Episode 20

Fatigue vanished the moment Caerina sensed the efforts of the two spirits assisting her. Instantaneously, she rose from her seated position.

"Are you serious? You're not jesting, right?"

Both spirits shook their heads. "We are in earnest, Miss. Proceed to verify for yourself. Count Delmo harbors hundreds of undead. So if one dares to defy him, he will unleash the undead hordes and command them to assail humans."

"Bastard!" Caerina cursed vehemently, her anger boiling over at Count Delmo's actions.

On her feet, Caerina exited her chamber, resolute to hasten toward the salt mines.

"Just you wait, you decrepit old man! If even one of my workers suffers due to your mischief, you will answer for everything."

Caerina's departure coincided with an inadvertent encounter with Nathan, who had just completed training. Bafflement struck him upon seeing his sister, her fury manifest.

"Why are you out here? It's the dead of night," Nathan remarked.

"Brother, I must get to the mines immediately. Count Delmo has unleashed several undead there to slaughter the workers. I cannot stand idly by."

Nathan lapsed into silence, shocked by Caerina's recount of the current state of the mines.

"From whence did you learn this? You've been in the mansion all this time, haven't you? Or could you be dreaming?"

Gently, Caerina shook her head. "No, it's not a dream, Brother. Ahh, I've no time to spare; I have to check on things before it's too late."

With the swift rush of the wind, Caerina bolted down the forest path, with Nathan trailing her fraught with concern over what might befall his sister.

"Caerina, wait!"

Panting, Nathan pursued Caerina, till they arrived opposite the mines. There, they heard a someone's shriek emanating from inside.

"See what I mean! Look at that, Count Delmo's undead assault on humans. That bald scoundrel, I’ll end his life if we cross paths."

Hearing his gentle sister spout profanities in the face of this revelation left Nathan bewildered. However, more startling was the veracity of the undead presence and Count Delmo's hand in it.

Without hesitation, Caerina charged at the undead, ruthlessly battering and terminating them.

With each undead slain, whispers of gratitude reached Caerina’s ears, though their source remained unknown. More importantly, she foiled Count Delmo's plot, and the workers marked for attack were saved.

"Are you all well? Goodness, I've said you mustn't sleep near the mines. I fear this may happen again," Caerina said.

"Forgive us, Miss. Our eagerness to speed the work prompted us to stay overnight, thus we might start early."

Caerina sighed heavily. Past traumas related to their work were etched onto their faces. Perhaps former employers had coerced them into maximal labor without fair compensation.

"Work begins at nine and ends at five. You needn’t toil into the night. I pay you by the day, not month. Should urgent work necessitate overtime, then overtime pay shall be given. Worry not, I am not a capricious employer."

Caerina imported a modern-day salary system into this foreign world. Though disadvantageous to business magnates here, the wellbeing of her workers was paramount, a lesson from her late father—that a leader's foremost duty was the welfare of subordinates.

"Miss, does not this harm you? Nobility typically employ commoners for over twelve-hour workdays, withholding overtime pay. Yet why treat us so kindly?"

"We guiltily repay your generosity with extra work. You even grant us a day's rest each week."

Such were their confessions, though Caerina found her employment terms to be of standard fairness.

"Listen, my aim is to expand my business into renown, not to have my workers fall ill, adding to my woes. Daily and overtime wages, eight hours daily, plus weekly rest; that's my prerogative. Please, no more guilt. I refuse to be a tyrant," Caerina affirmed.

Their eyes met in understanding. Nathan stayed silent—a mere observer, lacking any business acumen.

'Wow, my sister is truly impressive,' Nathan thought admiringly.

"We're profoundly grateful, Miss. Never have we met a boss who values our wellbeing. We'll now retire to our homes," they spoke.

"Rest well at home. We'll discuss future steps later."

Collectively, they vacated the mines, each returning to their respective homes.

"They're stubborn, likely your kindness is cause. Now, let me cloak this place with an aura," Nathan offered his aid to Caerina.

"Sister, are all the businessmen in this world so cruel to their workers?" Caerina suddenly posed the question.

"I am far from a businessman, but our father often recounted workers perishing in work-related accidents, pushed relentlessly for meager wages without rest. Hence, he refrained from business, fearing it may harm the commoners."

Nathan's explanation illuminated why Kledson felt immense relief and joy upon Caerina's decision to adopt a generous salary and work system, foreign to area businessmen.

"In that case, I need to expand my business swiftly so all can labor joyfully, free from burdensome demands," Caerina resolved.

Nathan's smile brimmed with pride, considering how Caerina consistently put others first.

"Yes, you should definitely grow your business. While I stand behind you as your protective brother."

"Thank you, brother."

Post-mining crisis, Caerina and Nathan trekked back to the mansion. Yet, before they exited the forest, Caerina came upon an unconscious, handsome youth sprawled against a large tree.

"Brother, someone's here!" Caerina exclaimed.

Approaching, Nathan asked, "Who is he? Why here, of all places?"

Caerina touched the young man's forehead.

"He's burning up! Brother, take him to the mansion. He needs saving."

"As you wish."

Nathan supported the stranger towards their abode for care, with Caerina following. Something about the man’s condition stirred within her.

'What's that? I see a dark aura enveloping his heart. And what about the spirits swarming around him? Could they be tormenting him?'

Meanwhile, at the same time, Grand Duke Nedilius's estate was again thrown into turmoil. Claude, the family leader, had inexplicably vanished from his room, inciting chaos among the household.

"What? Claude gone? How did my son disappear? Weren't you watching him?!"

Elda was frantic. She had just drifted to sleep when the uproar awoke her.

"We guarded the Grand Duke's chamber diligently, My Lady. His method of escape eludes us."

"I don't care for excuses! Find Claude, search to empire's end! I am certain he's nearby," commanded Elda.

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