Chapter 122 Trouble?

The next day, another batch of soap was made, but this time, Ethan only stood on the sidelines as he simply guided Valeria and Brock through the process. This was because he wanted them to work and function without him.

After the process was done in the evening, Ethan gave the workers involved a share of the wages, instructed Valeria to keep doing good work, and then left for the mansion.

In the carriage, Naenna and Gerrick both sat with him as he wanted to discuss some things while heading back.

"Mr. Gerrick, what do you think?" Ethan asked.

"Young Master, if the soap can really do what you say, then we will gain a lot of profit by selling it to the nobility and royalty all over the world," Gerrick replied with a smile.

"I have faith, it will be very effective. Right, how do we supply our products throughout the kingdom?" Ethan asked.

"We have a few options, we could partner up with other merchants and companies, or perhaps even the merchant association for supply. This would be the easy choice, the difficult way is to build our own network slowly."

Looking at Naenna, Ethan asked, "What do you think?"

Naenna thought for a moment and then said, "The merchant association has its roots nearly everywhere. It would be more efficient if we supply through them. However, building our own network and branches may be more efficient in the long term. It would also give us more mobility and freedom."

Gerrick nodded in agreement upon hearing this. He was pretty surprised seeing the Duke's children being so intelligent.

Ethan did not say anything for a second, simply sitting in a thoughtful pose with his palm resting below his chin.

After a few moments, he finally looked at the both of them and said, "I want to begin as soon as possible. We will make a deal with the merchant association and supply through them in the initial stages while simultaneously building our own network."

"That would be good." Gerrick and Naenna said.

Suddenly, Ethan looked at Gerrick and said, "Another thing, I'm changing the company's name."

Gerrick replied without a change in his expression, "As you wish."

Naenna jumped up and asked, "What's the name going to be?"

"Silkline Trading Company."

"It's a good name!" Naenna exclaimed in enthusiasm.

"Mr. Gerrick, I'm counting on you to manage the affairs of this company from now on. In about a week, the product will be ready. I have also ordered about 200 chess sets which we will send to some nobles along with the soap for free." Ethan said.

"For free?" Naenna asked bafflement knitting her brows.

"Of course, right now no one knows us or what we make. By giving them out for free, we can make some high-ranking nobles use them and that will naturally spread the word. Since these gifts are going to be from the White Family, we will at least have their attention."

"That's a good strategy, young master." Gerrick praised sincerely.

At this moment, the carriage stopped and Albert spoke from outside, "Mr. Gerrick, it's your stop."

Gerrick smiled as he stood up from his seat and bowed toward Ethan. He then got off the carriage and then the carriage began moving once again.

***

After reaching the mansion, Ethan first went to visit his mother as it had been a while since he talked with her.

As Naenna, Albert, and Ethan entered, Aisha came forward with a smile and said, "Ethan, you're back. You haven't been home for a while. Don't push yourself too much."

Ethan also smiled gently and said, "It's fine, I'm doing what must be done."

Aisha grabbed Ethan's arm as she guided him inside straight to the dining room where a delicious scent of food was drifting in the air, making Ethan's stomach growl.

Aisha giggled and said, "I especially made you a meal myself. Everything that you like, come…"

Ethan was hungry and so he nodded in relief. Sitting at the table, he began eating the delicacies with great interest.

Suddenly, Aisha's face became serious as she said, "News came today…"

"What news?" Ethan asked.

"Your father… He has begun hunting down the cultists. He raided one of their bases."

Ethan abruptly stopped eating as he heard this. Inwardly he thought, 'He's really doing it?'

"I'm certain that he will prevail over those evil cultists. By the way, where is Luceryc?" Ethan asked, changing the topic.

Aisha sighed and said, "He… He is in training."

Surprised, Ethan blurted, "Training?"

Aisha nodded and said with a sorrowful tone, "Perhaps it's because your uncle died. But he has been training fanatically ever since."

"Why?"

