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Where Water Flows II (5)
Translated by Wook
Edited by Wook
When the work at the March was over, Jonathan returned to the Duke’s Castle with Vera and his child.
Elisha and the 1st Knights also set off for Count Eyim.
Having received a great help, Marquis Rwanda’s complexion turned for the better, but at the same time, he took the lead when the 2nd Empress, who was a great source of trouble, left his estate.
In Eyim County, everything was done faster than in the March.
Compared to the first two places they stopped by, the county territory was small, and the party had become more proficient. Marquis Rwanda pushed forward with all his might.
This territory was not the Duchy, where he couldn’t act on his own, or the March that he owned, so he could move more roughly.
Count Eyim’s expression was slightly wrinkled, but that was just his situation.
***
Elisha’s party was able to leave Eyim County not too long ago.
“This is the last one.”
Marquis Rwanda, who had a completely refreshed face, said to Elisha.
Syuphl Barony was a small aristocratic family that was not particularly mentioned among the Western nobility.
Whenever it was being talked about, it was never a good case. Most of the time, it was due to the Miyon Desert, the land of the Kran Kingdom, which borders them.
In addition, due to the influence of the Miyon Desert, the geology was one of the worst in the already barren West. Who would put such a Syuphl Barony, which couldn’t do anything, as a comparative opponent even as a joke?
It was because of its insignificance that Syuphl Barony was put on the important schedule of receiving the help of the guests from Barossa.
Unlike the March, which could fully utilize the water veins and provide various assistance to the western region with it, or Eyim County, which had an advantage in terms of location

Syuphl Barony would have almost died if it was left like this.
No matter how strong the solidarity of the Western aristocracy, they were a group that united for their own benefit.
It didn’t matter what happened to Baron Syuphl, who was more of a burden than help.
Although the territory was vast, it was full of sand and it was difficult for life to take root in the Moyon Desert, which was useless land in itself.
The rough and ferocious desert people who live in various tribes have long been subordinated to the Kran Kingdom, but some of them were still not completely absorbed.
Normally, it wasn’t something the Western nobles would care about unless there was something that concerns their own territory

But the situation changed after the terrible drought began and monsters began to run rampant.
The monsters that did not leave the desert widened their radius of activity, and the tribes of the desert people that refused to join the Kran Kingdom started plundering.
At first, those tribes reached out to the territory near the desert within the Kran Kingdom, but the counterattack was formidable, so they turned toward other places, which was Syuphl Barony.
The barony was narrow and long, and even though a large part of it was bordered

