Chapter 82
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 82
We pushed through the bustling crowd in the square, making our way toward Jeremy and his group.
Sensing our approach, Jeremy turned around.
“……!”
His expression stiffened the moment he saw us, but he quickly masked it with his usual bright smile.
“Ah, Roen. And Miss Ciel is with you. And you are… Student Garfield, was it?”
“That’s right. It’s been a while, Jeremy. But isn’t it class time? What are you doing here?” I asked, tapping my wristwatch.
Jeremy replied smoothly, “I have some other business to attend to. Official business.”
He gestured toward his companions with a glance.
At a glance, they looked like typical wealthy merchants—greasy faces and plump bellies. Judging by their age, they weren't the heads of major merchant guilds; they were more likely the "shadows" who handled the dirty work behind the scenes. After all, the masterminds wouldn't be stupid enough to show their faces in public right after orchestrating a stock manipulation scheme.
These shadows had likely accompanied Jeremy to the stock exchange to gauge the perfect time to pull out. They were here to read the market trends in person and get the final word from the decision-maker, Jeremy.
And, of course, they probably wanted to see their profits with their own eyes.
Regardless, the timing couldn't have been more perfect.
“Official business at the stock exchange? How very curious.”
“And why have you come here, Roen? Isn’t it class time for you as well?”
“Is that really a surprise? It’s not like this is the first time I’ve skipped.” I shrugged and continued, “Besides, there’s only one reason anyone comes to the stock exchange.”
When I made a coin shape with my fingers, Jeremy showed a flicker of interest.
“Aha. It seems you’ve invested in something? If you don’t mind my asking, which guild did you pick?”
“The Lombard Merchant Guild. Their stock price happened to be quite low, so I snatched it up.”
The moment I mentioned buying Lombard stock, Jeremy’s companions burst into laughter.
“Pfft.”
“Heh… Ah, my apologies.”
“Hmph…”
The merchants didn't even try to hide their sneers. It was a mocking laugh, the kind one gives a piece of prey that has walked straight into a trap.
Jeremy maintained his poker face as best he could before lightly scolding his companions. “Welun, everyone. Apologize to Roen at once.”
“Our apologies.”
They bowed their heads, but their lips were still curled into smirks. I scoffed inwardly as I watched them.
I suppose it’s hilarious from their perspective.
They were the ones actively driving the price down through false rumors and aggressive short selling. To them, hearing someone say they’d bought a stock that was destined to bottom out must have been the joke of the century.
I feigned ignorance and asked, “What’s so funny?”
The plump man named Welun answered, “My apologies, Lord Roen. But have you perhaps not heard the rumors?”
“What rumors are you talking about?”
When I tilted my head as if I had no clue, Welun waved his hand dismissively.
“Ah, it’s nothing. It might be better that you don’t know. However, if I may be so bold as to offer a piece of advice—you would be wise not to hold onto that stock for long.”
“Thanks for the advice.” I nodded as if taking his words to heart, then spoke calmly. “Then let me offer a piece of advice as well. Above those who run… there are always those who fly.”
“Yes, well, I’ll be sure to keep that in mind,” Welun said sarcastically, spreading his hands in a theatrical gesture as if he’d just received the most profound wisdom in the world.
“But Sir Garfield, what brings you to a place like this?” Welun turned to Garfield, his tone softening significantly. Unlike me, an outcast of my family, Garfield was the son of the Morty family—a powerhouse in the world of commerce.
“Sir Roen said there would be an interesting spectacle today, so I came along to watch.”
“I see. It certainly will be an interesting spectacle. Hehe.”
Welun laughed, and the other merchants joined in.
“Indeed. It’s an experience one should have at least once in their life. Perhaps it’s a relief you only invested a small amount?”
“Haha, don’t be too disheartened.”
The merchants chattered on as if my financial ruin was already a foregone conclusion. I simply let their words slide, anticipating the exact moment their faces would twist in despair.
Just as I was exchanging a few more words with Jeremy’s group…
“Oh my, there you are.”
A figure appeared, cutting through the crowd with a bodyguard in tow. She slightly lifted the veil covering her face and smiled at me.
“You’re here, Sheika.”
It was Sheika—publicly the vice-master of the Bellatea Merchant Guild, but in reality, the true owner of the Lombard Merchant Guild.
At her appearance, Jeremy’s group began to whisper.
— Isn’t that woman a spice merchant?
— I believe she’s a high-ranking member of the Bellatea Merchant Guild. Their recent movements have been suspicious.
— I heard they have some connection to the Lombard Merchant Guild as well.
As they were exchanging information, two more people joined us.
One was a burly bodyguard with a stern expression, wearing a fedora. It was Alfredo, disguised with magic. Next to him stood a red-haired woman wearing sunglasses.
Rebecca Schofield, the western branch manager of Panopticon. It was rare for her to make a public appearance.
“Whew~ Look at all these people~” She lifted her sunglasses slightly and whistled at the bustling crowd.
I turned to her. “You came in person. What should I call you here?”
“Hmm~ Just call me ‘sis’.”
“I’ll call you Becca.”
