Chapter 167
Chapter 167. Title-Conferral Ceremony (3)
Naturally, the face of the young lady named Monet twisted. She was honest in expressing her emotions.
From my experience, most Young Ladies were like that. It was partly because they had been raised preciously, and partly because they lived in environments where there was absolutely no need to hide their feelings.
Sapiela also ranked among the very top when it came to prickliness, but even so, she was relatively reasonable.
When I approached, interest stirred in Sapiela’s eyes.
She must have felt something familiar. The sight of someone so similar to the person she had in mind. Since the only thing different was the face, she might even feel a sense of incongruity.
Besides, there was also that mysterious thing called Woman’s Intuition.
However, I approached without feeling burdened. In any case, I would have to reveal my identity to her someday, and even if it were unexpectedly revealed early, the Aftermath would be lighter.
Standing directly before Sapiela, I folded my arms and bowed my head.
I deliberately observed the exact same etiquette as I did when I was Dilen.
“If my memory serves me correctly, I believe this is the first time I have had the honor of greeting you, Young Lady. I have heard much about you from Sir Dilen. I am Suhyeon, Master of Metis.”
“How did you recognize me?”
It was such an easy question that I smiled leisurely.
“Why, Miss Eluna is beside you, is she not? I instructed her to attend you well today. Please feel free to call on her if you need anything.”
“I heard a great deal about you from Brother Hamel. From Sir Dilen as well, of course. They said you have been helping our House in many ways, both materially and otherwise......”
“It is an honor that you recognize my loyalty. I intend to assist you in many ways going forward as well.”
The Young Lady nodded.
That was Sapiela, all right. At this point, one might expect a word of thanks, but she did not easily express her feelings. Positive feelings especially.
Not that I felt disappointed.
After all, I was also Dilen, so I was receiving her feelings as much as I wanted.
“Still, you resemble Sir Dilen quite a bit. How should I put it...... It feels somewhat strange.”
“I hear that often. Our heights are similar, and our hairstyles are similar as well. Perhaps because Dilen has followed me closely since he was young, he makes quite an effort to resemble me.”
“Is that so?”
“Oh, are you uncomfortable? Did I perhaps say something inappropriate?”
“No.”
She cut me off with a prim air. It must have felt strange to hear that the person she had feelings for was trying to resemble someone else. That had been intentional. A sort of hint, one might say.
It was better for her to have a certain degree of suspicion about me. In preparation for the moment when I revealed my identity.
“Then please excuse me for a moment. Miss Eluna?”
I looked at Eluna and pointed to one side.
The two of us moved to a corner of the Banquet Hall. I looked around and, while keeping watch in case anyone approached, spoke quietly.
“Do you know a man named Romushu of the Blue Dragon Merchant Company?”
“Of course I do. When you handed over the contract, His Grace the Duke tried to subcontract the work to that Mercenary Corps, remember? So I looked into them, and they were quite a large organization. There were several businesses under the Blue Dragon name.”
In other words, Blue Dragon was not merely a Mercenary Corps. There were various companies under it, including a Merchant Company. The largest among them were the Mercenary Corps and the Merchant Company.
It was a sort of family business.
I gave a faint laugh.
“Is something amusing?”
“How could there not be? So many people are gathered here.”
By chance, my gaze landed on the young lady named Monet, with whom I had exchanged introductions earlier. She was whining to some man who looked old enough to be her father.
That man must be Viscount Beltane. The way he glanced over at me made that certain.
Monet was probably adding various sauces on top of the small discourtesy I had committed.
I did not need to watch to know that type of person.
“It seems His Grace the Duke leaked the details of our contract to the commander of the Blue Dragon Mercenary Corps. The very sensitive parts, at that.”
“Oh my. To think he would do such a thing......”
“What can we do? An arm bends inward, not outward. I can understand that much, but something happened while we were waiting in the Drawing Room earlier.”
I then told her what had happened in the Drawing Room. I left out nothing, from Donald’s greed to the tension between him and his half-older brother, Romushu.
As expected, the clever Eluna seemed to realize what her role would be.
“So, both men are quite virile. And ambitious in business as well.”
She turned her head as if to confirm it and happened to spot the two brothers together. At the same time, a smile settled on her lips.
“That is how it turned out.”
“Men like that are easy to approach. Men’s hearts are obvious, are they not?”
Eluna looked at me subtly as she asked that. What answer was I supposed to give?
“That is true. My heart is obvious too.”
“There is no way. Master, you are special. Your thoughts, your actions, and your heart.”
“I think this is the first time you have praised me so lavishly.”
I had formed a Bond of Fate with her. Eluna’s heart had already leaned completely toward me from the time she had been mistaken for a Baronet’s Wife.
“But honestly, I have no confidence in seducing you, Master.”
“Why not?”
“I feel it would take something special beyond beauty to capture your heart. Unfortunately, I do not think I have anything like that yet.”
“Are you not being too honest?”
“Being honest is not a bad thing, is it?”
For some reason, I felt overwhelmed by her spirit. I let out a sigh and smiled.
“Do not blame yourself. Anyone can see that you are an exceptional woman. Still, now is the time for business, so put personal feelings aside for a while. A day will come when we can talk at leisure later.”
“Understood. But may I ask how you intend to use the two brothers?”
I crossed my arms and leaned lightly against the wall. Even then, my eyes remained fixed ahead.
“In any case, we have to establish a new base in Ture, where our production facilities will be built. We have no connections there at all, so it is like bashing our heads against bare ground.”
“Against bare ground...... That is quite an intense expression.”