Due to the existence of a huge buffer zone called Miyon Desert, it was not classified as a military strategic point.
So it became a territory that was neglected inside the Western nobility, because everyone was wary that the emperor might plant his own power and use it to oppress the West.
Therefore, Syuphl Barony was an easy prey for the desert tribes.
When the Syuphl territory was helplessly torn down by the disaster that was caused by the drought and monsters, it was the aristocrats who had their lands nearby who were panicked.
They had been using the Syuphl Estate like an umbrella to escape the heat of the sandstorm of the Miyon Desert. They thought that if the current owner of the estate went extinct, one of them might be put in charge of the troublesome land.
[T/N: Not literally heat and sandstorm, but problems that are caused by Miyon Desert.]
However, if they just escape and leave it alone, how could the current emperor, the owner of Barossa, who was completely different from the previous emperors, stand still?
At this time, it was clear that the western outskirts would be filled with power.
Only at this time, those who have been reluctant to report the exact situation until now, did the minimum effort to save Syuphl Barony because it was getting harder to just rely on prayers.
It was only a breath, but Baron Syuphl had no choice but to feel it.
But that’s why.
“What madness. Her Majesty the 2nd Empress herself! Even if just one thing goes wrong, it will be all over for us!”
He had to get what he was given, even though his head was wrapped and tormented because of it.
Although it was evident that what the 2nd Empress would give was the most valuable thing considering the things he had received from the Western aristocracy so far, he still couldn’t help putting his thumb between his teeth and wheezed out his concerns.
“Don’t worry too much, my lord. There’s no need for Her Majesty to go to a place where the monsters run rampant anyway. Besides, no matter how ignorant the desert bastards are, they won’t be able to touch Barossa’s guests.”
Adam, the commander of the Baron’s knights, exhorted his master.
“You’re not wrong, but
 The communication keeps coming from Lord William of the Western Tower himself! Why does he keep wanting to come here? Even though I know that he has a good relationship with the 2nd Empress, he’s going to go to a barony under a duchy, so why won’t he get permission from the Duke first?”
It took a long time for the communication device to be connected to the Duke, and even if it did, the Duke would only give a cold response of why he couldn’t properly refuse William away.
“It will be over soon.”
“How can you say that?! Adam, why do you keep saying one thing over and over again
!”
“Did you forget who is coming with the 2nd Empress?”
“Ah! Marquis Rwanda! When he comes, he will take care of everything, so I just need to eat what he gives from behind the curtain. Isn’t that right?”
Adam only nodded his head at his master who asked the question as if he had just come up with it.
“Yes, Baron. That’s why, let’s just watch in peace.”
“W-Will it be okay? Hahaha!”
The Baron, who stretched out with his back on his comfy chair, called his maid to bring him liquor and made him greasy food.
“I have work to do.”
“Yes, yes. I’ve been holding on to our busy knight commander for too long. You may leave and see to your business.”
At the Baron’s words, Adam got up from his seat, opened the door, and went outside.
The door closed behind Adam’s back.
Tak!
Adam’s eyes narrowed as the doorknob and the doorframe’s mouths met correctly.
“That piglet is talking too much.”
In the grumbling voice, there was not a single trace of the loyal knight commander that had been seen before.
However, as soon as the sound of footsteps running from the opposite hallway was heard, the disturbing energy disappeared as if washed away.
“Adam! Adam! Is Father in the office right now?”
“Miss Tricia, what are you doing?”
“What am I doing?! My dress hasn’t arrived yet! Sir Rohan is coming to our estate, and if I appear like a beggar, what will our estate be?”
Tricia, who had a pretty face, spoke proudly while raising her chin.
“The Baron is busy with work.”
“Hah, what work? He’s probably drinking again. Move!”
Even though she was the only daughter of the baron, it was unreasonable for her to be so reckless towards him, the knight commander.
But Adam accepted it casually and was always loyal, therefore, she became more and more arrogant.
Tricia pushed Adam away and opened the office door wide.
“Father!”
“Huh, Tricia? Isn’t it time for lessons with your mother? How are you here
”
The baroness’ personality was pretty good, but she wasn’t ready to take care of a daughter who was taller than her.
Adam, who didn’t want to hear Tricia running around and pouring her words out to her father, quickly shut the door from outside.
An expression of utmost regret was pasted on his face, as if pretending he didn’t know about the shameful things of the Baron.
The knight commander contorted his face as the door closed, and this time he exhaled harshly for a long time.
“Yes, I’ve endured for so long in this pigpen.”
Praising himself, Adam quickly moved away from the office.
***
The carriage stopped in front of the Baron’s mansion.
This is the final stage of the itinerary.
Elisha, who looked back on the route she had traveled, found the cause of the grit she had been feeling since they entered the Barony.
“It’s strange.”
According to the basic information that Rohan said it would be good to know, and from the bits she heard on their way here, the Barony was troubled and in need of help.
But Elisha did not see anything that stood out until she arrived in the Barony.
It couldn’t have happened without someone’s intention.
“You’ve arrived.”
The carriage made a complete stop, and Rohan’s hand was held out after the door of the carriage was opened.
Elisha, with a slight frown on her forehead, grabbed Leon and pressed her hand to Rohan’s, and stood down from the carriage.
“Welcome, Your Majesty.”
Baron Syuphl greeted her with his head bowed.
To his left stood a woman who appeared to be his wife, and to his right stood a woman who appeared to be his daughter, but the woman could not take her eyes off Rohan.
The appearance of the three people dressed up in a ridiculously colorful way in front of the mansion where the old plaque still remains even after repainting and covering it up, doubled the grimness she felt earlier.
Elisha nodded lightly and went inside with Marquis Rwanda.
The size of the mansion was even incomparable to the capital mansions owned by prominent local nobles near Barossa, not to mention the castles of the various estates she had passed through. Therefore, there was no need to guide her inside.
The top of the three floors was used by Elisha’s party, and this floor was given to the Marquis and his followers.
The Baron’s family decided to leave their place of residence for a while and stay on the first floor, but unlike the Baron’s couple, the daughter’s face became blotchy as if she was very dissatisfied.
It wasn’t because she had to give up her place, but because Rohan was staying on the third floor, so she wanted to be in one of the rooms on the third floor, as she muttered to herself.
She thought that if she said it, someone would give her consideration to do so, as such, the woman who introduced herself as Tricia, did not stop.
“Humph!”
When Marquis Rwanda harrumphed and shot a look at the Baron, the Baron winked his eyes at his daughter.
Then Tricia’s mouth closed.
One stern gaze continued to follow.
Elisha was puzzled.
From a while ago, that woman looked at herself with resentment

It was definitely their first meeting, so why is that?
“It seems that the rumors went wrong. They must have said I was a little generous in the Duchy.”
“Mother?”
“They must know me as an incredibly merciful person. Otherwise, there is no way anyone would be ignorant of the loss of their life.”
Elisha fixed her blue eyes in one place.
“Hiccup!”
Tricia was startled and swallowed with her throat.
“It’s not a false rumor! You are very merciful!”
As Leon spoke with his arms wide open, Elisha placed her forehead on the forehead of the child in his arms.
“Really?”
“Of course!”
“Then I guess so.”
As Elisha’s chill subsided, the air around her softened.
“Let’s go up.”
When Elisha spoke, Dorian tried to climb the stairs with their luggage.
The Baron’s servants tried to help, but she shook her head.
She was firmly educated by her senior, Marie.
Nobody knows what’s going to happen outside, so don’t let anyone touch their luggage.
Elisha stopped Dorian as she grunted and was about to lift the load.
“Wait for a moment.”
It would be difficult to lift that heavy load with Dorian’s slender arms.
However, it would be funny if Elisha and the 1st Knights come forward to help while refusing the help of the Baron’s servants.
Elisha thought there must be a reason, and flicked her fingertips lightly.
Syiiiik!
A stream of water gushed out and lifted the load lightly.
“Let’s go.”
When Elisha spoke, Dorian followed her politely.
This was a waste of energy and lowering Elisha’s level. No wonder the Marquis’ stinging gaze was aimed towards her.
And harrumphed one more time.
“As expected, the rumor outside was so off the mark.”
Elisha murmured.
A chance to rectify it will come soon.
If it doesn’t come, she can make it. Every time she steps on the stairs, there is a creaking sound and the smell of old musty wood.