Chapter 119
In front of the Goro Merchant Guild building.
I sat at the table, drinking tea since morning.
Merchant leader Barako had visited again just yesterday.
From the news I heard, the naval admiral no longer agreed to meet with Merchant leader Barako.
Count Mals was also caught in an awkward situation.
No doubt they'd been threatened with some kind of disadvantage.
So, yesterday, I sent another letter to the admiral and Count Mals, and today I had been waiting since morning.
Both had replied that they supported us.
"These are the documents I compiled."
"Good work."
A masked intelligence agent emerged from the building, handed me a sheet of paper, and went back inside.
We were currently remodeling the Goro Merchant Guild building, installing secret facilities as well.
I examined the document the agent had given me.
It contained records cross-referencing the information on the seven houses coming this time and the various clues I had gathered.
First, Count Parde.
This is the house of the heir who quarreled with Ross at the imperial palace banquet last year.
Despite being a provincial lord, their territory is a desert, so they're on the outskirts of the Syren faction's influence.
This Count Parde is the key to this affair.
Count Parde and the naval admiral are both friends and in-laws.
He plays the role of the chief negotiator in these talks.
Therefore, once I persuade Count Parde, I can lead the other houses to join as well.
I had already conveyed this to the admiral. Count Parde should be arriving soon.
The second is Viscount Landan.
He became the grand duke's left arm due to having served as his staff officer during the grand duke's time in the military.
His house is historically renowned for assassination sword techniques and even now commands an assassin troupe.
Every member of his house is skilled in hidden weaponry and poison. The head of the empire's best assassin unit became a noble.
It's likely my father and mother also fell victim to their poison.
Surprisingly, that very Viscount Landan has come to Tris.
He hasn't stepped forward in the negotiations himself because he is wary of me.
If he meets me, he'll die.
The fact that he came despite such danger means this is a major incident, something serious enough for him to oversee personally.
At the same time, it's an unusual opportunity to eliminate me.
He came to assassinate the thorn in his side, myself, help the order with their request, and check the situation around us in Tris.
However, Viscount Landan has made a mistake in coming.
Whatever the situation, a mongrel dog should never enter a wolf's den.
Right now, the wolf—
—was angry, very angry.
I set the document aside and sipped the cold tea again.
For some time now, a young boy had been loitering nearby.
"Um... My father would like you to try this."
The boy brought freshly baked bread.
When I looked toward the shops, I saw a merchant giving me a shy bow.
Seemed to be that merchant's son.
"Tell your father I appreciate it."
"Yes, sir!"
The boy beamed and ran to his father.
Other merchants came out and, upon meeting my eyes, nodded in greeting.
Surely, we were preferred over the gangsters.
People once again walked in the alleys where the bloodstains had been completely washed away.
All the stores were open and back to business.
I had compensated them more than enough—twice their average daily sales.
Now that the gangsters, who had extorted and harassed them daily on behalf of the Goro Merchant Guild, were gone, things couldn't be better for them.
I had made a promise—such things would never happen again.
I broke off a piece of bread and tried it; it was very good.
The fragrant, nutty aroma was wonderful.
Of course, there was no "poison."
"Would you like another cup of tea?"
"No—make it two."
Donnie glanced down the alley.
On the far end, some people in unique clothing were entering.
They looked almost like Arabs.
They had cloth over their heads to shade from the sun, wore unusual hats, and long, white garments like people from the Middle East.
The man at the front was the one I was expecting.
"Are you Young Master Roger Hader?"
"You must be Count Parde. I've been waiting for you."
"May I sit?"
"Of course."
Once the count sat down, Donnie immediately poured the tea.
Count Parde seemed startled when he assessed Donnie's martial presence. Looked as if he had assumed Donnie was just a secretary.
"Your guard is not ordinary."
"Your house's warriors are equally outstanding, Count."
"I take pride in that. May I drink?"
"Please do."
Count Parde drank the tea.
I also took a sip of the steaming tea.
"It's Robe's signature tea, isn't it?"
