The women I set free are obsessed with me

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The Merchants of Death.

A new merchant group that appeared in Noctar, making bold moves since its establishment. It started by absorbing the Peacock's Night Gathering, a popular tavern in Noctar.

The central hub where the city's information and connections intertwined. By absorbing this place, the Merchants of Death seized control of the information network, simultaneously dominating both commerce and intelligence.

This allowed them to stay one step ahead of competing groups.

The second was the full support of Baron Bardelli. First, they raised funds by selling the collections from the Desert Rose Merchant Group's basement at high prices, then built a building where they used to be.

Moreover, through Baron Bardelli and Narsha's connections, they were able to enter noble society. This eliminated the time and money that ordinary merchant groups would have to invest to deal with nobles.

Thanks to this, they formed good relationships with nobles and successfully closed deals. They had seized control of the overall market in the city, including the upper class.

Of course, up to this point, any merchant group on the continent could achieve this.

But Narsha was capable, and the Merchants of Death had a business strategy that no one else in the world could imitate.

Elves.

It wasn't just about having elves serve drinks. That was merely an act to attract attention at first. What Narsha was interested in were the spirits of the elves.

Spirits embodying the power of nature. While they showed great power in combat, when broken down individually, they were optimized for agriculture.

The spirit of abundance made the land fertile, and the water spirit brought rain. A vast agricultural land was created in the once barren Noctar.

They gave jobs to the slum dwellers who had been wandering the back alleys and paid them accordingly. With money, the market economy was revitalized.

Noctar began to come to life. And the person who would be most pleased about this was none other than Baron Bardelli.

"Hahaha! To think the day would come when my domain would be so full of life. Lady Bryan, this is all thanks to you. Indeed, my eyes have not yet dulled."

"You flatter me."

"No need to be modest. You've achieved what neither my father nor grandfather could. Count Bryan has raised his child well."

The baron's mouth couldn't have been wider. Recently, every day had been enjoyable. Unlike the baron who was grinning from ear to ear, Narsha showed no reaction.

"Lady Bryan. Have you thought about what I asked you to consider last time? Have you given it some thought?"

"Yes."

"Well? Would you like to meet my son?"

Baron Bardelli had two sons and one daughter. While they couldn't compare to Narsha, a daughter of a count's family, they were still quite good-looking.

He didn't think the chances were high, but you never know with matters between men and women, right? If it works out, great; if not, too bad.

"I decline. I have absolutely no interest."

"Hoho, while my sons may be far inferior to you, it still pains a father's heart to hear such a flat rejection."

"I apologize."

There was an implied, isn't that a bit harsh? in his words, but Narsha only apologized without correcting herself. Her expressionless gaze remained fixed at an angle.

As if to say it was his fault for making such a proposal.

The baron couldn't say anything. Though Narsha didn't have a title yet, the baron was in the weaker position.

Narsha was doing them a favor with her talent; if she left, only the baron would lose out.

"My lady, aren't you taking this too seriously? I was just joking. A joke."

The baron had to laugh it off with a hearty chuckle.

Narsha put down her teacup and stood up.

"Are you leaving already?"

"I cannot be away for too long."

"I've kept the head merchant too long. Take care on your way back."

Narsha, who was leaving the VIP room, paused. Baron Bardelli tilted his head.

"Is something wrong?"

"I am not the head merchant. There is a separate head merchant. I am only temporarily acting as their proxy."

Narsha left after making such a meaningful statement.

In the VIP room after she left, Baron Bardelli made eye contact with his secretary.

"Was there a separate head merchant in the Merchants of Death?"

"I'm not sure. This is the first I've heard of it."

If not Narsha, who could be the owner of the merchant group? What kind of terrifying person could lead a count's daughter and elves?

Narsha's bombshell statement left the baron wracking his brains for a while.

***

"You're back? You must've had a rough two weeks."

At the location where the Desert Rose Merchant Group once stood, the Merchants of Death building now stood there.

Alfia greeted Narsha as she returned to them. Narsha had just returned from a business trip to trade with other cities for the merchant group's affairs.

"Did something unpleasant happen?"

"The baron asked if I would meet his son."

