Chapter 141 : Chapter 141
Chapter 141. Mystic Trading Company (3)
The meeting with the old man who introduced himself as the ‘Mystic Merchant’ lasted longer than I had expected.
Aside from answering my questions, the Mystic Merchant told me many stories about the hidden circumstances surrounding House Adeline and the Delfino Family. Thanks to that, I came to understand most of the secrets connecting House Adeline, Astria, and Delfino.
Only now had the precise balance of power taken shape in my mind.
It was a meeting I could truly call a fortuitous opportunity.
The timing was so exquisite that I could not help wondering whether it had truly been a coincidence.
“You look as though all your questions have finally been answered. What do you think?”
“No. I still have one question left.”
“What is it?”
“You told me even the things I did not ask about. Even if the owner of the Azure Dragon Token introduced me to you, is that not a losing trade?”
The old man smiled. He made no sound, but I clearly saw the corner of his mouth, which the hood had failed to cover, curve upward.
“Even an information merchant, if you trace his roots, ultimately inherited the blood of a merchant. If you knew the most basic virtue of a merchant, you would not be asking such a question. In the end, it means your ability as the Master of a company has yet to mature.”
“I do not understand what you mean. What I said was…….”
“Merchants are not people who simply receive payment and sell something. They are people who estimate potential and invest for a profit beyond that.”
With those words, the old man lifted his head slightly. Beneath the shadow of his hood, his black eyes gleamed.
“Are you saying you told me those things because you intended to invest in me?”
“Who knows? According to the information I possess, you have greater potential than one might think. There is a possibility that you will become an exceptionally valuable customer.”
“What information is that?”
“I cannot tell you that. It is extremely expensive information.”
The fact that I was growing impatient made me feel certain that the Mystic Merchant was one step above me.
I could not let myself be drawn in here. I let out a light sigh and calmed my mind.
“No matter what information you hold, I will not show my hand to anyone. I may look young, but I am a more special person than you think.”
“Hohoho. Everyone says that at first. But if that truly were the case…… would you have heard the secrets tied to House Adeline and the Delfino Family?”
He was saying there was no such thing as a secret in this world. Well, I agreed with that opinion as well.
“How much has the price of my information been set at?”
“One million gold.”
This was insane!
My instincts told me that it might include the fact that I was a Mana User. Otherwise, why would such an enormous sum as one million gold be attached to it?
Where had the information leaked from? How in the world were these people gathering information?
Everything was unknown.
I thought as calmly as I could and smiled.
“Interesting. I will have to work hard, earn the money, and commission it once to see what kind of information is inside.”
“You are welcome to do so at any time.”
“Do you accept personal transactions as well? I would like to visit from time to time, even without an introduction.”
“If you show the merchant company emblem, we will open the door for you.”
“Understood. I will take my leave now. I will remember what you told me today.”
I rose from my seat. The Mystic Merchant once again stroked the crystal ball, then simply stared intently into the cluster of light.
I could see something forming and vanishing within the crystal ball.
However, from where I stood, I could not clearly see what kind of image it was.
Just what was he looking at through the crystal ball?
I was curious, but the Bald Man urged me onward, so I had no choice but to return outside. As promised, the man was waiting for me outside.
“Did you achieve what you intended?”
“I have heard that there are truths in this world one is better off not knowing. It feels as though I have just heard one of those truths.”
“If you want to accomplish something great, you must accept a commensurate amount of danger.”
After exchanging a few simple words, we left the Mystic Trading Company, and the iron door closed firmly behind us. As though nothing had ever been there, the place transformed back into an empty, deserted spot.
We safely made our way out of the Underworld without any particular conflict. The surroundings were now bright enough that I could even see the Capital Guard on patrol.
The hooded man turned around.
“Now that you have achieved what you intended, it seems only the signing of the contract remains.”
“When should I visit you?”
“Once the contract is prepared, I will send separate word. You may come then. In that case, I will take my leave.”
The man left without looking back.
Left alone, I walked down the main road and sank into thought.
They would need some time to prepare the contract. I was worried about what clauses they would insert to pressure me, but a far greater matter buried that concern.
The bloody history in which House Adeline, House Astria, and the Delfino Merchant Company were all intertwined.
That issue was too vast a tide of history for me to intervene in. It was also far too old. I could not even imagine how great a grudge that had festered for five hundred years might be.
“There is no way out. I have already become entangled in too many matters, and I have even joined hands with the Third Young Master. On top of that, I ended up sharing a secret with Duke Mydas.”
For a brief moment, I wondered whether I had been a little too reckless.
In truth, the most shocking matter was the fact that the information about me had been priced at one million gold.
Setting aside the fact that I was a Mana User, there was a high possibility that it included the fact that I was operating under a double identity.
Otherwise, what insane person would spend the astronomical sum of one million gold to view information?
I was not drawing attention yet, but the more my name spread across the Continent, the more people would want information about me.
“I need to make a move before that happens, do I not?”
If a knot was tangled, one merely had to untie it. If it was too badly snarled, one could simply cut it apart with a sword, like a certain great king.
