Chapter 164 : The Hand Aimed at the Merchant Company
Chapter 164: The Hand Aimed at the Merchant Company
“You look so wonderful!”
At the maid’s exclamation of admiration, Berje examined himself in the mirror.
A neat suit mixed with just the right amount of flair. The fit was sharp, and it did not hinder movement at all.
“Not bad.”
What was bad was not the suit.
It was the banquet hall he had to go to wearing it.
To think he had ended up playing the role of a human’s partner, something never written into his fate.
As he sighed, Ernan entered the room. At her glance, the maid hurriedly withdrew.
“You look wonderful. How do I look?”
Ernan spun around once.
The sky-blue dress that harmonized with her snow-white hair was striking.
“It’s fine.”
“Right?”
“There isn’t really anything I need to do at the banquet, is there?”
“Of course not. You just need to stay by my side. I’ll take care of everything else.”
Well then.
“It’s time.”
She extended her hand first. Berje took it.
“Shall we go?”
“Let’s.”
The splendid carriage carrying the Crown Princess and Berje headed toward Duke Heinz’s estate.
---
A banquet’s stature depended on who hosted it.
And on who attended.
A banquet hosted by the royal family sat at the very top, evaluated according to the power involved.
In that sense, this banquet’s status was quite high.
Duke Heinz. It was held under the direction of the kingdom’s foremost noble, and it was known that the kingdom’s 2nd Prince and his consort would be in attendance.
Many attended the banquet hoping to pick up scraps from the marriage alliance with the Kingdom of Hessen.
But that was not everyone’s main interest.
“Did you hear? An invitation even went to the 1st annex palace.”
“Then Her Highness the Crown Princess will be coming as well.”
The Crown Princess, Ernan Hilderan.
The invitation had reached the hottest woman in the kingdom, and news that she had recently dined alone with a man had shaken high society.
Whether the Crown Princess would attend with Hero Hillan Cargill as her partner, or bring a new man called Pale, was the center of everyone’s attention.
“Even so, won’t she come with Hero Hillan?”
“But I heard that the Crown Princess’s own knight went out personally to escort a man named Pale. They even dined together and he’s staying at the annex palace, so it’s clearly not a light relationship.”
Countess Orian whispered as she unfolded her fan.
“I heard he belongs to Hero Hillan’s assault unit.”
“Yes, then it wouldn’t be strange for them to know each other.”
“Then could it really be…?”
“Won’t we be able to guess based on who she brings as her partner today?”
'How irritating.'
Obest Hilderan, the kingdom’s 2nd Prince, listened to their conversation while savoring his wine.
He did not like it.
The name coming from their mouths should not have been Ernan Hilderan.
“You seem displeased.”
“You’re mistaken. Why don’t you continue?”
“I was enjoying myself since there were people I got along with well. But with Your Highness looking so gloomy, how could I enjoy it alone?”
“This gathering was arranged for you.”
“You and I are on the same boat. What is there to hide?”
Yes. That was true.
Obest turned his head and met her gaze. She was Peria Hessen, the 2nd Princess of the Kingdom of Hessen, now his wife.
“If you can hear their whispers, you can guess the reason.”
“I understand. The nobles of this country truly seem to adore the Crown Princess.”
“Indeed.”
Obest did not like his half-sister.
Being a Child of the World Tree, having survived and been born through that cursed grand ritual—it was the same for both of them.
Growing into proper adults through training bordering on abuse was also the same. No ordinary knight of the kingdom could compare to him, and countless royals could not even step into his shadow.
And yet, when Ernan Hilderan, his sister ten years his junior, was born, everything changed.
The king’s favor toward him shifted to his younger sister.
The king’s favor became the prevailing trend. Very slowly, but unmistakably, the nobles’ support moved from him to Ernan Hilderan.
The feelings of the one forced to watch that happen were something no one could understand without experiencing it firsthand.
“Please relax your expression. Everyone is watching.”
A gentle touch loosened his stiffened face.
“The past is the past. Look at them. They speak of the Crown Princess with their mouths, but isn’t it you they seek with their actions?”
She was right.
The greatest purposes of this banquet were twofold.
One was the debut of Peria Hessen in Hilderan high society.
The other was to interact with those who desired the trade between Hessen and Hilderan that he was leading.
Though they had momentarily driven them away to rest, just moments ago they had been surrounded by numerous nobles, discussing matters related to him.
