Chapter 84
Chapter 84
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 84
Chapter Title: Wiruan Merchant Group (3)
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It had already been three days since arriving in the capital.
Allen and Iriel stood side by side in front of an inn called "Harab's Morning."
During that time, they had secretly exchanged signals with the people from the Magnet branch and managed to make it here.
"Let's go in."
At Allen's words, delivered with a tense expression, the two stepped into the inn.
Ding-a-ling.
"Welcome."
They were shown to a seat by an orange-haired waitress and sat at a corner table, receiving the menu.
Allen leisurely scanned the menu, but he already knew what to order.
It had to be done without a single mistake, as it would serve as the means to confirm each other's identities.
Somewhere in this restaurant, independence fighters from the Northern White Lion group were surely watching over them.
When Allen raised his hand, the orange-haired waitress approached with a bright smile.
"Yes, ready to order?"
Allen swallowed dryly and placed the order.
"Two tenderloin steaks and one herring salad, please. For the tenderloin steaks, one medium rare—make the outside as crispy as possible while keeping the inside juicy... (omitted)... and for the herring in the herring salad, use herring about the size of my palm, and fill it generously with only cabbage for the vegetables."
"...Ah, yes. I'll check with the kitchen."
The girl gave a troubled smile at the incredibly detailed order and walked away. Allen and Iriel exchanged glances and nodded.
A moment later, the girl returned from the kitchen.
"Yes, the kitchen says everything's possible! I'll put in the order just like that."
After finishing their meal, Allen and Iriel stepped out of the inn. Even during the meal, they had been sending the promised signals, to the point where they weren't sure if the steak was going in through their mouths or noses.
'And yet, why is it so delicious?'
Allen smacked his lips, still unsated.
Just then, someone suddenly approached him and acted familiar.
"Huh? You're Alps, right? Long time no see!"
"Ah, yes, long time no see."
Allen responded with practiced ease, as if he had anticipated it.
The two followed the skinny man who had come to greet them. After circling the area once to check for tails, they finally headed to their destination.
The place they arrived at after winding around was the building right next to Harab's Morning.
"Huh?"
"Hello!"
Upon entering the house, there was the girl who had taken their order at the restaurant.
"I'm Yuria! This way, please! The branch chief is waiting."
She guided Allen and Iriel inside with a smile.
A secret room hidden within what appeared to be an ordinary home.
The branch chief was inside.
He was an elderly man with deeply wrinkled skin.
"Nice to meet you. I'm the branch chief, Harab..."
Harab's gaze stopped on Iriel, and he tilted his head.
Iriel beamed at him.
Tears were already welling up in her eyes.
"Harab, long time no see."
"L-Lady Iriel?!"
Harab shouted as if he might keel over any second. Iriel rushed to him, and they shared a tight embrace, catching up.
Harab had once served as a butler in Iriel's family.
He had taken care of Lucian and Iriel up close.
It had been nearly five years since they last met, so the reunion was joyful.
He had been with them even when the Palette Merchant Group was founded and had come here when the Magnet branch was established.
"Seeing you, miss, I can die without regrets now. Sniff."
"What are you saying! You have to live long and healthy like this! Don't you want to see your grandchildren?"
At Iriel's sharp retort, Harab smiled warmly and continued.
"Of course I do! Yes, I'll see them and then die. If they're anything like you, miss, how stubborn they'll be..."
Sensing Iriel's piercing glare, Harab trailed off and naturally turned his gaze away.
He asked Allen.
"So, the White Lion hasn't arrived yet?"
His demeanor suddenly turned serious.
Caught off guard by the change, Allen gave an awkward smile.
"Yes. Mr. Genes is still at the lodging."
"Mr. Genes?"
"Ah, yes. That's his name."
"Ah-."
The gathered branch members let out a collective gasp.
Just hearing the name made their eyes sparkle intensely.
"Why didn't he come with you?"
At Harab's question, Allen and Iriel exchanged awkward glances.
"Well, we had some separate business to handle."
Allen explained to the tilting heads what was about to unfold.
* * *
While the two were off meeting the branch members, I was catching up with Histron after a long time.
"Thanks to you keeping the ledgers so meticulously, things are progressing smoothly. I'm grateful for that."
I propped my legs up on the desk and bit into an apple.
Histron bowed his head before me, flashing a weasel-like grin.
"For me to be of help is the honor of a lifetime."
"I'm even more grateful you think that way. It seems like they're starting to arrive one by one now."
"Yes. As I mentioned, they'll all be assembled in two days."
"You've worked hard. I never knew there were people like you toiling in the shadows for the empire."
"I'm just grateful for the recognition."
I took another bite of the apple.
"So, here's the thing. I want to gather everyone involved in this matter and throw a banquet for them."
"A banquet?"
"Then, I can praise your efforts in Bastis's name."
His eyes widened at my words.
"And it wouldn't look bad if I announce that our family will support the Wiruan Merchant Group."
"I will serve and honor you for the rest of my life!"
He shot to his feet and bowed deeply.
"But you see, I'm pretty picky about banquets."
