TLDOWN 24

                                                                         CHAPTER 24 —

                                                                     “It’s Been a While”

“How much damage is there exactly at the Tren branch?”

“It’s difficult to determine. We just sent additional supplies of medicine and herbs last week, and unfortunately, the person in charge there has no knowledge of herbalism…”

“Tch. Then what do you suggest we do?! You think we need someone to read the report out loud?”

The man seated at the center of the table raised his voice sharply.

— Thud!

He slammed the documents he had been holding down on the table. Judging by his demeanor, he was likely the person in charge. The heavy thud echoed as the surrounding merchant employees lowered their heads.

“…Apologies, sir.”

“So we’re just going to sit back and watch good medicine go to waste? You need to find an herbalist or get the store back in shape right away!”

“It’s difficult to find qualified people in Tren. They need herbal knowledge and familiarity with merchant operations. We’ll likely have to dispatch someone ourselves…”

The staff member speaking shrank back under the man’s fierce gaze.

“We also lack proper resources right now…”

Hearing the familiar name Tren, Leah—who had been about to follow Baron out of the building—paused mid-step. She had a feeling the moment she overheard talk of flood damage.

It seemed Magnolia’s medical supply stock in Tren had been damaged due to the rainy season.

‘They need someone who understands herbalism?’

If the whole city was flooded, the Magnolia store there must’ve been as well.

‘So they need someone who can sort out what’s still usable?’

Leah instantly grasped the situation. They needed someone with business sense to minimize the merchant group’s losses.

She had already been thinking of visiting the orphanage and was trying to find the right time.

‘This could be a perfect chance to check in on the orphanage and help Tren.’

“We’ll start selecting personnel to dispatch to Tren. Anyone with knowledge in herbalism, raise your hand.”

A heavy silence fell. No one raised their hand. As if he had expected this, the man’s brow furrowed deeply.

“Tch. Then find someone suitable—right now!”

As staff began to scatter, flustered by his command—

“I will.”

A clear, confident voice cut through the silence—Leah raised her hand.

“I think I can take on the role. I’m familiar with how the merchant group operates. More importantly, I’m originally from Tren.”

All eyes turned to Leah. At her mention of being from Tren, the man in charge visibly relaxed.

“You’re from Tren, Miss Apothecary?”

“Yes. I can easily distinguish between herbs and medicines. I am a pharmacist, after all. But if I go, may I keep any unusable supplies?”

“What would you do with those? They can’t be sold.”

Tren was already said to be at risk of a secondary outbreak of disease. The city had always had a wide economic divide, and many people there likely lacked access to medical care.

“I’d like to do some good while I’m visiting family.”

“…”

“Just because they’re unsellable doesn’t mean the herbs are useless. I can make medicine out of them and give it to people in the slums.”

The man in charge stared at her for a moment, then walked over. He radiated authority—no surprise, given his position.

“Additional compensation…”

“I don’t need any.”

After all, helping out like this was bound to catch the merchant lord’s attention.

That alone would be reward enough. And for a profit-driven merchant group, having Leah work for free was a win-win.

Leah smiled brightly.

‘Well… there’s just one thing that’s bothering me.’

“I need the Duke’s permission first. Would it be okay if I ask him?”

Only Akkiah’s approval remained.

Standing in front of the Duke’s room, Leah took a deep breath.

She had boldly promised Magnolia she’d help without pay, but now…

‘Will the Duke even allow this…?’

Lately, Leah had been on edge, worried about seeming too busy or distracted.

With the growing number of duties—supplements, consultations, everything else—she hadn’t been able to devote much time to developing the cure.

Still, Leah wanted to go to Tren. That place was as close to home as she had.

It had been a tough place to grow up, but the memories were real. Hearing it was suffering from flooding made her want to help however she could.

She gathered her thoughts, trying to figure out how to frame it, then knocked.

“Duke, it’s Leah.”

A small sound came from inside, as if to say, come in. When she entered, Akkiah was seated at the table reading a book.

“What is it? I thought your appointments were finished for the day.”

“Well… actually…”

The words stuck in her throat like glue.

But there was no choice—she couldn’t take time off without the Duke’s permission. Swallowing nervously, Leah finally spoke.

“I’d like to request some time off.”

“Time off?”

He looked up from his book, his eyes settling on her.

“I’d like to visit Tren for a short while.”

“Why?”

