened his mouth.

“We met again so soon, workshop owner.”

Scarlett, who finally grasped the whole situation, lost her mind for a while, then belatedly lowered her head.

“It’s an honor to meet the Seventh Lord…”

The Seventh Lord then turned his gaze to Varia this time.

Varia did not dare to make eye contact and hurriedly bowed his head.

“It’s a lifetime honor to meet the Seventh Lord…”

“Why do you think I called you?”

Varia felt his heart froze at that indifferent and cold voice.