Chapter 168
Chapter 168. Title-Conferral Ceremony (4)
“You were overflowing with spirit. I almost pissed myself.”
While I was speaking with a low-ranking noble, Young Master Hamel addressed me. The low-ranking noble understood his place, bowed his head, and stepped aside.
I smiled with my mouth, but frowned with my eyes.
“We were in the middle of quite an interesting conversation, and you interrupt me like this? You should know that if Metis fails to grow, your wings will be clipped as well, Young Master.”
“You bastard, now you are threatening me openly?”
“Hahahaha.”
We were speaking in voices quiet enough that others could not hear.
Suddenly, I felt as if I had become very close to him. It was like speaking comfortably with childhood friends from school, mixing curses into the conversation.
I belatedly gave an answer to his first question.
“There is no need to be pointlessly humble. In any case, Suhyeon is my second identity, and I think of the retainers as people I have a business relationship with.”
“That is how it should be. Do not forget that you are bound to the Adeline House down to your very soul.”
“That is a little frightening.”
I chuckled and lifted my wineglass. The Young Master also raised his glass and clinked it against mine.
“Have you heard anything about the Second Young Master?”
“As it happens, after hearing what you said, I had him investigated, and a report arrived saying there were many suspicious points. There is talk that he is abducting children...... I intend to investigate as soon as I return.”
“I say this out of concern, but you must not step forward openly for no reason. Not until I give you decisive evidence.”
“I know that much.”
The Young Master clicked his tongue and drank his wine. He must already have had several glasses, because his face was a little red.
“How is the Materials Supply going?”
“There are no special problems. It will likely all be prepared by the time we arrive at Adeline.”
“Good. Then what is your schedule after today?”
“I have a meeting with Master Romushu of the Blue Dragon Merchant Company.”
“You are already moving to solidify things?”
“Since the Ture Region is Neutral Territory, we need help. No matter how wise you are, Young Master, you cannot help with that part, can you?”
“If only you were not the Master of a thriving Merchant Company, I would have slipped you some pocket money at least. What a shame.”
Young Master Hamel smacked his lips, patted my shoulder a couple of times, and then headed elsewhere. Duke Mydas happened to be passing nearby, so he had gone to speak with him.
Young Master Hamel was diligent.
Metis was a company based in Adeline. And the Master of that company had become a retainer of the ducal house. In that case, the Adeline House and the Bahamut House could be connected as much as they wished through the medium of Metis.
The Young Master had no intention of missing that opportunity.
I would have done the same.
After all, if he could receive the official support of the Bahamut House, one of the Kingdom’s two great Houses, he would be able to occupy a favorable position in the Succession Fight.
“By the way, Young Lady Sapiela......”
I looked around the Party Hall, but the Young Lady was nowhere to be seen. Instead, I caught sight of a place where a great many young male nobles had gathered.
I let out a faint laugh.
“There she is.”
I put down my half-empty glass, straightened my Necktie, and headed in that direction.
As expected, the Young Lady was surrounded by young men and suffering under a barrage of questions. Since it was not a rare occurrence, the Young Lady was only answering the questions she liked.
When I appeared, the people parted, and the Young Lady turned around and focused on me.
As expected, her gaze was full of suspicion.
She must be thinking that I resembled Dilen far too much. At the same time, she was drawn to me, so her feelings were likely complicated. I understood. I was the one deceiving her, so I also felt sorry.
“You truly are popular, Young Lady. I did hear about it from Sir Dilen, but I did not know it was to this extent.”
I deliberately brought up Dilen’s name. That was the only way she would show interest.
As expected, she came a little closer to me.
“The party is gradually reaching its height. If you do not mind, would you dance one song with me? If I cannot dance even once with such a beautiful lady before me, I feel I may not be able to sleep tonight.”
“I am sorry, but I am not feeling very well today.”
“Is that so? That is unfortunate.”
Her not feeling well was probably an excuse. She had rejected requests from so many people, and as long as the person named Dilen stood firm in her heart, she would not carelessly give her hand to someone else.
At that moment, I saw Romushu approaching from the other side. Since he was staring at me continuously, it seemed he had business with me.
Just then, Sapiela spoke to me.
“There are some things I am curious about regarding Sir Dilen. May I ask you?”
“I apologize, but I have business to attend to for a moment, so I must excuse myself. Since we each rejected one request from the other, shall we call it even? Hahaha. I will greet you again another time.”
I lowered my head to show courtesy, and Sapiela merely nodded with a cold expression. Once I withdrew, the young flies began their advances again.
I wanted to rescue the Young Lady from that stress, but she was a stronger woman than one might think. Because of that, I was able to focus more on business.
“Once again, congratulations. Lord Blue Mountain.”
“It is an embarrassing title. Please call me Suhyeon comfortably. Compared to the reputation of Sir Romushu, an influential figure of Ture, I am quite insignificant.”
“Surely not. Are you not being far too modest? You are receiving His Grace the Duke’s tremendous attention, are you not? I have no doubt that your name will soon resound across the world.”
What was this sly old fox plotting, praising me like this?
Just then, Eluna pressed close to my side. I smiled and introduced her.
