I was a bit worried about coming by carriage, but as Namgoongseongyul proudly claimed, we weren’t late.
When we returned to Seomhwa Castle, it was the morning of the day before the wedding.
The new carriage was definitely nice.
As soon as we entered the inn, I reserved rooms for Namgoongseongyul, Myojae, and the Murim Alliance’s law enforcement warriors, then asked Yohwan if the Sword Saint and Hongryeon had returned.
Fortunately, they had also come back a few days ago.
After all, with two superhumans knowing the strategy, taking down a few evil monsters and gathering some materials was probably a piece of cake.
The other necessary materials were entrusted to the Cheonghoe Merchant Guild and stored in my store, with that information leaked out casually…
If it’s Hongryeon’s skills, she should show up with the clothes around today.
“To have to go to work right after arriving…!!”
They were them, and Chaejin, who went with the Murim Alliance this time, was really struggling.
I burst into laughter at her clinging to my desk while screaming in despair.
It was because Chaeran had told her to hurry up and come inside since there was a lot of work waiting for her as soon as we returned.
She wanted to hang out by my side to relieve her travel fatigue, but somehow I didn’t think Chaeran would let her off the hook, even if she whined and cried.
I stroked her head, which seemed unwilling to leave my desk.
“If you keep getting stuck without doing your work, Chaeran might not let you go to the wedding, you know.”
“Gasp. No way!”
“If you know Chaeran, what do you think she would do?”
With her fingers on her lips, she thought for a moment before turning pale.
“She would definitely do that, I think.”
It was Chaeran who had made the effort to tease her older sister. If it’s her, she would undoubtedly tie her up and not let her go until the work was done.
As she stomped her feet, saying that couldn’t happen, the Sword Saint descended from the Hongseong and took me under her care.
“Then I’ll be off!!”
She jumped out the window and dashed away using her light movement technique. The sight made me chuckle as the Sword Saint casually approached and embraced me from behind.
“Ahhhh… It was only a few days, but those were truly unbearable days.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. I just want to stay like this a little longer, so please be still.”
If I didn’t be still, she seemed like she might stick to me with force. I just lifted her up and sat her on my desk. With her long legs wrapped around my waist and her head resting on my shoulder, she tilted her head.
“Weren’t you back today?”
“That’s right.”
“But what business are you so busy with?”
“There are various things I need to take care of.”
After the wedding, I couldn’t just jump straight into work. First, there were tasks I needed the Seongju to do, and things to instruct Yohwan regarding the inn’s operations.
And I had to organize the tasks I needed to ask Chaeran for help with.
I need to organize the requests I have.
As I was getting up from my seat after jotting down various things on paper, the Sword Saint rubbed her face against my cheek and said,
“What do you need? I really like this position.”
“I need to check the Jjeongwol record and the amount from last year’s harvest.”
The Sword Saint narrowed her eyes slightly and reached out her hand. Just like that, books from the shelf and a pile on the table flew to her.
“This is a bit convenient.”
“Uhuhuh. Then I want to keep being this close.”
“If that’s convenient, I have no reason to decline.”
“Ahem. Are you not embarrassed?”
“We’re about to get married, shouldn’t we do at least this much?”
“…Uhuhuhuhh~.”
Delighted, the Sword Saint embraced me tighter. Enjoying the feeling of her body pressed against my back, I worked until I felt I had organized enough and finally stood up.
-Knock knock.
“Come in.”
As I looked up and permitted entry, the door opened, and Hongryeon came in.
She smiled brightly at me and when she spotted the Sword Saint clinging to me, she let out a deep sigh.
“Master, what are you doing?”
“…Mmmmmm.”
The Sword Saint averted her gaze and muttered.
Oh my. Mimicking a cicada here?
Both Hongryeon and I were baffled, and after a low cough, the Sword Saint awkwardly cleared her throat and gently slipped from my back.
“By the way, why are you here?”
“Oh. I think the clothes are ready, so I wanted to fit them on you.”
“It’s a gift, and you want to fit them already?”
“Since it’s a gift, we should try it on right now. Of course, I know your measurements, but if there are parts that need adjustments, those need to be fixed separately. Come on, try it on.”
What she offered was a large robe. A tidy robe created with a gray base and blue fabric added.
It was a bit surprising that such a neat and tidy outfit was for lounging around.
“Come here.”
As I walked over, Hongryeon naturally started to feel around my body and tried the robe on me.
She then looked me up and down and said with a confident grin,
“It suits you very well.”
“Who made it? Of course, it would suit me.”
“Uhuhuhuh. Right?”
Hongryeon beamed, while the Sword Saint, who was watching us from the corner, pouted her lips.
“I-I could make something like that…”
“You can make it?”
“…I can’t.”
Seeming unable to tell a lie, the Sword Saint stumbled over her words and blurted out,
“Well, I could be helpful in other ways.”
“Oh? You, Master?”
“Well, I was helpful just a moment ago.”