“Look at them. Everyone is waiting for Your Highness.”
“…Me.”
“Please stand and respond to their expectations. The talk about Crown Princess Ernan is merely a small diversion to fill the time when you are not present.”
“…Ernan is not that easy to handle.”
But.
“This time, your words are correct.”
Obest rose from his seat. The nobles who had been watching the 2nd Prince and his consort carefully began approaching one by one.
That was when it happened.
“…The rightful of Hilderan…”
Lavish and long-winded honorifics followed. From the content alone, everyone realized who was making an entrance.
Creeeak—
The doors slowly opened.
“…Her Highness the Crown Princess of Hilderan, Ernan Hilderan, and her partner, Lord Pale Kraphein, are entering!”
In an instant, the hall fell silent.
As if by promise, everyone’s heads turned in the same direction.
Click, click—
The sound of footsteps broke the stillness.
Platinum-blonde hair flowing down to her waist, amethyst-like eyes, and a sky-blue dress and accessories that harmonized with her fair skin.
Ernan Hilderan was the same as always.
Brilliant yet composed.
Refined yet pure.
Elegant yet noble.
“Beautiful.”
“As expected of Her Highness the Crown Princess.”
The men were drawn into her charm, and the women too were intoxicated by her presence.
That was why they were a step too late.
Late in letting their gazes pass Ernan and reach her partner.
But.
“Ah.”
Countess Orian gasped.
Flaming red hair was the first thing that caught the eye. Ruby-like eyes were firm yet deep, and paired with his fair skin, the black suit that contrasted with it was impeccably neat and dignified.
“…He’s handsome.”
The countess’s pupils grew hazy.
Ernan and Berje walked slowly, enjoying the attention. The crowd parted. At the end stood Obest Hilderan and Peria Hessen.
“It’s been a while, Brother.”
“‘It’s been a while’ doesn’t seem quite accurate.”
“Then let’s just call it a courtesy greeting.”
“I thought you would attend with Hillan Cargill.”
“I came with someone no less worthy.”
Obest’s gaze shifted to Berje.
“Who are you?”
“My partner, Pale.”
“I wasn’t asking you.”
“Pale Kraphein.”
Berje slightly bowed his head as he spoke the false surname.
“I am Obest Hilderan.”
“An honor to meet you, Your Highness the 2nd Prince.”
“I’ve never heard the surname Kraphein.”
“That would be natural, as I was not born in Hilderan.”
“May I ask what you do?”
“I run a small merchant company.”
“I wonder just how small it is. If you were ordinary, you wouldn’t have been able to replace Hillan Cargill as Ernan’s partner.”
“Brother, that’s enough.”
“I was simply so pleased to meet him that I asked a few questions.”
“It seems the meaning of ‘pleased’ has changed quite a bit from what I know.”
“The time you spent captured by the Demon King was indeed long.”
The gazes of the Crown Princess and the 2nd Prince collided.
“The atmosphere is heavy. This doesn’t seem like the relationship of siblings who should be close.”
At that moment, Peria Hessen stepped in, inserting herself into the heavy mood.
“It has been a while, Your Highness the Crown Princess. It’s our first time meeting since the wedding, isn’t it?”
“It’s nice to see you. It seems you’re doing well in unfamiliar Hilderan with my brother.”
“Thanks to His Highness the 2nd Prince’s kindness, I’m adapting reasonably well even in Hilderan.”
“Is that so.”
“Your Highness the Crown Princess’s beauty is always dazzling.”
“You as well.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
“I’m not finished speaking yet.”
Obest poured cold water over the warming atmosphere.
“Pale Kraphein, I’ve actually heard much of your reputation. I didn’t know your surname was Kraphein, though.”
“Is that so?”
“The one said to possess mana that the mages of Arkan obsess over. How about it—would you grant me the opportunity to see that mana as well?”
“Brother, that’s far too rude.”
“I am speaking with Lord Pale right now.”
“Unfortunately, that won’t be possible at a banquet.”
“Even if it’s an order from the 2nd Prince?”
“If it were an order from Her Highness the Crown Princess, perhaps.”
The corner of Obest’s mouth twisted.
“I see. As high-nosed as your reputation suggests.”
“You flatter me.”
“I can see why Ernan chose you over Hillan Cargill as her partner. But tell me.”
“Yes.”
