Chapter 101 : Chapter 101
Chapter 101. If It Can't Be Done, Make It Happen (5)
Hearing the treasurer's words, I nodded.
It wasn't because I thought there was any truth in what he had just said.
It was simply because I had expected this kind of reaction.
‘It makes no sense for the Bazar family not to know what kind of atrocities the Sahar Caravan is committing.’
The Bazar family was aware of everything, even the affairs of the Billem Caravan, with whom they had not yet started trading.
So, they were unaware of the state of the Sahar Caravan, with whom they had been trading for years?
That was a story that was truly hard to believe.
Nevertheless, the reason I pointed out the immorality of the Sahar Caravan was for a different reason.
It was to attract the treasurer's attention.
Watching the treasurer's gaze fixed squarely on me, I continued.
“That's right. Although the degree may be different, I also believe that it is natural for a caravan to pursue profit as long as it does not cross a certain line.”
“Then why did you bring that up, knowing that?”
“Because the Sahar Caravan has crossed the line. A line they should never have crossed.”
“I told you. What you call immoral is not a problem at all.”
“What if the Sahar Caravan's atrocities are not limited to that? For example, what if they are deceiving the lord?”
“What?”
The treasurer asked back, slightly flustered.
In other words, it meant that the treasurer also had a lingering suspicion about the Sahar Caravan.
If that weren't the case, if he had 100% trust in the Sahar Caravan, he would have scoffed without the slightest bit of surprise when I brought it up just now.
But he didn't, and because of that, an opportunity arose for me.
An opportunity to separate the Sahar Caravan and the Bazar family.
Having quickly organized my thoughts, I spoke to the treasurer.
“The Tyrkollu family, with whom I recently started trading. The place that was originally trading with this family was the Sahar Caravan.”
“So?”
“I was curious. What kind of problem arose between the two that a trade that had lasted for 20 years was cut off? And I found the answer right here.”
I took out the ledger I had received from Graden and handed it to the treasurer.
The ledger recorded when the Tyrkollu family had sold food, for how much, and how much they had sold.
But what stood out more than that was the grade of the food the Tyrkollu family had sold so far.
Surprisingly, the grade of the food sold by the Tyrkollu family was almost all 1st-grade.
“……”
As the treasurer was confirming this fact, I added.
“As you can see, the Tyrkollu family only sold 1st-grade food to the Sahar Caravan. But what actually arrived at the Vinchih garrison was 3rd-grade food.”
“……”
“In conclusion, the Sahar Caravan embezzled the difference between the 1st-grade and 3rd-grade food, destroyed the relationship of trust, and brought dishonor to the Tyrkollu family. This is the reason why the contract between the two was terminated.”
Because there was clear evidence before his eyes, the treasurer could not carelessly deny my words.
Instead, after reading the entire ledger, he muttered.
“So the Sahar Caravan's story that the contract was terminated simply because they couldn't agree on a price was a lie.”
“That's right.”
However, the existence of such evidence did not mean that the Bazar family and the Sahar Caravan would cut ties.
What I had brought was the ledger of the Tyrkollu family.
The treasurer, belatedly coming to his senses, also pointed this out.
“I understand that the Sahar Caravan crossed the line and their contract with the Tyrkollu family was terminated. But that doesn't mean the Sahar Caravan has also played tricks with the Bazar family's food, does it?”
“That is……”
“Above all, I do not believe that the Sahar Caravan would dare to pull a stunt against the Bazar family. The Sahar Caravan is a place that lives off our lord's favor and will continue to do so.”
The treasurer said in a confident tone.
It was a logical story that made perfect sense.
For that reason, I judged that there was no point in continuing the conversation any further.
So, it was right to withdraw at this point.
“The treasurer's words are absolutely correct. I was merely trying to convey my concerns as the Sahar Caravan's infamy is so high, so I will take my leave at this point.”
As I really stepped back and bid farewell, the treasurer scoffed and replied.
“Hmph. So you were just a scoundrel who came to slander with flimsy evidence. I don't want to see you, so get lost.”
And so, I left Betalin Castle, having been treated poorly for the second time.
But a smile was playing on my lips as I left.
***
That evening.
The office of Betalin Castle.
With heavy footsteps echoing on the marble floor, the hem of a gold-white coat draped with black panther skin followed behind.
Surprisingly, the panther's head on the shoulder, with its fangs bared, was menacingly lifelike.
But what was even more menacing was Deniz, the head of the Bazar family, who was wearing such a coat.
Deniz pierced the treasurer with his cold gaze and asked.
“……So, you want to investigate the Sahar Caravan?”
The treasurer gulped and swallowed once before answering Deniz's words.
“Yes. I believe that would be for the best. If they are indeed playing tricks, we will have to get rid of the Sahar Caravan, and if not, it will be an opportunity to give a warning to the Sahar Caravan, which has been running wild lately.”
“Hmm……”
Deniz's eyes flashed sharply once, and then he was lost in thought for a moment.
But the thought did not last long.
“Do as you see fit. It doesn't matter which caravan takes the food.”
