A week later.
A quill, crushed out of shape, traced its final stroke of ink across the parchment.
Marquis Golden Ear all but threw the pen aside.
"Is that everything?" The Marquis stared at the "Haiti-Abundant Forest Sea Trade Treaty" on the desk, its ink still wet, his voice full of relief at finally being rid of this nuisance.
"There's still Appendix Three." Caroline smiled as she pushed another document toward him, tapping her folding fan lightly against her palm. "The exemption clauses concerning 'force majeure,' and... the Wind Speaker family's 'special access restrictions.'"
At the mention of that family, the Marquis paused while wiping his hands.
He quickly skimmed the clauses-they explicitly stipulated that the "Worker Mantis cleaning service" provided by the Haiti Duchy was restricted to use within Goldenear Fief and could not be subcontracted to a third party unless... Marquis Golden Ear himself provided written authorization.
"Shrewd humans." The Marquis snorted, but satisfaction flashed through his habitually half-lidded eyes.
This meant that if the fastidious Azure Eyes wanted to use these insects to trim his royal gardens, he would have to come begging to him.
That was no small measure of power.
"A pleasure doing business." The Marquis wasted no more words. He signed the appendix, then stood and headed straight for the hovering carriage without even offering the customary farewell.
"The grain you wanted has already been unloaded at the docks. Since you've received the goods, make those insects hurry. My territory cannot endure that filth a moment longer. Don't keep me waiting."
As the carriage equipped with a purification Magic Array rose into the air, Tristan signaled to the subordinates behind him.
The cranes, which had long been on standby, roared as their gears meshed.
Reinforced, sealed cargo crates were hoisted one after another and