Chapter 177
Chapter 177
Master of the Trade Route (14)
A heavy task.
I had no way of knowing what exactly the second-in-command of the continent was trying to entrust me with.
After all, in my previous life, I had rarely ever served him.
Eric or Edward and the other heirs often dressed up dirty clean-up jobs with lofty phrases like “a heavy task” and handed them down...
But the Grand Duke of the North, who always valued duty and authority above all, wouldn’t entrust something like that to me.
However, that gentle line of thought was pushed deep into the back of my mind with the Grand Duke’s very next words.
He used the classic line often spoken when someone was about to be handed something unpleasant.
“You're not having any health issues, are you?”
“My health, you mean...?”
“Yes. I mean, no chronic conditions that might shorten your life. Even something minor would be worth mentioning.”
His golden eyes scanned my body swiftly.
Especially toward the black dress pants I was wearing.
“I saw in the papers that your leg strength looked solid.”
“Well, since I’m a former knight cadet, I think I’m in better shape than most common people.”
The Grand Duke’s lips moved slightly, just enough to suggest a dignified reaction to my words.
Then, placing both hands once again on his black lion-headed cane, he continued.
“Your background is from House Julius, and your former head, Baron Robin, served with distinction during the kingdom war.”
‘Don’t tell me... Is this such a dangerous task that it might endanger the entire family?’
If that were the case, then it was far beyond something like money laundering.
That’s why I looked quietly but intently at the man of power before me, my expression slightly tense.
“Well, your lineage checks out. If anything goes wrong, you can go through them.”
He seemed to be running mental calculations on his own.
The look on his face was like that of a supreme authority deliberating over a national incident.
“Ah, right. What about a woman? Are you seeing anyone right now?”
“No, and I’ve never dated before either.”
“Never before...? What do you mean?”
“Yes, I’ve never even had a deep conversation with a woman.”
At my answer, the Grand Duke of the North furrowed his brow like a lion puzzled by an unexpected situation.
“With that smooth face and silver tongue of yours?”
“Yes. I’ve simply never been interested. It’s inefficient.”
Only after my firm reply did Duke Luton let out a short laugh.
As if he understood me, and as if he had once been like that himself.
“Well, I was the same before I met my wife.”
“Your Grace, if I may be so bold... Could I ask what plan you’re considering me for?”
As the personal questions continued, I asked, a little concerned.
If it was too large in scale, I was already thinking about backing out.
My goal wasn’t to support his grand vision—it was simply to rebuild my family.
Of course, if I grew under the Grand Duke’s patronage, I could become a powerful noble.
But that wasn’t the path I wanted.
The moment I came to rely on House Luton...
‘In the end, I’d just be one of theirs again—no different from when I was a secretary.’
「…….」
The Grand Duke of the North didn’t answer my question right away.
Was it such a difficult matter that he needed to avoid giving a reply?
No, that wasn’t the look he had.
Instead, he wore a gentle smile, not like someone sizing up prey, but like someone watching a wild creature he might one day raise.
“That’s still a secret.”
Duke Luton turned his head and looked out the window toward a woman with her hand in the fountain.
His fourth child, the one he wouldn’t trade for the world—Echina Luton.
With her sharp convictions and the beautiful features inherited from her mother, he had wanted to cherish her.
That’s why he had excluded her from the family business.
Or rather, it would be more accurate to say he had protected her from the harsh competition of that world.
Still, the reason he finally brought Echina back into the business was probably because a reliable ally had appeared.
Someone who changed her—someone to whom she, who had never been emotionally attached to anyone due to her strong convictions, could finally give her heart.
“I’ve ended up speaking too vaguely, unlike myself.”
The Grand Duke rose from his seat.
As he did, Debier approached and lightly adjusted the black coat draped over his shoulders.
“Let’s move on to the real matter.”
Duke Luton withdrew the warm gaze he’d had toward me.
Then, in a voice as cold and sharp as if he were here for business alone, he raised the central issue.
“Are you aware of what’s going on with Eric’s side?”
“I’ve heard they’re building a casino, a hotel, and a coach terminal.”