"It was your uncle's wish that he be proficient in swordsmanship. But he never took an interest before this. Perhaps… He has changed."

"How is everything else? Grandmother… And Shirin… Any news from the capital?"

"No significant news yet…"

"I see…" Ethan muttered and once again began eating.

Averting her gaze from Ethan, Aisha looked at Naenna sitting beside him and raised her brow.

"Naenna? Have you seen yourself? You look terrible." Aisha said in an exasperated tone. Naenna frowned and said, "I don't see a problem."

Aisha sighed again as she looked at Ethan and said, "Ethan, is there any need to get your sister involved?"

"Of course, she will be of great help to me, mother. You have nothing to worry about, you see… I alone cannot handle everything nor can I neglect it. It's important to have someone from our family look after the work." Ethan said firmly without hesitation.

Aisha's brows twitched as she contemplated for a moment. Seeing Naenna's anxious expression, she said, ".... Fine. But you mustn't overdo it!"

Hearing this, Naenna beamed with happiness as she exclaimed, "Really?! I can?! Thank you, mother!"

Aisha smiled and shrugged.

After that, everyone simply ate their fill in the silence. After Ethan was done, he wiped his mouth with a handkerchief and bowed to his mother, "Thank you for the meal, it was delicious."

"You liked it? You should stay in the mansion more so I can make food for you everyday. Aisha nudged with a smile on her face.

With a bitter tone, Ethan said, "I will try to."

Just as Aisha was about to bid farewell for the night, she suddenly remembered something, "I nearly forgot, that boy you brought with you… He has also been training with the garrison commander as you wished. Surprisingly, he is very tenacious and has a good aptitude. You have a good eye for talent."

"Thank you, please teach Aria as well." Ethan bowed.

"Yes, it seems you are tired. Take some rest. See you in the morning."

Ethan nodded. He truly was tired. The process of soap-making was long and tedious and even if he wasn't doing the work, he was the one guiding and monitoring the process keenly. After saying good night to his mother and sister, Ethan returned to his room after a long time.

Soon after he got to his room, the door knocked and Ethan opened it unsurprisingly.

"Young Master." Albert bowed.

"Alright, give me the full report." Ethan sat on his chair and said calmly.

Albert stood solemnly in front of Ethan with his hands clasped together in front of him. Albert brought out a paper from his coat and handed it to Ethan, then he began reporting.

"Young Master, we had the suspicious lurker's sketch made with the memory of the witness. We then searched for the man and eventually captured him in a high-end tavern in the city. After interrogation, the man confessed to lighting a fire in Mr. Gerrick's warehouse."

"Who put him to it?" Ethan asked.

"A rival merchant jealous of his success," Albert said.

"Hmm, that explains the lack of caution. But you wouldn't be making this face if it is just that." Ethan said narrowing his eyes sharply like a razor blade.

"That's right, the City Watch were noticed the spontaneous fire and despite there being sufficient evidence for raising doubts, the investigation was dropped," Albert informed in a grave tone.

A silence ensued as Ethan contemplated with his neck down. After a few minutes, he raised his neck and said nonchalantly, "Looks like this is a case of corruption. Hmph! They take my father's silence as weakness! Seems they have forgotten who their sovereign is."

Ethan's tone was very soft and his voice calm. But he gave off an intimidating and cold ruthless air nonetheless.

"There is another matter as well."

"What more?"

"Something very abnormal seems to be happening in the Duchy. There is a bandit group that is robbing merchants. However, they do not kill the merchants if the merchants were to surrender."

A particular memory flashed in Ethan's mind as he muttered, "Bandits huh…"

"Yes," Albert said.

"Well, why haven't we dealt with them yet?" Ethan asked in annoyance.

"We have tried before but they are not a normal bunch. They are not savages, extremely cautious and resilient. They do not hesitate to disappear for a while if we catch their tracks, only to resurface again." Albert clicked his tongue in frustration and said.

"Mmm… Interesting." Ethan murmured preoccupied with thought.