The carriage drove to the Count's mansion unhindered. In just a few minutes, they were already in front of the gates, waiting for the confirmation of the guards to enter.
"Lady Auxburn, the Count had been expecting you. This way, please."
The head butler came shortly and greeted Sophia. After his confirmation, Nayta and Melina went down the carriage first, followed by Sophia. The three then followed the butler toward the gate and into the mansion's courtyard.
Ein, who was the only guard remaining, was following the group a few steps away. The courtyard was a beautifully managed garden with fragrant and lovely flowers blooming here and there, making the air smell sweet. The girls were amused as they paced through the long pathway.
Ein, who was straining his senses, noticed several presences hidden behind the bushes and flowers. They were probably the secret guards of the Count's mansion. Not wanting unnecessary friction, he pretended not to notice as he followed the group silently.
They reached the front door and were immediately led to a drawing room a little distance from the entrance.
"Please wait here for a moment," the butler said before leaving the room.
After he went out, a maid quickly entered, carrying a tray of tea and a platter of assorted cookies. Sophia said her thanks as she indulged in the warm and fragrant tea. The two elves didn't hesitate and took a bite of the cookies.
"Ah! This one's sweet!" Nayta exclaimed in surprise.
Even with the severe shortage of condiments, it seems that the Count's house was prepared to welcome Sophia lavishly. Time-wise, it was about half an hour until lunchtime. With the remaining time, the three girls enthusiastically chatted as they ate the cookies and drank the tea, as if they were making Sophia forget the tragedy that happened not long before.
Soon, the butler returned to the room and bowed gracefully.
"Lady Auxburn, the preparations are done. The count is already waiting for you."
"Alright. Please lead the way," Sophia replied as she stood up.
From thereon, Nayta and Melina stayed with Ein as they followed Sophia and the butler. After they left the room, they traveled down the long hallway until they reached a large dining area. A long table large enough to fit over a dozen people was placed in the middle, decorated with golden candle holders and expensive-looking cutlery.
In the head seat, a man who looked to be in his thirties was sitting down. He had a head of brown hair swept back and a sharp face with strict-looking features. The sweet smile on his face definitely did not match his predator-like appearance.
"Welcome, Lady Sophia; it's been a long time, and you have grown into a splendid noblewoman." The man greeted her while seated.
"Thank you for the invitation, Count Jurim." Sophia curtsied. "We met a few years ago during my coming-of-age ceremony, so it hasn't been that long."
After her standard reply, she quickly fixed her posture as she looked directly at Count Jurim.
"In lieu of my father, Count Auxburn, who can't leave the territory, I have come to discuss matters with Count Jurim."
"I know. Take a seat first," Count Jurim said as he pointed to the seat on the right side of the table.
"Then, please excuse me." Sophia bowed lightly before heading toward the indicated seat.
"I heard you had a hard time a few days ago," Count Jurim suddenly said. "An attempted assassination, is it?"
"Yes. Fortunately, I was saved by this gentleman," Sophia said as she appealed in Ein's direction.
"An elf? So the rumors were true." The Count nodded his head in understanding. "Since you had them here instead of your guards, then that means they are related to the negotiation with the demi-humans?"
"Yes, they are. Mr. Rain here will be helping us in asking for the elves' cooperation," Sophia declared with a smile. "Also, the reason why my usual guards aren't with me..."
Sophia, whose expression was covered with a shadow for a moment, explained the situation that happened earlier to the Count.
"I see... Thank God you are safe."
Count Jurim then turned to Ein with a serious face before continuing.
"Mr. Rain, I thank you too for protecting Sophia. Count Auxburn is like a brother to me, so if something happened to his daughter while in my territory, I wouldn't have a face to show him anymore," Count Jurim said as he slightly bowed his head.
"Please, I was just doing my job," Ein curtly replied.
The count smiled at his reply before speaking.
"The three of you aren't really unrelated to the later discussion; please take a seat. I splurged on the food for today; I hope you can remember the food here as the real taste of the food in my territory."
Having elves visit his territory was a rare occurrence. The last time an elf visited Jurim City was during the reign of his great-great-grandfather, about a hundred years ago. After that visit, the territory that was no more than a small town back then grew to be a large city in just a few years. It was all due to the influx of traders and tourists who heard about an elf staying in the territory, which continued even after the elf left.
Count Jurim, who believes that elves bring good luck to the places they visit, doesn't want to let them only remember his city as "the city with bland food."
Ein, who partially guessed that the Count wants to have good relations with the elves, unhesitatingly agreed with the offer and sat down on a random chair on the left-hand side of the table. Nayta and Melina, on the other hand, sat by Sophia's side.
Soon after sitting down, food was brought in one after another. A thick-looking soup, roasted chicken-like animals, juicy slices of steak glazed with brown-looking sauce, a vegetable salad with a mayonnaise-like dressing, a platter of assorted fruits, and extremely aromatic red wine. The quantity of food was too much for just the five of them to eat.
After the servers left, Nayta and Melina quickly tried out the food. Shortly after, their eyes glowed with delight. Compared to the almost tasteless food they had at the inn, the food right now is much tastier and more pleasing to the eye.
Ein, too, tried the food and was surprised that the taste wasn't that much below what modern food can achieve. It had a magical taste, considering the ingredients used. 'Maybe they really used magic while cooking?' Ein even thought in awe. His past memories of eating at a classy 5-star restaurant were revived.
The food slowly but surely vanished. The amount that was not something only five people could finish was almost cleared by the two girls. Count Jurim and Sophia were amused to see the two lavishly downing one dish after another.
After finishing their meal and enjoying the fragrant wine, the Count started the discussion.
"Let's get straight to the heart of the matter. Our Jurim territory will fully support Count Auxburn with his endeavor of resuming trade with the demi-human species."
"As expected of Count Jurim, my father should be happy with your decision too," Sophia replied with a smile. "I'll ask Father to send the convoy by next week. By then, Mr. Rain, I hope that I can borrow your strength for negotiating with the elves."
"We, too, hope you can help us in the negotiation. I can't help but wish to end my and the other border territories' suffering."
"As I have said to Lady Sophia before, I will try my best," Ein replied. "However, I do not have the knowledge if we have a surplus to trade with."
"If that happens, then we can only blame our bad luck." Sophia smiled wryly.
Ein has yet to hear from Lilith regarding his order to gather the elves. However, thinking about how efficient Lilith was with her assignments, Ein believes that there was nothing to worry about.
The only problem would be the actual products to trade. Even if he did manage to gather all of the scattered elves, they probably did not have spices and condiments with them. Other than asking other demi-human species, the surefire way to do it should be by taking back the elves' territory from the dragon. Their warehouses should have the products that Sophia and Count Jurim wanted.
After that, Sophia and Count Jurim kept talking about their future plans with Ein; the two girls provided their opinions only when asked. An hour later, the meeting ended, and Sophia went back. Near the gates, the other guards were already waiting. Seeing them, Ein recalled the words of the assassin.
'Tomorrow evening, huh...' Ein pondered.