“Isn’t that just in Arkan? Here in Hilderan, do you truly think you’re better than Hillan Cargill?”
To be honest, he was almost glad.
He already knew the king was pushing for a marriage between Ernan and Hillan. If the two married, his position would become even narrower. It was something that needed to be stopped at all costs, yet Ernan herself was kicking it away.
He was glad, yet he could not feel at ease because he did not understand her intentions.
Why was Ernan voluntarily discarding her relationship with Hillan Cargill?
He wanted to know. Only by knowing could he do something.
“Well, at least in Hilderan, I don’t think I can surpass Hillan Cargill.”
But.
Berje stepped closer and leaned his face between the 2nd Prince and the Princess Consort.
After their brief moment of confusion, he whispered softly.
“But at the very least, I think I’m better than Hessen and Her Highness the Princess Consort.”
The faces of the prince and princess crumpled mercilessly.
---
The 2nd Prince and the Princess Consort, who Berje had expected to explode, controlled their emotions better than expected.
After that, other nobles crowded in, and they could no longer continue the conversation. Time passed, and the banquet ended safely(?).
“I’m exhausted.”
Trying to play the gentleman among the nobles had nearly drenched his back in cold sweat.
Inside the carriage, Berje removed his outerwear in frustration.
“I was surprised. I never thought you’d say something like that.”
“They were pushing my temper. I almost snapped that damned prince’s neck.”
Berje was the type to speak casually even to the well-born Star and the 3rd Prince, at best compromising with half-formal speech.
But this time, he did not.
He barely suppressed the twisting and surging resistance throughout his body and acted the part of a polite human.
For Ernan’s sake.
To prevent her position from becoming awkward.
That final provocation was the maximum compromise he could manage.
“If you hadn’t brought me along in the first place, it wouldn’t have gotten awkward.”
“That was never an option to begin with.”
“So now we just wait and see how the king reacts?”
“Yes. By attending the banquet, we’ve completely driven in the wedge, so he’ll respond.”
“That woman.”
“Woman?”
“The princess of Hessen, was it? Her eyes were like a snake’s. Don’t take her lightly.”
“I know.”
Ernan fiddled with the ornaments on her dress.
“I sent people to Hessen to look into her a bit. She fought until the very end in the succession struggle against the 1st Prince—meaning the current Crown Prince.”
“And she lost?”
“Yes. She lost and lost all her support base. But ambition doesn’t just disappear, does it? It was Peria Hessen who pushed for exchanges between the two kingdoms.”
“So she plans to use that as a foundation to win over nobles and expand the 2nd Prince’s power.”
“Exactly. You can assume the Crown Prince of Hessen is backing her. She intends to at least become the queen of Hilderan.”
“Do you have any countermeasures?”
“I don’t have strong ties on the merchant side, so there’s no clear method.”
Ernan’s main support base consisted of nobles loyal to the king’s will, mages, and knights.
“Mages?”
“Spirit sorcerers are mages too. I’ve had frequent exchanges with mages since I was young.”
“And the knights?”
“Knights fundamentally admire a strong king. Of course, that’s not all, but I built my reputation by personally going on subjugations from a young age.”
“What about the 2nd Prince?”
“Brother did the same. But many knights support me over him. That, I can say with confidence.”
“Then doesn’t that mean the military is basically in your hands?”
“Not completely—just to a reasonable extent. And above all, the people of Hilderan have strong patriotism. Brother’s move of bringing in Hessen will lead to a rather unfavorable ending.”
Ernan said confidently.
“But do you have a merchant company as well?”
“A few years ago, I was given a royal-owned merchant company. But I don’t have talent for commerce, so I’ve entrusted it to a suitable person.”
“I’m set to receive merchant companies from the Trafarta Union through the 3rd Prince. The White Rose Merchant Company and the Hyacinth Merchant Company. How about trading with them?”
“When did you manage to get those?”
“When I went to check the sword.”
“You’re quite capable. I’ll bring it up.”
“Good.”
That was when it happened. Berje frowned and opened subspace, pulling out a communication device.
“Who is it?”
“Aman.”
The device glowed, showing the other party’s face.
『 This is bad! 』
“Bad?”
『 The Black Toad Merchant Company has formally raised an objection, claiming we stole their craftsmen and technology. 』
『 The Empire has responded, demanding that we hand over the stolen craftsmen, the mana cannons, and all the money earned from selling the mana cannons! 』
“...!”