Hongryeon looked surprised at the Sword Saint, who, as if to show off, puffed up a bit.
She was strutting around like she owned the place.
Hmm. Is this what it means to be a master and disciple?
As I watched them, I slipped out of my meaning. Wearing this outfit certainly made me want to just relax.
But I couldn’t rest with work still left to do. When I sat back down at the desk, Hongryeon approached me, saying it was just the right time.
“I actually wanted to ask something about running the Hongseong Merchant Guild. Is that okay?”
“Of course.”
“It’s about the production of the incense pouches…”
Having handled the operations of the Hongseong Merchant Guild for a long time, and being in charge of incense pouches and herbal sales, Hongryeon’s questions were sharp and precise.
She suggested we increase the production of incense pouches while also making them more valuable, and I could only nod in agreement.
It was definitely not a bad proposal.
“I asked some palace maids when I visited the royal palace last time. With the two new superhumans in the Hongseong Guild and the fact that we defeated Dool, one of the Sahyung, it seems we’ve generated some great rumors.”
“Right?”
“It’s creating a good reputation. Since the Hongseong can take down even the Sahyung, if the incense pouches made with care by our guild hit the market, they could ward off misfortune.”
“Ahaha. Not really, though.”
“Well, not many will actually believe it. But the significance behind it is what matters.”
“So people in high positions or those wanting to get close will want to buy it as gifts.”
“Exactly.”
What used to be a luxury item only for the noble ladies of the capital has now become quite the expensive delicacy.
By next year, perhaps some large merchant guilds or esteemed individuals, or even other clans and sects, may start asking for pouches and herbs to be sent through themselves instead of going through the Cheonghoe Merchant Guild.
“That wouldn’t be good, right?”
“Of course not. We must keep our bonds intact. The Cheonghoe Merchant Guild has treated us well so far; there’s no reason to change that.”
For us, money wasn’t the key concern.
I could earn money whenever I wanted to.
What mattered was connections. Especially how close we could get to the military for potential help.
“However, we need to consider sending something special to the royal family.”
“Okay. I guess I’ll have to make some to send to them myself.”
If it’s something made by Hongryeon, who’s famous in Hongseong for her craftsmanship, that would be fine. But I shook my head.
“Currently, we’re making incense pouches once every half year; let’s add one more production run. And we’ll send those to the royal palace. Is that alright?”
“Uh, yes. That sounds good.”
“And while we’re at it, let’s send some Cheonilmaehwa tea too.”
“Okay, got it.”
We must maintain our relationship with the royal family by sending gifts.
After all, what’s good for everyone is good for business, so we need to show the palace that we pose no threat.
Plus, since we barely settled in Seonhwa Castle, doesn’t it make sense to establish a connection with the royal family?
I finally settled in Seomhwa Castle, and now I have to turn it into a connection route to the royal family, don’t I?
“Don’t worry about the political stuff or the powerful families; I’ll handle it somehow.”
“…Yu Wol…”
“Ugh. You’re always…”
I smiled at the two beautiful ladies shaking with emotion.
“Just doing what I can, so don’t be too over the top. Now, Hongryeon, it’s time for you to head back as well.”
I looked out the window. There were quite a few people outside.
Yep, a lot of them. Most of them are guests coming to celebrate our wedding tomorrow.
“Yeah, it’s tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow…”
Seeing Hongryeon and the Sword Saint’s faces turn red, I chuckled.
“Please, rest well and let’s meet with joyful faces tomorrow.”
After Hongryeon left, I took care of some tasks. By the time I finished organizing, it was night.
I stretched lightly and took a sip of my drink.
The Sword Saint seemed to be meditating, sitting cross-legged in the corner.
Now that I think about it, it’s been over a year since I came to this world.
Fortunately, I managed to capture all the Iron Blood Clan…
But I wonder how the main story will unfold from here.
Still, there’s no need to worry about that.
It’s not our concern if the main story is a mess.
After all, we’ve achieved our goals.
The rest can be resolved with some improvisation based on the current situation.
But I couldn’t let my guard down.
We’ve caught the Iron Blood Clan, but the enemies from other protagonists’ main stories are still around.
At least the Gi Won Yuga related to Yura has fallen, but the Demonic Temple is still intact, and other dark forces are likely lurking…
No, now isn’t the time to think about that.
I should focus on tomorrow first.
Lately, ever since the wedding date was set, I sometimes felt like I was a piece of meat in front of carnivores.
Every time I looked for their gazes, I found the Sword Saint, Hongryeon, and Chaejin all watching me.
I knew what that gaze meant.
They must be eagerly waiting for tomorrow as well.
“Hmm…”
Of course, all three are charming women, so I couldn’t complain.
Plus, given that I’ve acknowledged a harem, there probably won’t be a third-party ending with Yu Wol.
So.
Having made up my mind, all that remains is to take responsibility.
I set my drink down and lightly slapped my face.
Focus.
Now that I’ve made a decision, I won’t think about backing out.
This is the choice I made.
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