"You're well-informed. The King of Robe gifted it to me personally."
"You know the King of Robe, too?"
"It so happened I crossed paths with him."
Rafarik, if I recall—unlike his oversized, childlike son, the father's gaze was deep and dignified.
Perhaps it was the long history of their desert-dwelling house.
"Do you know why I am here?"
"I gather you have many concerns. Even the admiral said the pressure was so immense that he was left with no options."
"They're threatening us, saying we'll have to risk a territorial war. My purpose in coming was indeed to persuade the admiral, but hearing my friend's words, something felt off."
"So perhaps you're considering a change of admiral?"
"The military isn't in a position for that yet. If the armed forces let themselves be swayed by politics, the organization will fall apart. For the admiral, the real problem is his title, but he said he's prepared for that."
"It was my suggestion. I promised that, if he retires and goes into business, I'll help him. He's not obsessed with his title."
"I've heard. You know, his house has produced naval officers for generations—giving up his title won't be easy."
Count Parde fixed his gaze on me.
"The admiral told me about what happened in this alley. About what occurred with the order, and everything else that will follow. I found it hard to believe. Still, the admiral would never lie to me. But, after meeting you..."
He sipped his tea silently.
"I think it might all be true. I can see why the admiral wanted me to meet you. I had wondered why Count Mals and the admiral supported you."
"And yet you still find it hard to decide."
"I'm caught between a rock and a hard place. Real power rests with Viscount Landan."
"Do you think the grand duke commanded this?"
"I'm not sure. It's odd that Viscount Landan took the lead. He may be overseeing things from behind the scenes, but it's not really a job for the grand duke's most trusted aide."
Count Parde looked at me again.
He didn't say it, but he knew, too—Viscount Landan had come to Tris with another purpose.
"Then do you support the trade negotiations?"
"More than support—I want to participate. The admiral may have mentioned it, but there are many houses like mine that can't be open about it. Supporting this negotiation means turning our backs on the grand duke's faction."
"That won't happen."
"Why do you think that?"
I sipped my tea again.
"For one thing, the grand duke likely has no interest in the trade negotiations themselves. He's involved only because the order and our house are entangled. To the grand duke, the order is closer to Tern, a group he'd rather see eliminated."
Count Parde's eyes went wide.
He clearly hadn't considered that. He probably never thought the grand duke might invade Tern.
"Is that really how you see it?"
"The grand duke and his inner circle want every noble in the empire to obey only their commands. But the order has gotten in between, exerting influence of its own."
"I suppose that's one way to look at it."
"The order doesn't have nearly as much influence over the Syren family, but it's still something they find unpleasant. It disperses their power. Just like in this case."
"The priests from the order certainly did stir up the nobles. Now I understand why the grand duke's circle hadn't moved yet."
"This is an opportunity for them to weaken the order's power. And besides, direct trade with Tern brings a huge profit to the empire. It's a trade negotiation that benefits the national interest—would the grand duke purge his followers for supporting it?"
"Then..."
Count Parde's voice was cautious.
"Viscount Landan didn't come to obstruct the trade talks with Tern, did he?"
"No. Their real objective is the Barako Merchant Guild. They want to block the admiral and Count Mals from joining hands with our house."
"Then wouldn't that also mean staving off the order's power? If we trade directly with Tern without the order as intermediary, their power will inevitably weaken."
"Exactly."
"So the order is to be dealt with next?"
I smiled as I continued.
"They'll observe as the order falls, taking advantage without even moving a finger."
"What on earth... what are you saying...?"
Count Parde shook his head in disbelief.
It made sense; none of this lined up.
"The Syren faction wants to take control of the trade initiative. We may attack the order and handle the talks, but they want to claim the results for themselves."
"Ridiculous..."
The count scoffed incredulously.
The order and Syren faction dreamed different dreams, and the heads of houses gathered here were being used.
"For now, they pretend to help the order and pressure the three houses in Tris because the priests are watching. That same pressure will persist after the negotiations."
