Chapter 169
Chapter 169. Repeat After Me: You’re Dead (1)
I simply stared intently at Sir Romushu without showing any particular reaction.
As the silence lengthened, Sir Romushu seemed to grow anxious and leaned his upper body a little farther forward. I was still sitting with my legs crossed, tapping lightly with my hand.
“I know it is a difficult request, but I have no doubt that it will be a proposal you will find sufficiently satisfying as well. If Metis is to settle successfully in the Ture Region, that is.”
To think he would try to threaten me with something like that. How absurd.
Then again, I had never been to the Ture Region, so I did not know for certain, but I had heard that the Blue Dragon Merchant Company had tremendous influence there. Since he had that confidence, he must have thought this way.
But not even remotely, my good man.
“No, well, if we examine it closely, it is not such a difficult request.”
“Hm?”
As expected, Romushu was surprised. He must have thought I would refuse, but that was not the kind of answer that came out.
“There are far more people who want the Design Drawings for fountain pens and ballpoint pens than you think, Sir Romushu. If we only consider those nearby, His Grace the Duke has also said as much......”
I smiled and let my words trail off, and tension settled over Romushu’s face. I crossed my legs the other way and continued.
“Since the topic has come up, I will tell you this. On the day I first met His Grace the Duke, His Grace also wanted the Design Drawings and the Patent Rights. Were you present then? I do not quite remember.”
“I was not present that day, but I heard about it.”
“Then this will be quick. I explained all the reasons I could not hand over the drawings and Patent Rights at the time. I am already developing the next generation of fountain pens and ballpoint pens.”
“The next generation......”
That expression was used in the modern world, so it might not be easily understood, but Romushu seemed to understand it in his own way, so I did not add any further explanation.
His expression turned cautious. Indeed, if an even more improved product came out, the value of the current one would naturally fall.
However, Romushu instead smiled.
“But even if there is a next generation, people encountering these items for the first time will surely find them attractive. They are inventions that remarkable.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
“I mean it. I can still vividly recall the moment I first encountered the fountain pen and ballpoint pen, as if it happened today. The thrill that ran down my spine was quite electrifying.”
He did not seem to be an ordinary man. In simple terms, he seemed to be saying he would leave the premium market to us and target the low-to-mid-price market himself.
That much was enough to show that he had sufficient commercial sense.
I smiled and responded.
“Would it not be better for us to do well in the fields each of us is good at, rather than needlessly making enemies?”
“I did not make that proposal with the intention of becoming your enemy.”
“No. Once competition begins, noise will inevitably follow. I do not want to enter such a relationship with your Merchant Company. We must cooperate in the medium to long term. Especially now that Metis’s production facilities will be located in Ture.”
I repeatedly emphasized cooperation and bonds. Also, I had guessed what he wanted. To drive out his half-brother and become the one at the top.
If our interests aligned on that point, the matter could not help but proceed smoothly.
“What are the fields each of us is good at?”
“I am suggesting a division of labor. I will give you part of the distribution rights, so how about taking a middle margin by paying a small royalty? We will work hard to make the products, and you will work hard to distribute them. Would that not be good for both of us?”
“Hmm...... It does have merit, but I will have to think about it.”
“It will be troublesome if you think for too long. Even now, there are many other places thinking about it.”
I cut him off coldly, and Romushu responded that he understood before rising from his seat. Eluna and I also rose and shook hands with him.
“I hope there will be good news.”
“As do I.”
He left the Drawing Room first. I sat down, intending to rest for a moment. Eluna was still pressed right beside me.
“Do you truly intend to give him distribution rights?”
“I do intend to. But for that to happen, it will take a long time. It will take time to find a new material for making the Cartridge installed in fountain pens and ballpoint pens.”
“Since Mass Production is impossible, you cannot give him distribution rights either.”
“Exactly.”
If we could use plastic materials, every problem would be solved, but the technology had not reached that stage yet. That did not mean I could recklessly create a petroleum industry, so finding a substitute material would be faster.
I leaned comfortably against the backrest and asked,
“Have you heard anything from Spinel?”
“Not yet.”
“Send a Messenger Pigeon and pressure him once more. Tell him I asked directly. You can package it as news that we will be returning soon.”
“I will do that.”
“If only the production problem were solved, we could truly sprout wings on our backs and soar.”
When I sighed, Eluna linked her arm with mine and pressed closer.
“Cheer up. You are already doing well, Master. I will work harder too.”
“By the way, were you not offended earlier?”
“Hm? Earlier when?”
I pointed with my chin to the seat across from us, where Romushu had been sitting just moments before. At that, Eluna covered her mouth with her hand and laughed softly.
“Not at all. This is part of what I have to do.”
“Still, I feel somehow sorry. I did not want to make you do this sort of work if possible. But the situation is what it is.”
“I am enjoying it too, you know. I do not dislike those greedy gazes from men. It is my fault for being born beautiful.”
“......Do not go around saying things like that carelessly.”
“Is it not true?”
I chuckled and rose from my seat. Eluna seemed a little disappointed and could not easily take her eyes off me.
“Now, before we return, I need to meet His Grace the Duke one last time.”
“I wish you luck.”
“Right.”