“Aww.” Rebecca clicked her tongue in disappointment, then her eyes sparkled as she spotted Jeremy. “Ooh, a blond pretty boy. But he’s a bit too dazzling for me. I prefer the decadent type.”
She slid her sunglasses back down and gestured toward the exchange with her chin. “Let’s get inside. It’ll be impossible to move once the public notice is posted.”
“Let’s.”
We left Jeremy’s group looking puzzled and entered the stock exchange.
*
“Who are they?”
Jeremy narrowed his eyes, watching the backs of Roen’s group as they disappeared into the building. Ciel and Garfield were one thing, but the others didn’t seem like the type of people who would associate with someone like Roen.
Welun answered, “The woman with purple hair is Sheika, the vice-master of the Bellatea Merchant Guild. They’re a famous spice trading company—the largest in Stella Port.”
“Then what about the red-haired woman next to her?”
“Th-that, I’m not sure…”
Welun and the other merchants scratched their heads awkwardly. While they knew the merchants of Stella Port inside and out, they had no idea of Rebecca’s true identity. And with Alfredo disguised as a mere bodyguard, they had no way to guess who he was.
“……”
Jeremy stared at the spot where Roen’s group had vanished, his eyes narrowing. For some reason, he’d also lost contact with Zimmer.
The plan could not afford any setbacks.
“I have a bad feeling about this. Is the plan truly proceeding without a hitch?”
“Ah, of course. The reason I contacted Your Highness today was for this very reason. We wanted you to confirm the progress and the profits we’ve made so far, and to decide whether to proceed further or wrap things up and pull out.”
“……You’ve already secured enough funds?”
“Of course. We could make even more profit if we continue. However, we must pull out before Lombard’s merchant ships arrive. Considering that, Your Highness should decide when to liquidate the position.”
After a moment of thought, Jeremy made his decision.
“Then wrap it up and pull out as quickly as possible. I have a very bad feeling.”
Jeremy recalled the people who had just joined Roen. Every single one of them had an unusual air about them. He knew this because he possessed a talent called [Insight].
It was an innate intuition for judging people. Jeremy could instinctively grasp a person’s potential by the spectrum of color emanating from them.
That woman, Sheika… she isn’t someone who will remain the vice-master of a mere spice guild.
She radiated a blue aura, signifying the potential of at least a master of a major merchant guild. Furthermore, the burly guard and the red-haired woman in the black glasses…
From them, he felt a reddish-yellow aura. It wasn't just potential; it was something far more dangerous. It was like encountering a venomous snake—the kind of people you were better off never crossing.
That wasn't all. Jeremy had heard about Roen’s recent activities. If Roen's sudden change in behavior affected this deal, they could suffer a massive loss. Roen had been a thorn in his side ever since they were children.
When Jeremy ordered the withdrawal, Welun asked in confusion, “Your Highness? Is this because of Roen? There’s no need to worry about a scoundrel like him—”
“Enough.”
Jeremy’s eyes flashed sharply. Welun flinched and immediately bowed. “My—my apologies, Your Highness. We will do as you command.”
Just then…
Tap, tap—
A tapping sound echoed from the magic loudspeakers in the square, followed by an announcement.
“In a moment, at 8:25, there will be a public disclosure from each merchant guild listed on the Stella Port Stock Exchange. We ask all investors to gather in front of the bulletin boards.”
“Ah, Your Highness, the notice is up. Let’s go check. It will help you make your final decision.”
“……Very well. Lead the way.”
Jeremy’s group pushed through the crowd toward the holographic bulletin boards.
Tick, tock—
As the crowd murmured, the second hand of the giant clock tower in the center of the square ticked away. The moment it hit twelve…
Flick—
New information flooded the boards. A momentary silence fell over the square.
“……”
Investors focused with all their might, checking the status of the stocks they held. As the murmurs began to grow, a spectator suddenly shouted.
“The—the Lombard Merchant Guild!”
“What is it?”
“What’s going on?”
At the cry, the crowd swarmed toward the Lombard Merchant Guild’s notice like a tidal wave. Jeremy’s group was swept along with them.
The people gathered took in the notice written on the board.
[Lombard Merchant Guild Shareholder Status]
[Bellatea Merchant Guild] 65.3%
- Acquired an additional 32% stake through the exercise of a call option.
[Black Rose Association] 28.4%
[Meluin Merchant Association] 0.42%
.
.
.
“……!”
The faces of Welun and Jeremy’s group turned deathly pale.
According to the official report, the Bellatea Merchant Guild’s stake had surged due to a call option, meaning 94 percent of the Lombard Merchant Guild’s shares were now locked up.
This meant the remaining floating stock was only 6 percent.
However, the volume Jeremy's group had shorted was well over 20 percent.
Even if they bought every single share available on the market, they couldn't possibly cover what they had borrowed.
“I-impossible…!”
“Who in the world—?!”
As Jeremy’s group stared blankly at the board in a state of pure panic…
“G-get out of the way!”
“Hey! Run!”
“Uwooooh!”
The thousands of people gathered in the square began to surge toward the exchange building all at once, desperate to escape the impending crash.