The Grand Duke nodded calmly.
“Then you must also know that once those three are completed, it’ll put you at a disadvantage in the competition.”
At his words, I moistened my firmly sealed lips with a bit of saliva.
‘So this was the real reason.’
He wanted to see whether I had the capacity to stand against the eldest son.
And the fact that the Grand Duke held this curiosity...
It meant that he was seriously considering placing Echina in the position of family head.
I had to answer well here.
One sentence from me now could determine the future of the Grand Duke’s household.
A rightful heir appearing—unlike in my previous life.
And for the sake of House Julius, which would achieve peace through just politics...
“I plan to receive the Fern territory from Edward and use it to oppose him.”
「…….」
My answer echoed faintly through the empty café.
The warm sunlight wrapped around the tall figure of the Grand Duke clad in a black coat.
And for the first time in a long while, his golden eyes—faded with time—regained their former luster.
“You’re the one who put Edward in danger. Do you think he’ll hand over Fern so easily?”
Duke Luton, leaning on his cane with one hand, asked me a question.
As if he was genuinely prepared to hear my answer.
“Yes. I plan to give him terms he can’t refuse.”
Together, we looked out at the fountain beyond the window.
The statue of a massive lion that seemed to roar—symbolizing House Luton.
It clearly expressed how much they valued authority and honor.
“I intend to save the Luton Arms Dealer he owns.”
The Luton Arms Dealer.
A company currently shaking along with Fern Territory’s halted construction.
Of course, given the company’s size, the current tremors are still relatively minor.
However, the moment Edward starts using company funds to cover the losses from the construction freeze—
Cracks will begin to appear in his position.
“That’s an interesting move. I expected you to try and devour both Fern Territory and the Luton Arms Dealer in one go.”
Even the seasoned Grand Duke of the North had foreseen that situation.
And it seemed he had assumed I would be the one orchestrating it.
“Yes, the Luton Arms Dealer is certainly an appealing prize, but considering its ‘particular nature’, it wouldn’t be easy to swallow.”
“Its particular nature, you say? Explain what you mean.”
Luton was testing my discernment.
To hear more, he even took off his leather gloves himself and handed them to Debier.
“Before Edward inherited the Luton Arms Dealer, it was a business Your Grace spent the most time with.”
“That’s right. Most of its executives are about the same age as me.”
“That’s why they won’t easily accept a superior who isn’t part of the Grand Duke’s house. They’ll value legitimacy.”
The Grand Duke smiled faintly, as if to say, correct.
Devouring everything in sight was the way of small fish.
The larger the prey, the more carefully one must stalk it.
“If a third party, not officially recognized by Your Grace, were to take it over, they’d find it difficult to run. Better to leave it with Edward, the legitimate successor.”
“You think the boy has the ability for that?”
He was asking me to evaluate his own son’s talent.
That alone told me how much the Grand Duke’s opinion of me had shifted.
I never hide my judgment from those who recognize me.
I gave him an honest assessment of his second son.
“I’ve actually been receiving frequent updates on the roads in Fern Territory. Especially now, after the construction was halted—who’s been showing up, and who hasn’t.”
I spoke while looking out at the great ridgeline beyond the fountain.
“Even with the major setback to the territory, almost no investors have come directly to Edward.”
“...I see.”
Luton didn’t press further, perhaps because he understood what I meant.
Even when faced with the risk of losing their investments, no one had approached Edward directly—
That meant his network still trusted the second son.
“Even at the construction site, which has lost all its momentum, not a single worker or subcontractor has left so far.”
When the Imperial Inspection Team is dispatched, a project like that essentially flatlines—for a few months at best, or even years at worst.
The on-site workers surely know that. And yet, they continue to trust Edward and wait.
In other words, he had at least run the business competently up to this point.
‘Of course, pulling off a massive tax evasion scheme was still wrong.’
But that was for personal gain, and I was willing to overlook it for now.
Once I slowly chipped away at his shares and became the majority stakeholder, I’d correct his habits myself.
“I think Edward has at least learned leadership from his father.”