“There’s a library in Tren with a large collection of herbalist texts. As you know, the area’s known for its rare herbs and is well developed in terms of medicine. I think it’ll help with the antidote research.”

She wasn’t lying.

Tren was rich in diverse herbs, and herbalism was deeply rooted there. That’s how Leah had naturally come to learn so much.

‘If I go, I might find a clue for the antidote.’

Of course, it wasn’t the only reason she was going, but she hoped it was enough. Leah looked at him nervously.

Akkiah watched her in silence, his expression unreadable.

“How long?”

“About two weeks.”

That should be enough time for things to stabilize. But still unsure of how he’d react, Leah’s tension showed on her face.

To the Duke, two weeks was no small favor.

‘Even if he agrees, I’m sure he’ll cut down the length…’

“Alright. Go.”

“…Pardon?”

She had been ready to negotiate, fully expecting rejection—so his sudden approval left her stunned.

“I said, go.”

“Really?”

“Why? Don’t want to?”

“N-no! Not at all!”

Why would she not want to? Leah was so surprised by how easily he said yes, she felt almost disoriented.

“Thank you so much!”

She offered a quick bow of thanks and left the room in a hurry. With the Duke’s approval secured, she was ready to leave for Tren as soon as possible.

‘I’ll get to see the director again too!’

Thinking of all the people she missed made her steps lighter. What Leah didn’t know was why the Duke had so easily given his permission.

She wouldn’t find out… until four days later.

Two days later, Leah stood in front of the Magnolia Merchant Group, preparing to leave for Tren.

“…What is all this?”

She looked in astonishment at the massive wagons piled with supplies.

“They’re relief goods for the Tren region.”

“Relief goods?”

The items being loaded onto the wagons were exactly what Tren needed most—clean water, preserved food, and other essentials.

“But why…?”

“It was the merchant lord’s decision.”

“The merchant lord?”

Leah asked in confusion.

“Tren’s expected to become an important site for our medical business expansion. And also…”

Baron glanced at Leah, whose eyes had widened.

“It wouldn’t look good for Magnolia to be outdone by a young girl.”

He added that this was the merchant lord’s way of showing gratitude for Leah helping them free of charge.

‘Huh… for some reason, I feel like this merchant lord might be a pretty decent person?’

She had never seen their face—but she was convinced now they couldn’t be all bad.

Feeling lighter at the thought of the people who would receive the supplies, Leah climbed onto the wagon.

It would take two full days by carriage from the Heidern estate to reach Tren.

With only brief rests for the horses, the ride had left her body aching all over, as if she’d been beaten with a hammer.

“It really has been a long time…”

As they approached the entrance to Tren, Leah’s face lit up with a nostalgic smile. But it quickly faded.

The closer they got to town, the more her sighs grew.

‘This is worse than I thought.’

She hadn’t expected the flood damage to be this severe.

The usually clean streets were caked in mud, and many of the wooden houses had been reduced to rubble.

“It’s worse than I heard.”

Baron, riding beside her, shared the same grim expression.

As Leah looked around with a heavy heart, someone began waving at her.

“Leah!”

A young man with dark brown hair and grayish eyes called out. He had a rather handsome face.

‘Who is that?’

He clearly knew her well, but Leah couldn’t place him no matter how hard she tried.

Noticing her confusion, the man waved again and shouted,

“Leah! It’s me, Theo! Theo!”

“…Theo?”

‘That snot-nosed little Theo?!’

Her eyes widened in disbelief.

They said boys grow fast, but he had grown at least ten centimeters taller than the last time she saw him—five years ago.

“It’s really been a while!”

He rushed over and pulled her into a tight hug. They used to be the same height, but now she fit snugly in his arms.

While nestled there, Leah gently touched his face.

“Are you really Theo?”

“What, did you forget my face after five years?”

Looking at him closely, she finally recognized him.

“Theo!”

After the brief awkwardness from his drastic change in appearance faded, she hugged him back tightly.

He had been like family to her.

Even though they hadn’t seen each other much after graduating from the orphanage, they’d grown up together like siblings.

As they embraced and shared the joy of reunion—

Suddenly, Leah felt a chill crawl down her spine, like someone was watching her.

“What’s wrong?”

Theo looked at her, puzzled by her sudden shiver.

“It’s nothing…”

Strange.

Was it just her imagination, or was someone watching?

That eerie feeling lingered as she tilted her head slightly, unsettled.