The city-state of Leytin is located at the eastern end of the League of City-States.
　Because of its location, it has developed through trade with the Kingdom of Naglas, and it is a city where peddlers and carriages of caravans come and go daily to the west and east.

　There are many merchant associations that are based in this city, and because of this, the competition is fierce.
　If you are careless, you will be overtaken, and if you are not careful, you could lose your entire fortune.

　Along the main street that runs through the city from east to west, there are many large and small merchant associations that sell a wide variety of products lining the streets.
　There is a building in the middle of it.
　There is a signboard with the name "Litte Company" engraved on the front entrance.

　Like the surrounding buildings, this building had a store and reception on the first floor, and on the second floor there was a reception area, an employee's room, and the room of the chairman of the trade association.

　The door to the hallway was not new.
　Even though the building had changed owners and the chairman had been replaced, he must have kept an eye on it all along.
　The presence of the old but carefully maintained door calms the atmosphere around it and reminds me of the long years the building has lived.

'So why does she have to go to Naglas!

　A voice that spoiled the solemn atmosphere was echoing in the room.

　In the Chairman's room were two women.
　The one shouting aloud is Ellie, the heiress of the Lovell Trading Company.
　She is a woman in her late teens with long, bright blonde hair. She has anger in her blue eyes as she shakes her shoulders.

　On the other hand, the person who bears the brunt of the anger is the owner of the room, Marida, the president of the Litte Chamber of Commerce.
　She has a gray shortcut and large, round chestnut eyes. This one, like Ellie, is also on the verge of her twenties.

　Both of them were not the most beautiful women in the world, but they both had well-defined faces.
　If they were sitting across from each other, chatting in a ladylike manner, they would probably get some good looks from men in their own way.

　But at this moment, the air in the room is not so calm.
　It's a good idea to have a good time with your friends and family.

It's a good thing that you're not the only one. The daughter of a pre-wife is not supposed to yell at you like that.

　Marida soothed Ellie, who looked like she was about to grab her.

'You're the one who made me yell at you.

　I'm not sure if she has calmed down a bit by shouting loudly or not, but Ellie sits down on the sofa wildly with her annoyance still on her face.

I'm one of the edges of a merchant. You can't give a loan for free in front of your subordinates, even if it's to save your childhood friend's crisis. In exchange for the loan, the company asks you to do some important business for the trade association, which is just like a business transaction.

But that doesn't mean it has anything to do with Kirill.

'No, that's not true. Even though Kirill-kun is an apprentice, he's still a member of the Lovell Trading Company, right?　Where the Chamber of Commerce goes will have a big impact on his future, so it's only natural that he'll do everything he can to avoid problems.

　Marida murmured only in her mind, though in Kirill's case it was more for Ellie's sake than the Chamber of Commerce.

'If it's about the loan, we've already settled it. Juris-san from the Zimbalil Chamber of Commerce will take care of our debts. ......

So?　Instead, I'm going to tell Kirill-kun to sit back and watch Ellie become Julis' mistress?

'I can't help it. I didn't expect to have a decent marriage to begin with, and as long as I'm 'thwarted', the Chamber of Commerce would be better off handing over the heir to one of our best people.

Ellie.

　Instantly, Marida's face turns serious.

It's a good thing that there are people who don't have the guts to say that Ellie is a "thwarted" or whatever. It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're talking about. But you know--

　Marida's large eyes pierce Ellie.
　Her usual mischievous tone of voice is gone and she admonishes Ellie with her honest words.

It's a good thing that you're the one making the effort to support you, because if you give up your life for that reason, then what will happen to the people who are trying to support you?　How can you deny what your father and Mr. Kirill are doing for you, when you yourself deny what your father and Mr. Kirill are doing for you?

...... Sorry.

　As if she had some thoughts about Marida's words, Ellie begrudgingly uttered an apology.
　In response, Marida's mood returned to its usual cheerful one.

You don't need to apologize. I'm not in a position to say such a thing.

　Marida knew very well that she was the one with the worst quality.
　In order to achieve her goal, she would cheat on her childhood friend's misfortune, lie like a breath, and treat her young child like a pawn.
　If you die, you'll definitely go to hell, Marida thought to herself, as if it were someone else's business.

'Hey, Marida. Can you send Kirill to pick you up now and tell him to come back?

That doesn't make any sense. If all goes according to plan, they should be on their way from Naglas by now.

　Marida was right, Kirill had left Leytin more than ten days ago. There's nothing to call back the person who is in the middle of coming back.

'That's if they're safe, right?　I don't care if he's an adult, Kirill is only a twelve year old kid, okay?　I can't believe even your father knew and didn't tell you. ......

　Of course, Ellie's father, or the chairman of the Lovell Chamber of Commerce, had already rooted it out.
　He had asked him to give a suitable reason to cover up Kirill's absence so that Ellie wouldn't realize it.

　If Ellie found out about this early on, she could quickly scrounge up her guards and go after Kirill. Ellie was that kind of woman.

　In the end, she was eventually found out, but if Kirill might come back today, she wouldn't go out of town to find him to avoid a misunderstanding.

'It's okay, it's okay. I'm sure Kirill is very solid for his age. I've also given him some silver for his expenses, and I've asked one of the merchants I know to ride with me in the carriage to the capital of Naglas. If the merchant lets me ride back with him or her, it won't take me long to get to Laitin even if I'm asleep.

Really?

　Ellie asks with a pathetic face.
　Honestly, as a merchant, it's not a good idea for your emotions to show on your face like this.

　You will be able to find a lot more than just a few of them.
　In addition, her abilities as a merchant are much higher than those of Marida.
　Product knowledge, calculation skills, connoisseurship, the ability to read business opportunities, and conceptualization. All of these abilities are on par with or even better than Marida's.

　However, there is one problem.
　As a merchant, she has too much compassion.

　This tendency is especially pronounced when family and close friends are involved.
　Experienced merchants, such as those who can't do the tricks of the trade, are good pats on the back.

　Even if the matter of the mistress is settled this time, it would be a good idea for Ellie not to take over the trade association in the future.
　You'll have to laugh with your face, but keep a level head. And if necessary, you have to make ruthless decisions, that's what business is all about.

　Even if you are a childhood friend, you need to be strong enough to take advantage of them. This is just what Marida is doing right now.
　Of course, it is not admirable to use your allies as a stepping stone, but it is natural to use them to the extent that they do not cause you any disadvantage.

　It's difficult to know where to draw that boundary, though. Marida replies with a smile to Ellie while thinking about it.

'Really, really.'

　Well, I don't dare to say the words "well maybe not enough money".

''Yes, ......, if you're a troop merchant, you'll have some mercenaries to guard you. It's okay, right?

I'll come back in one piece. I'll be fine.

　If you're doing well, your monstrous guards will stick with you. You are as safe as guaranteed on the road.

'Speaking of which, ......, what did Kirill want with Naglas?'

It's nothing important. It's just a matter of trying to get people to spend some time with you...

　Almost at the same time as Marida replied, there was a light knock on the door of the Chairman's office.
　A young man, who had entered the room with permission, announced a visitor.

'Kirill-sama of the Lovel Chamber of Commerce and his companion are here to see you. I understand you have no prior appointment, may I be of service?