Doria emerged before me after her bath, wearing my clothes.

Truly a work of art—that was my assessment of her beauty.

The difference between her grime-covered state and now was staggering...

For a fleeting moment, my heart skipped. But with a mental age nearing forty, my expression remained utterly composed.

Yet those long violet locks, emerald eyes, and floral hair ornaments felt hauntingly familiar...

*Doria Sweetfort... Huh. Could it be?*

"So... you’re that willful little girl from back then?"

"Yep! But Mr. Sass, calling me willful is just too mean~"

Doria beamed, her radiant smile momentarily dimming the world around her.

Seriously? Girls really *do* bloom overnight...

My childhood loli friend had transformed into this stunning beauty—I couldn’t process it.

*Wait, my memory’s that bad? She was my playmate, even if I was mentally a middle-aged uncle back then.*

Guess I needed to see her face to remember...

Ah, forget that. Business first.

Under my orders, the caravan resumed its journey.

We reached Leahdon within a day.

The moment we crossed into Leahdon territory, Chining grew intensely alert.

He claimed to sense the auras of formidable generals here—none matched his strength, but their numbers were unsettling.

I shot Chining an impressed glance. *Only our top general in Baha Balm could pull this off!*

When he heard me dub him "Baha Balm’s mightiest warrior," dark lines crisscrossed Chining’s forehead. He turned away, refusing to engage.

After declaring our purpose to Leahdon’s guards, we were summoned to meet the lord within the hour.

"This way, please."

The chamber door creaked open. Hassat Reck, sovereign of this independent domain, sat quietly in his chair.

Not some heir who inherited Leahdon—he’d earned this fertile land, including one of the Six Great Cities, through sheer merit and military honors.

His legacy spoke volumes.

After all, this was the man who once helped Bas repel 300,000 pirates in the East.

Contrary to expectations, Hassat radiated warmth, not arrogance.

"Well then. First, my thanks for returning Bruno’s body."

"It was respect owed to a warrior."

"I like your answer."

Hassat smiled. He returned respect to those who gave it.

"Let’s not waste time. State your purpose."

"I propose exchanging 5,000 gold coins from Baha Balm for 400 tons of Leahdon grain."

"Hah! Show some real sincerity."

"Five thousand coins buys 500 tons elsewhere. That *is* our sincerity, Lord Hassat."

"And why should I accept?"

"Profit erases old grudges. Leahdon’s granaries overflow, while your armies thirst for coin. This sum solves your most urgent need."

"*Our* army’s plight was caused by *you*, young man."

"You may call me Sass Vies, Lord Hassat. We don’t surrender to invaders."

"Bold words... Aren’t you afraid I’ll kill you right now?"

I scanned the room. Just him and me. He could end me effortlessly.

*Phew. Terrifying.*

Yet my face stayed calm—a skill I’d mastered. No matter the storm inside, my expression never wavered.

"If you wanted me dead, you’d have struck before I entered."

"Hah. That general of yours radiates a chilling aura. Killing you then would’ve cost me three top commanders. Hardly worth it."

Hassat joked about murder with terrifying ease...

*Dangerous. I’d assumed honor would restrain him.*

Thank the stars I brought Chining.

"And now? Do I seem worth killing?"

"Tempting."

"Phew. What an honor—to be so valued by Lord Hassat."

"You’re far more dangerous than I expected."

"Then... will you accept this dangerous man’s offer?"

"I accept."

"Pleasure doing business. Though I doubt we’ll partner again."

"Next time, we’ll likely meet on the battlefield."

"We’ll become enemies."

"Consider joining Leahdon? I’d grant you wealth and glory."

"Tempting. If Baha Balm falls and I survive... perhaps."

"Then it’s impossible."

"Indeed. Baha Balm won’t fall."

"Hahahaha! Dangerous. Truly dangerous!"

"This dangerous man takes his leave."

"Hah! Until next time, Mr. Sass."

"Farewell, Lord Hassat."

We parted with perfectly serene faces after that lethal exchange.

The grain transaction wrapped up swiftly. The moment it was secured, I ordered Chining to rush the supplies back to Baha Balm.

*Every extra minute here risks my neck...*

*Sweat.* That man discusses murder like weather. Thank goodness I kept my cool—I gave myself an inner thumbs-up.

Meanwhile, atop his castle, Hassat watched our caravan fade into the distance.

"My lord, shall we eliminate them?"

"I want them dead. Especially that boy—a perilous one."

"Shall I—?"

"But I cannot."

"Why spare enemies?"

"Because *they* hold the moral high ground."

The general fell silent, puzzled but sensing his lord’s turmoil.

***Sass Vies... What a formidable man.***

Hassat closed his eyes and let out a sigh.