“You have likely already exchanged greetings, but allow me to introduce her again. This is Miss Eluna, my right-hand woman and someone who could be called the brain of Metis.”
“Ah, we have already greeted each other. I am very envious that you have such a beautiful person as your right hand.”
“Is a person’s inner self not more important?”
Sir Romushu laughed heartily. He set down his empty glass and made a discreet proposal.
“How about we step out together for a moment? It seems the party will not end anytime soon.”
“That sounds good. His Grace the Duke will surely understand that much.”
“The ceremony is already over, so all that remains is to enjoy the entertainment. There is no need to worry too much.”
“Your words put me at ease. Miss Eluna. You should accompany us as well.”
“Yes, Master.”
Eluna pressed even closer to my side, behaving coquettishly in a way she normally never did. I did not miss that fleeting instant. Romushu’s gaze had gone to Eluna’s cleavage, and he swallowed hard.
“Do you have a suitable place?”
“Ah, of course. I will guide you.”
I followed behind him. A short while later, we arrived at a small Drawing Room. Seeing that there was not even a Maid there, it seemed to be a room that was rarely used.
We sat facing one another on the sofas. I sat together with Eluna, and Romushu took the seat opposite us.
“As someone who must start a business in the Ture Region, I am truly pleased that I seem to have grown closer today to someone like Sir Romushu.”
“On the contrary, I was surprised by Sir Suhyeon’s eye for judgment regarding the issue of escorting products.”
“May I ask specifically which part surprised you?”
“Ordinary people would not have been able to ignore a request to entrust the work to the Blue Dragon Mercenary Corps. It would have been more convenient that way as well. Yet even in the midst of that, you did not bend your opinion. It was a bold thing no petty man could do. I was deeply impressed.”
“You flatter me.”
“As I said earlier, you are too modest. Hahaha.”
Eluna and I both laughed aloud. We genuinely felt good.
However, feeling good was one thing, and business had to be handled as business.
“Since we have confirmed each other’s intentions, shall we go straight to the main subject?”
“Good.”
“What the Blue Dragon Merchant Company, or more precisely Sir Romushu, wants is expansion of influence, is it not? For example...... absorbing the Mercenary Corps and increasing your size.”
Romushu flinched in surprise. It was the reaction of someone caught off guard from an unexpected direction.
Of course, I could do that. I could receive help from the Status Window.
However, to him, who could not know of the Status Window’s existence, I would appear even more meaningful. He would wonder exactly what kind of information was inside my head.
In the world of business, a gap in information was directly a gap in power. That was a basic principle that applied even here, where commerce had not taken a modern form.
“Seeing how startled you are, I suppose I struck the mark.”
“How on earth did you......”
“Furthermore, you must be trying to control all business rights belonging to the House Blue Dragon. Your feelings toward your half-brother are not good either.”
“Ahem.”
I paused briefly. My opponent would be growing impatient. He would be curious about how I knew that, and at the same time, about what words would follow.
“I have matters to handle in Adeline for a while. They will require some time.”
Broadly speaking, there were two.
First, neutralizing the Second Young Master. Taking his life was outside my authority, so I would somehow pull Young Master Prah down from his position.
Second, inviting Princess Ophelia to the Territory. In truth, this was the main event. If she cooperated, we would be able to end the dispute.
Even just these two events could take quite some time. The matter of the Second Young Master could be handled swiftly and decisively, but inviting the Princess to the Territory was not something I could accomplish by my own power alone.
“So during that period, I would like you to cooperate so that Metis can establish itself well in Ture.”
“What exactly do you mean by establishing itself well?”
“Everything necessary to build a production base, starting from the establishment of facilities to staffing. These are matters that cannot easily proceed without help from a local influential figure. Of course, His Grace the Duke is backing us, but subtle conflicts of influence are not that easy to deal with, are they?”
I indirectly pointed out the checks and sabotage of the Blue Dragon Mercenary Corps. He rested his chin on his hand, thought for a moment, then nodded.
“Indeed, I believe that is possible.”
“So if Sir Romushu steps forward, we will be able to proceed with our work with peace of mind.”
“Who is the on-site manager Metis plans to dispatch?”
I smiled and turned my head. There, Eluna was wearing a captivating smile.
“It is Miss Eluna.”
In that instant, desire boiled in Romushu’s eyes.
“Ah, I see. Understood. Then I will help as much as I can. There is one figure I am concerned about, but he will not be able to step forward recklessly. After all, there is the contract you signed with His Grace the Duke.”
“Good. Then what does Sir Romushu desire?”
I asked confidently.
Sir Romushu seemed slightly surprised by that confidence, but I eased his mind by saying that when something comes in, something must go out.
“There are about two things.”
“Please speak freely.”
“Mm...... If possible, I would like you not to entrust escort requests to the Blue Dragon Mercenary Corps.”
“I will do so.”
Perhaps because I agreed too easily, Sir Romushu laughed hollowly. He also seemed to show regret, as if thinking he would have made another request had he known it would go this way.
“The remaining one is a rather difficult request, but since you told me to speak freely, I will say it frankly. I want the Design Drawings for the fountain pen and ballpoint pen.”
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