“That’s the boy’s only strength. He takes care of his friends—almost as much as he enjoys drinking and partying.”
Duke Luton acknowledged that much without resistance.
That was why, despite his debauched lifestyle, the Duke had passed down at least one business to him.
“However, that boy already has bad blood with you. Even if he needed help, what makes you so sure he’d accept it from you?”
“That reason is even simpler.”
I let out a deep breath.
Then, I looked toward Royal Luton, where smoke still rose from a massive ongoing project.
“Because he’s been by Eric’s side for so long, Edward knows exactly how his older brother operates.”
He’s seen firsthand the brutal way the eldest son carries out corporate mergers.
How Eric runs his businesses like a dictatorship, cutting down anyone he doesn’t like.
Anyone who’s been that close to him would never return to serve under him again.
That must be why Edward jumped into the competition for family headship under the banner of ‘Mithril.’
“Even if we once stood against each other, he’ll judge that I’m the better option over Eric. He’s already seen how well I get along with Freya, despite clashing with her too.”
I casually spoke of how I’d already brought his other children to heel.
As expected, the Grand Duke of the North seemed a bit offended and threw out a blunt remark.
“Edward’s still my son too, Roger.”
But I—
“If he were truly like his father, he wouldn’t be looking to serve under anyone in the first place.”
I answered him firmly, as if to force him to confront reality.
“Your Grace, you built the North with your own hands.”
「…….」
The Duke didn’t refute my words.
He simply closed his eyes gently and gave a faint nod.
“I see.”
As if to hide his mixed emotions, the Grand Duke turned toward the café door.
Then, with a steady gait, he slowly began to walk away.
“Roger.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Before leaving, the Grand Duke paused briefly and received a fedora from his chief secretary.
With elegant ease, he placed the hat lightly over his head and left me with parting words.
“Go ahead and show the world your full potential. Just like you are now.”
The Grand Duke of the North glanced back at me.
“A world is coming where talents like you no longer need to stay hidden.”
For some reason, there was no trace of his usual authority left on his face.
If anything, he now resembled a sage who respects anyone outstanding, regardless of their status.
“…Thank you, Your Grace.”
Thus, Duke Luton, having now met all three of his children, finally left the café and exchanged farewells with Echina.
The two of them, so alike, stood face-to-face.
Under the beautiful fountain, the scene resembled a masterpiece painting—father and daughter, framed in the afternoon light.
As I watched that moment unfold, Debier came up beside me.
Standing next to me, he admired the scene as if he were also savoring a piece of art.
“How’s the mansion?”
“Look at you, worrying about the mansion just because you used to be a secretary.”
His tone was as icy as ever.
But his face, unlike before, had softened considerably.
“Everyone’s doing well. Especially whenever news comes of Lady Echina, His Grace’s expression brightens more and more.”
I could picture the Grand Duke alone in his study, hearing of his daughter’s accomplishments.
And since Echina’s beautiful smile must resemble her father's, I imagined it was quite a pleasing sight.
Just then, perhaps having heard something good from her father, Echina’s face lit up under the fountain.
She grasped the Grand Duke’s hands tightly with both of hers and gently shook them in thanks.
It seemed that now she had grown close enough to hold her father’s hand without hesitation.
Compared to her in the previous life, this was tremendous progress.
“It’s all thanks to you. That the two of them can smile together again like this…”
“I haven’t done much. And I’m not a secretary anymore, after all.”
I let out a small chuckle and shook my head.
In response, Debier gave a more cynical smile than mine.
“You don’t have to be a ‘secretary’ to help Lady Echina.”
At his cryptic remark, my brow arched sharply.
But the chief secretary didn’t go so far as to explain what he meant.
Just as he was about to give me a hint, his lord called him over.
“Debier, it’s time to go.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
The Grand Duke pointed to the carriage parked beneath the lion statue.
With that, the chief secretary gave me a light wave and bid his farewell.
“Just keep going the way you are. Then some good news should come your way soon.”
I had no idea what good news he was referring to.
Still, there was one thing I had clearly gained.
That the former head of the house was now seriously considering Echina as his successor.