Eluna and I left the Drawing Room. Then we entered the Banquet Hall again, where the party was in full swing.
***
The number of guests had hardly decreased. In fact, it felt as if there were even more of them.
There was one reason for that. It was not because I had yet to leave, but because Duke Bahamut was firmly holding his seat.
Duke Bahamut was surrounded by many nobles, conversing about this and that.
My title-conferral ceremony had become a kind of catalyst. Since even people who were normally difficult to meet had happened to come up to the Royal Capital, the party was lasting longer than usual.
I went straight to the duke.
Fortunately, the other nobles noticed my approach and opened a path for me. That concession was probably only for today. Starting tomorrow, they would become my competitors.
“The star of the day has finally appeared. You were away for a while. Did you go somewhere?”
“Since I filled myself up so much, I had to empty some out as well.”
“Hahaha!”
The duke slapped his knee, saying that was amusing. He soon rose from his seat and lifted his glass.
“Let us make another toast. Congratulations, Sir Suhyeon.”
“Thank you.”
We all raised our glasses and toasted, spending a pleasant moment together. However, I had something to discuss with the duke. And the more listeners there were, the better.
So I made the first move.
“Your Grace. There is something I would like to tell you. Would that be all right?”
“Of course. Ah, is it something I should hear privately?”
“No, it is not. It is a matter concerning my company, but in a broader sense, it is also a matter concerning the Bahamut House. The others may hear it as well.”
The duke nodded and gestured with his hand, and I approached him a little more closely.
The surroundings fell quiet in an instant. I could feel all the other retainers focusing on my words.
“It is nothing else. Eluna will soon be escorting the people from Adeline back to the Adeline Territory. Have you perhaps heard about this?”
“Mm...... I heard a general account. Hamel told me earlier.”
“Due to the recent series of incidents occurring in the Count’s Territory of Astria, the political situation has been changing rapidly. There have been attacks on Metis’s key figures.”
“Is that true?”
“A Messenger Pigeon arrived from Headquarters yesterday. It ended with only minor injuries, but they said there had been some sort of secret attack.”
“Huh.”
Of course, it was a lie. Under normal circumstances, suspicion would come first, but with the current situation as it was, it might sound true.
“I say this because I am concerned for Eluna’s safety, but could you perhaps attach escorts to her?”
“Escorts, is it?”
In truth, the crisis could be overcome to some extent just by mobilizing the Knight Order of the Adeline House. They were well armed and well trained, after all.
However, what I was trying to borrow was not Knights, but the name of the Bahamut House. If someone attacked us, it would not merely mean they had attacked the Adeline House, but that they had also attacked the Bahamut House.
“I have already told Your Grace how important Miss Eluna is. Of course, the Adeline House will provide assistance, but it would be better to prepare more thoroughly if possible.”
“You speak as if an attack will occur.”
“That is because I prefer to move while assuming the worst-case scenario.”
The surroundings began murmuring, and the duke fell into thought.
Attaching escorts was not difficult at all. This was a ducal house, no less. The number of Soldiers and Knights it could mobilize must be quite large.
However, what the duke was worried about was being dragged into the mud over something unnecessary.
After a moment, the duke raised his hand. The retainers nearby immediately stopped their idle chatter.
“Good. The commander of the Blue Dragon Mercenary Corps happens to have come up here, so returning with him would be a good method as well. Bring Donald here.”
Damn it. That is not what I meant.
However, the order was conveyed quickly and reached Donald, who had been exchanging idle conversation with some beauty on one side. He immediately came running over.
“Did you call for me, Your Grace?”
“The Distinguished Guests from Adeline and Metis will soon return to the Adeline Territory. Can you take charge of their escort?”
“Of course. I will obey your command.”
“We will pay the fee.”
“That will not do.”
Only then did I step forward. Donald, who had been kneeling on one knee, looked up at me with a displeased expression.
I paid him no mind and looked at the duke.
“I can pay that much. If I think of it as an investment in the business......”
“That is not the issue. I cannot trust the Blue Dragon Mercenary Corps. We need proven experts, and I cannot entrust the lives of distinguished guests to them.”
Silence fell in an instant.
The orchestra, having received a signal, stopped playing. Naturally, it was obvious that everyone’s attention in the hall would focus on us.
“You cannot trust us? You absolutely must explain what you mean by that.”
It was Donald.
How angry must he have been to commit the discourtesy of rising from his seat without being ordered?
Then again, I was also at fault for interrupting the duke. But I had no intention whatsoever of quietly accepting this absurd proposal.
I had not seen the skills of the Blue Dragon Mercenary Corps with my own eyes, but if the head was this rotten, there was no need to look at those beneath him.
“It means exactly what I said. We need proven experts. The Blue Dragon Mercenary Corps is insufficient. Do I need to explain what insufficient means as well?”
“What did you say?”
Donald glared at me as if he wanted to devour me, then placed his hand on my shoulder and gripped it tightly.
It was not simple brute strength. Aura was infused into it.
Look at this bastard.
At that instant, the Status Window appeared, but I pushed it aside for a moment and grabbed the hand that was gripping my shoulder.
THUD!
Then I raised Mana and tightened my grip.
“......!”
The bastard had to hold back the scream that threatened to burst out of him. However, he could not stop his face from turning red.
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