“It is an idiom from where I used to live.”
Eluna fell into thought for a moment. I did not immediately give her the answer and waited. Finding the answer on her own would surely help her Level rise.
“I heard that the Ture Region is firmly under the Blue Dragon Trading Company’s control. His Grace the Duke’s influence is strong there, after all.”
“That is the problem. I amended the contract terms because I wanted to run our own escort network, and the Ture locals are picking a fight over that very point.”
“So you are trying to use the man named Romushu?”
“Exactly.”
Now that she had grasped the point, it was my turn to explain the details.
“According to my reliable source, Romushu is trying to eliminate his half-brother, Donald. He intends to swallow even the Mercenary Corps whole.”
“If used well, he could become an ally.”
“I want you to serve as the lubricant for that. Whether through a Business Agreement, Investment, or anything else.”
“What do you think he will demand from us?”
“May I be honest?”
“Of course.”
“First would be your body.”
Seeing that Eluna’s expression did not change in the slightest, she seemed to have expected it. I immediately added so that she would not misunderstand.
“You would know even if I did not say it, but that is the poorest strategy, so we will pass over it. The second thing he will demand is our technology. That man Romushu seemed interested in Fabrication and Design.”
“I see. He may demand manufacturing secrets or Blueprints.”
At that moment, someone who had spotted me changed direction and began approaching us. Since there was no stopping a guest who was coming toward me, I wrapped up the conversation.
“Capture his interest as much as possible while making sure we do not suffer losses.”
“It is not an easy mission.”
“I am sorry about that.”
Eluna, who was sensitive to such things, seemed to notice someone approaching and glanced slightly behind her. Then she looked back at me and smiled.
“Then, if I complete this successfully, will you treat me to a meal?”
“That much is nothing.”
“I will obey your command, Master.”
She bowed her head lightly and withdrew. While watching her approach the two brothers, I received the guest who had come to see me.
The guest who had sought me out was none other than Viscount Beltane.
My head is starting to hurt already.
***
Fortunately, Viscount Beltane did not pick a fight with me or press me about it. Instead, he displayed the full dignity of a middle-aged gentleman and was absorbed in boasting about his House and his daughter.
However, I was able to send him away with an indirect rejection, saying that I already had someone in mind.
“Sir Suhyeon.”
A young Butler approached at a quick pace. I smiled as I dealt with him.
“It is about time for you to step forward. His Grace the Duke is coming.”
“Understood.”
I followed him, and just as he said, Duke Mydas entered shortly afterward with the Duchess. Duchess Rosaria’s face was still pale.
“It seems everyone has gathered, so let us begin.”
The duke climbed onto the platform and began his speech with the bearing of a king looking down at his vassals.
It was all predictable and tedious. Stories about how great the Bahamut House was and how much respect it deserved.
Still, I liked the title-conferral ceremony itself.
It was held grandly, just as the words implied. So much so that I almost felt slighted by Marquis Chronos, the Head of House of the Adeline House.
Of course, there was a world of difference between a Baronet and a Baron, but I had not expected him to take such care over a Barony, the lowest of the five peerage ranks.
“Suhyeon, Master of Metis. Step forward.”
After the long speech ended, the time had finally come for me to receive my title. I obediently walked forward.
“From this day forth, you shall serve our House and offer it eternal loyalty. In return, our House shall protect you and promise the prosperity and continuation of your House. Your children shall rightfully inherit your Noble Title and Fief, and they shall honor and praise your achievements.”
The so-called Fief was only a single Mansion in the Royal Capital, but that was still like owning an apartment in Gangnam in its own way, so it was not bad.
Duke Mydas pinned a golden medal to my chest. Then he handed me a splendid treasured sword.
“It is a sword bearing the emblem of the Bahamut House. If you carry this sword, your status will be recognized anywhere in the Kingdom. Treat it with care.”
“I shall serve in accordance with Your Grace’s command.”
I received the treasured sword with both hands.
The treasured sword I had received from the Adeline House had looked good as well, but this one had jewels set into it and truly felt like a precious sword. The blade was probably well sharpened too.
“The family name you will use from now on is Blue Mountain. It means the sacred blue mountain where a dragon dwells. What do you think?”
Do family names here all come in the Blue series?
Still, I liked it. Truly.
It had been one type of coffee bean I had loved in my previous life. How delicious it had been when I ground it coarsely, poured it into a dripper, and brewed it.
I was thinking of entering the coffee business eventually, so I could naturally name it Blue Mountain.
“It is an honor, Your Grace.”
“Today is a meaningful occasion where many retainers have gathered. There will not be another opportunity like this. Lord Blue Mountain. Is there anything you would like to say?”
“There is.”
I turned, then walked a few steps forward and drew the sword.
SHING!
At the unexpected performance, the people began murmuring. Some were startled, while others watched with interest. The latter, of course, was Young Master Hamel.
I swung the sword once in a graceful arc, then spoke.
“I would like to make one small request of everyone.”
CLACK!
After returning the sword to its Scabbard, I put more strength into my voice.
“Everyone feels jealousy. There are times when one is seized by envy for what one does not have. In fact, it seems that a few such people are present here.”
It was so quiet there was not even the sound of breathing. I swept my gaze once around the room and continued.
“I will forgive no force that slanders, criticizes, or obstructs our House. It would be troublesome if you forgot that I come from a merchant background. I know better than anyone how to return exactly what I receive. With interest added on top, that is.”
Not particularly friendly gazes poured toward me. Even so, I smiled openly and proudly, as if to make a point. My hand was still resting on the treasured sword.
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