ushernet Chapter 32.1
Chapter 32.1
Chapter 32. Northern Agriculture (2)
The scales tipped further toward Arina disguising herself to work at Arad’s trading company.
“Oh, right! I’ve already told Sir Arad about it. I said I’d be sending him a new employee soon.”
“What?!”
Isabelle seized the moment to deliver the final blow.
“Don’t worry too much. I told him it would be someone who knows how to read, write, and do basic arithmetic, with a low-level magical ability at about 2-circle.”
“I also have 2-circle magic. Even if I disguise myself, someone will grow suspicious. There’s no way I can fully hide my mannerisms or speech.”
“My lady? I may look like this, but I am an Archwitch. Of course, I’ve thought of everything.”
With that, Isabelle produced a necklace.
“This isn’t just for changing your appearance. It also has mental magic enchantments.”
“Mental magic...?”
“If Sir Arad or anyone else begins to suspect your true identity, this necklace will activate a mental interference spell.”
She continued with a sly smile.
“No one below 6-circle will be able to see through it.”
“But Arad is an Ancient One. He might be a 6-circle mage or higher.”
“He isn’t. I’m certain Arad’s actual magical skill is not that advanced.”
“...!?”
The room held only the Grand Duchess and the Spring Archwitch, but their conversation remained in hushed tones as if wary of eavesdroppers.
“Anyway, officially, as a disguised employee, you’ll be assisting with clerical work at the trading company.”
While part of Isabelle’s plan was to monitor Arad and uncover his true identity and motives, she refrained from mentioning this outright. She knew Arina would handle it without needing to be told.
“And you’ll also assist Arad as he creates magitech tools.”
“Making magitech tools? Me?”
“You’ve read magic theory books for leisure, haven’t you? It won’t be too difficult for you.”
“I only read those to prepare for combat against mages!”
Arina protested against the witch’s reasoning.
“And all of that is just surface-level work. The real purpose is something else entirely.”
But Isabelle, now thoroughly immersed in her plans, ignored Arina’s protests and pressed on.
In the end, Arina had no choice but to accept.
“Then, I’ll take that as a yes! Oh, by the way, what alias will you use?”
“Mary. I’ll go by Mary.”
“That’s the nickname of the late Grand Duchess, isn’t it?”
“...Yes.”
Though her expression and tone were carefully managed, Arina’s inner thoughts were already blooming with anticipation and excitement
***
The Next Morning
At the Arad Trading Company headquarters, located in the middle-class district of the High Tower...
Knock, knock, knock, knock.
A soft yet persistent knocking sounded at the front door early in the morning.
‘Who could it be at this hour?’
I set down what I was working on and headed for the front door.
“Yes, who is it...?”
As the door creaked open, I found myself face-to-face with a woman I’d never seen before.
She had striking white hair and deep gray eyes that immediately caught my attention.
She was quite beautiful, and her attire was simple—a plain tunic common among women in the North.
At her waist, she carried a derivative of the bag I had made, its design subtly enhanced with leather accents.
‘White hair and gray eyes? Hmm...?’
For some reason, her hair and eyes nagged at my memory.
“...?”
“...!”
An awkward silence lingered between us for a moment.
“Um... Th-The Archwitch told me to come... as a new employee...”
Finally, the woman spoke, her husky voice trembling slightly.
“Ahh...!”
In that instant, I realized who she was.