"So it's an advance warning, is it."
"Yes. Once the negotiation succeeds, they'll pressure everyone to follow them as they take charge of trade with Tern. But it won't go that way."
"You're saying you've prepared for after the negotiations?"
I smiled again.
"They won't seize control. They won't even reach that stage. They won't be able to do anything."
"Why?"
I briefly explained how things would unfold.
I told him only what he needed to do and what changes to expect.
It wasn't difficult—he just needed to decide.
"Amazing. Is it really possible?"
"I only say what is possible."
"Would you like to meet the heads of the houses?"
"Are they all gathered now?"
"It's lunchtime—they'll be at the inn restaurant over there. I'm staying at that inn as well."
"My presence at their meal would make them uncomfortable. But if they wish to come, I won't stop them."
"They'll probably try to avoid you."
"If you give them this, they'll come."
I handed Count Parde five slips of paper.
He glanced at them and immediately caught on.
"It's that matter, isn't it?"
"It is."
"I see. I'll hurry over."
"Why not send your subordinate?"
"If a knight goes, they won't even be let in."
Count Parde hurried to the inn.
I was starting to feel confident things would go well—Count Parde and I seemed to be in accord.
It was true that the nobles, because they support the order, had come here to sabotage the negotiations.
But after learning of Viscount Landan's arrival, I reconsidered.
If the Syren faction wanted to lead the trade negotiations with Tern from the start, they would have to eliminate the order first.
But that's impossible, with so many houses supporting the order.
These negotiations bring great profit to the empire, and likewise to the Syren faction.
Plus, they'd certainly like to get rid of the troublesome order.
As I connected these various puzzles, I found the answer—they intended to let us bring the negotiations to a successful conclusion and then reap the rewards for themselves.
Another goal was to eliminate me. When I return after striking at the order, that would be the opportune moment.
It'd be killing two birds with one stone—destroy the order and eliminate me.
After that, they'd seize control of the negotiations and subdue the three houses of Tris as well.
With all elements aligning so perfectly in their favor, they'd try to remove me, too.
Viscount Landan must have been smirking, imagining how he'd kill me.
Everything really was flawlessly orchestrated.
The timing, the place, the methods—everything.
But I was aware of it.
That method is every bit as perfect for me.
The key is whether Viscount Landan acts personally.
I had my own way to draw Landan out.
All I had to do was show that he could feel safe nowhere, no matter where he hid.
Then, I was sure he would make his move.
Before long—
The five heads of houses arrived and lined up in front of me.
Every one of them looked as though they had drunk a bucket full of shit.
In their hands, they each clutched a crumpled slip of paper.
It was only natural.
On those notes I'd written a summary of their own and their children's escapades on the Pleasure Island.
"Don't you know to greet your elders?"
"A youngster sure is arrogant beyond words."
The heads of house gave forced laughs as they regarded me.
Without replying, I opened my ledger.
"You must be Viscount Lubar. You visited that resort island eight times last year alone. The chief of security there wrote this: 'Lubar is a pervert with such a depraved sexual appetite that he strangled two barmaids to death—keep an eye on him.'"
"What are you talking about?"
Viscount Lubar's face turned scarlet.
The other heads grew visibly tense.
What I had just said went further than the information written in those notes.
"You must be heartbroken to hear the Pleasure Sanctuary burned down. I suppose you're wondering where you'll play now."
"So you were the one who did it."
Viscount Lubar glared at me with murderous eyes.
I continued.
"There's hardly a house whose young master hasn't been to that resort. One of your sons is about to be married—I wonder if his in-laws know the man who'll be their son-in-law is a drug addict?"
The faces of the heads all hardened simultaneously.
They must not have realized I knew this much.
"I never expected such devout followers of the faith to enjoy pleasure so much. You all have so many immoral deeds on record I can barely count them. But I'll go through them one by one, so listen closely."
"Enough!"
Viscount Lubar's neck was now flushed red.
The other heads fidgeted anxiously.
But could it be that only they had such faults?