15. That Doctor

“In his New Year’s address at the start of the year, the Grand Duke mentioned the Withered Plains development plan. No one paid much attention then, as such claims are made every year but never truly acted upon.

“But after the spring holiday, some signs suggested the Grand Duke was serious this time.

“Firstly, the National Railway Department plans to connect the Endless Lands’ railways with the duchy’s internal ones, using the same gauge and drafting more rail-laying plans to link more accessible areas.

“This has never happened before. Railways are costly. Most of the Endless Lands’ railways were laid by private companies, but now the duchy plans to improve transportation there with national resources, which is truly…”

Bertram Fain shook his head, displaying a complex expression.

Siles said timely, “So, the Withered Plains development is indeed real.”

“Correct,” Bertram took a deep breath. “Of course, nothing is finalized. How it will be developed, to what extent… decisions will likely wait until after the winter holiday market.”

The winter holiday market.

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Rv oyp kdelle y zkhlzu rlakse.

Bertram said, “Someone close to the Grand Duke spread word that he plans to assess the market’s scale, the types and prices of Endless Lands goods, and then evaluate the feasibility of the Withered Plains development plan.”

Siles nodded thoughtfully.

He asked subtly, “And the gangs?”

“They… don’t actually have trade channels in the Endless Lands,” Bertram said. “They’re more interested in profiting from the Withered Plains development—like during railway construction.”

Railway construction required ample labor. The Old City had many workers, and underground gangs controlled their job opportunities.

Siles understood. Any move by the Grand Duke caused chaos below. In this era, it was inevitable.

Siles thought, realizing this matter didn’t directly concern him, and said with slight relief, “Thank you for the information. It’s been very enlightening.”

A friendly smile appeared on Bertram’s stern face. “I heard from my wife you found a job. What is it…?”

“Oh, teaching at the university,” Siles said vaguely. “By the way, you might consider sending Anthony to school.”

Bertram nodded. “I’ve thought about it, but I’m rarely home, and my wife manages our properties, so we haven’t had time to focus on Anthony.”

Siles said, “This time…?”

“I plan to stay home longer. Since the development plan rumors, the Endless Lands have grown more chaotic,” Bertram said with a hint of complaint. “I’ll wait until after winter.

“Also…”

He paused, then looked at Siles.

Siles was puzzled.

Bertram said, “Your help to my family—I can’t ignore your kindness. My wife rashly asked for your aid, yet you were willing to lend a hand, which is rare.”

Siles felt a bit embarrassed.

Bertram continued solemnly, “I returned to Lamifa partly because I secured a cooperation opportunity with a food company. If you’re willing, I’d like to invite you to join this venture.”

Siles froze, then said in shock, “No, I don’t think I deserve such a reward…”

Spending a morning to bring a troublesome kid home for such a lucrative reward? Siles felt undeserving.

“No, Mr. Noel, you don’t understand how I felt receiving my wife’s letter,” Bertram sighed. “I’ve always thought earning money outside while my wife managed the home was enough.

“But… I’ve neglected my family too much. You’re a man; can you understand that feeling?”

Siles, single on both Earth and Feishier, Noel: “…”

Regardless of Siles’s thoughts, Bertram continued, “On my way back, I reflected on my actions and beliefs over the years.

“I’ve earned enough money, amassed enough wealth. But I’ve lost time with my wife and son. I feared Anthony was in trouble, that my wife might follow him…”

Bertram, with raw fear, said, “Mr. Noel, you don’t know—you didn’t just save her and our Anthony, you saved me!”

Siles felt his contribution was overstated, but Bertram’s insistence was hard to refuse. Under his firm tone, Siles learned the details of the food company cooperation.

After listening, he realized Bertram wasn’t the main organizer but an investing partner.

This spring, while trading in the Endless Lands, Bertram and fellow merchants obtained recipes from a tribal settlement in the Withered Plains. Testing them, they found potential profit.

They contacted a food company to collaborate on these recipes.

“Of course, we won’t just sell the recipes but control everything from ingredients to production, sales to restaurant operations,” Bertram said. “People increasingly care about what they eat, so we think this venture is worth pursuing.”

Siles nodded.

“I invested a portion, not much,” Bertram explained. “Besides, I deal in furs, as you may know. I know farms and tribes raising animals.

“Their meat can be used as ingredients. I introduced a merchant to handle this, sharing his profits. I’d like to transfer that share to you.

“You teach at a school, likely not earning much. Let this be my help to you—please don’t refuse.”

For Bertram’s wealth, this uncertain-profit investment was a drop in the bucket, but for Siles, it was an irresistible temptation.

After much hesitation, Siles accepted.

Bertram immediately wrote a note to his lawyer to come that afternoon to sign a transfer agreement with Siles. His decisive manner surprised Siles.

Noticing his expression, Bertram smiled rarely, explaining, “In the Endless Lands, you can’t hesitate in business. Cunning tribal villagers and other merchants will seize opportunities if you waver.”

Siles said, “I’ve learned something.”

This exchange fostered a good relationship with the Fain family. That noon, Siles dined with Mr. Fain, his wife, and son.

Over lunch, they discussed more about the Endless Lands, Siles’s deepest insight into it yet.

About four hundred years ago, the Endless Lands’ mist began to dissipate. Since then, countless merchants, explorers, and travelers ventured there.

They roughly mapped its regions but faced endless risks.

Wild beasts, treacherous terrain, sudden natural disasters, or… strange, eerie encounters.

“People say, though gods have fallen, their influence lingers,” Bertram said with a hint of mystery and fear. “The Endless Lands hide countless secrets, many tied to eras before the Mist Era… to gods.”

Siles nodded, unsurprised.

The Endless Lands emerged during the Silent Era, when gods fell, a coincidence many historians suspected was linked.

Of course, they lacked evidence.

Siles wondered if the Church of the Past, worshipping the sole surviving god Antinam, held Silent Era archives.

His curiosity grew.

“The mist still covers much of the Endless Lands,” Bertram said. “But recently, it’s said to be dissipating faster, revealing more land.”

Siles said, “You mentioned ‘tribes.’ Are there people living in the Endless Lands?”

Bertram nodded, then shook his head. “They’re not natives. It seems no humans lived there when the mist first covered it.

“Those we meet now mostly settled in the Withered Plains after the mist began to clear.

“They live there year-round… Honestly, I think they’re a bit unhinged.”

Siles asked with interest, “Mentally unstable?”

“Indeed. Cunning, sinister, with a reclusive indifference… I can’t quite describe it. You’d understand if you visited the Endless Lands.”

Siles said, “I plan to.”

Bertram said, “Be careful. Travel with a doctor or bring enough medicine.”

“I will.”

“Speaking of doctors,” Mrs. Fain, who had been listening quietly, said, “Mr. Noel, your next tenant seems to be a doctor.”

Siles froze, then heard the soft rattle of dice in his mind.

…A doctor?

The doctor he knew?!