Chapter 169:

Chapter 169: Chapter 169:

Chapter 169:

"I’m afraid I’ll be leaving this town soon. Perhaps our paths might never cross again."

Osborne answered calmly.

He had already made plans to leave, and there was little reason to remain in this town any longer than necessary.

He still had to meet up with Sasha and continue their journey towards Vonroth County, and considering the matters waiting for him there, spending more time here would only delay his plans.

"Hahaha, but that’s nothing to worry about."

Albert laughed as he came closer.

He then took out a black business card with a golden heron emblem on it, which he handed to Osborne.

"You might not know it, but our merchant group is still quite well spread within the Kingdom."

Albert explained while pointing towards the emblem on the card.

"If you ever need to do business, simply walk in and show them this card, I assure you, you’ll get the best treatment imaginable."

Osborne looked down at the black card in his hand, examining the golden heron emblem before raising his head to look at Albert.

"Is that so..."

He pondered for a moment before nodding.

"Alright, I’ll keep that in mind."

"Please do." Albert laughed lightly.

He seemed rather pleased with Osborne’s response, and although he didn’t say anything else, it was obvious that he hoped the young man would make use of the card in the future.

Osborne was about to leave, but this time, Albert personally escorted him out.

The merchant walked alongside him through the mansion, occasionally making small talk while ensuring that Osborne was treated with the same courtesy as an important guest.

Osborne said nothing of it, they both already knew what each other were after, it was simply better to feign ignorance for both parties.

Albert wanted to maintain a good relationship with someone he believed had gained the favour of Lord Ludwig, while Osborne was more than willing to let him believe whatever he wanted as long as it benefited him.

Neither of them had any reason to expose the other’s intentions, and for the time being, maintaining this pleasant relationship was the most convenient choice for both sides.

After reaching the entrance, Albert stopped and gave Osborne another polite smile.

"Until next time, Mr Dokebai."

Osborne gave him a slight nod before walking away.

He had managed to sell his goods, obtained a useful business card, and even gained a connection to a powerful mage, all within a relatively short period of time.

Although his encounter with Lord Ludwig had been rather unpleasant at first, it seemed that things had worked out better than he had expected.

’Now then, I should get back to Sasha.’

With that thought in mind, Osborne continued down the road.

*******

"Master, you’re back!" Sasha looked joyful and relieved to see Osborne at the door.

"Master?" Osborne raised a brow beneath his helm.

Sasha suddenly turned nervous.

"Well... You said I’d have to follow your guidance from now on so I thought it was more fitting to call you that."

’I only asked her to keep an open mind to my suggestions.’ Osborne mused. ’But I guess there’s no harm in this.’

He hadn’t expected her to start addressing him that way so soon, although considering the circumstances, he could understand why she had chosen to do so.

After all, he had promised to help her become the successor of the Vonroth household, and from her perspective, it probably made sense to treat him as someone who would guide her from now on.

Besides, he wasn’t particularly bothered by the title, and if anything, having her address him as her master would make it easier to maintain their current relationship.

Osborne and Sasha moved into the room, she took a seat on the bed.

’ I thought he might change his mind and leave me here... But it seems I misjudged him again.’ Sasha secretly stole glances at Osborne while looking down at her hand on the bed, a hint of warmth growing in her heart.

Sasha had spent most of the time waiting for Osborne while wondering whether he would actually return, especially since she still didn’t know much about the person who had rescued her.

Although he had promised to help her, she couldn’t help but feel a little worried whenever he was away, since she had already experienced what it was like to be left at the mercy of people who wanted to use her.

However, seeing him return as promised made her feel considerably more at ease.

’Master really is a kind person.’

Sasha smiled inwardly.

She still couldn’t understand why someone as powerful as Osborne would go out of his way to help a stranger like her, especially when there wasn’t much he could gain from doing so, but she was grateful that he had decided to take an interest in her situation.

" So when are we leaving."

"Right now." Osborne said.

He looked around the room before recalling something.

"Do you have any belongings you want to bring along?"

"Not really..." Sasha smiled awkwardly. "I’d rather not go back there if I could help it."

She glanced around the room, briefly recalling the few belongings she had left behind in the place she once called home.

However, there wasn’t much worth mentioning, and even if she wanted to retrieve them, she would rather avoid returning to that place if she could.

"Plus I didn’t have much to begin with."

She continued speaking after noticing that Osborne was still looking at her.

"I was always afraid I’d be forced to move again so I didn’t keep a lot."

Sasha had spent much of her life moving from one place to another, and after experiencing the trouble her mother went through because of her father’s household, she had gradually learned not to become too attached to the things around her.

There was always the possibility that they would have to leave again, and whenever that happened, carrying too many belongings would only make things more difficult.