"If you tell me what you need, I'll take responsibility and prepare one that satisfies you, no matter what!"
"Really?"
I smiled faintly at his resolute expression.
This guy.
If I told him to lick my soles, he'd do it right then and there.
Completely blinded by greed.
Over the past few days, he had fully bought into me being Creon Bastis.
Probably thanks to my unmistakably aristocratic demeanor.
I listed out all the conditions for the banquet I wanted without missing a beat.
Oblivious that it would be his grave, Histron diligently took notes.
* * *
"Move it, you slowpokes! You planning to ruin the banquet?!"
Amid the bustling workers, a man dressed in flashy clothes was yelling with veins bulging in his neck.
The man fiercely directing the servants.
It was none other than Histron, who had declared today his second birthday.
"You idiot, the table's crooked! Move it more to the right!"
His face flushed red, eyes blazing as he oversaw everything.
He had four eyes and that still wouldn't be enough.
"Do you slugs have any idea what today is, you French morons?!"
He had to satisfy Creon Bastis today without a single flaw.
Watching the banquet hall come together piece by piece, Histron suddenly burst into mad laughter.
"Umhahhaha!"
He couldn't contain the erupting joy.
Was this a dream or reality?
What kind of family was Bastis?
One of the empire's top noble houses.
Countless people rubbed their palms raw waiting for a connection, yet such fortune had rolled right into his lap.
In the golden future unfolding before him, he was already at the empire's center.
Clinging to Creon Bastis's coattails wouldn't be hard at all.
With his talents, success was inevitable.
He was confident he could outperform anyone.
And that great first step began today.
So, no mistakes could be tolerated at today's banquet.
As the frantic preparations wrapped up, guests began arriving one by one.
As per Creon's request, he had scraped together all the top brass related to the merchant group.
Even those who had escorted the French over long distances.
Even after selecting only the most important, it numbered over eighty people.
"Wow, what's all this?"
Thanks to that, the invited Rat-like Guy and Flounder-like Guy gaped at the extravagantly luxurious banquet hall.
Once all the guests had gathered, Histron climbed onto the podium and shouted.
"Everyone, please pay attention!"
All eyes focused on him.
Aside from the three who brought Creon and himself, no one knew who the banquet's host was.
They had only been told it was mandatory attendance.
Histron swallowed his ragged breath and continued.
"You've all worked hard for the Wiruan Merchant Group until now! This gathering is to honor those efforts!"
Clap clap clap clap!
Everyone responded with loud applause and cheers.
Histron steadied the room and pressed on.
"And while I'm at it, the truth is, someone else sponsored this banquet for us."
Everyone hung on his words.
"That person is none other than! The scion of the empire's mightiest noble house and the continent's finest bloodline—the Bastis family! Creon Bastis!"
At Histron's declaration, the hall erupted into marketplace chaos for a moment.
A Bastis heir in this backwater?
It was earth-shattering.
"We had to keep it secret until now. But he'll arrive soon, so everyone must greet him without any rash moves."
The crowd roared in approval at Histron's words.
With the Wiruan Merchant Group's future now bright, how could they not be thrilled?
It was hard to believe even hearing it.
Histron continued his long speech before stepping down from the podium, and people swarmed him like clouds, bowing their heads.
"Congratulations."
"What congratulations."
"Please take care of me too."
"Umhaha."
Even those who had puffed out their chests after some investment now bowed their crowns before him.
This was the power of authority.
It felt like his status had skyrocketed several levels in an instant.
People he once saw as equals now looked up from his feet.
He felt like he was flying.
"Quiet, everyone! Creon Bastis has arrived!"
It was the voice of the hairy one who had gone to escort Creon.
At his booming call, the noisy hall fell into a suffocating silence.
Everyone held their breath carefully.
Creak.
The massive door split open, revealing a man.
Histron gazed at him like a descending god.
It would've been perfect with grand music blasting, but Creon Bastis said even that wasn't needed.
He also refused servants serving food and drink as tacky, so they had to greet him with everything already set.
Histron bowed so low his head nearly touched the ground.
"Histron of the Wiruan Merchant Group greets the shining star of the Bastis family, Creon Bastis!"
"Creon Bastis!"
Everyone bowed after him.
The sound echoed off the hall's walls, resounding thunderously. The ensuing silence chilled the atmosphere further.
'That's why music is essential.'
As Histron regretted the heavy quiet,
Thud!
The door closed.
Creon turned and personally barred the massive door.
Then he scanned the room again.
His overwhelming gaze made heads bow involuntarily.
The epitome of nobility.
Such was the might of Bastis.
He loomed like a mountain just standing there.
Even after he barred the door, those in the hall stared fixedly at Creon Bastis—no, Genes—without suspicion.
Genes's hand slowly moved to his waist, gripping the sword hilt.
"From this moment, I shall bestow rewards to honor your efforts."
Shing.
A white blade emerged with a chilling scrape.
"Personally."
Those who didn't grasp the situation eyed him puzzled.
An icy voice cut through.
"Receive it gladly in death."
The hall remained still.
From his fingertips, sword light exploded.