At worst, I would only lose what I had never possessed in the first place.
There was no need to fear losing what I held now. Had I not ended up living a far better life than in my previous life because of an accidental incident?
“This might be an opportunity instead.”
I raised my head and straightened my shoulders. I was able to take my steps with a little more confidence.
“I will use the information given to me as much as possible, devour capital and the commercial sphere, and push them out. That is not impossible. Then I will seize control of the Underworld’s information network and spread false information about Dilen and Suhyeon.”
On top of that, if I made full use of my special ability and received help from my companions, I felt certain I could break through the dangerous situation surrounding me.
I had to look broadly and think on a larger scale.
If there was someone who held my information, the solution was simple: I would pull that person to my side. If they offered one million gold, I would swallow them whole with ten million gold.
A smile formed on my lips of its own accord. It was thrilling, and above all, it was amusing.
“He said there was a possibility I would become an exceptionally valuable customer?”
I snorted. Only now did I speak the words I had wanted to say to that Mystic Merchant earlier.
“What nonsense. I am willing to become an exceptionally valuable owner instead of a customer. Just wait a little. When I return, the situation will be completely different.”
After returning to Dilen once more, I headed to the mansion. Then, early the next morning, I went to the Young Lady’s residence.
***
“What do you mean by that?”
Young Lady Sapiela asked me with a languid expression, still not fully awake. Arwen, who had been helping the Young Lady prepare herself, was still moving her hands, but her gaze was fixed on me.
I bowed my head and spoke again.
“I believe it would be best for you to skip this morning’s Academy class. If possible, I also advise clearing your afternoon schedule.”
Sapiela read my serious expression and waved everyone around her away. Although her grooming was not yet finished, Sapiela rose from her seat.
“What in the world happened overnight?”
“I am sorry to tell you this, but…….”
“It is all right, so hurry and tell me.”
“I have uncovered the identities of those who harmed you before, my lady.”
For an instant, the Young Lady’s body trembled. She seemed to have remembered the unpleasant memory from that time. I caught her unsteady body.
“Are you all right? It would be best for you to sit for a moment.”
“Ah…… I am fine.”
“This way.”
After seating the Young Lady in a comfortable chair, I continued my explanation.
“As expected, the Delfino Family was behind it. Their attempt to target you, my lady, was merely a minor plan. Ultimately, they are aiming for House Adeline.”
“Why would they possibly…….”
“They have been steadily preparing since the distant past. For the sake of taking revenge on House Adeline.”
“Revenge?”
Judging by her reaction, the Young Lady seemed to know nothing. The other young masters were probably the same. If anyone knew, it would only be Marquis Chronos, the Head of House.
After returning to the mansion last night, I had pondered whether I should tell the Young Lady this fact. There was also what Young Master Hamel had said before, and the contents were hardly pleasant.
However, I thought it would be better to speak.
The greatest issue was my freedom of movement. To resolve this matter, I would inevitably have to leave my post often. To do that, I needed the Young Lady’s understanding.
Perhaps I might even have to step away from my position as an Attending Secretary for a while.
Besides, the Young Lady had recently been worried about the various ominous movements occurring in her hometown. If so, she had the right to hear this story.
“It happened five hundred years ago, in what is now the Count’s Territory of Astria.”
After beginning that way, I relayed exactly what I had heard from the Mystic Merchant. The Young Lady focused on my story, at times shocked and at times angry.
When the entire story came to an end, a heavy silence lingered inside the room. The Young Lady wore a grief-stricken expression.
Unable to wait any longer, I stepped in.
“I will cancel all of today’s schedule. I believe it would be best for you to rest for a few days.”
“No, no. That is enough.”
The Young Lady rose from her seat. Her gaze turned fierce.
“We do not know whether those words are true or not. Sir Dilen only heard them from someone else. There may have been exaggerations, and there may have been a scheme.”
I understood. She probably did not want to admit that her renowned house had committed such filthy deeds.
To be honest, I did not want to believe it either.
However, the way the circumstances were unfolding said that it was true. To know for certain, I would have no choice but to speak with the Head of House Adeline.
On that note, I was also willing to speak openly with Marquis Chronos.
By now, the Third Young Master should have already set things in motion, and the importance of our Metis, which had signed an exclusive contract, should have increased considerably. If I approached him as though I intended to help, I might unexpectedly be able to learn the truth.
The Young Lady continued, speaking each word clearly.
“Above all, if I shrink away and hide here, it will be no different from admitting that Sir Dilen’s words are true. I do not want to do that. I will respond in my own way.”
“I understand your intentions well, my lady. Then I will proceed with today’s schedule as planned.”
I liked the Young Lady’s attitude. Rather than trembling in fear, it was good to see her confront the matter so boldly.
I went back outside and called the maids. The Young Lady’s grooming, which had been briefly interrupted, began once more. I stood to one side and looked out the window.
I saw the peaceful sight of the butlers sweeping the yard and tending the garden.
How long would this peace truly last?