Chapter 72

Sashin’s Trading Company

A new trading company that emerged in Noktar, Sashin’s Trading Company has been making waves since its inception. Its first major move was absorbing Duke of the Night, Noktar's popular tavern, the city’s heart of information and social networks. By controlling this hotspot, the company took over Noktar’s information network, effectively monopolizing both trade and intelligence.

The second step involved gaining the full support of Baron Vardelli. Sashin’s Trading Company sold a selection of rare collections from beneath the Desert Rose Company for a high price, securing funds to build on the site of the former Desert Rose Company. With Baron Vardelli and Narsha’s connections, they gained entry into noble society, bypassing the usual time and money it would take other trading companies to establish relationships with nobility. This allowed them to strike deals and build solid relationships with the aristocracy, eventually dominating not just the upper class but Noktar’s entire market.

At this point, other trading companies across the continent could potentially achieve similar feats. However, Narsha was exceptionally talented, and Sashin’s Trading Company had a unique strategy that no one else could replicate.

Elves.

It wasn’t just about using elves to serve drinks; that was merely an early publicity stunt. Narsha's true interest lay in the elves’ elementals—spirits imbued with the power of nature. Although these spirits were formidable in battle, they were perfectly suited for agriculture. Spirits of abundance could enrich the land, and water spirits could bring rain. With their aid, Noktar’s once barren lands transformed into lush farmlands.

This created job opportunities for slum residents, injecting money into the market and revitalizing the city. No one was happier with these changes than Baron Vardelli himself.

“Hahaha! To think my territory would ever be so full of life. Lady Brian, I owe it all to you. My judgment hasn’t dulled after all.”

“You’re too kind.”

“No need to be modest. You’ve accomplished what neither my father nor grandfather could. Count Brion raised you well.”

The baron beamed with pride, his smile unable to grow any wider. Each day brought him more joy, even though Narsha showed no reaction to his enthusiasm.

“Lady Brian. Have you thought about my proposal from last time?”

“Yes.”

“So, what do you think? Would you be willing to meet my son?”

The baron had two sons and a daughter. Compared to Narsha, a count's daughter, his children were rather unimpressive, though they were quite presentable. The chance of success seemed slim, but one never knows with matters of the heart. It would be nice if it worked out, and unfortunate if it didn’t.

“I’ll have to decline. I have no interest in such things.”

“Hoho, while my sons may not measure up to you, it does pain me as a father to hear you cut them off so directly.”

“I apologize.”

Her apology, polite but firm, left the baron at a loss. Though Narsha held no title, it was the baron who found himself on the weaker side of the negotiation. Narsha was doing him a favor by sharing her talents, and should she leave, the baron would be the one at a disadvantage.

“Lady, perhaps you’re taking this a bit too seriously. I was only joking.”

The baron forced a hearty laugh, trying to brush the matter aside.

Narsha set down her teacup and rose from her seat.

“Are you leaving already?”

“I can’t afford to be away for long.”

“I shouldn’t keep the head of Sashin’s Trading Company too long. Safe travels.”

Narsha paused at the doorway, prompting a puzzled look from the baron.

“Is something wrong?”

“I’m not the head of the company. That position belongs to someone else. I’m merely a temporary stand-in.”

Leaving the baron with that cryptic remark, Narsha departed.

In the now-empty VIP room, the baron exchanged glances with his secretary.

“Did Sashin’s Trading Company have another leader?”

“I’m not sure. It’s the first I’ve heard of it.”

If not Narsha, who was the head of the company? Who could command the respect of an earl’s daughter and wield power over elves? Narsha’s parting words left the baron in a state of turmoil, puzzling over the mystery for quite some time.

“Welcome back! You must be tired after two weeks.”

Back at the site that once belonged to Desert Rose Company, now occupied by Sashin’s Trading Company, Arpia greeted Narsha. She had just returned from a trip dealing with trades in another city.

“Did something unpleasant happen?”

“The baron suggested I meet his son.”

“That’s great! Why not go ahead and marry him? I could bring the elves and spirits for a blessing. Leave the company to me.”

“No thanks. The company would be ruined in a day.”

“Well, that’s a pity.”

Crunch.

Arpia munched on a cookie as Narsha observed her.

Sprawled out on the sofa, munching on oat cookies like a lazy bum, Arpia lay about while Narsha had been busy with work all day.

“Are you planning to do any work?”

“You told me not to.”

Arpia was disastrous when it came to work. Everything she touched seemed to fall apart, earning her the nickname of a reverse Midas. As a result, Narsha handled most of the company’s affairs. Without her upbringing and innate talent, the company would have crumbled long ago.

The only person Narsha could truly rely on was Victor, who worked at the tavern. His business acumen and experience were invaluable, even in her eyes. That’s why Victor held the role of manager.

Arpia, on the other hand... well, it was best not to comment. The less she did, the better.

“But Arpia, wasn’t it two weeks ago when I last left? You’re still in the same spot.”

“Yep. Haven’t moved an inch.”

“So you haven’t bathed since then?”

“Elves don’t need to bathe like humans. We always smell fresh, and if we ever get dirty, water spirits can clean us up.”

Despite her explanation, Narsha’s gaze remained critical. Sometimes, personal bias prevails over reality.

Narsha dragged Arpia up from the sofa.

“Come on. You’re going to bathe.”

“Ugh, I really don’t need to. I’m clean.”

“It’s not about that. It’s just lonely to bathe alone.”

The trading company had a grand bathhouse installed.

Since all the company’s self-proclaimed ‘slaves’ were female, they thought it wise to build a large communal bath. Yet, the bath was nothing ordinary. Adorned with angel statues, marble floors, and a ceiling set with luminescent stones, it rivaled the baths of palaces. Narsha’s noble upbringing made her meticulous about such luxuries, a non-negotiable aspect of her life as an aristocrat.

Narsha soaked her shoulders, sighing as the bath eased away her travel fatigue. It wasn’t merely the sensation. The bath, infused with the power of water spirits, had profound health benefits.

The water was essentially holy water, drinkable if one so wished.

Humming Arpia leaned against the bath’s edge, exposing her back as if flaunting the brand etched onto it.

Narsha knew what it represented. Arpia’s elven body was breathtaking, an incomparable beauty beyond sculpture.

While the brand could have been a blemish, Narsha thought it made her own unmarked body seem lackluster by comparison.

Should I ask Master to give me one too? she mused. She didn’t know the brand was meant to suppress Arpia’s suffering.

Narsha’s eyes drifted to the bandage wrapped around Arpia’s arm.

“Arpia, did you injure yourself?”

“Hm?”

“The bandage on your arm.”

“Oh, this?” Arpia glanced down, then grinned mischievously.

“Secret.”

Narsha couldn’t fully grasp the secret. However, she sensed a faint darkness behind Arpia’s gaze.

After the bath, Arpia returned to her room and lay on her bed.

Her clean skin felt good, and the spirits no longer tormented her. She had complete control over them now, free from pain.

But she found it somewhat disappointing.

Unwrapping the bandage, Arpia revealed a series of fresh scratches on her flawless arm, resembling claw marks.

Maybe, if she hurt herself more, he’d return sooner. And when he did, he’d worry, console her, and stay by her side.

The more she hurt, the longer he’d stay until she fully healed, and he wouldn’t leave. He couldn’t leave.@@novelbin@@

So, perhaps if she were forever in pain, he’d stay with her forever.

Smiling softly, Arpia made another fresh mark on her skin, a testament to her wish that he’d always be there.