Hearing Deniz's words, the treasurer let out a sigh of relief inwardly.
He had been afraid of being reprimanded for reporting something trivial to Deniz.
But it was also a situation where he couldn't not report it.
If he hadn't reported it and it was revealed that the Sahar Caravan was up to something, a portion of the responsibility would have fallen squarely on the treasurer.
In the end, from the treasurer's perspective, there was no other choice the moment he heard my story.
He had to report what he had heard today, bracing himself for a reprimand.
And this was the first reason why I was satisfied even though I had been blocked by the treasurer and couldn't meet Deniz today.
“Yes. Then I will proceed with investigating the Sahar Caravan.”
“Alright. By the way, who reported the story about the Sahar Caravan?”
“It is a place called the Billem Caravan, which recently opened food trades with the Tyrkollu and Pahad families.”
“The Billem Caravan…. I don't think I've heard that name before.”
“Until recently, it was a place that only sold food, something called the Billem Meatball. And it hasn't been long since they made a name for themselves with their food business.”
“And such a place used this kind of trick to secure a food trade with us? Quite impressive.”
“……”
At Deniz's words, the treasurer, who had just relaxed a little, tensed up again.
Like a deer that had just had its neck bitten by a panther.
But Deniz paid no heed to the treasurer's expression and continued.
“If you investigate and find that the Sahar Caravan is innocent, then dispose of the Billem Caravan cleanly. Trample them and trample them again so that not even a scream can come out of the mouths that have been so carelessly wagging.”
“……Yes.”
“And if, on the contrary, the Sahar Caravan is guilty……”
“……”
“Deal with the Sahar Caravan exactly as I just said. And make a deal with the Billem Caravan.”
“I will follow your orders.”
And so, Deniz gave an additional order to the treasurer.
And this too was my intention.
The one that made me smile with satisfaction.
A few days later.
Yakub was transporting the Bazar family's food to Vinchih as per Tark's orders.
Yakub, sitting on top of a wagon, took a bite of a particularly red apple and muttered.
“Anyway, all the dirty work is my share.”
Although he couldn't say a word when they were together, Yakub harbored considerable resentment towards Tark.
It was only natural; not only was it unfair that he had become the younger brother by a mere second, but the Caravan Leader of the Sahar Caravan was Tark.
Yakub had secretly hoped ever since the Sahar Caravan was created.
That Tark would propose that he become a co-Caravan Leader.
But Tark never made the proposal of a co-Caravan Leader.
Even after decades of dedicating himself and getting his hands dirty with all sorts of filthy work in Tark's stead, the result was the same.
“I'll kill you soon enough.”
Yakub was planning to backstab Tark if he ever got the chance.
Moreover, he wasn't just thinking about it.
He was also making a concrete plan for it.
It was for this reason that he had hired an excessive number of mercenaries for this job.
As soon as he returned after selling all the Bazar family's food to the Vinchih garrison.
Yakub planned to spill Tark's blood and take over the Sahar Caravan.
“Let's just finish this job well, just this one.”
And so, Yakub, escorted by a mercenary force of over 100 men, steadily made his way towards Vinchih.
But it was then.
Suddenly, the Sahar Caravan came to a halt.
Clatter.
And the mercenary captain leading the Sahar Caravan raised his voice.
“Who goes there!”
The reason was none other than this.
A group of people was blocking the path of the Sahar Caravan.
Judging by their attire, they also seemed to be mercenaries.
But,
“……”
No answer came back from this group.
The mercenary captain found this part strange.
It was when Yakub also sensed that the situation was unusual and stuck his head out of the wagon.
Thududududududu!
A new mercenary unit appeared from behind the Sahar Caravan.
Moreover, it wasn't just any mercenary unit.
It was a unit where all the mercenaries were on horseback.
At this point, the Sahar Caravan had no choice but to figure out the identity of the mercenary unit.
“Enemies! The enemy has appeared!”
As befitting those who were preparing a rebellion, the mercenary force following Yakub quickly reformed their ranks.
The speed at which they assumed a battle stance was not that of a typical mercenary force.
“The fact that they have a cavalry unit is a variable, but we have more numbers!”
The mercenary captain's words were true.
They had more numbers, so if they could hold out well, they could safely get through this raid.
Yakub's thoughts, who had stuck his head out of the wagon to grasp the situation, were similar.
However,
“Ugh!”
“Help me!”
The mercenary force following Yakub lost their lives without being able to put up a proper fight against the charge of the cavalry unit and the advance of the infantry unit.
It was a natural result, as almost everyone on the other side was using aura, which only the mercenary captain could barely use alone.
In the end, the man who appeared to be the captain of the raiding party cleanly beheaded Yakub and spoke.
“Do not touch the ordinary caravan employees! We only need to secure the food as per the Company Commander's orders!”
That was right.
The man who had struck the Sahar Caravan and seized the Bazar family's food.
This man's identity was, surprisingly, Chevalier.
In other words, it meant that the identity of the raiding party was the Special Task Force Company.