"That's great! Why don't you go ahead and get married while you're at it? I'll bring the elves and spirits to give you a blessing. You can leave the merchant group to me."

"No thank you. If I left the merchant group to you, it would collapse in a day."

"What a shame."

Crunch.

As Alfia munched on a cookie, Narsha observed her.

The image of an unemployed person sprawled on the sofa, stuffing her face with grain cookies. While some were busy working all day, others didn't move an inch.

"Do you not work?"

"You told me not to, so."

Alfia was truly terrible at work. Everything she touched fell to ruin; in a way, one could say her hands had the Midas touch.

That was why Narsha handled most of the merchant group's affairs. Narsha had been educated since childhood and had talent; if it were someone else, they would have gone bankrupt long ago.

The only person Narsha could rely on in the merchant group was Victor. His life experience and business sense as a tavern owner were invaluable.

Even with her appraising eyes, his abilities were more than satisfactory. That was why Victor became the manager of the merchant group.

As for Alfia… let's not even talk about it. Staying quiet was her way of helping.

"By the way, Miss Alfia, didn't I leave two weeks ago? I think you were in this same position then."

"That's right. I haven't moved an inch."

"So you haven't bathed since then?"

"Elves are different from humans. We don't need to bathe often. Our body odor is always fragrant, and even if we get dirty, we can clean ourselves with water spirits."

Despite her words, Narsha's furrowed brow didn't smooth out. It was the look of someone seeing something dirty. Sometimes, personal impressions took precedence over truth.

She pulled Alfia up.

"Come with me. Let's go wash up."

"Ugh~ It's so much work. I'm telling you, I'm really clean!"

"It's because I'll be lonely bathing alone, so stop complaining and just come."

***

There was a large bathhouse within the merchant group.

Since all the self-proclaimed slaves of the merchant group were women, they had built a large bathhouse for everyone to bathe together.

However, it was excessively luxurious for an ordinary bathhouse. From angel statues to marble floors and even expensive luminous stones on the ceiling. It wouldn't lose out even when compared to a palace bathhouse.

As someone from a prestigious family, Narsha was extremely particular about these things. It was an element she absolutely couldn't give up as a noble.

"Phew…"

Narsha sank into the bath until her shoulders were submerged. A sigh involuntarily escaped her lips at the feeling of the journey's fatigue melting away.

It wasn't just a feeling either. Created with the power of water spirits, the bath had extraordinary effects. It was good not just for fatigue, but for health as well.

You could even drink the bathwater as is.

It was holy water.

In many senses.

"Mmm~ Mmm~"

Alfia leaned against the edge, enjoying her bath with her back exposed. As if showing off the brand on her back to someone.

Narsha knew it was meant for her. Alfia's elven body already possessed a beauty unmatched by any sculpture.

The brand on such a body might be considered a flaw in a jade, but not to Narsha. Rather, she momentarily thought her own body without a brand looked plain in comparison.

Should I ask Master to do it for me when he comes?

Of course, the brand was to suppress her pain, but Narsha didn't know the details.

As Narsha was carefully examining Alfia's naked body, her eyes fell on the bandage wrapped around her arm.

"Miss Alfia, are you hurt somewhere?"

"Hm?"

"I noticed you have a bandage."

"Oh, this?"

Alfia checked her arm and gave a sinister smile.

"It's a secret."

Narsha couldn't fully understand what the secret was. However, she could vaguely perceive a faint darkness flickering in Alfia's eyes.

***

After bathing for the first time in a while, Alfia returned to her private room and lay on the bed.

A fresh, clean body does feel good. And unlike before, she no longer felt pain.

The spirits that had been constantly raging were now suppressed by Alfia's will, no longer daring to challenge her. She was completely free from pain.

And Alfia found this deeply regrettable.

She unwrapped the bandage. Several fresh cuts were revealed on her arm, white as jade. They were distinctly in the shape of fingernails.

If I'm hurt and in pain, won't he come back a little sooner? And then he'll worry about me, comfort me…

The more it hurts, the closer he'll stay. He won't leave until I'm fully healed. He won't be able to leave. So─────

If I suffer for all eternity, he'll stay by my side forever.

With such a wish in her heart, Alfia carved another wound on her body, wearing a faint smile.